Nigeria's oil industry regulator has been fired during an investigation into the award of drilling rights to an unknown Nigerian company outside the open auction process, Petroleum Ministry sources said on Thursday.
A German court ruled on Thursday that a Moroccan friend of the September 11 hijackers was guilty of abetting mass murder and must return to court to receive a new, harsher prison sentence of up to 15 years.
Zimbabwe on Thursday invited more than 1,000 white farmers to collect compensation for property seized during lands reforms launched by President Robert Mugabe's government. In a four-page notice published in the state-run newspaper The Herald, secretary
UN chief Kofi Annan led a push on Thursday for a "hybrid" force of African Union and United Nations peacekeepers to be allowed into Darfur amid reports of new violence in Sudan's war-shattered region.
Spain, France and Italy agreed on Thursday to work on a joint plan to try to resolve the Middle East conflict, calling for a total ceasefire and suggesting they could send truce monitors to the area.
Israeli soldiers killed a Palestinian gunman in a clash in the occupied West Bank on Thursday, Palestinian medical officials said. An army spokeswoman said troops spotted an armed gunman in a refugee camp in the city of Nablus and opened fired, hitting hi
Iran has donated $120 million to the Palestinian Hamas-led government and has said it is ready to give more, Palestinian Foreign Minister Mahmoud al-Zahar said on Thursday.
A US Marine involved in the death of an Iraqi civilian was jailed for 18 months Wednesday after admitting involvement in the killing and apologising to the dead man's family.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Thursday Iran was about to take the "final step" in a nuclear programme which the UN has called on it to curtail and which the West fears may be used to make atomic bombs.
Nepal's government and Maoist rebels failed to finalise a peace deal on Thursday as promised, but pledged to sign the landmark accord, meant to bring an end to a decade-long insurgency, next week.
International donors pledged $4.7 billion for Yemen, the Arab world's poorest country and an ally in Washington's war on terror, at a conference in London on Thursday, the World Bank and Yemen said. Yemen had been hoping to raise up to $5 billion at the t
Russia will ban migrant workers from ex-Soviet states from working in markets and street kiosks from April 2007, the Kremlin's Web site said, as part of a drive to protect ethnic Russians' way of life.
Kidnappers who seized dozens of men from an Iraqi government building two days ago tortured and killed some of them, the minister for higher education said on Thursday, citing the testimony of freed hostages.
President George W. Bush tried to reassure nervous Asian allies on Thursday that he remains committed to opening up global trade markets despite humiliating losses in US elections that could weaken his hand.
The Indian rupee notched up its largest single day gain in nearly six months on Thursday due to hefty capital inflows, adding to worries the central bank may intervene yet again to stem the unit's rise.
Sterling rebounded from a 1-1/2 month low against the euro on Thursday after unexpectedly stronger UK retail sales figures re-opened debate on whether the Bank of England will raise interest rates further next year.
The dollar edged up against European currencies on Thursday ahead of US inflation and other data releases, as investors looked for more clues on the likely path of US interest rates.
European credit indices rose on Thursday after a report showed US consumer price growth slowed sharply in October, easing concerns over higher interest rates in the world's largest economy. Credit markets were also boosted by speculation over renewed issu
European credit indices rose on Thursday after a report showed US consumer price growth slowed sharply in October, easing concerns over higher interest rates in the world's largest economy. Credit markets were also boosted by speculation over renewed issu
Seoul shares fell for the first time in four sessions on Thursday, retreating from a six-month high, as lenders such as Kookmin Bank extended falls a day after South Korea proposed tighter home loans to curb property prices.
US stocks rose on Thursday as inflation data boosted hopes that the Federal Reserve won't have to raise interest rates and may even cut them early next year, but Dell Inc fuelled caution regarding the technology sector after it delayed its earnings report
Chinese shares ended 0.97 percent higher on Thursday but came well off their highs because of a heavy round of profit-taking in smaller-capital stocks during the last hour. The benchmark Shanghai composite index finished at 1,941.547 points. It rocketed a
The FTSE 100 index of Britain's largest shares hit a five-and-a-half year closing high on Thursday, ending up 0.4 percent after a US pricing report eased inflation worries across the Atlantic.
The US Agriculture Department committed $4.6 billion in bureaucratic errors during fiscal year 2006 with most of the mistakes tied to improper payments to farmers, the agency said in a review of some its largest programmes.
India's gold consumption in the third quarter rose around 16 percent, compared with the same year-ago period, to 164.8 tonnes after a price drop ahead of a religious festival spurred purchases from investors and jewellers, the World Gold Council said.
Oil tumbled 4 percent to its lowest point in a year as dealers focused on swelling US crude stockpiles and forecasts of a mild winter in the world's top consumer. US light crude settled down $2.50 at $56.26 a barrel, the lowest settlement since November 1
The European Union rejected all bids for licences to export free-market wheat and barley with zero refunds at its weekly tender on Thursday, trade sources said, citing figures from French arable crops office ONIGC.
Cotton futures finished lower Thursday as some investors liquidated their positions in the spot contract and such switch trade should stay the main feature of the market into next week, brokers said.
London white sugar futures closed down almost two percent on Thursday after investment funds triggered sell stops in the afternoon, traders said. March settled down $7.0 or 1.89 percent at $363.00 per tonne in volume of 4,838 lots, after trading from $371
Copper prices closed down on Thursday with sentiment weighed down by rising stock levels and the metal was seen weak on the technical charts, analysts said.
Gold gained in late European trade on Thursday on speculative buying after the release of the US consumer price data had little impact on the dollar. Firmer oil prices also helped gold, but analysts said the metal was expected to continue trading in a ran
Benchmark cocoa futures in New York closed down 2.8 percent Thursday on a volley of speculative selling after a similar drop in London prices. Cocoa for March delivery on the New York Board of Trade finished $43 lower at $1,490 a tonne, breaking the $1,50
Raw sugar futures tumbled due to late speculative sales to finish Thursday at a two-week low and the market could test the lower end of its trading band before the weekend, brokers said.
Wheat futures on the Chicago Board of Trade extended declines near midday on Thursday as sell-stops were triggered, sending spot December to a six-week low, traders said.
Corn futures on the Chicago Board of Trade were higher early on Thursday on solid demand for corn and on speculative buying mainly stemming from buy orders placed electronically, traders said.
Copper futures in New York remained on the defensive in early trade on Thursday as concerns over a supply glut for next year bolstered new short sales in the market and held prices near 19-week lows, sources said.
Soyabean futures at the Chicago Board of Trade were mostly firm near midsession on Thursday on a technical recovery from the sharp break late in the previous session, traders said.
US gold edged up in choppy trading early on Thursday after the dollar weakened on a report which showed tamed US inflation. But traders expected the market to remain fickle and gold to move in a wide range in the near future.
Former interior minister Major general Naseerullah Babar (Retd) has dismissed Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz's denial of involvement in money laundering as a futile bid to white wash his image during visits abroad.
Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani has asked Pakistan to ensure that India "fulfils its commitment to hold a plebiscite" in Jammu and Kashmir, as part of the United Nations resolution on the vexed issue, and allow the people to decide their
Pakistan High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Dr Maleeha Lodhi expressed the Pakistan Government's gratitude and indebtedness to the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for their unstinting support and assistance in the aftermath of last year's devas
It is really nice to hear a good news regarding shifting of bus stands for Balochistan travellers after this month. Even though the action is commendable by the city administration in the context of rehabilitation of environment, but there is another mena
I express deep regret and strongly protest at KESC step to charge Rs 8.00 as bank charges from the consumers. My simple question is who is the responsible authority to approve this charge from the consumers directly instead when KESC was itself paying the
A clip on one of the TV channels, a few days before West Indies tour began, showing the Doc, medicine man top-slotting the Pakistan Cricket Board, in his jogging gear lapping the Gaddafi Stadium without breaking a sweat, while our cricketers practiced at
Iraq had been over-run by the US on the ground that it was having weapons of mass destruction which could destroy the world in less than an hour. The assertions of inspections of the International Atomic Agency made in this connection were, however, to th
Over the years, this village-turned-urban sprawl in south China has conjured up images of low-cost, low-tech factories churning out the stuff that fuelled China's economic take off. Shenzhen was the testing ground for the first tentative steps that China
Recently, the Economic Advisor to the Government of Pakistan, Dr Salman Shah, giving a live interview to a representative of an electronic media disclosed that during the current fiscal year, the government of Pakistan intends to issue GDRs of approximate
A high-powered World Bank team, which recently visited Pakistan, has advised the government to substantially increase the tax on CNG and LPG and discard its policy of cross-subsidising one kind of fuel at the cost of others.
The Protection of Women (Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill passed by the National Assembly on Wednesday, an important step towards the restoration of women's rights, turned out to be an interesting spectacle of political power play.
Pak Women Welfare Association, while praising President Pervez Musharraf over passage of 'Women Protection Bill' by the National Assembly, has said it will provide relief to women rape victims.
Identifying lust for materialistic gains, pollution, injustice, stress and poverty as main causes of intolerance in the society, speakers at different functions held to mark the 'World Tolerance Day' have called for promoting 'positive values and thinking
Institute of Public Health (IPH) Lahore has so far conducted as many as 421 tests of dengue fever out of whom 153 were found positive while facility of such test was not available in any of the district or tehsil headquarter hospitals in the province exce
The Lahore High Court (LHC) has adjourned till November 21 the proceedings in a petition filed by a British national Gopal Das praying to the court to direct the respondent government to vacate their house in GOR as his niece also approached the court wit
Pakistan Railways is the sole organisation in communication sector, which not only facilitates shipment of goods from one place to another, but also provide travelling facilities to a large number of passengers.
Like other parts of the world, Universal Children's Day will be observed across the country on November 20 with a pledge that all out efforts will be made in partnership of all the public and private agencies, to put in place a child protection system at
There are 7.5 million asthma patients in Pakistan and its prevalence has risen by 76 percent during the last 10 years while 57 percent patients have no basic knowledge about asthma or understanding of the treatment.
Deputy Prime Minister Romania Bogdan Pascu on Wednesday visited the display centre of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and shown keen interest in the products on display.
Under a Federal government directive, a mega afforestation plan is being launched in Punjab with an estimated cost of Rs 3 billion. Sources in the Forest Department told APP on Thursday that federal government had asked the provincial governments to incre
Provincial Minister for Mines and Minerals Muhammad Sibtain Khan has said that annual production of iron ore in Punjab has reached 60,000 ton and it would further increase next year.
Regional Police Officer Mirza Muhammad Ali on Thursday visited various parts of the city and inspected the security arrangements for guest cricket team of west Indies, and three days religious congregation of Daawat-i-Islami from November 17 to 19 while b
The ongoing Lok Mela at Shakarparian has been an attempt by the Lok Virsa authorities to help people rediscover the strong bonds with their traditional roots. The weeks long fair featuring stalls which contain traditional articles and coupled with folk mu
Senate Chairman Mohammedmian Soomro has stated that the United Nations Convention against corruption provided an adequate framework for international co-operation and our National Anti Corruption Strategy announced in 2002 has yielded positive results.
Sindh Chief Minister's Advisor on Culture Omer Sharif said on Thursday that the government was keen to revive film industry in Karachi and for this purpose, it would resolve all the issues related to the industry on priority basis.
An exhibition dedicated to late Ustad Mohammad Latif Chughtai, winner of several prizes who devoted almost four decades of his life to the National College of Arts, will open here at one of the oldest art galleries of the city.
The Met office has forecast fair weather with hazy morning on Friday with minimum temperature in range of 18-20 degree centigrade. Dry weather is forecast for Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Sukkur and Larkana divisions on Friday.
Bright and large scale scope is available for the investment by the intending entrepreneurs from Pakistan, including Azad Jammu Kashmir, in the trade and industrial sector in Britain through the promotion of bilateral trade ties between the two friendly c
Ministers, legislators and lawyers on Thursday hailed the passage of Women Protection Bill, saying the bill would ensure more rights and empower the women in the society.
The Lahore High Court (LHC) has issued notices to respondents in a petition filed by Majlis-e-Ahrar challenging the decision of the district government not allowing them to hold a public meeting at Minar-e-Pakistan.
A meeting of Karachi Goth Regularisation Committee was held here on Thursday with its chairman Sindh Minister for Mineral Development Irfanullah Khan Marwat in the chair.
The second phase of education reforms has commenced in the Punjab province, and this Rs 6 billion programme, apart from ensuring amenities at colleges, will include appointment of 4,000 more lecturers by June 2007.
Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad has directed the concerned authorities that besides undertaking development works, special zones for timber, marble, iron and other markets should be developed along both sides of Northern bypass.
Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) will install five new grid stations in different parts of Rawalpindi for provision of electricity to people, avoid power breakdowns and reduce line losses.
The third sports gala, being participated by both the public and private sector universities of the NWFP, started at the premises of University of Peshawar (PU) on Wednesday morning.
After successfully privatising and consolidating the financial sector, the government is now focusing on targeted financial initiatives for reaching the poor, said a press release. The Finance Ministry, in conjunction with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP)
The National Highway Authority (NHA) penalising the Echo West, a private contractor, has encashed Rs 177 million bank guarantee due to its poor performance on various projects, including Torkham-Jalalabad Road.
The government has decided to encourage quality exploration of precious stones in Northern Areas and boost value-added exports of gems. According to gem and jewellery sources here on Wednesday, the government of NWFP will lease out areas of Emerald and To
Pakistan and Japan have decided to engage in a pilot project for conducting experimental cultivation of various local species of plants by use of 'Cultivation pot' in different climatic locations in Pakistan.
Chairman, National Reconstruction Bureau (NRB) Daniyal Aziz has called for restructuring of provincial governments to resolve 70 percent to 80 percent civic problems effectively being faced by the people.
The National Reconstruction Bureau (NRB) is looking into several recommendations and models to introduce institutional reforms in the financial, administrative and political institutions of the country.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) will hold a public rally to register people's appreciation on the passage of women protection bill by the National Assembly on Friday after Namaz-e-Juma.
Filing of sales tax declaration is likely to go on web from next month, sources told Business Recorder on Thursday. Sources said that the Central Board or Revenue (CBR) is all-set to launch its new web based electronic filing of sales tax declarati
Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) MPAs on Thursday continued their boycott of Sindh Assembly proceedings in protest against ignoring of opposition by treasury benches in legislative process as well as banning of pillion riding in Karachi and
Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has termed the safeguarding of women rights through the adoption of the Women Protection Bill(WPB), a commendable step of the present government and made it clear that no clause of the bill is opposed to the te
In the Punjab Assembly opposition benches offered prayers for the departed souls of people who were killed in Bajaur and Dargai incidents recently. Opposition severely criticised the government for taking steps that culminated in these events.
The Women Protection Bill passed by the National Assembly may take time to positively impact the life of ordinary women of Pakistan but its political fallout is already creating waves in the cesspool of our national politics.
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 trade authorities are considering a Malaysian request that Pakistan cuts its import duty on palm oil by about 20 percent, a senior official said on Thursday.
Creek Marina will award its Main Building Contract to Guangdong Overseas Construction Group Co, Ltd (GOCG) at a lavish ceremony to be held this Sunday, 19 November, 2006 at Karachi Shreaton Hotel.