News Archives for Latest - 2021-04-03

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Archive - 2021-04-03

Europe

Italy reports 376 coronavirus deaths on Saturday, 21,261 new cases

Italy has registered 110,704 deaths linked to COVID-19 since its outbreak emerged in February last year, 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 28,489 on Saturday, down from 28,704, a day earlier.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 09:28pm

USA

Kerry: US 'hopeful' it can work with China to tackle climate change

Sino-US relations have been strained in recent years by disagreements about trade, China's treatment of its Uighur minority, as well as China's actions in Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Kerry said the countries would discuss how to reduce a reliance on coal, as well as how to "raise ambitions" on climate change ahead of November's conference.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 09:26pm

Sports

Harrison helps Leeds to 2-1 win over Sheffield Utd

Pressing high up the pitch, Leeds took the lead in the 12th minute when Harrison scored with a simple tap-in after excellent work by Raphinha to carve open the Sheffield United defence down the right.
The visitors levelled before the break as Ben Osborn popped up at the far post to steer home Oliver McBurnie's deflected shot, and though Luke Ayling cleared the ball, goal-line technology quickly ruled that it had crossed the line.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 09:23pm

Europe

Turkey records 44,756 new coronavirus cases, highest level yet

Cases have surged since the government eased measures to curb the pandemic in early March, hitting new record highs over the past consecutive five days.
The total number of cases stands at 3.445 million as of Saturday, the data showed. The latest daily death toll was 186, bringing the cumulative toll to 32,078.

Updated 03 Apr, 2021 09:25pm

Sports

Asensio and Benzema fire Real Madrid to victory over Eibar

Asensio finally gave Madrid the lead late in the 41st minute after his side had two goals ruled out for offside, latching on to a Casemiro through ball and curling his effort into the bottom corner despite losing his footing as he took the shot.
Real then had a goal ruled out for offside for the third time but eventually got the all-important second goal when Benzema headed home a cross from Vinicius Jr. in the 73rd minute.

Updated 03 Apr, 2021 09:21pm

Sports

Eintracht win at Dortmund to boost Champions League hopes

The Portuguese headed in a Filip Kostic cross at the far post for his 22nd league goal of the season to lift Frankfurt to 50 points in fourth place, seven ahead of Borussia Dortmund in fifth.
The top four teams qualify for the Champions League group stage.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 08:44pm

Sports

Napoli hold off Crotone fightback, Atalanta and Lazio win

Lorenzo Insigne and Victor Osimhen struck for the hosts before Simy pulled one back, but Dries Mertens' free kick restored Napoli's two-goal cushion before the break.
Nigeria international Simy's double continued a superb run of form that makes him the top scorer in Europe's top-five leagues since the start of March with eight goals.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 08:36pm

Sports

BWF to vote on change to scoring system post-Tokyo Olympics

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) said it had taken forward a proposal from Badminton Indonesia and Badminton Maldives to amend the rulebook.
Matches are played in a best-of-three format at present, with the winner of each game being the first player to 21 points.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 08:33pm

South Asia

Myanmar protesters defy crackdown, five killed; junta hunts critics

Five killed in firing on protests - witness, media.
Arrest warrants for another 20 anti-coup celebrities issued.
US condemns internet shutdown.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 08:30pm

Europe

UK reports 10 more COVID deaths, 3,423 new cases

Official data also showed 31,301,267 people had received their first shot of a COVID vaccine.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 08:25pm

Middle East

Dubai aims to boost contribution of creative arts to GDP

Dubai, part of the Unites Arab Emirates, is a regional business and tourism hub. It has the hydrocarbon-rich region's most diversified economy and was one of the hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
The plan includes changes to the legislative and investment environment and steps to attract innovators, investors and entrepreneurs.

Updated 03 Apr, 2021 08:29pm

Europe

Ukraine says joint military drills with NATO to begin in a few months

NATO voiced concern on Thursday over what it said was a big Russian military build-up near eastern Ukraine after Russia warned that a serious escalation in the conflict in Ukraine's Donbass region could "destroy" Ukraine.
The drills will involve more than 1,000 military personnel from at least 5 NATO member states and will be held in a few months, the Ukrainian armed forces said in a statement on Facebook on Saturday.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 07:24pm

South Asia

Iran rejects 'step-by-step' lifting of US sanctions

"No step-by-step plan is being considered," Khatibzadeh told state broadcaster Press TV. "The definitive policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran is the lifting of all US sanctions."
The US State Department has said the focus of the Vienna talks will be on "the nuclear steps that Iran would need to take in order to return to compliance" with the nuclear accord.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 07:22pm

Sports

Brentford salvage draw at Huddersfield

Huddersfield took the lead when Brentford goalkeeper David Raya came off his line and found himself scrambling in no man's land when the home side nicked the ball for Lewis O'Brien to score from long range.
Brentford equalised four minutes after the restart with a scrappy goal. Pontus Jansson's effort was cleared off the line but Vitaly Janelt picked up the loose ball and found Mads Sorensen who levelled from seven yards.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 07:20pm

USA

Argentine leader Alberto Fernandez says he tests positive for the coronavirus

"I am in good physical condition," the president, who turned 62 on Friday, said in a tweet. He had received Russia's Sputnik V vaccine against the coronavirus early this year.
"I would have liked to end my birthday without this news, but I am in good spirits," Fernandez added.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 07:17pm

Companies

Egypt postpones tender for license to make cigarettes

An auction for the licence, which would have ended a decades-old monopoly by the state-controlled Eastern Company , was due to be held on Tuesday.
"What we understand ... is that the postponement is for an indefinite period ... Certainly, the conditions for the auction will be changed if it is held again," one of the sources told Reuters.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 07:16pm

Sports

Inspired West Brom hand 10-man Chelsea first loss under Tuchel

West Brom, second-bottom of the table, moved seven points from the safety zone while Chelsea stayed fourth but could be overtaken by West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur this weekend.
"There's no need to concede five goals when you have our quality," Tuchel told BBC Sport after Chelsea's worst home defeat in nearly 10 years.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 07:12pm

Europe

Rutte's prospects of forming new government wane as coalition partner quits

This threw already stalled talks about forming a new government further into disarray, setting them back by weeks if not months and making it virtually impossible to predict the outcome.
Rutte, 54, had narrowly survived a no-confidence vote on Friday after parliament passed a motion disapproving of his behaviour during government formation talks following last month's election.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 07:10pm

Sports

Delhi's Axar tests positive for COVID-19 ahead of IPL

"His report from the second COVID test, came positive," the 2020 IPL finalists said in a statement. "He is currently in isolation at a designated medical care facility."
Participants will have to stay in restricted health environment for this year's IPL, which will be played across six venues, initially without spectators, from Friday.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 07:06pm

Sports

No fans at Serbia Open this year, says Djokovic's brother

"Unfortunately, there will be no fans this year as we're in a difficult situation with a lot of people contracting the virus on a daily basis," the ATP 250 event's organiser Djordje Djokovic told Serbia's Nova S television.
"It's a very difficult year for everyone and the restrictions have resulted in a lot injuries. Regrettably, Borna Coric and Stan Wawrinka have had to pull out but it's still going to be a very strong field.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 07:04pm

South Asia

Philippines' Duterte extends coronavirus curbs in capital, nearby provinces

Strict quarantine measures extended by at least a week.
Philippines logs its second-highest daily COVID-19 cases.
Hospitals in the capital reach critical capacity.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 07:00pm

South Asia

Malaysia is independent, says minister who called Chinese counterpart 'elder brother'

Hishammuddin Hussein, on his first visit to China as foreign minister, had expressed hope that he and Chinese State Councillor Wang Yi would pursue closer ties between the nations, including post-COVID-19 cooperation and fighting the pandemic.
"This is not the language and style that should be used in the world of diplomacy and international relations because it seems to put Malaysia's status as a foreign puppet," Anwar said on Saturday.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 06:49pm

Europe

France calls on Iran to be constructive in nuclear talks

"I encouraged Iran to be constructive in the discussions that are set to take place," Le Drian said. "They are meant to help identify in the coming weeks the steps that will be needed in order to return to full compliance with the nuclear deal."

Published 03 Apr, 2021 06:47pm

South Asia

Taiwan says first batch of COVAX vaccines to arrive Sunday

Taiwan, which has kept the pandemic under control thanks to early and effective prevention, began its vaccination campaign only last month, also with AstraZeneca shots, after getting 117,000 doses directly from the drugmaker.
Chen told reporters that the latest vaccines were also manufactured in South Korea and had been due to start arriving from February, but had been held up by global vaccine supply problems.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 06:43pm

Europe

Ukraine approves Chinese vaccine as COVID-19 cases hit new record high

Ukraine received its first batch of 215,000 Sinovac doses in March to boost its vaccination programme, which has lagged behind many other European countries and it has so far relied on a single batch of AstraZeneca vaccines from India.
"The vaccines of the Chinese company Sinovac Biotech can be trusted," it said.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 06:41pm

Middle East

Syria to get COVID-19 vaccines from China, Russia, WHO within days

The vaccines will be administered "according to a clear system", the report said without giving further details.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 06:38pm

Africa

Senegal to open consulate in Morocco-controlled Western Sahara

The Algeria-backed Polisario Front seeks independence for Western Sahara, a vast desert region held by Morocco since Spain withdrew in 1975.
Morocco has long sought international recognition of its claim to the region it calls its "southern provinces". The Polisario movement and Algeria have denounced the opening of consulates in the territory.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 06:29pm

Companies

Suez Canal shipping backlog ends, days after giant vessel freed

The last 61 ships, out of 422 ships that were queuing when the vessel was dislodged on Monday, passed through the vital trade artery on Saturday, the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) said.
- In total, 85 ships had been due to pass through the canal on Saturday including 24 ships that arrived after Ever Given was dislodged, the SCA said.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 06:24pm

Europe

Police arrest 100 gang members who smuggled drugs into Spain on speed boats

The gang filled their boats with the drugs and headed across the Mediterranean and up the River Guadalquivir near Seville in southern Spain.
Some members of the extensive gang were employed to make sure the speed boats, which consume a large amount of fuel, were always ready to use.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 06:19pm

Europe

Hundreds join 'kill the bill' rallies across Britain against proposed protest law

The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts bill would toughen measures officers can take to disperse demonstrations, such as imposing time and noise limits, which campaigners and activists fear would be used to curb dissent.
On Saturday, climate change group Extinction Rebellion (XR) and the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement joined other activists for "kill the bill" rallies in London and other towns and cities, including Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds and Brighton.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 06:15pm

Companies

Amazon acknowledges issue of drivers urinating in bottles in apology to Rep. Pocan

We know that drivers can and do have trouble finding restrooms because of traffic or sometimes rural routes, and this has been especially the case during Covid when many public restrooms have been closed.
"This was an own goal, we're unhappy about it, and we owe an apology to Representative Pocan," Amazon said in its blog post, adding that its previous response only referred to staff at its warehouses or fulfillment centers.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 06:10pm

Sports

Hauge strikes late to rescue draw for Milan against 10-man Sampdoria

A careless pass by Milan defender Theo Hernandez was pounced on by Fabio Quagliarella in the second half, and he fired an inspired lob over goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma from long range.
The visitors were soon reduced to 10 men for the final half hour when Adrien Silva picked up a second yellow card for a reckless challenge.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 06:10pm

USA

PM Khan 'puzzled' at the cacophony over Pakistan's exclusion from Biden's climate conference

On Saturday, Prime Minister Imran Khan stated that he was puzzled that Pakistan was not invited to the Leaders Summit on Climate in the United States.
The premier mentioned that his government's "environment policies are driven solely” by its commitment to mitigate the impact of climate change for future generations.

Updated 03 Apr, 2021 04:40pm

Business & Finance

Suez Canal shipping backlog to end on Saturday - canal authority

Osama Rabie, chairman of the Suez Canal Authority (SCA), said 85 ships were expected to pass the canal from both sides on Saturday.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 04:18pm

Pakistan

"Choice of countries is based on science or foreign policy?" Umar questions UK's decision to add Pakistan on ‘red list’

"The recent decision by UK govt to add some countries including Pakistan on the red list raises a legitimate question whether choice of countries is based on science or foreign policy," Umar tweeted.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 02:51pm

Pakistan

Ramazan to begin on April 14 in Pakistan: Fawad Chaudhry

In a tweet, the minister said that the Ramazan moon will be sighted on April 13.
"The moon will be clearly sighted in Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar and Karachi," Chaudhry tweeted.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 01:50pm

Pakistan

PDM splits from PPP and ANP; decides to form a new bloc

The PPP and the ANP will also be served notices for not attending the alliance meeting and violating its decision.
The PDM has also decided to form a new alliance of five opposition parties having 27 members in the Senate.

Updated 03 Apr, 2021 01:46pm

Business & Finance

Pakistan’s Trade Deficit balloons over $ 20bn in 9MFY21

According to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the trade deficit for the month of March 2021 was recorded at $ 3.271bn, showing a month-on-month increase of 28.02 percent as compared to a deficit of $2.555bn recorded in February 2021.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 01:39pm

Technology

What will iPhone 13 look like?

According to experts, in 2021, four models of iPhone 13 will be launched namely; iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13, and iPhone 13 mini.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 12:45pm

Technology

Pakistan’s Mobile Broadband subscribers cross 100mn mark

It informed that broadband is provided over 3G/4G networks with an average download speed of 17.7 Mbps and upload speed of 11.3 Mbps (mobile) which is above the speed levels in other regional countries.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 11:35am

Business & Finance

Private Sector Wheat procurement: SBP amends instructions

Banks are required to strictly fulfill the conditions for extending financing to eligible borrowers, which should be licensed and functional flour mills duly evidenced by some documentation or licensed wheat traders registered with the concerned authority/department.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 11:03am

Business & Finance

Vaccines, fiscal stimulus power U.S. employment; economy blooming

The Labor Department’s closely watched employment report on Friday also showed job gains in February were larger than initially estimated.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 10:49am

Business & Finance

Half of UK firms expect long-term post-Brexit disruption - survey

A trade agreement between London and Brussels which came into force on Jan. 1 has meant some companies have had to deal with new bureaucracy and rules.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 10:44am

Pakistan

2486 more people recover from COVID-19 in 24 hours

The country's coronavirus positivity ratio stands at 9.41%.
84 people also died from the virus in 24 hours.

Published 03 Apr, 2021 10:01am