Spin bowling could supply the key to the Ssuper Test between Australia and the World XI starting on Friday on a Sydney Cricket Ground pitch with a long tradition of favouring slow bowlers.
Moscow on Wednesday angrily accused Georgia's parliament of trying to re-ignite post-Soviet conflicts by threatening to demand withdrawal of Russian peacekeepers from two rebel Georgian regions.
Zimbabwe's main opposition Wednesday announced it would boycott next month's elections to a newly created upper house of parliament, which it had described as the last straw for democracy.
Sea entry points into Singapore are now being guarded by Gurkhas as part of enhanced measures following the London subway attacks in July and the recent Bali bombings, police said Wednesday.
Hong Kong's Beijing-appointed leader promised a modest range of measures to boost the economy in his maiden state-of-the territory speech Wednesday but sidestepped the thorny issue of democratic reform.
King Gyanendra has issued orders for parliamentary elections to be held in Nepal by April 2007, state-run radio said Wednesday, in line with his pledge when he seized power earlier this year.
A 64-year-old man beaten bloody by New Orleans police over the weekend pleaded not guilty Wednesday to public drunkenness and resisting arrest and was released on his own recognisance.
A New York Times reporter, under pressure to explain a previously undisclosed conversation with a top aide to Vice President Dick Cheney, made a second appearance on Wednesday before the federal grand jury investigating the leak of a CIA operative'
Protesters stormed an Indonesian jail on Wednesday where many bombers behind the 2002 Bali night-club blasts are incarcerated, just hours after sombre ceremonies to mark the third anniversary of the atrocity.
Masked Palestinian gunmen kidnapped a US and a British journalist in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday in the latest sign of lawlessness in the coastal territory after Israel's pullout last month.
Syria's former strongman in Lebanon, Ghazi Kanaan, who was questioned over former Lebanese premier Rafiq Hariri's murder, committed suicide in his Damascus office Wednesday, the government announced.
Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, who has led Germany since 1998, said for the first time on Wednesday he would not play a role in the next government, in an emotional farewell including broadsides at the United States and Britain.
A prolonged attempt to help scientists predict when earthquakes will happen has ended in a sad failure, according to a study published on Thursday in Nature, the British science weekly.
Quake victims in South Asia are going without aid because the global emergency relief system is overstretched, needs better co-ordination and has less than half of the funds required, a top UN official said on Wednesday.
EU justice and interior ministers made little progress on Wednesday in efforts to resolve a power struggle between the bloc's three main bodies over anti-terrorism legislation to log telecommunications data.
Britain published sweeping plans to fight terrorism on Wednesday which, if passed into law, would let police hold suspects for three months without charge, sparking anger from senior judges and civil rights groups.
J.K. Rowling led the list of writers winning prizes at the first Quill Book Awards on Tuesday, and singer/songwriter Bob Dylan was awarded the biography/memoir prize.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Wednesday said US troops would stay in Afghanistan as long as needed, as Washington tries to bolster its influence in the region as an antidote to Islamic extremism.
China launched its second manned space mission Wednesday, sending two astronauts into orbit as it opened a new chapter in its ambitious drive to become a global space power.
Bonds of General Motors pared losses in late trade on Wednesday but were still down after reports that its bankrupt former unit Delphi Corp had a $11 billion hole in its pension fund.
Bonds of General Motors pared losses in late trade on Wednesday but were still down after reports that its bankrupt former unit Delphi Corp had a $11 billion hole in its pension fund.
US technology shares fell near five-month lows on Wednesday as Apple Computer Inc's financial results sparked concern about the outlook for corporate earnings and inflation worries resurfaced.
Seoul shares had their biggest one-day percentage fall in more than six weeks on Wednesday after an earnings outlook from LG.Philips LCD triggered a heavy technology sector sell-off and to doubts about stock valuations.
Britain's top shares closed at one-month lows on Wednesday, with all but three sectors falling after expectations dimmed of a further UK interest rate cut this year, but volatile PartyGaming bucked the trend to leap almost 10 percent.
Sterling bounced off 11-week lows against the dollar on Wednesday, as the US currency's broad rally stalled and after hawkish Bank of England comments took some heat out of UK rate cut talk.
The dollar slipped from recent highs on Wednesday as investors assessed how much more the Federal Reserve's expected interest rate hikes could boost the greenback, which has enjoyed a good run so far this year.
A higher cocoa farmgate price in Ivory Coast is unlikely to stem smuggling of beans into Ghana and neighbouring countries where buyers are prepared to pay more, exporters said on Wednesday.
Farm-gate prices for US corn and soyabeans will sink to stressful levels under the weight of the second mammoth harvest in a row, the government forecast on Wednesday.
Oil prices rose on Wednesday, extending this week's gains to 3.7 percent so far as investors feared a rebound in demand would drain stockpiles and spark a winter fuel crunch.
Soyabean rust was found in a 16th county in Alabama, but the US Agriculture Department said on Wednesday that fall weather was slowing the spread of the highly-contagious fungus.
Cotton futures settled higher Wednesday on a steady drumbeat of fund buying as market players cautiously digested a government crop report that fiber demand will remain strong in 2005/06, brokers said.
London sugar futures closed weaker on speculative selling in light volumes on Wednesday, and traders said they expected a big award at Thursday's EU export tender.
London Metal Exchange (LME) copper prices fell away from fresh all-time highs in open outcry trade on Wednesday, but few felt the rally was over yet despite increasing talk of a salutary correction. Aluminium shone out with a robust performance after a te
Gold slipped about 1.2 percent in Europe on Wednesday from its highest level since early 1988 in the morning trading session when funds snapped up the metal, traders said. Platinum hovered near a 25-1/2-year peak, while silver traded closer to 10-month hi
New York arabica coffee futures edged up Wednesday, with speculators pushing prices to a new six-week high amid lingering market worries about Central American crop damage fuelling a supply squeeze, traders said.
US cocoa futures closed in negative territory Wednesday, depressed by speculators liquidating their long positions in an otherwise quiet trading session, market sources said.
Raw sugar prices sputtered from speculative fund profit-taking to close easier Wednesday but solid trade support at the lows meant the sweetener could stage another rally soon, brokers said.
Corn futures at the Chicago Board of Trade were higher early on Wednesday on spillover support from surging soy and a strong wheat market, traders said.
Wheat futures on the Chicago Board of Trade were higher at midmorning on Wednesday after the US Department of Agriculture lowered its estimates of US and world wheat ending stocks, traders said.
US copper futures opened lower on Wednesday, in step with easing prices in London, as some investors pocketed profits though prices found support at the lows and traders were reluctant to sell at these historic highs, sources said.
Soyabean futures at the Chicago Board of Trade soared early on Wednesday, supported by smaller-than-expected estimates of the US soya crop and end stocks released by USDA, traders said.
US gold futures retreated on fund selling early Wednesday, after spiking to a new 18-year peak, as the market became roiled by profit taking on the one hand and continued speculative interest on the other, traders and analysts said.
The Chairman Pakistan Sports Trust (PST), Lieutenant General Syed Arif Hasan, HI (M), has expressed deep sorrow and grief over the deaths and massive devastation caused by the earthquake and has donated Rs 2.5 million worth of relief goods for the earthqu
The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday donated 500,000 US dollars to Pakistan earthquake relief efforts but turned down Pakistani paceman Shoaib Akhtar's plea for a one-off fundraising cricket match.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has exempted all flights from landing charges at all airports in the country which are bringing in humanitarian aid from donor countries and agencies.
Under a two-phased strategy, PIA, in collaboration with The Citizens Foundation Relief Fund, will provide systematic relief to survivors of earthquake in the Northern Areas and Azad Kashmir.
The Karachi Stock Exchange and its members have raised an amount of Rs 100 million to contribute towards "Relief and Rehabilitation Fund" for the victims of earthquake.
The Central Board of Revenue (CBR) deposited a Rs 5 million cheque for donation in President's Relief Fund for earthquake victims. Under the directive of CBR Chairman Abdullah Yusuf, special medical teams comprising doctors and paramedics have reached Man
The Central Board of Revenue (CBR) has set up an 'Emergency Earthquake Relief Cell' to timely dispatch relief consignments to the badly affected areas of NWFP and Azad Kashmir. The Cell has been established at Room No 2 in CBR House, located at the Consti
Patron-in-chief of Pakistan Taxation Club Abrar Ahmed has appealed to the income tax officers to contribute generously to the relief fund of earthquake affected people.
Telenor has announced an emergency relief package for the victims of the recent earthquake that has left thousands dead in its wake. Telenor is pledging a sum of Rs 65 million to go to the Red Crescent and President's Earthquake Relief Fund.
The carpet industry businessmen have set up a Rs 10 million relief fund to help earthquake victims in Azad Kashmir and NWFP, in which US based Pakistani importers contributed Rs 6 million while local exporters provided Rs 4 million to the fund.
Senate Chairman Mohammedmian Soomro on Wednesday appreciated the immediate response of the world community for extending financial and logistic support to Pakistan to meet this crisis.
The Pak Oman Investment Company has donated Rs 10 million to the President's Relief Fund, in addition to its employees' voluntary contribution of three days salary.
Hutchison Whampoa Limited (HWL) and the Li Ka Shing Foundation donated 0.5 million dollars in response to the terrible loss of life and property from the Pakistan earthquake disaster towards the relief of victims and rebuilding of the country.
The Board of Directors of the International Association of Lions Clubs and Lion President Ashok Mehta has donated 250,000 dollars for the rehabilitation of earthquake victims in Pakistan.
Red Crescent Society, Pakistan has set up its relief goods procurement centres throughout the country for the earthquake victims and its volunteers have begun to reach remote mountainous areas, which are normally inaccessible.
Earthquake has destroyed roads and other communication system in Balakot and its adjoining areas, and volunteers have been facing difficulties to carry out relief activities due to rainfalls, said Edhi Foundation sources.
Wapda Medical Directorate has constituted and dispatched a number of medical teams in earthquake effected areas to support and strengthen the ongoing rescue and rehabilitation operation for the victims.
The staff of Bank of Punjab has donated two-day salary towards the President's Earthquake Relief Fund for NWFP and AJK victims, says a bank's spokesman here on Wednesday.
The Bank of Khyber (BoK) has announced donation of Rs 1 million for the earthquake victims in the province. The assistance would be deposited in the Chief Minister Relief Fund.
The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) has placed four helicopters at government's disposal to supplement their relief efforts in earthquake affected areas and has also made an initial contribution of Rs30 million to President's Relief Fund.
The State Bank of Pakistan has allowed scheduled commercial banks to collect online donations for President's Fund for Earthquake Victims-2005 from the general public and overseas communities.
The Union Bank Limited has donated Rs 15 million to the "President's Relief Fund" for earthquake victims. The Union Bank President and CEO, Shaukat Tarin, presented the cheque to Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in Islamabad.
OMV AG, an Austria-based multinational company, engaged in oil and gas exploration and production has contributed $500,000 towards President's Relief Fund. Message of solidarity and sympathy with the people of Pakistan was expressed in this hour of trial
Volunteers of Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (Unisame) on Wednesday appealed to the petroleum companies to donate diesel for trucks carrying relief goods to earthquake affected areas.
The Opec Fund for International Development will donate one million dollars to aid victims of the massive earthquake that struck Pakistan, India and Afghanistan, is chairman said on Wednesday.
The Opec Fund for International Development will donate one million dollars to aid victims of the massive earthquake that struck Pakistan, India and Afghanistan, is chairman said on Wednesday.
Shell Pakistan Limited, its affiliated companies in Pakistan and Royal Dutch Shell, will contribute Rs 30 million for the relief activities in the quake-hit areas.
Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) has announced to donate medicines worth Rs 14 million in the LCCI relief fund for the victims of the deadly earthquake, which left thousands of people dead and as many homeless.
Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) Karachi on Wednesday requested the pharmaceutical companies, doctors, paramedical staff and general public to donate required medicines as early as possible for people in quake-hit areas.
Italy, a country which has quite often been struck by earthquakes and other natural disasters and as a result suffered heavy loss of life, property and damages to its cultural heritages, can well understand and feel the devastation and affliction that the
A C-130 plane carrying blankets, biscuits, winter clothes, candles and medicine, will be arriving in Islamabad from Dhaka this afternoon to share in providing emergency relief to earthquake affected people of Pakistan.
The Italian Trade Commission here in association with "Assomac", the National Association of Italian Manufacturers of Footwear, Leather Goods and Tanning Machinery, has extended an official invitation to five Pakistani delegates to meet and explore busine
Sindh Home Minister Rauf Ahmed Siddiqi on Tuesday advised donors to contact Madadgar-15, in case of difficulties regarding transport arrangement for shifting relief goods to quake hit areas.
The University of Sindh - National Center of Excellence in Analytical Chemistry during the first week of December at its Jamshoro campus will organise three-day international training workshop on 'Patent System' jointly sponsored by the Comstech and Isesc
I want to draw the attention of the concerned authorities towards the prices of utilities such as (vegetable, meat, fruits, oil/ghee etc-etc) which are increased due to Ramazan, which is a holy month. The government has introduced a price control committe
The terrible tragedy of the Kashmir earthquake reminds us of the peril of ignoring or underplaying the significance of earthquake hazards and risk. Because major earthquakes in populated areas occur infrequently and are not predictable, most people tend t
After running errands for a Jakarta printing shop all day, Syamsul takes the evening train home. The carriage is pitch dark inside, it is stifling hot and virtually impossible to move among the tangle of sweaty limbs.
Tamara Golubeva has heard about the petrodollars flooding Russia's economy, but she is quite certain that she has not seen any of them. Golubeva lives in Ostashkov, a town that symbolises the challenge President Vladimir Putin faces if he is to turn Russi
As of September 2005, total mobile subscribers stand at 17.7 million whereas a year ago it was less than 5.5 million, indicating a growth rate of 154% till June 2005. Mobile subscribers per 100 inhabitants of Pakistan is approaching 10.1 (August 05) showi
Commendably for it, the government has adopted a proactive approach to increase Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) which, despite its best efforts, remains far below the expected level. At its last accounting in 2004, it stood at a dismal $1 billion plus whe
Although the government responded quite promptly to the colossal calamity that hit Azad Kashmir, NWFP and Islamabad last Saturday morning, much of its initial rescue and relief effort lacked a well-directed disaster management planning.
The latest close of key indices on major world stock exchanges and the London closing values of the euro, the Japanese yen, the British pound and gold bullion (previous day's closes in brackets).
The Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) has started survey of old, unsafe and risky buildings within its jurisdiction, in wake of devastative earthquake which jolted country on October 8. The survey will be finished within 15 days.
Switzerland responding to the urgent need for relief goods following the earthquake by sending an aircraft with 40 tonnes of material to the disaster region.