WASHINGTON: Officials in President Joe Biden’s administration tried to head off Republican concerns that his $1.9 trillion pandemic relief proposal was too expensive on a Sunday call with Republican and Democratic lawmakers, some of whom pushed for a smaller plan targeting vaccine distribution. Lawmakers from both parties said they had agreed that getting the COVID-19 vaccine to Americans should be …

LAHORE: A total of 607 fresh cases of the novel coronavirus surfaced across Punjab during the previous 24 hours, taking the provincial tally to 154,017. According to the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department, seven more people succumbed to the disease during this period, pushing the death toll to 4,568. The number of people recovering from the infection in the province …

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Science Technology Fawad Chaudhry said the government will soon finalize the mechanism for the successful implementation of the Electric Vehicle (EV) policy for four-wheelers in the country aimed to reduce pollution levels and generate employment in the transport sector.     “There was a delay in the issuance of an ordinance but hopefully it would be addressed soon,” …

LAHORE: Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid has announced that the issuance of Sehat Insaf Cards approved for all families across the province. Dr Yasmin Rashid, while talking to media today, said that Punjab cabinet approved the decision to provide Sehat Insaf Cards to all families across the province. She said that it is the responsibility of the government to …

Every now and then, one sees the policymakers or leading industry people talk about the potential of digital and how Pakistan needs to leverage that. Comparisons are offered with respect to regional countries like the Philippines and India and how they have boosted their IT exports. But how can that be when there is no proper infrastructure or robust capital …

CDA approves site for facility Space museum to be set up as well Observatory to help resolve longstanding moonsighting issue ISLAMABAD: The federal capital will have an observatory and a space museum which will not only resolve the moonsighting issue but also provide astronomers the opportunity to study the cosmos and celestial bodies. The observatory will be set up in Shakarparian …

A veteran rocket from billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk’s SpaceX aerospace company launched 143 spacecraft into space on Sunday, a new record for the most spaceships deployed on a single mission, according to the company. The Falcon nine rocket lifted off at 10 am EST from the Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. It flew …

KARACHI: Ahmed Baig tried his best but there was simply just no stopping Shabbir Iqbal. The defending champion had a look of resignation on his face as he birdied the final hole here at the Arabian Sea Country Club on Sunday, about to relinquish his Sindh Open Golf Championship crown to Shabbir. Moments later, Shabbir sealed a record-extending sixth title …

KARACHI: Sindh were guaranteed No.1 slot in the Pakistan Cup after a high-scoring successful chase against Southern Punjab, who despite losing are still in the hunt for the semi-finals along with Northern. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, meanwhile, booked their last-four spot after completing a fifth triumph against Central Punjab, who also are in with a chance of qualifying for the knockout round, …

KARACHI: Embattled Pakistan head coach Misbah-ul-Haq appealed on Sunday for calm after recent upheavals over his future with the national side as his charges prepare for the forthcoming first Test against South Africa. Addressing a virtual media conference following a team practice session at the National Stadium, Misbah appeared unruffled and refused to speculate on his immediate future after Pakistan …