News Archives for Latest - 2021-04-09

Energy

KE allowed to take additional 450MW power from NTDC

KARACHI: In order to ease the power woes of Karachi and to mitigate the supply-demand gap ahead of sizzling summer,...

Updated 10 Apr, 2021 06:23am

Power base tariff to be further raised, IMF told

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has assured the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that it will further increase...

Updated 10 Apr, 2021 06:08am

USA

Mexico posts more than 5,000 new COVID-19 cases and 874 more deaths

The government says the real case numbers are likely significantly higher, and separate data published recently by the health ministry suggested the actual coronavirus death toll may be at least 60pc above the confirmed figure.

Updated 10 Apr, 2021 12:46am

USA

White House says China's moves around Taiwan 'potentially destabilizing'

"We have ... clearly - publicly, privately - expressed our concerns, our growing concerns, about China's aggression toward Taiwan," White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters.

Updated 10 Apr, 2021 12:11am

World

Pfizer, BioNTech seek U.S. emergency nod for COVID-19 vaccine in adolescents

Whether COVID-19 vaccines work and are safe to use on children is one of the big questions drugmakers are trying to answer.

Updated 10 Apr, 2021 12:11am

World

J&J COVID-19 vaccine under EU review over blood clots

Nearly 5 million people in the United States had received J&J's vaccine as of Thursday morning, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Updated 10 Apr, 2021 12:11am

Europe

Turkey logs 55,791 new COVID-19 cases, just below record high: health ministry

Cases have soared since the government eased measures to curb the pandemic in early March, and daily cases rose to a record high of 55,941 on Thursday.

Updated 10 Apr, 2021 12:11am

Europe

Italy eases COVID-19 curbs as infections decline, but deaths still high

The health system remains under acute strain and intensive care unit occupancy is still above the critical threshold, the ISS said, and daily deaths continue to pile up.

Updated 10 Apr, 2021 12:11am

Commodities

Gold slips on buoyant bond yields; set for weekly gain

Spot gold was 0.7pc lower at $1,744.07 per ounce by 1:44 p.m. EDT (1744 GMT), having hit its highest price since March 1 at $1,758.45 on Thursday.

Updated 10 Apr, 2021 12:11am

Commodities

EU wheat exports slacken as importers juggle with Russian supply

Brisk sales of EU wheat earlier in the July-June season, including large volumes of French wheat for China and German wheat for Algeria, had fuelled talk of tight stocks after a smaller harvest last summer.
Russia's decision to tax wheat exports from mid-February, to help cool local prices, was then expected to bring further demand for EU wheat, but prospects have instead dimmed.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 09:04pm

Forex

Canadian dollar beats G10 peers, bolstered by jobs 'boom'

Canadian dollar strengthens 0.1% against the greenback.
Canada adds 303,100 jobs in March.
Price of US oil falls 0.3%.
Canadian 10-year yield rises 7.6 basis points to 1.537%.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 09:02pm

Commodities

Ukraine grain exports unaffected by border tensions, say traders

Kyiv has expressed concern over a build-up of Russian forces near the border between Ukraine and Russia as well as a rise in violence along the line separating Ukrainian troops and Russia-backed separatists in Ukraine's Donbass region.
Traders echoed that, with one foreign trader saying: "I don't see any nervousness yet and it didn't affect prices. But we are monitoring the situation".

Published 09 Apr, 2021 09:00pm

Commodities

London cocoa prices fall as May's discount widens

May London cocoa was down by 39 pounds, or 2.4%, to 1,602 pounds a tonne.
May raw sugar rose by 0.45 cents, or 3.0%, to 15.63 cents per lb.
May arabica coffee rose by 0.3 cents, or 0.2%, to $1.2815 per lb.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 08:58pm

Stocks

TSX drops on weak commodity prices; set for weekly gains

The materials sector, which includes precious and base metals miners and fertilizer companies, lost 0.7% as gold futures fell 1.1% to $1,737.70 an ounce.
Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index was down 54.51 points, or 0.28%, at 19,174.36.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 08:56pm

Sports

Man Utd's Solskjaer warns players not to be 'conned' by Tottenham

France international Anthony Martial was sent off in the 28th minute in the humiliating October defeat at Old Trafford after retaliating to an elbow from Erik Lamela with a push in the Argentine's face.
"We didn't look anything like (them) and we got conned into a red card and that's something we have to be aware of," Solskjaer told a news conference.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 08:54pm

USA

US producer inflation firms in March as prices increase broadly

Producer price index increases 1.0% in March.
PPI accelerates 4.2% year-on-year.
Core PPI rises 0.6%; advances 3.1% year-on-year.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 08:52pm

Europe

WHO chief laments 'shocking imbalance' in COVID-19 shot distribution

More than 700 million jabs have been administered worldwide against the disease, but 87% have gone to high income or upper middle-income countries, with low income countries receiving just 0.2%, he said.
"On average in high-income countries, almost one in four people has received a COVID-19 vaccine. In low-income countries, it's one in more than 500," Tedros told a briefing.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 08:50pm

Commodities

Sovecon raises forecast for Russia's 2021 wheat crop

Conditions in the south - Russia's largest wheat producing area - were improved by healthy precipitation, Sovecon said. Russia is one of the world's largest exporters of wheat.
Wheat in the southern part of Russia entered last winter in the worst shape in a decade. However, the 2021 weather was favourable for the region, and crop conditions improved dramatically in recent months.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 08:49pm

USA

Wholesale February inventories revised slightly up

That suggests inventory investment could contribute to GDP growth in the first quarter. Inventories increased 2.0% in February from a year earlier. Sales at wholesalers fell 0.8% after accelerating 4.4% in January.
At February's sales pace it would take wholesalers 1.27 months to clear shelves, up from 1.25 months in January.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 08:47pm

USA

Canada posts blockbuster job gain in March, but new lockdowns set to weigh

Statistics Canada said the country added 303,100 jobs in March, triple analyst expectations of 100,000, as a number of industries continued to recover from December and January shutdowns.
"This is another strong jobs report," said Ryan Brecht, a senior economist at Action Economics. "However, the outlook for April activity has been dented by the return of regional lockdowns."

Published 09 Apr, 2021 08:45pm

Companies

EU seeks new contract with Pfizer for up to 1.8bn vaccines from 2022

Earlier on Friday, German daily Die Welt reported that the Commission was shortly to sign contracts to buy up to 1.8 billion doses, but did not say with which company.
Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna are already supplying the EU with mRNA vaccines and German biotech firm CureVac is seeking EU approval for its mRNA shot.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 08:43pm

Forex

Latam FX dips; Peruvian sol set for best week in 20 yrs ahead of polls

Sol set to add nearly 4% this week.
Brazil's real leads losses for the day.
Stocks fall in early trade, but on track for weekly gains.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 08:41pm

Europe

Dutch earmark $400mn for green hydrogen development

Green hydrogen is extracted from water via electrolysis powered by renewable energy, theoretically releasing no carbon emissions either in its production or consumption.
A sum of 3.7 billion euros from the fund was earmarked on Friday for infrastructure spending and for funding research in quantum computing, artificial intelligence and healthcare innovation.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 08:39pm

Companies

Italy vetoes takeover of semiconductor firm by Chinese company Shenzhen

Italian government shields Milan-based company LPE.
Semiconductors deemed of strategic importance, Draghi says.
Rome bolstering anti-takeover powers in key assets.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 08:37pm

Industry

Union appears headed to defeat in Amazon.com election

Amazon workers at the warehouse in Bessemer voted to reject unionization by a more than 2-1 margin as of Friday morning, with a majority of the 3,215 ballots counted. More than 1,400 voted against forming a union, with some 600 ballots in favor.
In the latter case, the dispute would play out before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and then likely in a federal appeals court.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 08:34pm

Financial

JPMorgan trims exposure to Russian local bonds, rouble on Ukraine tensions

The bank said it still expected risks to fade through the course of the year as economically damaging measures by the US administration would be unlikely and Russian assets were taking on excess risk premium to reflect that.
While we still hold this base case, morphing risks recently suggest that the overhang could last longer than we originally expected, giving no clear window for a structural repricing of Russian assets.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 08:33pm

Companies

German plant aims to make up to 10mn doses of Sputnik V vaccine monthly by year-end

R-Pharm aims to launch production in Germany in Q4.
Targets initial output of 4-5 mln doses per month.
Russian vaccine is under rolling review by EU regulator.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 08:31pm

Europe

J&J COVID-19 vaccine under EU review over blood clots, AstraZeneca probe grows

EMA says no causal link yet of blood clots to either vaccine.
Four cases of blood clots in recipients of J&J shots.
J&J says working with regulators to assess data on its vaccine.
Probe of AstraZeneca vaccine and blood clots already ongoing.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 08:29pm

Europe

German Chancellor Merkel mourns Britain's Prince Philip

"The death of Prince Philip fills me with great sorrow," she said in a statement posted by her spokeswoman on Twitter. "His friendship to Germany, his straightforwardness and his sense of duty will not be forgotten," she added.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 08:27pm

Money & Banking

Polish central bank had net profit of 9.3bn zlotys in 2020, says governor

In 2019 the central bank's net profit was 7.8 billion zlotys.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 08:26pm

Sports

Man City's Guardiola moved by Bielsa's glowing tribute

Argentine Bielsa, who steered Leeds back to the top flight after a 16-year absence this season, described Guardiola as a magical man and said he had given up trying to emulate the Spanish coach's style of play.
Guardiola, who previously hailed Bielsa as one of the most important influences on his trophy-laden managerial career, was quick to return the compliment.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 08:22pm

Companies

Watch brand Piaget to open more stores this year

"We'll open more stores this year. We'll reopen a flagship store in Beverly Hills and also have projects in the Middle East and China," Chabi Nouri said in an interview during the Watches & Wonders virtual industry event taking place this week.
Richemont, which also owns Cartier, said in January that strong Chinese demand helped sales rise 5% in the final quarter of 2020.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 08:19pm

Forex

Dollar edges higher as data helps lift Treasury yields

Dollar index on pace for worst weekly decline this year.
Sterling steadies after losing week.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 08:17pm

Sports

Rose responds after opening bogey to restore four-shot lead at Masters

Rose, whose opening 65 was the lowest round of his career at Augusta National, bogeyed the par-four first hole after sending his tee shot into the trees along the right side of the fairway.
Japan's Hideki Matsuyama and American Brian Harman, who finished the first round four shots back of Rose in a share of second, had yet to tee off.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 08:14pm

USA

Biden's first budget marks sharp change from Trump years

The $1.5 trillion budget, reflecting an 8% increase in base funding from the current year, would invest billions more in public transportation and environmental clean-ups, slash funding for a border wall and expand funding for background checks on gun sales, each goal clashing with the prior administration.
Biden would increase spending by $14 billion across agencies to deal with the effects of greenhouse gas emissions, a shift from the Trump administration's dismissal of climate science.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 08:12pm

USA

Biden calls for funding to probe white supremacist beliefs at US immigration agencies

The Biden administration is asking Congress to increase the funding level for workforce oversight offices within US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to $470 million, a 22% increase over the current level.
It was not immediately clear whether any specific incidents sparked the call for funding to battle white supremacy at CBP and ICE.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 08:10pm

Stocks

Wall Street rises along with Treasury yields as inflation heats up

"The reopening trade is still very much alive," said Oliver Pursche, senior vice president at Wealthspire Advisors in New York. "And you're seeing that in the relative underperformance of the high-flying tech that did so well throughout the shutdowns."
"Things are now getting back to normal from a period of suppressed pricing," Pursche added. "Prices are getting back to their equilibrium. One month of price spikes does not make a trend."

Published 09 Apr, 2021 08:06pm

Sports

Marathon swim qualifier moved to Portugal, diving confirmed

Diving qualifier to go ahead in Tokyo in May.
Marathon swimming event switched to Portugal.
Artistic swimming to be decided.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 08:04pm

Companies

Marathon Galveston Bay Refinery in Texas restarts gasoline unit, reformer

The 140,000-bpd gasoline-producing fluidic catalytic cracker 3 (FCC 3) was increasing production on Friday after it and the 75,000-bpd Ultraformer (UU3) reformer restarted on Thursday night, the sources said.

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 08:05pm

Energy

Oil prices dip on mixed supply and demand outlook

Brent crude futures for June fell 32 cents, or 0.32%, to $62.88 a barrel.
Both contracts are on track for a 2%-3% drop this week but still far from a low of $60.47 hit two weeks ago. Exerting downward pressure is the decision by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies, known as OPEC+, to increase supplies by 2 million barrels per day between May and July.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 07:35pm

Companies

Russian oil producers struggle to contain gas flaring: document

Flaring, or the combustion of gas generated by various processes in the oil industry, generates carbon dioxide emissions.
Climate change poses a series challenge for Russia, with the economy heavily reliant on oil and gas production, as well as mining, and the government is under pressure to cut emissions.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 07:33pm

Sports

Chelsea's Tuchel won't be swayed by players' Euro 2020 hopes

Abraham, 23, is Chelsea's top scorer this season with 12 goals in all competitions, but has found himself marginalised since the arrival of German coach Tuchel in January.
"I cannot make a decision on the personal goals of players," Tuchel told a news conference ahead of Saturday's Premier League game at Crystal Palace.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 07:32pm

USA

Canada adds 303,100 jobs in March, unemployment rate falls to 7.5pc

Employment in the goods-producing sector increased by 43,200 jobs, while service sector jobs rose by 260,000. Part-time employment rose by 128,000, with 175,000 new full-time positions.
"Clearly the economy was much more open than many believed and I do think the very mild weather contributed to this very robust comeback," said Doug Porter, chief economist at BMO Capital Markets.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 07:30pm

USA

Brazil March inflation 6.1pc, highest since 2016

The annual rate of consumer inflation rose to 6.10% from 5.20% in February, statistics agency IBGE said, slightly below the 6.20% median forecast in a Reuters poll of economists but the highest since December 2016.
The central bank's year-end goal is 3.75%, with a 1.5 percentage point margin of error on either side. These figures show inflation is well above even the 5.25% upper limit of that range.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 07:27pm

Commodities

Wheat up 5-8 cents, corn up 3-5 cents, soy steady-up 2 cents

Benchmark CBOT May soft red winter wheat rose above its 100-day moving average for the first time since March 24 during the overnight trading session. Technical resistance was noted at the contract's 30-day moving average.
CBOT May soft red winter wheat was last up 5-1/2 cents at $6.34-1/4 per bushel. K.C. May hard red winter wheat was last up 5-3/4 cents at $5.82-1/4.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 07:25pm

Sports

Villa are in contention for Europe, says Liverpool's Klopp

Villa are ninth in the standings with a game in hand, seven points behind fifth-placed Chelsea -- who occupy the Europa League spot -- and five points behind seventh-placed Liverpool.
"Of course, they're serious rivals for European football. They are really good, they made some good signings," Klopp told reporters ahead of Saturday's home game against Villa.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 07:24pm

Commodities

Gold retreats over 1pc, but still on course for weekly gain

Investors eye US PPI data later in the day.
Fed's Powell sees inflation unlikely.
Palladium faces biggest weekly decline in six weeks.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 07:21pm

Europe

Europe's vaccine drive set to pick up as 100 millionth dose delivered

A total of 104 million doses have been sent to countries in the European Union and European Economic Area, working out at 27.7 doses per 100 inhabitants, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) said.
That compared to 82 million doses that have been administered to date, according to figures showing an increase in the number of doses available to inject into the arms of Europeans.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 07:18pm

Money & Banking

Greece secures EU okay to extend 'Hercules' bad loan scheme

The scheme was launched in October 2019 to help the country's banks offload up to 30 billion euros of bad loans by turning bundles of impaired credit into asset-backed securities that can be sold to investors.
Deputy Finance Minister George Zavvos said that with Hercules-2 the government is determined to see a further reduction of bad loans to enable banks to fund the economy, businesses and households.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 07:16pm

Europe

World reacts to death of Britain's Prince Philip

"We remember the Duke ... above all for his steadfast support for Her Majesty the Queen, not just as her consort, by her side, every day of her reign, but as her husband, has strength and stay of more than 70 years. And it is to Her Majesty, and her family, that our nation's thoughts must turn today."
"The United Kingdom has lost an extraordinary public servant in Prince Philip."

Published 09 Apr, 2021 07:04pm

Europe

Greece limits use of AstraZeneca vaccine to people over 30

Europe's medicines regulator said this week it found rare cases of blood clots among some adult recipients of the shot, although the vaccine's advantages still outweighed its risks.
Greece has reported 288,230 cases of COVID-19 and a total of 8,680 deaths. It has administered 378,997 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine so far and ordered another 1.35 million doses.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 07:02pm

Companies

Turkish Airlines to fly 737 MAX jets after authority approval

The Boeing 737 MAX was grounded globally in March 2019 after two deadly crashes. The source said Turkish Airline's first flight is planned between Istanbul and the capital Ankara on April 12.
Separately, Boeing Co has asked 16 of its customers to address a potential electrical problem in certain 737 MAX airplanes prior to further operations.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 07:00pm

Europe

Mourinho halts news conference to express condolences to British royal family

"I want to express my condolences to the Royal family," Mourinho told reporters ahead of Sunday's Premier League home game against Manchester United.
"I have only positive feelings for the meaning of the family. I feel very sorry. But unfortunately is life and we have to keep going."

Published 09 Apr, 2021 06:58pm

Energy

US natgas futures rise to one-week high on cooler forecasts

Traders also noted that mild weather this week will likely cause utilities to boost injections into storage by so much that the total amount of gas in inventory will rise above the five-year (2016-2020) average for the first time since the February freeze.
Front-month gas futures rose 1.9 cents, or 0.8%, to $2.541 per million British thermal units.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 06:56pm

Companies

EU preparing orders for 1.8bn vaccine booster shots

The planned orders will be for so-called mRNA vaccines, with a preference for manufacturers who are EU-based or who have production facilities in Europe.
Only the Biontech/Pfizer vaccine, which is manufactured in Belgium and Germany, and Moderna, which manufactures in Spain and Switzerland, currently meet these requirements.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 06:54pm

Europe

Russian military buildup raises stakes as fighting in Ukraine intensifies

Tanks are parked in columns beside the railway, which runs parallel to the M4 highway. Military trucks rumble past, heading toward the southern city of Rostov-on-Don, close to the border.
Moscow denies it is part of the conflict in eastern Ukraine and says it provides only humanitarian and political support to the separatists.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 06:53pm

Europe

Madrid residents snub AstraZeneca shots amid shifting safety guidance

Spain introduced the restriction on Wednesday after the European Medicines Agency reported a link between the shots and a rare form of brain blood clots affecting roughly one in every 100,000 people under 60 vaccinated.
As of Thursday night, only around 45% of people had confirmed their vaccine appointments for Friday, he added.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 06:51pm

Stocks

S&P 500, Nasdaq open lower as tech stocks weigh

The S&P 500 opened lower by 1.06 points, or 0.03%, at 4,096.11, while the technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite dropped 42.30 points, or 0.31%, to 13,787.02 at the opening bell.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 22.62 points, or 0.07%, at the open to 33,526.19.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 06:49pm

Europe

Parties to Iran nuclear talks see progress despite clash on sanctions

Negotiations continue next week, expected to drag on.
All sides have 'narrowed differences' - Chinese envoy.
Iranian officials want all Trump-era sanctions lifted.
US has said it is prepared to lift nuclear ones.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 06:45pm

Europe

Norway wealth fund should invest in fewer companies, government says

To cut number of firms in reference index by up to 30%.
Says easier to follow up companies with fewer companies in.
To exclude new emerging markets for now, including Saudi.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 06:43pm

Companies

Boeing production issue prompts airlines to pull some 737 MAX jets from service

The 737 MAX returned to service in November after a 20-month safety ban triggered by two fatal crashes that killed 346 people. The plane has continued to face careful scrutiny since it resumed flights.
Southwest Airlines removed 30 MAX airplanes from its schedule Friday, while American Airlines removed 17 of its 41 MAX airplanes and United Airlines removed 16 of its 30 MAX airplanes.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 06:43pm

Middle East

Russia, China say Iran talks to resume next week, see progress

Envoys from China and Russia to the Iran nuclear talks said on Friday there had been progress in efforts to bring Iran and the United States back into compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal and that all sides would reconvene next week.
Neither the United States nor Iran expect fast breakthroughs in the talks that began in Vienna on Tuesday, with European and other diplomats acting as intermediaries because Iran rejects face-to-face talks for now.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 06:32pm

USA

Biden Administration's withdrawal plan complicated by targeted Taliban attacks on covert U.S base in Afghanistan

In one of the most significant recent attacks against American forces in Afghanistan, sources have revealed that the Taliban targeted one of the most heavily guarded bases in the country late last month.
Top US officials have convened at an unusually high rate over the past month to discuss what to do in Afghanistan but have been unable to reach a consensus.

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 06:28pm

Europe

France opts for mRNA vaccines for second coronavirus shot

The French decision came after European drug regulators said on Wednesday there was a possible link between AstraZeneca's COVID-19 shot and a very small number of cases of rare blood clots.
"This is a logical choice and one of security," Dominique Le Guludec, the head of the HAS, told reporters.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 06:24pm

Europe

Brexit hits Portugal-UK trade in February, global trade gap shrinks

The value of goods brought in from Britain fell 56%, compared to a drop of just 10.3% in imports from 27 European Union countries.
The UK left the European Union's single market at the end of last year, raising barriers to trade. That final split followed more than four years of wrangling over its terms of exit from the EU.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 06:17pm

South Asia

India's COVID-19 infections, deaths surge as migrants start to flee cities

India's new daily infections highest globally.
Caseload at 13.06 mln, third-highest in the world.
Deaths across the country up by 780, most since mid-Oct.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 06:15pm

Europe

Germany's Scholz calls for national approach to combatting COVID-19

"It makes good sense to regulate this uniformly for the whole of Germany, because then there will be clarity and transparency".
"In this regard, it is a necessary, real step forward if we expand the infection (protection) law to include a regulation for exactly these cases."

Published 09 Apr, 2021 06:14pm

Europe

Serbia considers mandatory vaccination of health workers

"We cannot be in a situation where we have a healthcare worker infected and then ask if he or she had been vaccinated," Loncar told Reuters, adding that the government could discuss the proposal within a few days.
Around 2.7 million of Serbia's 7 million population have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, the eighth highest proportion globally.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 06:09pm

Europe

French far-right politician Marine Le Pen to stand in 2022 election

"I am once again standing as a presidential candidate, before you," Le Pen, who heads up the far-right Rassemblement National party, told a news conference.
Nevertheless, concerns about his government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and worries about terrorism, immigration and violent crime, have dented Macron's standing.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 06:07pm

Companies

Petrobras minority shareholders ask for cumulative voting in assembly

Petrobras also said in a securities filing that minority shareholders proposed a new candidate for the board, banker Jose Joao Abdalla Filho, owner of Banco Classico and energy and agribusiness companies. His name was proposed by investment funds holding Petrobras shares.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 06:05pm

Companies

Reality check for copper bulls as Chinese demand growth slows

"There's no point having money in copper at this point because we're not going anywhere," said commodities broker Anna Stablum of Marex Spectron.
"The shorter-term money...has already disappeared and moved on to where you can make more short-term gains, but...there's substantial sticky, longer-term money basically (still) sat in that long," she said.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 06:02pm

Europe

Polish court postpones sitting on foreign currency loans

The court also said it was waiting for a ruling of the European Union Court of Justice on the issue, which is scheduled for April 29. The sitting was also being postponed due to safety concerns resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, it said.
The sitting of the Polish Supreme Court was expected to clarify issues including what banks can claim from clients if a mortgage contract is cancelled.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 06:00pm

Forex

Sterling stabilises, set for biggest weekly fall versus euro since Sept

The pound had its best quarter against the euro since 2015 in the first three months of 2021, boosted by the UK's vaccine rollout, which is one of the fastest in the world, as well as a fading of negative interest rate expectations.
Versus the dollar, the pound was down 0.1% at $1.3723, and also on track for a weekly loss.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 05:58pm

Europe

G20 to look for ways to ensure sustainable financing to manage pandemics

"The High-Level Independent Panel on Financing the Global Commons for Pandemic Preparedness and Response (...) will consider practicable solutions to ensure sustainable financing for pandemic prevention, surveillance, preparedness, and response", Ignazio Visco said at a World Bank event.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 05:56pm

Europe

EU reviews J&J COVID-19 vaccine for blood clots, expands AstraZeneca probe

Four serious cases of rare blood clots with low platelets, one of which was fatal, have been reported after inoculation with J&J's vaccine from its Janssen unit, the European Medicines Agency said, adding five cases of capillary leak syndrome linked to AstraZeneca's vaccine were reported.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 05:54pm

Energy

Uzbekistan to launch gas-to-liquids plant within months

The $3.6 billion plant, originally expected to be launched in 2020, will allow the Central Asian nation to use its large natural gas reserve to produce more fuels such as diesel which it currently imports due to declining crude oil output and insufficient refinery capacity.
"The construction and installation phases are now complete, with finishing and testing works about to commence."

Published 09 Apr, 2021 05:52pm

Companies

Papua New Guinea wins majority stake in Barrick-Zijin gold mine

PNG to take 51% of Porgera mine, Barrick-Zijin JV to take 49%.
Both parties working on definitive terms before restart.
Mine is expected to resume operations this year - Zijin filing.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 05:50pm

South Asia

All Trump sanctions were against Iran nuclear deal and must be removed: Zarif

"All Trump sanctions were anti-JCPOA (the nuclear accord) & must be removed-w/o distinction between arbitrary designations," Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Twitter.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 05:48pm

Stocks

US stock futures buoyant on inflation view

S&P futures flat, Nasdaq futures dip 0.2%.
European stocks eye longest weekly winning streak since Nov 2019.
Dovish Powell, weak jobs data quell inflation jitters.
Dollar index eyes worst week of year on lower bond yields.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 05:46pm

Sports

Granada streaker hid for 14 hours before Man Utd appearance

Garcia is renowned in the Andalusian city and can frequently be seen striding around public areas sporting nothing but his birthday suit.
Garcia ran onto the pitch in the 10th minute, throwing himself to the floor and rolling around before being escorted away by police.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 05:42pm

Europe

Spain cuts 2021 growth forecast to 6.5pc after first-quarter contraction

Previous estimate ranged from 7.2% to 9.8% growth.
Tourism-dependent Spain affected especially hard by pandemic.
Third wave of COVID-19 hit in first two months of year.
January snowstorm also disrupted activity.
PM Sanchez to present economic recovery plan on Wednesday.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 05:39pm

Africa

Cambodia sees daily record COVID-19 cases

COVID-19 continues to threaten us. Please continue to be vigilant by practicing hygiene, keep social distancing, do not leave your house unnecessarily.
Prime Minister Hun Sen last week said health workers should prepare to treat people with mild cases at home as the country's health system may not have sufficient capacity to handle more patients.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 05:36pm

Europe

Paris hospitals brace for COVID-19 third wave peak around April 20

They also estimated there would be just under 2,000 COVID-19 patients in hospital intensive care units in the Paris region around that peak, versus 1,723 as of Thursday.
"The central assumption is for the second wave to peak around April 20, when, in the greater Paris region, we would have slightly less than 2,000 patients in intensive care", he said.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 05:34pm

Europe

Norwegian PM fined by police over coronavirus rules violation

The matter came to light in a report by Norway's public broadcaster NRK, which triggered the police investigation.
"I'd like to say again that I'm sorry for breaking the coronavirus rules," she told Norway's TV2 News.
"I will accept the fine, and pay it."

Published 09 Apr, 2021 05:32pm

Europe

British Prime Minister Johnson reacts to death of Prince Philip

"It was with great sadness that a short time ago I received word from Buckingham Palace that His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh has passed away at the age of 99.
"Prince Philip earned the affection of generations here in the United Kingdom, across the Commonwealth and around the world.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 05:31pm

Europe

Ukrainian president expected to meet France's Macron next week

The two leaders would discuss the build-up of Russian troops near Ukraine's border, ambassador Etienne de Poncins was quoted as saying.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 05:28pm

USA

US Rep. Kinzinger calls on fellow Republican Gaetz to resign

"Matt Gaetz needs to resign," Kinzinger, an outspoken critic of Trump, said in a Twitter post on Thursday night.
Kinzinger is the first Republican member of Congress to call on Gaetz, a congressman from Florida, to step down.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 05:25pm

Companies

Spain's ACS confirms bid for Atlantia's stake in motorway unit

ACS said in a statement it had sent a letter to the Italian group's board of directors on Thursday declaring its interest in the stake, confirming information released by Atlantia on Thursday.
Italian state lender Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) is already heading a team of investors, including Macquarie and Blackstone, which presented a binding bid for the unit last week.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 05:21pm

Sports

Real's Zidane hopes Saturday not the end of Messi's Clasico career

The Barca captain's contract expires this summer and his futures is up in the air having been linked with a move away ever since his attempts to leave the club last summer were unsuccessful.
"I hope it's not (Messi's last Clasico), I want him to stay at Barcelona, it's good for the Spanish league," Zidane told a news conference.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 05:15pm

Stocks

Sri Lankan shares end higher, mark best week in 11

Conglomerate Browns Investments Plc and finance and leasing company L B Finance Plc were the top boosts to the index, gaining 3.4% and 7%, respectively.
Trading volume rose to 169.2 million from 150.6 million in the previous session.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 05:09pm

Commodities

Copper heads for weekly gain despite dip on China policy fears

Benchmark copper on the London Metal Exchange (LME) was down 0.3% at $8,984 a tonne by 1206 GMT but up about 2% for the week and on course for its first weekly rise in a month.
A barnstorming economic recovery in China and speculative buying pushed the metal used in power and construction to $9,617 in February, its highest in a decade, before prices stagnated.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 05:07pm

Forex

Dollar steadies after week of falls

The dollar is on track for a nearly 1% weekly fall against a basket of major currencies, although it edged up a fifth of a percent on the day.
The euro and yen are poised for their largest weekly percentage gains of the year versus the dollar, up around 1.2% and 0.9% respectively.

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 05:08pm

Commodities

French cereal conditions good ahead of cold spell

That was well above a score of 62% a year ago, when crops had suffered from torrential rain.
The winter barley rating increased to 85% good/excellent from 84% the previous week while the spring barley score also gained one point, to 92%.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 05:03pm

Commodities

Corn holds gains on tight supply ahead of USDA report

Corn near eight-year high.
Brisk demand and weather risks in focus.
USDA report awaited on US corn and soy stocks.
Wheat futures firm on corn spillover, spring weather threats.
Soybeans little changed.

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 05:03pm

Business & Finance

Govt appoints Asim Ahmed as FBR Chairman

The FBR Chairman, Javed Ghani, was set to retire on April 10th, i.e., two months before the announcement of the federal budget.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 04:18pm

World

Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip has died aged 99

The Royal family issued a statement saying his Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle
Philip spent most of his final years out of the spotlight, staying primarily at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk

Published 09 Apr, 2021 04:11pm

World

Queen Elizabeth II's husband Prince Philip dead age 99

The pair married in Westminster Abbey in London in 1947.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 04:21pm

World

Prince Philip: full statement from Buckingham Palace

"His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 04:20pm

Pakistan

More than 35 bank accounts of Jahangir Tareen, family frozen

Of the seized accounts, 21 of them are owned by Jahangir Tareen’s son Ali Tareen, 14 accounts are owned by Jahangir Tareen whereas one account is held by his wife
The accounts have been frozen at the request of the Federal Investigation Agency

Published 09 Apr, 2021 03:31pm

Mutual Funds

South Africa's 3-month T-bill average yields at 3.88%

The bid-to-cover ratio rose to 1.8 from 1.1 last week.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 03:48pm

World

Largest Czech COVID vaccination centre open but waiting for shots

On Friday, 1,000 state emergency personnel were set to get shots.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 03:46pm

Business & Finance

Portugal February trade deficit shrinks, Brexit hits UK trade

At the same time, exports to the United Kingdom fell over 15%, while sales to the European Union edged 1.3% higher and total exports rose 2.3%.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 03:45pm

Energy

Oil prices dip on mixed supply and demand outlook

"If a fulsome framework can be crafted in the coming weeks, significant quantities of Iranian oil will likely hit the market in H2 2021," RBC Capital analyst Helima Croft said in a note this week.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 03:43pm

Stocks

Indian shares snap 3-day winning streak; consumer, drug stocks gain

State-run lenders ended 2.1% higher.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 03:41pm

Stocks

European stocks steady at open

In the eurozone, Frankfurt's DAX 30 index also reversed 0.1 percent to 15,180.68 points, but the Paris CAC 40 was flat at 6,166.57.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 03:03pm

World

French under-55s given AZ jab to get different 2nd dose

Experts say the theory is sound and, as with some other diseases, it could help convey effective immunity.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 03:01pm

Stocks

Hong Kong shares close sharply lower

The Hang Seng Index shed 1.07 percent, or 309.27 points, to 28,698.80.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 03:00pm

World

Gunmen kill 11 Nigerian troops in central region: army

Last month, Benue state governor Samuel Ortom said he had escaped an attack by armed herders while travelling in a convoy.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 02:59pm

Sports

South Africa captain Bavuma out of T20 series against Pakistan

Hendricks has left the squad for the birth of his first child, while Pretorius has not fully recovered from a broken rib.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 02:56pm

World

New cyclone barrels toward disaster-struck Indonesia

A hospital ship was also en route to help treat survivors in the region, where local medical clinics have been overwhelmed.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 02:54pm

Sports

Players under watch as IPL starts amid Covid scare

But the BCCI has stopped independent media from covering the games though it has said the decision will be reviewed after a few days.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 02:53pm

World

Japan to release treated Fukushima water into sea: reports

The International Atomic Energy Agency has endorsed the proposal to release the treated Fukushima water.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 02:51pm

Business & Finance

US adds Chinese supercomputer centers to export blacklist

Tensions have soared between the world's two largest economies over the past several years on issues including US allegations that China is rampantly stealing its intellectual property.

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 02:51pm

Pakistan

LHC dismisses Javed Latif's appeal in controversial remarks case

Chief Justice Muhammad Qasim says there will be no relief for people who criticize the state
Latif had said that if anything happened to PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz, the PML-N will not say Pakistan khappay

Published 09 Apr, 2021 02:28pm

Business & Finance

Business activities to remain close across Sindh two days a week

The notification said that meat shops, bakeries, fruit and vegetable shops would be open from 6 am to 8 pm on Friday and Sunday, while medical stores would be allowed to be open 24 hours a day.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 02:15pm

Pakistan

People from low-income class can now own houses on mortgage, PM Imran addresses groundbreaking ceremony

People can become owners of their homes by paying installments instead of rent: Imran
PM says the status quo has adopted a system of bribery and did not want the country to change for better

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 01:24pm

USA

U.S indicts Pakistan based human smuggling operation

The United States Department of Treasury has designated a Nowshera-based travel agency as a Transnational Criminal Organisation, and indicted its three associates as facilitators.
This global network of human smugglers charges an average of $20,000 per individual.

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 01:10pm

Business & Finance

Russian co intends to setup desalination, waste-to energy project in Karachi

The delegation was briefed about various incentives offered to enterprises in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and encouraged them to establish operations in SEZs located in Sindh.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 12:31pm

Pakistan

Chinese smart electric car under one million price tag to hit Pakistani auto market soon

Wuling Mini EV is so popular that it has been sold in greater quantities than Tesla's Model 3
The Chinese electric car has been rated as the best-selling EV for January and February 2021 due to its lower price tag

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 12:28pm

Stocks

Tokyo stocks close up following US tech rally

In Tokyo, chip-testing equipment manufacturer Advantest jumped 1.79 percent to 10,800 yen and electronic parts maker Kyocera was up 1.43 percent at 7,210 yen.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 12:21pm

Pakistan

Pakistan, China agree to strengthen cooperation on counter-terrorism, peacekeeping in UN framework

Pakistan and China jointly chaired the 3rd Round of China-Pakistan Consultations on the United Nations Affairs by video conference.
- Views were exchanged on a wide range of multilateral issues of mutual interest covering all major areas of the United Nations’ work.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 12:21pm

Forex

Australian dollar slips as vaccine rollout slows, still poised for weekly rise

For the week, it was mostly unchanged, marking another week of underwhelming performance.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 12:18pm

Stocks

Australia shares end lower as vaccine rollout hits snag

The S&P/ASX 200 index settled 0.1% lower at 6,995.2 points at close of trade, applying brakes on its longest winning run since early December.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 12:08pm

World

US, Philippine top diplomats express concerns over Chinese militia boats

In a phone call on Thursday, expressed their shared concerns about Chinese militia vessels in South China Sea.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 12:06pm

Stocks

Japan shares gain as optimism builds for earnings season

For the week, the Nikkei index was on course for a 2.3% rise, bouncing back from a 2.1% decline in the previous week.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 11:59am

Financial

Argentine Senate gives approval for wage tax cut measure

Workers who earn up to 150,000 pesos per month ($1,624) will be exempt from paying income tax, under the measure.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 11:57am

World

Gunman kills 1, injures 6 in shooting at Texas cabinet business

Eight people were slain at Atlanta-area spas, 10 people at a supermarket in Boulder, Colorado, and four people, including a 9-year-old boy at a real estate office in Orange, California.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 11:54am

World

Germany's confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 25,464

The reported death toll rose by 296 to 78,003, the tally showed.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 11:52am

Financial

Thai economy may grow less than forecast this year

The current forecast has yet to include the impact of the fresh spike in COVID-19 infections, she said.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 11:49am

Commodities

Argentine farmers, facing peso uncertainty, hoard soy despite high prices

Farmers in top global producers Brazil and the United States have eagerly sold crops to lock in good prices.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 11:44am

Business & Finance

Malaysia's February industrial output rises 1.5% y/y, below forecast

Mining and electricity output, however, dropped 6% and 5.8%, respectively, the data showed.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 11:40am

Financial

India's retail inflation likely rose in March but stayed within target

Infrastructure output, which accounts for about 40% of total industrial production and comprises eight sectors, contracted 4.6% in February.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 11:33am

Business & Finance

SBP 'studying' option to launch its Digital Currency in Pakistan: Baqir

Baqir said that the introduction of an SBPs digital currency will have a twofold benefit to us.
Baqir said that fintech like Stripe and other such big international payment providers are ‘very welcome’ in Pakistan.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 11:23am

Energy

Exxon Baton Rouge, Louisiana, refinery restarting CDU, shuts FCC

The 90,000-bpd PSLA-7 CDU was shut on March 27 for a planned cleaning of carbon deposits, the sources said.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 11:31am

Stocks

China, Hong Kong stocks fall as upbeat inflation data raises tightening worries

"The northbound inflows into the A-share market could remain positive this year, but would probably slow," he added.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 11:30am

World

India reports a record 131,968 new COVID-19 infections

Deaths rose by 780 to a total of 167,642.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 11:29am

Stocks

Stocks firm near record as easing US inflation fears lift Wall Street

Spot gold eased to around $1,752 an ounce after jumping to a more than one-month peak of $1,758.45 on Thursday.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 11:23am

Stocks

Malaysia, Thai equities lead emerging Asian markets; currencies muted

Axiata jumped as much as 9.7% to its 13-month high level, while Digi.com surged 17.3% to a near nine-month peak.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 11:21am

Commodities

Iron ore slips as China steel prices fall, but set for weekly gains

"The fundamentals are still positive for steel prices," Sinosteel Futures analysts said in a note, citing robust downstream domestic demand.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 11:19am

World

Thailand reports 559 new coronavirus cases, 1 new death

The new cases took the total number of infections to 30,869, with 96 deaths.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 11:17am

Energy

Oil prices hold steady as investors weigh rising supplies, demand outlook

Stephen Innes, chief global markets strategist at Axi, said oil prices are expected to trade in a range between $60 and $70 as investors weigh these factors.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 11:16am

Forex

Yuan largely flat, but set for best week since late January

Prior to market opening, the PBOC set the midpoint rate at 6.5409 per dollar, 54 pips or 0.08% firmer than the previous fix of 6.5463.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 11:14am

Financial

Britain's interest rate vulnerability: Mike Dolan

But the price is replacing bonds maturing in 13 years on average with overnight liabilities that would move up in lockstep with a rise in the BoE's policy rate.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 11:11am

World

Italy could sign contract with Moderna for more vaccine doses

A spokeswoman for Prime Minister Mario Draghi was not immediately available for comment.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 11:10am

Companies

China's CNOOC hunts for three missing after Bohai blaze doused

CNOOC holds a 51% interest in the Penglai project, with the rest held by the Chinese subsidiary of US oil giant ConocoPhillips.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 11:08am

Pakistan

Govt allows China's CoronaVac COVID vaccine for emergency use

Coronavac is the third Chinese vaccine to be used in Pakistan
As compared to other Chinese vaccines, the efficacy rate of CoronaVac is low

Published 09 Apr, 2021 10:54am

Bullion Rate

Spot gold may rise more to $1,785

On the daily chart, gold is rising towards a resistance at $1,769, the 61.8% projection level of a downward wave C from $1,959.01.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 11:02am

Energy

US oil neutral in $58.80-$60.04 range

On the daily chart, oil is stuck in a wider range of $57.88-$61.74.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 11:01am

Markets

Palm oil may support at 3,761 ringgit

Both of them are bearish reversal patterns. When working together, they are more reliable. The historical high-low bottom pattern may be repeating.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 11:00am

Energy

Brent oil neutral in $62.84-$63.84 range

On the daily chart, signals are mixed, as oil is consolidating around $62.91, the 38.2% retracement on the uptrend from $49.20 to $71.38.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 10:57am

Pakistan

Qureshi visits Armed Forces Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, meets war wounded soldiers

The whole nation takes pride in our Armed Forces and acknowledges their achievements and sacrifices may it be during war, internal security duties or nation building projects across the length and breadth of the country, Qureshi said.
AFIRM is a premier rehabilitating institute for war-wounded soldiers who have sacrificed their limbs during various military operations.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 10:59am

Commodities

CBOT soybeans neutral in $14.04-1/2 to $14.20-1/2 range

Only a rise above $14.33-1/2 could bring some hope to the continuation of the uptrend.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 10:56am

Commodities

Palm set for 3% weekly rise on prospects of strong demand, tight supply

Palm oil is affected by price movements in related oils as they compete for a share in the global vegetable oils market.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 10:55am

Mutual Funds

JGB futures nudge higher as dealers take stock of investor demand

The 10-year JGB yield rose 0.5 basis point to 0.100%. The 20-year JGB yield was flat at 0.465%.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 10:53am

Financial

ECB's Schnabel warns against blocking the EU's recovery fund

"The increase in public debt is inevitable and sensible in the face of this crisis of the century, as long as the expenditures sustainably boost growth," she said.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 10:52am

Commodities

South Korea buys 46,229 tonnes of rice in tender

Some 5,000 tonnes of Chinese glutinous milled short grain rice was also bought from Posco at $1,198 a tonne c&f.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 10:50am

World

Johnson & Johnson set to begin India trial of its single-shot vaccine

The Indian Express newspaper reported on Friday.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 10:48am

Stocks

Indian shares flat as consumer stocks rise, metals fall

"Overall, the market is not very concerned about the restrictions as they are not likely to be as bad as last time, and the central bank too seems to be more accommodative this time," he added.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 10:46am

Commodities

China is paying a high price for its ban on Australian coal: Russell

Australia's share of imports came down to zero from 68.4% in January-February 2020, according to the data, while the United States boosted its share to 9.1% from under 2%, and Canada went to 12.1% from 6.1%.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 10:41am

Business & Finance

Engro Corp approves over $31mn to identify investment opportunities

“The results of these studies, when completed, are expected to inform the final investment decision in relation to this project, which decision will also be based on a conducive policy environment and arranging the right mix of debt and equity partners at such time,” the company added.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 10:42am

Sports

Rose goes from stiff back to managing Masters expectations

With his swing position clicking, Rose said managing his expectations might be the hard part of the last 54 holes.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 10:39am

Technology

Effort to create first Amazon labor union appears headed for defeat

A bruising months-long battle has sparked intense debate over workplace conditions at Amazon, which has more than 800,000 US employees.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 10:35am

Stocks

Tokyo stocks open higher following US tech rally

Industrial robot maker Fanuc jumped 2.47 percent to 28,680 while chipmaker Murata Manufacturing rose 0.80 percent to 9,244 yen.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 10:33am

Sports

Messi happy again but Barca wonder if this Clasico will be his last

Messi is not expected to consider offers to renew his contract until the end of the season but Laporta has been pulling hard on the heart-strings.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 10:31am

Sports

South Africa, Pakistan clash in shadow of IPL

Imam is not in the T20 squad but Fakhar, not originally in the squad, has been added, while Sharjeel Khan and Haider Ali will be vying for game time.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 10:29am

Sports

Liverpool bid to end home pain as Lingard fires West Ham push

The Premier League champions take on mid-table Aston Villa on Saturday with a chance to clamber back into the top four, at least temporarily.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 10:26am

Sports

Noves backs Toulouse's chameleons in Clermont Euro quarter

"Clermont are unfortunately a team which has lost five Top 14 finals against Toulouse and which finds it tough to get through knock-out games.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 10:25am

Stocks

Hong Kong stocks open with more gains

The Hang Seng Index rose 0.50 percent, or 144.37 points, to 29,152.44.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 10:23am

Sports

Sinner leads Italian charge up world rankings

Musetti, just turned 19, is the youngest player in the ATP top 100, with Berettini 24, Sonego 25, Mager 26, Caruso and Cecchinato, both 28, and Travaglia, 29.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 10:21am

World

Ex-president casts shadow over tight Ecuador election

Correa's protege, leftist candidate Andres Arauz is up against right-wing contender Guillermo Lasso in a race that is neck and neck, according to opinion polls.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 10:19am

World

Classic left-right choice in Ecuador election

If elected, Arauz could pardon Correa or seek a judicial review of the case against him.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 10:17am

World

Iraqi youth see little hope 18 years after Saddam's fall

Despite the country's oil wealth, the promise of a booming future has remained beyond grasp for most, especially those now coming of age.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 10:12am

World

Brazil Supreme Court backs Covid bans on religious gatherings

According to media reports, both men are vying for a court nomination from Bolsonaro when one of the STF judges retires in July.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 10:11am

World

Jordan marks muted centenary after palace crisis

But even before the palace crisis, plans for centenary celebrations were muted due to Covid-19.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 10:08am

Sports

Aussie Barty advances to quarter-finals in Charleston

US teen Coco Gauff booked a quarter-final meeting with Tunisia's Ons Jabeur. Gauff beat compatriot Lauren Davis 6-2, 7-6 (7/2) while Jabeur rallied for a 5-7, 6-3, 6-3 victory over France's Alize Cornet.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 10:07am

World

Iran releases seized South Korean tanker: Seoul foreign ministry

Tehran said in February that all the crew except the captain would be allowed to leave the country as a humanitarian gesture, but most of them remained on board to maintain the ship.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 10:05am

World

Ex-secretary of state Pompeo to join Fox News

He was on the front lines of the Trump administration's standoff with China.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 10:03am

Stocks

Asian markets mostly down but optimism remains

"A lot of investors are worried about the stock market highs, but that doesn't mean it can't get higher, and the economic conditions are certainly set up for a positive equity environment," she told Bloomberg TV.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 10:02am

World

Polls open in Djibouti as veteran ruler Guelleh seeks fifth term

In 2018, seeking to become a trade and logistics hub, the country launched the first phase of what will be Africa's biggest free-trade zone, financed by China.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 09:59am

Sports

Bulls beat Raptors in battle of playoff contenders

Also, Jimmy Butler scored 28 points to lead the host Miami Heat to a 110-104 win over the mistake-prone Los Angeles Lakers.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 09:58am

Stocks

Hong Kong shares down at lunch

The Hang Seng Index fell 0.72 percent, or 210.00 points, to 28,798.07.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 09:56am

World

Belfast in turmoil as Brexit stokes tensions in Northern Ireland

Nationalist and unionist communities in Belfast are often separated by towering "peace walls" to guard against projectiles.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 09:54am

Technology

The fiery chief of Russia's troubled space programme

Its new Vostochny Cosmodrome, purpose built for dispatching satellites to space, is underused, and its ongoing construction has been scandalised by corruption.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 09:52am

Pakistan reports over 5,300 COVID-19 cases for second consecutive day

The country reported 5,312 new cases and 105 new deaths in 24 hours.
54,948 tests were conducted across the country during the last 24 hours.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 09:47am

World

Biden attempts to tackle US gun violence 'epidemic'

Other measures include boosting support for agencies involved in tackling community violence and ordering the first comprehensive report on firearms trafficking in the United States since 2000.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 09:50am

World

US Justice Department seeks to modify oversight for Caribbean refinery

The modification to the consent decree is unrelated to the EPA's revocation of an expansion permit for the refinery last month, the agency said.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 09:47am

Commodities

CBOT wheat futures rise on European cold snap

CBOT May soft red winter wheat settled 12-1/2 cents higher at $6.28-3/4 per bushel.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 09:46am

Commodities

Corn set for 2nd week of gains on strong demand, lower US planting

Wheat rose as a cold spell this week in France, the European Union's top wheat grower, brought record temperature lows for April, tempering recent optimism about harvest prospects.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 09:44am

Commodities

Corn falls from 1-week high, set to finish week up 3%

The US Energy Information Administration reported ethanol stocks at the lowest since November and as rain forecast for much of the US Midwest threatened planting.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 09:42am

Bullion Rate

Gold set for first weekly gain in three on weakening dollar

The US central bank intends to maintain its ultra-easy stance even though data suggest the economy revving up.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 09:41am

Stocks

Tech rally leads S&P to record high as Treasury yields dip, dollar softens

US crude fell 0.28% to settle at $59.60 per barrel, while Brent settled at $63.20 per barrel, up 0.06% on the day.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 09:38am

Forex

Canadian dollar rebounds from one-week low ahead of jobs data

On a more cautious note for the economy, Ontario, Canada's most populous province, initiated a four-week stay-at-home order as it battles a third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 09:36am

Forex

Dollar set for weekly loss as data, Fed cool bond market

"Markets (are) re-thinking the US dollar exceptionalism view," ANZ Bank analysts said in a note on Friday.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 09:34am

Stocks

Australia shares snap 5-day rally as vaccine rollout suffers setback

Afterpay Ltd climbed 3.12%, while EML Payments Ltd gained 1.22%.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 09:33am

Stocks

Australia shares likely to open flat, NZ rises

In the previous session, the benchmark rose to close at a 13-month high.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 09:32am

World

Australia doubles Pfizer vaccine order as clotting worries upend rollout

"They should have listened to the expert advice that was given to the government, and indeed to all governments, about not placing all our eggs in one basket".

Published 09 Apr, 2021 09:30am

Business & Finance

China factory gate prices rise by most in nearly 3 years as economic recovery quickens

It is the latest indicator to point to robust economic growth in the January-March quarter, after recent data showed Chinese manufacturing activity was strong last month.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 09:28am

World

Hong Kong govt says it will delay receiving AstraZeneca vaccine

Health Secretary Sophia Chan, speaking at a meeting at the city's Legislative Council.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 09:27am

Companies

Toshiba chairman issues cautious statement on CVC's take-private offer

The chairman of Toshiba Corp's board on Friday issued a cautious statement on CVC Capital Partners' recent offer to take the company private.

Published 09 Apr, 2021 09:25am

1bn euros seized as Italy hits at ‘PetrolMafias’

ROME: Dozens of people were arrested Thursday, including a Rolls Royce-riding oil heiress, as Italian police...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:25am

IMF sets 11 new structural benchmarks

ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has set 11 new structural benchmarks (SBs), reset the delayed and...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:25am

Fund projects 8.7pc average CPI inflation

ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected average Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation at 8.7...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:25am

First US official visits Gwadar in 15 years

ISLAMABAD: Chargé d’ affaires Angela Aggeler visited Gwadar on Thursday. Aggeler was the first US official to...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:25am

IMF estimates financing needs at $23.643bn

ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged all key bilateral creditors to maintain their exposure to...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:25am

39-month EFF programme: Govt hasn’t approached IMF for renegotiation: Rigo

ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said that Pakistan has not formally approached it for...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:25am

Pakistan

KP traders meet Afghan deputy minister: Call for making proper consultation to finalize new APTTA

PESHAWAR: A delegation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa businessmen, led by Shahid Hussain, former senior vice president of...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:24am

Pakistan

Murad took up JPMC, NICVD, NICH, census, water distribution issues in CCI

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that he had taken up the issues of three hospitals of...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:24am

Pakistan

Demolition order: IHCBA prays SC to review decision

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) prayed before the apex court to review its decision to...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:24am

Pakistan

Commissioner assures TMAP of full support

KARACHI: Commissio-ner Karachi Naveed Ahmed Shaikh has assured Towel Manufacturers’ Association of Pakistan (TMAP)...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:24am

Pakistan

OCHSL (Kidney Hill) case: AC to indict Mandviwalla, others on 14th

ISLAMABAD: The Accountability Court Islamabad on Thursday fixed April 14 for indictment of former Senate deputy...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:24am

Pakistan

Freedom of expression: PPP rejects any bid to further gag fundamental right

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) rejects any attempts to further gag the fundamental right of freedom of...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:24am

Pakistan

Ordinance approved: Autonomy of HEC curtailed

ISLAMABAD: April 8, 2021: President Dr Arif Alvi has approved the Higher Education Commission Amendment Ordinance...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:24am

Pakistan

600 flats to be given to slum dwellers: PM performs ground-breaking of low-cost housing units

ISLAMABAD: For the first time in country’s history, 600 out of 4,000 apartments will be given to slum dwellers as...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:23am

Pakistan

NBP 1st lucky draw for ‘Spend & Win Campaign’ held

KARACHI: National Bank of Pakistan held the 1st round of lucky draw for its Spend & Win Campaign sponsored by...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:23am

Pakistan

‘Mala fide’ cannot always be proved through direct evidence, SC observes

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court observed that malafide being a state of mind cannot always be proved through direct...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:23am

Pakistan

98 deaths, 5,329 Covid-19 cases reported

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan, Thursday, reported 5,329 Covid-19 cases and 98 deaths taking the cases tally to 705,517 and...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:23am

Pakistan

Minister expresses dissatisfaction over railways freight earning

KARACHI: In a meeting with the top Pakistan Railways management and Karachi division officers, Federal Minister for...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:23am

Pakistan

‘Clean and Green Pakistan’: CCI Pakistan signs MoU with ministry

ISLAMABAD: Coca-Cola Beverages Pakistan Limited (CCI Pakistan) pledged to extend the Prime Minister’s ‘Clean and...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:23am

Pakistan

Modi may attend 19th Saarc summit in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: Speculations were rife in the federal capital, on Thursday, of a possible visit by Indian Prime Minister...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:23am

Pakistan

Dr Ramesh calls on Buzdar

LAHORE: Member National Assembly Dr Ramesh Kumar called on Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar at the CM’s...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:23am

Pakistan

SC expresses annoyance over commissioner’s performance

KARACHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed annoyance over the performance of the commissioner of Karachi and...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:23am

Pakistan

PBC concerned over passage of bill by NA body

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Bar Council opposed the proposed amendments in the Pakistan Penal Code and the Code of...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:23am

Pakistan

Office timings for Ramazan notified

ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Thursday notified new timings for public offices during the holy month of...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:23am

Pakistan

Arrangements during Ramazan: Power Division holds special meeting of DISCOs

LAHORE: Power Division held a video conference of distribution companies (DISCOs) at the Lahore Electric Supply...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:23am

Pakistan

Acquittal of Shaukat Tarin: IHC disposes of plea against NAB’s appeal

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday disposed of a plea seeking early disposal of National...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:23am

Pakistan

Corona positivity rate jumps to 14.02pc in Punjab

LAHORE: The positivity of coronavirus jumps to 14.02 percent in Punjab, as out of 21,325 Covid-19 tests conducted...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:23am

Pakistan

Covid-19 healthcare information: Govt establishes control room in Mayo Hospital

LAHORE: Punjab government has established a control room in Mayo Hospital, Lahore to intimate callers or covid-19...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:23am

Pakistan

SC orders completion of KCR in next 9 months

KARACHI: Karachi Circular Railway should be completed in the next nine months, the Supreme Court ruled on Thursday....

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:23am

Pakistan

Nawaz’s appeals against conviction: IHC disposes of NAB’s plea for early hearing

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC), on Thursday, disposed of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB)’s...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:23am

Pakistan

Ahsan accuses govt of damaging HEC

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) secretary-general Ahsan Iqbal has accused the government of damaging...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:23am

Pakistan

Daska by-election: PML-N to emerge victorious: Rana

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Punjab President Rana Sanaullah on Thursday said the opposition will...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:23am

Pakistan

MCCI inks deal with Odessa ICCI

PESHAWAR: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Mardan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI),...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:23am

Pakistan

Issues related to print, electronic media: NA body seeks recommendations

ISLAMABAD: A sub-committee of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting on...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:23am

Pakistan

Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill 2020: Fawad says ‘absolutely ridiculous idea’

ISLAMABAD: Day after a parliamentary panel passed a bill, proposing a two-year prison sentence and a hefty fine for...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:23am

Pakistan

Private Schools & Colleges Association ends sit-in

ISLAMABAD: Private Schools and Colleges Association, Thursday, ended the sit-in against closure of educational...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:22am

Pakistan

Plea bargain: NAB distributes over Rs1bn among state functionaries

KARACHI: National Accountab-ility Bureau (NAB) Karachi distributed cheques of over Rs 1 billion to various state...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:22am

Pakistan

The Weather

KARACHI: The weather report on Thursday (April 8, 2021) and the forecast for Friday (April 9, 2021)....

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:22am

Pakistan

Motorway from Samundari to Sahiwal to be constructed

LAHORE: Punjab Governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar has said that the construction of a motorway from Samundari to...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:22am

Pakistan

Improvement in rupee value: Benefits must be transferred to masses: PBIF

KARACHI: Chairman of National Business Group and President Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum (PBIF), Mian...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:22am

World

France hits target of 10m jabs

NOGENT-SUR-MARNE, (France): France has given a first jab of a vaccine against Covid-19 to 10 million people, Prime...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:21am

World

Turkey and EU blame each other in ‘sofagate’ scandal

ISTANBUL: Turkey and the EU blamed each other on Thursday for seating arrangements that left European Commission...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:21am

World

Israel says will not cooperate with ICC war crimes probe

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM: Israel on Thursday said it had formally decided not to cooperate with an International Criminal...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:21am

World

George Floyd died from ‘low level of oxygen’

MINNEAPOLIS: A respiratory expert testified on Thursday that George Floyd died from lack of oxygen and police ...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:21am

World

India suffers vaccine shortages as virus surges

MUMBAI: Vaccination centres in parts of India turned people away on Thursday and large parts of the country...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:21am

World

Uganda, Egypt ink security deal

KAMPALA: Uganda’s defence ministry said Thursday it had signed an intelligence-sharing agreement with its Egyptian...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:21am

World

Singapore PM-in-waiting bows out

SINGAPORE: A prominent Singapore minister stepped aside on Thursday as the successor to the premier, in a shock move...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:21am

World

Yellen urges major economies to deploy ‘significant’ new spending

WASHINGTON: US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Thursday urged major economies to deploy “significant” new...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:21am

World

Iran Covid cases hit 2m in ‘meteoric’ rise

TEHRAN: The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Iran passed the two-million mark Thursday, while the daily...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:21am

World

US border apprehensions soar 70pc

WASHINGTON: Apprehensions of undocumented migrants on the US border with Mexico soared 70 percent in March to...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:21am

World

UK businesses not sold on vaccine passport idea

LONDON: Britain’s retail and hospitality sectors have hit out the possibility of vaccine passports after Prime...

Updated 09 Apr, 2021 09:21am

Currency	Rate
USD PKR Interbank Selling / Jun 24	278.40
USD PKR Interbank Buying / Jun 24	278.20
USD to Japanese Yen / Jun 29	161.79
USD to Swiss Franc / Jun 29	0.81
Pound Sterling to USD / Jun 29	1.32
Euro to USD / Jun 29	1.14
SOFR % / Jun 28	3.62

Stock	Volume
S&P 500 / Jun 26	7,354.02
Nasdaq / Jun 26	25,297.62
Dow Jones / Jun 26	51,876.11
India Sensex / Jun 29	76,794.03
Tokyo Nikkei / Jun 29	69,468.11
Hang Seng / Jun 29	23,074.24
FTSE 100 / Jun 29	10,505.10
Germany DAX 30 / Jun 29	24,727.86
France CAC40 / Jun 29	8,371.53

Item	Value
Karachi Cotton PKR/37.32 KG / Jun 24	18,280
Gold 10 Grams PKR / Jun 24	368,985
Petrol/Litre / Jun 29	299.50
Crude Oil USD/Barrel / Jun 29	69.97
Gold Spot USD/Ounce / Jun 29	4,062.78
Diesel/Litre / Jun 29	311.47
Cotton US¢/pound / Jun 29	77.27

Stock	Price
Blue-Ex Ltd / Jun 29 Blue-Ex Limited(BLUEX)	7.16 ▲ 1 (16.23%)
Ghani Chemworld Limited (R) / Jun 29 Ghani Chemworld Limited Right(GCWLR)	9.01 ▲ 1 (12.48%)
Pak Agro Pack. (GEM) / Jun 29 Pak Agro Packaging Limited (GEM)(GEMPAPL)	11.28 ▲ 1.03 (10.05%)
LSE Financial Serv. / Jun 29 LSE Financial Services Limited(LSEFSL)	23.38 ▲ 2.13 (10.02%)
Masood Tex.(Pref) / Jun 29 Masood Textile Mills Limited (Preference)(MSOTPS)	15.04 ▲ 1.37 (10.02%)
Bawany Air Products / Jun 29 Bawany Air Products Limited(BAPL)	30.67 ▲ 2.79 (10.01%)
First Tri-Star Mod. / Jun 29 First Tri-Star Modaraba(FTSM)	39 ▲ 3.55 (10.01%)
Ali Asghar / Jun 29 Ali Asghar Textile Mills Limited(AATM)	63.37 ▲ 5.76 (10%)
Ansari Sug. / Jun 29 Ansari Sugar Mills Limited(ANSM)	30.36 ▲ 2.76 (10%)
Al-Shaheer Corp / Jun 29 Al Shaheer Corporation Limited(ASC)	13.42 ▲ 1.22 (10%)

Stock	Price
UBLPakistanETF / Jun 29 UBLPakistan Enterprise ETF(UBLPETF)	31.71 ▼ -10.18 (-24.3%)
NBP PGETF / Jun 29 NBP Pakistan Growth Exchange Traded Fund(NBPGETF)	29.88 ▼ -5.58 (-15.74%)
First Fid. Leasing / Jun 29 First Fidelity Leasing Modaraba(FFLM)	20.05 ▼ -2.23 (-10.01%)
Buxly Paints / Jun 29 Buxly Paints Limited(BUXL)	226.55 ▼ -25.17 (-10%)
Zuma Resources / Jun 29 Zuma Resources Limited(ZUMA)	94.24 ▼ -10.47 (-10%)
TPL Trakker Ltd / Jun 29 TPL Trakker Limited(TPLT)	22.80 ▼ -2.53 (-9.99%)
Meezan PakistanXD / Jun 29 Meezan Pakistan ETF(MZNPETF)	19.88 ▼ -2.17 (-9.84%)
Data Agro / Jun 29 Data Agro Limited(DAAG)	87.15 ▼ -9.28 (-9.62%)
Leather Up Ltd. / Jun 29 Leather Up Limited(LEUL)	41.50 ▼ -4.41 (-9.61%)
Pak. P.V.C. / Jun 29 Pakistan PVC Limited(PPVC)	31.50 ▼ -3.19 (-9.2%)

Stock	Volume
Sitara Petroleum Service / Jun 29 Sitara Petroleum Service Limited(SPSL)	104,136,884 ▼ -1.03
WorldCall Telecom / Jun 29 Worldcall Telecom Limited(WTL)	73,717,757 ▼ -0.01
K-Electric Ltd. / Jun 29 K-Electric Limited(KEL)	50,957,377 ▼ -0.19
Pak Elektron / Jun 29 Pak Elektron Limited(PAEL)	29,046,218 ▲ 0.46
Ghani Chem. Ind. / Jun 29 Ghani Chemical Industries Limited(GCIL)	24,795,851 ▲ 1.61
B.O.Punjab / Jun 29 The Bank of Punjab(BOP)	23,149,737 ▼ -0.38
Service Long March / Jun 29 Service Long March Tyres Limited(SLM)	21,427,598 ▲ 0.15
Maple Leaf Cement / Jun 29 Maple Leaf Cement Factory Limited(MLCF)	20,772,975 ▼ -0.56
Oilboy Energy / Jun 29 Oilboy Energy Limited(OBOY)	19,775,407 ▲ 0.41
Pak Int.Bulk / Jun 29 Pakistan International Bulk Terminal(PIBTL)	18,655,206 ▼ -0.36