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Print - 2005-01-28
AstraZeneca lifts 2005 hopes after in-line 2004

AstraZeneca lifts 2005 hopes after in-line 2004

AstraZeneca Plc said on Thursday strong demand for established medicines and cost cuts would help it overcome recent setbacks to newer drugs, boosting its shares as it reported an expected rise in 2004 earnings. Europe's third-biggest drugmaker, whose sha
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
EU warns reform too slow to achieve economic goals

EU warns reform too slow to achieve economic goals

The European Union's ambition of having the world's most dynamic and competitive economy by 2010 looks increasingly hard to achieve, a European Commission report showed on Thursday. Germany came in for some rare praise for labour market reforms, but perfo
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Siemens first quarter profits up

Siemens first quarter profits up

German engineering conglomerate Siemens posted forecast-beating first-quarter profits on Thursday but failed to unveil a plan to stop its struggling mobile phones unit from bleeding the company's earnings. Solid profit growth at some of its traditional in
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Siemens first quarter profits up

Siemens first quarter profits up

German engineering conglomerate Siemens posted forecast-beating first-quarter profits on Thursday but failed to unveil a plan to stop its struggling mobile phones unit from bleeding the company's earnings. Solid profit growth at some of its traditional in
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
NYSE chief sees growth through Asian expansion

NYSE chief sees growth through Asian expansion

The New York Stock Exchange sees growth through US and Asian expansion and with new products rather than entering the bidding battle for the London Stock Exchange, its chairman said on Thursday. "We would not be very interested in getting into any bidding
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Nokia beats forecasts, sees 2005 off to good start

Nokia beats forecasts, sees 2005 off to good start

Nokia, the world's top mobile phone maker, reported a lower-than-expected drop in fourth-quarter earnings on Thursday and forecast strong first-quarter sales as it improves its range of handsets. "The past year was demanding for Nokia," Chief Executive Jo
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Nokia beats forecasts, sees 2005 off to good start

Nokia beats forecasts, sees 2005 off to good start

Nokia, the world's top mobile phone maker, reported a lower-than-expected drop in fourth-quarter earnings on Thursday and forecast strong first-quarter sales as it improves its range of handsets. "The past year was demanding for Nokia," Chief Executive Jo
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Britain aids malaria fight in push to help Africa

Britain aids malaria fight in push to help Africa

Britain pledged cash for a low-tech solution to fighting resurgent malaria in Africa on Thursday and said its drive to help the continent this year must secure real change to be judged a success. British Prime Minister Tony Blair announced 45 million poun
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Lockheed Martin profit rises

Lockheed Martin profit rises

Lockheed Martin Corp, the No 1 US defence contractor, on Thursday said quarterly profit rose 8 percent, helped by strong sales at its electronic systems business that includes Patriot missiles. The Bethesda, Maryland-based company, whose missiles and airc
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Lockheed Martin profit rises

Lockheed Martin profit rises

Lockheed Martin Corp, the No 1 US defence contractor, on Thursday said quarterly profit rose 8 percent, helped by strong sales at its electronic systems business that includes Patriot missiles. The Bethesda, Maryland-based company, whose missiles and airc
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Top officials to stay in Frankfurt: Deutsche Boerse

Top officials to stay in Frankfurt: Deutsche Boerse

Deutsche Boerse said on Thursday its top officials would stay in Frankfurt in the event of the exchange taking over the London Stock Exchange. The chief operating officer, chief information officer, chief financial officer and chief executive would all be
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
French ferry employees block Channel tunnel

French ferry employees block Channel tunnel

Workers for the French ferry company SeaFrance blocked access to the Channel tunnel to Britain for several hours Thursday to protest a planned increase in the number of foreigners allowed to work on French commercial vessels. Around 400 of the employees s
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Sony third-quarter profit falls

Sony third-quarter profit falls

Sliding prices for DVD recorders, TVs and other consumer electronics hit Sony Corp's third quarter profit, but it sought to reassure investors that it would press on with a restructuring plan to revive its fortunes. Sony, which vies with Matsushita Electr
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Sony third-quarter profit falls

Sony third-quarter profit falls

Sliding prices for DVD recorders, TVs and other consumer electronics hit Sony Corp's third quarter profit, but it sought to reassure investors that it would press on with a restructuring plan to revive its fortunes. Sony, which vies with Matsushita Electr
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
China to freeze aircraft orders in 2005

China to freeze aircraft orders in 2005

China will not approve any new commercial aircraft purchases in 2005 in an effort to curb "over-heated" growth in the sector and uncontrolled capacity expansion by domestic airlines, a government official said. Even though aircraft manufacturer Boeing Co,
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
EU okays plan for mobiles in the sky

EU okays plan for mobiles in the sky

Airbus and SITA, an in-flight communications specialist, won permission from the European Commission on Thursday for a joint venture that will enable travellers to make calls, send text messages, email and use the Internet during flights. The venture, OnA
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
SBC in talks to acquire AT&T

SBC in talks to acquire AT&T

SBC Communications Inc is in talks to acquire AT&T Corp to bolster its business among large corporations, a source familiar with the talks said on Thursday. SBC, the No 2 US telecommunications company, is interested in AT&T's raft of corporate clients and
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
BAE to axe 1,400 jobs in Britain

BAE to axe 1,400 jobs in Britain

British aerospace and defence giant BAE Systems on Thursday announced plans to axe almost 1,400 jobs at 13 sites across Britain in part due to falling workload. "The job losses are part of a previously identified year-planning round to match workload with
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
US durable goods orders signal economic strength

US durable goods orders signal economic strength

New orders for long-lasting US-made goods rose 0.6 percent last month despite a sharp plunge in demand for new aircraft, according to a government report that reflected underlying economic strength. A separate report released on Thursday showed a smaller-
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Jakarta shares at record high

Jakarta shares at record high

Indonesia shares reached a record high on Thursday after Fitch Ratings upgraded the country's sovereign debt, but a fourth quarter loss by microchip packager STATS ChipPAC knocked the Singapore market lower. The top five bourses in Southeast Asia aim to f
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Hong Kong stocks higher as profit-takers emerge

Hong Kong stocks higher as profit-takers emerge

Hong Kong stocks rose to their highest level in nearly three weeks on Thursday before running out of steam to close barely changed as investors booked profits on recent gains. The benchmark Hang Seng index reached a high of 13,750.48 a level last seen on
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
US stocks rally for second day

US stocks rally for second day

US stocks ended higher on Wednesday for the second straight session, lifted by better-than-expected earnings from companies such as Texas Instruments Inc and a retreat in crude oil prices. It was only the second time this year that the Dow, the S&P 500 an
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Seoul shares end lower, firmer won hits Hyundai Motor

Seoul shares end lower, firmer won hits Hyundai Motor

Seoul stocks fell on Thursday, as Hyundai Motor and other exporters slipped on concerns about the impact of a surging won, but hopes that a recovery in consumer spending may be on the way lifted domestic demand-related shares. Top local oil refiner SK Cor
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Indian shares rally on strong earnings

Indian shares rally on strong earnings

Indian shares rallied for a second straight session on Thursday, buoyed by strong quarterly earnings. Federal bonds stayed weak in cautious trade as investors kept away ahead of a 50-billion-rupee issuance, due early February and next week's key rate sett
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Short-term US treasuries slip

Short-term US treasuries slip

Short-term US Treasury debt prices turned lower on Wednesday after an auction of two-year notes drew only modest demand, particularly from indirect bidders. While longer maturities proved more resilient, the sale of $24 billion in new two-year Treasury no
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Short-term US treasuries slip

Short-term US treasuries slip

Short-term US Treasury debt prices turned lower on Wednesday after an auction of two-year notes drew only modest demand, particularly from indirect bidders. While longer maturities proved more resilient, the sale of $24 billion in new two-year Treasury no
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Taiwan stocks end flat; LCD shares jump

Taiwan stocks end flat; LCD shares jump

Taiwan stocks closed flat on Thursday amid caution over corporate earnings reports, while investors piled into big display screen makers like AU Optronics Corp on hopes of an industry recovery. The TAIEX ended up 0.13 percent at 5,842.76 on soft turnover
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Tokyo stocks lower on tech earnings

Tokyo stocks lower on tech earnings

Tokyo stocks fell on Thursday as caution about earnings hurt Canon Inc and other tech firms after disappointing outlooks this week from Eloped Memory Inc and Nintendo Co. Analysts also cited the yen's recent firmness as making investors nervous about the
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Sri Lankan stocks at new high

Sri Lankan stocks at new high

Sri Lanka stocks rose to a fourth consecutive record closing high on Thursday on buying in select shares mainly in investment trusts, after a power failure and technical glitches delayed trade, brokers said. The key Colombo all-share index rose a provisio
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Chinese shares slide

Chinese shares slide

China's shares slid 1.3 percent on Thursday after a sell-off emerged among tech and manufacturing counters, as uncertainty over the market's outlook intensified ahead of the annual Lunar New Year break. The Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges will be shut fro
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Bangladeshi taka at four-week low

Bangladeshi taka at four-week low

The Bangladeshi taka closed at its lowest level since December 31 on Thursday due to robust demand for dollars to pay import bills and despite central bank intervention, dealers said. The taka was quoted at 61.00/63.40 per dollar against 59.99/63.20 on We
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Chinese yuan ends flat

Chinese yuan ends flat

The yuan ended flat at 8.2765 per US dollar on Thursday, near the stronger end of its managed trading range. The one-year non-deliverable dollar forward discount versus the yuan was at 4,000 points, implying a rate of 7.878 yuan per dollar in 12 months' t
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Swiss franc edges higher versus dollar and euro

Swiss franc edges higher versus dollar and euro

The Swiss franc rose slightly against the dollar and the euro on Thursday, recovering from a dip after the Swiss National Bank signalled that it was not yet time to raise interest rates. The dollar was last trading at 1.1818/24 francs, compared to levels
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Dollar dawdles as market looks to G7, China

Dollar dawdles as market looks to G7, China

The dollar stayed in a holding pattern on Thursday as investors looked to next week's meeting of the Group of Seven economic powers for direction, particularly hints on whether China would revalue its currency soon. The dollar was knocked back against the
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Dollar down as market eyes China-G7 yuan talks

Dollar down as market eyes China-G7 yuan talks

The dollar weakened on Wednesday, losing ground in momentum-driven trading after China reignited market talk of a currency revaluation. China said on Wednesday it would discuss its pegged yuan at next week's meeting of the Group of Seven rich nations in L
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Asian currencies: won and peso rise as G7 dominates

Asian currencies: won and peso rise as G7 dominates

The Korean won jumped to a seven-year high and the Philippine peso rose to its highest in a year on Thursday, as rising rhetoric ahead of next week's Group of Seven nations' meeting boosted the Asian currencies. The won stalled around 1,027 a dollar, a No
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Hong Kong dollar creeps up

Hong Kong dollar creeps up

The Hong Kong dollar inched higher and discounts on forward rates widened on Thursday amid lingering speculation of a potential yuan revaluation, dealers said. "There were some big names selling forwards. I think it might be related to the yuan issue," sa
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Indian cricket team gets new chief

Indian cricket team gets new chief

Ranbir Singh Mahendra finally took over as president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday, four months after he won a contentious election to the country's richest sports body. The 57-year-old lawyer from the northern state of H
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Weary Hewitt a threat for fresher Roddick

Weary Hewitt a threat for fresher Roddick

Andy Roddick has freshness on his side as he attempts to redress a big-match imbalance against Lleyton Hewitt in Friday's semi-final showdown between the world number two and three at the Australian Open. The American second seed has had almost half the o
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Calcutta tsunami charity cricket match postponed: ACC chief

Calcutta tsunami charity cricket match postponed: ACC chief

The second tsunami relief charity cricket match, which was to be held at the Eden Gardens ground here next month, has been postponed to April, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) said on Thursday. "The tsunami match has been postponed as the International Cri
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Pakistan need to lift their game, says Inzamam

Pakistan need to lift their game, says Inzamam

Pakistan captain Inzamamul Haq said on Thursday that his team would need a dramatic reversal of form if they were to give Australia a decent challenge in the tri-series competition. Pakistan face the West Indies in a crucial match at the Adelaide Oval on
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Sarena returns

Sarena returns

Seventh seed Serena Williams of the US hits a return against fourth seed Maria Sharapova in their women's singles semi-final match here
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Birthday boy Safin stuns Federer, Sarena downs Sharapova

Birthday boy Safin stuns Federer, Sarena downs Sharapova

Marat Safin gave himself the perfect birthday present by scoring a stunning upset over world number one Roger Federer to reach the Australian Open final here on Thursday. Swiss ace Federer, the overwhelming tournament favourite, saw his hopes of a third c
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
France's DCN sees European shipyard merger by 2008

France's DCN sees European shipyard merger by 2008

France and Germany could be ready to form a powerful European warship and submarine maker in two to three years by merging their naval shipyards, the head of France's state-owned shipbuilder DCN said on Thursday. Both the German and French governments hav
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
UK's 'Dr Death' probably killed 250 patients

UK's 'Dr Death' probably killed 250 patients

Britain's "Dr Death," a family physician who systematically murdered his patients, probably killed 250 people, an inquiry announced on Thursday after ruling the number of his victims was greater than originally thought. The total confirms Dr Harold Shipma
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Taiwan severs diplomatic ties with Grenada

Taiwan severs diplomatic ties with Grenada

Taiwan on Thursday severed diplomatic relations with Grenada after receiving formal notification from the Caribbean state that it had opened official ties with China, the foreign ministry said. "We condemn China for applying tactics to lure away our allie
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
More than 100 held in Oman security crackdown

More than 100 held in Oman security crackdown

More than 100 people, including prominent academics, are being held in Oman following a wave of arrests earlier this month, relatives of the detainees said Thursday. "Several professors from the education and Islamic studies faculties of Sultan Qaboos Uni
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
New York Times warns against US military intervention in Iran

New York Times warns against US military intervention in Iran

The New York Times editorial board warned the US administration Wednesday against military intervention in Iran, insisting it would do "more harm than good." In an editorial entitled "Military Rumblings on Iran," the daily expressed concern over se
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Bashir walks out of terror trial

Bashir walks out of terror trial

Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Bashir walked out of his terrorism trial in Indonesia on Thursday to protest the reading of a witness interrogation identifying him as the leader of a group linked with al Qaeda. The 66-year old cleric is accused of heading the Jem
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
China sends escaped South Korean POW back to North: Seoul

China sends escaped South Korean POW back to North: Seoul

A South Korean who escaped from the North last month after more than half a century as a POW has been sent back by China to Pyongyang's custody, a Seoul Foreign Ministry official said on Thursday. But a Seoul-based group working with the families of South
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Gujarat government failing to help women victims: AI

Gujarat government failing to help women victims: AI

The government in India's Gujarat state has failed to help hundreds of women raped, tortured or murdered get justice almost three years after communal riots in 2002, Amnesty International said Thursday. Nearly 2,000 people, mostly Muslims, were killed in
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Activists gather in Brazil to counter Davos summit

Activists gather in Brazil to counter Davos summit

More than 50,000 anti-globalisation activists took to the streets Wednesday in Porto Alegre in a gathering meant to counter the Davos summit of political, financial and business heavyweights. Children from five continents held aloft a banner that proclaim
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Afghan soldier kills five colleagues at US base

Afghan soldier kills five colleagues at US base

An Afghan soldier opened fire on his colleagues inside a US military base Thursday, killing five and wounding six others before he was himself shot dead, the US military said. The soldier had just finished a spell of guard duty at the base in the southern
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Bangladesh blast kills three

Bangladesh blast kills three

Three people were killed and a former finance minister was critically injured Thursday in a blast at a main opposition party rally in north-eastern Bangladesh, officials said. "Either a bomb or a grenade was thrown as the rally ended. It killed three peop
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Russian forces storm rebel hideout, kill 7

Russian forces storm rebel hideout, kill 7

Russian special forces backed up by heavy armour Thursday stormed an apartment block where a group of suspected Islamic militants had been holed up for more than 36 hours in a republic near war-torn Chechnya. After more than five hours of battle amid boom
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Qorei issues ban on weapons in bid to end armed chaos

Qorei issues ban on weapons in bid to end armed chaos

Palestinian prime minister Ahmed Qorei issued orders Thursday forbidding anyone but members of the security services from carrying weapons, negotiations minister Saeb Erakat told AFP. "Abu Alaa (Qorei) issued an order at the national security council meet
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Egypt appoints new human rights body

Egypt appoints new human rights body

Egyptian National Assembly has installed a parliamentary 'watchdog' over the human rights activities with a direct jurisdiction over individual and corporate complaints of the HR violations. A press release issued by the Egyptian Embassy here on Wednesday
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Indian court stalls release of Black Friday

Indian court stalls release of Black Friday

The Mumbai high court on Thursday delayed the release of a film based on the 1993 bombings that rocked the Indian city and killed more than 300 people, the director of the film said. "The court has stalled the screening of the film," director Anurag Kashy
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
16 Vietnamese troops killed in helicopter crash

16 Vietnamese troops killed in helicopter crash

Sixteen Vietnamese soldiers, including two generals, were killed when the helicopter they were in crashed on an island off the coast of central Vietnam, the military said Thursday. Initial inquiries suggested the Russian-made MI-8 helicopter had hit a mil
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
US names new commander in Afghanistan

US names new commander in Afghanistan

A general who was formerly involved in setting up Afghanistan's new army has been named as next commander of US forces in the country, a US military spokesman said Thursday. Major General Karl Eikenberry has been named to replace Lieutenant General David
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Malaysia urges Muslim scholars to fight extremism

Malaysia urges Muslim scholars to fight extremism

Muslim nations and scholars must speak out against militant extremism or take some blame for the West's misunderstanding of Islam, the chairman of the world's largest body of Islamic nations said on Thursday. Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
South Koreans protest over capital move

South Koreans protest over capital move

Thousands of people from a rural part of South Korea staged a protest in Seoul on Thursday against what they called a watered-down version of a government plan to move the administrative capital to their region. Debate on the controversial plan is heating
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Europe shivers in severe winter cold snap

Europe shivers in severe winter cold snap

Europe shivered Thursday in a severe cold snap as temperatures hovered below freezing across much of the continent, forcing train and plane delays and ratcheting up electricity consumption to record levels. In a ceremony marking the liberation 60 years ag
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
At snow-swept Auschwitz, world stops to remember

At snow-swept Auschwitz, world stops to remember

World leaders and survivors stopped to remember the horror of the Holocaust on Thursday at a snow-swept ceremony in Auschwitz-Birkenau on the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi death camp. Surrounded by barbed wire fences and remnants of the k
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Indian rupee inches up

Indian rupee inches up

The Indian rupee inched up on Thursday, bolstered by rising stocks and regional currencies that gained ahead of next week's Group of Seven meeting, but customary month-end dollar demand capped gains, dealers said. The rupee ended at 43.7800/7900 per dolla
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Sterling hits five-week high versus euro

Sterling hits five-week high versus euro

Sterling hit a five-week high against the euro on Thursday, strengthening after comments from the Bank of England and data showing a rise in house prices cemented expectations that interest rates would remain unchanged. BoE Monetary Policy Committee membe
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Dollar rises within range

Dollar rises within range

The dollar rose within recent ranges on Thursday as investors waited to see if a Group of Seven meeting next week would succeed in convincing China and other Asian countries to free their currencies soon. In the run up to the meeting in London, European p
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Malaysian shares down on quick profit-taking

Malaysian shares down on quick profit-taking

Malaysian share prices closed 0.37 percent lower Thursday on quick profit-taking after Wednesday's gains, dealers said. They said losses suffered by index-linked heavyweight Maybank helped to drag the composite index lower. The Kuala Lumpur Composite Inde
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Singapore shares close lower

Singapore shares close lower

Singapore share prices closed 0.66 percent lower Thursday, with blue chips leading the fall as investors took profits, dealers said. They said investors were cautious ahead of the corporate earnings season even as early indications produced a mixed bag of
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
US Stocks: Thursday's unofficial close

US Stocks: Thursday's unofficial close

US blue chip stocks fell Thursday as disappointing earnings from companies including Dow component Caterpillar and higher oil prices dampened the mood on Wall Street after two days of advances. However, gains by network equipment maker Cisco Systems Inc h
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Profit-taking ends auto bonds rally

Profit-taking ends auto bonds rally

Profit-taking ended this week's two-day spread rally of euro auto-maker bonds on Thursday, as investors began showing nervousness about the US automobile industry again. Car bonds have been on an upswing in Europe since Tuesday, after investment bank Lehm
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Profit-taking ends auto bonds rally

Profit-taking ends auto bonds rally

Profit-taking ended this week's two-day spread rally of euro auto-maker bonds on Thursday, as investors began showing nervousness about the US automobile industry again. Car bonds have been on an upswing in Europe since Tuesday, after investment bank Lehm
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Philippines shares higher

Philippines shares higher

Philippines share prices closed 1.07 percent higher Thursday in a technical rebound following two days of profit-taking, dealers said. They said stocks also rose in tandem with the Philippine peso, which extended a rally against the US dollar, after the g
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
UK's top share index stays up on resurgent AstraZeneca and banks

UK's top share index stays up on resurgent AstraZeneca and banks

Britain's top shares rose for the fifth straight day on Thursday as a cheery outlook from drugs giant AstraZeneca and strong demand for a big share placing in Royal Bank of Scotland helped the FTSE 100 eke out a slim gain and post its highest finish for a
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Rain ends dry spell in some Ivory Coast cocoa zones

Rain ends dry spell in some Ivory Coast cocoa zones

Rain fell in varying quantities in several Ivory Coast cocoa growing regions on Thursday, bringing relief to farmers who had feared weeks of dry weather in most areas would hurt the development of their crops. "It has been raining very hard since 9.30 (09
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Record Argentine wheat harvest reopens Asia market

Record Argentine wheat harvest reopens Asia market

Dirt-cheap prices for Argentina's record wheat crop have allowed exporters to regain markets in Asia after a two-year lull, analysts say. One of the world's top five wheat exporters, Argentina's 2004/05 wheat output is estimated at 16 million tonnes by th
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Oil firms near $49; Saudi Arabia signals no Opec cuts

Oil firms near $49; Saudi Arabia signals no Opec cuts

Oil prices held firm near $49 on Thursday as concern over potential attacks on Iraqi oil infrastructure leading up to Sunday's elections countered signs from Opec that a fresh output cut was not imminent. US light crude settled up 6 cents to $48.84 a barr
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Oil firms near $49; Saudi Arabia signals no Opec cuts

Oil firms near $49; Saudi Arabia signals no Opec cuts

Oil prices held firm near $49 on Thursday as concern over potential attacks on Iraqi oil infrastructure leading up to Sunday's elections countered signs from Opec that a fresh output cut was not imminent. US light crude settled up 6 cents to $48.84 a barr
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
London sugar ends weaker

London sugar ends weaker

London benchmark white sugar futures settled weaker on speculator profit-taking on Thursday after briefly touching a $268.00 contract high for a second straight day and then erasing gains, traders said. March closed down $2.10 at $265.40 a tonne in volume
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
New York cotton futures sink

New York cotton futures sink

Cotton futures finished down and near a month low Thursday on speculative fund sales, and the market could grind lower on follow-through pressure before the weekend, analysts said. The New York Board of Trade's March cotton contract sank 2.92 cents to end
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
London cocoa extends rally

London cocoa extends rally

London cocoa futures extended a six-week high on Thursday after funds swooped on US soft commodities markets in the previous session and set off technical signals to buy cocoa, traders said. Liffe's benchmark March traded in an 855-868 pound band and was
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Metals mostly lower on speculative interest

Metals mostly lower on speculative interest

Base metals traded aimlessly during Thursday afternoon open-outcry business on the London Metal Exchange (LME) as the lack of definite direction inhibited speculative interest, dealers said. The major metals backtracked after early highs into the minus co
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Gold dips as dollar firms

Gold dips as dollar firms

Gold softened in Europe on Thursday as strong US data helped the dollar to recoup earlier losses, denting gold's investment allure, traders said. But 32 analysts polled by Reuters were upbeat on the metal's outlook for 2005 - expecting a fourth successive
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
US MIDDAY: cocoa firmer on profit-taking

US MIDDAY: cocoa firmer on profit-taking

New York cocoa futures finished moderately firmer Thursday as profit-taking eclipsed earlier gains following the market's failure to breach key resistance at $1,600, market sources said. "The market looked a little overdone on the upside. The buying dried
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
US MIDDAY: sugar easier on producer sales

US MIDDAY: sugar easier on producer sales

Raw sugar futures closed lower Thursday on trade and producer sales as the market pulled back after surging to a 3-1/2 month high, but most players feel the outlook for the sweetener remains bullish in the days ahead. The New York Board of Trade's March r
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
US MIDDAY: wheat plunges on global supplies

US MIDDAY: wheat plunges on global supplies

Chicago Board of Trade wheat futures fell to contract lows early in Thursday's session, weighed by signs of strong export competition and plentiful global supplies, traders said. As of 11:13 am CST (1713 GMT), CBOT March wheat was down 5-1/2 cents at $2.8
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
US MIDDAY: corn lower on exports

US MIDDAY: corn lower on exports

Corn futures at the Chicago Board of Trade were lower early on Thursday as the record large global supply of feed grains and exports that were merely routine weighed on the market, traders said. A sharp drop in soy and wheat also led to spillover pressure
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
US MIDDAY: soya falls on fund selling

US MIDDAY: soya falls on fund selling

Soybean futures at the Chicago Board of Trade fell to new contract lows in the May and July months early Thursday amid bearish exports and bright weather prospects for the South American soya crop, traders said. At 10:02 am CST (1602 GMT), the nearby Marc
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
US MIDDAY: copper drops on light buying

US MIDDAY: copper drops on light buying

COMEX copper futures fell early Thursday, pulled lower by the euro's weakness against the dollar, but traders said copper was supported by light buying at the lows. Traders said they thought speculators were using the euro as a reason to sell so they coul
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
US MIDDAY: gold back-pedals in rollover-dominated trade

US MIDDAY: gold back-pedals in rollover-dominated trade

US gold futures held lower early Thursday in rollover-dominated trade, pressured by a firm dollar, although jitters before Sunday's Iraq presidential election supported the market, dealers said. Gold for February delivery was down $2.30 at $424.60 an ounc
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Restaurant to be set up at Shahi Hamam

Restaurant to be set up at Shahi Hamam

Arrangements have been initiated by the Punjab Tourism Department to set up a restaurant with an ambience of Mughal era at the historical building of Shahi Hamam, Delhi Gate here. Besides providing meals, information about the historic Mughal era would al
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Sindh farmers being facilitated to combat water shortage

Sindh farmers being facilitated to combat water shortage

The Sindh government, keeping in view the likely shortage of water this year, has started planning to offer more facilities to the farmers providing them adequate water and other agricultural inputs. In this regard, a scheme has been envisaged to provide
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Minister seeks parents' help for promotion of education

Minister seeks parents' help for promotion of education

Sindh Education and Literacy Minister Dr Hamida Khuhro has urged the society, especially parents, to assist the government in its efforts for promotion of education, saying "without putting this sector on top among our national priorities, we can not comp
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Government using all means to gain success in local bodies polls: PPP

Government using all means to gain success in local bodies polls: PPP

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Sindh President Syed Qaim Ali Shah on Thursday alleged Sindh government was using all "illegal tactics" to gain success in the forthcoming local bodies (LB) elections, saying the death of a PPP activist in custody in Mirpurkha
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
US plan to attack Iran condemned

US plan to attack Iran condemned

Senior political leader Mairaj Muhammad Khan has expressed confidence that the government and the people of Iran would courageously defend their independence and territorial integrity. If United States or its proxy Israel attacked Iran then flames of war
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Kenya offers facilities to Sialkot traders

Kenya offers facilities to Sialkot traders

Kenyan High Commissioner in Pakistan David A. Mutemi has announced that his government will provide all the advanced marketing, warehouses and other related trade facilities to Sialkot business community, enabling them to capture the Kenyan and African ma
Published 28 Jan, 2005 12:00am
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