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US economic activity increased, outlook ‘highly uncertain’: Fed

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COURTESY BY: https://www.hindustantimes.com/ The US economy showed signs of life nationwide last month, but has not returned to its pre-pandemic level and the outlook remains “highly uncertain,” the Federal Reserve said Wednesday. “Economic activity increased in almost all districts, but remained well below where it was prior to the COVID-19 pandemic,” the Fed said in its “beige book” survey. Businesses began to reopen, and retail sales improved across the country, but there were some new layoffs and employment, too, is far below where it was before virus struck, the report…

Post-Brexit trade with India to focus on 5 sectors

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COURTESY BY: https://www.hindustantimes.com/ Information and communications technology (ICT) and services are among five sectors identified as key areas for closer cooperation in trade arrangements after the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union is completed on December 31. The Boris Johnson government has been keen on a free trade agreement with India. Formal talks on such a pact can only begin after December 31, but some talks on exploring ‘building blocks’ have begun. Other sectors identified are food and drink, life sciences and chemicals to address non-tariff barriers to trade.…

Australia’s T20 Big Bash League announces full schedule

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“The Big Bash League has announced a full season starting in December. ©AFP” /> Sydney (AFP) – Cricket Australia announced Wednesday plans for a full Twenty20 Big Bash League season starting in December, but acknowledged the schedule could be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The 10th BBL will begin on December 3 when the Adelaide Strikers host the Melbourne Renegades, followed by 60 matches across the country and a final on February 6. The ambitious fixture list, which will follow the Women’s Big Bash League played from October 17 to…

US carries out the first federal execution in nearly 2 decades amid protests

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COURTESY BY: https://www.hindustantimes.com/ The federal government on Tuesday carried out its first execution in almost two decades, killing by lethal injection a man convicted of murdering an Arkansas family in a 1990s plot to build a whites-only nation in the Pacific Northwest. The execution of Daniel Lewis Lee came over the objection of the victims’ relatives and following days of legal wrangling and delays. Lee, 47, of Yukon, Oklahoma, professed his innocence just before he was executed at the federal prison in Terre Haute, Indiana. “I didn’t do it,” Lee…

After US sanctions, UK bans Huawei from 5G networks

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COURTESY BY: https://www.hindustantimes.com/ The Boris Johnson government on Tuesday announced the removal of existing equipment of Chinese Huawei by 2027 and a ban on buying new equipment from the company from December 31 this year, reflecting an escalation of tensions with Beijing. China has warned the UK of consequences if it were to ban Huawei. The decision follows pressure from the United States government, which has also banned the company as part of its sanction, and a technical review by the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NSC) in response to…

Five things we learned from the first Test

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“West Indies captain Jason Holder (R) celebrates with John Campbell (L) after a four-wicket win over England in the first Test at Southampton. ©AFP” outhampton (United Kingdom) (AFP) – International cricket returned from lockdown in style as the West Indies beat England by four wickets in the first Test at Southampton. AFP Sport looks at five key points from a match that took place against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic. Holder heroics West Indies captain Jason Holder led from the front by taking a Test-best 6-42 in England’s lowly…

Black players allege ‘racial divide’ in South African cricket

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“South Africa bowler Lungi Ngidi expressed support for the Black Lives Matter movement last week. ©AFP”  Johannesburg (AFP) – Racial divisions in South African cricket were laid bare on Tuesday when 30 black former international players issued a statement alleging racism remained a factor in the game. The letter commended current fast bowler Lungi Ngidi, who last week expressed support for Black Lives Matter, and called for Cricket South Africa (CSA) to come out strongly in favour of the movement. Signatories included fast bowler Makhaya Ntini, who played in 101 Test…

England to back Buttler, but Denly in the firing line

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“England’s Jos Buttler looks set to retain his place for the second Test against the West Indies. ©AFP” London (AFP) – England are set keep faith  with Jos Buttler despite defeat to West Indies in the first Test of a three-match series, but time may be up for Joe Denly. Captain Joe Root is set to return for the second Test starting on Thursday at Old Trafford after missing the four-wicket defeat in Southampton to attend the birth of his second child. The England selectors have big decisions to make…

Justin Trudeau apologizes for not recusing himself from decision

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COURTESY BY: https://www.hindustantimes.com/ Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologized Monday for not recusing himself from a Cabinet decision to award a contract to a charity his family did paid work for. Trudeau announced last month a grant for students having trouble finding work due to the pandemic. The almost billion-dollar program came under scrutiny after it was revealed that We Charity, an organization Trudeau’s family has worked for, was chosen to administer it. Trudeau’s wife, brother and mother have been paid a combined $300,000 Canadian (US$221,000) for speaking at a…

More than 200 schools back lawsuit challenging Trump’s foreign student rule

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COURTESY BY: https://www.hindustantimes.com/ More than 200 universities are backing a legal challenge to the Trump administration’s new restrictions on international students, arguing that the policy jeopardizes students’ safety and forces schools to reconsider fall plans they have spent months preparing. The schools have signed court briefs supporting Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as they sue U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in federal court in Boston. The lawsuit challenges a recently announced directive saying international students cannot stay in the U.S. if they take all their classes online…