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Archive - 2021-03-22
Fire at chipmaker further tightens supply to car sector: Bosch
Companies

Fire at chipmaker further tightens supply to car sector: Bosch

  • Bosch said the shortage, which it said was affecting integrated circuits, automotive microcontrollers as well as application-specific integrated circuits, was also affected by weather-related production issues at other chipmakers.
  • Toyota, Nissan, Honda and other Japanese carmakers scrambled on Monday to assess the impact on their production of a fire at a Renesas Electronics chip plant that could aggravate a global semiconductor shortage.
Updated 23 Mar, 2021 05:09pm
Italy reports 386 coronavirus deaths on Monday, 13,846 new cases
Europe

Italy reports 386 coronavirus deaths on Monday, 13,846 new cases

  • Italy has registered 105,328 deaths linked to COVID-19 since its outbreak emerged in February last year, the ministry reported, the second-highest toll in Europe after Britain and the seventh-highest in the world.
  • Patients in hospital with COVID-19 - not including those in intensive care - stood at 28,049 on Monday, up from 27,484 a day earlier.
Updated 23 Mar, 2021 05:09pm
UK's daily COVID-19 death toll falls to 17, a six-month low
Europe

UK's daily COVID-19 death toll falls to 17, a six-month low

  • While deaths have dropped sharply in recent weeks, daily new cases have remained steady at around 5,000 to 6,000 this month. The data showed 5,342 new cases were recorded on Monday. The seven-day figure was down 4.7%.
  • Britain has the fifth highest number of deaths in the world from COVID at 126,172. But a fast start to the vaccine rollout has helped it recover from an aggressive second wave of the pandemic.
Updated 23 Mar, 2021 05:09pm
OPEC+ compliance with oil cuts rises to 113pc in February
Energy

OPEC+ compliance with oil cuts rises to 113pc in February

  • Compliance from members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries reached 124%, a figure which includes the additional voluntary cut from Saudi Arabia, said one of the sources.
  • Compliance from non-OPEC members in the alliance reached 94%, the source added.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 10:07pm
Cotton prices inch up on steady demand, softer dollar
Commodities

Cotton prices inch up on steady demand, softer dollar

  • We have seen good demand in the weekly export sales report ... Also, commercial buying (primarily exporters and may be some of the mills) has been stronger today.
  • The US Department of Agriculture's weekly export sales report, on Thursday, showed net sales of 437,700 running bales (RB) for 2020/2021 were up noticeably from the previous week, while exports of 351,900 RB were unchanged.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 10:02pm
Global equities stall, bonds gain as Europe COVID cases rise
Stocks

Global equities stall, bonds gain as Europe COVID cases rise

  • "The number of new COVID-19 cases is rising rapidly, and an extension of the lockdown inevitable for many European countries. No one will be surprised by such a decision," said Milan Cutkovic, market analyst at Axi.
  • MSCI's gauge of stocks across the globe shed 0.04%, with slight gains in Europe but a 2.1% decline in Japan's Nikkei index.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 09:25pm
TSX falls as energy, materials stocks drag
Stocks

TSX falls as energy, materials stocks drag

  • The energy sector dropped 1.2%, while the materials sector, which includes precious and base metals miners and fertilizer companies, lost 0.2%
  • The financials sector slipped 0.6%. The industrials sector fell 0.8%.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 09:20pm
ECB's Lagarde warns of uncertainty about speed of vaccination
Europe

ECB's Lagarde warns of uncertainty about speed of vaccination

  • "The near-term economic outlook is subject to uncertainty, relating in particular to the dynamics of the pandemic and the speed of vaccination campaigns," Lagarde said in a blog post on the ECB's website.
  • We therefore stand ready to adjust all of our instruments, as appropriate, to ensure that inflation moves towards our aim in a sustained manner, in line with our commitment to symmetry.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 09:22pm
US existing home sales drop sharply; prices surge
USA

US existing home sales drop sharply; prices surge

  • The National Association of Realtors said on Monday that existing home sales dropped 6.6% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.22 million units last month.
  • Warmer temperatures, an acceleration in the pace of COVID-19 vaccinations and massive fiscal stimulus are expected to spur a sharp rebound in activity in March.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 09:11pm
Credit Suisse hit with extra EU antitrust charges in forex probe
Money & Banking

Credit Suisse hit with extra EU antitrust charges in forex probe

  • The European Commission had in July 2018 sent a charge sheet known as a statement of objections to Credit Suisse, Switzerland's second-biggest bank.
  • "Credit Suisse continues to believe that it did not engage in any systemic conduct in the FX markets which violated the European Union's competition rules, and is contesting the EC's case," the bank said in a statement.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 09:08pm
India market regulator tightens rules for exchange disruptions
Stocks

India market regulator tightens rules for exchange disruptions

  • The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) said in when critical systems are disrupted, institutions must declare a "disaster" within 30 minutes and take steps - including going to a back up - within the next 45 minutes.
  • The rules apply to stock exchanges, clearing corporations and depositories.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 09:06pm
Leipzig sign Strasbourg centre back Simakan
Football

Leipzig sign Strasbourg centre back Simakan

  • Leipzig did not disclose THE financial terms of the deal, but said the 20-year-old centre back would join on July 1.
  • "Mohamed Simakan is a robust defender... who... can play both centre-half and full-back," Leipzig sporting director Markus Kroesche said in a statement.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 09:04pm
AstraZeneca expects EU to approve Dutch vaccine factory by early April
Europe

AstraZeneca expects EU to approve Dutch vaccine factory by early April

  • We are well on track in order to get the approval by EMA (European Medicines Agency) in the course of March, beginning of April, and this is exactly according to our plan.
  • After falling far behind post-Brexit Britain and the United States in rolling out vaccines, the EU's leaders are set to discuss imposing a ban on vaccine exports to Britain at a summit on Thursday.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 09:01pm
Paris wheat hits five-week low on slack import demand
Commodities

Paris wheat hits five-week low on slack import demand

  • Front-month May milling wheat on the Paris-based Euronext exchange was down 1.25 euros, or 0.6%, at 218.50 euros ($260.32) a tonne.
  • It earlier touched its lowest since Feb. 12 at 218.25 euros, just below a previous five-week low touched on Friday.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 08:59pm
Wall Street rises on tech boost; Tesla gains
Stocks

Wall Street rises on tech boost; Tesla gains

  • Tesla gains as Ark Invest sets PT of $3,000 by 2025.
  • Kansas City surges on $25 bln buyout deal from Canadian Pacific.
  • MSCI Turkey ETF sinks after shocking exit of c.bank governor.
  • Indexes up: Dow 0.13%, S&P up 0.42%, Nasdaq rises 0.83%.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 08:57pm
Putin says he will be vaccinated against COVID-19 on Tuesday
Europe

Putin says he will be vaccinated against COVID-19 on Tuesday

  • "Vaccination, of course, is a voluntary decision for every person. It is every person's personal decision," Putin said at a televised government meeting on Monday about Russian vaccines against COVID-19. "By the way I plan to do this tomorrow."
  • "Today we can say confidently -- and practice indisputably confirms -- that Russian vaccines are absolutely reliable and safe," he said. "No other similar foreign drugs have shown such a high level of protection."
Published 22 Mar, 2021 08:55pm
Brazil's second corn planting at 86pc of estimated area, below historical average
Commodities

Brazil's second corn planting at 86pc of estimated area, below historical average

  • This year, heavy rains delayed the harvesting of Brazil's soy and affected the second corn season in big producing states, raising fears of domestic supply shortages, especially among meatpackers.
  • In a separate report on Monday, consultancy AgRural said drier weather helped farmers reap more of their 2020/2021 soybeans over the past few days.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 08:53pm
More people in Poland willing to take AstraZeneca shot, says PM
Europe

More people in Poland willing to take AstraZeneca shot, says PM

  • "In the morning I got a report... showing that there are more and more people willing to get vaccinated and also to get vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine," Mateusz Morawiecki told reporters.
  • "This shows that we made the right decision not to suspend vaccinations with AstraZeneca. There are definitely more people willing to be vaccinated with this vaccine."
Published 22 Mar, 2021 08:50pm
Business timings reduced as NCOC imposes more COVID-19 restrictions
Pakistan

Business timings reduced as NCOC imposes more COVID-19 restrictions

  • The development was made during the meeting chaired by the Federal Minister for Planning Asad Umar in which all the Provincial Chief Secretaries participated through video link.
  • The authority expressed grave concern over the COVID-19 situation and decided to take drastic measures in the worst affected cities.
Updated 22 Mar, 2021 08:50pm
Brazil's Patria to launch $250mn SPAC
Companies

Brazil's Patria to launch $250mn SPAC

  • Patria, which has Blackstone Group Inc among its investors, said on Friday its executive officers may sponsor the blank-check company Patria Acquisition Co, based in the Cayman Islands, with roughly $92 million.
  • JPMorgan & Chase is the sole underwriter for the offering.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 08:44pm
EU, China impose tit-for-tat sanctions over rights abuses
Europe

EU, China impose tit-for-tat sanctions over rights abuses

  • Measures are first major sanctions since Tiananmen arms embargo.
  • China quickly hits back with sanctions on EU individuals.
  • EU, US, Canada, Britain worried about Uighur camps.
  • Hungary, close ally of Beijing, says sanctions "pointless".
Published 22 Mar, 2021 08:41pm
US air travelers top 1.5mn for first time since March 2020
USA

US air travelers top 1.5mn for first time since March 2020

  • COVID-19 devastated air travel demand, with US airline passengers down 60% in 2020. But with a growing number of Americans getting vaccinated, demand and advanced bookings have started to rise in recent weeks.
  • TSA said it screened 1.54 million people Sunday, the highest single day since March 13, 2020 and the 11th consecutive day screening volume exceeding 1 million per day.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 08:40pm
Russian LNG would be competitive at $3.7-$7 per 1mn BTU
Energy

Russian LNG would be competitive at $3.7-$7 per 1mn BTU

  • Russia would compete with Qatar, Australia and the United States for customers in Asia, its target market, up to 2030, and their production costs are seen at $2.8-11 and $7-10 per 1 million BTU, respectively.
  • Russia plans to increase its LNG production to nearly 140 million tonnes LNG per year by 2035 from around 31 million tonnes last year and aims to have about 20% of the global market share by then.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 08:35pm
Raw sugar prices fall as Brazilian currency weakens
Commodities

Raw sugar prices fall as Brazilian currency weakens

  • A weaker real encourages Brazilian exporters to sell dollar-priced commodities such as sugar and coffee because it raises their returns in local currency terms.
  • Dealers noted buying emerged around the day's low of 15.55 cents a lb, a level where it also found support on Friday and in early February.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 08:30pm
Greece delays gas utility bid deadline to third quarter
Energy

Greece delays gas utility bid deadline to third quarter

  • The Greek privatisation agency last year shortlisted seven investors for a 65% stake in DEPA Commercial and the deadline for binding offers was due to expire this month.
  • The seven investor groups that have qualified to bid include two consortiums, one between Hellenic Petroleum and Italy's Edison International Holding and the other including Motor Oil and Public Power Corp.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 08:26pm
Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Southern rail deal may boost price competition
USA

Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Southern rail deal may boost price competition

  • "This is by default negative for the other railroads, including Canadian National which faces a longer haul competitor into the Gulf Coast and Midwest," J.P.Morgan analyst Brian Ossenbeck said in a research note.
  • Shares of Canadian Pacific fell about 3%, while those of rivals Canadian National and Union Pacific dropped 2% and 3%, respectively.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 08:26pm
Jump in UK inflation to put focus on BoE policy splits
Europe

Jump in UK inflation to put focus on BoE policy splits

  • Economists see UK inflation at 2.5% by late 2021 from 0.7% now.
  • Oil and one-off effects will lift UK prices through the year.
  • Soft jobs market to keep BoE away from raising rates this year.
  • BoE officials divided over how fast labour slack will dry up.
  • BoE's Haldane fears past deflationary forces poised to reverse.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 08:16pm
Blinken condemns attacks, discusses human rights in Saudi call
USA

Blinken condemns attacks, discusses human rights in Saudi call

  • "Secretary Blinken reiterated our commitment to supporting the defense of Saudi Arabia and strongly condemned recent attacks against Saudi territory from Iranian-aligned groups in the region," the department said in a statement, adding the two also discussed human rights and social and economic reforms in Saudi.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 08:13pm
Rising oil boosts Nigeria's 2021 budget but creates fuel price headache
Africa

Rising oil boosts Nigeria's 2021 budget but creates fuel price headache

  • Oil prices, which are averaging around $10 per barrel above the level projected for the 2021 budget, are good for the nation's revenues, she told journalists, but are complicating plans to end costly fuel subsidies.
  • "We made recommendation to deregulate the pricing of (gasoline). But we have a stalemate with labour," she said, calling the oil price rise a "double edged sword".
Published 22 Mar, 2021 08:11pm
Spain hopes tourism can rebound as Germans return to Mallorca
Europe

Spain hopes tourism can rebound as Germans return to Mallorca

  • International tourism to Spain plunged 80% to 19 million visitors last year - the lowest since 1969 - as coronavirus travel restrictions took their toll on the world's second most visited country.
  • "Maybe the ideal goal is ... to get half of the tourists we had in 2019," Tourism Minister Reyes Maroto told an event held by Europa Press news agency.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 08:09pm
Dutch PM to be tested after Cabinet member is positive for COVID-19
Europe

Dutch PM to be tested after Cabinet member is positive for COVID-19

  • "He will get it done". The test is set for Wednesday, which is the period -- five days from being in contact with an infected person-- the Dutch health authorities advise for getting a test after such exposure.
  • Keijzer, who announced her infection on Twitter, was at a weekly Cabinet meeting on Friday attended by Rutte and more than a dozen senior government officials.
Updated 22 Mar, 2021 08:06pm
Goldman Sachs and EBRD to invest in Turkey's DgPays
Money & Banking

Goldman Sachs and EBRD to invest in Turkey's DgPays

  • Set up in 2017, DgPays has a solutions and service ecosystem that consists of 24 institutions, the statement said, adding that it serves the vast majority of the banking industry in Turkey.
  • The statement did not specify the size of the investment by Goldman Sachs' asset management division and the EBRD but said it represents one of the most significant foreign investments in Turkey's fintech sector to date.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 07:33pm
Apollo says ex-SEC chief Clayton to take over as chairman from Black
Companies

Apollo says ex-SEC chief Clayton to take over as chairman from Black

  • In the last few months, not only did we announce a transformative merger with Athene, but also expect to report that our first quarter earnings will exceed analyst consensus in all relevant measures.
  • I thus view this as the ideal moment to step back and focus on my family, my wife Debra's and my health issues, and my many other interests.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 07:29pm
Thoma Bravo to buy online trading co Calypso Technology
Companies

Thoma Bravo to buy online trading co Calypso Technology

  • The software and tech-focused company did not disclose the financial terms of the deal, which is expected to close in the second quarter of 2021.
  • Earlier this month, data solutions firm Talend agreed to go private in a $2.4 billion all-cash deal with Thoma Bravo.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 07:27pm
Petkovic ruled out of Croatia qualifiers with shoulder injury
Sports

Petkovic ruled out of Croatia qualifiers with shoulder injury

  • "Unfortunately, Petkovic is out with a shoulder injury and he will join Ante Rebic on the sidelines after the AC Milan winger was deemed unfit on Friday with a recurring problem," Dalic told a news conference.
  • The Croatians, the 2018 World Cup runners-up, visit neighbours Slovenia on Wednesday followed by home games against Cyprus on Saturday and Malta on March 30.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 07:25pm
CM message on Pakistan Day
Pakistan

CM message on Pakistan Day

  • March 23rd was a day of materialization of dreams into reality as the struggle for independence was not easy, he said.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 07:26pm
AJK president meets naval chief
Pakistan

AJK president meets naval chief

  • The AJK president praised and acknowledged the resolve, commitment and support of Pakistan armed forces to the cause of Kashmiris.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 07:25pm
Germany's extended lockdown to delay recovery till early summer
Europe

Germany's extended lockdown to delay recovery till early summer

  • "The upswing that was actually expected for spring is now more likely to set in from early summer," Deutsche Bank chief economist Stefan Schneider said.
  • "The prerequisite for this is that the infection rate declines as the weather warms up, and that there will be progress in vaccinations," Schneider added.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 07:22pm
Saudi Aramco's debt-to-equity ratio more than doubles in 2020
Companies

Saudi Aramco's debt-to-equity ratio more than doubles in 2020

  • Net debt rose to 605.9 billion riyals ($161.56 billion) last year from 270.2 billion riyals in 2019, the results showed.
  • In its financial results report the company said payments to the government last year totalled around 412 billion riyals ($109.85 billion), about 30% less than in 2019.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 07:19pm
Portugal's jobless numbers jump nearly 37pc, worst since 2017
Europe

Portugal's jobless numbers jump nearly 37pc, worst since 2017

  • The total of those officially without a job rose to 431,843 people, meaning more than 116,000 jobs have been lost since February 2020, a month before the pandemic hit.
  • In the southern Algarve, famous for its beaches and golf courses but now nearly deserted, the number of registered jobless spiked 74% to 33,458 last month from a year ago, making it the most affected region followed by Lisbon.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 07:15pm
Eni unit to buy FRI-EL Biogas in decarbonisation drive
Companies

Eni unit to buy FRI-EL Biogas in decarbonisation drive

  • Eni said its unit Ecofuel had reached an agreement with FRI-EL Greenpower, a Gostner family holding, to buy FRI-EL Biogas Holding, but did not provide any financial details of the deal.
  • The deal is part of Eni's broader decarbonization strategy, which aims to eliminate all emissions from industrial processes and products by 2050.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 07:11pm
Dutch economy to recover later than expected from COVID-19 slump
Europe

Dutch economy to recover later than expected from COVID-19 slump

  • Growth in the euro zone's fifth largest economy is expected to rebound to 2.2% in 2021 and 4.2% in 2022, the bank said, following a historically deep 3.8% contraction due the COVID-19 pandemic last year.
  • The central bank last December pencilled in growth of 2.9% for both 2021 and 2022, as it expected social distancing measures to be phased out over the course of this year.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 07:05pm
Hungary approves new Chinese vaccine, and CoviShield for emergency use
Companies

Hungary approves new Chinese vaccine, and CoviShield for emergency use

  • New infections are surging in Hungary in a third wave of the pandemic, even as vaccine import and usage rates are among the highest in the EU with the country using Chinese and Russian vaccines as well as Western ones.
  • "We are in a race against time," Surgeon General Cecilia Muller told a news briefing. "We will overturn the four corners of the world for as many doses of proper efficient and safe vaccines as possible."
Published 22 Mar, 2021 06:59pm
Russian rouble hits over 2-week low on sanctions risk, lira slump
Forex

Russian rouble hits over 2-week low on sanctions risk, lira slump

  • The rouble was 0.4% weaker against the dollar at 74.39. Earlier, it slumped to 74.8250, its weakest mark since March 4.
  • If US sanctions this week are limited to personal restrictions and additional measures against Nord Stream 2, the rouble could well return to the 73-74/USD range after short-term volatility.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 06:57pm
Brazil's 2021, 2022 interest rate outlooks shoot higher after central bank move: survey
USA

Brazil's 2021, 2022 interest rate outlooks shoot higher after central bank move: survey

  • The central bank's benchmark Selic rate is now expected to end this year at 5.50% and end next year at 6.00%, according to the average forecast of over 100 economists in the bank's weekly 'FOCUS' survey.
  • The central bank's rate-setting committee known as 'Copom' last week hiked the Selic rate by 75 basis points to 2.75%, the first increase in six years.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 06:54pm
Italy's Seri in plastics recycling venture with Unilever
Companies

Italy's Seri in plastics recycling venture with Unilever

  • Seri Plastic will set up a jointly owned business with Unilever and will buy and convert the London-based group's plant in the southern town of Pozzilli, which will recycle plastic waste based on EU circular economy models.
  • The deal is in line with Unilever's "Clean Future" global project, which includes the aim of halving the use of plastics in its packaging by 2025, the statement said.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 06:50pm
Richemont shares rise on report it rejected Kering's merger approach
Stocks

Richemont shares rise on report it rejected Kering's merger approach

  • The report said that Rupert, who said in November he had no plans to sell, was unsatisfied with the terms and did not submit them to Richemont's board.
  • Kering has a market capitalisation of 74 billion euros ($88 billion) versus Richemont's 47 billion Swiss francs ($50.8 billion).
Published 22 Mar, 2021 06:45pm
Italy's Snam pens hydrogen deal with Mubadala
Companies

Italy's Snam pens hydrogen deal with Mubadala

  • Mubadala, which manages a $232 billion investment portfolio, recently set up the Abu Dhabi Hydrogen Alliance, with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Abu Dhabi state holding company ADQ, to build a hydrogen industry for the UAE.
  • Snam, Europe's biggest gas transport group, is investing in green hydrogen and has said 70% of its natural gas grid is made up of "hydrogen ready" pipes.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 06:44pm
Myanmar coup opponents win new support in ethnic borderlands
South Asia

Myanmar coup opponents win new support in ethnic borderlands

  • A joint statement also demanded that the army "abandon the coup and accept the federal democratic system based on self administration that is desired by the people".
  • "Ethnic nationalities could ultimately decide who holds power in Myanmar," said Khin Ohmar, a longtime democracy activist who lived through a previous failed uprising against the military in 1988.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 06:38pm
UK shopper numbers edge higher as end of restrictions nears
Europe

UK shopper numbers edge higher as end of restrictions nears

  • It said shopper numbers, or footfall, climbed 4% on UK high streets, but fell 4.4% in retail parks and 2.3% in shopping centres. Footfall across Britain remained 40.8% lower than during the same week last year, Springboard said.
  • England entered a third national lockdown on Jan. 4 to stem a surge in COVID-19 cases that threatened to overwhelm the health system.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 06:36pm
VW's SEAT wants to build battery assembly plant in Barcelona area
Companies

VW's SEAT wants to build battery assembly plant in Barcelona area

  • Wayne Griffiths confirmed that SEAT plans to launch an urban electric vehicle in 2025, which it wants to produce at its plant in Martorell, outside Barcelona.
  • "If we want a car by 2025, we need to make these decisions quickly this year," Griffiths told a press briefing, adding he was confident of securing an agreement with the Spanish government.
Updated 22 Mar, 2021 06:34pm
Amazon workers strike in Italy over pandemic-driven delivery demands
Europe

Amazon workers strike in Italy over pandemic-driven delivery demands

  • Trade unions estimate Amazon's delivery systems rely on 40,000 workers, including staff of its logistics arm, which employs most of Amazon's 9,500 long-term Italian staff.
  • This has prompted unions to seek tighter rules on workloads and shifts for drivers who they say deliver as many as 180-200 parcels a day.
Updated 22 Mar, 2021 06:30pm
Dollar dominates as hedge funds cut shorts on Treasury yield rise
Forex

Dollar dominates as hedge funds cut shorts on Treasury yield rise

  • Turkey's shock weekend decision to replace its hawkish central bank governor also supported the dollar's safe-haven appeal.
  • Markets have been slow to catch on to the rising dollar theme in recent weeks as investors had bet that a global economic recovery would prompt buying of riskier currencies.
Updated 22 Mar, 2021 06:29pm
Key insights from US trial data on AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine
Europe

Key insights from US trial data on AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine

  • The trial results, primarily generated in the United States but also in Chile and Peru, included a 79% efficacy in preventing symptomatic COVID-19, and showed no increased risk of a rare form of blood clots that has caused concern in parts of Europe.
  • Britain's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency concluded at the time that a 12-week gap between doses was the key to achieving the highest efficacy, of around 80%.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 06:19pm
First deliveries on China's bonded copper futures total 6,225 tonnes
Commodities

First deliveries on China's bonded copper futures total 6,225 tonnes

  • The front-month contract, for delivery in March, expired on March 15 and those who sold copper on it then had five trading days to fulfil the obligation to hand over metal to buyers.
  • "At this point, the international copper futures business processes have all gone through and various rules have withstood the test of the market," the INE said.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 05:30pm
Price of Hyundai Elantra revealed
Automobile

Price of Hyundai Elantra revealed

  • The sedan is launched with an aim to give tough competition Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic.
  • 2,000cc under the hood also gives Elantra a slight edge over its competitors, which are available in 1800cc engine sizes.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 04:52pm
Donald Trump plans social media comeback, according to adviser
USA

Donald Trump plans social media comeback, according to adviser

  • Former President of the United States, Donald Trump is expected to return to social media "with his own platform", according to an advisor.
  • Trump was unceremoniously suspended from Twitter and Facebook after January's deadly riots in Washington DC and the Capitol incursion.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 04:26pm
Taliban claim they floated the proposal for reduction in violence, not the US
World

Taliban claim they floated the proposal for reduction in violence, not the US

  • Taliban official says the proposal has been under discussion between the United States and the Taliban in Qatar for a while
  • The idea of reduction in violence between the Taliban and Afghan forces surfaced when a letter from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani was leaked to the media
Updated 22 Mar, 2021 04:00pm
River water talks: Pakistan Indus Water Commission leaves for India
Pakistan

River water talks: Pakistan Indus Water Commission leaves for India

  • The eight-member delegation led by Indus Water Commissioner Syed Muhammad Mehr Ali Shah will hold talks with India’s Water Commissioner Pardeep Kumar Saxena on March 23 and 24 in New Delhi.
  • In the previous round, officials from both countries had failed to gain any progress over the river water dispute and had ended in a stalemate.
Updated 22 Mar, 2021 03:57pm
South Africa tour: Hasan Ali to enter bio-secure bubble on March 23
Sports

South Africa tour: Hasan Ali to enter bio-secure bubble on March 23

  • If the results of both the tests are negative, then he will be allowed to integrate with the side and cleared to travel to Johannesburg on 26 March.
  • All the remaining 34 members of the side, presently attending a training camp in Lahore, cleared their third Covid-19 tests conducted on 21 March.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 02:12pm
China's SAIC partners with U.S. lidar maker Luminar on self-driving cars
Technology

China's SAIC partners with U.S. lidar maker Luminar on self-driving cars

  • Laser-based lidar sensors help detect objects ahead of and around the vehicle, and are a key component of many self-driving systems being developed by automakers and suppliers.
  • SAIC plans to install Luminar’s lidar sensors and software next year on its new R brand vehicle line and said it expects to standardize the equipment eventually across all its vehicles in China.
Updated 22 Mar, 2021 02:12pm
A transgender Islamic school in Pakistan breaks barriers
Pakistan

A transgender Islamic school in Pakistan breaks barriers

  • “Most families do not accept transgender people. They throw them out of their homes. Transgender people turn to wrongdoing,” Khan, 34, said, as other transgender people, their heads similarly covered, swayed back and forth behind her, reciting Koran verses.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 12:47pm
Secret India-Pakistan Ceasefire Talks Brokered by the UAE
South Asia

Secret India-Pakistan Ceasefire Talks Brokered by the UAE

  • A day after military chiefs from India and Pakistan made an unprecedented joint-agreement to respect their original ceasefire agreement from 2003, reportedly a top diplomat from the United Arab Emirates subsequently visited New Delhi for a brief one-day visit.
  • The India-Pakistan ceasefire was the culmination of secret talks behind closed doors brokered by the Gulf state over the course of months.
Updated 22 Mar, 2021 12:11pm
US oil may retest resistance at $61.55
Energy

US oil may retest resistance at $61.55

  • A correction from the March 8 high of $67.98 has completed, as its third component wave labelled c is roughly 1.618 times the length of the wave a.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 11:55am
What you need to know about the coronavirus right now
World

What you need to know about the coronavirus right now

  • Maharashtra, India's most industrialised state and home to its financial capital Mumbai, has been accounting for more than 60% of the country's total cases after a full-scale reopening of its economy unleashed a second wave of infections late last month.
Published 22 Mar, 2021 11:47am