Italy has registered 128,063 deaths linked to COVID-19 since its outbreak emerged in February last year, the second-highest toll in Europe after Britain and the eighth-highest in the world. The country has reported 4.35 million cases to date.
Brent crude oil futures were up 92 cents, or 1.2pc, at $75.66 a barrel by 12:05 ET (1605 GMT), having traded as high as $75.74. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil futures were up 90 cents, or 1.3pc, at $73.29 a barrel.
Prices of the metal, traditionally seen as a safe store of wealth, surged to record levels above $2,000 an ounce early in the coronavirus crisis but sagged as economies reopened.
NCOC head and federal minister says enforcement of SOPs is key to control spread of coronavirus
Umar also gives deadline of August 31 to all those working in the transport sector, public sector entities, and students above 18 years of age to get vaccinated
LONDON: British bank Barclays said Wednesday that interim net profits surged more than five-fold on lower-than-expected credit losses linked to the Covid pandemic.