News Archives for World - 2021-01-29

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Europe

France's Macron says nuclear talks with Iran will be strict

It said Macron told a media briefing that included the Saudi-owned channel that a very short time remained to prevent Iran from having a nuclear weapon.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 08:46pm

Europe

Germany restricts travel from virus variant countries

"In addition to existing test and quarantine rules ... a temporary limitation shall be imposed on carriage of travellers from countries designated as regions with variants," reads the regulation.
Other European Union governments are considering similar measures, the government document added.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 08:42pm

Europe

Almost 1 million Russian civilians have received COVID-19 shot

The country's mass inoculation drive with the domestically produced Sputnik V vaccine began in December for certain groups and was then opened up to the general population in early January.
Sputnik V is administered in two doses, with the booster shot given 21 days after the first. The tally covered the number of people who have received at least one dose.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 08:33pm

Europe

Portugal parliament approves law to legalise euthanasia

The process will only be open to national citizens and legal residents in order to prevent people from travelling to Portugal to get medical help to end their life.
The law is now in the hands of President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, a conservative, for a final stamp of approval.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 08:26pm

USA

Canada economy better than expected in November, but impact of COVID-19 surge looms

The Canadian economy probably posted its biggest GDP drop on record in 2020, likely down 5.1% on the year,
"Canadian GDP ended 2020 on a much firmer footing than broadly expected, albeit after a brutal year," said Doug Porter, chief economist at BMO Capital Markets, in a note.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 08:21pm

USA

US consumer spending falls again; inflation gradually rising

Consumer spending falls 0.2% in December.
Inflation adjusted consumer spending drops 0.6%.
Core PCE price index rises 0.3%; up 1.5% year-on-year.
Employment cost index increases 0.7% in fourth quarter.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 08:19pm

Europe

EU agrees vaccine export controls plan until end-March

EU trade commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis told a news conference the export controls were "time limited and specifically applied to those COVID-19 vaccines that were agreed by advanced purchase agreements.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 08:13pm

USA

US SEC will review actions inhibiting trading of some securities

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) officials warned against illegal "manipulative trading activity" .
The Commission will closely review actions taken by regulated entities that may disadvantage investors or otherwise unduly inhibit their ability to trade certain securities.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 08:08pm

Europe

Sweden registers 2,400 new COVID-19 cases, 71 deaths on Friday

New cases have come down significantly over the last few weeks and Friday's figure was the lowest daily registered increase for over three months.
Sweden's death rate per capita is several times higher than that of its Nordic neighbours.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 08:03pm

USA

Chile says manufacturing up 0.4%, copper output down in December

Meanwhile the South American country's copper output declined 8.7% to 506,891 tonnes in December, INE said on Friday.
Chile's major copper industry was one of the least affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, despite restrictions imposed to try to contain the spread of the virus.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 08:01pm

South Asia

India's Haryana state blocks internet after clashes at farmers' protest

Mobile internet in 15 of 22 districts in Haryana state bordering the capital New Delhi will be unavailable until 1700 local time on Saturday.
The protesting farmers want the government to withdraw three new farm laws that they say will hurt their livelihoods for the benefit of large private produce buyers.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 07:59pm

USA

Brazil govt debt ends 2020 at record high 89.3pc of GDP

The public sector deficit in December excluding interest payments was 51.8 billion reais ($9.5 billion), the central bank said, close to the 51.5 billion reais median estimate in a Reuters poll of economists.
The nominal deficit in December including interest payments widened to 75.8 billion reais, the central bank said, resulting in an annual deficit of 1.02 trillion reais, or 13.7% of GDP.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 07:43pm

Europe

UK offers Hong Kong residents a route to citizenship, angering China

Johnson's hails citizenship offer for Hong Kong residents.
Britain says China crushing dissent in Hong Kong.
China says BNO passports no longer recognised.
- Hong Kong says it will not recognise BNO passports.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 07:33pm

USA

US consumer spending falls for second straight month in December

Consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of US economic activity, slipped 0.2% last month after dropping 0.7% in November.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 07:25pm

USA

Biden election to fan US wind industry, Siemens Gamesa predicts

Prior to Biden's victory, the United States was expected to add about 10 gigawatt of onshore wind power every year.
That situation had "clearly changed", he added, forecasting opportunities despite a pledge by Biden to buy American-made goods.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 07:21pm

USA

Canada GDP up 0.7pc in November, Q4 GDP seen up 1.9pc

Canada's 2020 GDP most likely fell 5.1%, Statscan said in a preliminary estimate. The goods-producing sector posted a 1.2% increase in November, while the service-producing sector grew by 0.5%.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 07:09pm

USA

Mexican economy in 2020 suffers worst slump since Great Depression

Gross domestic product (GDP) in Latin America's second-biggest economy shrank by 8.5% last year in seasonally-adjusted terms.
During the final three months of 2020, GDP advanced by 3.1% from the previous quarter in adjusted terms, beating the prediction for 2.8% growth.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 07:02pm

Europe

UNICEF chief sees H1 ‘crush’ in COVID-19 vaccine demand easing in H2

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman and ceo of DP World which signed a partnership with UNICEF earlier this week.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 06:58pm

Africa

Kenya aims to vaccinate 16 million people against COVID-19 by June 2022

The objective is to vaccinate 16 million against COVID-19 by June next year, she told a news conference. "If more vaccines become available...then this target may change," she said.
The third phase, to unfold concurrently with the second, will be aimed at 4.9 million people including those living in congested areas and seen as particularly vulnerable, she said.

Updated 29 Jan, 2021 06:55pm

World

Pakistan to move completely to e-visa services from February 1

Pakistan has announced that it will shift entirely to e-visa services from the 1st of February, phasing out the currently antiquated manual visa system.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 06:28pm

South Asia

Thailand on track to distribute locally made COVID-19 vaccines in June

Thailand's vaccine strategy revolves around production of AstraZeneca shots by local firm Siam Bioscience, owned by the Thai king's vast business holdings.
Siam Bioscience underwent a five-day virtual audit in December and all the batches it produces will also undergo quality testing.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 06:24pm

China

China sharpens language, warns Taiwan that independence 'means war'

China toughened its language towards Taiwan on Thursday, warning after recent stepped up military activities near the island that “independence means war” and that its armed forces were acting in response to provocation and foreign interference.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 06:23pm

Europe

Euro zone economies' plucky Q4 belies troubled growth outlook

Germany and Spain eke out narrow Q4 growth.
France contracts by less than expected.
But vaccine roll-out issues, restrictions blight outlook.
IMF sees euro zone recovery lagging US, Japan.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 06:04pm

Europe

Slovenia's 2020 budget gap narrower than forecast

"Revenues amounted to 9.08 billion euros, or 10.4% lower than in 2019, while expenditures rose 26.8% from 2019, reaching 12.57 billion euros," the ministry said.
In 2021, the government expects a budget gap of 2.75 billion euros, or 5.6% of GDP.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 06:02pm

Europe

EU agrees 'dark red' COVID-19 zones with stricter travel limits

The EU has already set up a "traffic light" system to designate the seriousness of the spread of the novel coronavirus in each of its 27 states and to try to limit travel.
At the same time, Germany and other countries announced they intended to take additional travel measures to curb the spread of the virus.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 05:55pm

South Asia

India's Dec infrastructure output down 1.3pc y/y

Infrastructure output, which comprises eight sectors including coal, crude oil and electricity and accounts for nearly 40% of industrial output.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 05:48pm

Asia

China executes ex-banker Lai Xiaomin in corruption, bigamy case

Lai Xiaomin was convicted of receiving or seeking bribes totalling 1.788 billion yuan ($276.72 million) from 2008 to 2018.
The report did not specify how Lai was executed, but said he was allowed to meet with close relatives before his death.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 05:48pm

Europe

Personal data stolen from Dutch coronavirus track-and-trace programme

Confirmation of the leaks follows violent protests over a government decision to impose a night-time curfew in addition to a months-long lockdown to try to control the pandemic.
"If people who mean ill intentionally take data out of a system, that's almost impossible to stop," the GGD said.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 05:46pm

Europe

Ukraine president approves sanctions against China's Skyrizon

The United States has opposed Chinese investors acquiring Motor Sich and in the final days of the administration of President Donald Trump.
The sanctions block the company's assets, restrict their trading operations and prevent it from moving capital outside of Ukraine.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 05:44pm

Middle East

Lebanese leaders condemn violence after Tripoli unrest

Protesters set Tripoli municipality building on fire.
Tripoli is Lebanon's poorest city, prone to unrest.
Billionaire native says may have to carry arms for protection.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 05:41pm

USA

Bolivian doctors demand lockdown as COVID surge threatens health service 'collapse'

At the rate we are going, there will be a total collapse," said Ricardo Landivar, a director of the La Paz Medical College.
Health workers' and doctors' unions are demanding that leftist President Luis Arce return to lockdown until the current COVID wave - Bolivia's second - passes.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 05:32pm

South Asia

India projects annual economic growth of 11pc for 2021/22

The survey's projections form the basis for key figures in the budget, due to be delivered on Monday by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
India has started inoculating millions of people with two vaccines - Serum Institute from India's COVISHIELD.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 05:11pm

USA

US COVID vaccine hopeful using Gates Foundation cash to prepare for human trial

"We believe there is real potential," Vandenberghe said in an interview. "That being said, we're not naive. There's 300 vaccines racing towards the door and biology is complex."
AAVs are already used in gene therapies sold by Novartis , including its $2.1 million-per-patient Zolgensma for spinal muscular atrophy.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 05:06pm

Europe

Hungary's drug regulator approves China’s Sinopharm vaccine

The government opened the door to the Chinese vaccine on Thursday when it announced that it would grant emergency use approval to any shot already administered to at least a million people anywhere in the world.
“We have practically made an agreement with Sinopharm,” Gulyas said. “The first shipment could include up to one million doses.”

Published 29 Jan, 2021 04:33pm

Europe

Hospital fire kills four Covid-19 patients in Romania

Five others injured in the fire later died of their injuries.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 02:33pm

World

UN, foreign missions sound alarm over Myanmar coup fears

Their call for voter list verification ramped up this week, with an army spokesman on Tuesday refusing to rule out the possibility of a military takeover to deal with what he called a political crisis.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 02:32pm

World

Pfizer vaccine not linked to post-jab deaths: EU regulator

The EU watchdog has so far approved two vaccines, by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 02:12pm

World

First known US cases of potent South African COVID-19 variant found in South Carolina

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has predicted the UK variant could become the dominant strain in the United States by March.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 01:29pm

World

COVID-19 pandemic: Pfizer vaccine proves 92% effective in Israel, reveal trial results

Report states 31 out of 163,000 Israelis vaccinated by Maccabi Healthcare Services are diagnosed with COVID-19 in their first 10 days of full-strength protection
An equivalent sample of unvaccinated Israelis is 11 times more likely to be diagnosed with the coronavirus, which allowed it to calculate the effectiveness rate: Analyst

Published 29 Jan, 2021 01:11pm

Asia

Japan's jobless rate steady at 2.9% in December

The jobs-to-applicants ratio was 1.06, matching a Reuters poll forecast and unchanged from the previous month, labour ministry data showed.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 12:20pm

World

US Justice Department probes SpaceX after hiring discrimination complaint

The Justice Department's Immigrant and Employee Rights division received a complaint of employment discrimination from a non-US citizen, who alleged that SpaceX discriminated against him based on his citizenship status.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 12:19pm

Europe

UK PM Johnson 'immensely proud' as visa offer for Hong Kong citizens launches

The 250 pound ($340) visa could attract over 300,000 people and their dependents to Britain and generate up to 2.9 billion pounds net benefit to the British economy over the next five years, according to government forecasts.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 12:16pm

World

AstraZeneca to seek Japan's approval of COVID-19 vaccine as early as mid-Feb

AstraZeneca did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 12:09pm

World

UN chief says any military confrontation between Pakistan, India will be 'disaster of unmitigated proportions'

“It is clear when seeing Pakistan and India, any military confrontation between the two would be a disaster of unmitigated proportions for both countries and for the whole world,” Guterres said.
It is absolutely essential for the two neighbors to be able to 'come together and seriously discuss their problems', the UN Secretary-General said.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 11:47am

World

Copper giant Peru says mining allowed during new coronavirus lockdown

Mining is considered the engine of the local economy since its exports represent 60% of shipments from Peru.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 11:44am

Asia

Vietnam coronavirus outbreak spreads to Hanoi as nine more cases confirmed

The health ministry has proposed halting international flights and banning large gatherings ahead of the Lunar New year holiday season, just two weeks away.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 11:40am

World

British firm threatens to seize Indian govt's assets to recover $1.2 billion

Cairn Energy has started collecting details regarding the Indian assets to retrieve the payable amount
The international tribunal, in its decision, stated that the Indian planes and ships could be seized after it violated a 2014 agreement

Published 29 Jan, 2021 11:24am

World

Mexico's COVID-19 death toll surpasses India, becomes world's third highest

In Mexico City, hospitals are nearing capacity and a shortage of oxygen tanks has complicated the treatment of patients.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 11:13am

Middle East

UK bans direct flights from UAE, shutting world's busiest international route

Britain is banning direct passenger flights to and from the United Arab Emirates from Friday, shutting down the world’s busiest international airline route from Dubai to London.
Britain said it was adding the United Arab Emirates, Burundi and Rwanda to its coronavirus travel ban list because of worries over the spread of a more contagious and potentially vaccine-resistant COVID-19 variant first identified in South Africa.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 11:10am

World

UK bans direct flights from UAE, shutting world's busiest international route

The Australian government said it will add more charter flights from Britain if needed as a result of the Emirates and Etihad cancellations.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 10:58am

USA

IPRI hosts a webinar on Social Media in the Times of War and Peace

The Islamabad Policy Research Institute held a webinar on "Social Media in the Times of War and Peace" on the 27th of January, featuring a prestigious panel comprising of cyber-security, defense and diplomatic experts.
The panel featured James P. Farwell, expert in information warfare and former advisor to the U.S. Department of Defense, and Emerson T. Brookings, Resident Senior Fellow of Digital Forensic Research Lab at the Atlantic Council.

Updated 29 Jan, 2021 11:09am

World

UN chief calls for US, Iran to work towards nuclear solution

"There's a lot of work to be done," but "I don't expect an immediate solution," Guterres said during a press conference when asked about the possibility of mediating a way out of the impasse.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 10:09am

World

Novavax says Covid-19 vaccine has 89% efficacy in major trial

"NVX-CoV2373 has the potential to play an important role in solving this global public health crisis," said the company's president and CEO Stanley Erck.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 10:07am

World

Taliban have 'not met their commitments' in Afghan peace deal: Pentagon

But he would not say if the Pentagon would cut troop levels to zero by the May deadline.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 10:04am

Middle East

Former Obama aide Malley named Biden's top envoy on Iran: official

President Joe Biden has named Robert Malley as special U.S. envoy for Iran, a senior official said on Thursday, giving the veteran diplomat a leading role in one of most daunting and politically divisive foreign policy challenges facing the new administration.
Malley was a key member of former President Barack Obama’s team that negotiated the 2015 nuclear accord with Iran and world powers.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 10:00am

World

WHO virus experts poised to start Wuhan fieldwork

The experts left a two-week quarantine on Thursday under the glare of the global media.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 09:57am

World

Trump flexes political muscle, meets top House Republican

Pro-Trump Republicans will hold huge sway in the coming years.

Published 29 Jan, 2021 09:53am

World

Containing China is ‘mission impossible’, Beijing warns Biden

BEIJING: Any attempt to contain China is “mission impossible”, the country’s defence ministry warned the US on...

Updated 29 Jan, 2021 09:43am

World

UK PM rules out new Scottish independence vote on pandemic visit

LONDON: Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday rejected calls for a second referendum on independence in Scotland,...

Updated 29 Jan, 2021 09:43am

World

Russia population shrinks by half a million

MOSCOW: The Russian population shrank by more than half a million over the past 12 months, the steepest fall since...

Updated 29 Jan, 2021 09:43am

World

Indian farmers scrap march on parliament after riots

NEW DELHI: Indian farmer unions have scrapped next week’s planned march on parliament against new agricultural...

Updated 29 Jan, 2021 09:43am

World

Iran dismisses US call to return to nuclear deal first

TEHRAN: Iran dismissed Thursday a call by the US for it to return to full compliance of a nuclear deal first,...

Published 29 Jan, 2021 04:55am

World

Europe’s vaccine row worsens as WHO probe set to begin in China

BERLIN: Europe’s row with AstraZeneca worsened Thursday with a German recommendation against administering the...

Published 29 Jan, 2021 04:55am

World

Gunman kills two at French job centre

LYON: A gunman on Thursday shot dead a female employee at a government job centre in southeastern France and then...

Updated 29 Jan, 2021 09:43am

World

New Zealand urges Australia to ‘show respect’ to China

WELLINGTON: A senior New Zealand minister advised Australia to adopt his country’s softly-softly approach to China...

Published 29 Jan, 2021 04:55am

World

EU relaxes state aid rules

BRUSSELS: The EU on Thursday extended until the end of this year the easing of European state aid rules and gave...

Published 29 Jan, 2021 04:55am

Previous Day

BR100
BR30
KSE100
KSE30
KMI30

1D 5D 3M 6M 1Y

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 7	346
Diesel/Litre / Nov 7	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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