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A30 world news
Diamars 24 November 2020
UK signs trade deal with Canada to prepare for Brexit
(AP) — The U.K. signed with the European Union
an interim trade deal with on post-Brexit trading rules.
Canada on Saturday, giv- Both sides have warned there
ing it more time to nego- could be a no-deal end to the
tiate future trading rules transition period next month
as the British government unless the two sides can soon
prepares the country for bridge their remaining dif-
business life outside the ferences on fishing, state aid
European Union. for industry and the resolu-
tion of future disputes. With-
The stopgap agreement al- out an agreement on future
lows trade between the two relations between Britain and
countries to continue under the EU, trade between the
the same terms as Canada's two entities would be carried
existing treaty with the EU out under World Trade Orga-
while negotiators begin work nization terms.
on a new bilateral deal be-
tween the U.K. and Canada, Johnson's government says
Prime Minister Boris John- this type of relationship
son said in a statement. Can- wouldn't hamper trade, but
ada is the U.K.'s eighth-big- opponents warn that tariffs
gest non-EU trading partner. Canada that will go even fur- products such as salmon and of trade Britain recorded last would increase prices for
While Britain formally with- ther in meeting the needs of maple syrup from the Com- year. British consumers and bor-
drew from the EU in Janu- our economy,” Johnson said. monwealth country that also der checks would lead to
ary, it continues to trade with Johnson's government says recognizes Queen Elizabeth Britain has yet to strike a deal shortages of some goods.
other countries under the the ability to strike free trade II as head of state.
bloc’s umbrella during a tran- agreements with countries The deal with Canada locks
sition period scheduled to around the world is one of in existing trading rules that
end Dec. 31. Without a series the main benefits of leaving cover 20 billion pounds ($27
of new bilateral agreements, the EU. It is banking on in- billion) of trade between the
trade with countries around creased trade with countries two countries, or about 1.5%
the world may be hampered such as the United States of the U.K.'s total trade in
by barriers such as tariffs and and India to offset any nega- goods and services last year.
increased paperwork. tive impact from severing ties The U.K. has now secured
with the EU, which account- post-Brexit trade deals with
"Our negotiators have been ed for 47% of Britain's overall 53 countries accounting for
working flat-out to secure trade last year. 164 billion pounds ($218 bil-
trade deals for the U.K., and lion) of bilateral trade, the
from as early next year we Britain ships goods ranging government said. That's less
have agreed to start work on a from electric cars to sparkling than 12% of the 1.4 trillion
new, bespoke trade deal with wine to Canada, and imports pounds (about $1.9 trillion)
Iran closes businesses, curtails travel amid virus surge
past five days. The Iranian came as a spat among top ing areas. restrictions would apply in
Health Ministry said on Sat- Iranian health officials led to Manoochehr Nassiri, who other cities, including the
urday that the total number the resignation of at least two runs a lighting shop in Teh- holy city of Mashhad.
of confirmed cases has risen officials. Iranian newspapers ran's Grand Bazaar, com- Any travel between the af-
to above 840,000. said Saturday that the deputy plained about the closures. fected cities by private car is
The new lockdown mea- health minister in charge of also suspended. Public trans-
sures, which include shutter- research, Reza Malekzadeh, “We shop owners don’t know portation will be available
ing most businesses, shops, resigned from his post in re- what to do, considering the but the use of private cars is
malls, and restaurants, in- action to recent remarks by economic situation of the banned between 9 p.m. to 4
clude Iran's largest cities of the Minister of Health Saeed country," he said standing a.m.
Mashhad, Isfahan, and Shi- Namaki, who said govern- outside his shuttered store. People who have tested posi-
raz. Iranian authorities have ment-led research projects The closures are set to last tive for the virus are required
designated the nearly 160 were not successfully ad- two weeks but can be auto- to stay at home and can face
towns and cities affected as dressing the current needs of matically extended. Begin- a roughly $8 cash fine if they
hot spots because these urban the ministry. ning on Saturday, govern- appear in public.
centers have the highest daily ment offices that provide
(AP) — Iran on Saturday per capita positive coronavi- In reply, Malekzadeh in his essential public services — Media organizations, con-
shuttered businesses and rus test results. resignation letter criticized including banks, post offices, struction jobs, agriculture,
curtailed travel between government's mismanage- communications and utilities heavy industry, and services
its major cities, including On Saturday, Iranian Presi- ment of the virus outbreak services —will continue their for the elderly and assisted
the capital of Tehran, as dent Hassan Rouhani in a as leading to a “large number work with half of the regular living are largely exempt
it grapples with the worst televised speech urged peo- of human deaths.” Iranian number of staff. from the closures.
outbreak of the coronavi- ple to follow the measures to news websites also said that
rus in the Mideast region. help “lessen the death toll.” Ali Nobakht, an advisor to All other government of- Iran has avoided the full lock-
He added that the govern- the health minister, resigned fices will continue working downs seen in other coun-
Top Iranian officials initially ment plans to supply cash over similar reasons, without with one third of their staff. tries as it struggles to keep
downplayed the risks posed subsidies to Iran's 30 mil- providing further details. All schools in the capital will its faltering economy alive
by the virus outbreak, before lion poorest people for four also be closed and required to in the face of crushing U.S.
recently urging the public to months to help them to In Tehran, the head of the switch to virtual instruction sanctions. President Donald
follow measures like wearing manage the economic fallout city's chamber of commerce, by Internet. Authorities will Trump re-imposed sweeping
masks and avoiding unessen- from the new outbreak. Qassem Nodeh, said that the also close shrines in Tehran sanctions on the country af-
tial travel. restrictions will lead to the and cancel mass prayers in ter withdrawing from Iran's
Iran has recorded daily death The latest round of restric- closure of 70% of business in mosques, though it was not nuclear deal with world pow-
tolls of above 430 over the tions to stem the outbreak the capital and its surround- immediately clear if the same ers in 2018.