• Wheat futures lower on improved US winter wheat condition ratings and ideas that Russia might relax grain export controls.
• Weekly winter wheat condition ratings improved in the last week in Kansas and Oklahoma while holding steady in Texas, the US Department of Agriculture said Monday.

• UK watchdog launches criminal action over money laundering.
• Alleges NatWest failed to monitor activity in 2011-16.
• First criminal prosecution of a bank under 2007 laws.
• Customer was Bradford-based gold dealer and jeweller-source.
• NatWest had disclosed probe into 'money services business'.
• Shares fall 3%.

• Benchmark copper on the London Metal Exchange dropped 2.1% to $8,956.50 a tonne in official trading.
• Copper hit a 9-1/2 year peak last month of $9,617, having surged by 24% since the start of the year.

• The low takeup comes as the country is struggling to contain a spike in COVID-19 infections that forced the government on Tuesday to order a five-day shutdown of restaurants, cafes and clubs.
• Nationally, more than 1.65 million people have received at least one COVID-19 shot out of a population of around 7 million.

• The EU is aiming to vaccinate at least 255 million people, or 70% of its adult population, by the end of the summer but has faced criticism for the slow rollout of its inoculation drive.
• The expected Pfizer second-quarter deliveries will include 10 million doses originally due in the third and fourth quarters of this year, the Commission said.

• That small price increase occurred despite forecasts for milder weather through the end of March than previously expected.
• Front-month gas futures were up 1.4 cents, or 0.6%, to $2.498 per million British thermal units.

• The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 13.3 points, or 0.04%, at the open to 32966.75. The S&P 500 rose 4.7 points, or 0.12%, at the open to 3973.59, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 63.5 points, or 0.47%, to 13523.173 at the opening bell.

• Almarai buys bakery manufacturer in UAE, Bahrain.
• Doha Bank slides on trading ex-dividend.

• Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index was down 5 points, or 0.06%, at 18,949.75.

• The 24-year-old has played for England's under-20 team but qualifies for Scotland through the grandparent rule.
• Adams, who previously turned down an approach from Scotland in 2019, has seven goals and four assists in the Premier League for Southampton.

• "I still perceive greater risk that we start a premature tightening of monetary policy," board member Tomas Holub told daily Hospodarske Noviny in an interview released on Tuesday.
• "For me, that is a greater risk than if we 'sleep in' a little versus what may perhaps seem as optimal looking back a year later."

• Manufacturing production dropped 3.1% last month, also weighed down by a global semiconductor shortage, the Federal Reserve said on Tuesday. That followed a 1.2% jump in January and ended nine straight monthly increases in factory output.
• That likely had a ripple effect on segments of manufacturing tied to the oil industry. Excluding the weather impact, manufacturing output fell 0.5%, the US central bank said.

• Lebanese pound has lost 90% of its value.
• Dwindling reserves stand at $16 billion amid political deadlock.

• The operation, which saw customs officers from the port city of Ningbo join forces with local law enforcement and maritime police, spanned eight Chinese regions, including the coastal provinces of Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Shandong and Fujian.
• Customs authorities described the swoop as "one of the most extensive operations" to combat refined oil smuggling along China's southeast coast in recent years, in terms of area.

• Russia's rouble nears seven-month high against dollar.
• Brazil's real up 0.9%, on track to offset Monday's losses.
• BlackRock overweight on EM equities.
• Argentine peso depreciation to slow in coming months –Guzman.

• Santander, which did not disclose the value of the deal, expects to close it by mid-2021, pending regulatory approval.
• Banks in Europe are grappling with the effects from ultra low interest rates and the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, and are diversifying into more profitable businesses, such as wealth management, with higher, stable fee incomes.

• SAHPRA added in a statement that the approval was subject to further efficacy and safety surveillance of the vaccine in the country, including against the dominant local coronavirus variant.

• "That's good news for companies," Scholz said, adding the measure would improve the liquidity of firms and protect jobs.
• Applications for tax deferral can now be submitted until June 30 which means interest-free tax deferral will be granted until Sept. 30, Scholz said.

• Germany, France, Italy suspend use of AstraZeneca shot.
• Move threatens EU's already slow vaccination campaign.
• US inventories seen rising in data releases this week.
• US refineries take time to recover from 'big freeze'.

• The National Advisory Committee on Immunization said it was basing its new guidelines on three recent real-world studies that examined the effectiveness of the vaccine.
• The committee had said on March 1 that AstraZeneca doses should only be given to those aged from 18 to 64 because clinical trials had featured very few people 65 or older.

• This year could be best for equity raisings from Russia since 2007 given the global liquidity boost and the fact that Russia was overlooked and underinvested in the recent past.
• On a price-to-earnings ratio, Russian stocks' discount to their emerging and developed market peers has widened this year from 2020 levels, returning to the historical average of around 50%.

• "As the MHRA (Britain's Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency) has said, blood clots occur naturally but there is no evidence that they are any more likely to occur following vaccination, so as such there's no evidence of any causal link between blood clots and the AZ vaccine," he told reporters.

• Both belong to a glamorous group of footballers' wives and girlfriends, known in Britain as the WAGs, who are celebrities in their own right with huge social media followings.
• Rooney also alleged that Vardy was "the Secret WAG", an anonymous Sun columnist.

• "I still perceive greater risk that we start a premature tightening of monetary policy," he said.
• "For me that is a greater risk than if we 'sleep in' a little versus what may perhaps seem as optimal looking back a year later. We can catch up in such a situation if needed."

• Sterling fell 0.3% versus the dollar to $1.3853 at 1118 GMT, after hitting a one-week low of $1.3809 in earlier trading
• Against the euro, it was 0.4% lower at 86.21 pence, having touched at 0926 GMT its lowest level of 86.40 pence since March 5.

• Sources earlier told Reuters that the games will be held without spectators from overseas because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The meeting would come just before the planned start of the Olympic Torch relay on March 25. Japan's government and the organising committee have said they are committed to holding the games, which were delayed last year as the coronavirus spread around the world.

• Singapore-based Tay, currently on gardening leave, has been with JPMorgan for a decade and previously worked in the M&A team at UBS in New York and at other firms including Standard Chartered.
• At Barclays, senior banker Sandeep Pahwa who is vice chairman and head of Asia Pacific client coverage, will become chairman, while handing over the Southeast Asia responsibilities to Tay, one of the sources said.

• Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, was admitted to the private King Edward VII's Hospital on Feb. 16 after he felt unwell and was given treatment for an unspecified, but not COVID-19-related, illness.
• Since being admitted, the duke has been publicly visited only by his eldest son Prince Charles, the heir to the throne.

• The former Arsenal manager is a close advisor to FIFA president Gianni Infantino and says the current four year wait for a World Cup is unfair to players and the focus should be on "competitions of meaning".
• "That's why maybe we should organise the World Cup every two years," he told broadcasters BeIn Sport in an interview.

• Ford Otosan will also make a one-tonne commercial vehicle for Volkswagen AG as part of an alliance between Ford and the German carmaker.
• Ford is the top commercial vehicle brand in Europe with a 15% share, and has led the commercial van market in Britain, Europe's largest, for 56 years.

• If we are to make dramatic progress in electrification, it will require overcoming tremendous challenges, including refueling infrastructure, battery availability, consumer acceptance and affordability.
• Toyota plans to begin selling two new electric vehicles in the United States next year, but also aims to keeps boosting sales of hybrid cars.

• Raises interim dividend, announces share buyback.
• Says second-half outlook remains very uncertain.
• Organic revenue growth in high single digits in current quarter.

• British foreign policy pivots towards Indo-Pacific.
• US remains foremost UK ally, Russia named to top threat.
• UK plans British aircraft carrier deployment to the region.

• The discovery application (lawsuit) was predicated on SDP's understanding that an investigation had commenced as a result of the complaint lodged by Duncan Jepson of Liberty Shared to the Securities Commission Malaysia.
• It has since been clarified by the Securities Commission that there is no investigation into the complaint at present. Accordingly, SDP has now withdrawn the discovery application.

• Policymakers see inflation reaching 2.8% at the end of next year, above the mid-point of its 1.5-3.5% target range.
• On Monday, the bank kept its benchmark interest rate on hold at 1.25%, as higher than expected inflation put an end to expectations of further cuts.

• It became the second Texas electricity company to take that step in the face of extraordinary electricity charges during the cold snap.
• Just Energy said it plans to apply to the TSX Venture Exchange to transition the trading of its common shares from the TSX to the TSX-V.

• "Inflation expectations have begun to tick up a bit - we need to be cautious, but they have - and all things being equal that reduces the likelihood that we need to use our rate weapon in the current situation," Jansson told reporters.

• EToro competes with Robinhood, which has become hugely popular with young investors for its easy-to-use interface. Robinhood has emerged as a gateway for amateur traders challenging Wall Street hedge.
• Cohen, who founded Jefferson Bank and Bancorp Inc, is one of the prominent businesswomen who have joined the SPAC frenzy.

• The union leader said BRF's Francisco Beltrão plant, in the west of Paraná state, employs 2,400 people, according to the report.
• The company cited high inventories to justify the dismissals, the union representative told the newspaper.

• In a statement, the EMA said its Executive Director Emer Cooke would give an update at a European Union Commission news briefing at 1300 GMT.

• Only trading house Viterra was said to be taking part.
• No purchase has yet been made and results are expected later on Tuesday, traders said.

• Ibrahimovic, 39, scored 62 goals in 116 internationals before quitting the team following their exit at the group stage of Euro 2016.
• Ibra has scored 14 goals in 14 Serie A appearances for AC Milan so far this season.

• Chairman had joined Commerzbank last year.
• Resignation kicks off search for new chair.
• Commerzbank going through major restructuring.

• AstraZeneca vaccine halted after reported blood clots.
• Over a dozen EU countries suspend its use pending probe.
• WHO, European regulator expected to comment on Tuesday
• Risk to public health of delaying shots is greater-experts.

• Vale also appointed Maria Luiza de Oliveira Pinto e Paiva as executive director of sustainability.
• In the filing, Vale said the terms of office of the new executives was increased to three years from two years at a March 12 shareholders meeting.

• The Federal Land Development Authority, or Felda, in December proposed a mandatory takeover offer after agreeing to increase its stake in FGV.
• FGV's stock jumped as much as 28.5% on Tuesday in its largest intraday jump since Sept. 14, 2015.

• Thanks to the incorporation of new mining resources, it will be possible to extend it for seven more years from 2023.
• The next five years will not be easy for Radomiro Tomic because of the deterioration in our mining assets, so it is key we continue to be austere, innovative and more productive.

• The robust figures come after data on Monday showed activity in Latin America's largest economy was also much stronger in January than economists had expected, indicating a solid start to the year.
• A net 260,353 formal jobs were created in January, the Economy Ministry said, more than double the 122,000 increase forecast in a Reuters poll of economists, led by industry and services.

• The announcement comes as insurers face climate-related losses and get to grips with climate risk in their portfolios.
• As an interim step, Swiss Re said it would phase out coal exposure by 2030 for those countries belonging to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

• Senators Chris Murphy and Chris Van Hollen and Representatives David Cicilline and Ami Bera said the 20% spending increase would enhance the country's ability to compete with China, prevent another pandemic and fight climate change.
• The lawmakers proposed funding of $68.7 billion for the State Department and the US Agency for International Development, versus the current $56.6 billion.

• Khuhro hoped the long march would prove to be the last naill in the coffin of hand-made government.

• Germany, France, Italy suspend use of AstraZeneca shot.
• Move threatens EU's already slow vaccination campaign.
• Coming Up: API inventory data at 4:30 p.m. ET/2030 GMT.

• He directed to launch indiscriminate crackdown against profiteers and hoarders.

• The national exchequer suffered loss of billions of rupees during the previous governments as the politicians joined hands with the corrupt elements in the institutions.

• With this change, 99% of developers will see a 50% reduction in fees, said Google in a blog post.

• SBP has kept the interest rate unchanged since July 2020, when it was cut by 100 bps from 8%. In January 2020, it was 13.25 %.

• Genoa-based Carige is 80% controlled by FITD, which is financed by contributions from Italian banks, after a rescue in 2019 saw the fund pump 600 million euros ($714 million) into the loss-making bank, for a stake now valued at 104 million euros.
• Three people close to the matter told Reuters on Monday that CCB was reconsidering the terms for doing so.

• He said the government should ensure the demand and supply of daily use items at the utility stores on economic rates.

• The court seeks the arguments on bail applications of Tassadiq Hanif and other lawyers and adjourned the hearing till March 22.

• Front-month May milling wheat on Euronext was down 1.50 euros, or 0.7%, at 221.50 euros ($263.34) a tonne .
• The contract earlier fell to 220 euros a tonne, its weakest since Feb. 15 and just below a previous one-month low touched on Monday.

• Asad Umar said Nawaz Sharif had deceived to the nation as he was living abroad and enjoying lavish life there.

• Ashrafi said that talks could be held with the opposition to eradicate corruption and for development of the country.

• I'd say we've made good progress, but the details, figures, provisions, won't be known until Friday. We requested as many (AstraZeneca doses) as possible and we will have the answer on Friday.
• We are hoping for the help, support and solidarity of the US government. I can confirm that in a month and a half, before the end of April, we will have (vaccinated) all the adults over 60 years of age.

• He reviewed the facilities being provided to the senior citizens who came for vaccination.

• The petition prayed the court to issue orders to the respondents for not canceling the medals of his clients.

• The BTC pipeline is used to export oil from the Azeri, Chirag and Guneshli oilfields operated by BP.
• Azerbaijan's oil exports for January-February totalled 5.8 million tonnes, about 76.5% of which was via the BTC pipeline.

• He said that government should take measures to broadening the tax net and encourage the existing taxpayers.

• As many as 371 cases were reported on Monday while 345 cases were reported on Sunday.

• Consumer regulator Rospotrebnadzor said earlier on Tuesday it had identified the first two cases in Russia of the new variant of the coronavirus first detected in South Africa.
• In fact, trials have already been done in Russia and we can say with confidence that the (Sputnik V and EpiVacCoriona) vaccines registered in Russia also work against new strains.

• The plea was submitted and argued by PPP’s Nayyar Hussain Bukhari.

• The accused had approached to IHC against the decision.

• The COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine supply bottlenecks have spurred regulatory interest in the pharmaceutical industry which has seen a wave of consolidation in recent years.
• The EU competition enforcer said greater scrutiny of pharmaceutical deals was needed to single out those that might lead to higher drug prices, lower innovation or anti-competitive conduct.

• The court said that its order, however, would apply on the petitioners only under the current notification.

• He appealed citizens to cooperate with polio teams during the immunization drive.

• "It is important for the government to inform the public about the president's health to reduce ongoing fear," Zitto Kabwe, leader of the ACT-Wazalendo party, said in a statement.
• "The public have not been informed about whether the president is performing his duties and whether the vice president has taken up the duties of the president," Kabwe later told Reuters by phone.

• The hearing on Lok Virsa reference against PPP's senator Robina Khalid and others was adjourned without proceeding due non-availability of AC-I Judge.

• The statement added that Maryam Nawaz allegedly had tried to escape from the investigation being conducted against her and create an environment to develop a rift and conflict between the national institutions.

• Ties between Turkey and Saudi Arabia have been strained since the journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed in the Kingdom's consulate in Istanbul in 2018.

• He thanked the Bahria Town International Hospitals for their cooperation in the construction of new emergency block.

• The bank said it also signed a binding agreement to sell its merchant acquiring unit to Euronet Worlwide for 300 mln euros.
• Piraeus posted a net 2020 loss from continued operations of 652 mln euros for full-year 2020 versus a profit of 270 mln euros in 2019.

• The minister said all issues were being actively followed by the concerned ministries and other parties.

• Fed seen keeping monetary policy stance.
• US retail sales fall unexpectedly in February.
• Euro falls vs dollar, yen rises.
• Aussie and Kiwi dollars slip.

• Canadian dollar rises 0.1% against the greenback.
• Foreign investors buy C$1.3 billion in Canadian securities.
• Price of US oil falls 1.7%.
• Canada's 10-year yield edges up to 1.546%.

• Foreign investors bought a net C$1.27 billion ($1.02 billion) in Canadian securities in January, led by provincial government bonds, Statistics Canada said.
• The energy sector dropped 1.5% as US crude prices were down 1.7% a barrel and Brent crude lost 1.5%.

• Apple biggest boost to S&P 500, Nasdaq.
• Retail sales drop more than expected in Feb.
• Indexes: Dow down 0.35%, S&P up 0.17%, Nasdaq up 1.07%.

• Chief Inspector of Mines Shafqat Fayyaz said, a build-up of methane gas in the mine caused an explosion as the workers were still inside.
• Rescue teams initiated an operation and recovered the bodies of all the miners.

• "Inflation increased sharply in January and February, and is likely to go up further in the coming months," Elderson said in a Twitter Q&A.
• "This is mainly due to transitory factors, which we look through. Underlying inflation remains subdued owing to weak demand and economic slack," he added.

• The sum increased by 6.3 billion euros from the third quarter of 2020, it said.
• Although non-performing loans have been reduced by about 59 billion euros from a peak of 106 billion in March 2016, banks' overall NPL ratio of 36% at the end of September remains far above a euro zone average of 2.9%.

• Retail sales dropped by a seasonally adjusted 3.0% last month, the Commerce Department said on Tuesday. Data for January was revised up to show sales rebounding 7.6% instead of 5.3% as previously reported. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast retail dropping 0.5% in February.
• With many households set to get another round of direct checks that are more than double what they received in January, we expect spending to receive another jolt in just a few months time.

• Vaccine hurdles, Fed meeting support euro zone government bonds.
• France to raise 7 billion euros from new green bond.
• Greece hires banks for first 30-year bond since 2008.

• Fed's two-day meeting starts later on Tuesday.
• Russia's Nornickel downgrades 2021 output forecast.
• Platinum jumps more than 1%.

• On Monday, shortly after announcing that France would pause its use of the AstraZeneca shot, Macron said decisions would doubtless have to be taken in the next few days.
• A nationwide nightly curfew has been in place since mid-December and some regions in the north and southeast of the country are already under weekend lockdown.

• Haier has maintained its leadership position in major appliances category which include products such as home laundry appliances, air conditioners and refrigeration appliances.
• Haier air-conditioner self-cleaning technology has been applied for a patent in Pakistan.

• Russia, which has had the flight ban in place since Dec. 22, reported 28 cases of the more infectious coronavirus variant on Tuesday, consumer health regulator Rospotrebnadzor said.
• "To ensure the protection of public health, the restrictions have been extended until 2359 (2059 GMT) on April 16, 2021," the coronavirus task force said in a statement.

• In the 12 months through February, import prices accelerated 3.0%. That was the largest gain since March 2012 and followed a 1.0% rise in January.
• Imported fuel prices surged 11.1% last month after advancing 9.0% in January. Imported food prices shot up 1.6%.

• The rouble is seen moving towards the 72.00-72.50 target against the dollar in coming weeks as concerns over Western sanctions recede into the background, said Dmitry Polevoy, head of investment at Locko Invest.
• The Russian currency received some support this week from reports that the central bank may start increasing rates sooner rather than later.

• Commission to propose "green digital certificate".
• Tourism industry welcomes pass ahead of summer season.
• But some question rights amid patchy vaccine roll-out.

*"While these issues are still at an early stage, we would note that it is possible that Credit Suisse will incur a charge in respect of these matters," it said on Tuesday. * The bank also said on Tuesday that, "contrary to certain reports", its chief risk and compliance officer, Lara Warner, was not aware until Feb. 22 that insurance related to Greensill could expire on March 1.

• Economists polled by Reuters had expected a surplus of 2.600 billion euros in January 2021.

• Neymar picked up the injury in the previous round against Caen on Feb. 10 and the French champions initially said he would be out for action for "up to four weeks".
• "Neymar is back to collective training while continuing his individual programme," PSG said in a statement.

• The dollar index held steady overnight then rose as European markets opened, before slipping to 91.807 at 1237 GMT, down by less than 0.1%.
• Markets are in this flux period where they're gripping on to marginal bits of information, but there's nothing to define a new broad dollar trend until we get some more colour from the Federal Reserve tomorrow.

• The report defined that 11 patients were on the vent in critical condition, 44 stable, and 35 in moderate condition.

• He said Prime Minister been personally monitoring the prices of daily use commodities and all possible steps were being taken to provide relief to the common man.

• The Sindh health department told the cabinet that during COVID-19 pandemic, the provincial response to combat coronavirus was characterized by mixed public and private delivery of care.

• The sources said the bank was seen conducting sell-buy swaps in the dollar-yuan pair, alongside its purchases of dollars from exporters and other corporate clients.
• "The big bank has been buying quite huge amounts of one-year dollars in the swap market," said one source, speaking on condition of anonymity.

• The bilateral trade between Pakistan and Ukraine was started on March 16, 1992.

• "It is important here that we ensure together with (European Commission President) Ursula von der Leyen and (European Council President) Charles Michel that there is a correction mechanism," Kurz told a news conference with his counterparts from Bulgaria, Slovenia and the Czech Republic.

• Old Anarkali police had on March 16 registered a case against the accused over throwing egg and ink on the SAPM.

• The chief minister urged people of the province to follow SOPs.

• The LSMI QIM was recorded at 175.15 points during January 2021 against 160.49 points during January 2020, showing growth of 9.13 percent.

• During the last 24 hours most of the deaths had occurred in the Punjab followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

• She said Maulana Fazalur Rehman was passing through a depression phase due to failure in PDM’s drive.

• During a period from 2016-17 to 2019-20, the companies have also registered as many as 1,606 FIRs against the gas pilferers.

• POL products that showed growth including motor spirits production, which increased by 17.66 percent during the period under review.

• Hammad said that the Large Scale Manufacturing has posted a growth of 9.1% in January 2021 as compared to the corresponding period of last year.

• The International Energy Agency, for example, does not expect oil demand to catch up with supply until about the third quarter.
• US bookings for tankers hired on longer-term contracts, known as time charters, have dropped in recent weeks, as this usually means paying for longer hire costs, the sources said.

• The counsel for PTI candidate pleaded the court to set aside the ECP's ruling calling for re-election in the entire constituency.

• SBP instructed banks to develop portals to facilitate their customers for online submission of cases to banks and abolish paper based case submission.

• The cases against accused were registered with the Kalri police station in 2012.

The court adjourned the hearing and summoned another progress report from the police officials.

• The court sought a report from Sindh police, Rangers and other agencies until April 26.

• The court adjourned the hearing until four weeks.

• He said persons affiliated with print and electronic media had effectively highlighted the positive image of Balochistan.

• It has further been advised that banks must make comprehensive arrangements for any contingency and ensure business continuity in case of disruption in their portals.

• The court issued notice to NAB, FIA, and other officials and it sought replies from the parties until March 24.

• The country-wide death toll from the virus has surged to 13,595 so far since the outbreak of the disease in February.

• He said the ECP failed to stop corrupt practices in the elections even after surfacing of Ali Haider Gillani's video and did not take any action on the video.

• Munir Akram proposed concrete measures to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.

• He called for immediate intervention of the United Nations for ensuring early stoppage of the Indian brutalities.

• Mahmood appealed to the public and traders’ community to strictly observe corona SOPs to contain the spreading of this deadly pandemic.

• He said that frontline healthcare workers and people over 60 years of age are being vaccinated in the first phase.

• He said the sustained and robust growth in the industry is expected to lift economic growth beyond earlier forecasts.

• 2,511 new positive cases of the pandemic have been reported.

• He said sale of USC is likely to reach Rs100 billion this year and it is expected that USC will earn some profit as well.

• He said Pakistan highly values its ties with Bangladesh and wants to further expand cooperation by using the existing bilateral mechanisms.

• The Prime Minister said only two companies are paying taxes in the cigarette industry whilst forty percent cigarettes are being sold in black.

• The UN rights office said the death toll had risen sharply in recent days, with 11 deaths on Monday, 39 on Sunday and 18 on Saturday.

• No one has claimed responsibility for Monday's blast, and there was no comment from the Taliban.

• The NATO report said that last year 11 of the alliance's 30 members met the two percent target, up from nine in the report for 2019.

• The team had initially planned to quickly publish a preliminary report, but that plan was shelved in February without a clear explanation.

• Johnson said that boosting Britain's nuclear deterrent, which is maintained via four nuclear-armed submarines, was part of the UK's biggest programme of investment in defence since the end of the Cold War.

• The EMA approved the AstraZeneca vaccine for people of all ages on January 29.

• The data showed broad declines across many categories last month including autos, furniture and electronics, and followed a 7.6 percent sales jump in January.

• The visit aims to "strengthen cooperation between Tunisia and Libya" and to develop "solidarity" for increased "stability and prosperity", it added.

• US health authorities say that fewer children have been sick with Covid-19 compared to adults, but they can be infected and can spread the virus.

• The mass vaccination centres being established in the top 15 Covid-19 affected cities including Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, Rawalpindi, Multan, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hyderabad, Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, Abbottabad and Mansehra.
• A vaccination centre has been established at Isolation Hospital and Infectious Treatment Centre (IHITC) in Islamabad, where around 4000 people would be vaccinated against coronavirus on daily basis.

• Germany, France, Italy and several other countries have temporarily paused use of AstraZeneca -- developed alongside Oxford University -- over blood clotting fears.

• The island has long been a popular vacation destination for German tourists, with many of them owning a second home there.

• Subbotin also told the Interfax news agency that Twitter has not taken any "specific steps" to remove the prohibited content.

• Shapovalov says being confined to a hotel room at every tournament due to the Covid-19 restrictions in place can take a mental toll on the players.

• The decision to submit mass resignations from assemblies will result in strengthening the establishment and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government: Zardari
• Former president says Nawaz Sharif should return back to Pakistan to wage a decisive battle against the government

• The announcement takes AstraZeneca's total planned US supplies to 700,000 doses, it added in a statement.

• Rice prices in the peri-urban areas of Yangon and the second largest city, Mandalay, were meanwhile up four percent since the last week of February, the WFP said.

• Thailand is already administering China's Sinovac vaccine, with millions more imported doses expected in the coming months.

• Ethiopia blamed Sudan for the attack, and then pushed into Al-Fashaqa, allowing its farmers to cultivate land there.

• Washington has imposed several rounds of economic sanctions on the Syrian government since the war broke out in 2011.

• The European Medicines Agency is to hold a special meeting on Thursday to decide whether measures are needed.

• This makes Europe the deadliest region, ahead of Latin America and the Caribbean (721,581 deaths), Canada and the United States (558,110 deaths) and Asia (263,250).

• Dominic Raab refused to comment directly but said the stockpile was the "ultimate insurance policy" against threats from hostile states.

• Germany's Foreign Minister said on Monday that he expected there to be agreement among the 27 member states on new sanctions next week.

• Beijing is driving forward its inoculation plan for its vast domestic population with four domestically produced vaccines approved so far.

• The loss of over 1,000 jobs in France is still underway following Nokia's 2016 takeover of Alcatel-Lucent.

• WHO, AstraZeneca, and the European Medicines Agency have insisted the shot is safe.

• They will continue on to South Korea, and a policy review by the new administration of its approach to Pyongyang is also a key part of the diplomatic outreach.

• The Iran-backed rebels control much of northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, whose capture from the Saudi-backed government in 2014 sparked a devastating war.

• Benchmark copper on the London Metal Exchange had dropped 1.8% to $8,979.50 a tonne.
• Copper hit a 9-1/2 year peak last month of $9,617, having surged by 24% since the start of the year.

• U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned China on Tuesday against using “coercion and aggression” as he sought to use his first trip abroad to shore up Asian alliances in the face of growing assertiveness by Beijing.
• China’s extensive territorial claims in the East and South China Seas have become a priority issue in an increasingly testy Sino-U.S. relationship and are an important security concern for Japan.

• Following the January 14 election, Wine was held under effective house arrest for 11 days until a court ordered his release.

• The NSE Nifty 50 index fell 0.1% to 14,910.45, while the S&P BSE Sensex ended flat at 50,363.96. The Nifty and the Sensex had earlier risen as much as 0.8% and 0.9%, respectively.
• The Nifty Bank Index and the public sector bank index were top losers, falling 1.1% and 1.32%, respectively.

• The CSE All Share Index closed 0.57% lower at 7,119.7.
• Foreign investors were net sellers, offloading 101.3 million Sri Lankan rupees ($511,616.16) worth of shares, according to exchange data.

• Brussels has set itself a target of providing enough coronavirus vaccines to offer jabs to 70 percent of adults in the bloc by the end of summer.

• It beat forecasts by analysts polled by Factset, who counted on a score of 75 points.

• Year-on-year inflation was 17.33 percent in February after 16.47 percent in January.

• He was first admitted on February 16 on the advice of his doctor after he complained of feeling unwell.

• It is now expecting to sell a million electrified vehicles this year, the group said in a statement.

• The junta has also throttled mobile data nationwide, delaying news of crackdowns against demonstrations.

• 2020 was the first year since the introduction of Germany's new climate change law in late 2019.

• The dollar was mixed against its main rivals and oil prices slid on profit-taking after recent strong gains.

• Benjamin Briere was arrested in May 2020, allegedly while flying a drone.

• At least 122,735,440 cases of coronavirus have been registered.

• Justice Bandial says Supreme Court will continue to hear the case but the re-election will proceed at all costs
• It is a mistake to not deploy army in the Daska elections: SC

• In this backdrop, 21 ADs have already developed their portals, started onboarding their customers and receiving FX cases digitally, while the rest are in process of developing their digital platforms/ portals.

• The development was made during the meeting chaired by the KP Chief Minister Mahmood Khan where they reviewed the overall situation of the pandemic.
• During a briefing, the task force members were told that the current positivity rate of coronavirus cases stands at 1 per cent in southern districts.

• “I filed nomination papers for NA-249 by-election,” said Kamal.
• He said political parties that won seats from Karachi are unable to discern the issues facing the metropolis.

• Prime Minister Imran Khan said the FBR had assured to roll out the track and trace system by July this year but now the Sindh High Court has given a stay on it.

• The shoemaker plans to raise at least Rs 1.6 billion or $10 million by offering 41 million shares at a price of Rs 38 each, Habib said.

• Chinese embassies in several states have issued notices, saying the country will open visa applications to select people who have taken a China-made jab
• The Chinese government will process applications related to work permits, business travel, and for humanitarian needs, such as reuniting with family members

• During his meetings in Manama, Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi dilated upon Pakistan Navy’s role in maritime security.
• The host authorities commended Pakistan Navy’s role in maritime peace and stability.

• LHC said CCTV cameras should be used to identify people responsible for the attack.
• SAPM Gill tweeted that he has forgiven those who threw eggs and ink at him.

• The risk margin in an extra layer of capital insurers must hold as a safety buffer in case they get into trouble.

• The lowest offer for nearby shipment in April was said to be $323.97 a tonne c&f. Both offers were said to have been submitted by trading house Dreyfus.

• At 0738 GMT, commercial banks quoted the shilling at 3,660/3,670, unchanged from Monday's close.

• The volume of new orders rose by 8% year-on-year, while the stock of orders at the end of the month was 11.5% higher than in the same period a year ago.

• The government coronavirus task force also said that 443 people had died in the last 24 hours, taking Russia's death toll to 92,937.

• At 0724 GMT, commercial banks quoted the shilling at 109.55/109.75, the same level as Monday's close.

• The company said in a statement it expects about 600 million euros ($715 million) to 700 million euros of restructuring and associated charges by 2023.

• Later on, SBP will issue the Monetary Policy Statement on the same day.

• MBK Partners and eBay Korea declined comment.

• The government is exploring ways to reduce transportation costs, which it says are contributing to a jump in food costs.

• "I think the thing that I hope for, and the thing I think about, is that this, first and foremost, is a family. I pray for forgiveness and healing for them so that they can use this as a teachable moment for us all."

• The index's gains, however, were capped by losses in banking shares led by a 2.5% fall in Doha Bank, which traded ex-dividend.

• "Next, we will sit down with my entourage and people at the club to discuss the future. This summer will be a decisive moment."

• "I think at my stage of my career there's not a lot a caddie can tell me. But, obviously, Helen gets me in a fantastic mood out there. Psychologically, she can help me and say the things that I need to hear."

• The vaccine was developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford in Britain, where more than 11 million doses have been administered apparently without any major problems.

• Signal has stopped working without a VPN occasionally before, although service resumed afterwards.

• Travel agency HIS jumped 1.42 percent to 2,285 yen as investors bought back the company's shares after it posted a quarterly loss.

• "Continuous surveillance is essential to public health," Roche said.

• According to provisional Quantum Index Numbers (QIM) of Large Scale Manufacturing Industries, the LSMI output increased by 5.36pc when compared to December 2020.

• The ECP declared the plea as not maintainable
• The commission had earlier reserved the judgment in the said case

• As part of the deal, Volkswagen will raise its 20% stake in Northvolt and also take over the Swedish firm's stake in a planned battery cell venture in the German city of Salzgitter, which will form the second factory from 2025.

• The National Health Commission said in a statement that all of the new cases were imported infections originating from overseas.

• Firas Raad, World Bank country manager for Malaysia, said reforms would revitalise Malaysia's investment credentials and boost growth.

• Germany, France and Italy plan to suspend AstraZeneca PLC COVID-19 injections after reports of possible serious side effects, although the World Health Organization said there was no established link to the vaccine.

• She spoke on Monday with British finance minister Rishi Sunak, and both agreed a new SDR allocation could form an important part of a package of support for low-income countries.

• He said that his previously disclosed goal of having a new IMF deal by May was not a hard target. "I said that May is acceptable, but it does not mean that May has to be the date," he added.

• Travel agency H.I.S. gained 2.09% despite the COVID-19 crisis leading it to a 7.9 billion yen ($72.34 million) quarterly net loss.

• CRU analyst Wan Ling said this could translate to a 100,000-tonne annual aluminium output reduction.

• Around the region, MSCI's Asia ex-Japan stock index was firmer by 0.68% while Japan's Nikkei index was up 0.54%.

• The United Nations and the United States have urged the Houthis, who are also pressing an offensive against government-held Marib city in Yemen, to turn to negotiations rather then military escalation.

• During the hearing, Nayyar Hussain Bukhari told the ECP that a corrupt practice was made by the issuance of funds to the legislators
• ECP questioned Bukhari whether the premier announced the funds as the head of the state or as a chief of a political party

• Maharashtra has also locked down some districts.

• Singapore shares, which have been trading at around one-year highs, dipped on Tuesday.

• Thailand's central bank has left its benchmark rate at a record low of 0.50% since mid-2020 after three cuts earlier that year to support the economy.

• “If you look at the petroleum products in December receiving oil at $40 per barrel which now stands at $70 per barrel,” he said. The rise in rates of food and petroleum production ports in the international market have affected the domestic market, said Suleri.

• He said democratic values were under threat in places like Myanmar and China.

• Officials at Japan's agriculture and finance ministries declined to comment on the report, but noted that the import figure for early March will be released on Wednesday.

• "The Qatari expansion should extend the period in which the market may need more new supply to beyond 2028," Credit Suisse's Kavonic said.

• Petrol sales rose 5.3% from a year earlier to 1.05 million tonnes, the data showed.

• Diluted headline earnings per share (HEPS) from continuing operations rose to 418 cents in the six-months ended on Dec. 27, compared with a restated figure of 378.6 cents a year earlier.

• The three-month aluminium on the London Metal Exchange advanced as much as 0.4% to $2,227 a tonne.

• Dalian's most-active soyoil contract rose 1.3%, while its palm oil contract gained 0.8%. Soyoil prices on the Chicago Board of Trade were up 0.8%.

• While the BOJ currently has no plan to issue CBDC, central banks must not wait idly until the need to roll out its own digital currency arises, he told a seminar.

• Kuroda said there was currently no change to the BOJ's stance that it has no plan to issue central bank digital currencies (CBDC).

• The two cargoes, loading April 30-May 5 and May 2-8, were awarded to trading houses Petraco and Mitsui, the sources said.

• The security environment in the Indo-Pacific region was "severe", Kishi said as he began a meeting with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

• There are now 23,355 active cases.
• No new cases and deaths were reported in Gilgit-Baltistan during the past 24 hours.

• Tata Communications Ltd fell 6.2% after the telecoms services provider said the government would sell up to a 10% stake in the company through an offer for sale, at a discounted floor price to the stock's last close.

• The euro was little changed at $1.19320, languishing for an eighth session below the closely watched $1.20 level.

• Tatsufumi Sakai, chief executive of Mizuho Financial Group, plans to hold a briefing on the system failures this month, Mizuho said.

• The plantation giant listed on the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange in 2012, as an investor favourite at an offer price of 4.55 ringgit ($1.13) per share in what was hailed as the world's second largest IPO after Facebook.

• Australia, already the region's largest fuel importer, will likely boost imports by a third next year to 630,000 barrels per day (bpd), according to energy consultancy FGE.

• The most active soybean futures were steady at $14.19-3/4 a bushel, having closed 0.4% firmer on Monday.

• Spot prices of iron ore with 62% iron content for delivery to China plunged by $10 to $164 a tonne on Monday, according to SteelHome consultancy.

• Investors now eye the US Commerce Department's February retail sales data due on Tuesday, following January's 5.3% surge.

• "It didn't hurt," Suga told reporters afterwards.

• Late last year, Congress extended a 26% tax credit that helps reduce the cost of solar facilities as part of a package to provide coronavirus aid and fund the US government.

• The world's biggest retailer - which launched Free Assembly in 2020 and Scoop the prior year - has been trying to make its brands more trendy.

• Biden declined on Sunday to call on Cuomo to resign, saying he wanted to await the outcome of an investigation into the matter.

• In terms of ounces, holdings fell to 33,768,784 ounces from 33,825,009.

• Companies operating in Mali's mining sector include Barrick Gold, Resolute Mining, Anglogold Ashanti and B2Gold.