Mushtaq Soofi — poet, writer, columnist and producerBy: By Dr Amjad Parvez on April 4, 2020My exposure to Mushtaq Soofi for umpteen years now has been as a creative television producer as he spent considerable time of his life in Pakistan television Corporation. He is humble, soft spoken person and an ardent reader, writer, poet and column writer. Before writing on his traits I must reproduce an answer to most […]
Women’s writing prize returns for 2020 as non-fiction writing competitionBy: Staff Report on April 4, 2020After a phenomenally successful inaugural year, which saw the submission of nearly 500 pieces of writing from every corner of Pakistan, the Zeenat Haroon Rashid Writing Prize for Women returns with a call for submissions from April 1st 2020. This annual writing competition, which carries a cash prize of Rs. 100,000 was established last year […]
Packed with refugees, Palestinian camps face grave threat if coronavirus spreadsBy: Agencies on April 4, 2020Malka Abu Aker has seen her crowded refugee camp in the Israeli-occupied West Bank swell year upon year since fleeing there over 70 years ago, with the arrival of new generations and those escaping successive Mideast conflicts. But with the coronavirus spreading locally, the 73-year-old worries that her congested Palestinian camp is primed for contagion, […]
Potential COVID-19 vaccine shows promise in mouse studyBy: Agencies on April 4, 2020Initial tests in mice of a potential COVID-19 vaccine delivered via a fingertip-sized patch have shown it can induce an immune response against the new coronavirus at levels that might prevent infection, US scientists said on Thursday. Researchers around the world are working to develop potential treatments or vaccines against the respiratory disease that has […]
A photographic journey through COVID-19, a testimony to life during self and social isolationBy: Staff Report on April 3, 2020Three-time Gourmand Award winner, and Pakistan’s leading independent publishing house Markings Publishing, helmed by Kiran Aman, proudly launches its first global outreach project titled “OUR MARKINGS 2020” – a photographic journey through COVID-19, a testimony to life during self and social isolation. Indeed, in these unprecedented times amid COVID-19, Kiran aims to unite the community […]
Physical distancing, not social distancingBy: Parvez Jamil on April 3, 2020Leaders and the public uphold the talk and the trend of precaution and prevention from the horrendous corona virus. “Social distancing” is the common term at the local, regional, national and global levels to combat the crisis of corona. While the objective and urgency of social distancing are important indeed, what remains vital is its […]
Fake aamil babas and their black businessBy: Faisal Ansar on April 3, 2020We reckon ourselves as educated people and apparently claim that we do not believe in any spiritual activities transpires by aamil babas but wall chalking throughout the country mentioning therein the majestic and charismatic work by aamil babas tells the different story which means that their black business is running and people are coming to […]
Message of hope shines out from mighty MatterhornBy: Agencies on April 3, 2020As the world reels from the coronavirus crisis, a beam of light is illuminating Switzerland’s Matterhorn mountain with a message of hope for a time of darkness. Every night from sunset, the 4,478-metre (14,692-foot) high national symbol is spalshed with words and images to inspire solidarity as people face up to the alarming spread of […]
Coronavirus casts shadow over EverestBy: Agencies on April 2, 2020The Himalayan hilltown of Khumjung should be bustling ahead of Everest’s climbing season, but the coronavirus has forced the shut down of the world’s tallest mountain and threatened the livelihood of the famed local Sherpas. While there are no reported cases in the town — home to many of the ethnic Sherpas who dominate the […]
Virus crisis gives US abortion opponents an openingBy: Agencies on April 2, 2020As the novel coronavirus rages across the United States, a new legal battle over abortion is brewing — and its impact is unclear. Led by Texas, several conservative-leaning US states have classified abortions as “nonessential” or elective procedures — meaning they have been delayed under state guidelines for handling the pandemic. Abortion rights activists have […]