हामी सबैकाे संसारन्यूज

18 Jun,  BERLIN : Germany’s Cabinet on Wednesday approved plans to borrow another 62.5 billion euros ($70.6 billion) to help finance a stimulus package, bringing the new debt the country is running up to combat the coronavirus crisis to 218.5 billion euros ($246 billion).

The 130 billion-euro stimulus package thrashed out two weeks ago includes a six-month cut in the main value-added tax from 19% to 16% to encourage consumers to buy.

It also features a 300-euro per child bonus for families, help for debt-laden municipalities and increased financial incentives for electric and hybrid vehicles.

The crisis has derailed the German government’s dedication to keeping its budget balanced, long a point of pride. After six years in the black, it already is borrowing 156 billion euros to finance existing rescue packages and to cover an expected shortfall in tax revenue.

The plan to borrow more needs parliamentary approval.

Germany has Europe’s biggest economy. It went into a recession in the first quarter that is expected to deepen in the current quarter, but saw a less severe death toll in the coronavirus pandemic than several other European countries. Restrictions on public life started easing in late April.

Pakistan records 5,839 new COVID-19 cases, total count reaches 154,760

Islamabad [Pakistan], June 17 (ANI): As many as 5,839 new cases of coronavirus have been reported in Pakistan, taking the tally of COVID-19 cases to 154,760, the country’s health ministry said on Wednesday.

The coronavirus-related death toll has reached 2,975, while the number of recoveries has reached 58,437. The Punjab province, with nearly 58,329 cases, is the most affected and is followed by the Sindh province, which registered over 57,868 cases.

Special Assistant on National Health Services Dr Zafar Mirza on Wednesday said that a team of Pakistani experts will consider the use of Dexamethasone for treatment of critically ill COVID-19 patients after reports that the steroid had provided successful clinical trial results in initial phases.

“Positive results from UK on use of Dexamethaone in critical patients welcomed by WHO as a 1st treatment to be shown to reduce mortality in patients with COVID-19 requiring Oxygen or ventilator support. Expert Committee in Pakistan to consider inclusion,” Dr Zafar Mirza tweeted. (AP)