Japanese electronics conglomerate Hitachi Ltd said on Friday its supply of 1.0-inch disk drives was running behind demand and that it would ramp up output at its Thailand plant as soon as possible.
Australia's financial system is in good shape, although high levels of household debt pose a risk and could "amplify" any slowing in the economy, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) said on Thursday.
The number of people living in poverty in crisis-wracked Argentina fell below 50 percent in the second half of 2003 thanks to the economy's strong recovery, the government said on Thursday.
Latin America should show economic growth of 4 percent this year, up from 1.5 percent in 2003, as the region is buoyed by strength in the United States and Asia, the head of a UN body said on Thursday.
Japan's top financial diplomat said on Friday a Group of Seven joint statement last month was clear enough on the countries' currency policies, suggesting he would seek no major change when the group next meets in April.
New Zealand's current account deficit narrowed in the fourth quarter to NZ$1.92 billion ($1.25 billion), for an annual deficit of NZ$5.94 billion in the year to December, according to official data released on Thursday.
Thailand's economy is projected to grow 7.4 percent in the first quarter of this year, Finance Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said on Friday, an estimate down from a projection of 7.7-8.1 percent by his ministry in February.
Venezuela sold $1.5 billion of mixed dollar- and bolivar-denominated bonds, its second issue this month, as it continued a program to refinance its public debt, the Finance Ministry said on Thursday.
Venezuela sold $1.5 billion of mixed dollar- and bolivar-denominated bonds, its second issue this month, as it continued a program to refinance its public debt, the Finance Ministry said on Thursday.
European Union finance ministers on Thursday selected Spanish academic Jose Manuel Gonzalez-Paramo for a top European Central Bank post but delayed the second thorny issue of naming a possible IMF head.
The World Bank is going to make its rule for disbursements to Brazilian social programs more flexible in an effort to help Brazil use World Bank funds more quickly.
Most US Treasuries ticked lower on Thursday after data hinting that inflation may be on the rise put a small dent in the market's confidence the Federal Reserve will not raise interest rates any time soon.
Most US Treasuries ticked lower on Thursday after data hinting that inflation may be on the rise put a small dent in the market's confidence the Federal Reserve will not raise interest rates any time soon.
Taiwan stocks closed the week on Friday down ten percent as a continuing election dispute muzzled sentiment, while a Nasdaq rally gave investors confidence to buy tech shares like AU Optronics.
Hong Kong stocks closed at fresh lows for the year on Friday as investors were spooked by a weak earnings report from telephone giant China Unicom and worried about political uncertainty in Taiwan.
Stocks soared on Thursday, sending the technology-packed Nasdaq on its biggest one-day climb in nine months, as bargain-hunting investors scooped up shares that were beaten down to year-lows.
Jakarta stocks fell on Friday amid concerns of possible campaign violence and organisational hiccups in the run up to parliamentary elections scheduled for April 5, analysts said.
Singapore shares were mixed in slow trade on Friday as United Overseas Bank and other blue chips slipped, shrugging off robust economic data and strong overseas markets.
Chinese shares closed slightly down on Friday as the government moved to tighten credit in an effort to prevent the economy from overheating, while blue chips gave up more of their recent gains, traders said.
South Korean shares ended more than one percent higher on Friday, as chip giant Samsung Electronics Co Ltd and other technology shares rallied after a healthy rebound on Wall Street.
Japan's Nikkei average rose two percent to end at a 22-month high on Friday as investors cheered by a rally on Wall Street returned to Tokyo Electron and other high-techs, brushing off the threat of a stronger yen.
Sri Lankan stocks ended down on Friday on selling in The Bukit Darah Co Ltd, but most blue chips edged higher on light retail buying one week from the island's general election.
US stocks edged higher on Friday as a stronger-than-expected consumer confidence report fed optimism and buyers were drawn to shares made cheaper by a steep slide in recent sessions.
Indian shares rose for the second day, as investors began buying into blue chip stocks ahead of the earnings season, when firms are seen reporting hefty profits. The reporting season for the March quarter kicks off next month.
Disappointment over rising costs at retailer Boots and a profit warning from grocer Sainsbury helped drag Britain's top shares lower on Friday, and dashed hopes for a swift recovery at both firms.
The Hong Kong dollar inched lower and discounts on forwards narrowed on Friday as further losses on the stock market heightened worries that investment funds will flow out of the territory.
The Swiss franc continued to slide against the dollar in early trading on Friday and was softer against the euro as safe-haven positions taken in the wake of Madrid bombings earlier this month were unwound.
The dollar was holding steady against major currencies on Friday after skidding to a five-week low against the yen in early trade after further positive data on the Japanese economy.
The dollar ended slightly weaker on Thursday as investors purchased euros and sold the US unit after the euro zone currency suffered several days of setbacks.
Asian currencies kept a low profile on Friday, ending mostly flat despite solid gains in the yen and a rally in technology shares as much of the region remained affected by political uncertainty.
The Indian rupee, which struck a 46-month closing high against the dollar on Friday, was fairly stable compared with other freely-floating international currencies, central bank Governor Y.V.Reddy said on Friday.
Sterling rose strongly against the dollar on Friday on the back of a narrower than expected UK current account deficit, which helped offset concerns over currency strength raised by the Bank of England.
The euro recovered from an earlier three-week low against the dollar on Friday as pre-weekend position adjustment outweighed the negative impact of rate cut speculation while upbeat Japanese data boosted the yen.
The Russian defence ministry plans to launch a "military-patriotic" nation-wide television channel called Zevzda, or Star, in a bid to boost the armed forces' profile in Russia, it said Friday.
At least 20 people were killed in an attack on a village in Nigeria's central highlands, a senior state official told reporters Friday on the eve of tense local elections.
Iraqi Kurdish leaders Massoud Barzani and Jalal Talabani Friday cast aside decades of rivalries at their first post-war reconciliation conference here, pledging to work for a united new Iraq.
European Union leaders called Friday for Russia to renew "without precondition" a partnership agreement before the EU enlarges deep into eastern Europe in May.
Spain's outgoing leader, Jose Maria Aznar, insisted on Friday that a plan by his successor to withdraw Spanish troops from Iraq would be a huge blunder. "My view is that to remove Spanish troops from Iraq is a calamitous error for Spanish politics," Aznar
A Moroccan man arrested in Spain in connection with the Madrid train bombings is now the subject of a separate inquiry by German prosecutors probing his brief stay in the country, officials said on Friday.
Sri Lanka's Tamil Tigers vowed Friday to "get rid" of a renegade commander who led an unprecedented split among the rebels, triggering fears of a factional war amid an already faltering peace process.
In a move aimed at soothing frayed diplomatic ties, Japan on Friday deported seven Chinese arrested this week on a tiny island at the centre of a territorial row.
A UN human rights expert on Friday stepped up pressure on Myanmar's government to free all political prisoners, amid speculation that pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi could be released on April 16.
Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa said Friday that Nepal will fully respect human rights as it battles Maoist rebels amid increasing international concern over spiralling violence in the kingdom.
A Japanese court on Friday ordered the government and a transport firm to pay compensation to a group of Chinese who were forced to toil in Japan during World War Two in a rare ruling that could influence other claims.
Afghanistan is to launch an ambitious drive to improve security for elections by demobilising nearly 40,000 soldiers loyal to regional powerbrokers by June, the government said on Friday.
A 130-year-old man has died in Saudi Arabia after a life of eating only the fruit of his labour and making the pilgrimage to Makkah three times on foot, a newspaper reported Friday.
Israeli police have banned access to Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque compound to Palestinians under the age of 45, fearing disturbances during Friday prayers following the assassination of Hamas spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin.
EU leaders rediscovered a spirit of unity on Friday after the Madrid bombings, agreeing to revive stalled constitution talks, boost joint action against terrorism and - less convincingly - pursue economic reform.
Palestinians accused the United States on Friday of granting Israel a licence to kill by vetoing UN condemnation of its assassination of Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin.
A UN electoral team arrived in Baghdad on Friday to study options for an interim Iraqi government when the US occupation ends this summer and advise on legalities in organising elections, the United Nations said.
The European Union called on Friday for the United Nations to be handed a "vital and growing" function in post-war Iraq's political transition and a Security Council resolution endorsing that role.
A war of words erupted on Friday between China and Taiwan, hours after Taiwan election authorities declared President Chen Shui-bian re-elected despite an office invasion by angry supporters of his narrowly defeated challenger.
US President George W. Bush insisted on Thursday he had no advance warning of the September 11, 2001 attacks and challenged the assertions of a former aide who accused him of not placing a high enough priority on pursuing al Qaeda prior to the tragedy.
The United States on Friday dismissed as public posturing Russian complaints about Nato's enlargement onto former Soviet soil and said there was no sense of a crisis between the Cold War foes.
Poland's ruling Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) split on Friday, increasing the pressure on unpopular Prime Minister Leszek Miller to resign and pave the way for a government revamp.
US forces fought running battles with insurgents in the Iraqi town of Falluja on Friday and a television cameraman and eight civilians, including three children, were killed, a hospital official said.
The study provides an analysis of potential gains and losses for Pakistan, from abolishing the quota system built up under the MFA, which will be dismantled under the ATC in January 2005.
By the grace of Allah and through the dedicated efforts of the Exports Excellence Award Committee, PRGMEA is organising the 6th Export Excellence Awards Ceremony.
I am pleased to learn that the Pakistan Readymade Garment Manufacturers & Exporters Association is organising the 6th Export Excellence Awards 2004 for the leading exporters of 2003.
It gives me immense pleasure to extend my felicitation to Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers & Exporters Association for continuing its 6th Export Excellence Award Ceremony to confer awards on the leading exporters on the basis of their export perf
I am happy to learn that Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA) is organising the 6th Export Excellence Award Ceremony 2004 to acknowledge services rendered by our garment exporters.
I am glad to know that the Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA) is organising the 6th Export Excellence Award Ceremony 2004 to confer awards on the leading exporters in recognition of their excellent performance dur
Chairman of Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority (Smeda) held a meeting with the organisers of the international conference on 'Investment Opportunities in Balochistan (ICIB) 2004' to be held in Quetta on May 8. A statement here on Friday sai
Education Minister Ms Zubaida Jalal has said that the changes in the current curricula of Pakistani schools was necessary to meet modern day challenges.
A cash award of Rs 24,000/- has been given to six police officials for demonstrating courage and bravery and showing the best professional performance in an encounter with the dacoits and highwaymen in police station Thekriwala area.
Pak Maktab School Ghulam Muhammadabad working under the arrangement of social welfare department Faisalabad has been upgraded and for that purpose social welfare department Punjab has accorded approval for the construction of an additional building with a
Dr Gunther Gallowitsch, Ambassador of Austria to Pakistan, called on NWFP Minister for Health Inyatullah here on Friday. Provincial secretary for health Dr Ihsanul Haq and chief of the Health Sector Reforms Unit (HSRU) Dr Mohammad Rafiq were also present
Sialkot District Government has adopted special measures for the promotion and expansion of agriculture on modern and scientific lines in the district.
There would be absolutely no compromise on the misuse of powers and excesses and high-handedness committed to the general public by the police officials because the establishment of District Public Safety Commission was itself a challenge for its members
Soaring steel prices have roiled the ranks of US auto suppliers, pushing some to the brink of bankruptcy, and threatening to disrupt the multi-billion dollar US automotive industry.
The Federal Cabinet at its meeting on Wednesday (March 24) approved a reduction in the rate of import duty or re-rollable scrap from the existing 25 percent to 10 percent with immediate effect.
While testifying before the 9/11 National Commission on Tuesday and Wednesday, senior American officials, past and present, acknowledged that the two sets of sanctions imposed on Pakistan during the last decade prevented successive US administrations from
There are occasions in duplicate bridge when the anchor pair of the team keeps a close watch on the score by sheer mental calculations with the performance at the table. In many cases it is not very difficult to assess the score on the basis of success an
Indian captain Saurav Ganguly remains doubtful for the first test against Pakistan starting on Sunday even though MRI scans have shown that his back injury is not serious, the team's media manager said.
My restless mind works like a TV set with multiple channels, as I begin this column. Unsure of how to begin, the stance, and mood to opt for. It is with an inner hesitation, caution, and humility that one seeks to tread in the days ahead.
Sohail Abbas has emerged as the star of today's hockey, scoring nine goals in the Olympic Qualifiers, played at Madrid, Spain, from March 3 to 13. Trailing behind Dutch short corner expert Floris-Jan Bovelander, who scored 267 goals, Sohail is arguably th
India's Anil Kumble, who once took all 10 wickets in an innings against Pakistan, said on Friday he looked forward to renewing battle with the arch-rivals.
The one-day fiesta, which gave enjoyment and thrill to the cricket fans of the two neighbouring countries, thanks to the thaw in the strained relations between the arch-foes, is over. The matches are now history but many have the memory of the high-veloci
Rubbishing allegations of match fixing, former Pakistan captain turned politician Imran Khan said that the Indo-Pakistan ODI series was highly competitive and there could be no question about the integrity and genuineness of the five matches played in the
Liver is a vascular glandular organ in vertebrates that secretes bile, stores and filters blood, and takes part in many metabolic functions, for example, the conversion of sugar into glycogen. Hepatitis is the disease that targets liver and could give ris
Pakistan fans are reportedly showing less interest in buying tickets for the first Test between India and Pakistan to be played at Multan from March 28 to April 1 owing to rumours of match fixing.
Highlights of assorted cultural activities in Lahore included a dialogue between Pakistani and Indian students; visit to Kinnaird College for Women by old (Indian) students of the college; the formation of Pakistan-India Theatre Body; half-a-dozen exhibit
Cricket team manager Haroon Rasheed said on Friday that Pakistan would bounce back in the Test series after losing a very well contested live-match one day international series against India.
So here I am suffering from hypertension, kidney failure, lying waiting for the next session of dialysis in the children's hospital's ward. A network of tubes zigzag their way from my arms, crossing uncrossing, like the path of the Milky Way. Connecting m
Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, who has scored centuries in his last two matches in his home town of Multan, wants to continue his good run in the first test against India starting on Sunday.