FARUKH SHEHZAD

ISLAMABAD, APR 19: Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) has uploaded admission confirmation information for the programs offered in spring 2021 semester including matriculation and intermediate on its website (www.aiou.edu.pk).

According to Director Admission, the candidates who have applied for admissions in these programs may verify their admission from the admission confirmation link.

Similarly, information regarding admission rejection can be obtained from the admission objection link. All those candidates who do not find any information regarding their admission are instructed to download duplicate admission form from the website and post it to Admission Department of the university on urgent basis.

He has informed that continuing students are required to append admission fee deposit slip with the duplicate form while fresh candidates are required to attach their relevant educational certificates and passport size photograph with the duplicate form.

The deadline for the submission of duplicate form is April 30, 2021. All those candidates whose duplicate admission forms will be received after the deadline will be granted admission in the forthcoming semester and their fee would be, accordingly adjusted, the Director said.

For any further information, the students may dial 051-9057431 for matriculation and 051- 9057432 for intermediate programs.

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OSLO, APR 19: NASA’s mini helicopter Ingenuity might embark on its first flight on Monday, after a week of delays due to a possible technical fault.

“NASA’s target for the first flight with the Ingenuity Mars helicopter is no earlier than Monday, April 19,” a statement from the agency notes.

The flight could take place at approximately 9:30 AM on Monday Norwegian time. Data from the flight can then be expected to arrive a few hours later.

If the flight is carried out according to plan, NASA will hold a briefing later on Monday at 8:00 PM Norwegian time.

The mini helicopter was supposed to take off on its first flight on Sunday, April 11. The date was then postponed to April 14. Finally, NASA picked Monday, April 19, as the new date.

Technical issues

The reason for the postponement was that a possible technical problem with a rotor was discovered during a test. A new test later showed that the error had been corrected.

The helicopter arrived on Mars with the rover Perseverance in February. It weighs 1.8 kilos and is remotely controlled from the ground by, among others, the Norwegian Håvard Fjær Grip in NASA.

Since the distance between the two planets means that it takes several minutes for the signals to arrive, Grip will not be able to control the helicopter in real-time.

“The only criterion for success for us is whether we manage to fly on Mars for the first time in history. We believe there is a high probability of making it happen,” Grip told NTB last year.

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COURTESY norwaytoday

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ISLAMABAD, APR 19: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has warned Pakistanis against disclosing their banking details, such as ATM card number or pin code, to anyone.

The PTA said that fraudsters were trying to dupe people by impersonating PTA officials. It asked people not to share their personal financial information with anyone.

The authority said it never asks for these details, requesting the masses to ignore such calls and text messages.

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New National Skills Development Program jobs, ndmst jobs. Reputed Public Sector Organization is hiring staff for its National Skills Development Programme. PO Box No 2600 Islamabad Jobs 2021. All Applications are invited from Pakistani nationals according to the listed provincial quota in the advertisement given below.

Jobs Criteria:

These vacancies also advertised with their requirements. Candidates can see each post’s requirements via the image posted below. Overall, Primary Pass, Middle Pass, FA, FSc, DAE, Graduation, Diploma of Associate Engineering, Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, BBA, MBA, 16 years of education in Management/Administration/Social Science, and Master’s degree in any discipline qualifications are required. Candidates can apply according to their qualifications and desired post. National Skills Development Program jobs, ndmst jobs.

Posted On: April 14, 2021

Education: Primary, Middle, Matric, Intermediate, Bachelor, Master

Location: Islamabad

Positions: 161

Last Date: April 27, 2021

Company: Public Sector Organization

Job Type: Contract

Address: P.O Box No. 2600, Islamabad

National Skills Development Program jobs, ndmst jobs

DOWNLOAD THIS FORM AND FILL IT AND SEND TO THE ADDRESS GIVEN BELOW.

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COURTESY smartjobs.pk

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ISLAMABAD, APR 18: On March 22, the China Cultural Center in Pakistan launched the first episode of the micro-documentary series " Better Tourism, Better Life, Better World " on the Cultural Center's WeChat official account.

"World Tourism Alliance Best Practice in Poverty Alleviation Through Tourism" as the blueprint, to provide Chinese experience on poverty alleviation practices, to contribute Chinese wisdom to the cause of global poverty alleviation and for the international community to experience the achievement of China’s tourism poverty alleviation, and to tell the story of China’s tourism promotion for poverty alleviation.

The micro-documentary " Better Tourism, Better Life, Better World " is produced by the World Tourism Alliance,  the documentary trip spans across multiple provinces and goes deep into China's grassroots villages. Finally, eight tourism poverty alleviation case areas were selected, and the documentaries were produced. There are total eight episodes and each episode’s duration is around 5 minutes.

The entire documentary series is people-oriented. It is filmed from the perspective of individuals and families, paying attention to the interaction between nature and society, focusing on the improvement and development of people’s livelihoods in the case areas, restoring reality through lens, and presenting tourism in an international context. These documentaries also highlight how the natural endowment of "green water and green mountains" has been transformed into "golden and silver mountains", telling vivid stories of local people living a happy prosperous life, interpreting and disseminating the core concept of "tourism makes the world and life better". This micro documentary series has received highest praise and recognition from the international community.

Starting this week, China Cultural Center in Pakistan is airing weekly two episodes of the micro-documentary series " Better Tourism, Better Life, Better World " on WeChat Official Account. The Director China Cultural Center in Pakistan’s personal official page “zhang he qing” is also premiering the micro documentary at the same time. Later this month "World Tourism Alliance Best Practice in Poverty Alleviation through Tourism Case" of 2018, 2019 and 2020 will also be published on the social media page of China Cultural Center in Pakistan.

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BY Adnan Hameed

Programme and Media Officer

China Cultural Center in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, APR 18: Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood said on Sunday that the Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) examinations would take place as per schedule and there would be no delay or cancellation.

In a series of tweets, the education minister said the decision, among others, had been taken in a special meeting of health and education ministers from the four provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. "Those students wishing to take exams in Oct/Nov can do so in the same fee already paid," he added.

"Meeting was also informed that Cambridge has decided not to give teacher-assessed grades this year therefore those not taking exams will take them in the next cycle Oct/Nov," said Mahmood, adding that the CAIE had assured that Covid-19 standard operating procedures would be "strictly followed".

The Lahore High Court on Wednesday had issued notices to the British Council, Pakistan director of CAIE and the federal ministry of education on a petition challenging the physical presence of students in O and A levels exams despite the rising incidence of Covid-19 cases in the country.

Several students filed the petition through Barrister Hassaan Khan Niazi, pleading that O and A levels classes had not been held for the whole academic year and the syllabus was not covered for the most part, yet the students were forced to take exams in the traditional way, putting their own lives and those of their family members at risk. They said the respondents had announced that the exams would be held with the physical presence of the students in the examination halls and rooms.

However, they said, the CAIE had given two options to the respective governments of the countries witnessing the rising numbers of Covid-19 cases; to either hold exams in the traditional way or to avail school-assessed grades for the students.

The petitioners had contended that the education ministry and other local authorities could prevent the massive risk to the health and life of the petitioners and request the CAIE to opt for school-assessed grades. They had asked the court to direct the government to request the British Council and CAIE to switch over to the option for school-assessed grades and avoid the risk for the petitioners.

Other decisions in the meeting

Among the other decisions taken in the meeting was that "classes 9 to 12 would commence in affected districts in a staggered manner to allow students to prepare for board exams."

He said that new dates would be issued by the boards for examinations of classes 9-12 and thus, they would not start before the fourth week of May. "University admissions schedule will be adjusted keeping in view the new exam time table."

Meanwhile, "classes 1 to 8 will remain closed. The details will be announced by the provinces and GB [and] AJK," he said.

Universities, said Mahmood, would continue to operate with online learning in affected districts while they would continue to function as per normal in districts with "less than eight per cent (Covid) positivity".

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COURTESY DAWN NEWS

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OSLO, APR 18: The middle of a worldwide pandemic, with the aviation and tourism industries in ruins, would not, perhaps, seem the best time to launch a new airline. The new Norwegian airline, FLYR however, has done just that. A heavy focus on technology, for both customers and operations, is behind the plan to make this new airline nimble, sustainable, customer-friendly, and low cost…everything that they feel the current airlines in Norway are not.

FLYR: A Norwegian verb and now an airline

The Norwegian domestic airline industry has, in recent years, seen the emergence of new companies wanting to take on the established order. Traditionally dominated by the former government-controlled Scandinavian Air Service (SAS) and the now newly part Chinese-owned, Norwegian Air Shuttle, FLYR, a new airline which hopes to start flights by the end of June, is the latest entrant in an increasingly crowded market.

FLYR, as its website proudly announces, “is the Norwegian word for ‘flying’ and embodies us perfectly…(as)…it challenges traditional conventions of air travel”. Headed by C.E.O Tonje Wikstrøm Frislid, it is the brainchild of “enthusiastic aviation experts with extensive experience” who have worked in the Norwegian domestic and international airline industry. It will service both domestically, within Norway, and abroad, to so-called “popular destinations in Europe”, like Alicante, Malaga, and Spain.

Pandemic decimating tourism and aviation sectors in Norway

FLYR hopes to capitalize in an industry where there is as much turbulence on the ground as up in the air. The impact of the coronavirus pandemic has absolutely decimated both the aviation industry and, to a lesser extent, the Norwegian tourism industry, which is heavily reliant on air travel.

Norway is still, more than a year since the emergence of the coronavirus in its borders, struggling with the coronavirus pandemic. Borders are closed. Both local municipalities and the national government have, at times, locked down the entire country, restricting and severely limiting both national and international travel.

However, the government has, recently, unveiled its “four-stage” blueprint to open up Norwegian society. FLYR hopes to capitalize on a post-pandemic travel boom, and its website states that the company was “built for the Norwegian market after the coronavirus pandemic…we built an airline from scratch…with a size, organization, and business model that is adapted to this future”. The future may be looking even brighter as many of its future competitors have been on shaky ground lately.

FLYR: A new entrant in an increasingly crowded, and troubled, market

The past few years have seen drastic change for the Norwegian aviation sector. Breaking what was once almost a duopoly has been the emergence of low-cost carriers, of which FLYR is just the latest. Both low-cost carriers, against which FLYR will compete, and other more traditionally prestigious carriers, have had hard times in Norway of late.

The very epitome of low-cost carriers, Ryanair has seen a scaling back of its Norwegian operations. It was forced to move from Rygge Airport, in 2016, to Gardermoen blaming a government-enforced departure fee (of NOK80 for every passenger) as being an “environmentally unfriendly tax…”, according to a Routes Online article.

Wizz Air, the Hungarian ultra-low-cost carrier, had its maiden flight last November but its entry into Norway has been anything but smooth. A plethora of problems ranging from Norwegian pilot union concerns over the company’s human rights record to worries over its planes being coronavirus superspreaders to the closing of its Trondheim base has all seen the first 6 months of operation be one full of turbulence.

Both SAS and Norwegian have seen dramatic year-on-year passenger number declines whilst Norwegian itself has seen drastic financial restructuring, with help from the Chinese state, through a subsidiary, according to Forbes.

IPO raises NOK 600 million whilst stressing Norwegian distinctions

FLYR is keen to represent itself as everything that these other airlines servicing the Norwegian market are not. It is a private company (with no government partnership or support, unlike SAS) which was recently floated on the Oslo Stock Exchange gathering some NOK 600 million in its initial price offering (IPO) last month. The company, according to Reuters, now has a market cap of approximately NOK 700 million, which is not a bad result for an airline without a single plane in flight yet.

It is also keen to stress its affinity for Norway and the Norwegian market. The company will be based in Norway and will possess, according to its website, “an aircraft fleet, organization and business model intended for the Norwegian market.” After two “foreign” companies expanding, with mixed success, into Norway (Ryanair and Wizz Air), FLYR is presented as very much a Norwegian company.

Given Wizz Air’s recent troubles with outsourcing and low wages, FLYR’s mission statement is timely. It will hope to soothe those Norwegian politicians, legal and aviation experts, and those in the general public, who want businesses run in Norway to adhere to Norwegian business and legal standards and practices.

Sleek business model and agile infrastructure ready for demand

FLYR also hopes to be a more agile airline than its competition. What is seen as its main competitor, Norwegian, is in the process of scaling back its fleet from 150 to 40 planes due to the impact of coronavirus on the travel and aviation industry. With plans drawn up before its IPO, FLYR aims to buy a fleet of 8 jets and expand to 28 within the next 3-4 years.

Possessing no aging fleet, or having a large infrastructure to maintain during this crisis, will see FLYR be poised for growth. Chief Executive, Tonje Wikstroem Frislid, told Reuters, during its IPO, that “…due to the availability of aircraft and crew, a rapid and demand-driven scale-up is possible…” She also added that FLYR’s business model “…will enable us to pursue opportunities in a changing market and a recovering airline industry.” Its first aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, will be delivered in May with additional aircraft arriving in June with a view to expanding its fleet by this autumn.

Technology means smarter and greener flights

What will set FLYR apart from its rivals is that it hopes to rely heavily on technology. FLYR hopes to make the whole travel experience a lot simpler less time-consuming and more efficient with the use of its app. The entire booking and boarding process can be in the palm of your hand. This will help keep traditionally expensive overheads (like staff) at a minimum meaning potential lower prices for customers. Pricing hasn’t been set yet but as Norwegian is seen as its main rival, a similar pricing model should be expected.

This app will then help to learn customer habits which helps in its mission to be a sustainable airline. Specifically targeted flights to popular destinations are part of FLYR’s environmental philosophy of smarter and “greener” flying. This business model, it believes, will help FLYR remain “profitable without relying on more passengers flying often.”

Paradoxically, flying less often is what you would expect of a new airline. This is, though, exactly what FLYR would want: an agile, modern, sustainable, and proudly Norwegian airline that is on course to take advantage of an expected post-pandemic travel boom.

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COURTESY norwaytoday

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BAKU, APR 18: Today is International Monuments and Historic Sites Day in Azerbaijan. In this regard, Azerbaijan reiterates its serious concern over the destruction of cultural heritage in the liberated territories by Armenia.

During the occupation of our territories, almost all historical, cultural and religious monuments were completely destroyed. To date, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan has identified the destruction of more than 400 monuments in the liberated areas. The total number of monuments in these areas is up to 3,000.

Cultural and religious property belonging to Azerbaijan was looted, insulted, altered and illegally transported to Armenia. 22 museums and museum branches with more than 100,000 cultural artifacts were destroyed in the liberated areas.

Cultural samples and ancient manuscripts of the 13th century Khudavang Monastery located in the Kalbajar region, as well as valuable cultural samples found during illegal archeological excavations near the Shahbulag fortress in the Aghdam region, were smuggled to Armenia. At the same time, illegal excavations were carried out in the Azykh cave in the village of Azykh, Khojavend region.

All these actions are a gross violation of international humanitarian law, including the regulatory documents of UNESCO, such as the 1954 Hague Convention and its two protocols, as well as the 1970 Convention.

Unfortunately, our appeals to relevant international organizations to investigate war crimes, including the deliberate destruction, misappropriation, alteration and illegal expulsion of our cultural heritage, have not been taken into account during the 30 years of occupation. We welcome the interest currently shown in this regard.

The cultural heritage located in the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan reflects the cultural diversity of the Azerbaijani people, which is valued and protected by Azerbaijan, regardless of its origin, secular and religious nature.

Ensuring that an independent mission fully assesses the unprecedented damage done to Azerbaijan's cultural heritage is a priority for the Government of Azerbaijan, and Azerbaijan is working closely with UNESCO in this regard.

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COURTESY mfa.gov.az

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EXCLUSIVE / FARUKH SHEHZAD

Editor-In-Chief

LALAMUSA, APR 18: DIPLOMATICNEWSPK.BLOG has decided to arrange a special program for all Pakistani students who have been completed their education and now they are in search of a good job with handsome salary packages.

DIPLOMATICNEWSPK.BLOG from now shall upload the latest best jobs on its Pakistan’s No.1 Website www.diplomaticnewspk.blogspot.com

While visiting our website click on the LATEST JOBS option listed in the Menu Bar.

We decided to launch this special program to play our part in reducing the poverty level in Pakistan.

So, subscribe to our website and keep visiting to stay in touch to know about the latest jobs and how to apply for them.

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New Join Pakistan Air Force PAF Jobs 2021 as Commissioned Officer. www.joinpaf.gov.pk. All Interested individuals (male/female) all over Pakistan (Rural/Urban) who are looking to Join Pakistan Air Force are invited to Join PAF as Commissioned officers in 127 Combat Support Course (Medical Branch).

PAF Pakistan Air Force is looking to recruit intelligent and hardworking specialists in Medical Branch. Well qualified applicants who are citizens of Pakistan are invited to apply for this 127 Combat Support Course (Medical Branch). Through this course, desired individuals can Join Pak Air Force Medical Branch (Specialist) – SPSSC and Medical Branch GDMOs – SPSSC 2021.

Steps To Join PAF As Medical Officer

·         STEP1 Intelligence Test followed by Academic Test in relevant subjects.

·         STEP2 Initial Medical Examination & Interview.

·         STEP3 Psychological Test of short-listed candidates only.

·         STEP4 Interview by First AHQ Special Selection Board.

·         STEP5 Final Medical Examination.

·         STEP6 Interview by 2nd AHQ Special Selection Board.

·         STEP7 Final Selection by AHQ in order of merit.

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COURTESY smartjobs.pk

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• Over 100 people die on fifth consecutive day

• 100pc beds allocated for Covid-19 patients in use in Swabi

ISLAMABAD, APR 18: While coronavirus-related deaths in the country have surpassed the figure of 16,000, number of active cases has swelled to 79,108 with 4,984 patients admitted to hospitals.

The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) decided on Saturday to start vaccination of people in the 50-59 age group from Wednesday, April 21.

The data shared by the NCOC showed that with over 100 deaths for five continuous days, the number of overall deaths has risen to 16,094.

Pakistan Peoples Party Senator Sherry Rehman also mentioned this in a tweet. She said it was the fifth straight day when more than 100 deaths were reported and the positivity ratio reached 7.6 per cent.

She pointed out that considering its population, the country had the lowest ratio of vaccination in Asia.

“It seems that Pakistan will take a decade to vaccinate 75pc of its population,” Ms Rehman said.

The data showed that 112 deaths and 4,976 new cases were reported in a single day. There were 520 ventilators in use of Covid-19 patients across the country. Over 80pc ventilators allocated for Covid-19 patients were in use in three cities of Punjab i.e. Gujranwala, Lahore and Multan and 55pc in Khyber Pakhtun­khwa’s city Mardan.

The data showed a dismal situation of oxygenated beds as in Swabi 100pc beds were in use while Charsadda’s 89pdc and Gujranwala’s 85pc beds were in use. Only 22pc of the beds were vacant in Peshawar.

The number of active cases surged to 79,108 as of April 17. However, Pakistan conducted another highest number of tests in a day i.e. 65,279.

So far a total of 750,158 cases have been detected and 654,956 people have defeated the deadly virus.

Vaccination

“Decision taken in today’s NCOC meeting to start vaccination of people in the age group of 50 to 59 from Wednesday the 21st of April. Would once again encourage everyone to register for the vaccination,” federal Minister for Planning and Development tweeted.

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COURTESY DAWN NEWS

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