News Archives for World - 2020-12-08

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World - 2020-12-08

Europe

Italy reports 634 COVID-19 deaths on Tuesday, 14,842 new cases

There were 149,232 swabs carried out in the past day, up from a previous 111,217, the ministry said.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 09:42pm

Europe

France's Macron says nuclear will remain key for energy mix

Macron also said during a visit to EDF unit Framatome that studies and work on new-generation nuclear technology would continue.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 09:39pm

Europe

UK reports 12,282 COVID-19 cases, 616 deaths

Britain on Tuesday reported 12,282 cases of COVID-19 and 616 deaths within 28 days of a positive test, according to official data.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 09:36pm

Europe

Turkey's daily COVID-19 deaths at record high 211

Turkey also recorded 33,198 new coronavirus cases, including asymptomatic ones, in the last 24 hours, the highest number reported since the beginning of the pandemic.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 09:20pm

USA

Mexican President wants bill regulating foreign agents to be approved this year

Lopez Obrador said in his regular morning news conference that the new law is necessary because there is not currently a clear regulatory framework in place for foreign agents.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 08:03pm

Europe

Sweden registers 18,820 new COVID-19 cases since Friday

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

Published 08 Dec, 2020 07:53pm

Middle East

Turkey calls on EU to act with common sense, says wants to improve ties

Turkey urged the European Union on Tuesday to use “common sense” to end a dispute over natural gas that has fanned territorial rows in the eastern Mediterranean and drawn a threat of sanctions from the bloc’s leaders.

Updated 08 Dec, 2020 09:28pm

Europe

Dutch coronavirus cases rise for first week since October

There were 43,103 new cases registered in the week ended Dec. 8, the National Institute for Health said in its weekly update, up from 33,949 in the week ended Dec. 1.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 07:38pm

Europe

Switzerland increases order for Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine

The vaccine, mRNA-1273, is currently under review in the country, and Moderna said it could ship it as soon as regulatory approval is granted.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 07:30pm

USA

Mexico aims to sign deal for 35mn doses of China's Cansino Biologics COVID vaccine

Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard also said Mexico will receive a million doses of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine in January, February, and March.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 07:23pm

Europe

Britain and EU announce deal to manage post-Brexit trade with Northern Ireland

On Tuesday, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the scrapping of all "law breaking" clauses from the Brexit legislation, in an effort to revive relations between London and Brussels.
The United Kingdom and the European Union stated that they had agreed a deal on the implementation of the Northern Ireland protocol.

Updated 08 Dec, 2020 07:44pm

Asia

India farmers block railway tracks, roads in national action against new laws

"We have been protesting for months but the government didn't listen to us. They forced us to call for a strike," added another Uttar Pradesh farmer, Mahesh Baliyan.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 07:13pm

Europe

Europe passes 20 million virus infections

Europe is the worst affected region for the disease, which was first detected on the continent at the beginning of the year.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 07:09pm

Pfizer vaccine raises 'no specific safety concerns': US regulator

Data from 38,000 trial participants involved in testing the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine revealed "no specific safety concerns,"

Published 08 Dec, 2020 07:01pm

South Asia

China condemns U.S. sanctions on Chinese officials over Hong Kong crackdown

A spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry's office of the commissioner to Hong Kong also condemned the U.S. move.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 06:58pm

Israel to get initial Pfizer coronavirus vaccine shipment on Thursday, minister says

Pfizer and its partner BioNTech last month agreed to provide Israel with 8 million doses of the vaccine, which Britain on Tuesday became the first country to administer.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 06:45pm

Europe

EU Commission says Brexit talks could continue into 2021

f that deal is not in place on January 1, then we have a no-deal situation. That does not exclude that negotiations can continue, from our side.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 06:35pm

Europe

EU's Barnier says Brexit talks need patience

"I just met David Frost this morning to prepare the next steps," Barnier said on Tuesday.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 06:34pm

Asia

India may authorise some COVID-19 vaccines in weeks, says health secretary

Six vaccines, including Astra Zeneca's Covidshield and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin, are in trial stages, Federal health secretary Rajesh Bhushan told a press conference.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 06:29pm

Europe

Moment may come to end post-Brexit EU trade talks, UK PM Johnson says

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Tuesday that Britain could call an end to post-Brexit trade talks without a deal being reached.
- This statement came only a day after the Prime Minister agreed to meet the European Commission head in a last-ditch attempt to break the stalemate.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 06:27pm

South Korea to buy millions of coronavirus vaccine doses but sees no need to hurry

Its cautious approach comes as the country of almost 52 million people battles surging COVID-19 infections that health authorities say threaten to overwhelm the medical system.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 06:27pm

Europe

Polish PM: Another summit may be needed to decide on EU budget

It may happen that another summit will be necessary... maybe there will be more long months of negotiations and a possible provisional budget.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 06:03pm

Europe

Swedish limit on public gatherings to remain at 8 people over holidays: PM

Sweden, whose rejection of lockdowns and widespread face mask use has left it an outlier in Europe, is in the throes of a second wave of the pandemic that has claimed more than 7,000 lives.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 06:00pm

Europe

UK, Norway and Iceland sign trade continuity deal

The agreement signed on Tuesday means that the majority of trade in goods between the countries will remain tariff-free.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 05:58pm

Europe

Germany speeds up disbursement of coronavirus aid in December

Chancellor Angela Merkel and state leaders have agreed to extend restrictive measures designed to stem a tide of new coronavirus infections until Jan. 10.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 05:56pm

Europe

Russian economy to grow 3.8pc in 2021, rouble to firm - ratings agency head

Major Russian banks, companies and pension funds hold equal shares in ACRA, which is also promoted by the government and the central bank.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 05:44pm

Europe

EU pushing for deal with Switzerland over Christmas skiing: minister

"Concerning Switzerland, talks are ongoing. It's the sole point where coordination is not quite there yet. But we're talking to Swiss authorities to avoid any type of unfair competition".

Published 08 Dec, 2020 05:36pm

Europe

Britain expects next batch of Pfizer vaccine next week: health minister

He said he felt "quite emotional" seeing the pictures of the first vaccination taking place, adding that the programme was starting across 70 hospitals in the UK.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 05:27pm

UK's Johnson thanks health workers after COVID vaccine launch

"We will beat this together," Johnson said in a message on social media, and urged the public to continue to follow guidance aimed at limiting the spread of the coronavirus.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 05:22pm

South Asia

China says will take firm countermeasures after U.S. sanctions on officials

The U.S. move to sanction Chinese officials is "unwarranted and vile behaviour", and China urges it to withdraw the decision, foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 05:18pm

Europe

Germany may need tougher COVID-19 curbs before Christmas, minister says

Under the partial lockdown introduced in early November, restaurants and bars are shut apart from takeaways. Shops and schools remain open.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 05:14pm

Europe

Russia reports 26,097 new coronavirus cases, 562 deaths

Authorities said 562 people had died overnight, taking the official death toll to 44,159.

Updated 08 Dec, 2020 07:08pm

Europe

UK health minister says he will have the COVID-19 jab when appropriate

"I'm looking forward to having it, I'll have it when it's appropriate," Hancock told LBC radio on Tuesday.

Updated 08 Dec, 2020 07:08pm

Middle East

Kuwait emir reappoints Sheikh Sabah al-Khalid as PM

Sheikh Nawaf, who took over the reins of the OPEC member state in September after the death of his brother, has asked Sheikh Sabah to nominate members of a new cabinet for approval by the emir.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 04:54pm

Europe

France confirms severe bird flu outbreak on duck farm

The outbreak was first reported on Monday but at the time it was unclear what strain of the virus it was.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 04:46pm

Europe

British PM Johnson says Brexit is 'very tricky', 'very difficult'

"The situation at the moment is very tricky," Johnson said. "You've got to be optimistic, you've got to believe there's the power of sweet reason."

Published 08 Dec, 2020 04:37pm

Europe

UK PM Johnson says a moment may come when its game over on Brexit

"We will prosper mightily under any version and if we have to go for an Australian solution then that's fine too."

Published 08 Dec, 2020 04:33pm

Europe

Kremlin says Putin may discuss OPEC+ oil deal at govt meeting on Wednesday

He added that Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak will attend the meeting and may inform the president about the issue.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 04:31pm

Biden has chosen retired General Lloyd Austin for defense secretary

Austin was a surprise pick over Michele Flournoy, a former top Defense Department official who was considered the leading contender for the job
Former general will need a waiver from Congress since it has been less than the required seven years since he served

Published 08 Dec, 2020 04:28pm

Europe

UK PM says vaccine will overcome COVID-19 but only gradually

"It will gradually make a huge, huge difference. But I stress gradually, because we're not there yet. We haven't defeated this virus yet,"

Published 08 Dec, 2020 04:27pm

South Asia

U.S. envoy arrives in South Korea amid stalled efforts to restart talks with the North

The visit may be the last for Biegun in his current role, after Trump lost his bid for reelection to Democratic challenger Biden, who will take office in January.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 04:10pm

Europe

Poland has bought over 60 million COVID-19 vaccine doses, PM says

As of Tuesday, Poland, a country of around 38 million people, had reported 1,076,180 cases of the coronavirus and 20,592 deaths.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 03:59pm

Europe

German investor sentiment rises in December, boosted by vaccines

"The announcement of imminent vaccine approvals makes financial market experts more confident about the future," ZEW President Achim Wambach said in a statement.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 03:57pm

Africa

South African economy rebounds in Q3 led by mining, manufacturing

All sectors expanded, with primary sectors registering the biggest growth. Mining jumped 288.3pc, manufacturing was up 210.2pc and trade rose 137pc.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 03:49pm

South Asia

Japan unveils $708bn in fresh stimulus with eye on post-COVID growth

Aside from direct fiscal spending, the package included credit guarantees and loan facilities for small firms facing funding strains caused by the pandemic.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 03:47pm

WHO says immune barrier from vaccines ‘still far off’

"The things that must be done to prevent an increase, an uptick, a surge or whatever you want to call it are the public health measures," she added.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 03:41pm

Europe

British grandma is first in world to get Pfizer vaccine outside trial

Margaret Keenan, a 90-year-old grandmother from Northern Ireland, became the first person in the world on Tuesday to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine shot outside of a trial.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 02:27pm

Charles Yeager, first person to break sound barrier and a great friend of PAF, dies aged 97

Retired Air Force Brigadier General Charles "Chuck" Yeager, a World War II fighter pilot and the test pilot became the first person to break the sound barrier in 1947.
From 1971 to 1973, Yeager was appointed as the United States Defense Representative in Pakistan.

Updated 08 Dec, 2020 03:00pm

Indian farmers' protest: Boxer Amir Khan speaks out against "disturbing scenes of violence"

The boxing champion also expressed solidarity with the members of the Sikh community who are seeking justice and "raising their voices around the world"
Farmers launch nationwide general strike to push their demands for the government to repeal reform laws

Published 08 Dec, 2020 01:24pm

Turkey detains nearly 200 over Gulen links

The raids show no sign of slowing, with almost daily reports of arrest warrants issued despite criticism from Western allies and human rights defenders.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 01:20pm

World Bank sees strong Philippine economic rebound, COVID-19 resurgence a risk

While the World Bank's revised forecast was worse than its previous estimate of a decline of 6.9%, it was slightly better than the government's forecast of an 8.5%-9.5% GDP drop this year.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 01:10pm

Europe

Almost 700,000 people flung into poverty due to pandemic crisis in the U.K: Study

According to a recent study, nearly 700,000 individuals in the United Kingdom, have been flung into poverty as a result of the pandemic.
The onset of the pandemic pushed the total number of poverty stricken individuals in the United Kingdom to more than 15 million, or 23 percent of the population.

Updated 08 Dec, 2020 01:59pm

Roche says three antibodies show blood cancer treatment potential

The data suggest that our novel bispecific antibodies have potential across multiple types of blood cancers.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 12:41pm

Iran rejects Saudi Arabia's call for inclusion in nuclear talks

Khatibzadeh accused Riyadh of funding extremist ideology and being responsible for many of the "troubles" of the Arab and Islam world
US President-elect Joe Biden is willing to back the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran from which Donald Trump withdrew

Published 08 Dec, 2020 12:37pm

Europe

Abu Dhabi seeking volunteers for Russian COVID-19 vaccine trial

Russia on Saturday began distributing the vaccine to the most exposed groups in the country, the start of the first large-scale vaccination against the disease there.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 12:31pm

Europe

Sticking points as Johnson joins post-Brexit trade talks

The EU had wanted the EU's highest court, the European Court of Justice, to have its say in all matters of the future agreement relating to European law, but the UK refused this in the name of its sovereignty.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 12:07pm

Europe

Deal or no deal, Britain to pay high price for Brexit

Fast forward four and a half years, and the business community is still urging the government to do everything within its power to avert a cliff-edge no-deal departure.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 12:02pm

Europe

Post-Brexit borders to divide EU, UK citizens

Even Britons settled under the Withdrawal Agreement will no longer have automatic rights to a different EU country, and will face national immigration laws if they want to do so.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 11:58am

USA

Aviation legend Chuck Yeager has died: wife

"It is w/ profound sorrow, I must tell you that my life love General Chuck Yeager passed just before 9pm ET," Victoria Yeager tweeted on her husband's account.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 11:54am

Boycott-tainted poll win gives Maduro total control in Venezuela

US tech firm Voatz, which has used the technology in polls in West Virginia, Colorado and Utah, is using blockchain technology to secure the online poll.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 11:52am

Australia moves to rein in states' deals with China

But there is widespread unease in Australia at China's growing influence and Canberra has banned state-linked telecoms giant Huawei from building Australia's 5G network.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 11:47am

Vaccines: 200 years of progress -- and scepticism

We look at the history of vaccines over the last two centuries, with scepticism about them never far away.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 11:36am

Africa

Central African town finds Muslim-Christian peace after years of war

In and around Bambari, displaced people see little urgency in leaving sites run by NGOs to return to their homes, despite the assistance offered by UN agencies.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 11:31am

USA

US Supreme Court refuses to enter transgender 'toilet wars'

Some conservative states passed laws forcing students to use the bathrooms corresponding with their birth sex. But others adopted the previous administration's stance, including the Dallas school district in the state of Oregon.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 11:26am

USA

UN urges Russia to end 'temporary occupation' of Crimea

Fighting between Ukrainian troops and forces backed by Russia has left more than 13,000 dead since 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea and pro-Russian forces in the east of Ukraine rebelled against Kiev.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 11:24am

NASA outlines science goals for future astronauts on Moon

In addition, they said NASA should consider pre-positioning science assets in the vicinity of the Artemis III landing site.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 11:21am

Rising tension: India skips Canada-led COVID-19 meeting over Trudeau's remarks

The virtual meeting, which was convened by the Canadian Foreign Minister François-Philippe Champagne on December 7, was held to formulate a common strategy to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic
Modi-led Indian government is upset with Trudeau’s comments over farmers' protest and has decided to show its displeasure by refusing to attend the meeting

Published 08 Dec, 2020 11:18am

Middle East

Israel announces night-time curfew as virus cases rise

A health ministry spokesman told AFP the details of the curfew would be hammered out by the government before the measures went into effect.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 11:15am

USA

US, China extend giant panda deal by three years

The National Zoo has hosted giant pandas from China since 1972 and Mei Xiang and Tian Tian have been at the zoo since December 2000.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 11:13am

Trump adviser Navarro violated law against political activity -federal watchdog

Special Counsel Henry Kerner last year recommended that Trump fire adviser Kellyanne Conway after multiple violations of the Hatch Act, but he refused.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 10:37am

FCC awards $9.2bn to deploy broadband to 5.2 million US homes, businesses

Nearly all the locations will receive broadband with upload and download speeds of at least 100/20 megabits per second (Mbps) with an overwhelming majority - over 85% - getting gigabit-speed broadband.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 10:23am

Cybercrime loss to exceed $1 trillion in 2020; up 50% since 2018

They attributed the increase to weaker security with more people working outside their workplace.

Updated 08 Dec, 2020 10:57am

NZ's Ardern apologises as report into mosque attack faults focus on Islamist terror risks

“The commission made no findings that these issues would have stopped the attack. But these were both failings and for that I apologise,” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said after the report was released.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 10:03am

USA

Second US judge blocks Commerce restrictions on TikTok

The Treasury Department said late on Friday the government "is engaging with ByteDance to complete the divestment and other steps necessary to resolve the national security risks."

Published 08 Dec, 2020 10:03am

Brazil pledge on Amazon needed to save EU-Mercosur trade deal: EU diplomat

Without that, EU importers cannot show where the wood came from, he said.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 09:59am

Asia

China reports 12 new COVID-19 cases vs 15 a day earlier

The National Health Commission said in a statement 10 of the new cases were imported infections originating from overseas.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 09:57am

USA

Mexico registers 6,399 new coronavirus cases, 357 more deaths

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

Published 08 Dec, 2020 09:46am

USA

Brazil in advanced talks with Pfizer to buy 70mn COVID-19 vaccine doses

Doria has frequently clashed over the vaccine with Bolsonaro, an aggressive China critic who has baselessly dismissed the Sinovac candidate as lacking credibility.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 09:43am

Asia

Hong Kong arrests 8 more activists as crackdown on opposition shows no sign of let-up

The law punishes what Beijing broadly defines as secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces with up to life in jail.

Published 08 Dec, 2020 09:34am

Previous Day

Forex
World
Commodity

Currency	Rate
USD PKR Interbank Selling / Sep 23	277.92
USD PKR Interbank Buying / Sep 23	277.72
USD to Japanese Yen / Sep 23	143.76
USD to Swiss Franc / Sep 23	0.85
Pound Sterling to USD / Sep 23	1.33
Euro to USD / Sep 23	1.11

Stock	Volume
S&P 500 / Sep 20	5,702.55
Tokyo Nikkei / Sep 20	37,723.91
Nasdaq / Sep 20	17,948.32
Dow Jones / Sep 20	42,063.36
India Sensex / Sep 23	84,928.61
Hang Seng / Sep 23	18,214.80
FTSE 100 / Sep 23	8,218.11
Germany DAX 30 / Sep 23	18,704.04

Item	Value
Gold 10 Grams PKR / Sep 21	233,625
Petrol/Litre / Sep 23	249.10
Crude Oil USD/Barrel / Sep 23	70.95
Karachi Cotton PKR/37.32 KG / Sep 23	18,935
Gold Spot USD/Ounce / Sep 23	2,615.19
Diesel/Litre / Sep 23	249.69

Gainers
Losers
Leaders

Stock	Price
786 Invest Ltd / Sep 23 786 Investments Limited(786)	5 ▼ 0.00 (0.00%)
AL-Abbas Sugar / Sep 23 Al-Abbas Sugar Mills Limited(AABS)	585 ▼ 0.00 (0.00%)
Agro Allianz / Sep 23 Agro Allianz Limited(AAL)	16 ▼ 0.00 (0.00%)
AL-Abid Silk / Sep 23 Al-Abid Silk Mills Limited(AASM)	3.49 ▼ 0.00 (0.00%)
Ali Asghar / Sep 23 Ali Asghar Textile Mills Limited(AATM)	2.07 ▼ 0.00 (0.00%)
Allied Bank / Sep 23 Allied Bank Limited(ABL)	87.10 ▼ 0.00 (0.00%)
Abbott Lab. / Sep 23 Abbott Laboratories (Pakistan) Limited(ABOT)	499.34 ▼ 0.00 (0.00%)
Abson Ind. / Sep 23 Abson Industries Limited(ABSON)	2.50 ▼ 0.00 (0.00%)
Alfalah ETF. / Sep 23 Alfalah Consumer Index ETF.(ACIETF)	9.84 ▼ 0.00 (0.00%)

Stock	Price
786 Invest Ltd / Sep 23 786 Investments Limited(786)	5 ▲ 0.00 (0.00%)
AL-Abbas Sugar / Sep 23 Al-Abbas Sugar Mills Limited(AABS)	585 ▲ 0.00 (0.00%)
Agro Allianz / Sep 23 Agro Allianz Limited(AAL)	16 ▲ 0.00 (0.00%)
AL-Abid Silk / Sep 23 Al-Abid Silk Mills Limited(AASM)	3.49 ▲ 0.00 (0.00%)
Ali Asghar / Sep 23 Ali Asghar Textile Mills Limited(AATM)	2.07 ▲ 0.00 (0.00%)
Allied Bank / Sep 23 Allied Bank Limited(ABL)	87.10 ▲ 0.00 (0.00%)
Abbott Lab. / Sep 23 Abbott Laboratories (Pakistan) Limited(ABOT)	499.34 ▲ 0.00 (0.00%)
Abson Ind. / Sep 23 Abson Industries Limited(ABSON)	2.50 ▲ 0.00 (0.00%)
Alfalah ETF. / Sep 23 Alfalah Consumer Index ETF.(ACIETF)	9.84 ▲ 0.00 (0.00%)

Stock	Volume
P.I.A.C.(A) / Sep 23 Pakistan International Airlines Corp(PIAA)	47,200,500 ▲ 0.00
Cnergyico PK / Sep 23 Cnergyico PK Limited(CNERGY)	29,719,327 ▲ 0.00
Pak Petroleum / Sep 23 Pakistan Petroleum Limited(PPL)	21,170,581 ▲ 0.00
Pak Refinery / Sep 23 Pakistan Refinery Limited(PRL)	16,965,134 ▲ 0.00
The Searle Co. / Sep 23 The Searle Company Limited(SEARL)	15,793,227 ▲ 0.00
P.T.C.L. / Sep 23 Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd(PTC)	15,054,641 ▲ 0.00
K-Electric Ltd. / Sep 23 K-Electric Limited(KEL)	14,145,556 ▲ 0.00
WorldCall Telecom / Sep 23 Worldcall Telecom Limited(WTL)	13,158,668 ▲ 0.00
Telecard Limited / Sep 23 Telecard Limited(TELE)	12,358,668 ▲ 0.00

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