Indonesian robusta farmers are holding back stocks in hope of better returns after local prices dived more than 10 percent week-on-week, tracking Brazil-linked weather concerns in the London market, traders say.

The Sindh Chief Minister, Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, has said that Thar was a far-flung backward area of the province, which was overlooked in the past.

The Sindh government, under Public Sector Development Program (PSDP), has earmarked Rs 140.785 million in the 2004-05 provincial budget for various health schemes in Karachi.

The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Engineering and Maintenance Department is rendering valuable services and issuance of Part-145 Certificate by European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) speaks of the high standard and efficiency of the department.

At least 50 villages were submerged and rail services paralysed as the first of the annual flash floods hit the eastern Indian state of Bihar, an official said Saturday.

A Yemeni court Saturday adjourned for another week the trial of 15 people accused of a raft of terrorist offences, including the October 2002 bombing of the French supertanker Limburg, to allow lawyers to study the case, a judicial source said.

Turkey remains opposed to granting autonomy to Kurds in northern Iraq, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan said Saturday, ruling out any change in his country's decades-old policy on the status of the minority community.

Saudi authorities said on Saturday they had killed al Qaeda's leader in the kingdom and three other prominent militants, hours after the group carried out its threat to behead US hostage Paul Johnson.

Hundreds of women marched through Baghdad's Sadr City, a restive Shia Muslim slum, in support of militiamen who waged a bloody uprising under the command of radical cleric Moqtada Sadr, witnesses said on Saturday.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration confirmed Friday that US space shuttle flights, suspended since the Columbia shuttle disaster in February 2003, will resume next March or April.

Prime Minister Tony Blair hailed a first constitution for the European Union as a good deal for Britain on Saturday but now must sell it to his eurosceptic public in a referendum.

Eighteen people, 14 of them policemen, were killed and more than a dozen injured when a police van and a bus were ambushed by Maoist rebels Saturday in south-western Nepal, a police official said.

A bipartisan delegation of US senators paid a surprise visit to Baghdad on Saturday to discuss the June 30 handover of power with top US and Iraqi officials, a spokesman said.

Iran said on Saturday it would decide in coming days whether to resume uranium enrichment activities after a tough UN resolution sharply rebuked Tehran for not co-operating fully with nuclear inspectors.

A hacker has broken into computers at sensitive South Korean research institutes and government agencies, cyber security authorities said Saturday.

Myanmar democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi spent her 59th birthday under house arrest on Saturday as supporters held a vigil in the capital Yangon and Western governments pressured the country's military rulers to free her.

Three British parliamentarians came under gunfire during a visit to the Rafah flashpoint in southern Gaza, but nobody was hurt, a British official said on Saturday.

Coastguards in the United Arab Emirates rescued nine Iranians after their cargo ship sunk in bad weather off the coast of the Gulf state, official agency WAM said on Saturday.

US stocks advanced in a quiet session on Friday, helped by stabilising oil prices, but caution before a batch of key economic reports next week and a Federal Reserve meeting at month's end kept a lid on gains.

There are some simple lessons for tracking credit quality, according to new research: watch independent ratings agencies before the big ones like Moody's, but if you watch the big ones focus keep an eye out for the word "negative."

There are some simple lessons for tracking credit quality, according to new research: watch independent ratings agencies before the big ones like Moody's, but if you watch the big ones focus keep an eye out for the word "negative."

The Brazil's Sao Paulo Stock Exchange's benchmark Bovespa index ended flat on Friday at 20,333 points, up 2.5 percent for the week, as investors worried that a government defeat in a Senate vote on the nation's minimum wage could foretell further problems

Toronto stocks reversed early gains and closed lower on Friday as investors took profits after a week in which Canada's main equity market witnessed strong gains on higher commodity prices.

Argentine stock prices jumped 4.55 percent on Friday as investors went bargain hunting for blue chips like steelmaker Siderar after falls over the year, traders said.

Chile stocks gained for a fourth straight session on Friday, hitting a two-month high on news that Argentina would ease its natural gas cuts, adding to investor optimism over economic growth, traders said.

After more than a month-long cooling off period, software firm Salesforce.com Inc has returned to the calendar and is slated to hold its initial public offering next week.

South African banks like Absa and firms with a domestic focus are expected to attract interest next week in a market that is otherwise expected to trend sideways to lower, dealers said on Friday.

US corporate bond spreads were unchanged on Friday and trading was light as a dearth of economic news left the market without direction.

US corporate bond spreads were unchanged on Friday and trading was light as a dearth of economic news left the market without direction.

The Canadian bond prices weakened across the board on Friday, as a lack of economic news left the market to wilt under the prospects of interest rate hikes on both sides of the border.

The Canadian bond prices weakened across the board on Friday, as a lack of economic news left the market to wilt under the prospects of interest rate hikes on both sides of the border.

Longer-dated US Treasury prices eased on Friday in lackluster trade as the absence of major economic data left the market stuck in a narrow range.

Longer-dated US Treasury prices eased on Friday in lackluster trade as the absence of major economic data left the market stuck in a narrow range.

Mexican stocks ended higher on Friday in low volume as investors awaited a likely US interest rate increase later this month, while the peso gained slightly.

Bank of England policy maker Richard Lambert says the interest rate cycle is edging up but denies the Bank has abandoned its gradualist approach to raising rates, a newspaper said on Saturday.

Speculators in euro futures reduced its net long position in the week ended June 15, data from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission showed on Friday.

The Canadian dollar strengthened against the US currency on Friday as the greenback came under pressure following a report that showed the US current account gap widened to a new record.

The dollar fell broadly on Friday, pushed down by a report that showed the US current account gap widened more than expected in the first quarter.

India's foreign exchange reserves dipped for a second straight week to $119.35 billion on June 11, as the dollar posted small gains overseas against other major currencies and foreign funds pared positions, analysts said.

Euro zone inflation is set to drop below two percent, provided that wage demands do not soar on the back of high oil prices, European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet was quoted as saying on Saturday.

Brazil's currency eased on Friday as investors worried that a government defeat in a Senate vote on the nation's minimum wage could foretell further problems in passing economic reforms.

Plastic mouldings has been keeping low profile generally amid boost in purchases, on the Jodia Bazar.

Scattered variations were marked on the seed and grain wholesale markets on Saturday amid modest business transaction.

Around 3000 bales of cotton changed hands at declining rates on Saturday, also consoling the ginners that sales appeared to have been picking up, relevant sources said.

The July vaida opened at Rs 487.50 and gained Rs 1.50 to claim to be the highest at Rs 489. Later trading depressed and it lost to turn lowest at Rs 487.50 and closing seen higher at Rs 488.80.

China and Brazil expect a costly dispute over soya imports to be resolved in upcoming talks, Brazil's president said on Friday after receiving a message from his Chinese counterpart.

Russia may import more raw sugar in 2005 if it manages to rapidly eliminate excessive stocks accumulated in previous years, an analyst said on Thursday.

Oil prices rebounded this week, lifted by sabotage attacks on key pipelines in Iraq that halted the country's exports and reignited concerns over supply.

Comex copper closed with moderate losses on Friday, its direction being dictated primarily by the weaker dollar after a record US current account deficit was reported, but traders said the thin trading conditions accounted for exaggerated moves as locals

Comex gold went up another 1.6 percent on Friday after news of a record first-quarter US current account deficit caused a sell-off in the dollar on concern about US international trade competitiveness.

NYBOT raw sugar futures reeled from a barrage of fund profit-taking and producer sales to settle weakly on Friday, scuttling a rally that hoisted the sweetener to its best level since early June, brokers said.

Chicago Board of Trade rough rice futures settled mixed on Friday, with speculative liquidation weighing on nearby July, brokers said.

The Australian wool market made further gains with prices rising 0.9 percent on average values this week, buoyed by the continued weakness of the Australian dollar, analysts said on Friday.

Malaysian tin ended flat on Friday despite gains on the London Metal Exchange (LME), with the high local premium deterring European buyers.

Shanghai copper futures closed down on Friday despite a strong overnight rise on the London Metal Exchange, as gains fast became losses in a rudderless market, traders said.

Exchange rates issued by the Treasury Management Division of National Bank of Pakistan on Saturday (June 19, 2004).

Tea rates in rupees prevailing on the commodity markets in Karachi on Saturday (June 19, 2004).

Interbank closing rates for dollar on Saturday (June 19, 2004).

Dollar buying and selling rate in the kerb market in rupees on Saturday (June 19, 2004).

The rupee on Saturday lost two paisa in relation to dollar in the interbank market for buying and selling at Rs 57.96 and Rs 57.97, dealers said.

The rupee on Saturday lost two paisa in relation to dollar in the interbank market for buying and selling at Rs 57.96 and Rs 57.97, dealers said.

Pipe fitting rates in rupees prevailing in the markets in Karachi on Saturday (June 19, 2004).

Iron, steel and other metal rates in rupees prevailing on the commodity markets in Karachi on Saturday (June 19, 2004).

The statement of affairs of the State Bank of Pakistan, Banking Department, as on June 12, 2004.

The statement of affairs of the State Bank of Pakistan, Banking Department, as on June 12, 2004.

The prices of different makes and models of cars prevailing in Karachi in the week ended Saturday (June 19, 2004).

Karachi Port's world-wide shipping schedule beginning Saturday (June 19, 2004).

Karachi Port's world-wide shipping schedule beginning Saturday (June 19, 2004).

Karachi Shipping Intelligence report incorporating changes till 7 am on Saturday (June 19, 2004).

Karachi Shipping Intelligence report incorporating changes till 7 am on Saturday (June 19, 2004).

Value of the dollar in terms of other world currencies as prevailing in the week ended Saturday (June 19, 2004).

The International Monetary Fund(IMF), treasuries' department's currency values in terms of Special Drawing Rights(SDR).

Open market rates of foreign currencies supplied by the Forex Association of Pakistan on Saturday (June 19, 2004).

Spot Dollar rates from Khadim Ali Shah Bukhari & Co Ltd on Saturday (June 19, 2004).

Money market report by Khadim Ali Shah Bukhari & Co on Saturday (June 19, 2004).

The selling/buying rates for currency notes of major currencies issued by National Bank (NBP) here on Saturday (June 19, 2004).

Bill Buying Rates per unit of currency -- issued by the Treasury Management Division of the National Bank of Pakistan on Saturday (June 19, 2004).

Interest rates on new foreign currency deposits issued by the Treasury Management Division of National Bank of Pakistan on Saturday (June 19, 2004).

Interest rates on old and incremental FCY deposits on Saturday (June 19, 2004).

London Interbank Offer Rates on for calculating interest on special US dollar on Saturday (June 19, 2004).

Exchange rates for Currency Notes issued by the Treasury Management Division of National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) here on Saturday (June 19, 2004).

Conversion for foreign currency deposits, DBC/FCBC, special USD bond & profits thereon (excluding FE-25 deposits) on Saturday (June 19, 2004).

Barclays Capital, the investment banking arm of Britain's Barclays Plc, has dropped plans to bid for stockbroker Cazenove but may reconsider at a lower price, a source familiar with the situation said.

Chicago Board of Trade soyabean futures ended mixed on Friday with nearby contracts supported by commercial buying, bull spreads and worries about tight US soyabean supplies through this summer, traders said.

Thai rubber futures ended higher on Friday with volume surging to a daily high with 117 contracts traded compared to 111 contracts on Thursday, dealers said.

Tokyo rubber futures jumped higher on Friday as a perception that supply was tight prompted short-holders to cover positions.

Iraqi engineers have run into delays while repairing a sabotaged southern oil pipeline and now hope to resume partial exports on Sunday, officials said.

Scientists and officials from India and the United States will meet here from Monday to dicuss options for joint space exploration projects, Indian officials said here.

China's First Auto Works (FAW) has ordered the recall of some 100,000 automobiles made at its joint venture plants with Honda Motors Co and Mazda Motor Co for potential fuel tank problems, the company said on its websites.

The World Bank will continue to fund oil, coal and mining projects but will be more selective, it said on Friday in response to a review that recommended it phase out support for such projects.

President George W. Bush said on Saturday the US economy was gaining momentum and cited a drop in the unemployment rate in 46 states, as he sparred with Democrats over whether life was getting better for ordinary Americans.

Making good on promises it gave to get $7 billion in new funding, the Asian Development Bank is embarking on sweeping reforms aimed at turning bureaucrats into bankers better attuned to the needs of the private sector.

As the world's first privately funded rocket plane is being readied for a run at making history by climbing out of earth's atmosphere, its builders are already eyeing their next goal: winning a $10 million prize for pioneering commercial space flight.

European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet urged companies and workers to join the fight against inflation by not pumping up wage settlements on the back of soaring oil prices.

India's new government will aim to put Asia's third-largest economy on a 7-8 percent annual growth path and continue reforms to help millions of poor, the deputy head of the national planning commission said on Saturday.

The German technology group Siemens has again pulled some of its staff out of Iraq because of concern about deteriorating security, the newspaper Welt am Sonntag said in its edition to appear Sunday.

Russia's third-largest steel mill, Novolipetsk, has bought a controlling stake in a big Russian seaport for $100 million to strengthen its production-to-export network, a newspaper said on Wednesday.

There were mixed fortunes for market newcomers China Shipping Container Lines (CSCL) and Tencent Holdings on Wednesday, indicating that investors are adopting a selective approach towards China IPOs.

Karachi interbank rates on Saturday (June 19, 2004).

Japanese shipping firm Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK Lines) is in talks with authorities in China's southern Guangzhou city to build a joint-venture car terminal in its Nansha port, a Hong Kong newspaper said on Tuesday.