News Archives for Latest - 2021-03-09

Automobile

New ways of the new age

This car financing mode has proven to be successful in giving more and more people from different socio-economic classes the power of buying and eventually owning a new car.
One of the major automobile OEM is offering special financing deal on All New Alto AGS & WagonR VXL, you will be saving up to Rs. 159,577* on the complete amount.

Updated 10 Mar, 2021 02:26pm

Sports

Anything is possible with Messi, Koeman says as Barca target PSG comeback

Barca were beaten 4-1 at home and no side has ever overturned a three-goal deficit in an away leg of the Champions League.
"If Leo is capable of playing one of his best games, everything is possible. He can decide a game at any moment," Koeman told.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:34pm

Companies

Italy's ERG flicks switch on hydro, gas plant sale

ERG is looking to sell the assets in order to reinvest in its solar and wind business abroad, while maintaining credit stability, one source said, adding a decision had not yet been taken on whether to sell them separately or as a package.
The Italian company is more than 60% owned by Italy's Garrone-Mondini family and is one of Europe's leading wind power players with almost 2 gigawatts of installed capacity.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:34pm

Forex

Remote Siberian data centre reaps rewards of bitcoin rally

The company could already be responsible for as much as 2% of global bitcoin mining, Chief Executive Igor Runets estimated, but added precise figures in the sector were hard to come by.
Bitcoin is earned -- or 'mined' -- by using your computer to help process the uncrackable "blockchains" or digital transaction records that underpin the currency.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:34pm

Forex

Canadian dollar gains as lower bond yields boost sentiment

Canadian dollar rises 0.3% against the greenback.
Loonie trades in a range of 1.2590 to 1.2685.
Price of US oil dips 0.1%.
Canadian bond yields ease across a flatter curve.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:34pm

Industry

Britain's M&S plans smaller store on flagship London site

Under the proposals, which M&S is seeking to consult with local stakeholders on, it would develop a smaller modernised full-line store on a site it has occupied since 1930.
M&S, which sells food, clothing and homewares, currently trades from 160,000 square feet at Marble Arch across five floors.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:34pm

Stocks

Nigerian stocks drop to 10-week low, banks fall

The all-share index, which rose 50% in 2020, shed 1.8% on Tuesday, the most in one day since December. The index of Nigeria's top 10 banking shares shed 5.3%.
Stocks had been rising since October as local funds moved into equities following two rate cuts last year, and as excess naira flooded money markets due to historically low yields on the debt market.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:34pm

Europe

Spain's government approves 120mn euro aid for Duro Felguera

Duro Felguera, whose shares were up 2.3% on the day in afternoon trading, is the second Spanish company to benefit from the programme after the government approved a 475 million euro package for Air Europa late last year.
The government has earmarked a 10 billion-euro fund to potentially bail out companies in strategic sectors that are considered viable but are experiencing solvency problems due to the coronavirus.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:34pm

Sports

No plans to replace Loew as Germany boss, says Liverpool's Klopp

Loew is the current longest serving national team coach after taking the job in 2006 but the 61-year-old, who led Germany to the 2014 World Cup title, is ending his contract a year early.
"Will I be available for the German national team job in the summer? No," Klopp told reporters ahead of the second leg of their last-16 Champions League tie against RB Leipzig.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:33pm

Stocks

SoftBank-backed Coupang boosts IPO price, aims for $58 billion valuation

Coupang, viewed as a rival to Amazon.com Inc, received $1 billion in funding from SoftBank in 2015 and $2 billion from its Vision Fund in 2018.
Coupang said in a regulatory filing it would price its offering between $32 and $34 per share, higher than its earlier range of $27 and $30 a share.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:33pm

South Asia

India summons British envoy over ‘unwarranted’ criticism of farm protests

Three new agricultural laws introduced by India late last year have led to months of protests by farmers, angry at what they see as sops to large private buyers.
"He advised that British MPs should refrain from practising vote bank politics by misrepresenting events, especially in relation to another fellow democracy," it added, in an apparent reference to British lawmakers and voters of Indian descent.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:33pm

Forex

Brazil's real extends slide on political worries; Mexican peso up over 1pc

The fear is that, with Lula's specter hanging over his re-election, Bolsonaro could act even more erratically and take populist actions that compromise Brazil's fragile fiscal situation.
With US Treasury yields stabilizing and Wall Street's stock indexes opening higher, Sao Paulo's Bovespa stock index rose 0.2%, after sinking 4% on Monday.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:33pm

Companies

Chevron sticks to lower spending in higher investor returns pitch

Falling energy demand due to pandemic lockdowns sent the industry into a tailspin in 2020 and led Chevron to a $5.54 billion annual loss, its first since 2016.
Chevron's 2020 output was around 2.98 million barrels of oil and gas per day, and an investor presentation showed the company increasing output through 2025 though no numbers were given.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:33pm

Companies

GlobalFoundries, Bosch to develop radar chips for self-driving car features

Under the deal, Santa Clara, California-based GlobalFoundries said it will make high-frequency radar chips for Bosch at its Fab 1 facility in Dresden, Germany. Radar chips are widely used in vehicles for driver-assistance features such as emergency braking, lane-keeping and parking assistance.
Rather than source the chips from a third-party company to put inside a radar module, Bosch is working directly with the chip contract manufacturer to have its own design custom-made.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:33pm

Energy

Diesel storage in Scandinavian caverns unwinding

This compares with 180,000 tonnes of diesel/gasoil that arrived over the whole of 2019 into the same ports.
About 80% of these arrivals originated from ports in Russia, they said.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:33pm

Stocks

TSX rises as gold miners track bullion gains

The materials sector, which includes precious and base metals miners and fertilizer companies, added 2.9% as gold futures rose 1.8% to $1,707.6 an ounce.
The energy sector dropped 1% as US crude prices were down 0.3% a barrel.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:33pm

Companies

Norway suspends Rolls-Royce asset sale on security grounds

Rolls-Royce must pause sale of Norway's Bergen Engines.
Norway fears national security could be at risk.
Sale to Russia's TMH Group was announced last month.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:33pm

USA

Brazil services activity starts 2020 with surprisingly strong growth

December's fall of 0.2% was revised up to unchanged, IBGE said, meaning the sector has not contracted on a monthly basis since May last year.
December's fall of 0.2% was revised up to unchanged, IBGE said, meaning the sector has not contracted on a monthly basis since May last year.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:33pm

Forex

Sterling reaches two-week high vs euro on BoE governor's cautious optimism

More than 22 million people have had the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine in the UK. Traders expect the swift inoculation programme will help the economy rebound from its biggest contraction in 300 years.
In early London trading, the pound rose to a two-week high against the euro at 85.57 pence. It was flat at 85.76 pence at 1227 GMT.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:33pm

Companies

Bharat's COVID shot shows high immune response, further study needed for elderly

The vaccine, India's first successful home-made shot against COVID-19, has attracted interest from more than 40 countries.
The company said last week it had shown 81% efficacy in preventing symptomatic COVID-19, based on interim analysis of late stage trials.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:33pm

Companies

Canada's Secure Energy to buy Tervita as oil deals speed up

The deal, which will value the combined company at around C$2.3 billion, comes as oil and gas companies seek to benefit from a recent run-up in crude oil prices while keeping a tight leash on costs.
Secure, which operates a network of crude processing and storage plants, oil and water pipeline and crude-by-rail terminals, said it will pay 1.2757 of its shares for each Tervita share held.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:32pm

Commodities

Brazil to harvest at least 130mn tonne of soybeans

In January, Safras & Mercado forecast Brazil's soy production at 133.1 million tonnes, an estimate that should be lowered in coming days as rains during the harvest spoil quality and hurt yields in midwestern states, he said.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:32pm

Money & Banking

India's Bank of Baroda to seek investor in credit card business, says CEO

"We may look at getting an investor into the cards business in the next 12 months," Chadha said of its BoB Financial Solutions operation.
"We are also looking to explore the possibility of listing IndiaFirst Life Insurance Co in the next 18-24 months as the business has been doing very well and we believe it has significant value," Chadha said.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:32pm

USA

Mexico inflation quickens in February to highest since October

Consumer prices rose by 3.76% in the year through February, beating the consensus forecast of a Reuters poll for a reading of 3.72%. Inflation, which stood at 3.54% a month earlier, quickened to its highest level since reaching 4.09% in October.
The Bank of Mexico targets a rate of 3% with a one percentage point tolerance threshold above and below that figure.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:32pm

Middle East

Israel, Cyprus agree framework for settling offshore gas dispute

Development of the Aphrodite gas field in Cypriot waters has been held up because a small part of it stretches into Israel's maritime zone and another gasfield there.
The framework will be set out in a joint letter which is being prepared. We are both very satisfied we are now at this point after nine years of discussion.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:32pm

Stocks

Vodafone seeks to raise up to 2.8bn euros from towers IPO

Biggest European IPO of 2021 off to a strong start.
Base deal order book already covered – bookrunner.
Towers in demand as European telecoms operators restructure.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:32pm

Energy

US natgas futures eased to fresh 5-week low on milder weather

Front-month gas futures fell 1.4 cents, or 0.5%, to $2.650 per million British thermal units.
The amount of gas flowing to US LNG export plants, meanwhile, averaged 10.2 bcfd so far in March.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:32pm

Europe

UN 'deeply worried' over Philippine killings, violent rhetoric

His government has said Sunday's killings were lawful and legitimate operations, but has promised a full investigation.
We are deeply worried that these latest killings indicate an escalation of violence, intimidation harassment and 'red tagging' of human rights defenders.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:32pm

Companies

AerCap confirms aircraft-leasing business talks with General Electric

The US business, known as GE Capital Aviation Services or GECAS, is one of the world's biggest jet-leasing companies. It leases passenger aircraft made by companies including Boeing Co and Airbus SE.
No further statements will be made by the issuers or the company regarding this matter until the time of the conclusion of those discussions.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:32pm

Companies

Inter Pipeline urges shareholders to reject Brookfield's hostile bid

Brookfield last month formally launched a hostile bid with the same C$16.50-per-share offer that Inter had rejected as inadequate weeks ago.
The offer from Brookfield, which acquires and manages infrastructure assets, had valued Inter at about C$7.08 billion ($5.62 billion).

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:31pm

Europe

Denmark has basis to ease restrictions further, health minister says

"The contact number is calculated at 1.0. That means that the epidemic in Denmark is not growing. Thus, we have the basis for further controlled reopening," Magnus Heunicke said on Twitter.
Heunicke also said the more contagious B.1.1.7. variant, first identified in Britain, was found in around 80% of all positive cases.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:31pm

Companies

Ukraine approves China's Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine

Ukrainian pharmaceutical company Lekhim - one of Sinovac's partners - has an agreement with the manufacturer to deliver 5 million doses of the vaccine in Ukraine, including 1.9 million via a state procurement scheme.
Ukraine started COVID-19 vaccinations in late February but only 19,118 first shots had been given by March 9.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:31pm

Middle East

United Arab Emirates attracts corporate billions to climb tax-haven ranking

The index by the Tax Justice Network, which documents countries that attract companies to shrink their tax bills, added the United Arab Emirates to its top-10 ranking, which includes Switzerland and Bermuda.
You don't need to be a tax expert to see why a global tax system programmed by a club of rich tax havens is haemorrhaging over $245 billion in lost corporate tax a year.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:31pm

Europe

UK officials urge caution on easing COVID-19 lockdown

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced what he has called a cautious but irreversible roadmap out of England's third national lockdown.
"It's all pointing in the right direction, but I think nobody can say with certainty that this is... finished," he told lawmakers. "We're certainly not out of the woods yet, even on this wave."

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:31pm

Energy

Bulgaria to connect day-ahead power market with Greece in May

The Independent Bulgarian Energy Exchange (IBEX) said it would run tests, including with market participants, from March 16 to end-April before the coupling with Greece goes live.
Bulgaria still regulates household electricity prices, but plans to gradually liberalise them by the end of 2025.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:31pm

Sports

Japan to stage Tokyo Olympics without foreign spectators, Kyodo says

The opening ceremony of the torch relay will also be held without spectators, Kyodo said.
The survey showed 77% of respondents were against allowing foreign fans to attend, versus 18% in favour.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:31pm

Sports

Leipzig's strikers brimming with confidence as Liverpool await

Strikers Yussuf Poulsen and Alexander Sorloth have been in superb form in recent weeks along with Christopher Nkunku, and Leipzig have won seven of their last eight Bundesliga games.
"I am happy that our attack in the past months has had a big influence in our wins," Nagelsmann told.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:31pm

Companies

Novartis's bid to re-purpose inflammation drug Ilaris takes another hit

The drug, known generically as canakinumab and long approved to treat juvenile arthritis and rare Mediterranean fever, last year failed to help patients suffering from COVID-19 respiratory distress.
While the results were disappointing, "these data give us valuable insights into IL-1 inhibition," said John Tsai.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:31pm

Financial

Online lender SoFi to buy California community bank

SoFi said it would pay $2.55 for every share of Sacramento, California-based Golden Pacific.
In January, the startup was valued at $8.65 billion in a deal with a blank-check firm backed by veteran investor Chamath Palihapitiya.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:31pm

Europe

Hungarian hospitals under strain from COVID-19 surge

Cecilia Muller said numbers of hospitalised COVID-19 patients reached 8,270 on Tuesday to exceed a December second-wave peak.
"The pandemic situation is very serious in Hungary," she told a briefing, adding that 833 people were on ventilators, also more than December's high.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:30pm

Europe

Sweden records 11,014 new COVID-19 cases, 39 deaths since Friday

The figure compared with 11,804 cases during the corresponding period last week.
The country of 10 million inhabitants registered 39 new deaths, taking the total to 13,042. The deaths registered have occurred over several days and sometimes weeks.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:30pm

Energy

Oil rises to $69 as focus returns to tighter market

Saudi Arabia says it thwarted missile and drone attacks.
OPEC+ offers boost by deciding to keep supply steady.
US crude inventories expected to fall in weekly reports.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:30pm

Commodities

Coffee prices fall on demand concerns; sugar also slips

May arabica coffee fell 0.2% to $1.2885 per lb.
May raw sugar fell 0.6% to 16.11 cents per lb after sliding by 1.2% on Monday.
May London cocoa fell 0.2% to 1,758 pounds a tonne.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:30pm

Commodities

Copper prices slip as China cools growth and credit plans

China is widely expected to rein in coronavirus-induced stimulus and cool credit growth to contain debt risks while maintaining support for ailing small firms. It has also set modest growth targets.
Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange (LME) declined 1.4% to $8,883 a tonne.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:30pm

Forex

Dollar falls back from 3-1/2 month highs as yields stabilise

Dollar index off 3-1/2 month highs.
Eyes on Treasury auctions, Fed meeting.
Risk currencies rise.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:30pm

Stocks

Indian shares end higher as heavyweight financials climb

The blue-chip NSE Nifty 50 index closed 0.95% higher at 15,098.4, while the benchmark S&P BSE Sensex was up 1.16% at 51,025.48.
The Nifty Bank Index advanced 1.7%, adding to last month's near 14% gain, with top private-sector lender HDFC Bank Ltd climbing 2.8%.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:30pm

Stocks

Sri Lankan shares slip as industrials weigh

The CSE All Share Index ended 0.29% lower at 7,296.88. The move followed a sharp rise on Monday.
Foreign investors were net sellers, offloading shares worth 185 million Sri Lankan rupees ($943,878), according to exchange data.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 09:30pm

USA

Mexico to buy 22mn more doses of Chinese coronavirus vaccines

Ebrard said Mexico has put in an order for an additional 10 million doses of China's Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine to be delivered between May and July, on top of the 10 million already ordered, which are due to arrive between March and May.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 09:13pm

South Asia

Myanmar recalls its UK ambassador after he urged release of Suu Kyi

"Since he did not conduct himself in accordance with given responsibilities, an order [is issued] to summon and transfer him back to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs," it said.
Suu Kyi was detained along with most of her cabinet after the army seized power in a coup on Feb. 1.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 09:11pm

Europe

Russia, China sign memorandum on lunar research station

"An international lunar science station is a complex of experimental and research facilities created on the surface and/or in orbit of the moon, designed to conduct multidisciplinary and multipurpose research work," it said.
Russia and China will promote international cooperation on the project and offer equal access to any nation that wants to take part, the agency said in a statement on its website.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 09:10pm

Stocks

Nasdaq jumps at open as tech stocks gain ground

The Nasdaq Composite rose 313.9 points, or 2.49% to 12923.071 at the opening bell. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 89.9 points, or 0.28%, to 31892.35, while S&P 500 rose 30.6 points, or 0.80%, at the open to 3851.93.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 09:07pm

Europe

Greece to welcome vaccinated and COVID-negative tourists from May

Tourism is a major income earner for Greece, which has led calls for an EU-wide vaccination certificate to help unlock travel.
The industry accounts for about a fifth of the Greek economy and employs one in five workers, but arrivals collapsed last year because of the pandemic.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 09:05pm

Energy

Poland's PKN Orlen signs deal with Exxon Mobil on oil supplies

"We continue to diversify supplies," PKN Orlen Chief Executive Daniel Obajtek said in a statement.
PKN said the supplies will be used in its refineries in Poland, Czech Republic and Lithuania.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 09:03pm

Europe

Developers of Russian Sputnik V vaccine doubt EU regulator's neutrality, want apology

"We demand a public apology from EMA's Christa Wirthumer-Hoche for her negative comments..., (which) raise serious questions about possible political interference in the ongoing EMA review," the developers wrote on the official Sputnik V Twitter account.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called Wirthumer-Hoche's statement regrettable and inappropriate.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 09:01pm

Commodities

Copper prices slip as China cools growth and credit plans

"The trigger for lower prices came from the latest communication from the Chinese government," said Gianclaudio Torlizzi at consultancy T-Commodity.
Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange (LME) droped by 1.4% to $8,877 a tonne in offical trading, erasing the previous session's 1.1% gain.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 08:49pm

USA

US House readies final vote on Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID-19 package

"It's really just a matter of paperwork. But we are going to have a vote as soon as we can," Democratic Representative Katherine Clark, the assistant House speaker, told CNN.
The House was still awaiting the Senate version late on Monday. But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters that lawmakers would "take it up Wednesday morning at the latest."

Published 09 Mar, 2021 08:47pm

Commodities

Wheat up 1-3 cents; soybeans, corn down 3-5 cents

CBOT wheat inching higher overnight after the USDA offered mixed ratings for US winter wheat conditions. Gains are limited by rain forecasts across the US Southern Plains.
Russian wheat export prices fell last week after two weeks of growth due to lower prices in Chicago and Paris, analysts said.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 08:45pm

Companies

Continental expects return to net profit despite chip shortage

Continental reported a 12.7% drop in group sales, citing falling revenue in its Automotive, Rubber and Powertrain divisions.
Its net loss attributable to shareholders narrowed to 962 million euros ($1.14 billion) in 2020, compared with a 1.23 billion euro loss the previous year, thanks to heavy costs cuts and restructuring measures.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 08:43pm

Money & Banking

ECB barely raised purchases last week even before redemptions

The ECB bought 18.2 billion euros worth of bonds on a gross basis - that is, before taking out redemptions - under its Pandemic Emergency Purchase Programme last week, the data showed.
ECB policymakers appeared divided on the question of greater market intervention ahead of their policy meeting on Thursday.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 08:41pm

Money & Banking

Hungarian central bank tweaks bond-buying programme to rein in yields

The National Bank of Hungary, led by an ally of Prime Minister Viktor Orban, has injected huge sums into the pandemic-hit economy over the past year, including almost 1.5 trillion forints ($4.9 billion) of government bond purchases.
"If warranted by the stability and liquidity position of the government securities market, the NBH's purchases may exceed a 50% share of individual series," it added.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 08:40pm

Companies

Switzerland expecting 1mn COVID vaccine doses from Moderna, Pfizer in March

The planned March deliveries exceed initial expectations, and Kronig said they'll be sufficient to make up for slightly lower volumes that arrived last month.
New infections reported on Tuesday totaled 1,378 cases, well below the 10,000-plus record from Nov. 2. Another 13 deaths were reported.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 08:37pm

Pakistan

12,319 COVID-19 patients recovered in Rawalpindi

He said that 204 patients were quarantined at homes while 4 have died during the last 24 hours.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 08:38pm

Pakistan

Model Courts awards rigorous imprisonment to five accused

A fine of Rs 2,965,000 was also imposed on various accused in different cases.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 08:37pm

Pakistan

Federal capital records 236 fresh coronavirus cases in last 24 hours: NCOC

As many as 221 cases were reported on Monday while 190 cases were reported on Sunday.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 08:35pm

Pakistan

Reforms by SECP lead to 39pc growth in new companies’ registration

The Corporate Registrar has incorporated 2,257 new companies and startups in February, said a press release issued here.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 08:34pm

Pakistan

Kulbhushan Jadhav case adjourned till April 8

A larger bench headed by Chief Justice Athar Minallah and comprising Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb heard the case.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 08:33pm

Pakistan

NAB chairman directs submission of over Rs 50 million projects for scrutiny

He said that all public sector departments were duty bound to submit the copies of contracts of Rs50 million or above to NAB for scrutiny under its prevention regime.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 08:32pm

Pakistan

Gillani's victory in Senate polls challenged in IHC

It said ECP was a constitutional institution and it was its responsibility to ensure fairness in elections.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 08:31pm

Pakistan

Court dismisses bail pleas of accused in female student death case

The court, after hearing arguments of the parties and examining available record, dismissed the bail applications.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 08:29pm

Pakistan

Cabinet approves amendment bill to make SBP stronger, more autonomous: Shibli

He said the cabinet also approved Income Tax (amendment) 2021, which was an important piece of legislation to improve the tax network.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 08:26pm

Companies

Remotebase Raises $1.4M in Seed to help Pakistani engineers get global exposure

The Pakistan-based startup Remotebase raised $1.4 million in a seed round.
Remotebase aims to help Pakistani engineers get global exposure and hopes to turn Pakistan into a global tech hub by hiring, training and then placing engineers in Silicon Valley based startups.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 08:23pm

World

Flights resume between rival Libya cities after 7 years

An Afriqiyah Airways plane that took off from Benghazi touched down at Misrata airport at around 9:00 am (0700 GMT), the national airline said.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 08:25pm

Stocks

Stocks higher tracking recovery hopes, inflation fears

The dollar slid against its main rivals following recent strong gains.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 08:22pm

Middle East

US sanctions complicate Syria's return to Arab League: UAE

Abdullah said it was an issue that "should be part of dialogue we address clearly with our friends in the United States".

Published 09 Mar, 2021 08:19pm

Business & Finance

S.Africa economy hit 12-year low in 2020

The drop was "primarily led by decreases in manufacturing, trade, catering and accommodation," it said.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 08:18pm

Europe

UK jobs market is 'sick man of Europe': study

A positive figure indicates that more employers plan to increase rather than decrease hiring, but a negative number reflects the opposite.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 08:16pm

Africa

Sudan begins vaccinating health workers against Covid-19

Sudan has secured a total of 3.4 million doses through COVAX, which are expected to arrive in batches through to the end of September.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 08:14pm

World

Russia and China plan joint lunar space station

Moscow and Washington are collaborating in the space sector -- one of the few areas of cooperation left between the Cold War rivals.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 08:12pm

Europe

Ukraine leader calls for summit over escalating conflict

"The meeting is being prepared. It should take place," Zelensky said of the planned summit.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 08:10pm

Africa

Gang kidnaps 25 villagers in central Nigeria

"The bandits moved house to house, stealing from their victims before taking 24 people along with them," he said.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 08:09pm

Sports

Klopp rules out replacing Loew as Germany boss

Loew will leave with a year left on his contract, having signed up until the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 08:08pm

Europe

John Kerry calls for US and EU to renew climate effort

The US envoy was to sit down with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and her top team.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 08:06pm

World

Covid worsening already alarming rate of violence against women: WHO

At the same time, the added financial pressures and stress of having children at home, among other challenges, risked sparking fresh abuse.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 08:05pm

Africa

Sudan launches vaccination roll-out for medical workers

Sudan became the first country in the Middle East and North Africa to benefit from COVAX facility vaccines when it received 828,000 doses of the AstraZeneca shot on March 3.
Sudan says it expects to receive the remainder of a total 3.4 million doses through COVAX, a vaccine-sharing programme co-led by the World Health Organization, in the second quarter of this year.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 08:02pm

Stocks

Nasdaq bounces back, leads US stocks higher

Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.5 percent to 31,975.23, while the broad-based S&P 500 advanced 1.3 percent to 3,871.73.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 08:03pm

Pakistan

Sindh forms committee to scrutinise domiciles, PRCs

The additional chief secretary is put in charge of the committee which will oversee the domicile and PRC applications.
The committee comprises five members wherein the secretary home department will be its chairman and the additional secretary home department will be part of it as well.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 08:04pm

Pakistan

Ambassador Haque felicitates Chinese govt for holding annual ‘Two Sessions’ meeting

Ambassador Haque said, as friend of China, Pakistan always took comfort and pride in the Chinese progress and development.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 08:02pm

Pakistan

Country's constitution guardian of minority's rights: Tahir Ashrafi

Ashrafi stated that not even a single case on misuse of blasphemy law was registered for last four and half month.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 08:00pm

Pakistan

IHC summons high official in DRAP CEO appointment case

The court also directed the respondents to tell that why the final decision was not taken yet regarding the services of Sheikh Akhter Hussain.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 07:59pm

Pakistan

SC turns down Asif Zardari's request to transfer cases from Islamabad to Karachi

The former president had requested the apex court to transfer four corruption references, filed by NAB against him from the Islamabad accountability court to Karachi.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 07:58pm

Pakistan

SC dismisses pre-arrest bail plea of a corruption accused

The court rejected the accused's plea over withdrawal of bail application.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 07:59pm

Pakistan

Rupee gains 4 paisas against dollar

Buying and selling rates of dollar were recorded at Rs156.6 and Rs157.5 respectively.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 07:19pm

Pakistan

NA Speaker rejects opposition’s allegations

He said that free press is the basic requirement for democracy and assured to provide necessary facilities to journalists community.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 07:20pm

Pakistan

Sindh Governor presented LG audit report- 2021

The Governor said that the audit section was important to eradicate corruption from the province.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 07:17pm

Pakistan

PM directs feasibility report on e-voting to ensure transparency in next polls

He said introduction of online voting for overseas Pakistanis was also a matter of priority.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 07:16pm

Pakistan

Sheikh Rashid seeks opposition support status of province for GB

The Minister said Pakistan would prefer its own interest rather than bowing to India conspiracies against the country.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 07:15pm

Pakistan

Shaukat refutes news about removal of KP CM

He said Imran Khan is a brave leader who is fighting against corruption and corrupt leaders in the country.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 07:14pm

Pakistan

Police personnel involved in student’s killing to face exemplary punishment: CM

Mahmood Khan expressed his sympathies with the bereaved family and prayed for the departed soul to rest in eternal peace.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 07:12pm

Pakistan

Chief Minister orders inquiry into killing of a student incident

He said that no one including police personnel would be allowed to take the law into their hands.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 07:10pm

Pakistan

Pakistan constitution protects rights of minorities, worship places: President

He said steps were being taken to ensure protection of churches, shrines, temples, gurdwaras and other places of worship of minority communities.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 07:10pm

Pakistan

Gemstones industry has potential to earn $ 32 billion annual exports annually: FPCCI

He informed that after Burma, Hunza is the only other region in the world that has produced "Blood Red ruby”.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 07:07pm

Pakistan

Ehsaas program dedicated to foster women full participation in society: Sania Nishtar

She shared these remarks while addressing virtual events held worldwide in connection with the International Women Day.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 07:06pm

Pakistan

Gold prices increase Rs500 to Rs103,000

The price of per tola and ten gram silver remained constant.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 07:05pm

Pakistan

Business community hails Govt decision to reduce turnover tax and WHT to 0.25 percent for high-volume sector

He urged FBR to rationalize tax rates in consultation with chambers of commerce and Industry and other trade bodies.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 07:03pm

Pakistan

MinNFS&R proposes to procure over 6.5mn tons of wheat

PASSCO is likely to assign a task for the procurement of 1.2 million tons across the wheat producing areas on official fixed rates.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 07:02pm

Pakistan

PSX loses 828 points to close at 44,222 points

As many as 374 companies’ transacted shares in the stock market, 55 of them recorded gain and 301 sustained losses.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 07:00pm

Pakistan

Lahore, Chaman chambers ink MoU to enhance cooperation

CCCI President said that investments, joint ventures and and partnerships were required to boost the economic and trade activities at Special Economic Zone at Chaman border and Joint Border Market.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 06:58pm

Pakistan

PTI making efforts to address backwardness of remote areas: CM

He said the opposition was bent upon creating fuss from day one and those making tall claims had also been exposed.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 06:57pm

Pakistan

Dr Yasmin calls on CM

He added that around 7.5 million sexagenarians would be vaccinated in the province and directed to further expedite the process.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 06:56pm

Pakistan

CM takes notice of firing in Gujranwala

The CM directed the administration to provide the best treatment facilities to the injured.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 06:55pm

Pakistan

Bangash for strict adherence to Coronavirus SOPs

Total 2122 deaths were reported in the province so far.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 06:54pm

Pakistan

CM directs to take all possible steps for law & order

The CM said the supremacy of law should be maintained at every cost as no violation would be tolerated.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 06:53pm

Pakistan

Ashiana housing case: Court reserves verdict on acquittal application of two co-accused

The court adjourned further hearing till March 17, besides directing the prosecution to produce more witnesses on the next date of hearing.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 06:51pm

Pakistan

PTI govt will complete its constitutional term: Buzdar

The CM said the PDM was striving for an NRO; however, they will not get it in the presence of PM Imran Khan.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 06:50pm

Pakistan

ATC extends judicial remand of three lawyers till March 17

The court sought a report from the jail superintendent and issued instructions to provide medical facilities as per law.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 06:49pm

Pakistan

Uzbek FM due in Islamabad today

Relations between Pakistan and Uzbekistan are based on common faith, shared history and cultural affinities.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 06:47pm

Pakistan

Sadiq Sanjrani strong candidate for Senate Chairmanship: Farrukh Habib

He said that government has no agitation from the announcement of PDM of long march as public will not support the corrupt leaders.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 06:45pm

Pakistan

Nation can no more be hoodwinked by political parties practicing dynastic politics: Shibli

He said these parties want to impose their children on the nation to continue their business of loot and plunder.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 06:44pm

Pakistan

Govt to use all available resources to control prices of daily use items: Sadaqat Abbasi

He said the government functionaries were intensifying the crackdown on profiteers and hoarders across the country.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 06:43pm

Pakistan

Body formed representing various chambers to address ports issues

The minister said that the committee was formed in light of his announcement and commitment at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Friday, March 5.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 06:42pm

Pakistan

Pakistan’s exports to Afghanistan decrease 14.13pc in 7 months

The overall exports to Afghanistan were recorded at $543.650 million during July-January (2020-21) against exports of $633.121 million during July-January (2019-20).

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 06:42pm

Pakistan

ECP changes polling staff for NA-75 Daska re-election

“The other 339 polling stations will have the similar staff that worked during February 19 by-poll,” it said.
Deputy Commissioner Gujranwala Sohail Ashraf has been given an additional charge of Commissioner Gujranwala and CPO Gujranwala Sarfraz Ahmed Falki as Regional Police Officer (RPO).

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 06:30pm

Pakistan

Our focus should remain on strengthening parliament, democracy: Senate Chairman

He said we have to promote democratic norms and should not lose the moral ground.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 06:15pm

Pakistan

PM will not give any NRO-like concession to corrupt political elements: Buzdar

He said Prime Minister will not give any NRO like concession to corrupt political elements.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 06:14pm

Pakistan

Govt aims to include all types of organ transplants in Sehat Card Plus Programme: CM

He said special attention will be given to the health, education, communication and drinking water sectors.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 06:13pm

Pakistan

Nation can no longer be hoodwinked by political parties of dynastic politics: Shibli

He said these parties want to impose their children on the nation to continue their business of loot and plunder.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 06:13pm

Pakistan

Sarwar urges to promote merit, transparency for eradication of police station culture

The Governor said the government will empower police and free it from political influence.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 05:57pm

Stocks

Asia markets edge up as rate hike fears temper recovery hope

After Monday's losses, most Asia markets battled to eke out gains.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 05:53pm

South Asia

China launches virus passport

The certificate is being rolled out "to help promote world economic recovery and facilitate cross-border travel", a foreign ministry spokesman said.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 05:51pm

Business & Finance

Vodafone says tower business could be worth 14.7bn euros at float

The IPO "implies a total market capitalisation for Vantage Towers of 11.4 billion euros to 14.7 billion euros", it added.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 05:50pm

South Asia

Taiwan's top court to rule on indigenous hunting rights

Tama Talum said he was following tribal customs and was hunting the animals as food for his mother who was used to eating wild game.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 05:47pm

Europe

French economy to rebound with 5pc growth: central bank

French growth "will be among the strongest in Europe, clearly above the European average", the governor said.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 05:45pm

Europe

Italy factory to produce Sputnik vaccine, first in EU: trade body

Several European Union countries have already begun distributing Sputnik V, but it has yet to be approved by the bloc's medicines regulator.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 05:44pm

World

OECD hikes 2021 world growth forecast to 5.6pc on vaccine, stimulus rollout

It said the "top policy priority" is to deploy vaccines as quickly as possible, to save lives as well as to speed economic recovery.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 05:41pm

Business & Finance

Vaccines, US stimulus boost global GDP forecast: OECD

The OECD now sees the US economy climbing by 6.5 percent this year, an increase of 3.3 percentage points from its previous forecast.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 05:39pm

World

Trump back in NY for first time since leaving office

But it is not clear when the investigations might wrap up, or if Trump will eventually be indicted.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 05:43pm

World

US to join UN group on ending violence against women

The event usually brings thousands of women to the UN headquarters in New York every year, but this year, as in 2020, the meeting will be held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 05:43pm

World

UN chief: 'Barricaded' Myanmar protesters must be safely released

He also asked for "robust, targeted sanctions -- not only on military leaders but on military enterprises and assets."

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 05:43pm

World

More than 700,000 Covid-19 deaths in Latin America: AFP tally

Brazil, the country second-hardest hit after the United States, has registered more than 266,000 deaths from 11 million reported infections.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 05:43pm

World

EU eyes more vaccines as US lambasts Russian 'disinformation'

"It is very clear that Russia is up to its old tricks, and in doing so is potentially putting people at risk by spreading disinformation about vaccines that we know to be saving lives every day," a State Department spokesman said.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 05:43pm

World

US daily virus toll below 1,000 for first time in months

Health authorities added to the cautious optimism Monday when they announced that vaccinated people could meet together in small groups indoors without wearing masks or the need for social distancing.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 05:42pm

Africa

Nigeria eases curfew in town of kidnapped schoolgirls

They were released five days later, in the latest mass kidnapping to target schools in Nigeria.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 05:37pm

Sports

Neymar loses battle to be fit for Barcelona showdown

Neymar has been out of action since mid-February after picking up the thigh injury in PSG's French Cup victory over Caen.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 05:36pm

Europe

EU Parliament strips Catalan separatists of immunity

The vote also showed "respect for the Spanish justice system" and ensured that disputes in Catalonia are solved in Spain and not at the EU level.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 05:34pm

Middle East

Russia urges US, Iran to coordinate return to nuclear deal

Tehran meanwhile demands Washington take the first step by scrapping the sanctions.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 05:32pm

South Asia

Security forces search Myanmar protest district room by room

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military ousted and detained Suu Kyi last month, triggering daily protests around the country to demand the junta restore democracy.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 05:31pm

Europe

Sputnik V makers demand apology from EU medicines agency

Russia has said it is ready to provide jabs for 50 million Europeans as soon as Sputnik V gets the green light.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 05:28pm

Business & Finance

Norway wants to halt Rolls-Royce unit sale over security concerns

"There is therefore a need to halt this process to gather sufficient information to evaluate the transaction," she added.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 05:26pm

Europe

Moscow to host German far-right lawmakers

The AfD hoped to help "deepen and improve" German-Russian relations, said Weidel.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 05:24pm

Europe

Five die on migrant boat bound for Canary Islands

Last year, 1,851 people died on route, according to the Caminando Fronteras organisation which monitors migrant flows.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 05:21pm

Africa

Surprise as Malawi finally hands out long-delayed Covid relief

Malawi has so far counted 32,469 Covid-19 cases, of which just over 1,000 have been fatalities.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 05:19pm

World

Food drives a third of global emissions: report

"Our results corroborate previous findings of a significant share of food system emissions," the researchers said.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 05:18pm

Europe

Coronavirus toll at 1100 GMT Tuesday

At least 117,063,380 cases of coronavirus have been registered.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 05:16pm

Middle East

Lebanon protesters block roads over worsening poverty

Lebanon's economic crisis has been aggravated by several lockdowns to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 05:14pm

Sports

Yates defends Tirreno-Adriatico title against star-studded line-up

Two-time Giro d'Italia winner Vincenzo Nibali returns looking to add to his wins at his home race eight years after his last success.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 05:14pm

Sports

Germany coach Loew to step down after this year's Euros

Loew will leave with a year left on his contract having signed up until the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 05:08pm

South Asia

UN 'appalled' by killing of 9 activists in Philippines

Hundreds of activists, journalists and lawyers have been killed since Duterte took power in 2016, rights groups say.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 05:06pm

Europe

Belgian trial reveals multiple lives of murder suspect

Lacote and Van Acker are on trial in the Belgian city of Bruges accused of shooting dead 44-year-old Marcus Mitchell in De Haan in 1996.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 05:04pm

Europe

Norway approves AstraZeneca vaccine for over 65s

On Monday, Norway reported 632 Covid-related deaths since the beginning of the pandemic.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 05:03pm

World

Bosnians 'unhappy' at lack of Covax vaccines, says FM

"Our citizens are justifiably unhappy," Turkovic told reporters, speaking alongside German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 05:03pm

Pakistan

Govt offers deputy chairman Senate slot to JUI-F's Abdul Ghafoor Haideri

Defence Minister Pervaiz Khattak has confirmed the development, saying that the ruling party has told senior JUI-F leader Abdul Ghafoor Haideri that he can be the deputy chairman Senate
Khattak and Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani met Haideri and offered him the position

Published 09 Mar, 2021 04:45pm

Automobile

Get ready for ‘Fortuner 2021’

Company has already started booking for the facelift version of the Toyota Fortuner at partial payment of Rs. 3,000,000 as current models –Toyota Fortuner Petrol (V), Fortuner Petrol (G), and Fortuner SIGMA 4 Diesel – completely ran out.
Pricing has not been revealed by the company yet but it is expected that it would cost approximately up to 5% more and for Fortuner V, up to 15% due to conversion from 4x2 drivetrain to 4x4.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 04:46pm

Business & Finance

NEPRA approves electricity hike of Rs 0.89 per unit

The latest increase has been made on account of variations in the fuel charges for the month of January 2021.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 04:36pm

Pakistan

Three killed, 10 injured in firing during Gujranwala protest

A fight erupted after the protesters pelted stones at the housing society staff.
Land owners staged the protest against the Royal Palm City outside its office in Chanda Qila over non-payment of their dues.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 04:24pm

South Asia

Ambassador Khalilzad visits Pakistan, stresses the need to "accelerate" Afghan peace process

On Monday, the United States' Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, visited Islamabad.
Ambassador Khalilzad stressed the need to accelerate progress towards a just and durable peace in Afghanistan.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 04:11pm

Pakistan

Pakistani student Umair Masood wins ‘Young Scientist Award 2021’

Masood presented two research papers at the International Conference on Molecular Biology and Biochemistry in Australia and the 13th International Conference on Tissue and Regenerative Medicine in the United States.
Masood said that he won the award with 336 voters.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 03:43pm

Pakistan

ECP rejects PTI’s plea seeking stay on Yousuf Raza Gilani’s victory notification

PTI’s legal representative Barrister Ali Zafar, Lawmakers Farrukh Habib and Kanwal Shauzab appeared before the commission and recorded their arguments.
Barrister Ali Zafar claimed that rigging was carried out during the Senate polls through money and party tickets.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 03:25pm

Life & Style

Malala partners with Apple to produce dramas, comedies and documentaries

Malala and her new production company join Apple TV+'s growing roster of content creators including Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Will Smith and Jennifer Aniston.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 03:22pm

Pakistan

PM says voting process should be made transparent, stresses use of EVM technology

Imran says elections in Pakistan should be similar to the US
A nation can fight any disaster but corruption is what really destroys it: PM

Published 09 Mar, 2021 03:03pm

Business & Finance

Saudi Arabia launches competency test for all skilled workers

The country has launched “Professional Verification” program to ensure the competence of the skilled workers in the Kingdom's labor market.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 02:48pm

Automobile

Kia teases its first electric car EV6

The car first appeared in January, when Kia outlined its seven-year EV plan to release seven dedicated models by 2027.
A video accompanying the release of images gives away a little more, in particular the lighting on the rear that features a red striped set of LED that run to meet a lower L-shaped orange light.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 02:47pm

World

Britain's royals silent as 'Megxit' crisis rages after bombshell interview

Elizabeth, who has been on the throne for 69 years, wanted to take some time before the palace issued a response, a royal source said.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 02:27pm

Pakistan

Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly adopts resolution demanding interim provisional status for the region

The resolution demanded that GB be given representation in the National Assembly and Senate and other federal institutions.
"The demand for constitutional rights is a uninamous demand of the people of GB, not of an individual/ party only," GB Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid Khan said.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 02:05pm

Pakistan

Yousaf Raza Gilani’s victory in Senate election challenged in IHC

The petition read that Gilani is a convicted person, hence ineligible for the Upper House.
It pleaded to nullify the victory notification of Gillani as he committed rigging in Senate polls.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 02:04pm

Business & Finance

EMGA completes US$25M capital raise for Kashf Foundation with financing from CDC and Finnfund

"EMGA has successfully secured new foreign financing from two organizations that will allow us to deliver on our stated mission, including the provision of quality and cost-effective microfinance services to low-income households with a focus on women," says CFO of Kashf Foundation.
"Empowering women entrepreneurs is one of the best ways of achieving significant development impact. In the Foundation, we have the perfect partner in Pakistan to deliver on this goal.”

Published 09 Mar, 2021 01:33pm

Business & Finance

Rising oil prices not good news for Pakistan warns expert

The report added that the additional burden on the import bill would also add to fiscal challenges as the government has already lowered the petroleum levy to Rs13 per litre to maintain petroleum prices at current levels.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 01:15pm

Pakistan

Illegal award of contracts: Accountability court summons Sindh CM on March 31

NAB has accused Murad Ali Shah of misusing the power in the disbursement of funds for the Nooriabad power plant project
The chief minister has allegedly caused Rs8 billion loss to the national exchequer

Published 09 Mar, 2021 01:03pm

Forex

Yuan swings sharply higher on heavy dollar selling, PBOC remarks

"In general, we believe the yuan will remains strong against the dollar this year, but the size of appreciation won't be as huge as last year," Wang said.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 12:53pm

Mutual Funds

JGB yields edge up after soft 5-year auction amid doubts about BOJ

The 10-year JGB yield rose 0.02 basis point to 0.130%, while the 20-year JGB yield rose 0.03 basis point to 0.515%.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 12:50pm

Commodities

CBOT soybeans may retest resistance at $14.62-1/2

On the daily chart, the contract is riding on a wave 5, which may travel to $15.51, as suggested by the depth of the wave 4.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 12:48pm

World

UN envoy in Doha to push on Afghan peace process

The US government said on Sunday that all options remain on the table for its remaining 2,500 troops in Afghanistan and that it had made no decisions about its military commitment after May 1.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 12:46pm

Commodities

CBOT corn may retest support at $5.36-1/4

Resistance is at $5.47-3/4, a break above which could lead to a gain to $5.52.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 12:44pm

World

Novartis' canakinumab doesn't meet primary endpoint in phase III study

The canakinumab development program continues with two phase III non-small cell lung cancer clinical trials ongoing in first-line and adjuvant settings.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 12:40pm

Business & Finance

Red rally continues at PSX as KSE-100 Index bleeds over 1,000 points

At the time of filing this report, the index was being traded at 43,968.04 points showing a drop of 1083.02 points and a negative percent change of 2.4pc.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 12:26pm

Forex

Turkish lira claws back some losses after two-week slide

In the previous session it hit 7.7840, the weakest since Dec. 17, and has tumbled for more than two weeks.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 12:37pm

Stocks

Australia shares close higher on financials, tech stocks under pressure

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index ended 0.5% higher.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 12:34pm

Companies

Vodafone sets price range for Vantage Towers IPO at 22.5 to 29 euros

Vodafone said it expects the first day of trading on the Frankfurt stock exchange.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 12:30pm

Stocks

Japan stocks end higher on hopes of economic rebound

The underperformers among the Topix 30 were Keyence Corp , falling 3.02%, and Nidec Corp, which fell 2.91%.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 12:27pm

World

China launches COVID-19 vaccination certificates for cross-border travel

It is not immediately clear with which countries China is talking to get its COVID-19 certificate recognised.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 12:26pm

Sports

'Slack' over rates cost Australia WTC final spot: Langer

"There's no better showcase for some of our players," said Langer, who is also a selector.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 12:23pm

Forex

South Africa's rand recovers from 2-month low, all eyes on GDP data

Local focus is on the release of gross domestic product (GDP) data for the last quarter of 2020 at 0930 GMT.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 12:20pm

Pakistan

Sindh, Punjab collectively report 926 COVID-19 cases in 24 hours

During the past 24 hours, Sindh recorded 101, while Punjab reported 824 new cases.
The nationwide tally has jumped to 593453.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 12:22pm

World

Norway may block Rolls-Royce sale of Bergen Engines to Russian buyer

The Norwegian justice ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 12:19pm

Commodities

Argentine wheat planting facing pressure from rival barley, politics

But record barley exports to China appear to be pushing growers toward that crop.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 12:17pm

Business & Finance

French economy should recover quickly once COVID curbs ease: Le Maire

If first-quarter growth was maintained through 2021, annual economic growth would come in at 4%, it added.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 12:15pm

Commodities

Malaysia targets to increase 2021 palm oil exports to $18.2bn

Malaysia is the world's No.2 palm producer and exporter.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 12:13pm

Pakistan

Gen Carter, COAS Bajwa discuss Afghan peace process and security issues

UK Army CDS acknowledged Pakistan’s continuous efforts for peace and stability in the region
Carter and Bajwa pledged to further enhance bilateral relations between both countries

Published 09 Mar, 2021 12:03pm

Energy

LNG tanker Boris Davydov to arrive at British terminal on March 14

The tanker has a capacity of about 170,000 cubic metres and is coming from Russia.

Updated 09 Mar, 2021 12:13pm

Business & Finance

M&S expands online business to over 100 markets including Pakistan

The group said the expansion into countries from Argentina and Brazil to South Korea and Pakistan was part of its strategy to accelerate its online business.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 12:07pm

Business & Finance

Low-interest rate, stable currency boost Pakistan’s corporate sector earnings

The analyst added that a major chunk of the profits is retained by the companies, which are used for expansion purposes that lead to economic growth and employment creation.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 11:42am

Stocks

Tokyo's Nikkei index opens lower after mixed US close

Sony dropped 3.22 percent to 10,665 yen after a brokerage firm downgraded its evaluation of the shares.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 11:44am

Stocks

Hong Kong stocks open slightly higher

The Hang Seng Index rose 0.44 percent, or 124.43 points, to 28,665.26.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 11:43am

Stocks

Asia markets swing as rate hike fears offset reflation trade

European indexes enjoyed a much-needed blast upwards -- led by a record close in Frankfurt -- after EU leaders pledged to double vaccine deliveries to 300 million doses between April and June, having been too slow out of the blocks in its immunisation programme.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 11:34am

Pakistan

SHC turns down Vawda’s plea to stay disqualification proceedings

The court issued notices to federal government and other respondents to furnish their comments on Vawda’s petition by March 16
The court also sought the Islamabad High Court’s verdict in the disqualification case against him

Published 09 Mar, 2021 11:35am

Stocks

Hong Kong stocks rally into break

The Hang Seng Index rose 1.35 percent, or 384.09 points, to 28,924.92.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 11:32am

Sports

World Test final moved to Southampton: Ganguly

"When England resumed play after Covid, they had a lot of matches in Southampton due to the same reason."

Published 09 Mar, 2021 11:31am

Pakistan

Pakistani Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai signs Apple TV deal

Yousafzai was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize as a 17-year-old in 2014, sharing the award with Kailash Satyarthi, a children's rights activist from India.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 11:28am

World

Buckingham Palace in crisis after Harry and Meghan unload on royal family

In a statement late Monday, the Society of Editors -- a guild of senior British newspaper journalists -- rejected the accusations.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 11:24am

World

Biden halts drone strikes outside of war zones where US troops deployed

But, Fine wrote, "despite continued US airstrikes in Somalia and US assistance to African partner forces, Al-Shebab appears to be a growing threat that aspires to strike the US homeland."

Published 09 Mar, 2021 11:20am

Stocks

Mixed day for US stocks as investors flee tech shares

American Airlines rose 5.0 percent as it announced plans to raise $7.5 billion backed by its frequent flier program.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 11:15am

Pakistan

Govt all set to introduce digital media advertising policy in Pakistan

The mechanism for release of public sector advertisements on digital media has been proposed keeping in view the rising trend
The PM was briefed that there are currently 93 million internet users in Pakistan and over 45 million Social Media users and the number is continuously growing

Published 09 Mar, 2021 11:02am

Commodities

Palm oil may drop into 3,801-3,834 ringgit range

It happened to appear around a short rising trendline.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 11:09am

Commodities

Soybeans rise for fourth session on South American supply woes

But ratings improved in Oklahoma, with 53% of the state's crop rated good to excellent, up from 46% the previous week.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 11:07am

World

Germany's confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 4,252

The reported death toll rose by 255 to 72,189, the tally showed.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 11:06am

Commodities

Iron ore hits 2-week low as Chinese city curbs steel output

The most-active May iron ore contract on the Dalian Commodity Exchange fell as much as 4% to 1,100 yuan ($168.43) a tonne, the weakest since Feb. 24.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 11:03am

World

Malaysia court allows rights groups to challenge Myanmar deportations

But concerns have persisted, as the UN refugee agency has not been allowed to interview immigration detainees for more than a year to verify their status.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 11:02am

Bullion Rate

Gold recovers from 9-month low as US yields retreat

Holdings of the world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, SPDR Gold Trust fell to their lowest since April 2020 on Monday.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 11:00am

Technology

Facebook tests feature in India to share Instagram reels on its news feed

Instagram's reels feature is the company's version of ByteDance's TikTok wherein users can record short mobile-friendly videos, and add special effects and soundtracks pulled from a music library.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 10:58am

Stocks

Asian stocks fall as rising bond yields impact shares

Spot gold added 0.4% to $1,688.42 an ounce.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 10:56am

World

Indonesia approves AstraZeneca vaccine for emergency use

About 38 million doses of a vaccine produced by China's Sinovac Biotech have arrived in the Southeast Asian country so far, some of which have been used in a mass inoculation drive starting in January.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 10:55am

Energy

Dubai non-oil private sector growth remains sluggish in February

Sales volumes fell for the first time since May 2020 in February as Dubai imposed increased coronavirus-related restrictions. Employment grew, but only marginally.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 10:53am

Stocks

Indian shares gain as financials boost counters energy weakness

The Nifty energy index fell 0.34% after advancing 1.14% in the previous session.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 10:51am

World

Japan's Terumo says makes syringe to draw 7 doses from Pfizer vaccine vials

Japan began its COVID-19 inoculation campaign last month, using Pfizer's vaccine. Taro Kono, the minister in charge of the effort, said on Friday that some shots may go to waste amid a shortage of the specialty syringes.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 10:50am

Energy

Oil prices rise on expected economic recovery, likely drawdown in oil stocks

US crude oil and refined product stockpiles likely fell last week, with distillate inventories seen drawing down for fifth straight week, a preliminary Reuters poll showed on Monday.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 10:47am

Energy

US oil may test resistance at $65.92

Following its failure to break the resistance zone, oil is likely to succeed in its current attempt.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 10:46am

Technology

NASA-SpaceX launch of next International Space Station crew pushed to April 22

The newly arrived Crew-2 are to remain in orbit six months, while Crew-1 is due to return to earth by early May.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 10:45am

World

Australia PM says COVID-19 vaccination drive on track to meet targets

Tasmania has rejected the proposal saying priority would be given for seasonal workers and its own international students, Australian media reported.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 10:43am

Commodities

Palm oil gains for fifth straight day on stronger soyoil, crude

Palm touched 10-year highs on Monday before closing 3.6% higher.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 10:42am

Energy

Total restarts large crude unit at Port Arthur, Texas, refinery

Total did not reply to a request for comment.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 10:40am

World

Saudi king approves support for Hajj, Umrah operators

The initiatives are aimed at mitigating the financial and economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic across the sector
Support includes exempting accommodation facilities from the annual fees for municipal commercial activities’ licenses in the cities of Makkah and Medina, where the Islamic pilgrimages take place

Published 09 Mar, 2021 10:40am

Energy

Middle East Crude-Benchmarks rise; Saudi raises April OSPs for Asia

Saudi Arabia's state oil producer Aramco set its April official selling price (OSP) for its Arab Light crude to Asia at plus $1.40 per barrel versus the Oman/Dubai average, up $0.40 from March.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 10:39am

Stocks

Japanese shares rise amid stock rotation ahead of financial year-end

The underperformers among the Topix 30 were Nidec Corp , down 4.59%, followed by Nintendo Co Ltd, losing 2.91%.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 10:38am

World

Philippines' unemployment rate steady at 8.7% in January

The labour force expanded to 45.2 million in January from 43.6 million in October.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 10:37am

Business & Finance

Flour mills demand govt to allow private sector import wheat.

He said that quota should be given on the basis of equality instead of population as getting quota on the basis of equality would end the shortage of flour and reduce the prices.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 10:33am

Sports

Defeat to Chelsea disappointing but no tragedy: Ancelotti

A Ben Godfrey own goal and a second-half penalty from Jorginho stretched Chelsea's unbeaten run under Tuchel to 11 games while Everton slipped to sixth.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 10:35am

Stocks

South Korea stocks tumble over 2% on tech selloff, rising bond yields

In offshore trading, the won was quoted at 1,143.1 per dollar, down 0.2% from the previous day, while in non-deliverable forward trading its one-month contract was quoted at 1,142.9.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 10:33am

Sports

NZ skipper Williamson out of Bangladesh series with elbow injury

"Kane loves playing for his country -- so it hasn't been an easy decision to step back," Stead said.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 10:32am

World

Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine neutralizes Brazil variant in lab study

Blood taken from people who had been given the vaccine neutralized an engineered version of the virus that contained the same mutations carried on the spike portion of the highly contagious P.1 variant first identified in Brazil
Scientists said the neutralizing ability was roughly equivalent the vaccine’s effect on a previous less contagious version of the virus from last year

Published 09 Mar, 2021 10:33am

Commodities

Copper edges down as a firm dollar weighs

The dollar held near a 3-1/2-month high against its rivals as higher bond yields.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 10:31am

Stocks

It's official: Nasdaq in a correction, with 10% fall from Feb record close

The Nasdaq entered the latest bull market last March and rose more than 105% from the pandemic low a year ago.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 10:29am

Business & Finance

Japan downgrades Q4 GDP as companies scale back spending

Household spending, however, fell 6.1% in January compared with the same month a year earlier, official data showed on Tuesday, worse than the 2.1% drop expected by economists in a Reuters poll.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 10:28am

Companies

Ten years after Fukushima, Japan remembers 'man-made' nuclear disaster

Nuclear power supplied just 6% of Japan's energy needs in the first half of 2020 compared with 23.1% for renewable sources - far behind Germany's 46.3% - and nearly 70% for fossil fuels.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 10:25am

World

Biden grants temporary protected status to Venezuelans in US

The decision, which could aid an estimated 320,000 people, fulfills a promise that President Joe Biden.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 10:24am

Forex

Dollar reigns supreme on yields, recovery advantage

The Brazilian real sank to a ten-month low while the Turkish lira fell nearly 3% to its lowest level since mid-December.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 10:22am

Bullion Rate

Spot gold may test support at $1,669

Regardless of its ending point, this wave may be disrupted by a strong bounce around $1,651.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 10:21am

Energy

Brent oil may rise into $69.26-70.07 range

On the daily chart, the deep fall on Monday was due to a resistance zone of $70.75-$71.75.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 10:20am

Forex

Australia, NZ dollars edge lower as investors seek safety of greenback

Yields in 10-year bonds were one basis point higher at 1.78%. They reached a 23-month high of 1.97% on Feb. 26 on bets of rate hikes as early as next year. Bond futures were also stable at 98.229.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 10:18am

Forex

Dollar at 3-1/2-month high on firmer yields, US growth

"If the data is not as jacked-up as the market thinks it will be, then I think we'll probably have a bit of a dollar pullback," he said.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 10:17am

Forex

Brazil real hits 4-month low after Supreme Court judge annuls convictions of ex-President Lula

The real traded as weak as 5.7851 per dollar, its weakest since Oct. 30 last year.

Published 09 Mar, 2021 10:15am

Forex

C$ dips as short-covering propels greenback broadly higher

Besides the greenback, the only other G10 currency to gain ground against the Canadian dollar on Monday was the Norwegian crown .

Published 09 Mar, 2021 10:13am

Currency	Rate
USD PKR Interbank Selling / Jun 24	278.40
USD PKR Interbank Buying / Jun 24	278.20
USD to Japanese Yen / Jun 26	161.74
USD to Swiss Franc / Jun 26	0.81
Pound Sterling to USD / Jun 26	1.32
Euro to USD / Jun 26	1.14
SOFR % / Jun 26	3.61

Stock	Volume
India Sensex / Jun 25	77,100.47
S&P 500 / Jun 26	7,354.02
Tokyo Nikkei / Jun 26	69,360.88
Nasdaq / Jun 26	25,297.62
Hang Seng / Jun 26	22,671.86
FTSE 100 / Jun 26	10,508.02
Dow Jones / Jun 26	51,876.11
Germany DAX 30 / Jun 26	24,671.22
France CAC40 / Jun 26	8,384.87

Item	Value
Karachi Cotton PKR/37.32 KG / Jun 24	18,280
Gold 10 Grams PKR / Jun 24	368,985
Crude Oil USD/Barrel / Jun 26	69.23
Gold Spot USD/Ounce / Jun 26	4,088.74
Cotton US¢/pound / Jun 26	76.38
Petrol/Litre / Jun 27	299.50
Diesel/Litre / Jun 27	311.47

Stock	Price
Ghani Chemworld Limited (R) / Jun 24 Ghani Chemworld Limited Right(GCWLR)	8.01 ▲ 1 (14.27%)
Gulistan Sp. / Jun 24 Gulistan Spinning Mills Limited(GUSM)	10.01 ▲ 0.94 (10.36%)
Ali Asghar / Jun 24 Ali Asghar Textile Mills Limited(AATM)	57.61 ▲ 5.24 (10.01%)
Al-Shaheer Corp / Jun 24 Al Shaheer Corporation Limited(ASC)	12.20 ▲ 1.11 (10.01%)
Feroze 1888 / Jun 24 Feroze1888 Mills Limited(FML)	57.48 ▲ 5.23 (10.01%)
J.A.Textile / Jun 24 J.A. Textile Mills Limited(JATM)	33.52 ▲ 3.05 (10.01%)
Sardar Chemical / Jun 24 Sardar Chemical Industries Limited(SARC)	77.07 ▲ 7.01 (10.01%)
Buxly Paints / Jun 24 Buxly Paints Limited(BUXL)	251.72 ▲ 22.88 (10%)
Chashma / Jun 24 Chashma Sugar Mills Limited(CHAS)	101.19 ▲ 9.2 (10%)
Fateh Sports / Jun 24 Fateh Sports Wear Limited(FSWL)	111.29 ▲ 10.12 (10%)

Stock	Price
First Fid. Leasing / Jun 24 First Fidelity Leasing Modaraba(FFLM)	22.28 ▼ -2.47 (-9.98%)
Int. Knit. / Jun 24 International Knitwear Limited(INKL)	100.26 ▼ -11.12 (-9.98%)
Aruj Industries / Jun 24 Aruj Industries Limited(ARUJ)	10.80 ▼ -1.14 (-9.55%)
NIT PakistanXD / Jun 24 NIT Pakistan Gateway ETF(NITGETF)	37.25 ▼ -3.75 (-9.15%)
Aisha Steel(ConPS) / Jun 24 Aisha Steel(ConPS)(ASLPS)	23.52 ▼ -2.32 (-8.98%)
Pakgen Power / Jun 24 Pakgen Power Limited(PKGP)	43.13 ▼ -3.72 (-7.94%)
First AL-Noor Mod. / Jun 24 First Al-Noor Modaraba(FANM)	7.06 ▼ -0.51 (-6.74%)
Zuma Resources / Jun 24 Zuma Resources Limited(ZUMA)	104.71 ▼ -7.26 (-6.48%)
Popular Islamic / Jun 24 Popular Islamic Modaraba(PIM)	22.28 ▼ -1.26 (-5.35%)
TPL Insurance / Jun 24 TPL Insurance Limited(TPLI)	25.60 ▼ -1.44 (-5.33%)

Stock	Volume
K-Electric Ltd. / Jun 24 K-Electric Limited(KEL)	112,892,122 ▲ 0.33
Pak Int.Bulk / Jun 24 Pakistan International Bulk Terminal(PIBTL)	73,295,107 ▲ 0.94
WorldCall Telecom / Jun 24 Worldcall Telecom Limited(WTL)	38,761,163 ▲ 0.01
Pak Elektron / Jun 24 Pak Elektron Limited(PAEL)	31,348,609 ▲ 1.02
Maple Leaf Cement / Jun 24 Maple Leaf Cement Factory Limited(MLCF)	27,194,838 ▲ 3.85
PIA Holding Co.Ltd / Jun 24 PIA Holding Company Limited(PIAHCLA)	21,872,379 ▲ 1.92
Kohinoor Spinning / Jun 24 Kohinoor Spinning Mills Limited(KOSM)	20,610,130 ▲ 0.11
Sui South Gas / Jun 24 Sui Southern Gas Company Limited(SSGC)	20,069,542 ▼ -0.9
The Organic Meat / Jun 24 The Organic Meat Company Limited(TOMCL)	20,043,142 ▲ 2.92
B.O.Punjab / Jun 24 The Bank of Punjab(BOP)	18,657,800 ▲ 0.26