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COVID19

UK PM Johnson says he hopes to avoid another lockdown for England

"Obviously we're hoping very much that we'll be able to avoid anything like that," Johnson told reporters. "But the reality is that the rates of infection have increased very much in the last few weeks."

Published 18 Dec, 2020 06:03pm

World

Covid-19 vaccine delivery to poor countries to start in early 2021: WHO

Announcing the agency had secured nearly two billion doses of vaccine candidates, the WHO said in a statement that this would "enable all participating economies to have access to doses in the first half of 2021, with first deliveries anticipated to begin in the first quarter of 2021."

Updated 18 Dec, 2020 06:46pm

Business & Finance

Zoom's Christmas gift: no cap on call lengths over the holidays

Zoom Video Communications Inc, whose technology has become a feature of household get togethers in 2020’s socially distanced world.

Updated 18 Dec, 2020 07:03pm

Pakistan

National COVID positivity surges at 7.59 percent; 2,447 patients critical

The positivity ratio was determined on the basis of positive cases appearing in 100 samples of COVID-19 patients.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 05:44pm

Pakistan

Smart lockdown to be extended in 10 areas of Hyderabad from Dec 19

The SSP, all wing commanders and Assistant Commissioners have been directed to implement orders strictly in the best interest of the general public.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 05:37pm

World

Ukraine PM says first COVID-19 vaccines expected in Feb

Separately, Health Minister Maksym Stepanov said Ukraine wanted to resume production of its own vaccine candidate and a clinical trial was being prepared, without giving details.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 05:15pm

World

Swiss coronavirus cases surpass 400,000, deaths top 6,000

The total number of confirmed cases in Switzerland and neighbouring principality Liechtenstein increased to 403,989, the death toll rose by 120 to 6,003, and 184 new hospitalisations kept pressure on the health care system.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 05:09pm

World

New virus restrictions threaten Hong Kong's last true junk boat

But the wooden ship has been docked after new measures to stem a fourth wave of the coronavirus were introduced earlier this month, threatening the city's last remaining antique junk.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 05:06pm

World

Hungary to start vaccinations, launch anti-COVID economic measures

Hungary's economy took a big hit in the pandemic, and the government expects gross domestic output to shrink by about 6% in 2020 followed by a modest rebound in 2021.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 05:04pm

Markets

Dollar consolidates losses after week-long drubbing

The dollar index recovered on the day and was last up 0.2pc just short of 90, but remained on track for a fall of 1pc over the week. It had reached its lowest in more than two years at 89.723 on Thursday.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 04:57pm

World

Australian virus cluster triggers travel clampdown

The outbreak follows a period of relative normality in the city after it proved a success in keeping a lid on the virus in recent months.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 04:50pm

Pakistan

Sindh finalise plan for COVID-19 vaccination

The province has crossed over 200,000 infections as Pakistan reported more than 2,500 coronavirus cases in past 24 hours for the third day in a row.
In the first phase, health workers and medical staff will receive the vaccine.

Updated 18 Dec, 2020 04:55pm

Markets

Dollar consolidates losses after week-long drubbing

The dollar rebounded as much as half a percent against the yen to 103.595 yen but remains 0.5pc down versus the Japanese currency for the week.

Updated 18 Dec, 2020 05:03pm

Business & Finance

Poland's November industrial output beats estimates

While the second wave of COVID-19 has hit Poland hard, recent data has shown that the economic impact has been milder.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 04:14pm

Markets

Indian shares end flat; post seventh weekly jump in longest rally in 20 mths

Infosys Ltd was the top boost to the Nifty 50 index, gaining 2.6pc, private-sector lender HDFC Bank was the top drag, falling 2.1pc.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 03:58pm

Markets

Russian rouble weakens ahead of central bank rate decision

At 0743 GMT, the rouble was 0.7pc weaker against the dollar at 73.32, slipping away from a more than four-month high of 72.6475 hit on Thursday.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 03:48pm

Sports

New Zealand draw first blood in Pakistan T20 series

Pakistan had a rocky preparation for the match when 10 of their touring party tested positive for Covid-19 during quarantine after arriving in New Zealand.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 03:39pm

World

As pandemic rages across U.S., Congress scrambles to reach relief deal

As the coronavirus pandemic roared to new record highs across the United States, it lit a fire in the U.S. Congress, where Republicans and Democrats were scrambling to pass a new round of aid after months of partisan finger-pointing and inaction.
Multiple lawmakers floated the possibility the federal government would run out of money early Saturday morning while the COVID-19 relief negotiations continue.

Updated 18 Dec, 2020 04:27pm

Markets

Oil slips as surge in COVID-19 cases threatens demand

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures slipped 14 cents or 0.29pc, to $48.22 a barrel at 0757 GMT, while Brent crude futures fell 20 cents, or 0.39pc, to $51.30.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 03:23pm

Business & Finance

BOJ to look at more effective ways to resolve inflation conundrum, extends fund scheme

Years of ultra-low interest rates have crushed commercial banks' margin, while its huge asset buying has drawn criticism for drying up liquidity and distorting market pricing.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 02:56pm

Business & Finance

UK retail sales slide as November lockdown shut non-essential stores

Annual sales growth halved to 2.4pc from 5.8pc, but many economists predicted a rapid recovery in December.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 02:52pm

Pakistan

Sindh reports highest number of death from COVID-19 in past 24 hrs

Overall 83 people died across the country in past 24 hours out of which 51 fatalities are from Sindh.
The province’s mortality rate remained highest in today’s tally, whereas, the rate of positive coronavirus cases stands at 17.71 pc in the Sindh capital Karachi.

Updated 18 Dec, 2020 02:29pm

Sports

Former champ Thompson leads LPGA Tour Championship

Three birdies and a bogey saw her make the turn at two-under, and she added three birdies coming home.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 11:50am

World

Brazil records more than 1,000 Covid deaths in 24 hours: official

The health ministry expects to vaccinate 70 percent of the population -- some 150 million people -- within 16 months.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 11:47am

Sports

Pakistan win toss and bat in first New Zealand T20

"We know they're a quality side but we're up for a challenge and I think we're ready," he said.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 11:40am

Markets

Australia shares fall as COVID-19 restrictions return

The S&P/ASX 200 index declined 1.2% to finish the day at 6,675.50. However, for the week, it added 0.5% in its seventh straight weekly gain.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 11:28am

Markets

South Africa's rand retreats after scaling new 10-month high

Congressional negotiators in Washington were scrambling to agree on details of a $900 billion COVID-19 aid bill.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 11:19am

Business & Finance

FedEx profit leaps on rate hikes, e-commerce shipments

FedEx has been managing a flood of e-commerce volume by incentivizing customers to move packages on the weekend, when its network is not as busy.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 10:57am

Markets

Japan raises GDP outlook for FY2021 on lift from stimulus package

Consumer prices remain subdued due to weak domestic demand and the government' discount travel campaign to support the tourism industry.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 10:41am

Markets

Exxon Baytown, Texas, refinery to shut large FCC in early Jan due to low demand

The 90,000-bpd FCC 2 will remain in operation while FCC 3 is shut, the sources said.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 10:34am

Forex
World
Commodity

Currency	Rate
USD PKR Interbank Selling / Apr 24	278.50
USD PKR Interbank Buying / Apr 24	278.25
USD to Japanese Yen / Apr 24	154.89
USD to Swiss Franc / Apr 24	0.91
Pound Sterling to USD / Apr 24	1.24
Euro to USD / Apr 24	1.07

Stock	Volume
S&P 500 / Apr 23	5070.55
Nasdaq / Apr 23	15696.64
Dow Jones / Apr 23	38503.69
India Sensex / Apr 24	73884
Tokyo Nikkei / Apr 24	38460.08
Hang Seng / Apr 24	17176.31
FTSE 100 / Apr 24	8079.79
Germany DAX 30 / Apr 24	18202.76

Item	Value
Karachi Cotton PKR/37.32 KG / Apr 23	21035
Gold 10 Grams PKR / Apr 23	213220
Petrol/Litre / Apr 24	293.94
Crude Oil USD/Barrel / Apr 24	83.46
Gold Spot USD/Ounce / Apr 24	2319
Diesel/Litre / Apr 24	290.38

Gainers
Losers
Leaders

Stock	Price
786 Invest Ltd / Apr 24 786 Investments Limited(786)	5 ▼ 0.00 (0.00%)
AL-Abbas Sugar / Apr 24 Al-Abbas Sugar Mills Limited(AABS)	585 ▼ 0.00 (0.00%)
Agro Allianz / Apr 24 Agro Allianz Limited(AAL)	16 ▼ 0.00 (0.00%)
AL-Abid Silk / Apr 24 Al-Abid Silk Mills Limited(AASM)	3.49 ▼ 0.00 (0.00%)
Ali Asghar / Apr 24 Ali Asghar Textile Mills Limited(AATM)	2.07 ▼ 0.00 (0.00%)
Allied Bank / Apr 24 Allied Bank Limited(ABL)	87.10 ▼ 0.00 (0.00%)
Abbott Lab. / Apr 24 Abbott Laboratories (Pakistan) Limited(ABOT)	499.34 ▼ 0.00 (0.00%)
Abson Ind. / Apr 24 Abson Industries Limited(ABSON)	2.50 ▼ 0.00 (0.00%)
Alfalah ETF. / Apr 24 Alfalah Consumer Index ETF.(ACIETF)	9.84 ▼ 0.00 (0.00%)

Stock	Price
786 Invest Ltd / Apr 24 786 Investments Limited(786)	5 ▲ 0.00 (0.00%)
AL-Abbas Sugar / Apr 24 Al-Abbas Sugar Mills Limited(AABS)	585 ▲ 0.00 (0.00%)
Agro Allianz / Apr 24 Agro Allianz Limited(AAL)	16 ▲ 0.00 (0.00%)
AL-Abid Silk / Apr 24 Al-Abid Silk Mills Limited(AASM)	3.49 ▲ 0.00 (0.00%)
Ali Asghar / Apr 24 Ali Asghar Textile Mills Limited(AATM)	2.07 ▲ 0.00 (0.00%)
Allied Bank / Apr 24 Allied Bank Limited(ABL)	87.10 ▲ 0.00 (0.00%)
Abbott Lab. / Apr 24 Abbott Laboratories (Pakistan) Limited(ABOT)	499.34 ▲ 0.00 (0.00%)
Abson Ind. / Apr 24 Abson Industries Limited(ABSON)	2.50 ▲ 0.00 (0.00%)
Alfalah ETF. / Apr 24 Alfalah Consumer Index ETF.(ACIETF)	9.84 ▲ 0.00 (0.00%)

Stock	Volume
P.I.A.C.(A) / Apr 24 Pakistan International Airlines Corp(PIAA)	47,200,500 ▲ 0.00
Cnergyico PK / Apr 24 Cnergyico PK Limited(CNERGY)	29,719,327 ▲ 0.00
Pak Petroleum / Apr 24 Pakistan Petroleum Limited(PPL)	21,170,581 ▲ 0.00
Pak Refinery / Apr 24 Pakistan Refinery Limited(PRL)	16,965,134 ▲ 0.00
The Searle Co. / Apr 24 The Searle Company Limited(SEARL)	15,793,227 ▲ 0.00
P.T.C.L. / Apr 24 Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd(PTC)	15,054,641 ▲ 0.00
K-Electric Ltd. / Apr 24 K-Electric Limited(KEL)	14,145,556 ▲ 0.00
WorldCall Telecom / Apr 24 Worldcall Telecom Limited(WTL)	13,158,668 ▲ 0.00
Telecard Limited / Apr 24 Telecard Limited(TELE)	12,358,668 ▲ 0.00

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