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SBP's Refinance Scheme for Small Businesses fails to take off

ISLAMABAD: The State Bank of Pakistan’s Refinance Scheme for Small Businesses has so far failed to take off due to multiple reasons as the commercial banks are not designed and fully equipped to provide credit line to Small and Medium Enterprises .“The SBP’s Refinance Scheme for...




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Senior PM Office member approaches Ombudsman against D-12 plot allotments to a selected few

ISLAMABAD: A senior member of the Prime Minister’s Office has approached the Federal Ombudsman over the ‘extreme injustice’ of out of turn allotment of second residential plots in the federal capital to a selected few in the bureaucracy in a non-transparent and unjust manner.The...




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Drugs import from India: Shahbaz demands probe into billion-rupee scandal

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-N President and National Assembly opposition leader Shahbaz Sharif has demanded an in-depth investigation into the medicine scandal through a parliamentary committee.“Coming on the heels of sugar, wheat and IPPs scandals, the latest drug scandal indicates how...




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Impact of COVID-19 pandemic: Pakistan's GDP to contract by 1.6pc in current fiscal, says Economist Intelligence Unit

ISLAMABAD: Keeping in view the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, Pakistan’s GDP is going to contract by 1.6 percent in the ongoing fiscal 2019-20 and will grow to 2.9 percent in the next financial year 2020-21 and the loans from IMF and other multilateral and bilateral donors will help to ease...




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Senior PM Office member approaches Ombudsman against D-12 plot allotments to a selected few

ISLAMABAD: A senior member of the Prime Minister’s Office has approached the Federal Ombudsman over the ‘extreme injustice’ of out of turn allotment of second residential plots in the federal capital to a selected few in the bureaucracy in a non-transparent and unjust manner. The...




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Drugs import from India: Shahbaz Sharif demands probe into billion-rupee scandal

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-N President and National Assembly opposition leader Shahbaz Sharif has demanded an in-depth investigation into the medicine scandal through a parliamentary committee. Sugar, wheat and IPPs scandals, the latest drug scandal indicates how powerful mafias within the...




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Impact of COVID-19 pandemic: Pak GDP to contract by 1.6pc in current fiscal, says Economist Intelligence Unit

ISLAMABAD: Keeping in view the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, Pakistan’s GDP is going to contract by 1.6 percent in the ongoing fiscal 2019-20 and will grow to 2.9 percent in the next financial year 2020-21 and the loans from IMF and other multilateral and bilateral donors will help to ease...




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State Bank's Refinance Scheme for small businesses fails to take off

ISLAMABAD: The State Bank of Pakistan’s Refinance Scheme for Small Businesses has so far failed to take off due to multiple reasons as the commercial banks are not designed and fully equipped to provide credit line to Small and Medium Enterprises .“The SBP’s RefinanceScheme for...




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Pandemic destroys US jobs as Germany urges unity

WASHINGTON: The coronavirus epidemic sent US jobless totals soaring to historic highs on Friday, increasing pressure on authorities to follow Europe in phasing out lockdown measures despite still climbing American death tolls.Germany, meanwhile, marked the anniversary of the end of World War II in...




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China backs WHO-led review of global pandemic response

BEIJING: China said on Friday it supports a World Health Organisation-led review into the global response to the coronavirus outbreak, but “after the pandemic is over”.The comments from foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying came as China has faced increasing global pressure in...




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OKC hails Lib Dems' concern over Kashmir

LONDON: The Organisation of Kashmir Coalition has hailed the policy statement of Liberal Democrats on Kashmir showing concern for the human rights situation in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.In a statement issued on Friday, OKC executive members Prof Nazir Ahmed Shawl and Barrister Abdul Majid...




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UK falls silent in remembrance on VE Day 75th anniversary

LONDON: The UK has fallen silent to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day as the country was urged to draw on the “same spirit of national endeavour” during the coronavirus crisis.Millions across the country paused at 11am on Friday to remember those who served in the Second World War,...




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How do you like them apples? Central Asia gets ready to help feed the world -- by Dorothea Lazaro, Loreli de Dios

Central Asia is improving food safety measures to share with the world some of the more than 8000 plant species, as well as livestock, from the region.




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My surprising discovery about women’s opportunities in Armenia -- by Saleha Waseem

Underserved businesses run by women in Armenia need help to create a reliable client base and convince skeptical banks that their enterprises are a good investment.




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Here’s a surprising way to achieve most of the SDGs -- by Martin Lemoine

There is one sector that contributes up to a third of gross domestic product, and is an important source of foreign currency, in many of Asia’s developing countries. It could be deployed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.




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For sale—cheap: farms, buildings, cinemas, kindergartens and more -- by Rafael Abbasov

State-owned enterprises, including power utilities, in many countries have collected a menagerie of assets unrelated to their core business. And they are selling cheap.




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Why I’m optimistic we can achieve SDG #1—ending poverty in all its forms, everywhere -- by Alessandra Heinemann

The graduation approach provides a sequenced intervention designed to overcome multiple barriers that prevent the extreme poor from breaking out of poverty.




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Pension extension: Bringing informal workers into the retirement social safety net -- by Sri Wening Handayani

Millions of Asia’s informal workers – such as vendors, day laborers, and others – are left out of national pension systems. Here’s what we can do to help them in their later years.




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Resettlement isn’t easy. Here are four ways to improve outcomes for all parties involved -- by Rebekah Beatrice Ramsay

Involuntary resettlement can improve the lives of the resettled while reducing poverty and delivering results for development projects




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Тогтвортой хөгжлийн зорилтуудыг хангах нэгэн гайхалтай боломж -- by Martin Lemoine

Ази тивийн хөгжиж буй улс орнуудын дотоодын нийт бүтээгдэхүүний гуравны нэг хүртэл хувийг бүрдүүлж, гадаад валютын нөөцийнх нь чухал эх үүсвэр болдог нэгэн салбар бий. Энэ салбарыг Тогтвортой Хөгжлийн Зорилтуудыг хангахад ашиглах бүрэн боломжтой. 




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Is it time for some countries to implement a brain drain tax? -- by Dr. Saibal Kar

A tax on migrating workers compensates the exporting country for loss of the human capital created by its education and skills development programs.




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For rural water systems, small and simple is a "pipe dream" -- by Neeta Pokhrel

The idea that rural water schemes are only sustainable if small, simple and locally managed is a bias that must be overcome to get more clean water to the people who need it.




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The proliferation of FTDs: free trade disagreements -- by Jayant Menon

Simmering trade disputes are decreasing the beneficial effects of free trade and could in the long-term damage the rules-based order upon which global commerce is based.




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Worsening climate emergency and tepid COP25 underscore need for urgent global action -- by Preety Bhandari

After a disappointing 2019 United Nations Climate Change Conference, there is a need to restore confidence that the intergovernmental process can deliver on mitigation, adaptation, and finance.




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It’s time to stem the tide of women’s under-employment -- by Uzma Hoque

In Sri Lanka, efforts need to be made to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education for girls to support their employment potential.




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Enhancing road safety with intelligent transport system technology -- by Pawan Karki

In recent years, particularly in many developing countries, road developers have failed to give sufficient consideration to road safety features in the design and construction of highways. As a result, these roads have become more deadly.




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Taxing emissions in Singapore -- by Donghyun Park, Shu Tian, Mai Lin C. Villaruel

Singapore’s carbon tax is designed to maximize green investments while minimizing negative effects on the overall economy.




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Proper disposal of medical waste can help us cope with pandemics -- by Stephen Peters, Christine P. Chan

Medical waste disposal is a key part of pandemic planning and recovery that we must get right during the COVID-19 outbreak.




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Let's take bold action on health to avoid future pandemics -- by Susann Roth, Najibullah Habib

The COVID-19 pandemic could be an opportunity to take a more holistic approach to health and well-being, invest in health systems and in resilient supply chains.




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In the Pacific, urgent action is the key to addressing COVID-19 -- by Emma Veve

Pacific nations, led by the smallest and least well-off, moved decisively to restrict travel from a fast-growing list of COVID-19 affected countries.




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The pandemic may break value chains, but solar energy can still shine -- by Yongping Zhai (翟永平)

COVID-19 has exposed the vulnerability of energy value chains but solar power could be an indigenous solution to keep the lights on during a crisis.




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Pandemic highlights the need to manage Asia’s debt problem -- by Bambang Susantono

Bank-held nonperforming loans in some Asian economies have risen in recent years. Policy makers should address this growing risk now.




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Helping the poor and hungry to survive the pandemic -- by Ramesh Subramaniam

A new program will help provide food to thousands of poor households in the Philippines.




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Let’s use the pandemic to expand our transport options -- by Lloyd Wright

The COVID-19 pandemic is an opportunity to embrace the future of work-from-home and the greater adoption of walking and cycling. 




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Three ways to support businesses and their workers during a pandemic -- by Paul Vandenberg, Matthias Helble

Many workers will be displaced and many businesses will close as a result of the slowdown caused by COVID-19. Providing support to those affected gives them a fighting chance.




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To survive the pandemic, Indonesia’s urban poor need economic support and help with basic services -- by Joris van Etten, Tiffany M. Tran

For many of Indonesia’s urban poor who work in the informal sector, social distancing is nearly impossible if they want to maintain their income. Two key policies can help.




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In the Pacific, COVID-19 is changing the way we think about waste management -- by Anupma Jain

The pandemic is producing more household waste and increased amounts of dangerous medical waste. We need to manage these changes for our immediate safety and for the long-term welfare of our communities.




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The pandemic combined with climate change is hitting the poor hard -- by Nathan Rive

The global response to COVID-19 should also be a springboard for action on climate change resilience so we can narrow the divide between rich and poor and keep everyone safe.




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It’s time for Central Asia to do whatever it takes to minimize the pandemic’s economic impact -- by Lilia Aleksanyan, Werner E. Liepach

Bold action is required by policymakers and central bankers to keep the region’s economies afloat and contain the pandemic.




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Small business solutions for pandemic challenges -- by Lotte Schou-Zibell

Crafting small business support efforts to specific country circumstances could help save millions of livelihoods in poor communities and fortify economies against future shocks.




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Mapping Asia’s epidemics -- by Ilan Noy, Benno Ferrarini, Donghyun Park

Countries can minimize the economic risk of epidemics by investing in the tools needed to predict disease emergence.




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What’s next for supply chains scrambled by the pandemic? -- by Bart Édes

The pandemic has highlighted the shortcomings of the globalized supply chain model.




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Build green to help fend off the next pandemic -- by Anouj Mehta, Naeeda Crishna Morgado

Investments in climate-resilient infrastructure should be the centerpiece of the billions of dollars in economic stimulus being used to rebuild Asia’s economies.




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Youth involvement key to keeping Asia’s skies clear -- by Emma Marsden, Bulganmurun Tsevegjav , William Lucht, Muskaan Chopra

To reduce air pollution, national and city government policy makers, their development partners, academe, and the private sector need to work with young people. 




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‘Glory to Hong Kong': The anthem of a protest movement

Tens of thousands of Hongkongers are participating in flash mob performances of the new protest song “Glory to Hong Kong” in the streets and in shopping malls across the city.




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Hong Kong protesters make online game their new home during pandemic

Hong Kong's protesters are aching to take to the streets again. In the meantime, they are taking to their screens.




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PIC18F2X/4XQ10 Memory Programming Specification

PIC18F2X/4XQ10 Memory Programming Specification




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U.S. Stars 'Borrow' Legs of Black Pink Member Lisa in Internet Meme

A meme based on an image from a video clip of Lisa, a member of K-pop girl group Black Pink, has gone viral among global celebrities on Twitter. Lisa uploaded the 1 minute, 20 second video, which shows her performing a sexy dance routine, on her personal YouTube channel on April 20. Hollywood celebr...




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Bangtan Boys to Join Obamas in YouTube Virtual Commencement Event

K-pop boy band Bangtan Boys, also known as BTS, will give speeches during a virtual commencement event along with global figures including former U.S. President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle, and pop star Lady Gaga. "Dear Class of 2020," organized by YouTube, will be streamed on June 6 to celeb...




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Mercedes-Benz Slapped with Record Fine for Emissions Cheating

The Environment Ministry is fining Mercedes-Benz W77.6 billion for illegally tampering with emissions tests, the biggest fine ever for a carmaker here (US$1=W1,225). The ministry on Wednesday said Mercedes-Benz, Nissan and Porsche tampered with the emissions of around 40,000 diesel cars sold in Kore...