Taiwan's sugar imports fell almost 20 percent in the five months to May 2006 as overbuying last year, soaring international prices and replacement by fructose hit demand.
Raw sugar prices closed at their lowest this year after speculative sell-off, market sources said on Tuesday. New York Board of Trade's October raw sugar contract settled down 0.28 cent at 13.99 cents per lb after bottoming at 13.92 cents.
Soyabean futures at the Chicago Board of Trade fell to 4-month lows and new contract lows on Tuesday amid a turn to good crop weather in the US Midwest, traders said. CBOT soy closed 3-1/2 to 5-3/4 cents per bushel lower, with August down 5-3/4 at $5.57-1
Chicago Board of Trade rough rice futures closed sharply higher on Tuesday, rallying from five-week lows on a mix of commercial and speculative buying, traders said. September rice closed up 14 cents at $9.25 per hundredweight, while November closed up 15
Japan's most active rubber futures contract rose more than 1 percent on Wednesday after a weaker yen and firm crude oil prices spurred buying from speculators. But the physical sector lacked activity because of a public holiday in key commodities trading
Malaysian crude palm oil futures closed higher for the third straight day on Wednesday, fuelled by robust exports and firm crude oil prices. Traders said the market ignored a sharp decline in prices of soyoil, a commodity it usually tracks as both oils ha
Boeing Co is reviewing what impact US sanctions against two top Russian arms firms could have on its business in Russia, Boeing country head Sergei Kravchenko told Reuters on Wednesday.
The US Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday said it wants to ease compliance for smaller public and some foreign companies required to implement controversial internal controls rules.
Dollar trading in Kazakhstan hit a record high of $364 million on Wednesday as cash inflows from booming oil revenues continued to fuel domestic trading volumes. The previous all-time high was seen in April when dollar volumes hit $362 million, the KASE e
Japanese venture capital firm SBI Holdings is teaming up with State Bank of India to form a $100 million fund, the first of three funds planned by India's largest lender. The fund will focus on investments in unlisted companies in India, SBI said in a sta
Japanese venture capital firm SBI Holdings is teaming up with State Bank of India to form a $100 million fund, the first of three funds planned by India's largest lender. The fund will focus on investments in unlisted companies in India, SBI said in a sta
Slightly more US jobs opened in June than the month before, but fewer workers were hired, the government said on Wednesday. Job openings stood at 4.004 million, up from 3.945 million in May and well above the 3.598 million in June 2005, according to the L
Japanese private-sector machinery orders rose unexpectedly in June from a month earlier and look set to grow further in the coming months, another sign that capital spending is underpinning a healthy economic recovery.
Bangladesh received $418.9 million in remittances from expatriate workers in July, up 22.3 percent from a year earlier but short of $433.5 million received in June, central bank officials said on Wednesday. In 2005/06 fiscal year that ended on June 30, re
Zimbabwe's annual inflation slowed to triple digit figures in the year to July but analysts said price pressures remained high enough to push it back to four digit levels, belying ordinary citizens' struggle with rocketing prices.
Business forays into China could become both easier and harder under Commerce Ministry rules covering foreign investment and take-overs published on Wednesday.
China will aim to slow growth in its foreign exchange reserves in part by increasing overseas investment, the central bank said on Wednesday. In its second-quarter monetary report, the People's Bank of China reaffirmed its policy of keeping the yuan at a
Walt Disney Co on Wednesday reported a surprisingly strong 39 percent rise in quarterly profit as "Cars" and "The Chronicles of Narnia" helped turn around its underperforming film studio division.
Walt Disney Co on Wednesday reported a surprisingly strong 39 percent rise in quarterly profit as "Cars" and "The Chronicles of Narnia" helped turn around its underperforming film studio division.
Ukraine's industrial output growth climbed to 4.8 percent in the first seven months of the year compared with a 3.8 percent rise in the same period a year ago, a senior adviser to the central bank chairman said on Wednesday.
Bulgaria's top court cleared the way on Wednesday for German airport operator Fraport to sign 35-year concession to run and modernise two Black Sea airports, officials said.
China's trade surplus rose to a record $14.61 billion in July, exceeding the previous peak of $14.5 billion in June, the official Shanghai Securities News said on Wednesday. Exports hit $80.34 billion in July, up 22.6 percent from a year earlier, while im
Taiwan stocks reversed earlier losses and ended up 1.09 percent on Wednesday to a closing high in about 3-1/2 weeks as steady July sales and a more optimistic second half brought back momentum in technology shares, such as HTC.
Malaysian share prices closed slightly higher on Wednesday as the market began to digest the US Federal Reserve's decision to keep its key rate unchanged, while the benchmark index gained support by defensive buying of large-cap blue chips, dealers said.
Hong Kong stocks jumped 1.75 percent on Wednesday to close at their highest level in nearly six years, following a rally in Japanese shares and a decision by the US Federal Reserve to hold interest rates steady. China Mobile led blue chips higher, surging
US stocks fell on Tuesday as investors worried that slowing economic growth would hurt corporate profits despite a pause in the Federal Reserve's two-year campaign of raising interest rates.
US government debt prices were slightly higher on Tuesday as short-term rates rose after the Federal Reserve held interest rates unchanged after its policy meeting for the first time in over two years.
US government debt prices were slightly higher on Tuesday as short-term rates rose after the Federal Reserve held interest rates unchanged after its policy meeting for the first time in over two years.
Indian share prices closed up 1.18 percent on Wednesday after pause in interest rate hikes by the US Federal reserve and fresh buying by local funds after the benchmark crossed the technical level of 11,000 points, dealers said.
Thai share prices closed 0.40 percent lower on Wednesday on profit-taking in the rate-sensitive banking sector following the US Federal Reserve's decision to halt its long rate hike cycle, dealers said.
Philippines share prices closed 0.78 percent lower on Wednesday on profit-taking triggered by weak results from Philippine Long Distance Telephone and Wall Street's retreat overnight, dealers said.
The Nikkei average made a dramatic turnaround to hit its highest close in two months on Wednesday as surprisingly strong machinery orders data helped to reverse its early loss by as much as 1.45 percent.
Jakarta share prices closed 1.22 percent higher on Wednesday, with gains in banking stocks, Astra International and Perusahaan Gas Negara helping push the index to close at its high for the day, dealers said.
China shares edged lower in very thin trade on Wednesday as strong earnings from Merchants Bank Co, the second-biggest listed lender, failed to spark trading interest. The benchmark Shanghai composite index closed at 1,578.566 points, down 0.13 percent. T
The Swiss franc fell against the dollar on Wednesday, in line with other major currencies, after the Federal Reserve held rates steady after a two-year string of non-stop increases.
China's yuan fell against the dollar on Wednesday as the US currency gained on global markets after the Federal Reserve held rates steady but left the door open for more rate hikes.
The dollar clawed up from two-month lows against a basket of major currencies on Wednesday, strengthening on a wave of short covering after the Federal Reserve held rates steady after a two-year string of non-stop increases.
The dollar hovered within striking distance of two-month lows on Tuesday after the Federal Reserve kept US interest rates steady but appeared to leave leeway for more rises if price pressures persist.
Interbank buy/sell rates for the taka against the dollar on Wednesday. 69.49/69.7650 (previous 69.49/69.7850). Call Money Rates: 6.25-11.00 percent (previous 6.25-11.00 percent).
The South Korean won rallied on Wednesday on a heavy bout of dollar sales by exporters, reversing some of the losses sustained in the past two weeks, ahead of a Bank of Korea policy meeting. A Reuters poll showed markets were almost evenly split on the li
The Hong Kong dollar recovered some ground on Wednesday afternoon, tracking other currencies as the US dollar lost some support in late Asian trade. The US dollar had been boosted in the morning across Asia after the US Federal Reserve left interest rates
Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer insisted England could mount a successful defence of the Ashes after they crushed his side by 167 runs here at Headingley. England's victory left them 2-0 up in the four-match series, with just the final Test later this month at
Indian cricketers and commentators on Wednesday described Dean Jones's "terrorist" jibe as "unfortunate", saying the Australian pundit should have been more careful.
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly and veteran leg-spinner Anil Kumble got a chance to revive one-day careers when they were named Wednesday among probables for the Champions Trophy.
Russian Nadia Petrova became the first big-name casualty of the Los Angeles Open while twice champion Serena Williams won her opening match in convincing style on Tuesday.
Former Pakistan fast bowler Sarfraz Nawaz said Inzamam-ul Haq should step down as captain after England scored their first home Test series win against the South Asian team in 24 years.
Leaning back in air-conditioned comfort in the steamy jungle of the southern Philippines, the leader of 12,000 Muslim rebels said he wants to sign a peace deal but that seized land must be returned.
British tabloids are licking their lips as Paul McCartney's divorce from his wife Heather becomes increasingly ugly, and comparisons with the bitter split between Prince Charles and Diana 10 years ago are already being made.
BP's slowdown of an Alaskan oilfield because of pipeline corrosion highlights the environmental risks of oil drilling in the Arctic where animals and plants are vulnerable and spills can be costly to clean up, experts say.
South Africa will introduce a new law to broaden the legal definition of rape in a bid to clamp down on widespread sexual offences President Thabo Mbeki said on Wednesday were a blight on 12 years of democratic gains.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has pledged half a billion dollars to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, the Fund announced on Wednesday. The promise came in the runup to the 16th International AIDS Conference, opening in the Canadian ci
An Israeli helicopter gunship fired at least one missile into a Palestinian militant training camp in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, killing two gunmen and wounding five other people, witnesses said. They said two children were among the wounded in the stri
South Korea can take over wartime command of its troops from the United States as early as within three years, President Roh Moo-hyun said on Wednesday.
Nepal's Maoists and the government said on Wednesday they had resolved differences over managing their weapons, paving the way for the eventual inclusion of the insurgents in an interim administration. The announcement came after Maoist chief Prachanda an
French President Jacques Chirac said on Wednesday he believed US objections to a draft UN resolution on Lebanon amended at the Arab world's request could be overcome, despite Washington's "reservations".
Ireland plans to tighten controls on arms exports with new laws regulating arms brokering, the transfer of technology and software via the Internet, and increased penalties on those who break arms rules. Minister for Trade and Commerce Michael Ahern said
Cuba's Communist government has signalled a crackdown on the use of black-market satellite dishes, just over a week after ailing leader Fidel Castro temporarily relinquished power to his brother.
Swollen rivers swamped thousands of villages and towns across India's south and west on Wednesday, forcing 4.5 million from their homes as rescuers struggled to bring them food and drinking water, officials said.
Malaysia has to turn to nuclear power as an alternative source of electricity for its rapidly growing economy, an official from a nuclear agency said. Noramly Muslim, the chairman of the Malaysian Nuclear Licensing Board, said Malaysia would need at least
Almost 2,000 bodies were taken to Baghdad's morgue in July, the highest tally in five months of rising sectarian bloodshed which has forced the United States to boost troop levels in the capital to head off a civil war. Morgue assistant manager Doctor Abd
The mayor of Nagasaki criticised Iran and North Korea for their nuclear programmes and had harsh words for the United States for failing to halt nuclear proliferation as the Japanese city marked the 61st anniversary of its atomic bombing.
Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas questioned on Wednesday whether the Palestinian Authority can continue to function with key lawmakers and ministers in Israeli jails.
Extreme poverty in Asia will pose serious a threat to the environment over the next decade, the Asian Development Bank and the World Conservation Union warned Wednesday. A book commissioned by the Philippines-based ADB and the conservation group said the
The Indian rupee strengthened on Wednesday as shares rallied and major currencies gained against the dollar on expectations the US Federal Reserve may not raise rates in the near future.
Sterling rowed back from a recent 15-month high against the dollar on Wednesday after the Bank of England's quarterly inflation report proved to be less hawkish than some in the market had expected.
The dollar fell against major currencies on Wednesday, with US interest rates seen on hold in the near future even if the Federal Reserve does eventually resume the tightening campaign which it halted this week.
The cost of default protection on Ford Motor Credit fell on Wednesday, extending its recent rally, amid continued speculation about a possible sale of the unit. Elsewhere, the European credit market edged tighter, with few single-name credit moves catchin
The cost of default protection on Ford Motor Credit fell on Wednesday, extending its recent rally, amid continued speculation about a possible sale of the unit. Elsewhere, the European credit market edged tighter, with few single-name credit moves catchin
South Korean shares rose to a new 10-week closing high on Wednesday as the Federal Reserve's decision to put US interest rates on hold was seen setting the grounds for a soft landing in the world's largest economy.
US stocks rose on Wednesday, boosted by stronger-than-expected quarterly results from technology bellwether Cisco Systems Inc and entertainment company The Walt Disney Co. The Nasdaq shot up more than 1 percent, buoyed by shares of Cisco.
Britain's top shares recovered early losses to close higher on Wednesday, pulled up by banks and oil shares as dealers reported merger talk surrounding Barclays and the crude price steadied.
A record large stockpile of soyabeans in the United States is expected to get bigger, with weather largely favouring the crop during its crucial development stage in August, analysts said.
Scientists have identified a gene that enables rice to survive for up to two weeks in water, a breakthrough that could herald the development of rice varieties that withstand flooding.
Oil prices held steady over $76 a barrel on Wednesday after a big draw in US fuel stocks and the drop in Alaskan crude output added to supply concerns in the world's biggest consumer.
Cargill Inc announced plans to build a biodiesel plant and glycerin refinery next to its existing soybean processing facility in Kansas City under a joint agreement with Missouri soybean farmers, the company said on Wednesday.
Cotton futures ended slightly higher Wednesday on thin trade buying, as the market waits for the federal 2006/07 US crop production forecast due later this week, market sources said. The New York Board of Trade's December cotton contract edged 0.13 cent h
London robusta coffee futures rose to a 6-1/2-year high on Wednesday with a shortage of available supplies at top producer Vietnam fuelling the run-up in prices, dealers and analysts said.
Copper prices were boosted on Wednesday by fears that the strike at Chile's Escondida, the world's largest copper mine, could go on for longer than previously expected.
Gold bounced back in Europe on Wednesday after falling 1.5 percent in Asian trade, with the metal getting support from firm oil, the Middle East conflict and a change in track by the dollar. Other metals were mixed, with silver falling to its lowest in a
US benchmark cocoa futures rose to a new three-week top Wednesday, extending this week's rally on follow-through speculative buying and a limited producer selling, traders said.
US benchmark arabica coffee futures edged up to finish at a three-month high Wednesday, extending the week's gain amid speculative buying in line with surging robusta values in London, market sources said.
Raw sugar prices set a low for the year on Wednesday but edged back to above unchanged by the close on industry buying, and market sources see a rally in coming trading sessions.
Corn futures at the Chicago Board of Trade were firm early on Wednesday, in quiet consolidation trading noted after Tuesday's fall to a six-week low, traders said. Corn fell into or near oversold technical levels, leaving open the potential at least a mil
Soft red winter wheat futures at the Chicago Board of Trade were higher at midmorning on Wednesday in a light rebound from Tuesday's sharp technical declines, traders said.
Copper futures in New York traded higher at the open on Wednesday, but floor dealers cited extremely thin business with prices mired in recent trading ranges.
Soya futures at the Chicago Board of Trade were firm and quiet early on Wednesday amid a short-covering bounce after Tuesday's drop to a four-month low, traders said. The decline left soya at or near oversold technical areas, leaving open the potential fo
COMEX gold and silver futures both advanced in early Wednesday business, as the dollar weakened following the Federal Reserve's late Tuesday decision to keep US interest rates steady, traders said.
Parliamentary Secretary for Population Welfare, Dr Donia Aziz said government had taken a number of new initiatives with a view to create awareness among the masses about small family concept. She was addressing training programme for supervisory and fiel
Punjab Minister for Industries, Commerce and Investment Muhammad Ajmal Cheema said on Wednesday the government would be succeeded in attaining 18 billion-dollar export target during current fiscal year. "Pakistan has become ideal for foreign investment an
FPCCI has invited Federal Education Minister Lieutenant General Javaid Ashraf Qazi (retd) to meet the FPCCI members on August 11 at 2:45 pm at Federation House, Karachi.
The Services & General Administration Department, Government of Sindh, on Wednesday notified postings of five regional education managers (REM) (colleges) for five region ie Karachi, Hyderabad, Larkana, Mirpurkhas and Sukkur as well as 15 education manage
The underpass at Clifton has overnight turned into a swimming pool due to rain. All those responsible for the construction of this dual-purpose underpass must be congratulated - a marvellous feat - underpass-cum-swimming pool.
In her letter on former PM's article in an Indian newspaper, Syeda Mahwish Fatima Naqvi has criticised Benazir Bhutto and in doing so has defended the Musharraf regime and blamed previous governments for all the wrongs that present government is trying to
"The whole Rmeiti family is dead," screamed a distraught resident of the Shiah district in the southern suburbs of Beirut, turned into rubble and dust by twin Israeli air raids.
On Tuesday, Israeli warplanes struck the southern Lebanese town of Ghaziyeh, killing at least 14 people. Missiles demolished civilian homes just as some 1,500 mourners were participating in a procession to bury 15 of their relatives and neighbours slain j
Among the various social and economic measures identified to arrest growing poverty, particularly in low income developing countries, high or rather accelerated economic growth rate is considered as the most effective and speediest tool to achieve economi