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Print - 2006-07-27
Asian oil swaps

Asian oil swaps

Asian oil product swaps fell on Wednesday, with the fuel oil market firming despite news of a flotilla of distressed cargoes while the gas oil market was supported by physical buying.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
June 2006 stock market crash: SECP serves notices on 50 brokers

June 2006 stock market crash: SECP serves notices on 50 brokers

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has served notices on about 50 brokers in Karachi and Lahore who were apparently involved in June 2006 market crash. In addition, 12-13 notices have already been served on those whose names were me
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Asian Gasoil/Jet: down, but gas oil cracks widen

Asian Gasoil/Jet: down, but gas oil cracks widen

Asian middle-distillate prices fell on Wednesday, triggered by weaker crude, but gas oil's crack spreads widened as there was no let-up in Hin Leong's cash buying.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
June 2006 stock market crash: SECP serves notices on 50 brokers

June 2006 stock market crash: SECP serves notices on 50 brokers

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has served notices on about 50 brokers in Karachi and Lahore who were apparently involved in June 2006 market crash. In addition, 12-13 notices have already been served on those whose names were me
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
New York cocoa steadies after sell-off

New York cocoa steadies after sell-off

US cocoa futures finished marginally higher on Tuesday as bean values stabilised following a sharp speculative sell-off, although trade sources feel further fund pressure may cause the market to slump.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
June 2006 stock market crash: SECP serves notices on 50 brokers

June 2006 stock market crash: SECP serves notices on 50 brokers

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has served notices on about 50 brokers in Karachi and Lahore who were apparently involved in June 2006 market crash. In addition, 12-13 notices have already been served on those whose names were me
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
New York cotton down after surging to month high

New York cotton down after surging to month high

Cotton futures finished lower on Tuesday primarily on trade sales as the market pulled back after climbing in the previous session to its highest level in a month, brokers said. The New York Board of Trade's December cotton contract shed 0.77 cent to conc
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Israel kills 24 Palestinians in Gaza

Israel kills 24 Palestinians in Gaza

Israeli forces killed 24 Palestinians in fighting across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, including at least 12 militants, two children and their mother, and a handicapped man, medics and witnesses said.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Russian edible oil firm Yug Rusi gets EBRD loan

Russian edible oil firm Yug Rusi gets EBRD loan

Yug Rusi, Russia's largest edible oil producer, has secured a 146.5 million euro ($184.4 million) loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to help modernise its plant, the bank said.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Israel kills 24 Palestinians in Gaza

Israel kills 24 Palestinians in Gaza

Israeli forces killed 24 Palestinians in fighting across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, including at least 12 militants, two children and their mother, and a handicapped man, medics and witnesses said.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
New York coffee ends with strong gains

New York coffee ends with strong gains

New York arabica coffee futures finished on Tuesday with healthy gains, lifted by trade and industry buying a day after the benchmark contract slid to lows last seen in early November, dealers said.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
MGE wheat tumbles on liquidation

MGE wheat tumbles on liquidation

Spring wheat futures at the Minneapolis Grain Exchange fell hard on Tuesday as speculators liquidated long positions on ideas that the worst impact of a summer drought in the US spring wheat belt was over, traders said. A lack of buyers added to the weak
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Indian wheat closes mixed

Indian wheat closes mixed

Indian wheat futures were mixed on Wednesday on market rumours that private traders were lining up contracts to import the grain. Sugar futures were down ahead of the allocation to mills of the August monthly quota for sale in the open market. Soyoil fell
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
US Stocks: Wednesday's unofficial close

US Stocks: Wednesday's unofficial close

US stocks were little changed on Wednesday as stronger-than-expected quarterly results by General Motors Corp. and gains in energy companies offset a drag fuelled by a drop in plane maker and US defence contractor Boeing Co.'s shares.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Supply concerns boost New York copper

Supply concerns boost New York copper

COMEX copper futures closed 2.3 percent higher on Tuesday on the back of production problems at Chile's Codelco, compounding the already tight supply-demand imbalance in the market, sources said.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
New York gold higher

New York gold higher

Gold futures in New York rebounded to end higher on Tuesday after a drop toward $600 an ounce a day earlier sparked short-covering and renewed buying. Traders said gold also had attracted more speculative interest thanks to briefly higher oil prices, a sh
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Tokyo gold dips but off lows

Tokyo gold dips but off lows

Tokyo gold futures fell on Wednesday but recouped some losses as the yen-based contracts tracked moves of the dollar-based spot price in a market lacking fresh incentives. The benchmark most-distant June gold contract on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange finis
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Gold slips in Asia after rebound

Gold slips in Asia after rebound

Gold lost ground on Wednesday as early buying tapered off and the US dollar held steady after recent economic data boosted expectations the Federal Reserve would raise interest rates again in August.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Tokyo rubber futures drop

Tokyo rubber futures drop

Japanese rubber futures fell for the third consecutive day on Wednesday on fund selling, dragging down the price of tyre-grade in Southeast Asia. Indonesia noted some deals for SIR20 but dealers said weak sentiment on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange put pres
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Bt cotton leads Chinese farmers to lose money: study

Bt cotton leads Chinese farmers to lose money: study

Genetically modified (GMO) insect-resistant cotton has caused Chinese farmers to lose money after a seven-year trial, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Wednesday, citing a joint study.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Malaysian tin rises

Malaysian tin rises

Malaysian tin closed up 6.5 percent on Wednesday, after sharp gains on the London Metals Exchange, one dealer said.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Copper up for third day on supply concern

Copper up for third day on supply concern

Copper prices rose for a third straight day on Wednesday, a day after the red metal gained nearly 4 percent on concerns of supply disruptions, especially in Chile, the world's largest copper miner. Codelco said on Tuesday it continued to investigate the i
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
China sugar auction price drops

China sugar auction price drops

Ample sugar supplies and expectations for a better upcoming harvest dampened prices at a state sugar reserve auction that ended on Wednesday. China sold 71,323 tonnes of white sugar at an average price of 4,121.5 yuan ($516) per tonne, a fall of 6.2 perce
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Fund sales drag New York sugar to weak finish

Fund sales drag New York sugar to weak finish

Raw sugar prices ended sharply lower Tuesday on investment fund and speculative sales, although the market seems well supported and a rebound is likely this week, brokers said. The New York Board of Trade's October raw sugar contract slid 0.27 cent or 1.7
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Soybeans end firm on US crop rating

Soybeans end firm on US crop rating

Soybean futures at the Chicago Board of Trade closed firm on Tuesday on a lower government rating of the US soy crop and forecasts for hot, dry weather, traders said. But soybeans came off early highs made when new-crop November climbed above its 100- and
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
CBOT rice lower in thin trade

CBOT rice lower in thin trade

Rough rice futures on the Chicago Board of Trade closed weak on Tuesday after a series of technical moves amid lackluster trade, floor traders said. September rice closed 3-1/2 cents lower at $9.38 per hundredweight. New-crop November ended 2-1/2 cents we
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Oil ends steady under $74

Oil ends steady under $74

Oil steadied below $74 on Wednesday as dealers paused to see if US crude and gasoline stocks fell last week and whether an international conference in Rome can help end violence in the Middle East.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Malaysian palm oil down

Malaysian palm oil down

Malaysian crude palm oil futures closed lower on Wednesday because of profit-taking and sluggish demand for palm products. "The market was holding firm after good export numbers yesterday but today there was some selling, which is mainly due to profit-tak
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Peugeot-Citroen misses target, cuts outlook

Peugeot-Citroen misses target, cuts outlook

PSA Peugeot Citroen missed its operating margin target for the first half of 2006 and reduced its second-half outlook due to higher raw material prices, sending its shares to a more than two-year low. The French company, which has the second-largest marke
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Peugeot-Citroen misses target, cuts outlook

Peugeot-Citroen misses target, cuts outlook

PSA Peugeot Citroen missed its operating margin target for the first half of 2006 and reduced its second-half outlook due to higher raw material prices, sending its shares to a more than two-year low. The French company, which has the second-largest marke
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Russia freezes Chevron joint venture accounts

Russia freezes Chevron joint venture accounts

Russia has frozen the accounts of a Chevron pipeline joint venture, Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), which pumps oil from Kazakhstan to the Black Sea, over a back-tax claim, Kommersant business daily said on Wednesday.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Boeing flips to loss, ups 2007 forecast

Boeing flips to loss, ups 2007 forecast

Boeing Co on Wednesday reported a quarterly loss as it took $1.1 billion of previously announced charges to settle government investigations into its defence unit and to cover the costs of delayed surveillance aircraft.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Boeing flips to loss, ups 2007 forecast

Boeing flips to loss, ups 2007 forecast

Boeing Co on Wednesday reported a quarterly loss as it took $1.1 billion of previously announced charges to settle government investigations into its defence unit and to cover the costs of delayed surveillance aircraft.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
German business morale dips

German business morale dips

German business morale fell in July as concerns about high oil prices and a planned rise in sales tax dimmed expectations for Europe's largest economy. The Munich-based Ifo institute said on Wednesday its business climate index, based on a monthly survey
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
SEC adopts more, clearer executive pay disclosure

SEC adopts more, clearer executive pay disclosure

Corporations will have to give out more and clearer information about the pay and perks of top managers and directors under rules adopted by the US Securities and Exchange Commission by a 5-0 vote on Wednesday.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Reuters signs deal on US consumer data

Reuters signs deal on US consumer data

Reuters Group Plc and the University of Michigan said on Wednesday they signed a deal for Reuters as the exclusive distributor of the university's monthly survey on US consumer sentiments. The agreement will become effective in January 2007 and allow Reut
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Matsushita first quarter profit jumps on plasma TVs

Matsushita first quarter profit jumps on plasma TVs

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd reported a 41.5 percent jump in its quarterly profit on Wednesday, boosted by strong demand for its plasma TVs, and raised its half-year forecast by 11 percent.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Matsushita first quarter profit jumps on plasma TVs

Matsushita first quarter profit jumps on plasma TVs

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd reported a 41.5 percent jump in its quarterly profit on Wednesday, boosted by strong demand for its plasma TVs, and raised its half-year forecast by 11 percent.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
General Motors posts strong quarterly profit

General Motors posts strong quarterly profit

General Motors Corp on Wednesday posted a larger-than-expected operating profit as its restructuring took hold and raised its cost-cutting target by $1 billion, sending its shares to a 10-month high.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
General Motors posts strong quarterly profit

General Motors posts strong quarterly profit

General Motors Corp on Wednesday posted a larger-than-expected operating profit as its restructuring took hold and raised its cost-cutting target by $1 billion, sending its shares to a 10-month high.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Japan's trade surplus off, export growth seen waning

Japan's trade surplus off, export growth seen waning

Japan's trade surplus shrank in June from a year earlier as high costs of oil products outweighed gains in exports, which are seen slowing, although robust domestic demand is expected to keep the economic recovery intact. The surplus fell 5.9 percent from
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Honda first quarter net beats forecasts

Honda first quarter net beats forecasts

Honda Motor Co, Japan's third-biggest car maker, posted a slightly better than expected 30 percent rise in quarterly net earnings, fuelled by strong US sales, and maintained its full-year profit forecast.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Honda first quarter net beats forecasts

Honda first quarter net beats forecasts

Honda Motor Co, Japan's third-biggest car maker, posted a slightly better than expected 30 percent rise in quarterly net earnings, fuelled by strong US sales, and maintained its full-year profit forecast.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Brussels proposes new anti-dumping plan for shoes

Brussels proposes new anti-dumping plan for shoes

The European Commission has come up with a new plan for anti-dumping measures on leather shoes from China and Vietnam after a previous proposal was thrown out by European Union countries.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Taiwan stocks decline

Taiwan stocks decline

Taiwan stocks closed 0.23 percent lower on Wednesday, hurt by transport shares amid news that an upcoming key economic development meeting will not include a much-anticipated agenda on full transportation links with China.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Jakarta shares close slightly firmer

Jakarta shares close slightly firmer

Indonesian share prices closed 0.39 percent higher on Wednesday, led by index heavyweight stocks and supported by a stronger rupiah, dealers said. Gains were capped by weaker banks on concerns their first half results may disappoint, they added.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Hong Kong shares climb to 10-week closing high

Hong Kong shares climb to 10-week closing high

Hong Kong stocks rose for the third straight day on Wednesday, ending at a 10-week closing high, with mainland electronics retailers gaining after Gome Electrical Appliances agreed to buy rival China Paradise Electronics Retail for about $680 million.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
US stocks end higher as late tech surge helps

US stocks end higher as late tech surge helps

US stocks rose on Tuesday as a last-minute surge in technology shares offset a disappointing outlook from United Parcel Service Inc and weaker-than-expected results from manufacturer 3M Co.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Indian shares up on strong corporate earnings

Indian shares up on strong corporate earnings

Indian share prices closed 1.94 percent higher on Wednesday, gaining for a third straight day, as funds bought shares on the back of strong first-quarter earnings, dealers said.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
US Treasuries tumble on unexpectedly strong data

US Treasuries tumble on unexpectedly strong data

US government bond prices fell on Tuesday as data on consumer confidence and existing home sales surpassed Wall Street forecasts and boosted expectations for another Federal Reserve rate hike in August.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
US Treasuries tumble on unexpectedly strong data

US Treasuries tumble on unexpectedly strong data

US government bond prices fell on Tuesday as data on consumer confidence and existing home sales surpassed Wall Street forecasts and boosted expectations for another Federal Reserve rate hike in August.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Malaysian shares rally

Malaysian shares rally

Malaysian share prices closed 0.68 percent higher on Wednesday on follow-through interest in plantation stocks and blue chips, dealers said. The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index added 6.29 points at 934.34 on volume of 825.33 million shares worth 856.86 milli
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Singapore shares end flat

Singapore shares end flat

Singapore share prices closed flat on Wednesday after investors took quick profits on select blue chips, in line with general weakness in regional markets, dealers said. They said unrest in the Middle East continued to weigh on sentiment. The Straits Time
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Thai share prices jump

Thai share prices jump

Thai share prices closed 0.37 percent higher on Wednesday amid improving confidence about Thailand's political situation after months of uncertainty, dealers said. They said improved sentiment about Thailand's political outlook offset any concerns generat
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Nikkei gives up gains, sags on earnings caution

Nikkei gives up gains, sags on earnings caution

The Nikkei average gave up its opening gains to fall 0.81 percent on Wednesday as caution set in and trade narrowed ahead of earnings reports from major companies including Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Philippines shares soar

Philippines shares soar

Philippines share prices closed 0.95 percent higher on Wednesday, extending gains on Wall Street's lead and an easing in oil prices, dealers said. They said investors were happy to follow the solid offshore lead as Wall Street continued firmer but they re
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Swiss franc flat ahead of key data

Swiss franc flat ahead of key data

The Swiss franc was barely changed against the euro and the dollar on Wednesday as markets geared up for major Swiss economic data later in the week.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Yuan rises amid faster appreciation calls

Yuan rises amid faster appreciation calls

China's yuan strengthened against the dollar on Wednesday amid more appeals for a faster appreciation of the currency to help cool the country's racing economy.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Dollar steadies

Dollar steadies

The dollar steadied on Wednesday after rallying on US consumer confidence and home sales data that slightly boosted expectations the Federal Reserve will bump up interest rates again next month.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Dollar gains as data strengthen

Dollar gains as data strengthen

The dollar rallied on Tuesday after US consumer confidence and home sales data beat forecasts, leading to a slight rise in expectations that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates again next month.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Bangladesh interbank forex, interest rates

Bangladesh interbank forex, interest rates

Interbank buy/sell rates for the taka against the dollar on Wednesday. 69.49/69.83 (previous 69.49/69.81). Call Money Rates: 6.25-9.50 percent (previous 6.25-11.00 percent).
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Asian currencies: peso at new high

Asian currencies: peso at new high

The Philippine peso extended this week's gains to a 2-1/2 month high on Wednesday, while the Indonesian rupiah reversed early falls after Standard & Poor's upgraded the country's credit rating. Other Asian currencies were mixed and generally stuck to tigh
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Hong Kong dollar dips

Hong Kong dollar dips

The Hong Kong dollar fell against the US dollar on Wednesday as arbitrage traders took advantage of an interest rate differential with the United States. The Hong Kong dollar was trading at 7.7785/86 to the US dollar in late trade, down from 7.7775/77 lat
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Hewitt goes out in Los Angeles, Haas through

Hewitt goes out in Los Angeles, Haas through

Second seed Lleyton Hewitt of Australia was upset 6-4 6-4 by American Paul Goldstein in the first round of the Los Angeles Open on Tuesday. Former champion Tommy Haas of Germany advanced with a 6-4 6-4 win over Australia's Wayne Arthurs in searing 114 deg
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Prince reigns supreme as South Africa enters new era

Prince reigns supreme as South Africa enters new era

Ashwell Prince leads South Africa as it's first black captain in the Test series against Sri Lanka here from Thursday knowing he may have inspired a new generation of players back home.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Real make fresh offer for Van Nistelrooy

Real make fresh offer for Van Nistelrooy

Real Madrid have made a new offer for Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy after Manchester United rejected a bid last week. "The club have made a new offer and are waiting for reply from Manchester," a Real spokesman said on Wednesday.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Woolmer hoping Pakistan keep their marbles

Woolmer hoping Pakistan keep their marbles

Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer revealed his side were using a novel training aid in a bid to get the team's batsmen ready to face England fast bowler Stephen Harmison in the second Test here at Old Trafford.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Injuries overshadow Old Trafford Test

Injuries overshadow Old Trafford Test

Getting a team on the field for the second Test at Old Trafford starting here Thursday is threatening to become a major achievement for England and Pakistan as both sides try to cope with mounting injury lists.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Chechen woman awaits European justice for missing son

Chechen woman awaits European justice for missing son

Fatima Bazorkina last saw her son on television - along with a Russian general who was demanding he be "rubbed out". Like thousands of other Chechens, her son disappeared in the war that engulfed her homeland. But unlike them, the television footage in 20
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Government forces breaking truce: Naga rebels

Government forces breaking truce: Naga rebels

India's Naga rebels, fighting for a separate tribal homeland, said on Wednesday they were running out of patience as government forces had killed dozens of their cadres in violation of a 1997 truce.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
As world warms, legal battles loom

As world warms, legal battles loom

Heatwaves, droughts and rising seas are likely to spur a spate of hard-to-prove lawsuits in the 21st century as victims seek to blame governments and companies for global warming, experts say.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Freed activist accuses Egypt of distortion campaign

Freed activist accuses Egypt of distortion campaign

Egyptian anti-government activist Mohammed el-Sharkawi, who spent most of the past three months in jail, accused the government on Wednesday of a distortion campaign against the country's pro-democracy protest movement.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Arrests in Mumbai train bombings rise to six

Arrests in Mumbai train bombings rise to six

Indian police said Wednesday that the Mumbai train bombers had probably left the country after the number of arrests in the inquiry rose to six. Jamir Sheikh, 31, and Sohail Sheikh, 38, were arrested late Tuesday after being questioned for several days ov
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Chavez hails Russia for defying US with arms sale

Chavez hails Russia for defying US with arms sale

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez hailed Russia on Wednesday for defying a US arms blockade by agreeing to sell fighter aircraft to his country. Chavez will sign a $1 billion deal to buy at least 24 Russian Sukhoi-30 jets to replace oil-rich Venezuela's US
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Typhoon Kaemi kills 9, drenches South China

Typhoon Kaemi kills 9, drenches South China

Typhoon Kaemi weakened into a tropical depression on Wednesday as it lashed southern China with heavy rains and strong winds, killing nine and forcing the evacuation of over half a million people. Two girls were killed in southern Guangdong province after
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Sri Lankan air force bombs Tigers

Sri Lankan air force bombs Tigers

Sri Lanka's air force bombed Tamil Tiger territory in the island's restive east on Wednesday, officials said, just hours after United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres visited the area.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Mystery plane fuels Somalia war fears

Mystery plane fuels Somalia war fears

A mystery cargo plane landed in Somalia's capital Mogadishu on Wednesday and the interim government said it was carrying Eritrean weapon supplies for rival religious group.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Liberia gets power after 15 years

Liberia gets power after 15 years

Power was restored to parts of Liberia's dilapidated capital Monrovia for the first time in 15 years on Wednesday, but the celebrations were cut short when the executive mansion caught fire with four presidents inside.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Japanese chemical weapons recovered in China

Japanese chemical weapons recovered in China

Experts from China and Japan on Wednesday began to recover more than 600 chemical weapons left by retreating Japanese troops during World War II, state media said. The team will catalogue, pack and seal up the weapons within the next 12 days before they a
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Hamas ministers get partial salaries

Hamas ministers get partial salaries

Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas, his cabinet and security services he controls received part of their unpaid wages this week through President Mahmoud Abbas's office, officials said on Wednesday.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Sharon transferred to intensive care

Sharon transferred to intensive care

Former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon, comatose since January, was transferred to intensive care on Wednesday, days after his condition markedly worsened. Officials at Tel Aviv's Tel Hashomer hospital said the hawkish ex-premier was moved to the unit
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
White House has draft bill on terror trials: New York Times

White House has draft bill on terror trials: New York Times

The White House has drafted legislation covering trials of terror detainees that would allow hearsay evidence and let defendants be excluded from trials to protect national security, The New York Times reported in Wednesday's edition.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Nato countries cool on alliance role in Middle East

Nato countries cool on alliance role in Middle East

Key Nato countries played down prospects of the alliance spearheading a peace force for south Lebanon on Wednesday, with France dismissing the idea outright and Germany expressing doubts.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
World Bank sees Russian judiciary on improving path

World Bank sees Russian judiciary on improving path

Russia's public watchdogs in general and its judiciary in particular have deteriorated in the last few years but Moscow is investing heavily in improving its court system, a World Bank official said on Wednesday.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Georgian forces battle rebels

Georgian forces battle rebels

Georgian government forces battled on Wednesday to crush a rebellion by a militia leader in a strategic gorge, sparking fears the fighting could ignite fresh conflict in the neighbouring breakaway region of Abkhazia. At least two Interior Ministry service
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Warrants ill-suited for al Qaeda hunt: CIA director

Warrants ill-suited for al Qaeda hunt: CIA director

CIA Director Michael Hayden told senators on Wednesday that the requirement of court orders to carry out electronic surveillance inside the United States was ill-suited for tracking al Qaeda and other militant groups.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Indian rupee marginally up

Indian rupee marginally up

The Indian rupee erased early losses to close marginally higher on Wednesday, helped by foreign fund inflows and dollar sales by exporters. Dealers said dollar selling by some state-run banks after the rupee hit the day's low of 46.90 per dollar prompted
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Sterling rises against dollar

Sterling rises against dollar

Sterling rose against the dollar and held steady versus the euro on Wednesday, supported by a run of strong data that has underpinned expectations for a Bank of England rate rise, perhaps as early as August.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Euro edges up in London

Euro edges up in London

The euro edged up against the dollar on Wednesday, on some relief buying after a key German business sentiment index came in stronger than some in the market had been positioned for.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
General Motors bonds rally, Portugal Telecom widens

General Motors bonds rally, Portugal Telecom widens

General Motors Corp's bonds rallied on Wednesday, and the cost of insuring its debt against default fell sharply, hitting its lowest level in nine months, after the US automaker reported forecast-beating second-quarter results.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
General Motors bonds rally, Portugal Telecom widens

General Motors bonds rally, Portugal Telecom widens

General Motors Corp's bonds rallied on Wednesday, and the cost of insuring its debt against default fell sharply, hitting its lowest level in nine months, after the US automaker reported forecast-beating second-quarter results.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Seoul shares flat

Seoul shares flat

South Korean shares ended virtually unchanged on Wednesday in a session marked by caution about earnings, although Kookmin Bank and other lenders rose on expectations for solid second-quarter profits.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Chinese shares inch up

Chinese shares inch up

Chinese shares edged up 0.07 percent on Wednesday as expectations that funds locked up by Daqin Railway's initial public offer will soon return to the market, helping to offset the outflow from some poor earnings reports.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
Britain's top share index posts two-week high

Britain's top share index posts two-week high

Leading British shares scored their highest close in two weeks on Wednesday, boosted by solid earnings reports from companies such as Reuters and Northern Rock.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
'Future zinc will come from steel waste'

'Future zinc will come from steel waste'

London-listed ZincOx Resources Plc will soon announce two new recycling projects and is currently looking at another zinc oxide deposit, the company's managing director, Andrew Woollett, said in an interview.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am
London sugar turns negative

London sugar turns negative

London sugar futures abandoned earlier gains to close lower on Wednesday after the New York raws market breached a key technical level and triggered automatic fund sell signals, dealers said.
Published 27 Jul, 2006 12:00am