Tue, 21-Oct-2025

Watch Live

logo-black

Download App

اردو

Omicron

AstraZeneca vaccine booster effective against Omicron, study finds

by
AstraZeneca

LONDON: British pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca said Thursday that a third, or “booster”, dose of its Covid-19 vaccine Vaxzevria “significantly” lifted antibody levels against the Omicron strain in a laboratory study. AstraZeneca also revealed in other findings that its preventative moniclonal antibody treatment, Evusheld, “retains neutralisation activity” against Omicron. Read more: US to distribute free Covid … Read more

German cabinet confirms central bank chief choice

by
German cabinet

FRANKFURT: The German cabinet approved the nomination of career central banker Joachim Nagel as the new head of the Bundesbank on Wednesday, as the EU’s top economy comes under pressure from inflation and Omicron. In Nagel, Germany has a “noted economist and proven financial markets expert” who will “carry forward the Bundesbank’s stability-oriented legacy”, government spokesman … Read more

Tokyo 2020 trims cost estimate for pandemic Olympics

by
Tokyo

TOKYO: Tokyo Olympics organisers revised the estimated cost of the Covid-postponed Games downwards on Wednesday, but the figure was still around double the budget proposed in the city’s original 2013 bid. Despite losing out on ticket sales due to a near-total ban on spectators, organisers said they had saved cash by simplifying events and avoiding the … Read more

12 suspected cases of Omicron variant found in Balochistan

by
omicron covid

Balochistan has been on high alert after 12 suspected cases of ‘Omicron variant’ of SARS-CoV2 were found in the Kalat district of the province. Read more: NIH confirms Pakistan’s first Omicron case after analysing samples The Kalat administration asked all 12 suspected patients to move into quarantine, confirmed Bol News on Wednesday. The provincial government … Read more

6 new cases of Omicron detected at New Zealand border

by
New Zealand

WELLINGTON, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) — New Zealand reported six new cases of Omicron among recent returnees in managed isolation and quarantine facilities. A statement issued by the country’s Ministry of Health said on Wednesday that the total number of international arrivals to New Zealand with the Omicron variant has risen to 28 since Dec. 1. … Read more

PSX remains bearish amid profit-taking

by
PSX

KARACHI: The Pakistan stocks observed a profit-taking session, as the global markets turned red on Tuesday, amid concerns over the rapid spread of the Omicron virus globally, dealers said. “On the local front, the current account deficit [has been] reported at $1.9 billion in November 2021 [to reach] $7 billion for [the] 5MFY22 [five months … Read more

Textile exports up 8% in November

by
Textile exports

KARACHI: Pakistan’s textile exports witnessed an increase of 8 per cent month-on-month to reach a record high of $1.74 billion in November, a report by Topline Securities showed. During the month of November, the value added textile exports recorded a growth of 7 per cent month-on-month as the exports of ready-made garments recorded an increase … Read more

Dubai airport fully operational for first time since pandemic

by
Dubai airport

DUBAI: Dubai airport, one of the world’s busiest travel hubs, is fully operational for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic erupted in March 2020, officials said on Monday. The opening of sections closed as the Covid-19 crisis took hold comes as the United Arab Emirates records a rise in infections, amid fears of the new … Read more

Oil prices sink 5% on Omicron demand fears

by
Oil prices

LONDON: World oil prices fell by more than 5 per cent on Monday, as energy demand fears grew over the fast-spreading Omicron coronavirus variant. In morning deals, Brent North Sea crude tumbled 5.1 per cent to $69.79 per barrel and New York’s West Texas Intermediate oil lost 5.7 per cent to $66.84. The rapid spread … Read more

Bank of France optimism undimmed by pandemic woes

by
Bank of France

PARIS: The French central bank has said that the EU’s second-largest economy remained resilient even faced with the Omicron variant of Covid-19, predicting steady growth over the coming years even if new restrictions are imposed. The coronavirus crisis “has not left scars in terms of production levels and potential production,” Bank of France director general Olivier … Read more

Dutch set to announce strict measures to rein in Omicron

by
Omicron

THE HAGUE, Dec 18, 2021 (AFP) – The Dutch government is expected to announce new measures Saturday to brake the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant after its scientific advisers recommended tighter curbs, local media reported. The government will brief the media at 1800 GMT on the outcome of an emergency meeting being held on Saturday … Read more

Oil prices slide towards weekly loss as Covid-19 uncertainty weighs

by
Oil prices

LONDON: Oil prices slid on Friday, heading for a slight decline over the week, on concern curbs to slow the spread of the Omicron variant could hit demand, Arab News reported. Brent crude futures declined 1.5 per cent to $73.88 a barrel at 1.10 p.m. Riyadh time, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 1.4 per … Read more

Queen cancels Christmas lunch following surge in Omicron cases

by

The Queen was all set to join her family for the traditional Christmas lunch but had to cancel her gathering yet again. This was due to the precautionary measures against the surging Omicron cases in the UK. A senior spokesperson for the Royal family said: “The pre-Christmas family lunch will not be going ahead. The … Read more

South Africa sees fewer in hospital as Omicron surges

by
South Africa

JOHANNESBURG, Dec 17, 2021 (AFP) – Infection rates are soaring across South Africa as a result of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, but fewer people have died or required hospital treatment compared to previous waves of Covid, health officials said Friday. On Wednesday, South Africa recorded the highest number of infections the nation has ever seen in … Read more

S. Africa to retain “Level 1” lockdown as COVID-19 cases surge

by
COVID-19 cases

JOHANNESBURG, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) — With the latest COVID-19 cases at 26,976, the National Coronavirus Command Council has retained lockdown restrictions at “adjusted level 1”, health authorities said on Thursday. Dr. Angelique Coetzee, chairperson of the South African Medical Association (SAMA) told Xinhua that “it makes sense to keep lockdown at this level as hospitals … Read more

Eurozone growth slowing after new Covid wave: survey

by
Eurozone growth

BRUSSELS: Economic growth in the Eurozone slowed to a nine-month low in December, as a fresh wave of the coronavirus rattled businesses, especially in Germany, a closely watched survey said on Thursday. The survey, released by data firm IHS Markit, added that prices in Europe were continuing on their upward march, though rates of increase had … Read more

Omicron injects urgency into EU summit

by
Omicron

BRUSSELS, Dec 16, 2021 (AFP) – The lightning spread of Omicron in Europe and elsewhere added a sense of urgency to an EU summit on Thursday, with leaders struggling to present a united, bloc-wide approach. Projections that the highly infectious Covid strain could be dominant in the EU as early as next month have pushed the … Read more

France to ban non-essential UK travel over Omicron surge

by
ban non-essential travel

PARIS, Dec 16, 2021 (AFP) – France will ban non-essential travel to and from Britain from the weekend to slow the spread of the Omicron Covid-19 variant that is causing record numbers of cases on the other side of the Channel, the government said Thursday. From midnight Saturday (2300 GMT Friday) there will be a “requirement … Read more

Hong Kong reports 9th case of Omicron COVID-19 variant

by
Omicron

HONG KONG, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) — Hong Kong’s Center for Health Protection (CHP) confirmed one additional case of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 on Wednesday. In an update on the latest investigations on an imported case announced on Tuesday, the CHP said the Omicron case involved a 21-year-old female patient who arrived in Hong Kong … Read more

Gulf economies see 3.1% growth in 2021 on higher oil production

by
Gulf economies

RIYADH: Gulf Cooperation Council countries’ economies are expected to have grown by a cumulative 3.1 per cent in 2021, reversing a 5.2 per cent decline last year, Arab News quoted a recent report by the GCC Statistical Centre. The predicted expansion in output is attributed to higher oil output, particularly in the fourth quarter. The elimination of … Read more

India reports 8 more cases of Omicron, tally rises to 49

by
India reports 8 more cases of Omicron, tally rises to 49

NEW DELHI, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) — India Tuesday reported eight more cases of the Omicron variant, taking the country’s case tally of the new variant to 49, officials said. Of the eight new cases, four have been reported from the national capital region and the remaining four from the western state of Rajasthan. “Four new … Read more

Fans face vaccine checks as Premier League battles Covid wave

by
Premier League

LIVERPOOL: Premier League fans will be subject to vaccine passport checks to enter stadiums from Wednesday, but fears are rising over how long the English top-flight can continue in front of capacity crowds as the Omicron variant sweeps across Britain. Tottenham’s trip to Brighton and Manchester United’s visit to Brentford have been postponed due to … Read more

NFL reports 37 Covid positives in single day: ESPN

by
NFL

LOS ANGELES: The NFL reported 37 positive Covid-19 tests across the league on Monday, ESPN reported, the largest single-day number of positive cases since the pandemic began. Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Tyler Higbee were among dozens of players who returned positive test results, ruling them out of Monday’s crucial game against the … Read more

Man Utd clash off as Covid causes Premier League disruption

by
Covid

LONDON: Manchester United’s match at Brentford on Tuesday was postponed as the English Premier League reported a record number of Covid-19 cases, with the virus threatening to disrupt the busy Christmas fixture list. It came hours after the Old Trafford club closed their Carrington training complex because of several players and staff members testing positive for coronavirus. … Read more

Hong Kong reports 2 cases of Omicron COVID-19 variant

by
Hong Kong reports 2 cases of Omicron COVID-19 variant

HONG KONG, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) — Hong Kong’s Center for Health Protection (CHP) reported two additional cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 on Monday. The cases involved a 62-year-old man and a 50-year-old woman arriving in Hong Kong from Britain together on Dec. 10 and tested positive upon arrival at the Hong Kong International … Read more

At least one dead from Omicron as UK boosts response

by
At least one dead from Omicron as UK boosts response

LONDON, Dec 13, 2021 (AFP) – At least one person has died in Britain after being infected with the Omicron variant, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday, as the country launched an ambitious Covid booster shot programme to stop the virus’ spread. Britain — among the countries worst hit by the global health crisis since last year … Read more

Denmark pushes third vaccine dose to combat Omicron

by
Denmark pushes third vaccine dose to combat Omicron

COPENHAGEN, Dec 13, 2021 (AFP) – Danish health authorities said Monday a third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine would be offered sooner to everyone over 40 to curb the spread of the Omicron variant. “Due to the new and more contagious Omicron variant the Danish Health Authority has decided to push the third jab for everyone aged 40 and above, … Read more

Menu

Latest

Entertainment

Lifestyle