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Print - 2005-12-27
Ganguly in trouble

Ganguly in trouble

Indian selectors are seeking an explanation from former captain Saurav Ganguly for not turning out for his home state Bengal in a round of the national championship that began on Sunday.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
No negative impact on textiles: minister

No negative impact on textiles: minister

Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar said on Monday that there would be no substantial negative impact on the country''s textile industry after adoption of ''Swiss formula and two coefficients''.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
8,000 visas to be issued to Indian spectators

8,000 visas to be issued to Indian spectators

The government has decided to issue nearly 8,000 visas to the Indian spectators for the forthcoming Pak-India cricket series starting from 13th January 2005, official sources told Business Recorder here on Monday.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
No negative impact on textiles: minister

No negative impact on textiles: minister

Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar said on Monday that there would be no substantial negative impact on the country's textile industry after adoption of 'Swiss formula and two coefficients'.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Indian security officials arrive

Indian security officials arrive

A five-member Indian delegation arrived here on Sunday to assess security at cricket grounds before their team's tour of Pakistan next month.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
No negative impact on textiles: minister

No negative impact on textiles: minister

Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar said on Monday that there would be no substantial negative impact on the country's textile industry after adoption of 'Swiss formula and two coefficients'.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Russian sports chief confident of Sochi Olympic bid

Russian sports chief confident of Sochi Olympic bid

Russian sports minister Vyacheslav Fetisov on Monday said he was confident that the southern resort city of Sochi could launch a successful bid to stage the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Textile industry asked to focus on value addition

Textile industry asked to focus on value addition

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that textile industry was the core industry of Pakistan and the textile vision adopted by government had provided an environment for substantial development of the sector.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
'President to address nation soon'

'President to address nation soon'

President General Pervez Musharraf would soon address the nation to take the people into confidence on the water reservoirs issue. He will highlight the importance of Kalabagh Dam and other reservoirs for the country.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Nel wickets rock Australia after Ponting ton

Nel wickets rock Australia after Ponting ton

Captain Ricky Ponting scored his sixth Test century this year and the 26th of his career in Australia's 239 for eight on the first day of the second Test against South Africa on Monday.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Sindh visit created awareness about dams: Musharraf

Sindh visit created awareness about dams: Musharraf

President General Pervez Musharraf on Monday said his recently concluded visit to Sindh had been beneficial for creating awareness about the need for additional water reservoirs to meet the growing demand.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
China January-November refined copper imports up

China January-November refined copper imports up

China exported 1,072,087 tonnes of primary aluminium in the first 11 months of 2005, a fall of 9.4 percent from the year-earlier period, and imported 1,162,106 tonnes of refined copper, up 5.7 percent, official customs figures showed on Monday.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Sindh visit created awareness about dams: Musharraf

Sindh visit created awareness about dams: Musharraf

President General Pervez Musharraf on Monday said his recently concluded visit to Sindh had been beneficial for creating awareness about the need for additional water reservoirs to meet the growing demand.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Korea East-West seeks 144,000 tonnes fuel oil

Korea East-West seeks 144,000 tonnes fuel oil

State utility Korea East-West Power Co (KEWPCO) has issued a tender to buy 144,000 tonnes of medium-sulphur fuel oil for January and February delivery, a company source said on Monday.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Sindh visit created awareness about dams: Musharraf

Sindh visit created awareness about dams: Musharraf

President General Pervez Musharraf on Monday said his recently concluded visit to Sindh had been beneficial for creating awareness about the need for additional water reservoirs to meet the growing demand.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
'Gold still an opportunity for investors'

'Gold still an opportunity for investors'

The roller-coaster price of gold climbed to $528 an ounce on December 12 from $459 in early November and an investment still could pay off over the next few years, according to an article in the December 26 issue of Barron's.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Mexico sees copper, gold production up

Mexico sees copper, gold production up

Mexico sees its 2006 copper output at 483,000 tonnes, up 13.1 percent from the 427,000 tonnes it expects to produce in 2005, the economy ministry said on Friday.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Dubai gold exchange volumes hit record highs

Dubai gold exchange volumes hit record highs

Volumes on Dubai's new gold exchange hit record highs this week, with $11.7 million worth of gold futures contracts traded on Friday, the exchange said.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Japan first quarter ferro-chrome price down

Japan first quarter ferro-chrome price down

Japan's top stainless steel maker said on Monday two key South African suppliers had agreed to a 7 percent reduction in the January-March price for ferro-chrome to the lowest in two years as domestic producers slash output.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Activity at Karachi and Qasim ports

Activity at Karachi and Qasim ports

The Karachi Port handled 162,453 tonnes of cargo including 149,753 tonnes import and 12,700 tonnes export cargo including 408 containers during last 48 hours ending at 0700 hours on Monday.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Indian wheat futures up on fund buying, gold rises

Indian wheat futures up on fund buying, gold rises

Indian wheat futures rose on Monday because of fund buying and gold prices rose marginally on investor demand. At 1015 GMT, the January wheat contract rose 5.60 rupees to 812.60 rupees per 100 kg at the National Commodities and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
China's November crude imports fall, product exports up

China's November crude imports fall, product exports up

China's imports of crude oil in November slid 7.1 percent from a year earlier while exports of heavier products rose, customs data showed on Monday, denting hopes of a year-end rebound in demand.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Shanghai copper sets record high for third day

Shanghai copper sets record high for third day

Shanghai copper futures finished sharply up on Monday after climbing to record highs for the third straight session, as the domestic market played catch-up with global prices.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
China moves to abolish farmer tax

China moves to abolish farmer tax

China's parliament has announced plans to abolish the country's long-standing agricultural tax at a time when social unrest and a deepening income divide are raising official fears about stagnant farm incomes.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
China moves to abolish farmer tax

China moves to abolish farmer tax

China's parliament has announced plans to abolish the country's long-standing agricultural tax at a time when social unrest and a deepening income divide are raising official fears about stagnant farm incomes.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Oil to keep January crude run steady

Oil to keep January crude run steady

Two major South Korean oil refiners plan to keep their respective crude oil processing rates for January unchanged from December levels, an industry source familiar with local refinery operations said on Monday.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Vietnam sees coffee sales up 34 percent in early 2005-06

Vietnam sees coffee sales up 34 percent in early 2005-06

Vietnam would export 201,000 tonnes (3.35 million 60-kg bags) of coffee in October-December, the first quarter of the crop year ending next September, up 34 percent from a year, the government said on Monday.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
US, most part of Asia closed for holiday

US, most part of Asia closed for holiday

Most of the financial centres remained closed in Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thiland and Indonesia on Monday due to public holiday. The markets will reopen on Tuesday after observing holidays on account of the Christmas.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
US, most part of Asia closed for holiday

US, most part of Asia closed for holiday

Most of the financial centres remained closed in Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thiland and Indonesia on Monday due to public holiday. The markets will reopen on Tuesday after observing holidays on account of the Christmas.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Asian crude: Oman firms after Thai demand

Asian crude: Oman firms after Thai demand

Middle East benchmark Oman crude firmed on Monday, gaining support from Thai purchases late last week, traders said. Dealings were expected to thin on Monday as many traders were away for holidays.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
RoK chip export growth to slow

RoK chip export growth to slow

Annual growth in South Korean semiconductor exports will probably slow sharply in the first quarter of 2006, an industry survey showed on Monday, in line with sluggish global demand for personal computers.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Bangladesh exports up by 10.8 percent in September

Bangladesh exports up by 10.8 percent in September

Bangladesh exports rose 10.8 percent in September to $720 million from $650 million a year earlier, officials said. The country exported $848.10 million worth of goods in August, officials with the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) said.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Nippon Mining, Mitsui Mining merge copper smelting

Nippon Mining, Mitsui Mining merge copper smelting

Nippon Mining & Metals and Mitsui Mining and Smelting Co Ltd said on Monday they would merge their copper smelting operations into their joint venture company Pan Pacific Copper Co around April 2006.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Tokyo gold jumps nearly 2 percent to near one-week high

Tokyo gold jumps nearly 2 percent to near one-week high

Tokyo gold futures jumped nearly 2 percent to their highest in nearly a week on Monday as a recovery in dollar-based prices prompted active bargain-hunting by investors and trading houses based on the metal's strong fundamentals.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Spain budget surplus jumps as economy thrives

Spain budget surplus jumps as economy thrives

Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said on Monday he expected Spain's public sector budget surplus to come in at more than 1 percent of gross domestic product this year, way above forecasts.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Mazda to enter North American compact car market

Mazda to enter North American compact car market

Japanese automaker Mazda Motor is planning to enter the North American compact car market as early as 2007 to take advantage of growing demand there for fuel-efficient vehicles, a report said Monday.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Citibank to raise its stake in Shanghai bank

Citibank to raise its stake in Shanghai bank

US banking giant Citibank on Monday confirmed it will increase its stake in Shanghai Pudong Development Bank to 19.9 percent, an indication that it is also ready to acquire a stake in another Chinese bank.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Nintendo DS sales hit 5 million units in Japan

Nintendo DS sales hit 5 million units in Japan

Domestic sales of Nintendo Co Ltd's DS portable game machine reached 5 million units in less than 13 months after its launch in early December 2004, the fastest-ever pace in Japan's video game market, Nintendo said on Monday.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Algeria's November trade surplus at $2.1 billion

Algeria's November trade surplus at $2.1 billion

Opec member Algeria's trade surplus swelled 37 percent to $2.1 billion in November from the same month last year due mainly to rising crude oil exports, official figures showed on Monday.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Samsung may sell NAND flash chips to Sony

Samsung may sell NAND flash chips to Sony

Samsung Electronics Co Ltd said on Monday it may sell NAND flash memory chips to Japanese electronics maker Sony Corp and others, underpinning expectations for surging demand for the chips.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Japan big manufacturers grow more confident: survey

Japan big manufacturers grow more confident: survey

Big Japanese manufacturers grew more confident about business conditions in the three months to December, a government survey showed on Monday, underscoring views that brisk corporate activity is underpinning a modest but sustainable economic recovery.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Russneft head says he owns 70 percent of company

Russneft head says he owns 70 percent of company

The head of mid-sized Russian oil company Russneft, Mikhail Gutseriyev, said on Monday that he controlled 70 percent of the firm, which has annual revenue of $3.5 billion and is growing rapidly. "I own a controlling stake of around 70 percent. The rest be
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Russneft head says he owns 70 percent of company

Russneft head says he owns 70 percent of company

The head of mid-sized Russian oil company Russneft, Mikhail Gutseriyev, said on Monday that he controlled 70 percent of the firm, which has annual revenue of $3.5 billion and is growing rapidly. "I own a controlling stake of around 70 percent. The rest be
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Russia sees 2005 inflation on revised target

Russia sees 2005 inflation on revised target

Russian inflation will not exceed 11 percent in 2005 and will meet the government's increased target range of 11-11.5 percent, central bank deputy governor Alexei Ulyukayev said on Monday, expressing disappointment the rate was not lower.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Fuji Photo to buy Avecia

Fuji Photo to buy Avecia

Japan's Fuji Photo Film Co said on Monday it will take over British ink dyes supplier Avecia Inkjet Ltd for 150 million pounds ($260 million) in February to strengthen its copiers and printer business.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Turkish deputy Prime Minister sees 5.2 percent growth

Turkish deputy Prime Minister sees 5.2 percent growth

Turkey's gross national product (GNP), helped by renewed domestic confidence, is set to grow by 5.2 percent this year versus an official target of five percent, Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener told Reuters.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
ADB to loan Bangladesh $315 million to woo investment

ADB to loan Bangladesh $315 million to woo investment

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will loan Bangladesh $315 million to develop the country's infrastructure to help attract foreign investments, an official with the bank said on Monday.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
IEA ends post-Katrina oil market bailout

IEA ends post-Katrina oil market bailout

A collective effort by member countries of the International Energy Agency to offset oil market supply disruptions in the Gulf of Mexico caused by Hurricane Katrina was "successfully concluded" last week, IEA chief Claude Mandil said Monday.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
'Diversifying reserves still an option for UAE'

'Diversifying reserves still an option for UAE'

The United Arab Emirates is still weighing the option of converting some of the central bank's foreign exchange reserves from dollars into euros, the central bank governor said on Monday.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Russia and Opec vow closer cooperation

Russia and Opec vow closer cooperation

Russia and Opec will hold annual ministerial meetings and have agreed on a number of other plans aimed at tightening their co-operation in the world oil market, Russia announced Monday following talks here with top Opec officials.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Ukraine hopes for compromise with Gazprom

Ukraine hopes for compromise with Gazprom

Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko urged compromise Monday in a bitter dispute with Russia over natural gas prices as Russian state-controlled giant Gazprom threatened to cut off supplies to the pro-Western former Soviet republic on January 1.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
EU grants 166 million euros for 10 poor African nations

EU grants 166 million euros for 10 poor African nations

The European Union announced on Monday a 166 million euros ($196.9 million) aid package for 10 African countries, saying the continent's poorest nations must be remembered on the first anniversary of the tsunami in Asia.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Japan MoF to sell gold coins via Internet auction

Japan MoF to sell gold coins via Internet auction

Japan's Ministry of Finance said on Monday it will auction off modern gold coins from its collection through the Internet next February. Some 2,445 coins will be sold on a Yahoo Japan Corp site from February 3-19, the ministry said.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
China begins landmark trial over confiscated oil wells

China begins landmark trial over confiscated oil wells

A Chinese investor, accused of organising protests after the government confiscated lucrative private oil wells, pleaded not guilty on Monday to a charge of disturbing public order in a landmark trial marked by tight police security.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Shell resumes oil pumping in Nigeria

Shell resumes oil pumping in Nigeria

Oil giant Shell said Monday that while pumping had resumed after a pipeline explosion in southern Nigeria, the company was still losing 35,000 barrels a day and could not yet guarantee to honour commitments.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
South Korea bonds flat

South Korea bonds flat

South Korean government bond prices closed unchanged on Monday on caution ahead of industrial output data this week that could show growing optimism in the economy, while trade was also thinned ahead of the year-end.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
South Korea bonds flat

South Korea bonds flat

South Korean government bond prices closed unchanged on Monday on caution ahead of industrial output data this week that could show growing optimism in the economy, while trade was also thinned ahead of the year-end.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Fund view: Indian stocks to benefit from shopping boom, capex

Fund view: Indian stocks to benefit from shopping boom, capex

Indian stocks, up 40 percent this year, have the potential to deliver more double-digit returns in coming years as consumers spend more and firms invest in additional equipment to increase sales, a fund manager said.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Indian shares fall sharply

Indian shares fall sharply

Indian shares fell sharply for the second straight session on Monday, recording their biggest drop in nearly 14 weeks, as investors consolidated positions ahead of the expiration of derivatives contracts and the year-end.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Taiwan stocks at 20-month high on tech, construction

Taiwan stocks at 20-month high on tech, construction

Taiwan shares closed at a 20-month high on Monday, with tech shares rising with their US counterparts, while builders soared on optimism of increasing profits in the fourth-quarter peak season.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Dow's gain down to the wire

Dow's gain down to the wire

In the final week of 2005, the US stock market will be banking on last-minute investments in retirement accounts and other equity funds, with traders hoping the infusion will help the Dow end the year in positive territory.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
South Korea to allow foreign firms to hold IPOs

South Korea to allow foreign firms to hold IPOs

South Korean financial authorities said Sunday they had eased listing rules to allow foreign firms to hold initial public offerings on the country's bourse.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Volatile markets, M&A boom weigh on 2005 US IPOs

Volatile markets, M&A boom weigh on 2005 US IPOs

A volatile stock market and a flood of merger activity added up to a down year for US initial public offerings. IPO volume is running 13.8 percent below last year's pace, and no US deals are set to price during the last week of 2005, when many will be on
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
China takes aim at corporate abuses with jail

China takes aim at corporate abuses with jail

China may jail listed firms' executives found guilty of abusing corporate assets, official newspapers said on Monday, imposing steeper penalties in a battle against white-collar crime aimed also at cleaning up unruly bourses.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
JGBs rise on Treasuries, economy survey caps gains

JGBs rise on Treasuries, economy survey caps gains

Japanese government bonds rose on Monday in reaction to gains in US Treasury prices, but room to rise was limited by data showing Japan's economy continuing to recover and Tokyo share prices hovering around five-year highs.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
JGBs rise on Treasuries, economy survey caps gains

JGBs rise on Treasuries, economy survey caps gains

Japanese government bonds rose on Monday in reaction to gains in US Treasury prices, but room to rise was limited by data showing Japan's economy continuing to recover and Tokyo share prices hovering around five-year highs.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Seoul shares hit record, Samsung-Sony news a boost

Seoul shares hit record, Samsung-Sony news a boost

Seoul shares hit an all-time high on Monday, led by chip makers after news that Samsung Electronics may sell NAND flash chips to Japan's Sony reinforced optimism about earnings for the sector.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Citigroup-Pudong Bank deal buoys Chinese shares

Citigroup-Pudong Bank deal buoys Chinese shares

China's shares rose just over 1 percent on Monday as investors bought into banking stocks on news that Citicorp Inc planned to quadruple its stake in third-largest listed lender Pudding Development Bank.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Nikkei ends above 16,000, retail merger plan helps

Nikkei ends above 16,000, retail merger plan helps

The Nikkei share average rose 1.04 percent to end above 16,000 for the first time in five years on Monday, partly due to bright prospects for the retail industry after Seven & I Holdings Co Ltd said it would buy a department store group.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
BNP plans to take a stake in Taiwan bank

BNP plans to take a stake in Taiwan bank

French bank BNP Paribas plans to invest T$4 billion ($121 million) for a 10 percent stake in state-run Taiwan Co-operative Bank and will forge a strategic partnership, a source at the Taiwan bank said on Monday.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Dollar steadies, on track for strong end to 2005

Dollar steadies, on track for strong end to 2005

The dollar steadied against the yen and the euro in thin trade on Monday, underpinned by its interest rate advantage and a view that profit-taking on the dollar's rally this year has run its course.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Taiwan dollar ends up

Taiwan dollar ends up

The Taiwan dollar gained on Monday on exporters' deals, inflows of foreign capital into the equity market and some profit-taking in the US dollar in the broad market before the year closed, dealers said.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Indian rupee at one-week high

Indian rupee at one-week high

The rupee rose to a one-week closing high on Monday, buoyed by foreign fund inflows and dollar selling by local banks seeking to raise rupee funds amid a cash squeeze which dragged federal bonds lower.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Train crash kills four in Japan

Train crash kills four in Japan

An express train running behind schedule in blustery winter weather derailed in northern Japan, killing four people and injuring 32, police said on Monday, and it was unclear if others remained trapped in the wreckage.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Mobile phones to tell South Koreans 'you've been indicted'

Mobile phones to tell South Koreans 'you've been indicted'

South Koreans may look at their mobile phones with some trepidation in the new year because prosecutors will start telling people they have been indicted via text messages, an official said on Monday.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Zambia shuts main power station after mud slide

Zambia shuts main power station after mud slide

Zambia has shut its largest power plant after it was damaged by a mud slide, an official said on Monday. Rhodnie Sisala, the managing director of state power utility Zesco, said the southern African country, which normally exports power to some of its nei
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
UN aims to pacify east Congo for 2006 elections

UN aims to pacify east Congo for 2006 elections

UN and Congolese forces have killed about 80 rebels in a week of joint operations and vowed to sustain the drive to bring peace to the violent east before next year's elections, the UN said on Monday.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
China law threatens jail for sex-selective abortions

China law threatens jail for sex-selective abortions

A new Chinese law calls for prison terms of up to three years and fines for doctors and other health workers who assist in telling the gender of unborn babies, leading to abortions, state media said on Monday.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Philippine mutiny leader urges civil disobedience

Philippine mutiny leader urges civil disobedience

The escaped ringleader of a failed 2003 military mutiny urged the public Monday to wage a civil disobedience campaign to force Philippine President Gloria Arroyo out of office.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Drunk Christmas crashes kill 15 in Burundi

Drunk Christmas crashes kill 15 in Burundi

Ten people were killed and seven injured in southern Burundi when a drunk driver plunged a bus into a valley on Christmas day, Burundian police said.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Turkish court probes author's military comments

Turkish court probes author's military comments

Best-selling Turkish writer Orhan Pamuk may face another court case for allegedly insulting the Turkish military in an interview with a German newspaper, his publishers said on Monday.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
South Korea panel probes disgraced scientist's key claim

South Korea panel probes disgraced scientist's key claim

A South Korean university said on Monday it expected results next week on DNA testing that should prove whether there is any truth to the claim by disgraced scientist Hwang Woo-suk that he produced tailored stem cells.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Indigenous Brazilian leader murdered

Indigenous Brazilian leader murdered

A leader of the native Brazilian Kaiowa-Guarani tribe was killed days after being evicted from a piece of land in Mato Grosso du Sul state, media reports and a missionary group said Sunday.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Japan to approve gender equality plan

Japan to approve gender equality plan

Japan is set to approve a plan to promote gender equality, but in a sign of conservative lawmakers' worries about a breakdown in traditional values, the document warns against doing away with all sex-based social distinctions.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Mexico's snowy 'smoking mountain' spits ash, rocks

Mexico's snowy 'smoking mountain' spits ash, rocks

Mexico's giant Popocatepetl volcano threw up an ash column almost 2 miles (3 km) high and spat glowing rocks down its snow-clad slopes on Sunday, but nearby towns were not affected, officials said.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Russia drops charges against Ukrainian premier

Russia drops charges against Ukrainian premier

Russian prosecutors said on Monday they had dropped charges against former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko who had been accused of offering bribes to Russian officials as head of Ukraine's gas company.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am
Pinochet loses appeal in rights charges

Pinochet loses appeal in rights charges

Chilean ex-dictator Augusto Pinochet lost a key appeal before the Supreme Court on Monday after he failed to persuade judges he should not face charges for the disappearance of leftists during his regime.
Published 27 Dec, 2005 12:00am