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Print - 2004-12-04
West African cotton crop up

West African cotton crop up

The French-speaking nations of West Africa will produce a record cotton harvest of 4.72 million bales in 2004/05, up 6 percent from last year, the US Agriculture Department said on Thursday. The previous record was set in 2001/02 with an output of 4.50 mi
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
ED&F Man sees 3.4 million tonnes 2004/05 world sugar deficit

ED&F Man sees 3.4 million tonnes 2004/05 world sugar deficit

Trader ED&F Man predicted on Friday a global sugar deficit of 3.4 million tonnes in 2004/05 amid expectations of lower Asian crops and increased Brazilian output of ethanol from sugar. The firm has estimated a deficit of one million tonnes for 2003/04. "O
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Crude oil ekes out small bounce after $6 plummet

Crude oil ekes out small bounce after $6 plummet

Battered oil prices struggled on Friday to shake off this week's $6 slump, edging up from a 12-week low after a massive round of selling triggered by easing worries about winter supply. US crude oil futures rose 13 cents to $43.40 a barrel, seeking to end
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
EU cereals output seen at 283.69 million tons in 2004

EU cereals output seen at 283.69 million tons in 2004

European Union cereals output should total 283.69 million tonnes in 2004, up from the 227.22 million harvested last year, EU grains lobby Coceral said on Friday, raising previous estimates of this year's harvest.
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Sugar futures fall in New York

Sugar futures fall in New York

Raw sugar futures closed near their lows on Thursday due to sales by producers and small speculators, with the market seen staying in a trading band on Friday, brokers said. The New York Board of Trade's key March raw sugar contract fell 0.08 cent to sett
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
China buying claws back some losses for copper

China buying claws back some losses for copper

Copper futures clawed back above $3,000 a tonne on Friday as investors in China bought the metal a day after it plunged more than 4 percent on a rash of profit-taking by investment funds. Concerns over an imminent supply squeeze in Shanghai allowed three-
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Soyabeans close weak on disappointing exports

Soyabeans close weak on disappointing exports

Soyabean futures at the Chicago Board of Trade closed lower for the sixth straight day on Thursday, with dismal weekly export sales data setting the tone, traders said. "Then, there really isn't anything new, so the market keeps getting pressured," one CB
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
WFP turns from South African to Zambian maize

WFP turns from South African to Zambian maize

The United Nations World Food Programme is turning away from buying most of its southern African food aid from South Africa and is buying increasing amounts from Zambia, the WFP's regional director said on Friday.
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Malaysian palm oil futures firm, awaits trade data

Malaysian palm oil futures firm, awaits trade data

Malaysian crude palm oil futures ended firm on Friday after choppy trade in the final minutes brought life to a market drifting most of the day from a lack of leads. Prices were mixed in the morning after a drop in rival US soyaoil led some to sell, while
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
US Treasuries falter

US Treasuries falter

US Treasury prices slipped on Thursday, continuing a week-long decline tied to prospects of ongoing Federal Reserve rate increases as the US jobs market picks up steam. Losses were trimmed briefly when Fed Governor Ben Bernanke did not mention specific ec
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
US Treasuries falter

US Treasuries falter

US Treasury prices slipped on Thursday, continuing a week-long decline tied to prospects of ongoing Federal Reserve rate increases as the US jobs market picks up steam. Losses were trimmed briefly when Fed Governor Ben Bernanke did not mention specific ec
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Singapore shares finish flat

Singapore shares finish flat

Singapore shares ended slightly down on Friday, after hitting four-year highs in early trade, as investors cashed in recent gains in blue chips such as Keppel Corp and Venture Corp. The Straits Times Index ended down 1.18 points, or 0.06 percent, at 2,061
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Hong Kong shares lower

Hong Kong shares lower

Hong Kong stocks fell more than a third of a percent on Friday, with oil producers down after a drop in oil prices and investors looking ahead to key US employment data due out after market close. Hong Kong's blue-chip Hang Seng Index closed 0.35 percent,
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Dow, S&P dip, but Nasdaq rises before jobs data

Dow, S&P dip, but Nasdaq rises before jobs data

US stocks finished little changed on Thursday, pausing after Wednesday's sharp rally, as investors were cautious about making large bets before Friday's closely watched jobs report. The Nasdaq, however, ended at its highest level since late January.
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Thai stocks higher, oil dip hits energy shares

Thai stocks higher, oil dip hits energy shares

Thai stocks rose 0.42 percent on Friday as another fall in oil prices lifted optimism about the domestic economy but triggered profit-taking in big-cap energy stocks, dealers said. The benchmark Stock Exchange of Thailand composite index rose 2.76 points
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Malaysian shares fall

Malaysian shares fall

Malaysian shares erased some of their initial losses but still ended 0.3 percent down on Friday, as investors took profit on blue chips like power firm Tenaga after the market hit a 4-1/2-year peak on Thursday. The key Kuala Lumpur Composite Index closed
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Taiwan shares close higher

Taiwan shares close higher

Taiwan stocks closed higher on Friday as microchip heavyweights like TSMC got a boost from Intel Corp's strong revenue outlook, but trade was cautious ahead of the legislative elections. The main TAIEX share index ended up 0.43 percent at 5,893.27 points,
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
China shares rise, buoyed by media firms

China shares rise, buoyed by media firms

China's shares closed 0.31 percent higher on Friday, led by media counters after the country widened access to the sector for foreign investors this week. But the broader market remained in the doldrums as investors fretted over leaner full-year earnings
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Nikkei closes at 2-week high as Intel helps techs

Nikkei closes at 2-week high as Intel helps techs

Tokyo stocks climbed to a two-week closing high on Friday after Tokyo Electron Ltd and other chip-related stocks got a boost from a bullish revenue outlook by global industry leader Intel Corp Stronger-than-expected Japanese capital spending data, togethe
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Seoul shares close a tad lower, US job data eyed

Seoul shares close a tad lower, US job data eyed

Seoul shares closed slightly lower on Friday, as investors turned cautious ahead of a closely-watched US jobs report and amid uncertainties ahead of the Bank of Korea's policy-setting meeting next week. Buying sentiment was also weakened with the approach
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Sri Lankan stocks firmer

Sri Lankan stocks firmer

Sri Lankan stocks ended higher on Friday in low volume trade as investors stayed away, eagerly waiting to see if their bids for shares in the biggest IPO since 2002 were accepted, brokers said. The key Colombo all-share index gained a provisional 0.53 per
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Canadian dollar in range

Canadian dollar in range

A heavy focus on Friday's jobs reports on both sides of the border kept the Canadian dollar fairly range-bound on Thursday, but it rose as sentiment for the US currency remained negative. Bonds followed US Treasuries lower on US rate hike expectations.
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Chinese yuan ends lower

Chinese yuan ends lower

The yuan ended down two notches at 8.2766 per US dollar on Friday, near the stronger end of its managed trading range. The one-year non-deliverable dollar forward discount versus the yuan was at 4,250 points implying a rate of 7.853 yuan per dollar in 12
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Swiss franc off highs versus dollar after oil weak

Swiss franc off highs versus dollar after oil weak

The Swiss franc consolidated below recent highs against the dollar and was stable against the euro on Friday after fears of dollar-buying intervention and a sharp fall in oil prices gave the greenback a shot in the arm. In the previous session, the US cur
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Indian rupee snaps 6-day rally

Indian rupee snaps 6-day rally

The Indian rupee snapped a six-day rally to end slightly weaker on Friday after the dollar's bounce overseas spurred some demand for the US currency. The rupee closed the week at 44.1300/1400 per dollar, 0.03 percent weaker than Thursday's seven-month clo
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Dollar enjoys solace ahead of US jobs report

Dollar enjoys solace ahead of US jobs report

The dollar edged up on Friday, building on the previous day's rebound from multi-year lows on speculation that a strong reading for upcoming US jobs data could highlight the long-forgotten attraction of US assets. Speculators locked in profits from weeks
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Dollar rises from new lows in profit-booking binge

Dollar rises from new lows in profit-booking binge

The dollar rallied on Thursday as fears of dollar-buying intervention and a sharp fall in oil prices convinced traders that it was a good time to take profits after days of heavy dollar sales. After registering another all-time low against the euro overni
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
'China should adjust currency'

'China should adjust currency'

The time is right to adjust China's exchange rate, and doing so soon would not only help the economy but improve the country's global standing, a top Chinese researcher said in remarks published on Friday. The commentary by He Fan, a scholar at the Chines
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Asian currencies fall on massive sale forecasts

Asian currencies fall on massive sale forecasts

The Thai baht lost almost 1 percent on Friday as Asian currencies declined on growing expectations that central banks would sell their currencies to stem a rally that could hurt the region's exporters.
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Sri Lankan rupee ends down

Sri Lankan rupee ends down

The Sri Lanka rupee closed weaker on Friday due to increased importer demand for dollars to settle trade bills, dealers said. The rupee closed 0.41 percent stronger at 104.70 against the dollar, compared to Thursday's close of 104.27 rupees. The local cur
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Former rebel elected as Kosovo prime minister

Former rebel elected as Kosovo prime minister

The Kosovo parliament on Friday elected former ethnic Albanian rebel commander Ramush Haradinaj as prime minister of the UN-run southern Serbian province, in a move certain to infuriate Belgrade. Haradinaj was a senior commander of the Kosovo Liberation A
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
US can't hunt Iran nuclear in every cave: Powell

US can't hunt Iran nuclear in every cave: Powell

US Secretary of State Colin Powell said on Friday Washington had no way to force Iran to allow UN inspectors unrestricted access to suspected nuclear sites despite US doubts Tehran would come clean on its own. "I can't make sure it is going to happen," he
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Bhopal gas victims stage protests

Bhopal gas victims stage protests

Survivors of the Bhopal gas tragedy Friday staged a series of angry protests and a march to mark the anniversary of the world's worst industrial accident in 1984 in which thousands were killed. Activists who have for years battled for medical care and fin
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Hamas open to deal on truce, statehood

Hamas open to deal on truce, statehood

A Hamas leader said the group could accept creation of a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza and a long-term truce with Israel, signalling a possible new overture to end hostilities. Hamas, sworn to Israel's destruction, has made such offers befor
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Attacker slashes 12 Chinese children and cuts own throat

Attacker slashes 12 Chinese children and cuts own throat

A man forced his way into a north-east China primary school on Friday and slashed 12 young children before cutting his own throat, officials and state media said. The man, whose identity is unknown, stormed into the Central Primary School in Mingcheng tow
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
BBC apologises after Bhopal hoax by Dow impostor

BBC apologises after Bhopal hoax by Dow impostor

The BBC's international TV news channel apologised on Friday after being duped into airing an interview with a fake Dow Chemical spokesman who said the US company accepted responsibility for India's Bhopal disaster. BBC World broadcast the comments twice
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
UN forced to re-open scandal probe into top official

UN forced to re-open scandal probe into top official

The scandal-plagued United Nations made an unexpected about-face on Friday, saying it would reconsider the case against its top watchdog official controversially pardoned by Kofi Annan. The official, Dileep Nair, had been cleared by the UN chief on favour
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Disease risk rises after Philippine typhoon: 35 dead

Disease risk rises after Philippine typhoon: 35 dead

Flood waters receded in the Philippines on Friday in the wake of a typhoon that killed at least 35 people, but thousands more remained cut off from help, hungry and at risk of disease aftter a week of severe flooding Soldiers buried nearly 100 people kill
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Bush nominates Kerik: Thompson resigns

Bush nominates Kerik: Thompson resigns

President George W. Bush nominated former New York police commissioner Bernard Kerik on Friday to head the US homeland security department and accepted the resignation of Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson as part of a broad Cabinet overha
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
US jails in Afghanistan could foster abuse

US jails in Afghanistan could foster abuse

A recent classified report has found military prisons in Afghanistan have the "opportunity" for prisoner abuse like that which took place in US jails in Iraq, The Washington Post reported in its Friday edition. The Army general who inspected facilities in
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
India and Russia agree to revitalise traditional ties

India and Russia agree to revitalise traditional ties

Cold war allies India and Russia sought on Friday to instil new momentum into their longstanding relationship, tidying up energy and military ties. India is looking to Russia's vast resources to meet its growing demand for energy. "We have laid down sever
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Supreme Court annuls tainted Ukrainian vote

Supreme Court annuls tainted Ukrainian vote

Ukraine's top judges declared the ex-Soviet state's presidential election invalid and called on Friday for a new vote, handing a legal victory to opposition candidate Viktor Yushchenko and tens of thousands of protesters. The Supreme Court verdict did not
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
China landslide leaves 65 villagers missing

China landslide leaves 65 villagers missing

A landslide destroyed 25 village houses in the south-western Chinese province of Guizhou on Friday and 65 villagers, asleep at the time, were missing, Xinhua news agency said. The accident occurred in the early hours of the morning in Nayong county and po
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Russian deputies adopt law tightening Putin's grip on regions

Russian deputies adopt law tightening Putin's grip on regions

The Russian parliament on Friday approved President Vladimir Putin's controversial plan, introduced in the wake of the Beslan school hostage tragedy, to strengthen the Kremlin's control over regional authorities. The bill was approved on its third and fin
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Millions flock to Ijtema gathering in Dhaka

Millions flock to Ijtema gathering in Dhaka

A three-day mass gathering of Muslims to attend the Biswa Ijtema began on Friday at Tongi near Dhaka. Some four million people were expected to attend the Biswa Ijtema. Organisers said the first day attracted around two million devotees. Besides Banglades
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Sterling rebounds

Sterling rebounds

Sterling rebounded towards this week's 12-year high against the dollar on Friday after weaker than expected US jobs data pushed the greenback down across the board. Data showing British house prices fell for a second straight month in November did little
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Dollar holds above lows as US jobs report looms

Dollar holds above lows as US jobs report looms

The dollar drifted near recent record lows against the euro and five-year lows against the yen on Friday ahead of key US jobs figures. The market is looking to the November jobs report at 1330 GMT to gauge sentiment towards the dollar, which made a tentat
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Jakarta stocks off record high

Jakarta stocks off record high

Profit taking hit Jakarta stocks on Friday after strong gains in the past three trading days propelled the index to record highs amid bullish sentiment over the 2005 outlook. The composite index lost 1.63 percent to close at 981.41 points in active turnov
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Indian shares flat

Indian shares flat

India's key share index took a breather on Friday, easing just slightly from the previous session's record closing high as investors sold steel and technology issues. The federal bonds gave up early gains after inflation based on the wholesale price index
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
US Stocks: Friday's unofficial close

US Stocks: Friday's unofficial close

US stocks were little changed on Friday as a disappointing jobs report was offset by strength in tech stocks, after bellwether Intel Corp. shot 6 percent higher after raising its sales forecast. Weaker oil prices lent slight support although stocks lost t
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Bonds: Autos see silver lining in US jobs cloud

Bonds: Autos see silver lining in US jobs cloud

European corporate bonds edged higher on Friday, led by autos, as investors bet that weaker-than-expected US jobs growth may slow the pace of Federal Reserve interest rates hikes in coming months. Swiss engineering group ABB saw its credit default swaps s
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Bonds: Autos see silver lining in US jobs cloud

Bonds: Autos see silver lining in US jobs cloud

European corporate bonds edged higher on Friday, led by autos, as investors bet that weaker-than-expected US jobs growth may slow the pace of Federal Reserve interest rates hikes in coming months. Swiss engineering group ABB saw its credit default swaps s
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
FTSE ends flat as oils, miners, US data weigh

FTSE ends flat as oils, miners, US data weigh

The FTSE 100 index of top UK shares closed flat on Friday as falling oil and commodity prices counterbalanced weaker-than-expected US jobs data and drops in oil and mining shares. Oil majors BP and Shell lost 0.5 percent each as crude oil prices slid yet
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Brazil coffee growers see lower crop

Brazil coffee growers see lower crop

Brazilian coffee growers are upbeat on prices because they expect a smaller crop next year but they complain that a weak dollar eroded much of the profit from a recent price rally to a 4-1/2 year peak. Some producers in major coffee state Minas Gerais see
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Dollar, freight and subsidies haunt EU wheat market

Dollar, freight and subsidies haunt EU wheat market

European wheat prices will remain in the doldrums unless exports pick up sharply as a weak dollar, high freight rates and uncertainty over EU subsidies continue to haunt the market, traders said on Friday. After big harvests in Europe, exporters are findi
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Oil falls again as northern US stays warm

Oil falls again as northern US stays warm

Oil prices got battered again on Friday, bringing this week's slide to nearly 14 percent as warm weather in the US Northeast and disappointing US jobs data darkened prospects for energy demand. Losses were kept in check, however, after a senior Opec deleg
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Manila to import 320,000 tonnes of rice

Manila to import 320,000 tonnes of rice

The Philippines plans to buy between 300,000 and 320,000 tonnes of rice next month because of damage to rice crops caused by four storms in two weeks, officials said on Friday. The storms battered wide swathes of the main island of Luzon, the country's ri
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
New York cotton plummets

New York cotton plummets

Cotton futures ended sharply lower Friday on speculative fund sales and the market is seen dropping more next week on the back of follow-through pressure in fibre contracts, analysts said. The key March cotton contract on the New York Board of Trade sank
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
London cocoa closes higher

London cocoa closes higher

London cocoa prices were unchanged for most of Friday before receiving a late fillip from a speculator-driven jump in New York, traders said. LIFFE's March broke through resistance at around 905 pounds to close at 917 pounds a tonne after an 889-931 range
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
LME base metals end mixed, market in range

LME base metals end mixed, market in range

Base metals see-sawed during Friday afternoon London Metal Exchange (LME) trading, but still concluded the open-outcry sessions mixed and within technical ranges, traders said. A weaker-than-expected US jobs report in mid-afternoon inhibited the market, b
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Gold consolidates as dollar weakens

Gold consolidates as dollar weakens

Gold dipped slightly in Europe on Friday afternoon, with the market in a narrow solid band despite sharp currency reaction to a key report on the US labour market. The dollar dropped to within a hair's breadth of record lows against the euro after the US
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
US MIDDAY: cocoa jumps

US MIDDAY: cocoa jumps

New York benchmark cocoa futures rose 3.5 percent to near a 3-week high Friday, buoyed by fund and speculative buying and limited producer selling, traders said. On the New York Board of Trade, the most-active March cocoa contract rose $58 to settle at $1
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
US MIDDAY: sugar easier in dull business

US MIDDAY: sugar easier in dull business

Raw sugar futures finished fractionally softer Friday in dull business featuring small speculators, with the market tipped to remain range-bound due to a dearth of news next week, brokers said. The New York Board of Trade's key March raw sugar contract sl
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
US MIDDAY: wheat gains on short covering

US MIDDAY: wheat gains on short covering

Soft red winter wheat futures at the Chicago Board of Trade were higher early on Friday on short covering and talk of fresh interest in US wheat by China, traders said. Wheat traders said there was talk that China may have switched a cargo of US soft red
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
US MIDDAY: corn rebounds

US MIDDAY: corn rebounds

Corn futures at the Chicago Board of Trade rebounded on Friday after falling to three-year lows this week, traders said. CBOT corn futures were 1-3/4 to 2-3/4 cents per bushel by 11 am CST (1600 GMT). December corn was up 2 cents at $1.94-1/2. March was u
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
US MIDDAY: soyabeans firmer

US MIDDAY: soyabeans firmer

Soybean futures at the Chicago Board of Trade were firm early Friday as traders covered short positions before the weekend. The market was due for a bounce after closing lower the past six sessions, traders said. The nine-day relative strength index for t
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
US MIDDAY: copper continues slide

US MIDDAY: copper continues slide

Follow-through technical selling hit copper futures at the open on Friday as the market continued to correct from recent highs, although a weaker dollar offered some support, floor sources said. "I think the market kind of topped out at the $1.44-$1.45 le
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
US MIDDAY: gold eases, other metals mixed

US MIDDAY: gold eases, other metals mixed

US gold futures eased but held above $450 an ounce on Friday morning, as the dollar's fall after an unexpectedly weak US payrolls report for November failed to trigger much buying, traders said. Silver had trouble holding above $8 an ounce, due to fund an
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Pakistan praised for preserving Taxila museum

Pakistan praised for preserving Taxila museum

The delegates of Association of Asian Parliaments for Peace (AAPP) on Friday appreciated Pakistan for preserving its rich cultural heritage and museum in Taxila. Showing keen interest in Pakistan's rich cultural heritage during their sight-seeing visit to
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Rashid for promotion of female education

Rashid for promotion of female education

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said here on Thursday that promotion of female education, particularly of poor girls, had always been close to his heart. He was speaking at a luncheon hosted in his honour by Lord Mayo
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Mushahid predicts emergence of Asian Parliament

Mushahid predicts emergence of Asian Parliament

Pakistan Muslim League (PML) Secretary General Mushahid Hussain Syed has predicted the emergence of Asian Parliament on the pattern of European Union (EU) in near future. "The foundation stone of Asian Parliament has been laid in the 5th General Assembly
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Meeting on privatisation of power sector

Meeting on privatisation of power sector

Federal Minister for Privatisation and Investment Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh will preside over a meeting on privatisation of power sector at Wapda House here on Saturday. According to official sources, the meeting will discuss the modalities for privatisation
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Italy's Fiat 500: too cute to ban

Italy's Fiat 500: too cute to ban

Banning dirty old gas-guzzling vehicles from Italy's cities in the name of environmentalism is all very well, but when a group of Italian lawmakers realised that it would mean the disappearance of one of their country's most beloved classic cars, they dec
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Can global economy absorb the expenses of fighting terrorism?

Can global economy absorb the expenses of fighting terrorism?

As this article is being written, the threat of a horrific pre-election terrorist assault against the United States has yet to materialise. Unfortunately, the news this summer that al Qaeda operatives have painstakingly targeted major US and international
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Overseas jobs: answer to growing unemployment

Overseas jobs: answer to growing unemployment

Pakistan has perhaps one of the highest rates of unemployment in the world, and it continues to increase year by year. Shockingly, the unemployment rate has now reached 8.27%, according to the Economic Survey for the fiscal year 2003-04 released last week
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Telecom war

Telecom war

The telecom industry has progressed a great deal in Pakistan during the past few years. During the year 2004, the telecom sector has been a key issue in the Pakistani media. Two new companies have been granted permission to install cellular GSM network in
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
PCBL's working

PCBL's working

Not many may be knowing that the Punjab Co-operatives Board for Liquidation (PCBL), Lahore, headed by Brigadier Sadiq Maan (Retd) and ably assisted by Lieutenant Colonel Abdul Majeed (Retd)and Major Zia (Retd) and many other civilian staff members has rei
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Importance of education

Importance of education

Education is a key factor for any country to succeed. But unfortunately our countrymen are not aware of this fact. That's why we are not added in the list of developed countries. China is a real life example for us. The Chinese emphasise only on education
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Home-made bombs biggest threat for US marines in Iraq

Home-made bombs biggest threat for US marines in Iraq

Yet another home-made bomb attack in Iraq's "triangle of death". These bombs are the biggest killer Latifiyah Iraq, and insurgents have enough explosives to keep going for years, say US marines. This latest attack, a couple of hundred metres (yards) from
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
I.T. refunds during last quarter century

I.T. refunds during last quarter century

The Central Board of Revenue (CBR) Chairman, Muhammad Abdullah Yusuf, has been addressing the issue of income tax refunds to the taxpayers aggressively. While addressing the RCITs Conference held some months back he directed them to forthwith issue income
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Who is responsible for this bungling?

Who is responsible for this bungling?

The machine-readable passports that the government had proudly started issuing in the last week of October, it now turns out, were launched without the necessary groundwork. They are now causing immeasurable difficulties and indignities to travellers on v
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
State Bank's Financial Markets Review

State Bank's Financial Markets Review

The State Bank's Financial Markets Review for 2003-04, issued on 1st December, 2004, is a well written story of last year's financial market developments relating particularly to the interest and exchange rate behaviour and its overall impact on the econo
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Winners of 17th APNS Advertising Agency Awards

Winners of 17th APNS Advertising Agency Awards

The APNS has announced the winners of the 17th APNS Advertising Agency Awards for the period 2001 - 2002, which will be given at the APNS Awards Ceremony scheduled to be held on December 13, 2004 at Islamabad. M/s Orient Advertising by winning the highest
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Naidu urges Pakistan and India to live with peace

Naidu urges Pakistan and India to live with peace

India and Pakistan should live with peace and shun all tensions in order to use their resources for eradication of poverty, unemployment and illiteracy from the region, said a former Andhra Pradesh chief minister, Chandrababu Naidu, here on Thursday night
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Talk on poverty-free South Asia on December 11

Talk on poverty-free South Asia on December 11

The founder and Managing Director of the Grameen Bank of Bangladesh, which is a success story in the micro-economic sector in Bangladesh and acknowledged world-wide, Professor Muhammed Yunus will give a talk here at the Beach Luxury Hotel on Saturday, Dec
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
NWFP and NCHD sign accord on literacy programme

NWFP and NCHD sign accord on literacy programme

The Elementary Education Foundation (EEF) NWFP and National Commission for Human Development (NCHD), an autonomous body under the federal government, entered into an agreement for implementing the NWFP Literacy Programme for the whole of the province. Und
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
OUP workshop on Urdu course

OUP workshop on Urdu course

As a part of its on-going teacher training programme, Oxford University Press is conducting a workshop for teachers on its activity-based Urdu course, Kashif Urdu, on Saturday (December 4) from 9 a.m. to 3.30 pm at the Days Inn Hotel. The course has been
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Soomro visits free eye camp

Soomro visits free eye camp

Acting President Mohammadmian Soomro visited the 44th Baba Farid free eye camp, organised by Haji Razak Janoo Memorial Trust at Pak Pattan. According to a press release, he visited all departments of the camp and appreciated the services provided by the J
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
MMA's protest to continue till army's return to barracks

MMA's protest to continue till army's return to barracks

Secretary General Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Pakistan Syed Munawar Hassan has said that MMA's agitation movement would continue till the return of army to the barracks so as it could play its due role as professional army as prescribed under the constitution. W
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
PIA scouts camp

PIA scouts camp

A three-day selection camp of PIA scouts for awarding President Gold Medal was held here in which PIA scouts from all over the country and those selected for President Gold Medal participated. Chief Commissioner Pakistan, Chief Scout PIA, and provincial c
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Hewlett-Packard introduces digital photography products

Hewlett-Packard introduces digital photography products

Hewlett-Packard (HP) has announced its expansion into digital photography segments with a range of offerings designed to make a consumer's digital lifestyle simple and rewarding. The offerings are aimed at bringing consumers a total, not just product, dig
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Prime Minister to announce relief package for calamity-hit Chitral

Prime Minister to announce relief package for calamity-hit Chitral

Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali, member of the National Assembly from Chitral, has expressed his optimism that Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz will soon announce a relief package of 15,000 tons of wheat for the calamity-hit district of Chitral. Addressing a pres
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Abad's plea to President and Prime Minister

Abad's plea to President and Prime Minister

Association of Builders and Developers (Abad) chairman Baber Mirza has urged President Pervaiz Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to direct Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) to fulfil the needs of construction industry on priority basis. In a communi
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Tributes paid to late Mubarika

Tributes paid to late Mubarika

Speakers paid rich tributes to Mubarika Fazal worker of National Workers Party (NWP), human rights activist and sister of Business Recorder Resident Editor Saeeda Fazal, for her services for the cause of workers and women rights. A reference was he
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Organ transplant institute to be set up in Lahore

Organ transplant institute to be set up in Lahore

The Health Department has decided in principle to establish a modern and unique Institute of Organs' Transplantation in the provincial capital. With the establishment of proposed institute, the facility of human transplantation i e kidney, lungs, heart, h
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
Small hydel stations needed to meet power shortage

Small hydel stations needed to meet power shortage

Federal Minister for Water and Power, Liaquat Ali Khan Jatoi, has said that the establishment of small hydel power stations could be helpful in meeting the electricity needs in the country in an efficient manner. Chairing a meeting at the office of Gujran
Published 04 Dec, 2004 12:00am
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