TORONTO: In a landmark achievement, Toronto-based Pakistani Doctor Naqeeb Khalid has introduced an instant COVID-19 diagnostic test using a smartphone. High Commissioner for Pakistan to Canada Raza Bashir Tarar has congratulated Dr. Naqeeb Khalid, who led the development of a smartphone-based diagnostic test for COVID-19. The high commissioner in a video conversation with Dr. Naqeeb Khalid said the idea of …

ISLAMABAD: Federal minister of science Fawad Hussain Chaudhry praised Saturday the stance taken by Prime Minister Imran Khan on avoiding fossil fuels for environmental protection. Federal minister Chaudhry on his Twitter account posted a message saying it was astounding for him how media is unable to fathom the profoundness of this breakthrough decision by the PM.   He said calling …

KARACHI: Cement makers are eyeing a large potential bonanza that might be about to open up before them. Anti-dumping duties imposed by South Africa on Pakistani cement are set to expire on Dec 17, 2020. The duties, which range from 14-77 per cent, were imposed in 2015. The International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) of South Africa has issued a notice …

ISLAMABAD: The federal government’s notification has added to uncertainty in the po­wer corridors as to who will look after the aff­airs of Pakistan’s top tax machinery after the former adviser to the prime minister on fin­ance and revenue, Dr Hafeez Shaikh, was elevated to the position of finance minister only. The cabinet notification reads Dr Shai­kh will look after the …

THE transition from oil is underway. All stakeholders — from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) and Russia to the oil majors — are all beginning to appreciate, realise and react to this changing global energy kaleidoscope. Russia has been denying the reality. Now this is changing. “The peak of consumption may have already passed,” said Deputy Russian Finance …

KARACHI: Bulls continued to rule at the stock market for the third week in a row with the benchmark KSE-100 index recording gains of 263 points or 0.6 per cent in the outgoing week. The index settled at 42,470 points level which was last witnessed in September. The bullish momentum, however, remained shaky for the entire week as the growing …

KARACHI: While the Pakistan International Airlines is set to acquire more planes as part of its business plan, it has decided to remove four ATR aircraft from its current fleet of 30 due to an “expensive lease” arrangement. One of the four ATR aircraft was sent to Johannesburg from Karachi on Saturday, while the remaining three would soon be sent …

LONDON: Aston Villa snatched a 1-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Saturday after substitute Anwar El-Ghazi drilled in a stoppage-time penalty as both sides finished the game with 10 men. Villa had Douglas Luiz sent off in the 85th minute and Wolves midfielder Joao Moutinho was dismissed shortly after the visitors scored against the run of …

ABU DHABI: Red Bull’s Max Verstappen snatched the final pole position of the year, denying rivals Mercedes a front-row lock out in Saturday’s qualifying for the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The Dutchman, who had led a one-two for Red Bull ahead of team-mate Alexander Albon in final practice, produced a stunning one minute, 35.246-second lap under the floodlights at …

NEW DELHI: Key batsman Rohit Sharma has recovered from a hamstring injury and been cleared to join India’s tour in Australia, the national board said on Saturday. Media reports said the 33-year-old will fly to Australia on Sunday to start the two weeks of quarantine that will see him miss the first two of the four Tests. Sharma “completed his …