Social media platforms have been flooded with fake news and misinformation following the Coronavirus outbreak across the globe.
Recently, a message, linked with ISPR, was doing rounds on social networking platforms claiming that the army will spray pesticides via helicopters all over Pakistan at midnight.
The fake message urged citizens not to head outside after midnight as the pesticides could bear detrimental effects on human health.
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Here is what the fake message read:
Today, special military helicopters will spray pesticides against the Coronavirus in the skies all over the country, so you must stay indoors after midnight. When you hear the sounds of airplanes at night, it is for you to know that it is related to this matter (COVID-19).
However, ISPR has officially rebutted the message. DG ISPR, Major General Babar Iftikhar, has clarified that the department did not issue any message regarding pest..
Category: Press Releases
WhatsApp Partners With WHO for a Real-Time Coronavirus Info Hub
The Facebook-owned WhatsApp has struggled with the spread of misinformation since the start. Despite all the efforts, the platform is still facing similar issues.
In its attempt to control the spread of misinformation, and help people gain access to authentic real-time data, the Company announced two initiatives today.
It has globally launched the WhatsApp Coronavirus Information Hub in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme, the World Health Organization, and UNICEF. It will donate $1 million to the Poynter Institute’s International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN). The information hub will offer actionable and straightforward guidance to users around the world. According to WhatsApp, the hub will:
Provide users with community leaders’ support, including health care professionals, educators, local businesses, etc. Help prevent the spread of rumors. Bring authentic pandemic related stories to one place. Apart from this, WhatsApp’s collaboration with Poynter Institute’..
Elon Musk : Tesla Will Make Ventilators if There is a Shortage
Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk has said that his factories will be repurposed to produce ventilators in case of any shortages during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The billionaire CEO responded to a fan tweet suggesting that he repurposes his factories to make ventilators. He responded to it saying that he will do so if there is need for it.
FiveThirtyEight editor in chief Nate Silver responded to the tweet saying that there is a shortage right now and Elon finally said:
Tesla makes cars with sophisticated hvac systems. SpaceX makes spacecraft with life support systems. Ventilators are not difficult, but cannot be produced instantly. Which hospitals have these shortages you speak of right now?
The tweet attracted hundreds of replies of people pointing out shortages in America and other regions across the globe.
Additionally, Tesla is also finally reducing the headcount in its facilities to help workers maintain social distancing and prevent the virus from spreading as much as possible..
PCB Releases Report on Coronavirus Tests of All PSL Players & Officials
Although the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2020 has been postponed, there is good news. The coronavirus tests of all the players, match officials, team owners, support staff and broadcasters, which were conducted a couple of days ago, have all come out negative.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the news earlier today. There were reports that a foreign cricketer had experienced symptoms of the mysterious virus, following which the league was canceled.
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The reports had suggested that it was England’s Alex Hales who had shown symptoms of the disease, however, he later denied the reports. He is currently in self-isolation as a precautionary measure.
The board has refrained from naming the player who showed coronavirus symptoms.
What are your thoughts on the story? Let us know in the comments.
UAE Bans All Travel Into or Out of the Country
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has completely suspended the entry of visitors, nationals and working visa holders for two weeks in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak, an official notification said.
The notification will come into effect from today, March 19, and will be valid until the first week of April. The country has also banned its citizens from traveling abroad. Those who have recently returned are in 14-day mandatory quarantine.
This is a precautionary measure subject to renewal based on the health status measures taken due to the novel coronavirus outbreak.
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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued an advisory for people with any type of UAE visas, now staying out of the country. Here is the procedure to follow:
– People with a visit visa now staying in the country of origin should contact UAE embassies in their respective countries to streamline their return.
– Working visa holders currently outside the..
Careem Extends Its Ride Package Expiry Dates for Everyone Amid Viral Outbreak
In order to help its customers during the coronavirus pandemic, Careem has extended the validity of all its packages until May 1.
Careem has become the preferred choice for students and professionals across the country. Every month, tens of thousands of Careem users subscribe to their weekly and monthly packages to enjoy additional savings on daily rides.
However, after a sudden lockdown situation in the country amid the coronavirus outbreak, many customers were worried about their pre-subscribed packages going to waste.
To save them this trouble, Careem extended the expiry dates of all ride packages till May 1, without any hidden charges. This gesture from Careem has won the customers’ hearts which is evident from their appreciative tweets.
Here are some of them:
Apple Refreshes MacBook Air With 10th Gen Processors & Better Keyboards
Apple is finally refreshing its MacBook Air lineup of lightweight laptops after nearly 1.5 years and not only does it come with a lower price tag, it also boasts better preformance. This is the first time the series has received quad-core processors, the base model now has more storage, and the dreaded butterfly keyboard has finally been overhauled.
The base MacBook Air packs the 10th generation Intel Core i3 (dual-core) processors and starts with 256GB SSD and can go all the way up to 2TB. There are now quad-core i5 and i7 models as well and the i7 variant also comes with Intel’s Iris Plus graphics.
The ultrabook has a 13.3-inch IPS display with a 16:10 aspect ratio and 2,560 x 1,600px resolution. It is equipped with two-tone technology, previously seen in iPads, that is able to adjust the display’s settings based on the ambient light.
The new Magic Keyboard comes with a new scissor design that delivers 1mm key travel. The two-tone technology is also able to switch the keyboard bac..
HEC Makes a Databank of Online Courses for University Students
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has developed a databank of online courses available at the national and international level and shared it with universities, while the university faculty has also been asked to prepare virtual courses for students.
This was stated by Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC) Tariq Banuri in a message on the prevailing situation due to coronavirus.
The chairman said that the coronavirus pandemic has endangered the entire world. As a precautionary measure, students of all the public sector universities have been given a three-week break under instructions by the government.
The ongoing vacations may be adjusted in the summer holidays, however, if the situation persists, the online lectures will help avoid the educational loss of students. In the meantime, faculty members will take advantage of the break to prepare online lectures for the students to mitigate the disruption.
He urged the Vice-Chancellors to follow the guidelines about precaution..
Punjab Govt Launches Coronavirus Web Portal, Helpline & Home Testing Service
Punjab Government has launched a Coronavirus Telemedicine Web Portal to assist citizens with their queries regarding Coronavirus.
The provincial government has also decided to conduct tests of suspected Coronavirus patients at their homes instead of hospitals.
The decision has been made at a time when the country is grappling with the outbreak of COVID-19 which has infected 301 and killed 2 people so far.
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According to Governor Punjab, Chaudhry Sarwar, Coronavirus Telemedicine and Helpline will go live in Lahore today.
More than 60 doctors have volunteered to offer guidance to citizens over the helpline.
The Governor has requested citizens not to panic during the pandemic and practice social distancing as it is the most effective way to stop the disease from spreading.
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WhatsApp Launches Coronavirus Information Hub
In an attempt to contain the spread of the virus, the Punjab governme..
Karachi Kings Owner Reveals the New Date for PSL 2020 Finals
Coronavirus has stopped the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 5 as the country has ramped up its battle against the deadly virus. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has said that it will reschedule the remaining matches, however, it is uncertain when the knockouts will be held.
Owner of Karachi Kings, Salman Iqbal, has revealed that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is looking for a window after the ICC T20 World Cup later this year to accommodate the last few matches of the PSL.
In an interview with BBC, Salman Iqbal said that the remaining matches will take place this year.
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It will happen this year, we are looking for the six or seven-day window, predominantly after the world cup (T20) in Australia, I think that will be the best time.
The T20 World Cup is scheduled from 18th October to 15th November in Australia. It also remains to be seen whether the PCB will continue with the semi-finals or re..
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