Asian currencies firmed against the dollar over the past week, led by the yen, but dealers were watching for the outcome of next week's Opec meeting and the release of US unemployment figures.
Banking stocks like Absa could benefit if the rand holds strong this week, dealers and analysts said on Friday, noting the broad market could take direction from economic data after a choppy month for equities.
A meeting of oil cartel Opec and US jobs data will take centre stage this week, with budget airline Ryanair and UK telecoms firm Cable & Wireless heading a dwindling quarterly earnings schedule.
Britain's FTSE-100 will hold current levels this week and while a possible bid for Marks & Spencer will continue to a big focus, the benchmark index will take cues from Opec's ruling on oil supply, dealers said.
French biotechnology company Immuno-Designed Molecules detail plans this week to float its shares via an initial public offer, the company said on Wednesday, joining a string of companies seeking to list.
French biotechnology company Immuno-Designed Molecules detail plans this week to float its shares via an initial public offer, the company said on Wednesday, joining a string of companies seeking to list.
Britain's pension funds are likely to shift further into bonds despite retail chain Boots rowing back from its controversial decision to hold all its pension assets in fixed income, analysts said.
Britain's pension funds are likely to shift further into bonds despite retail chain Boots rowing back from its controversial decision to hold all its pension assets in fixed income, analysts said.
Wall Street will be waiting on a batch of key economic data this week. But what's good for the economy may not be good for stocks as investors fret over the potential for a Federal Reserve interest-rate hike.
About 1,000 soldiers considered dissidents by the army in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Sunday moved close to the airport of a battle-scarred eastern town, a UN spokesman said.
Myanmar Sunday blamed its substantial cache of internal problems on Britain and urged its former colonial ruler to stop "further destabilising" the military state with crippling economic sanctions.
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Sunday postponed for a week a cabinet vote on a revised version of his Gaza pullout plan and threatened to sack some of his ministers in order to push the project through.
Iran Sunday ruled out any co-operation with the United States in its occupation of neighbouring Iraq, and demanded that any new Iraqi government be given "full sovereignty".
Britain's Tony Blair stressed on Sunday the need to keep the Muslim community on side as a leaked document revealed a project to "win the hearts and minds" of Islamic extremists and al Qaeda sympathisers.
A Pentagon email said Vice President Dick Cheney co-ordinated a huge Halliburton government contract for Iraq, Time said Sunday, despite Cheney's denial of interest in the company he ran until 2000.
The death toll in Haiti has reached 996, with the discovery of 404 bodies in south-eastern Haiti after Caribbean storms a week ago, civil defence told AFP Sunday.
China is developing a variety of "credible military options" to prevent Taiwan from achieving independence, including tools to discourage the United States from coming to the island's aid in a conflict with the mainland, the US Department of Defence warne
Maoist rebels fighting to overthrow Nepal's monarchy warned Sunday of a major attack after a rare bombing on a passenger bus in the capital Kathmandu left one dead and 25 injured.
King Gyanendra of Nepal late Sunday gave the opposition one day to settle on a candidate for prime minister after more than three weeks of negotiations failed to end anti-monarchy protests.
A Sunni Muslim on Iraq's Governing Council was tipped on Sunday to become the first post-Saddam Hussein president, as an interim government took shape amid fresh violence in the holy city of Najaf.
It is well recognised that the use of tobacco has both medical and economic implications. Pakistan is a developing nation with the threat of tobacco use spreading rapidly, targeting the youth in particular.
This year, World No Tobacco Day will focus on the theme 'Tobacco and Poverty'. The subject of this day is "Poverty-Causing, Poverty-Sustaining and Exploitative Labour Practices in the Tobacco Industry".
World No Tobacco Day 2004 highlights how tobacco consumption impoverishes individuals, households and countries, diverting resources away from basic necessities and causing disease and premature death.
No one can deny the hazards associated with smoking. The situation in Pakistan is alarming. One estimate shows that around 275 persons die of smoking-related illness each day.
Islamabad may not get a badly-needed sewage treatment plant at least for another one year since Sogea, the French firm and contractor for the project, has failed to meet even extended deadline of May 15, to bring the project on ground.
The inability of the administration of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) to submit practical plan for new development projects may jeopardise the possible sanctioning of grant and concessional loans from the international donors, which are ke
With the big guns still silent along the Kashmiri front lines six months into a truce between the armies of India and Pakistan, once-traumatised children are slowly returning to normality in this frontier town.
London's theatrical world is no stranger to political plays, but a new work opening this week has taken an original approach - telling the story of Britons detained at the US-run Guantanamo Bay jail in their own words.
Albania is facing a humanitarian catastrophe due to growing pollution caused by poisonous gases that are 10 times above the tolerance level set by the World Health Organisations (WHO), according to experts in the country.
Now that the world has become a global village, and technological advancements have taken great strides during last the few decades, no country can think of achieving any sustainable socio-economic development, unless its people are adequately educated.
Globalisation refers to the liberal intercourse of widespread economic activity embracing the whole globe, a multidimensional process ultimately vectored towards the overall good of the global layman.
It has become a fashion to verbally express the importance of agriculture for bringing the national economy at an even keel in the annual national budget and otherwise. But in practice, very little has always been done to uplift our agriculture.
Attention is drawn to the SHC judgement of 12 May 2004 (suit No B-94 of 2001) in the case of Habib Bank Limited vs. Bela Automotive Industries Limited (BELA). The honourable court has ruled that the bank has repeatedly indulged in the practice of imposing
When elections in developing countries are held, the West get worried about their fairness or otherwise. It stands to reason that in the West and other advanced countries, the leaders, whether belonging to the government or opposition, feel no harm in bow
For Esref Uyan, the only hope of earning money to take care of his family lies not in his hometown in Turkey's mainly Kurdish south-east but in agricultural land miles away in the west of the country.
According to a report the government has finally decided to import one million tonnes of wheat. Flip-flop on the part of the government does not reflect well on the quality of decision-making.
The nomination of Syed Mushahid Hussain as secretary-general of the unified Pakistan Muslim League (PML) has come as a surprise to politicians, analysts, the media and the public alike.
At a pre-budget seminar in Lahore on 26th May on "Has the time come for redistribution of gains in economy?" the Governor of the State Bank spelt out a host of possible measures to accelerate growth and facilitate trickling down of macro-economic improvem
Due to preventive maintenance work, Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) will temporarily suspend the electricity supply in maintenance areas from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm on Monday, May 31.
Capital Development Authority (CDA) so far failed to dislodge moveable and immovable encroachments in various sectors of Islamabad which defaced the capital status.
The coming Federal Budget would be people- friendly as there were 12.5 million dollars reserves with the government and many facilities would be provided to the common people and the environment for more foreign as well as local investments.
Federal Tax Ombudsman former justice Saleem Akhtar has asked the Central Board of Revenue (CBR) to make a refund of over Rs 1.4 million to a trader of Gujrat as refund has to be paid immediately irrespective of the fact whether the assessee has made any c
A total number of 31 couples belonging to poor strata of society were joined in wedlock in a simple but impressive ceremony at Aiwan-e-Iqbal Lahore, on Sunday.
Higher Education Commission (HEC) is holding a two-day workshop on "Curriculum Linkages" at Department of Bio-Sciences, University of Balochistan from June 1-2.
All Pakistan Solvent Extractors Association (APSEA) has expressed concern over the crash of edible oil prices in international markets and demanded temporary suspension of the import of both oilseeds and edible oils to save domestic sunflower growers and
The Annual Plan Co-ordination Committee (APCC) has proposed Rs 1127.931 million including foreign component of Rs 200 million for various projects of Capital Development Authority (CDA) in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2004-05, informed s
The upcoming Budget 2004-05 is likely to bring concrete measures for a few listed sectors, while indirectly impacting some. In a detailed pre-budget report prepared by InvestCap, analysts foresee positive budgetary measures for commercial banks, textile,
Chief Minister NWFP Muhammad Akram Khan Durrani who called on Chief Minister Punjab Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi discussed National Finance Commission Award (NFCA) and collective operations on law and order between two provinces, on Sunday.
The introduction of contract system in agriculture produce market committee was strongly resented by the agro-base industrialists, traders and businessmen through out the province.
The Sindh Abadgar Board (SAB) has expressed apprehensions that the province might turn into poppy growing areas due to continuous decline in agriculture production due to poor availability of water, prolonged dry spell and fast deteriorating law and order
Commodities on the wholesale markets moved with snails' pace owing to untoward developments during the week ended May 29. However, variations were noted in sugar, gur, hide and skins, milk powder, raw rubber, yellow peas and dal (gram) new, rapeseed, cake
Meezan Bank has launched a new and unique Islamic Investment facility, Meezan Providence. The facility is the first of its kind in Pakistan, whereby a corporate or business concern can make a 100 percent halal long-term investment of their Employee Provid
Meezan Bank has launched a new and unique Islamic Investment facility, Meezan Providence. The facility is the first of its kind in Pakistan, whereby a corporate or business concern can make a 100 percent halal long-term investment of their Employee Provid
'Ladies Wing' of 'Watan Party' has joined hands with Dr Akhtar Hussain in challenging before the Supreme Court the sale of Habib Bank Limited to Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development.
Local traders have urged the Central Board of Revenue (CBR) to honour its commitments made with them last year regarding total audit and other tax-related issues.
The fast warning quality cotton has prompted buyers to frequent visit stations just in case they come across an offer of a desirable bale during the week ended on Saturday.
Cotton planting has almost been completed in Lower Sindh, while it is in progress in Upper Sindh and Punjab. Previously, there was no shortage of canal water, sowing in one area was simultaneously, but now due to shortage of canal waters, cotton growers g
Cotton planting has almost been completed in Lower Sindh, while it is in progress in Upper Sindh and Punjab. Previously, there was no shortage of canal water, sowing in one area was simultaneously, but now due to shortage of canal waters, cotton growers g
Professor Dr Khalid Rashid of International Islamic University has been promoted in BS-21 in recognition of his Research, organising teaching and research guidance to M. Phil and Ph.D. levels and for providing leadership to the other developmental program
Religious scholar Professor Ahmed Rafiq Akhtar has said that the life of Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) is a beacon of light, and solution of all the problems confronting to Muslim Ummah lies in following his Sunnah.
The Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), at Paediatrics Department, Unit III, Civil Hospital Karachi, formally inaugurated in January 2003 is yet to be functional for want of qualified staff in adequate numbers.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed while talking to PTV said the murderers of Mufti Nizamuddin Shamzai would be given exemplary punishment and they could not escape from the law.
Provincial Industries and Investment Minister Mohammad Ajmal Cheema has said that preparation of new Industrial Policy 2004 is in full swing and various matters pertaining to industrial development were under active consideration of the government.
Prime Minister Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan on Sunday directed authorities to pay Rs 100,000 compensation to the bereaved family of photographer who was killed by police firing during a protest demonstration against government in Chanari town last Thursday.
Interior Minister Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat said on Sunday that the federal government will provide all kinds of assistance to Sindh government for the arrest of killers of renowned religious scholar Mufti Nizamuddin Shamzai.
An artificial skin would be developed in city through latest "Stem Cell" technique for skin grafting of burn patients for the first time in history of the country.
The government committed worst kind of human right violations on the arrival of the former Punjab Chief Minister, Mian Shahbaz Sharif, on May 11, 2004 at Allama Iqbal International Airport Lahore, by using state force against PML (N) and ARD workers and a
The Department of Agriculture Extension Fata has launched numerous programmes for improving the living standard of tribesmen through sustainable development of agriculture in tribal area.
The 366th death anniversary of Qazi Muhammad Afzal Ala Rehmat, Chief Justice of Sub-Continent during Mogul period will be held at Aastana Alia Shah Gudar, Gari Shahu on June 3, 2004.
Federal Religious and Minorities Affairs Minister Ijazul Haq on Sunday appealed to the people to remain peaceful and avoid indulging in activities that can harm the private or public property as a reaction to the murder of religious scholar Mufti Nizamudd
National progress cannot be accomplished without an active participation of the society so every citizen should take part in popularising the education zealously.
The Nazim of City District Government Karachi, Naimatullah Khan on Sunday expressed grief and sorrow over murder of the noted religious scholar Mufti Nizamuddin Shamzai and termed it a loss of Muslims Ummah.
The Karachi Press Club has postponed the seminar on "Press Freedom" scheduled to be held on Monday at 5 pm in view of the volatile situation in the city on Sunday.
Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) is holding a meeting of its Press Complaint Committee on Monday at 5:00 pm at its Secretariat located at Fareed Chamber, Abdullah Haroon Road Karachi.
The First Bench of the Federal Shariat Court (FSC) will resume hearings into the compatibility of several federal laws with the Islamic jurisprudence when it opens its June session from Monday.
Authorities on Sunday closed thousands of shops belonging to local tribesmen in the main South Waziristan town of Wana in retaliation for their failure to hand over al Qaeda-linked fighters, officials said.
Saadi Cement has now also entered the export market. Its first export to Afghanistan started on May 27th, with a simple ceremony and prayer to Allah the most beneficent and most merciful.
Chief Executive Officer, Pakistan Horticulture Development & Export Board (PHDEB), Shamoon Sadiq has expressed the hope that the export of mangoes is expected to increase by five percent to 10 percent during the current season.
Four US soldiers were killed in a landmine blast in Afghanistan as violence erupted in at least three districts in the south of the country, Afghan and US officials said on Sunday.
Four US soldiers were killed in a landmine blast in Afghanistan as violence erupted in at least three districts in the south of the country, Afghan and US officials said on Sunday.
India's Home Minister Shivraj Patil said on Sunday that Pakistan's weekend test of a nuclear-capable missile would escalate an arms race between the rival neighbours.
India's Home Minister Shivraj Patil said on Sunday that Pakistan's weekend test of a nuclear-capable missile would escalate an arms race between the rival neighbours.
The Dispute Resolution Complex, Karachi, will exclusively deal with all the adjudication cases of customs, sales tax and central excise for speedy processing of applications.
The Dispute Resolution Complex, Karachi, will exclusively deal with all the adjudication cases of customs, sales tax and central excise for speedy processing of applications.
As Europe's baby boomers prepare to retire, mid-sized firms supplying retirement homes, pension schemes and specialist medical care are growing rapidly and consolidating, creating opportunities for investors, analysts say.
As Europe's baby boomers prepare to retire, mid-sized firms supplying retirement homes, pension schemes and specialist medical care are growing rapidly and consolidating, creating opportunities for investors, analysts say.
A new Hollywood movie is set to recharge debate on whether the world should spend big money to prevent the catastrophes some fear global warming could bring.
Some cash-rich airlines are shopping for forward jet fuel swaps as far out as 2007 in a bid to stave off a repeat of this year's shrinking profits as oil prices spiral to record highs, derivatives dealers said on Monday.