News Archives for World - 2020-12-18

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South Asia

Senior China diplomat urges US to stop 'arbitrary suppression' of Chinese companies

State Councillor: sanctions threaten global security.
Sees room for cooperation on Biden policy priorities.
Says time for US to resume 'objective' China policy.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 11:01pm

USA

Trudeau commits Canada to sharing any extra vaccine doses

As Canada gets vaccinated, if we have more vaccines than necessary, absolutely we will be sharing with the world.
Canada has reserved more vaccine doses per capita than any other country. In the unlikely event that all the experimental vaccines perform well in trials.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 10:54pm

Europe

French President Macron: will continue to work on Brexit despite COVID illness

“I am working at a slightly slower pace because of the virus, but I shall continue to focus on high-priority issues, such as our handling of the epidemic, or for example the Brexit dossier,” said Macron.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 09:34pm

USA

Trudeau commits Canada to sharing any extra vaccine doses

In the unlikely event that all the experimental vaccines perform well in trials, it could access enough doses to vaccinate the Canadian population more than five times over.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 09:13pm

USA

McConnell: COVID-19 relief talks continue to make headway

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Friday talks on coronavirus stimulus remain productive and negotiators are making headway.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 09:11pm

Europe

Sweden registers a record 9,654 new COVID-19 cases on Friday

Sweden's death rate per capita is several times higher than that of its Nordic neighbours but lower than several European countries that opted for lockdowns.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 08:28pm

USA

Still no COVID-19 relief bill as U.S. Congress faces shutdown deadline

Congressional leaders plan to pass the COVID-19 aid as part of sweeping legislation to fund the government through September 2021.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 08:20pm

Europe

Portugal believes Brexit trade deal still possible, says minister

"If not, we have to trade according to World Trade Organisation rules but we cannot renounce a close relationship between Britain and EU," he added.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 08:17pm

USA

U.S. Vice President Pence says Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine could be approved Friday

A panel of outside FDA advisers met to discuss Moderna's vaccine on Thursday and an agency decision on its emergency use authorization was expected as soon as Friday.

Updated 18 Dec, 2020 08:17pm

World

Mysterious N.Korea site may be building nuclear components, report says

The nondescript cluster of buildings called Kangson on the southwest outskirts of Pyongyang was first publicly identified in 2018 by a team of open-source analysts as the possible location of a facility for secretly enriching uranium, a fuel for nuclear bombs.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 07:37pm

World

Trump jumps gun on FDA, says Moderna vaccine 'approved'

The Food and Drug Administration is expected to issue formal approval Friday. This would make Moderna's vaccine the second to be approved in a Western country following the one developed by Pfizer-BioNTech.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 06:47pm

Asia

Mysterious N.Korea site may be building nuclear components, report says

“The characteristics of the site are more consistent with a plant that could manufacture components for centrifuges,” says IAEA official.
The imagery suggests the site lacks the infrastructure needed for enrichment, writes Heinonen, a distinguished fellow with the Stimson Center, the Washington think-tank that runs the project.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 06:42pm

South Asia

India says ready to soon start voluntary COVID-19 vaccination

The country recorded 22,890 new coronavirus infections in the past 24 hours, taking the total to near 10 million, with 144,789 deaths.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 06:37pm

South Asia

China will keep economic operations within reasonable range

China will maintain its proactive fiscal policy and make monetary policy flexible and targeted, Xinhua cited a statement issued after the annual Central Economic Work Conference that was held from Dec 16 to 18.

Updated 18 Dec, 2020 07:03pm

Europe

Spain to begin vaccinating against coronavirus on Dec. 27

Spain will receive a "significant" number of vaccines in the first delivery, Illa said, without being able to specify the exact quantity.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 06:26pm

Europe

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

South Asia

Modi offers talks to end India protests against farm reforms

The government says the change is necessary to boost farm returns and improve storage and other infrastructure.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 05:30pm

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

South Asia

Blast in Ghazni kills 15, mostly children, at Quran reading ceremony

A suspected rickshaw bomb killed at least 15 civilians, including 11 children, on Friday at a Koran recitation ceremony in central Afghanistan.
Killings by small, magnetic bombs placed under vehicles have unnerving Afghan officials, activists and journalists, who blame the Taliban for the attacks.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 05:12pm

World

Gas, marbles and lead pellets: Peru protest deaths turn spotlight on police violence

“We were protecting people who had already fallen to the ground and police kept moving forward and shooting straight at us,” say protestors.
At least half a dozen of those injured were hospitalized for over three weeks. A third person died in protests in northern Peru earlier this month.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 05:11pm

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

New English lockdown can't be ruled out after Christmas, minister suggests

Asked if the whole of England was now headed to towards a national lockdown, Gibb told Sky News: "Nothing is ruled out of course as we tackle this pandemic but the test system is a very effective way... to focus the restrictions."

Published 18 Dec, 2020 05:05pm

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

World

Burundi ex-president Buyoya dies from Covid-19

Buyoya, who was credited with helping push democracy in the small African country but was accused of involvement in his successor's assassination, was hospitalised in Mali's capital Bamako on Wednesday, a family member told AFP.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 04:57pm

World

Biden backs son Hunter after US tax probe revealed

During his unsuccessful re-election campaign, President Donald Trump launched repeated accusations against Hunter and said the Bidens were a "corrupt" family and a "criminal enterprise."

Published 18 Dec, 2020 04:56pm

USA

U.S adding China chipmaker SMIC to economic blacklist, Ross confirms

The department was also adding 11 affiliates of SMIC, Ross said in an interview.
It is seen as the latest in President Donald Trump’s effort to cement his tough-on-China legacy.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 04:55pm

World

Brexit trade talks enter desperate 'final hours'

The European Parliament has demanded that it see the text of any accord by Sunday at the latest, and the UK government says it will not allow talks to go beyond December 31.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 04:53pm

World

Austria to go into third lockdown after Christmas, media report

The lockdown will last longer for those who do not get tested for the coronavirus, while those who test negative will be able to come out of lockdown, several outlets reported.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 04:51pm

South Asia

Japan travel campaign has had impact of at least 1 trillion yen, minister says

Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Monday abruptly halted the subsidy programme over the year-end after the country saw a resurgence in coronavirus infections.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 04:51pm

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

World

Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 73.68 million, death toll at 1,655,425

Infections have been reported in more than 210 countries and territories since the first cases were identified in China in December 2019.

Updated 18 Dec, 2020 05:03pm

Europe

Austria to go into third lockdown after Christmas, media report

The lockdown will last longer for those who do not get tested for the coronavirus, while those who test negative will be able to come out of lockdown.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 04:09pm

World

Pakistani-born Ali Zaidi named deputy climate coordinator in Joe Biden's administration

"I was floored when President-elect Joe Biden called. I still am — profoundly humbled, deeply honoured, and so ready to get to work!" Zaidi tweeted.
He is currently New York’s deputy secretary for energy and environment.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 04:03pm

Europe

Russia reports 28,552 new coronavirus cases, 611 deaths

Authorities also reported 611 deaths in the last 24 hours, pushing the official death toll to 49,762.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 03:33pm

USA

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

South Asia

Sikh diaspora drums up global support for farmers' protest in India

Thousands of Indian farmers protesting against deregulation of agriculture markets are drawing strength from Sikhs around the world who are urging foreign governments to intercede with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Sikhs living overseas, most of whom have families at home tied to the farms, have picked up the thread in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, demonstrating outside Indian embassies to draw attention.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 03:30pm

Europe

EU's Barnier says ‘extremely difficult’ to agree fishing rights in UK trade talks

While Barnier said the sides were striving at an agreement, he said the 27-nation bloc would not sign a deal that would undercut its cherished single market of 450 million consumers.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 02:35pm

World

Lockheed Martin to help Japan build stealth fighter

Lockheed will partner with project leader Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
The new fighter, which is known as the F-3 or F-X and is expected to cost about $40 billion, will replace the F-2

Published 18 Dec, 2020 12:53pm

World

Britain wants Brexit trade deal but prepared to walk away unless EU moves: minister

"It is a very serious situation. We will test every route to seeking a free trade agreement with the European Union, but we cannot do so at the expense of our national sovereignty," Nick Gibb told Sky News.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 12:46pm

World

Iran rejects IAEA chief's call that new agreement needed after Biden takes office

IAEA head Grossi says there had been too many breaches by Iran for the agreement to simply snap back into place when Biden takes office next month
Biden had hinted the United States will rejoin the deal "if Iran resumes strict compliance"

Published 18 Dec, 2020 12:44pm

World

Israeli men going in droves to UAE to "sleep with prostitutes"

Prostitution in Dubai has allowed Israeli men to come to town with thousands of dollars in their pockets just to fulfill their sexual desire
New development comes a month after UAE opened its airspace to Israel

Published 18 Dec, 2020 12:15pm

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

Europe

Britain, EU strike pessimistic tone in post-Brexit trade talks

Britain and the European Union struck a pessimistic tone in trade talks on Thursday, with a spokesman for Prime Minister Boris Johnson saying it was “very likely” there would be no agreement unless the bloc changed its position “substantially”.
Just over two weeks before Britain finally leaves the bloc’s orbit, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was also downbeat, saying it would be “very challenging” to overcome the “big differences” that remained.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 11:21am

World

Lockheed Martin to help Japan build stealth fighter

The new fighter, which is known as the F-3 or F-X and is expected to cost about $40 billion, will replace the F-2. Lockheed had proposed a hybrid design based on its F-35 and F-22 jets, but Japan rejected that in favour of a home-grown design.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 11:15am

World

China to start opening vaccination programme to general public

Sichuan is the first province to outline a timeline of its vaccination plans for the general public.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 11:13am

World

Two dead as super cyclone levels Fiji villages

"It's devastating to see another big cyclone affect Fiji so soon after Cyclone Harold and so close to Christmas," the Red Cross's Suva-based Pacific chief Kathryn Clarkson said.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 11:04am

World

Biden says he is not concerned about accusations against son Hunter

Biden said in an interview on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert."

Published 18 Dec, 2020 11:00am

USA

Mexico reports 11,799 new coronavirus cases, 718 more deaths

The government says the real number of infected people is likely significantly higher than the confirmed cases.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 10:47am

World

With climate change focus, Biden filling environmental, interior posts

Trump, who frequently downplayed the severity of the pandemic and feuded with top US public health officials, was hospitalized in October after testing positive for COVID-19.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 10:27am

World

US Defence Department looks to bolster domestic chip manufacture with new program

The foundries would handle commercial work from US companies and could also provide components to the Defence Department, it said.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 10:15am

World

Australia names new trade minister amid China tensions

Australia's relations between China, its largest trade partner, soured after Canberra called for an independent investigation into the origins of the coronavirus.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 10:09am

USA

Members of Congress will get vaccinated with first round of vaccine: physician

Monahan did not say when the vaccinations would start.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 09:50am

World

Pfizer applies for COVID-19 vaccine approval in Japan

Pfizer said in a statement it had made the application to Japan's Health Ministry, along with providing information on tests it has carried out up to now.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 09:44am

World

Philippines can secure up to 25 mln doses of Moderna, Arcturus vaccines

The Southeast Asian nation had missed out on an opportunity to buy 10 million doses of Pfizer's vaccine for delivery in January, Romualdez said.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 09:40am

World

Australia imposes border curbs as Sydney virus cluster grows; Christmas travel chaos

"Everyone in greater Sydney needs to be on high alert," New South Wales (NSW) state Premier Gladys Berejiklian told a news conference on Friday in announcing 10 new cases.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 09:38am

World

Japan to develop longer-range anti-ship missiles

The missiles would allow Japan to expand a strategy known as anti-access area denial (A2AD), that is meant to stop foreign forces from operating freely in waters close to home territory.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 09:35am

World

Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 73.65 million, death toll at 1,654,920

Infections have been reported in more than 210 countries.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 09:30am

Europe

Google wins EU antitrust nod for $2.1 billion Fitbit deal

Alphabet’s Google won EU antitrust approval on Thursday for its $2.1 billion bid for Fitbit after agreeing restrictions on how it will use customers’ health related data.
The deal had triggered criticism from privacy advocates on both sides of the Atlantic, consumer organisations and Google rivals about the company’s market power and the use of people’s health data in targeted advertising.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 09:30am

World

US FDA advisory panel sets stage for Moderna vaccine authorization

The FDA is expected to grant EUA late on Thursday or Friday.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 09:27am

Asia

South Korea reports more than 1,000 coronavirus cases for third straight day

Chung did not give any details but media has reported some bars trying to beat the bans by passing themselves off as restaurants.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 09:22am

Europe

Germany's confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 33,777

The reported death toll rose by 813 to 24,938, the tally showed.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 09:19am

World

Algerian state tightens screws on online media

State restrictions can be circumvented with VPN technology, but they do impact audience size -- and therefore crucial private advertising revenues.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 09:16am

World

Cuba offers talks with Biden after Trump tensions

Soon after Biden's November 3 election victory, Diaz-Canel said he saw a new chance of building a constructive relationship.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 09:14am

USA

California judge allows San Diego strip clubs to stay open

"The state and the county are analyzing the scope of the ruling and discussing next steps, which includes seeking clarity from the court," San Diego County said on Twitter.

LONDON: Big Ben — an enduring symbol of Britishness for more than 150 years — will toll as the Brexit transition...

Published 18 Dec, 2020 02:53am

World

Canada OKs design changes to Boeing 737 MAX

OTTAWA: Canada said Thursday it has approved design changes that Boeing made to 737 MAX planes after two fatal...

Updated 18 Dec, 2020 03:13am

World

EU parliament adopts rules to keep Eurotunnel working

BRUSSELS: The European Parliament adopted temporary rules on Thursday to allow the Eurotunnel handling vehicle and...

Published 18 Dec, 2020 02:53am

World

US, EU deal on aircraft subsidies should include China clause: USTR

WASHINGTON: The United States and Europe should agree to cooperate in opposing any future “hurtful” subsidies...

Published 18 Dec, 2020 02:53am

Europe

Macron tests positive for COVID-19, European leaders rush for tests

Macron had numerous recent meetings with EU leaders.
Believed to have contracted virus at EU summit last week.
Said to be tired with cough, may move to palace retreat.
Wife Brigitte tested negative but is self-isolating
France among European nations hardest hit by COVID-19.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 12:37am

USA

Biden poised to name EPA chief, to get COVID-19 vaccine in public to build support

The expected nomination of Michael Regan, according to three sources with knowledge of the discussions.
Biden's focus on confronting climate change marks a sharp change from the four years of President Donald Trump's administration.

Published 18 Dec, 2020 12:27am

Previous Day

BR100
BR30
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KSE30
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Forex
World
Commodity

Currency	Rate
USD PKR Interbank Selling / Nov 6	276.86 ▼ -0.01
USD PKR Interbank Buying / Nov 6	276.66 ▼ -0.01
USD to Japanese Yen / Nov 6	158.48 ▲ 0.94
USD to Swiss Franc / Nov 6	0.82 ▲ 0.0045
Pound Sterling to USD / Nov 6	1.34 ▼ -0.01
Euro to USD / Nov 6	1.11 ▼ -0.0077
SOFR % / Nov 5	3.92 ▼ -0.02

Stock	Volume
S&P 500 / Nov 6	7,376.66
India Sensex / Nov 6	81,028.02
Tokyo Nikkei / Nov 6	57,434.77
Nasdaq / Nov 6	24,579.42
Hang Seng / Nov 6	24,481.86
FTSE 100 / Nov 6	10,673.94
Dow Jones / Nov 6	51,285.73
Germany DAX 30 / Nov 6	25,820.36
France CAC40 / Nov 6	8,139

Item	Value
Petrol/Litre / Nov 8	346
Diesel/Litre / Nov 8	378
Crude Oil USD/Barrel / Nov 6	90.83
Karachi Cotton PKR/37.32 KG / Nov 6	18,080
Gold 10 Grams PKR / Nov 6	367,914
Gold Spot USD/Ounce / Nov 6	4,070.80
Cotton US¢/pound / Nov 6	82.79

Gainers
Losers
Leaders

Stock	Price
Chenab Ltd (Pref) / Nov 6 Chenab Limited (Pref)(CLCPS)	4.72 ▲ 0.72 (18%)
Security Investment Bank / Nov 6 Security Investment Bank Limited(SIBL)	7.53 ▲ 1 (15.31%)
Pervez Ahmed Consultancy / Nov 6 Pervez Ahmed Consultancy Services Ltd.(PASL)	7.96 ▲ 1 (14.37%)
LSE Financial Serv. / Nov 6 LSE Financial Services Limited(LSEFSL)	2.63 ▲ 0.29 (12.39%)
Ningbo Green Light / Nov 6 Ningbo Green Light Energy Limited(NGLEL)	12.62 ▲ 1.15 (10.03%)
First AL-Noor Mod. / Nov 6 First Al-Noor Modaraba(FANM)	12.85 ▲ 1.17 (10.02%)
Grays Leasing / Nov 6 Grays Leasing Limited(GRYL)	80.58 ▲ 7.33 (10.01%)
J.A.Textile / Nov 6 J.A. Textile Mills Limited(JATM)	87.51 ▲ 7.96 (10.01%)
ARM Green Industries / Nov 6 ARM Green Industries Limited(ARMG)	74.56 ▲ 6.78 (10%)
Baba Farid Sugar / Nov 6 Baba Farid Sugar Mills Limited(BAFS)	459.83 ▲ 41.8 (10%)

Stock	Price
Bawany Air Products (R) / Nov 6 Bawany Air Products Limited Right(BAPLR1)	0.03 ▼ -0.59 (-95.16%)
Escorts Bank / Nov 6 Escorts Investment Bank Limited(ESBL)	12.14 ▼ -1.35 (-10.01%)
Sindh Modaraba / Nov 6 Sindh Modaraba(SINDM)	65.92 ▼ -7.32 (-9.99%)
Ellcot Spinning / Nov 6 Ellcot Spinning Mills Limited(ELSM)	201.59 ▼ -20.8 (-9.35%)
Unicap Modaraba / Nov 6 Unicap Modaraba(UCAPM)	19.06 ▼ -1.52 (-7.39%)
Premier Insurance (R) / Nov 6 Premier Insurance Limited (RIGHT)(PINLR)	0.65 ▼ -0.05 (-7.14%)
Pak Leather Crafts / Nov 6 Pak Leather Crafts Limited(PAKL)	67.54 ▼ -4.94 (-6.82%)
Universal Ins. / Nov 6 The Universal Insurance Company Limited(UVIC)	18.98 ▼ -1.24 (-6.13%)
Paramount Mod / Nov 6 First Paramount Modaraba(FPRM)	13.55 ▼ -0.82 (-5.71%)
Paramount Spinning / Nov 6 Paramount Spinning Mills Limited(PASM)	9.43 ▼ -0.57 (-5.7%)

Stock	Volume
Bawany Air Products (R) / Nov 6 Bawany Air Products Limited Right(BAPLR1)	687,381,117 ▼ -0.59
Tasdeeq Info. Serv. / Nov 6 Tasdeeq Information Services Limited(TISL)	140,783,607 ▲ 0.29
WorldCall Telecom / Nov 6 Worldcall Telecom Limited(WTL)	72,154,825 ▲ 0.08
Cnergyico PK / Nov 6 Cnergyico PK Limited(CNERGY)	47,939,154 ▲ 0.04
Media Times Ltd / Nov 6 Media Times Limited(MDTL)	41,329,381 ▼ -0.07
TPL Properties / Nov 6 TPL Properties Limited(TPLP)	25,069,293 ▲ 0.25
Trust Sec.& Brok. / Nov 6 Trust Securities & Brokerage Limited(TSBL)	24,996,297 ▲ 0.04
Pervez Ahmed Consultancy / Nov 6 Pervez Ahmed Consultancy Services Ltd.(PASL)	24,970,440 ▲ 1
Ist.Capital Sec / Nov 6 First Capital Securities Corporation(FCSC)	21,500,857 ▲ 0.23
B.O.Punjab / Nov 6 The Bank of Punjab(BOP)	21,284,920 ▼ -0.76

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