A project that combines satellite images, mapping technologies and the local knowledge of villagers to help build climate-proof settlements in disaster-prone areas of Pakistan won an international award on Thursday. More than one million people have benefited from the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH) Pakistan project, which was a gold prize winner at the World Habitat Awards that are organised …

WASHINGTON: Joe Biden will keep Donald Trump’s trade-war tariffs on China for the time being when he moves into the Oval Office next month, the president-elect has told US media. Rancor and recrimination have defined the relationship between the world’s two biggest economies over the last four years, with Trump slapping import fees on billions of dollars’ worth of Chinese …

MOSCOW: President Vladimir Putin ordered a large-scale voluntary vaccination programme against COVID-19 to begin next week across Russia, saying teachers and doctors should be first in line to get the country’s flagship Sputnik V vaccine. Putin gave the order during an online meeting with ministers on Wednesday, a day when Russia, which has the fourth highest number of recorded infections …

ISLAMABAD: The administration of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) hospital has closed its out-patient services at children and gynaecology sections amid COVID-19 second wave. The spokesperson of the PIMS hospital confirmed that the out-patient departments (OPDs) of the children and gynaecology sections have been closed due to the spread of coronavirus. Earlier, the Islamabad’s largest government hospital, Pakistan Institute …

ISLAMABAD: The health ministry has finalised a comprehensive strategy for administering of the expected COVID-19 vaccine across the country, citing sources. Sources that the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has approved the ‘Vaccine Administration Plan’, the comprehensive strategy prepared by the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) of the health ministry. The responsibility for storage and transportation of the COVID-19 …

HAMILTON: The West Indies relished the freedom to be out-and-about in Covid-free New Zealand on the eve of the first Test at Seddon Park here on Wednesday, but said the pressure was on to be fully focused once the match starts. It has been months since either side played red-ball cricket, leaving the potential for rust with New Zealand’s last …

TOKYO: Athletes at the coronavirus-postponed Tokyo Olympics will face regular testing, restrictions on mingling and potential punishment for non-compliance with health rules, organisers said on Wednesday as they outlined plans for holding the Games. After months of talks, officials issued a 54-page report outlining how they believe the Games can go ahead, even if the pandemic is not under control …

CANBERRA: India all-rounder Hardik Pandya scored his highest One-day International score of 92 to set up a thrilling 13-run win for his team against Australia in the third match at the Manuka Oval on Wednesday and avoid a clean sweep in the series. Pandya’s unbeaten knock in 76 deliveries featured seven fours and one six and he added 150 in …

LAHORE: The Chief Executive Officer of Lahore Qalandars, Atif Rana on Wednesday played down the reports of any deadlock between the Pakistan Super League franchises and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over the new financial model but admitted that the dispute may threaten the very existence of the popular PSL if not resolved quickly and amicably. Talking to Dawn exclusively, Atif said: …

KARACHI: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa staged a wonderful comeback through an undefeated century from Kamran Ghulam against Balochistan on the opening day of second-phase fixtures in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy here on Wednesday. Reigning champions Central Punjab lost initiative when Sindh paceman Tabish Khan picked uo two late wickets while Southern Punjab’s first innings concluded against Northern in their top-of-the-table clash. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa …