News Archives for Latest - 2021-01-01

Pakistan

Taxes on residential schemes reduced by 90pc: Minister

He attributed the ongoing increase in the demand of cement and steel in market is a reflection of accelerated development of construction sector.

Updated 02 Jan, 2021 12:10am

Pakistan

Taxes on residential schemes reduced by 90pc: Minister

The housing sector investors have been exempted of showing their sources of income till June 30, 2021 and low cost houses will also get bank finances.
He attributed the ongoing increase in the demand of cement and steel in market is a reflection of accelerated development of construction sector.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 09:22pm

Pakistan

Sindh Govt sets up Provincial Vaccine Administration Coordination Cell

250,000 doses of vaccine will be given to Sindh, after the second week of this month in collaboration with the National Vaccine Task Force and NCOC.
The first phase of the vaccine will cover workers in the public and private health systems.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 09:17pm

World

Pakistani American doctor forgives patients’ $650,000 debt for cancer treatments

Dr. Omar Atiq is an oncologist who founded the Arkansas Cancer Institute in Pine Bluff in 1991. "Arkansas Cancer Clinic is closing its practice after over 29 years of dedicated service to the community. The clinic has decided to forego all balances owed to the clinic by its patients. Happy Holidays,” reads the note.

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 09:20pm

Pakistan

PRA registers 41.6pc growth in first half of current FY

Punjab government reduced the rate of PSTS (Provincial Sales Tax on Services) from 16 per cent to 5 per cent for various sectors.
The government also gave major tax relief to sectors considered crucial for economic growth.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 09:14pm

Pakistan

NAB playing vital role, bringing transparency to punish the corrupt: WEF

Amir Jahangir appreciated NAB for recovering Rs. 714 billion directly and indirectly since its inception.
The World Economic Forum has long encouraged policymakers to broaden their focus beyond short-term growth to long-term prosperity.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 09:12pm

South Asia

Philippines to ban US travellers from Sunday

The measure expands the travel restriction that Manila announced on Tuesday.
Passengers from the United States who will arrive before Jan. 3 will be allowed to enter the Philippines.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 09:03pm

South Asia

'No need to panic,' China official says of coronavirus variants

The mutated variant, compared with previous mutated variants .... has no obvious change so far in its ability to cause disease.
He said no impact of variants on the vaccine's immune effect had been detected.

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 09:03pm

Middle East

Iranian Judiciary Chief says Trump is not "immune from justice", at Gen. Soleimani's death anniversary

On Friday, Iran's Judiciary Chief warned that Gen. Qasem Soleimani's killers will "not be safe on Earth", as the Islamic Republic marked the first anniversary of his assassination.
Ebrahim Raisi, speaking at an event in Tehran to pay tribute to Soleimani, stated that not even President Donald Trump was "immune from justice".

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 08:45pm

Asia

Afghan radio journalist shot dead in Ghor

Besmullah Adel Aimaq, editor-in-chief of Voice of Ghor radio, was shot and killed on his way to Firoz Koh city.
He was the fifth media worker to be killed in two months in Afghanistan.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 08:08pm

Energy

Serbia opens Russian gas project portion

TurkStream is a landmark project of Turkey and Russia to deliver Russian gas via the Black Sea.
US President Donald Trump's administration has repeatedly slammed Germany and other European nations for their reliance on energy from Russia.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 08:04pm

South Asia

Iran says Soleimani killers 'not safe on Earth'

"They will witness a severe revenge. What has come so far has only been glimpses" of it, Raisi told.
"Those who had a role in this in this assassination and crime will not be safe on Earth."

Published 01 Jan, 2021 07:56pm

Europe

France tightens virus curfew in several regions

The 15 of France's 101 departments affected by the switch to a curfew beginning at 6:00 pm rather than 8:00 pm.
The virus is continuing to spread in France... but with a disparity between regions.

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 07:56pm

Pakistan

Met office forecasts first 2021 rain, snowfall from Sunday in Pakistan

Strong westerly wave is likely to enter Pakistan on Sunday and likely to grip upper parts of the country on Monday, says Met office.
Under the system, thunderstorms with snowfall over the hills are expected in Kashmir, Islamabad, Potohar region, Gujrat, Sialkot.

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 07:51pm

World

New South African coronavirus variant detected in France

The 501.V2 Variant was first detected in mid of December.
It is believed that the new variant can be more easily transmitted like another version found in Britain.

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 07:37pm

Companies

Nissan Motor to reduce presence in Europe as part of turnaround plan

Nissan will cut its distribution channels in thirty countries, mainly in East Europe.
The Japanese motor company is currently moving its operations away from Europe and shifting its focus to China, the United States, and Japan.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 07:31pm

Stocks

Indian shares kick off 2021 with record closing highs

The blue-chip NSE Nifty 50 index ended up 0.26% at 14,018.50, marking its first close above the 14,000 level.
The Nifty IT index closed up 0.84%, and heavyweight Tata Consultancy Services was the biggest boost to the Nifty 50.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 07:27pm

Sports

Babar Azam win ‘Most Valuable Cricketer of the Year’ award

The winners will be presented with specially designed trophies during the upcoming home series against South Africa.
Fawad Alam’s fighting and courageous 102 at Mount Maunganui was chosen as the Individual Performance of the Year by the independent jury .

Published 01 Jan, 2021 07:20pm

Pakistan

CAA announces to install E-gates at major airports of Pakistan

The CAA has announced that in the first phase of the operation, e-gates will be installed at airports in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.
E-gates are a self-automated service option which facilitates the passengers by scanning their passport before issued them their boarding passes.

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 07:17pm

Middle East

Oman plans $5.7bn budget deficit in 2021

The country aims to raise about 1.6 billion rials through borrowing and draw the remaining 600 million rials from its reserves.
The budget is based on an oil price of $45 a barrel and the government expects state revenues of 8.640 billon rials this year.

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 07:02pm

Europe

Bulgaria 2020 deficit lower than expected at 3pc of GDP

The latest figure equates to 3% of gross domestic product (GDP), down from previous expectations of a 4.4% shortfall.
At the end of the year (2020), instead of registering a deficit of 5.2 billion levs, we will have a deficit of 3.6 billion levs.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 06:34pm

Energy

China's natural gas output to surpass oil around 2025

Domestic natural gas output from CNPC, China's largest producer, topped 130 billion cubic metres (bcm) in 2020, up 11.6 bcm from the previous year.
For the first time, natural gas output surpassed CNPC's domestic crude oil output in terms of oil equivalent, it said.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 06:21pm

Energy

Iraq's total oil exports average 2.846mn bdp in December

Oil shipments from Kirkuk through Ceyhan averaged around 3.16 million barrels in December.
Iraq's December revenue from oil, its main source of income, stood at $4.213 billion with an average price per barrel of $47.765.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 06:10pm

Business & Finance

African free trade bloc opens for business, but challenges remain

Trade under AfCFTA bloc begins Jan. 1.
Launch delayed six months due to pandemic.
Implementation of free trade deal to take years.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 06:06pm

Companies

BioNTech founders warn of vaccine supply gaps: Spiegel

CEO Sahin says can't fully cover lack of other vaccines.
Says testing BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine on UK COVID variant.
Says could tweak vaccine for strong mutations in 6 weeks.
BioNTech may have more easily storable vaccine by summer.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 05:51pm

Industry

Sensitive Price Index falls to 6.13pc: Asad Umar

Pakistan was able to achieve the lowest level of SPI in the last two years under the current government, according to Asad Umar.

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 05:56pm

Business & Finance

Pakistan posts ‘Highest-Ever’ Exports figure for the month of December

Pakistan exports for the month of December 2020 have grown by 18.3 percent to USD 2.357 billion as compared to USD 1.993 billion in December 2019.

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 05:55pm

Companies

India drug regulator approves AstraZeneca COVID vaccine, country's first

The approval paves the way for its rollout in the world's second worst affected country.
Britain and Argentina have already authorised the vaccine for urgent public use.

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 05:51pm

Pakistan

Govt will cancel Nawaz Sharif’s passport on Feb 16: says Shaikh Rasheed

“The government will make maximum efforts to bring back absconding Nawaz Sharif to Pakistan,” says the Minister.
He said that PM Imran Khan is fighting against mafias in the country and he will complete its five-year tenure.

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 05:41pm

Middle East

Iran's foreign minister says Trump trying to fabricate pretext to attack Iran

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Thursday accused U.S. President Donald Trump of attempting to fabricate a pretext to attack Iran, and said Tehran would defend itself forcefully.
Separately, a military adviser to Iran’s supreme leader warned Trump “not to turn the New Year into mourning for Americans”.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 05:06pm

World

India's Assam passes bill to shut down madrasas

“We need more doctors, police officers, bureaucrats, and teachers, from the minority Muslim community rather than imams for mosques,” Assam’s education minister said.
More than 700 of the madrasas in Assam will be closed by April.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 04:53pm

Business & Finance

2021 to be the year of ‘Growth’ for Pakistan: PM Khan

“Pakistan is moving in the right direction, in 2021 we will facilitate our industries through incentives and business-friendly policies," said PM.

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 04:31pm

Pakistan

CAA opens secondary runway for commercial flights at Faisalabad airport

The development was made after authorities closed the main runway for upgradation work, which will be completed in 18 months, says the spokesperson.
After the upgradation, the landing of bigger jets and Boeing 777 will be made on the airport besides initiation of wider flight operation of more international airlines.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 04:17pm

Business & Finance

PTCL integrated license expires after 25 years

PTCL informed that the regulator responded in affirmative vide its letter dated 1st October 2018 that PTCL license will be renewed in accordance with the government policy prevalent at the time of renewal.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 03:48pm

Technology

Sony PS5 Sales break records in 2020, setting higher targets for the New Year

Sony managed to sell 3.4 million PS5 units in just 4 weeks of launch and plans on selling up to 18 million units in 2021.

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:52pm

Technology

Adobe Flash Player Officially been Laid to Rest in 2021

Adobe has officially bid farewell to its Flash Player, announcing that it would not be receiving any more security updates in 2021.

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:40pm

Middle East

Research body files lawsuit against State Department, to block $23 billion weapons deal to UAE

In an effort to block the sale of $23 billion in advanced military systems to the United Arab Emirates, a foreign policy research body is suing Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the State Department.
Critics argued that the Trump Administration did not go through the proper congressional review process and left unanswered questions about the purpose of the transfer, which included F-35 advanced fighter jets and MQ-9 reaper drones.

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:24pm

Pakistan

Lahore CCPO Umar Sheikh removed, Dogar takes charge as new police chief

Sheikh has been appointed as Deputy Commandant, Punjab Constabulary
Umar had assumed charge as Lahore CCPO in September last year to control street crime and tackle the encroachment mafia in the city
Sheikh's few months in office were shrouded in controversies in the form of victim-blaming remarks for which he apologised before a Senate committee and a rise in street crime

Published 01 Jan, 2021 03:10pm

Business & Finance

Pakistan showed 'great resilience' against COVID-19 in 2020: ADB

Yang said that ADB supported Pakistan during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing PPEs and other equipment.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 02:57pm

Pakistan

As part of pact, Pakistan and India share lists of nuclear installations, prisoners

The two countries inform each other of their nuclear installations and facilities on 1st January every year under the agreement on Prohibition of Attacks against Nuclear Installations and Facilities
Both countries also shared list of prisoners that include 319 Indian prisoners and 340 Pakistani inmates

Published 01 Jan, 2021 02:40pm

Industry

KSE 100 Welcomes New Year by crossing the 44k mark

The KSE 100 index welcomes the new year with bullish sentiments and crosses its 44k mark after about 30 months.

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 02:31pm

Asia

Japan plans to deploy unmanned 6th Gen stealth fighter jets by 2035

Japan will reportedly produce as many as 90 fighter jets initially.
The development of the prototype will begin in 2024, with a first flight to follow in 2028.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 02:21pm

Pakistan

Exams scheduled for March to be held in May/June: Shafqat Mahmood

He said this year’s summer vacations will also be shorter.
Shafqat Mahmood said the reopening of schools will be decided by the National Command and Control Centre.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 01:41pm

Pakistan

KP CM orders immediate reconstruction of Hindu temple in Karak

He vowed that the KP government will protect the places of worship of minorities.
More than 30 people have been arrested for vandalising and burning the temple.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 01:13pm

Pakistan

Ehsaas scheme: PM pledges to make Pakistan a welfare state by providing health cover, food to people

Premier says Ehsaas programme provides social security & our health card scheme provides the poor with proper medical access
Imran says his New Year resolution is to complete two projects including universal health coverage and "Koi Bhuka Na Soyay"

Published 01 Jan, 2021 01:02pm

World

Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 82.9 million, death toll at 1,809,744

Infections have been reported in more than 210 countries and territories since the first cases were identified in China in December 2019.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 12:53pm

Pakistan

Karachi at its coldest in 10 years after temperature drops to 5.6°C

The last time the city saw the lowest temperature was in the year 2014 when the temperature fell to 6.5°C.
The port city’s minimum temperature will be between 6 and 8 degrees.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 12:55pm

Companies

Electric vehicle maker Tesla to deliver China-made Model Y SUVs this month

It is also adding manufacturing capacity for EV chargers in Shanghai and expanding its sales and service network around the country. It sold over 20,000 vehicles in November.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 12:49pm

Middle East

Israel, Saudi Arabia reportedly pushing Trump for a strike on Iran ahead of Biden inauguration

Israel and Saudi Arabia are reportedly pushing the Trump Administration to carry out a surgical strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, before President-elect Joe Biden takes office.
Riyadh and Jerusalem have "exerted heavy pressure on the president to take out Iran's nuclear installations in a surgical strike", in an effort to "sabotage" President-elect Biden's plan to re-enter negotiations with the Iranian regime.

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 12:49pm

Europe

Germany's confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 22,924: RKI

The reported death toll rose by 553 to 33,624, the tally showed.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 12:42pm

Stocks

Indian shares start 2021 on all-time high; IT rises

The Nifty Auto Index was up 0.66%. Indian automakers will be reporting December sales numbers on Friday.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 12:40pm

Companies

Sony to launch PlayStation 5 in India in February

"We are happy to announce that PS5 shall be launched in India on 2nd of February 2021," the Japanese firm tweeted from its PlayStation India Twitter handle.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 12:38pm

Business & Finance

African free trade bloc opens for business, but challenges remain

Still, proponents of the zone are confident that initial steps towards its implementation will already allow member states to double intra-African trade by 2025.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 12:31pm

Business & Finance

China Dec new home prices slow, private survey shows

China's property market has recovered quickly from the COVID-19 pandemic early last year, thanks to cheaper credit and looser purchase restrictions.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 12:29pm

World

In New Year's speech, Taiwan president again reaches out to China

While there was no direct response from Beijing, Liu Jieyi, the head of China's Taiwan Affairs Office, said in his new year's message they would stand by the "one China" principle.

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 12:29pm

Middle East

U.S, Israel’s bid to oppose U.N’s annual budget over alleged bias against Jerusalem receives no support at the forum

On Thursday, the outgoing Trump Administration launched a last ditch appeal supporting Israel in the United Nations, by voting against the organisation's annual budget - which found no international support.
As a result, the United Nations General Assembly approving a $3.231 billion budget for 2021, with 167 nations in favour and only the United States and Israel in contention.

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 12:21pm

Business & Finance

CPEC second phase to focus on industrialization, agriculture, says Pakistan

He reiterated that Pakistan would welcome relocation of industry from China and in that regard was instituting a regime to encourage inflow of Chinese investments to Pakistan.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 12:06pm

World

Boris Johnson: Britain's 'cakeist' Brexit leader

"Those who did not take him seriously were wrong," French President Emmanuel Macron said at the time.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 12:03pm

Pakistan

Govt ready for dialogue with opposition on all issues except accountability: FM Qureshi

Qureshi says PM has taken a stance that NRO will not be given to the corrupt elements
Differences are visible in PDM over the issue of resignations and shows lack of confidence within the alliance, says FM

Published 01 Jan, 2021 12:03pm

World

The European Union: six decades of twists and turns

On May 9, 1950, French foreign minister Robert Schuman unveils proposals for an economic union between France and West Germany.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 11:56am

World

Britain credits Brexit for abolishing 'tampon tax'

In her view, Brexit will make it less likely the tax is abolished EU-wide, since Britain was leading the push for it, she added.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 11:51am

World

Immigrants in US both hopeful and wary of Biden

"You've served your usefulness," he said of the decision by the same government he fought for in Vietnam. "And we don't need you anymore so you can be deported."

Published 01 Jan, 2021 11:47am

Sports

Haaland back in action as Bundesliga returns from mini-break

"The most important thing is that we start well and end well," said Haaland, who has scored 17 goals in 14 games in all competitions this season.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 11:37am

Pakistan

UK COVID-19 variant detected in two more people in Sindh

The new variant was detected in two men both of them in their 20s, who are UK returnees and residents of Karachi.
Sindh has reported five cases of the new COVID-19 variant.

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 11:40am

World

German government at odds over armed drones

Armed drones, manufactured by Israel or Turkey, were also deployed by Azerbaijan against Armenia in the recent conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 11:32am

World

Kim thanks North Koreans for support 'in difficult times'

The congress is expected to take place ahead of the January 20 inauguration of Joe Biden as US president.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 11:30am

Business & Finance

Singapore and Malaysia scrap high speed railway after delays

He had estimated the railway would cost Malaysia around 110 billion ringgit ($27 billion) in 2018.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 11:26am

World

New Year, new rules: UK begins post-Brexit future

Brexit, which has dominated politics on both sides of the Channel since 2016, became reality an hour before midnight, ending the UK's 48-year obligation to follow Brussels' rules.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 11:22am

USA

Brazil rings in 2021 with nearly empty Copacabana beach

Football superstar Neymar meanwhile tried to douse a firestorm of controversy over reports he organized a week-long party for 500 revelers at his mansion outside Rio.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 11:17am

Business & Finance

FBR extend deadlines under Prime Minister’s Construction package

The last date for builders and developers who want to avail of a fixed tax regime has been extended from 31st December 2020 to 31st December 2021.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 11:18am

Pakistan

UK court orders Pakistan to pay $28.7 million payment to British firm

British firm Broadsheet was hired by NAB during Pervez Musharraf’s government to trace assets in the UK and USA of more than 200 Pakistanis
The firm didn’t recover a single asset of any target anywhere in the world but its litigation against NAB started over the broken contract when the anti-graft watchdog ended its contract

Published 01 Jan, 2021 10:53am

Business & Finance

Oil edges higher, but posts 20% annual drop in tumultuous 2020

On the last trading day of 2020, Brent rose 17 cents to settle at $51.80 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate rose 12 cents to settle at $48.52 a barrel. Brent fell 21.5% for the year, with WTI falling 20.5%.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 10:47am

Technology

SolarWinds hackers accessed Microsoft source code, the company says

Source code - the underlying set of instructions that run a piece of software or operating system - is typically among a technology company’s most closely guarded secrets and Microsoft has historically been particularly careful about protecting it.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 10:43am

Business & Finance

NYSE starts process of delisting 3 Chinese telco companies

The move here by the NYSE, which will limit U.S. investor access, follows global index providers MSCI Inc, S&P Dow Jones Indices and FTSE Russell and Nasdaq deleting various Chinese companies from their indexes.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 10:40am

Pakistan

Several arrested for aerial firing, one-wheeling on New Year’s Eve in Karachi

At least four people, including a woman were injured in incidents of celebratory firing on Thursday night.
Eight people were also taken into custody for one-wheeling on Seaview Road.

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 10:39am

World

Most prolific U.S. serial killer, who confessed to 93 murders, dies in California hospital

Little had been serving three consecutive sentences of life without parole for the killing of three women in Los Angeles County during the late 1980s.

Published 01 Jan, 2021 09:49am

BR Research

Interview with Alaa Elshimy, Managing Director and Senior Vice President of Enterprise Business Group, Huawei Middle East

The future is about skills and competency more than anything else At the sidelines of this year’s Gitex – the...

Published 01 Jan, 2021 07:45am

BR Research

Autos in 2021: The reverb effect

In the coming months, competition within the automotive industry could get intense, as the industry enters a new,...

Published 01 Jan, 2021 07:40am

BR Research

Has Pakistan imported enough wheat?

Over the past 8 weeks, secondary market prices of wheat have been consistently declining across the country –...

Published 01 Jan, 2021 07:35am

BR Research

Power reforms must pick pace

Another year of unfulfilled power sector reforms went by. The government could rightly claim that 2020 was perhaps...

Published 01 Jan, 2021 07:30am

BR Research

Construction amnesty renewal

One lucky break the government got in reviving the economy due to covid-19 is getting permission from the IMF on...

Published 01 Jan, 2021 07:25am

Letters

‘Who will blink first?’

This is apropos a Business Recorder editorial “Who will blink first?” carried by the newspaper yesterday. It has...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:47am

Opinion

Does Brexit free Europe to seek closer union?

British politicians often speak of Brexit as an opportunity to escape Brussels’ shackles, but does the departure...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:46am

China’s first vaccine hustled to market as race to inoculate 1.3bn speeds up

BEIJING: China has granted "conditional" market approval to a Sinopharm vaccine with a reported 79 percent efficacy...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:44am

Enforcement of the PFM Act 2019: Finance Division told to form ‘internal audit policy board’

ISLAMABAD: The Cabinet Committee on Institutional Reforms (CCIR) Thursday directed the Finance Division to complete...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:44am

Gibraltar to join Schengen as Spain, UK ink 11th-hour deal

MADRID: Gibraltar will become part of the Schengen zone to ensure fluidity on its border with Spain in a landmark...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:44am

FPCCI election for post of president: Mangoon declared winner; Tawab challenges result

KARACHI: The annual election of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) appear to have...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:44am

CJP takes notice of attack on Karak Hindu shrine

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed on Thursday took notice of burning a temple of Hindu community in...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:44am

Forex reserves down $59m

KARACHI: The country’s liquid foreign exchange reserves declined by $59 million to $20.254 billion at the end of...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:44am

SRB receives Rs11.75bn record revenue in Dec

KARACHI: The Sindh Revenue Board (SRB) has made a record revenue collection of Rs11.75 billion during December 2020...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:44am

July-December: Rs15bn shortfall in collection

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has provisionally collected Rs2,195 billion net revenue during...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:44am

Opinion

Vaccine inequality and economic misfortune

‘The global scheme to deliver COVID-19 vaccines to poorer countries faces a “very high” risk of failure,...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:42am

Opinion

There’s need to remove confusion — II

It is strange that Sindh and Punjab Assemblies, while enacting the Sindh Workers Welfare Fund Act, 2014 and Punjab...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:41am

Pakistan

SSGC Mega Service Centre launched in Korangi Industrial Area

KARACHI: SSGC first ever Mega Service Centre was formally launched at the Company’s East Zone in Korangi ...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:40am

Pakistan

IHC CJ annoyed over police’s failure to recover children

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday expressed annoyance over the failure of the...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:40am

Pakistan

Senate, by-polls and resignations: PDM to consider PPP proposals today

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) in its meeting today at Raiwind, will deliberate upon the ...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:40am

Pakistan

Karak district: 31 held, 350 booked for vandalising Hindu temple

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police on Thursday arrested more than 31 suspects and registered a case against 350...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:40am

Pakistan

14 ordinances laid: NA passes 31 govt bills and six private members’ bills in 2020

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly passed as many as 31 government bills and six private members’ bills, and 14...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:40am

Pakistan

CPEC projects: Timeline be strictly followed for completion as per int’l standards

ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser said the timeline be strictly followed to complete the...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:34am

Pakistan

FO outlines country’s foreign policy achievements during 2020

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Thursday outlined Pakistan’s foreign policy achievements during 2020 by taking...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:34am

Pakistan

Private Schools Supreme Council announces to open educational institutes on 11th

ISLAMABAD: Leaders of Private Schools Supreme Council on Thursday announced to open educational institutes on ...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:34am

Pakistan

Authority to shift PIA HQ lies with parliament only: Sherry

ISLAMABAD: Rejecting the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s decision to shift the Pakistan International Airlines...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:34am

Pakistan

Rehabilitation of N5 Sindh: China to provide $100m grant assistance

ISLAMABAD: China will provide grant assistance of RMB 659.8 million ($100 million) for rehabilitation of the ...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:34am

Pakistan

Cabinet tells ministry: Review laws to delineate responsibilities of CDA, MCI

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Cabinet has directed the Ministry of Interior to review the ICT Local Government laws to...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:34am

Pakistan

First quarter of 2021: Only 20pc population will be able to get Covid-19 vaccine: Dr Mirza

KARACHI: The Covid-19 vaccine may be administered to only 20 percent of Pakistan’s population after receiving its...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:34am

Pakistan

Around 3,985 ‘drug dealers’ arrested in 6 years, claims ET&C

KARACHI: Sindh Excise Taxation and Narcotics Control (ET&C) department on Thursday claimed to have arrested ...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:34am

Pakistan

FPCCI elections: BMG, KCCI greet Businessmen Panel on victory

KARACHI: The leadership of Businessmen Group (BMG) and office-bearers of Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:34am

Pakistan

Contempt petition in Pearl murder case: SHC issues notices to chief secretary, others

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Thursday issued notices to the chief secretary of Sindh and others in a...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:28am

Pakistan

Schoolteachers, parents: Govt urged to announce relief package

KARACHI: Private schools association president Shiraz Akram and general secretary Zubair Ahmed in a press conference...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:28am

Pakistan

Covid-19 cases: Pakistan reports highest single day spike

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan reported the highest single-day spike in Covid-19 cases on Thursday, during the last two weeks,...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:27am

Pakistan

Pakistan condemns killing of three innocent Kashmiris

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday strongly condemned the killing of three more innocent Kashmiris in fake encounter by...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:27am

Pakistan

NA speaker declares two PML-N MNAs’ resignations ‘fake’

ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser Thursday ruled that two PML-N members of the National Assembly...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:27am

Pakistan

Covid-19 vaccine: Frontline health workers to be inoculated by Q1 2021: NCOC

ISLAMABAD: The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) Thursday announced that all frontline healthcare workers...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:27am

World

EU ‘regrets’ new US tariffs in Airbus-Boeing spat

BRUSSELS: The EU regretted Thursday the US decision to slap more tariffs on French and German products as part of...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:27am

World

US police shoot man dead during traffic stop, protesters gather

WASHINGTON: Police in Minneapolis shot a man dead during a traffic stop on Wednesday, seven months after the killing...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:27am

World

Australian anthem changed to recognise indigenous people

SYDNEY: A line in Australia’s national anthem officially changed Friday in a move the nation’s leader said was...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:27am

Pakistan

2020 proved lucky for mafias only: JI chief

LAHORE: Chief of Jamaat-e-Islami Senator Sirajul Haq has said that 2020 proved lucky for mafias in Pakistan who...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:27am

Pakistan

Positivity rate remains 4.34pc: 654 fresh corona cases, 31 deaths reported in Punjab

LAHORE: The positivity rate of coronavirus cases remained 4.34 percent in Punjab province, as out of 15,043 tests...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:27am

Pakistan

Sexual harassment case: Sarwar dismisses appeal of govt official against sentence

LAHORE: Punjab Governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar dismissed the appeal of Deputy Director Planning Asim Arsalan...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:27am

Pakistan

New Year 2021 celebrations: 160 police teams patrol all major roads of Lahore

LAHORE: The city police on Thursday constituted nearly 160 teams to take action against people showing rowdy...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:27am

Sports

PCB Awards 2020: nominations unveiled

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday unveiled nominations for the PCB Awards 2020, the results of...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:27am

Stocks

SECP introduces digital onboarding mechanism

ISLAMABAD: As part of its efforts to usher in a new era of smart investments, the Securities and Exchange Commission...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:19am

Energy

SAPM briefs NA body on Euro-V fuel standards

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Petroleum Nadeem Babar said on Thursday the conversion of...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:19am

Energy

Azerbaijan makes first direct gas deliveries to Europe

BAKU: Azerbaijan said Thursday it started gas deliveries to Europe from the Shah Deniz field in the Caspian Sea, ...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:19am

Commodities

PMEX daily trading report

KARACHI: On Wednesday, at PMEX the traded value of metals, energy, COTS/FX and indices was recorded at PKR 4.425...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:19am

Commodities

Gold prices skyrocket during 2020

KARACHI: Gold prices skyrocketed during 2020, posting a big increase globally and locally, traders said on the eve ...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:19am

Industry

Construction industry: ABAD hails PM’s decision to extend date of package

KARACHI: Association of Builders and Developers of Pakistan (ABAD) has hailed Prime Minister Imran Khan’s decision...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:17am

Industry

May-November 2020: Cement dispatches witness increase of around 8pc

ISLAMABAD: Cement dispatches witnessed an increase of around eight percent during May-November 2020 compared to...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:17am

Industry

China’s factory activity slows, recovery on track

BEIJING: Factory activity in China slowed slightly in December, data showed Thursday, though it continued to grow as...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:17am

World

Syria war killed 6,800 in 2020, lowest annual toll

BEIRUT: The Syrian conflict claimed at least 6,800 people in 2020, the lowest annual death toll since it began ...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:15am

World

French theatre legend Robert Hossein dies

PARIS: French actor and director Robert Hossein, famous for his mega-productions of classics such as Les Miserables...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:15am

World

Colombia sets new record in eradicating coca production

TUMACO, (Colombia): Colombia beat its record for eradicating coca crops for the second year in a row, the government...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:15am

Commodities

CBOT soyabean futures hit new 6-1/2-year high

CHICAGO: Chicago Board of Trade soyabean futures rallied to a fresh 6-1/2 year high on Wednesday despite the...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:11am

Industry

US jobless claims dip but show recovery has long way to go

NEW YORK: Fewer Americans sought unemployment benefits last week, but the modest drop did little to dispel concerns...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:11am

Money & Banking

Naira futures hit record low

ABUJA: Nigeria’s naira fell to a record low on the futures market for the five-year settlement and weakened ...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:11am

Money & Banking

Dollar in the dumps in Europe as 2020 ends

LONDON: The dollar was set to end 2020 around 2-1/2 year lows on Thursday, allowing currencies from the euro to...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:11am

Money & Banking

Aussie, kiwi storm ahead

SYDNEY: The Australian and New Zealand dollars rose to fresh highs on Thursday as markets bet a vaccine-fuelled...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:11am

Money & Banking

Early trade in New York: Dollar on track for worst year since 2017

NEW YORK: The dollar was on track for its worst yearly loss since 2017 on Thursday as expectations of additional...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:11am

Commodities

CBOT corn higher

CHICAGO: Chicago Board of Trade corn futures notched a fresh 6-1/2-year high on Wednesday in a 13th straight session...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:11am

Money & Banking

Sterling extends gains

LONDON: Sterling extended gains on Thursday, rising as much as 0.6% versus the euro after news that trading ...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:11am

Commodities

US MIDDAY: Gold set to end volatile 2020 with strong gains

NEW YORK: Gold steadied as the dollar extended losses on Thursday, with the metal on track for its best year in a...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:11am

Commodities

US MIDDAY: Corn, soya hit 6-1/2-year highs

CHICAGO: US corn futures extended gains on Thursday and hit their highest level in 6-1/2 years after major supplier...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:11am

Stocks

Saudi shares set to finish 2020 higher, other Gulf markets subdued

DUBAI: Saudi Arabian Shares fell in early trade on the last day of the 2020, but were set to close the session with ...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:11am

Commodities

Palm oil rises 18pc in 2020

SINGAPORE: Malaysian palm oil futures rose 18% this year, marking its second year of growth, as supplies dry due to...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:07am

Cotton & Textile

New York cotton

NEW YORK: The following were the fluctuations observed during the day:...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:07am

Commodities

Chinese iron ore futures fall on plea of steel output cut

BEIJING: Benchmark iron ore futures in China fell nearly 6% on Wednesday, after the country urged the steel industry...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:07am

Energy

Oil slips, set for 20pc annual drop in tumultuous 2020

NEW YORK: Global crude prices slipped on Thursday and lost more than a fifth of their value in volatile trade in...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:07am

Stocks

China stocks hit multi-year highs to close out 2020

SHANGHAI: China stocks rose to multi-year highs on the last trading day of 2020, as investors cheered a Sino-Europe...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:06am

Commodities

Gold in Europe set for strongest year since 2010

• Silver up 48pc this year, also on track for best year since 2010 • Palladium up for fifth straight year, ...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:06am

Commodities

Canadian canola futures post fresh highs

WINNIPEG: ICE Canadian canola futures rallied to new highs in most contracts on Tuesday on worries about global...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:06am

Commodities

Top LME performer copper dips on hazy new year outlook

• Aluminium the top performer on Shanghai exchange LONDON/HANOI: Copper fell on Thursday as investors grow wary...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:06am

Stocks

European stocks end down

MILAN/FRANKFURT: European stocks closed lower on Thursday, ending 2020 in the red as tighter coronavirus ...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:06am

Commodities

Raw sugar, arabica coffee up

LONDON: Raw sugar futures on ICE climbed to a five-week high on Thursday, boosted by tightening supplies and a...

Updated 01 Jan, 2021 03:06am

Cotton & Textile

Cotton futures on track for best year since 2010

NEW YORK: ICE cotton futures were headed for their best year since 2010 as strong demand for the natural fibre was...