News Archives for World - 2020-12-19

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World - 2020-12-19

Europe

UK says new coronavirus strain is more infectious, but vaccines should still work

There's no evidence that it causes more severe illness or higher mortality.
Although there's considerable uncertainty, it may be up to 70% more transmissible than the old variant, the original version of the disease.

Published 19 Dec, 2020 11:47pm

USA

Trump downplays impact of massive breach of government computer systems

"The Cyber Hack is far greater in the Fake News Media than in actuality," Trump said.
"We can say pretty clearly that it was the Russians that engaged in this activity," said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Published 19 Dec, 2020 11:43pm

Middle East

Boycotting Israeli settlements is antisemitic, says US envoy

On Friday, the United States' Special Envoy on combating antisemitism stated that anti-Zionism is a form of antisemitism.
The diplomat suggested that the Palestinian-led boycott, also known as the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement, is inherently bigoted as it targets Israel while ignoring other countries that abuse human rights - an argument dismissed by Palestinian advocates as a form of "whataboutism".

Published 19 Dec, 2020 07:42pm

Europe

UK discusses action after confirmation new COVID strain spreads more quickly

The government said on Monday that a rise in infections across London and southeast England might be linked to a new, more transmissible variant of the virus.

Published 19 Dec, 2020 07:17pm

NATO checking systems after US cyberattack

The NATO official said the Belgium-headquartered organisation used SolarWinds software in some of its systems.

Published 19 Dec, 2020 07:13pm

Europe

New COVID-19 strain spreads more quickly, UK medical chief says

“As announced on Monday, the UK has identified a new variant of Covid-19 through Public Health England’s genomic surveillance,” Whitty said in a statement.

Updated 19 Dec, 2020 06:51pm

Europe

Italy under new restrictions over Christmas, New Year

This means people will be allowed to leave their homes only once per day to visit friends or relatives and travel between regions will be banned.

Updated 19 Dec, 2020 07:13pm

Europe

UK ministers discuss COVID-19 concern amid rise in cases

"Failing to act decisively now, will mean further suffering. We must keep asking ourselves 'are we doing enough, are we acting quickly enough'."

Updated 19 Dec, 2020 06:16pm

Europe

Nine people killed in hospital fire in southeast Turkey

Two prosecutors in the province were commissioned to investigate the cause of the explosion, the local prosecutor’s office said.

Updated 19 Dec, 2020 06:28pm

Europe

See each other by video call this Christmas, Merkel tells Germans

“Women and men stationed far away from home to ensure our security know what it means to have limited contact with loved ones,” Merkel said in her weekly video podcast.

Updated 19 Dec, 2020 06:28pm

USA

Biden to introduce team tasked with ambitious climate agenda on Saturday

The climate team will be formally introduced in Biden’s home state of Delaware on Saturday, during a press briefing where he’s expected to tease further details of his climate plan.

Published 19 Dec, 2020 05:25pm

Europe

French President Macron's condition is 'stable', presidency says

Macron said on Friday he was doing fine a day after testing positive for COVID-19, but was working at a slower pace than usual outside Paris.

Published 19 Dec, 2020 05:14pm

USA

Trump signs stopgap government funding bill to avoid midnight shutdown: White House

U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday signed into law a two-day stopgap extension of existing federal funds to avoid a midnight government shutdown.

Published 19 Dec, 2020 04:57pm

Canada regulator expects to complete Moderna COVID-19 vaccine approval in coming weeks

Health Canada said it cannot provide a definite timeline for the vaccine approval but expects the process to be completed in the coming weeks.

Published 19 Dec, 2020 04:54pm

Europe

Germany's confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 31,300

The reported death toll rose by 702 to 25,640, the tally showed.

Published 19 Dec, 2020 04:49pm

WHO says its coronavirus vaccine programme has secured 2 billion doses

The huge vaccine reservoir means that COVAX, a 190-country international programme that seeks to ensure all countries have equal access to coronavirus vaccines, can plan to start delivering the shots in the first quarter of 2021.

Published 19 Dec, 2020 04:28pm

Swiss authorise Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine

"After a meticulous review of the available information, Swissmedic concluded that the Covid-19 vaccine from Pfizer/BioNTech is safe and that its benefit outweighs the risks," the body said in a statement.

Published 19 Dec, 2020 04:26pm

USA

China says tailed U.S. warship in Taiwan Strait

The U.S. Navy said the guided missile destroyer USS Mustin had conducted “a routine Taiwan Strait transit (on) Dec. 19 in accordance with international law”.
China’s military, in a statement released by its Eastern Theatre Command, said its air and naval forces “tailed and monitored” the vessel throughout.

Published 19 Dec, 2020 04:17pm

Sydney to Hobart yacht race cancelled after coronavirus outbreak: official

The 628-nautical mile (1,163-kilometre) bluewater classic was due to start on Boxing Day, but with parts of Sydney being locked down after a new cluster of Covid-19 cases, it was cancelled.

Published 19 Dec, 2020 04:16pm

South Asia

South Korea fears for COVID-19 patients amid sickbed shortage

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported 1,053 infections of the new coronavirus, a record fourth consecutive day of more than 1,000 cases.

Published 19 Dec, 2020 04:15pm

South Asia

Thailand reports jump in local coronavirus infections linked to shrimp market

The cases started with a 67-year-old woman, who sells shrimp in the market, who was confirmed to have the infection before three of her family also tested positive.

Published 19 Dec, 2020 04:13pm

Europe

Russia's COVID-19 deaths surpass 50,000

Authorities also reported 28,209 new coronavirus cases in the last day, including 6,459 in Moscow, bringing the national tally to 2,819,429.

Published 19 Dec, 2020 04:11pm

South Asia

India hits 10 million coronavirus cases but pace slows

India exceeded 10 million infections of the new coronavirus on Saturday, much later than predicted only a month ago as the pace of infections slows, despite many in the country giving up on masks and social distancing.
After hitting a peak of nearly 98,000 daily cases in mid-September, daily infections have averaged around 30,000 this month.

Published 19 Dec, 2020 04:07pm

Asia

Malaysia to receive first batch of Pfizer vaccine in February

Under the deal, Pfizer will deliver the first one million doses in the first quarter of 2021, with 1.7 million, 5.8 million and 4.3 million doses to follow in subsequent quarters.

Published 19 Dec, 2020 04:06pm

Sydney imposes lockdown on beach suburbs as COVID cluster grows

Australia has avoided the worst of the pandemic due to border closures, lockdowns, widespread testing and social distancing. It has recorded a total of around 28,100 infections.

Published 19 Dec, 2020 03:51pm

Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 74.78 million, death toll at 1,674,137

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

Published 19 Dec, 2020 03:36pm

Europe

Swiss drugs regulator authorises Pfizer/Biontech COVID-19 vaccine

"The data available to date showed a comparable high level of efficacy in all investigated age groups, thus meeting the safety requirements," it said on its website.

Updated 19 Dec, 2020 04:24pm

China

China issues new rules to review foreign investment on national security grounds

China has drawn up new rules that will allow authorities to review foreign investment on national security grounds, the country’s state planning agency said on Saturday.

Published 19 Dec, 2020 03:09pm

Europe

UK government pushes for lifting of U.S. travel restrictions - sources

The British government is making a concerted effort to persuade the Trump administration to lift or soften travel restrictions that bar most people in the United Kingdom from traveling to the United States.
Since then there has been no decision by President Donald Trump, but UK officials have held a series of high-level talks with White House and Cabinet officials.

Published 19 Dec, 2020 02:38pm

USA

Members of the U.S Space Force will now be called ‘Guardians’

Vice President Mike Pence recently announced that members of the United States Space Force will be officially called "Guardians", celebrating the military branch's one-year anniversary.

Updated 19 Dec, 2020 02:17pm

South Asia

U.S. can play a "critical role" in India-Pakistan dispute, says Ambassador Asad Khan

It is time that the international community understood not only India's destabilizing activities in the broader region but also their authoritarian tendencies at home under the current Hindu nationalist government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- Ambassador Khan reiterated that over the past decade, Pakistan has managed to substantially reduce the number of terrorist attacks (by "non-state actors) in the country.

Updated 19 Dec, 2020 12:50pm

Yemen's president, separatists announce new power-sharing government

It would include southern separatists in the internationally-recognised government, part of a deal to end a power struggle between the nominal allies.

Published 19 Dec, 2020 09:46am

U.S. Supreme Court throws out challenge to Trump census immigrant plan

The 6-3 ruling on ideological lines, with the court’s six conservatives in the majority and three liberals dissenting, gives Trump a short-term victory.

Published 19 Dec, 2020 09:41am

Biden team says Defense Department officials halted cooperation

Some of Trump’s political appointees in the defense department have recently stopped cooperating, Yohannes Abraham, the executive director of Biden’s transition team said.

Published 19 Dec, 2020 09:37am

China offers to work with Biden, warns of new 'McCarthyism'

WASHINGTON: China's top diplomat on Friday offered cooperation on key priorities of President-elect Joe Biden,...

Updated 19 Dec, 2020 03:39am

Two dead as super cyclone levels Fiji villages

SUVA, (Fiji): Super cyclone Yasa flattened entire villages as it tore through Fiji, aid agencies said Friday, with a...

Updated 19 Dec, 2020 03:39am

South Asia

India PM defends farm reforms as protests grow

NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Friday his government was a victim of "lies and conspiracy" as ...

Published 19 Dec, 2020 03:02am

VP Pence prepares for jab as Moderna vaccine nears US approval

WASHINGTON: US Vice President Mike Pence prepared to roll up his sleeve for a public coronavirus jab on Friday as ...

Published 19 Dec, 2020 03:02am

Asia

Singapore 'hawker' culture gains UN recognition

SINGAPORE: Once seen as lowly members of Singaporean society, cooks in the city-state's bustling "hawker" centres ...

Updated 19 Dec, 2020 03:40am

Russia launches UK telecom satellites into space

MOSCOW: A Soyuz rocket blasted off from the Vostochny cosmodrome in Russia's Far East on Friday carrying 36 UK...

Updated 19 Dec, 2020 03:38am

Europe

EU says hours left for a Brexit deal, UK says 'see sense'

UK warns no-trade deal Brexit very likely.
Barnier: just hours left, grave moment.
Johnson tells EU: compromise or we'll walk.
Sterling falls.

Published 19 Dec, 2020 01:45am

Europe

IMF to resume loan talks with Ukraine next week

Ukraine had secured a $5 billion deal in June to support its economy through a sharp slump caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Given the COVID pandemic, the mission will hold remote meetings with the Ukrainian authorities to discuss economic developments.

Published 19 Dec, 2020 12:24am

South Asia

WHO investigators heading to China in early January to probe virus

Mike Ryan, WHO's top emergency expert, said international experts would go to the central Chinese city of Wuhan.
We still don't have a take-off date because we are working on the logistics around visas and flights. We do expect the team to be going there in the first week of January. There will be quarantine arrangements.

Published 19 Dec, 2020 12:19am

Europe

French coronavirus death toll over 60,000 for first time

There were 264 new deaths in hospitals, compared to 258 on Thursday, and a three-day batch of 346 deaths reported in retirement homes.
France also reported 15,674 new confirmed COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, down from 18,254 on Thursday.

Published 19 Dec, 2020 12:17am

USA

Still no COVID-19 relief bill as US Congress faces shutdown deadline

Republicans and Democrats have been negotiating intensely this week on what is expected to be the biggest package.
Congressional leaders plan to attach the COVID-19 aid to a $1.4 trillion funding bill to keep the government open through September 2021.

Published 19 Dec, 2020 12:07am

USA

US issues fresh Venezuela-related sanctions over alleged fraudulent elections

The illegitimate Maduro regime's efforts to steal elections in Venezuela show its disregard for the democratic aspirations of the Venezuelan people.
The move freezes any US assets of the company and people and generally bars Americans from dealing with them.

Published 19 Dec, 2020 12:04am

Previous Day

Forex
World
Commodity

Currency	Rate
USD PKR Interbank Selling / Sep 20	277.90
USD PKR Interbank Buying / Sep 20	277.70
USD to Japanese Yen / Sep 20	143.85
USD to Swiss Franc / Sep 20	0.85
Pound Sterling to USD / Sep 20	1.33
Euro to USD / Sep 20	1.12

Stock	Volume
S&P 500 / Sep 20	5,702.55
India Sensex / Sep 20	83,184.80
Tokyo Nikkei / Sep 20	37,723.91
Nasdaq / Sep 20	17,948.32
Hang Seng / Sep 20	18,258.57
FTSE 100 / Sep 20	8,229.99
Dow Jones / Sep 20	42,063.36
Germany DAX 30 / Sep 20	18,720.01

Item	Value
Crude Oil USD/Barrel / Sep 20	71.92
Gold Spot USD/Ounce / Sep 20	2,621.88
Cotton US¢/pound / Sep 20	73.52
Karachi Cotton PKR/37.32 KG / Sep 21	18,935
Gold 10 Grams PKR / Sep 21	233,625
Petrol/Litre / Sep 22	249.10

Gainers
Losers
Leaders

Stock	Price
786 Invest Ltd / Sep 22 786 Investments Limited(786)	5 ▼ 0.00 (0.00%)
AL-Abbas Sugar / Sep 22 Al-Abbas Sugar Mills Limited(AABS)	585 ▼ 0.00 (0.00%)
Agro Allianz / Sep 22 Agro Allianz Limited(AAL)	16 ▼ 0.00 (0.00%)
AL-Abid Silk / Sep 22 Al-Abid Silk Mills Limited(AASM)	3.49 ▼ 0.00 (0.00%)
Ali Asghar / Sep 22 Ali Asghar Textile Mills Limited(AATM)	2.07 ▼ 0.00 (0.00%)
Allied Bank / Sep 22 Allied Bank Limited(ABL)	87.10 ▼ 0.00 (0.00%)
Abbott Lab. / Sep 22 Abbott Laboratories (Pakistan) Limited(ABOT)	499.34 ▼ 0.00 (0.00%)
Abson Ind. / Sep 22 Abson Industries Limited(ABSON)	2.50 ▼ 0.00 (0.00%)
Alfalah ETF. / Sep 22 Alfalah Consumer Index ETF.(ACIETF)	9.84 ▼ 0.00 (0.00%)

Stock	Price
786 Invest Ltd / Sep 22 786 Investments Limited(786)	5 ▲ 0.00 (0.00%)
AL-Abbas Sugar / Sep 22 Al-Abbas Sugar Mills Limited(AABS)	585 ▲ 0.00 (0.00%)
Agro Allianz / Sep 22 Agro Allianz Limited(AAL)	16 ▲ 0.00 (0.00%)
AL-Abid Silk / Sep 22 Al-Abid Silk Mills Limited(AASM)	3.49 ▲ 0.00 (0.00%)
Ali Asghar / Sep 22 Ali Asghar Textile Mills Limited(AATM)	2.07 ▲ 0.00 (0.00%)
Allied Bank / Sep 22 Allied Bank Limited(ABL)	87.10 ▲ 0.00 (0.00%)
Abbott Lab. / Sep 22 Abbott Laboratories (Pakistan) Limited(ABOT)	499.34 ▲ 0.00 (0.00%)
Abson Ind. / Sep 22 Abson Industries Limited(ABSON)	2.50 ▲ 0.00 (0.00%)
Alfalah ETF. / Sep 22 Alfalah Consumer Index ETF.(ACIETF)	9.84 ▲ 0.00 (0.00%)

Stock	Volume
P.I.A.C.(A) / Sep 22 Pakistan International Airlines Corp(PIAA)	47,200,500 ▲ 0.00
Cnergyico PK / Sep 22 Cnergyico PK Limited(CNERGY)	29,719,327 ▲ 0.00
Pak Petroleum / Sep 22 Pakistan Petroleum Limited(PPL)	21,170,581 ▲ 0.00
Pak Refinery / Sep 22 Pakistan Refinery Limited(PRL)	16,965,134 ▲ 0.00
The Searle Co. / Sep 22 The Searle Company Limited(SEARL)	15,793,227 ▲ 0.00
P.T.C.L. / Sep 22 Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd(PTC)	15,054,641 ▲ 0.00
K-Electric Ltd. / Sep 22 K-Electric Limited(KEL)	14,145,556 ▲ 0.00
WorldCall Telecom / Sep 22 Worldcall Telecom Limited(WTL)	13,158,668 ▲ 0.00
Telecard Limited / Sep 22 Telecard Limited(TELE)	12,358,668 ▲ 0.00

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