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Print - 2004-03-30
Taiwan stocks surge as poll worries ease

Taiwan stocks surge as poll worries ease

Taiwan stocks surged 5.6 percent at Monday's close as political tensions eased after a peaceful rally and moves toward a recount of a disputed presidential election over the weekend sparked across-the-board buying.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Malaysian key index ends up

Malaysian key index ends up

Malaysian shares finished mostly lower on Monday, resuming last week's fall as investors locked in their gains after announcement of a new cabinet at the weekend and central bank's economic forecast.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Thai stocks hit four-month low after bomb in south

Thai stocks hit four-month low after bomb in south

Thai shares dropped almost three percent on Monday after a weekend bomb wounded nearly 30 people in the largely Muslim south, with big cap stocks suffering and developer N.C. Housing falling on its debut.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Sri Lankan stocks fall

Sri Lankan stocks fall

Sri Lankan stocks fell on Monday in thin trade, with most blue chips edging lower and investors taking a wait-and-see attitude ahead of Friday's general election.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Sinopec depresses Chinese shares, more losses ahead

Sinopec depresses Chinese shares, more losses ahead

China's shares fell on Monday for the fifth straight day after Sinopec Corp posted a smaller-than-expected 32 percent rise in 2003 profit, sparking a selling spree in large-capitalised blue chips.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Singapore shares end mixed but Keppel rises

Singapore shares end mixed but Keppel rises

Singapore shares ended mixed on Monday as light buying in blue chips such as conglomerate Keppel Corp, whose energy unit unveiled a bond issue to fund expansion plans, failed to overcome broader market weakness.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Seoul shares soar on first quarter earnings hopes

Seoul shares soar on first quarter earnings hopes

South Korean shares closed more than one percent higher on Monday, as expectations for strong quarterly earnings boosted shares in Samsung Electronics and other major technology stocks.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Nikkei snaps three-day rise as steel and builders sold

Nikkei snaps three-day rise as steel and builders sold

Tokyo's Nikkei average snapped a three-day winning streak on Monday as the market's recent rally made investors nervous, prompting them to cash in profits on recent high-flyers such as builders and steel makers.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Bonds: Telecom Italia leads rally

Bonds: Telecom Italia leads rally

Bonds of Telecom Italia, one of the biggest issuers of euro-denominated debt, led European corporates higher on Monday as rising equity markets stoked risk appetite.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Bonds: Telecom Italia leads rally

Bonds: Telecom Italia leads rally

Bonds of Telecom Italia, one of the biggest issuers of euro-denominated debt, led European corporates higher on Monday as rising equity markets stoked risk appetite.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Bangladeshi taka ends easier on food imports

Bangladeshi taka ends easier on food imports

The Bangladeshi taka ended slightly easier on Monday on demand for US dollars to cover import charges for edible oil and other food items, dealers said.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Swiss franc easier as yen rallies

Swiss franc easier as yen rallies

The Swiss franc opened easier on Monday as investors seeking more risk exposure moved out of the safe-haven currency and the yen advanced on a newspaper report that Japan had stopped intervening to weaken the currency.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Yen rises on speculation Japan done with intervention

Yen rises on speculation Japan done with intervention

The yen closed in on a multiyear peak versus the dollar on Monday following a newspaper report that Japan had ended its campaign to weaken its currency because the economy no longer needed propping up.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Asian currencies broadly stronger

Asian currencies broadly stronger

Asian currencies were broadly stronger on Monday as the Japanese yen threatened to rise to a multi-year high against the dollar, with sentiment helped by a calming of political tensions in Taiwan.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Hong Kong dollar ends higher

Hong Kong dollar ends higher

The Hong Kong dollar strengthened against the US dollar on Monday as worries about a political crisis in Taiwan faded.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Chinese yuan notches weaker

Chinese yuan notches weaker

The yuan ended two notches weaker versus the dollar at 8.2772 on Monday, remaining near the stronger end of its managed trading range.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Sterling supported by data

Sterling supported by data

Sterling traded with a firm footing on Monday as robust consumer credit and record mortgage lending data bolstered expectations for higher British interest rates.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Yen gains, euro soft on rate talk

Yen gains, euro soft on rate talk

The yen rose on Monday after a newspaper report said Japan had ended its policy of intervening to curb its gains, while the euro briefly fell on nervousness that the European Central Bank may cut interest rates this week.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Indian rupee at new 46-month high

Indian rupee at new 46-month high

The Indian rupee finished on Monday at a new 46-month closing peak, gaining nearly one percent in the session on strong trade and foreign fund inflows, while the central bank kept its interventions to a minimum, dealers said.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Iran revises quake death toll

Iran revises quake death toll

Iran on Monday revised down the number killed when an earthquake flattened the ancient Silk Road city of Bam in December to 26,271 from 41,000, saying many victims were counted several times in the ensuing chaos.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Judge weighs mistrial motions in Tyco case

Judge weighs mistrial motions in Tyco case

The judge in the corruption case of two former Tyco International Ltd executives called for a recess on Monday to weigh a request by defence attorneys for a mistrial due to media coverage that exposed the identity of a juror.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
US confident about Afghan polls despite delay

US confident about Afghan polls despite delay

The United States is confident delayed elections in Afghanistan will go ahead in September despite chronic lawlessness, a senior envoy said Monday ahead of an aid conference for the war-torn country.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Advani urges reconciliation in Gujarat

Advani urges reconciliation in Gujarat

Indian Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani on Monday urged Muslims and Hindus of communally-sensitive Gujarat to bury hostilities to avert a repeat of the bloodbath that engulfed the state in 2002.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Zambian president cancels party polls over graft

Zambian president cancels party polls over graft

Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa has cancelled elections for senior positions in his ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) party, saying some leaders vying for positions are corrupt.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Arab lawyers' union forms body for Saddam

Arab lawyers' union forms body for Saddam

The Arab lawyers' union has formed a "defence committee" for former president Saddam Hussein and other Iraqi prisoners, the Cairo-based organisation's deputy secretary general said Monday.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
US wants Khaleda Zia to complete full term: envoy

US wants Khaleda Zia to complete full term: envoy

Washington wants to see Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's government complete its five-year term as this would ensure stability in politically volatile Bangladesh, according to the top US envoy here.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Virus creators using infected computers to run scams

Virus creators using infected computers to run scams

Internet security experts on Monday warned that the creators of some of the latest computer viruses were using computers infected by the bugs to run online scams to get credit card information from unsuspecting buyers.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Sri Lankan election commission takes over state media

Sri Lankan election commission takes over state media

Sri Lanka's election commission shocked the island on Monday by taking over state-run media four days before the vote and after weeks of charges that newspapers and television favoured President Chandrika Kumaratunga's party.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
French singer jailed for actress death

French singer jailed for actress death

A Lithuanian court sentenced French rocker Bertrand Cantat to eight years in jail on Monday for beating his actress girlfriend Marie Trintignant to death in a hotel room row.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Focus expands Madagascar's relief aid

Focus expands Madagascar's relief aid

Focus Humanitarian Assistance (FOCUS), an affiliate of the Aga Khan Development Network, has decided to expand its emergency relief intervention into education and health care support to serve some of the more than 200,000 people affected by Cyclone Gafil
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Actor, author Peter Ustinov dies at 82

Actor, author Peter Ustinov dies at 82

Oscar-winning British actor and playwright Peter Ustinov, one of the world's best loved raconteurs and mimics, has died at the age of 82.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
US soldier killed; troops kill four in Mosul

US soldier killed; troops kill four in Mosul

A US soldier was killed Monday when a roadside bomb exploded under a military convoy near the flash-point Iraqi town of Fallujah, a senior coalition official said.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Changed Cyprus plan can break ice: Annan

Changed Cyprus plan can break ice: Annan

UN head Kofi Annan unveiled a revised Cyprus plan on Monday that he said would "break the ice" in stalled talks to unite the island after 30 years of Greeks and Turks living apart.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Seven East bloc states formally join Nato

Seven East bloc states formally join Nato

Seven former Soviet republics and East bloc states formally joined Nato on Monday as their prime ministers deposited "instruments of accession" to the alliance's founding treaty here.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Arabs to reschedule summit delayed by Tunisia

Arabs to reschedule summit delayed by Tunisia

Arab leaders on Monday sought to reschedule a summit that was unilaterally postponed by host country Tunisia amid divisions over US calls for political and economic reforms in the Middle East.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Britain envisions FBI-style force

Britain envisions FBI-style force

The British government, determined to crack down on drug trafficking, people smuggling and fraud, unveiled its blueprints Monday for a new, FBI-style police force to tackle organised crime.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Iraq election framework must be agreed by May: UN

Iraq election framework must be agreed by May: UN

Iraqi leaders must agree on a basic electoral framework by the end of May if they are to hold elections as planned in January 2005, a top United Nations expert on elections said on Monday.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Sharon's son must yield graft probe papers

Sharon's son must yield graft probe papers

The Supreme Court on Monday ordered Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's son to hand over documents crucial to investigating corruption scandals that could topple the Israeli leader and sideline his Gaza withdrawal plan.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Chirac in crisis talks after poll defeat

Chirac in crisis talks after poll defeat

French President Jacques Chirac held crisis talks with his prime minister on Monday, under pressure to dismiss him and shake up the conservative government after a crushing defeat in regional elections.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Five Iraqis hurt in clashes with British troops

Five Iraqis hurt in clashes with British troops

Five Iraqi militiamen were wounded in violent clashes Monday with British troops, who tried to evict them from a building they had taken over, a spokesman for their faction said.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Two Saudi reformists released

Two Saudi reformists released

Two Saudi reformists were released on Monday after 13 days in detention without pledging to cease their pro-reform activities, both men told AFP.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Ireland leads the world by going smoke-free

Ireland leads the world by going smoke-free

Ireland became the first country in the world to outlaw cigarettes in all its restaurants and pubs on Monday, to the delight of non-smokers but the dismay of some publicans worried about having to police the ban.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
PAF batch completes training at Niste

PAF batch completes training at Niste

The advance technical skill-oriented training is imperative to further enhance the expertise in the wake of rapidly changing technologies of the new era.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Accused awarded death sentence; US Consulate firing case

Accused awarded death sentence; US Consulate firing case

Anti Terrorism Court (ATC-III), headed by Judge Arshad Noor Khan, on Monday sentenced an accused Zulfiqar to death and to a total prison term of 17 years in US Consulate firing case in which two police officials were killed, several others including offic
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
People's Party team meets Hurriyat leaders

People's Party team meets Hurriyat leaders

A seven-member group of Pakistani parliamentarians met the leaders of Hurriyat Conference (A) in New Delhi and hailed the dialogue between the Indian Deputy Prime Minister and Abbas-led Hurriyat Conference, a Hurriyat (A) release said on Monday.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Efforts on to recover abducted SNGPL employees

Efforts on to recover abducted SNGPL employees

Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources, Chaudhry Nouraiz Shakoor on Monday said that government would deal with an iron hand with those involved in abduction of five SNGPL employees.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Date for revision of voters list extended

Date for revision of voters list extended

Keeping in view the people's problems and ensure transparency in process, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Chief Justice Irshad Hasan Khan (Retd) has extended the date for revision of electoral rolls from April 14 to 30 as he initiated the process of re
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Encroachments on Alamgir Road

Encroachments on Alamgir Road

I want to bring to the notice about lot of encroachments on Alamgir Road opposite Alamgir Masjid, Bahadurabad, Karachi, which is increasing day-by-day.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
MMA and Islamic injunctions

MMA and Islamic injunctions

The MMA, a so-called religious association, poses to be Islamic and religious.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Five awaiting release from Guantanamo Bay

Five awaiting release from Guantanamo Bay

Recently it has been announced that five so-called 'terror suspects' are being released in the next few weeks from the notorious American prison in Guantanamo Bay.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Marketing; a monetary burden on the back of consumer

Marketing; a monetary burden on the back of consumer

Buy a pack of "X" brand tea and win fabulous prizes of a TV, refrigerator & DVD. Send an empty wrapper/pack of "masala", along-with copy of your NIC and enter into a lucky draw to win cash prizes upto Rs 1 million.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Tax issues in banking and proposals for CBR

Tax issues in banking and proposals for CBR

The Government has taken various positive steps to address the tax issues in the last four years or so. Given below is an inventory of some of the major tax issues facing the banks in Pakistan which still need to be resolved:
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
New vision for Karachi

New vision for Karachi

The two memorandums of understanding (MoUs) the City District Government Karachi (CDGK) has signed with the Saudi Engineering Group International (SEGI), seem to have been inspired by the urge to benefit from the hindsight.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
The trouble in South Waziristan

The trouble in South Waziristan

The Hammer and Anvil Operation that the US forces launched in Afghanistan and Pakistan's tribal areas - with Pakistan wielding the hammer rather than holding the anvil - has caused painful loss of life as well as political unrest in this country.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Lively pitch for Lahore Test

Lively pitch for Lahore Test

Pakistan's cricket board has asked groundsman Andy Atkinson for a livelier pitch for the second Test after India dominated the first two days of the opening Multan test on a flat track.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Imran Khan blasts pitch after India's run feast

Imran Khan blasts pitch after India's run feast

Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan on Monday lashed out at the dead wicket prepared for the first Test against India, saying it was bad for the country's image.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Murali 'upset' over new bowling action row

Murali 'upset' over new bowling action row

Sri Lanka off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who has been reported again for a suspect bowling action, is confident he will be cleared by the sport's governing body.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
PCB cuts ticket rates for Tests

PCB cuts ticket rates for Tests

Concerned by the poor crowd turnout for e first Test in 15 years between the arch rivals, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reduced the price of tickets by half to lure fans to the ground.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
BCCI congratulates Sehwag for his triple-ton

BCCI congratulates Sehwag for his triple-ton

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Monday congratulated dashing opener Virender Sehwag for becoming the first ever Indian batsman to score a triple hundred in Test and said every Indian would 'love to remember' the innings for all time to
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Sehwag sets record straight with triple-ton

Sehwag sets record straight with triple-ton

If someone had told Virender Sehwag three years ago that he would become a successful Test opener, he would have thrown his head back and laughed.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Triple-ton Sehwag and Tendulkar pound Pakistan

Triple-ton Sehwag and Tendulkar pound Pakistan

Virender Sehwag smashed India's first triple century and Sachin Tendulkar hit a 33rd hundred as Pakistan were sent on a leather chase in the first Test here on Monday.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Dr Ishrat pays tributes to Abdullah J Memon

Dr Ishrat pays tributes to Abdullah J Memon

State Bank of Pakistan Governor Dr Ishrat Hussain has said that there are some principles of good governance and for the achievements of goals, fulfilment of these principles is a prerequisite.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
The Weather

The Weather

The weather report on Monday (March 29) and the forecast of Tuesday (March 30, 2004).
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Recovery cases filed against 5 sugar mills

Recovery cases filed against 5 sugar mills

Cases have been filed against five sugar mills, in the courts of their respective districts, for recovery Rs 180 million of last year's dues of growers.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Escorts Bank earns Rs 49 million profit before tax

Escorts Bank earns Rs 49 million profit before tax

Escorts Investment Bank Limited has shown an overall growth during the period of July-December 2003, as its profit before tax was Rs 49 million, showing an increase of nine percent from the corresponding year, while its total asset stood at Rs 2,327 milli
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Escorts Bank earns Rs 49 million profit before tax

Escorts Bank earns Rs 49 million profit before tax

Escorts Investment Bank Limited has shown an overall growth during the period of July-December 2003, as its profit before tax was Rs 49 million, showing an increase of nine percent from the corresponding year, while its total asset stood at Rs 2,327 milli
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Smeda to set up CFCs with ADB aid

Smeda to set up CFCs with ADB aid

Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority (Smeda) in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will be setting up Common Facility Centers (CFCs) which will be run by the local trade organisations at a cost of 12 million dollars.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Closing of sterling rates

Closing of sterling rates

Closing of sterling rates at 1730 GMT - on Monday (March 29, 2004)
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Government urged to check price hike and unemployment

Government urged to check price hike and unemployment

Pakistan Muslim League (N) leader, Pervaiz Malik MNA has said that the government instead of wasting resources on Wana operation and building cultural ties with India, must concentrate on more pressing problems like price hike, unemployment and lawlessnes
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Bullion Rates

Bullion Rates

Gold and silver rates in rupees per 10 grams prevailing in major cities on Monday (March 29, 2004).
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Soneri Bank declares 25 percent bonus share

Soneri Bank declares 25 percent bonus share

The Soneri Bank, in its 12th annual general meeting on Monday, approved the recommendation of its board of directors for issuance of 25 percent bonus share.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Bullion Rates

Bullion Rates

Gold and silver rates in rupees per 10 grams prevailing in major cities on Monday (March 29, 2004).
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Soneri Bank declares 25 percent bonus share

Soneri Bank declares 25 percent bonus share

The Soneri Bank, in its 12th annual general meeting on Monday, approved the recommendation of its board of directors for issuance of 25 percent bonus share.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Cotton Spot Rates

Cotton Spot Rates

Official KCA spot rates for local dealings in Pakistan rupees on Monday (March 29, 2004).
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
APNS EGM and AGM to be held on March 31

APNS EGM and AGM to be held on March 31

"The Extra-Ordinary General Council (EGM) and the Annual General Council (AGM) of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) will be held on Wednesday, March 31, 2004 at 10.30 am and 11.30 am, respectively at Karachi.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Poultry rates

Poultry rates

Wholesale poultry rates on Monday (March 29) and rates for Tuesday (March 30, 2004).
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Smeda develops women entrepreneurs information network

Smeda develops women entrepreneurs information network

Provincial Minister for Women Development, Social Welfare & Bait-ul-Maal Sughra Imam, is going to launch Women Entrepreneurs Information Network (www.win.org.pk) developed by the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority (Smeda) on Tuesday (March
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Judgement reserved in Hakim's application

Judgement reserved in Hakim's application

An accountability court on Monday reserved its judgement in an application filed by former MPA Chaudhry Hakim Ali. He had prayed to order return of property confiscated by the court in his absence.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Consistency in economic policies must to overcome poverty: CBR chief

Consistency in economic policies must to overcome poverty: CBR chief

The Chairman of Central Board of Revenue (CBR), Abdullah Yousuf, has said that the only way to beat the giant of poverty, unemployment and illiteracy is to bring consistency in the economic policies to attain the desired growth with the motive to lead the
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Ifac approves reorganisation of Safa

Ifac approves reorganisation of Safa

The Board of International Federation of Accountants (Ifac) has accorded its approval for recognising South Asian Federation of Accountants (Safa) as a regional group.
Published 30 Mar, 2004 12:00am