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Print - 2007-06-08
CAPITAL CULTURAL SCENE: Heritage of Saidpur village

CAPITAL CULTURAL SCENE: Heritage of Saidpur village

On each Thursday, prior to sunset, the innocent kids, with gloomy eyes sit together in a circular form and kindle clay diyaas at the threshold of the ancient shrine of the female saint, Mai Jee they hope that they will not be ejected from their ancestral
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
BRIDGE NOTES: A subtle manoeuvre ensures grand slam

BRIDGE NOTES: A subtle manoeuvre ensures grand slam

The age old dictum that a grand slam is bid only and not played because of foolproof all thirteen tricks are available without involving finesse or any gap. Hence such a deal is honoured by opponents in surrendering to the bidding side.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Government permission may be mandatory for bigwigs visit to Iran

Government permission may be mandatory for bigwigs visit to Iran

Pakistan may slap a ban on trips of prominent government functionaries and officials to Iran until these are not cleared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Pakistan Mission in Tehran, official sources told Business Recorder here on Thursday.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
SPORTS WORLD: Wake up before it's too late

SPORTS WORLD: Wake up before it's too late

Nothing is well on the country's sports front. Some all-time low performances in squash, hockey and cricket are a sardonic comment on the efficiency and expertise of those running the national sports affairs.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
India and China to conduct first joint army exercises

India and China to conduct first joint army exercises

India and China have agreed to hold their first ever joint army exercise as part of a wider effort to improve ties between the one-time Asian enemies, military officials said on Thursday.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
LAHORE CULTURAL DIARY: Roohi Bano again on centre stage

LAHORE CULTURAL DIARY: Roohi Bano again on centre stage

A performance by senior but forgotten actress of the small screen Roohi Bano, a couple of painting exhibitions and two music concerts were the major cultural highlights in Lahore during the week that ended Sunday, June 3, 2007.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Cut in edible oil duty ruled out

Cut in edible oil duty ruled out

Federal government has ruled out any possibility of cut in edible oil duty in the upcoming budget 2007-08. Addressing a press conference at PIDC House on Thursday Jehangeer Tareen, Federal Minister for Industries, said that despite all time high prices in
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Zamir Niazi's The Press Under Siege: Pakistan Study Centre edition

Zamir Niazi's The Press Under Siege: Pakistan Study Centre edition

Now-a-days media is once again under attack, not only by a fresh ordinance but by practically disrupting telecast of certain important channels. In addition working journalists are put on hit list and are being threatened directly.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Cut in edible oil duty ruled out

Cut in edible oil duty ruled out

Federal government has ruled out any possibility of cut in edible oil duty in the upcoming budget 2007-08. Addressing a press conference at PIDC House on Thursday Jehangeer Tareen, Federal Minister for Industries, said that despite all time high prices in
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Musical Notes - writing on the genre

Musical Notes - writing on the genre

In recent years, a large number of young writers have attempted to pen their thoughts on the system of music currently in vogue, in Pakistan, and about frontline practitioners of its classical modes.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Cut in edible oil duty ruled out

Cut in edible oil duty ruled out

Federal government has ruled out any possibility of cut in edible oil duty in the upcoming budget 2007-08. Addressing a press conference at PIDC House on Thursday Jehangeer Tareen, Federal Minister for Industries, said that despite all time high prices in
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
US Plains HRW wheat holding steady

US Plains HRW wheat holding steady

US Plains hard red winter wheat basis bids held mostly steady Thursday as new-crop cutting picked up. Farmer selling across the scale was active, elevators reported. Warm and mostly dry weather was helping accelerate the pace of harvest after recent rain-
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
KARACHI CHRONICLE: No smokers invited

KARACHI CHRONICLE: No smokers invited

There ought to be a ban on No-Smoking Day to protect smokers from the unfair criticism of doctors. They think the Day gives them leave to speak unkindly about very nice people who smoke, like myself.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Dwindling fortunes of historians'craft in Pakistan-II

Dwindling fortunes of historians'craft in Pakistan-II

The University of the Punjab, the oldest educational institution in Pakistan, became a full-fledged degree awarding body around October 1882, having grown out of the University College (est., January 1870).
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Japan buys 80,000 tonnes wheat

Japan buys 80,000 tonnes wheat

Japan's Agriculture Ministry said on Thursday it had bought a total of 80,000 tonnes of wheat from the United States and Canada at a weekly tender, but cancelled a wheat purchase from Australia due to high prices. All shipments are due to take place in Au
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
President's address put off indefinitely

President's address put off indefinitely

President General Pervez Musharraf's address to the nation on radio and TV was postponed indefinitely on Thursday, Aaj TV reported. On Wednesday, while addressing the parliamentarians from the ruling party and allies.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Singapore bunker fuel prices rise

Singapore bunker fuel prices rise

Singapore bunker prices rose on Thursday, but their differential to fuel oil cargo values remained mired in deep discounts for a second straight day. Prices for 380-centistoke (cst) bunker fuel were pegged at $340-$342 a tonne, up $2 from the previous ses
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
President's address put off indefinitely

President's address put off indefinitely

President General Pervez Musharraf's address to the nation on radio and TV was postponed indefinitely on Thursday, Aaj TV reported. On Wednesday, while addressing the parliamentarians from the ruling party and allies.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Activity at Karachi and Qasim ports

Activity at Karachi and Qasim ports

The Karachi Port handled 79,377 tonnes cargo including 64,821 tonnes import, 14,556 tonnes export cargo and 1,559 containers (TEUs) during last 24 hours ending at 0700 hours on Thursday.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Journalists observe black day

Journalists observe black day

International players joined protesting Pakistani journalists as their countrywide demonstration against a fresh law to mute media enters the fourth day.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Sri Lanka battles rebels, evicts Tamils from capital

Sri Lanka battles rebels, evicts Tamils from capital

Sri Lanka evicted hundreds of minority ethnic Tamils from the capital on Thursday and sent them back to the war-torn north citing security concerns, as the military battled Tamil Tiger rebels in the east.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Mango show from June 23

Mango show from June 23

Annual mango show, displaying hundreds of its varieties, will be held here from June 23 to 25 with the objective to encourage growers and achieve high quality fruit.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Pakistan to attend WFSGI moot

Pakistan to attend WFSGI moot

A 7-member delegation headed by Sialkot Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI) president left for Las Vegas on Thursday to participate in the Corporate Social Responsibility Committee meeting of the World Federation of Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) to be
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
PPP invites applications for general polls

PPP invites applications for general polls

Pakistan People's Party (PPP) has invited applications from those who are interested to be considered for its parliamentary ticket. This was stated by the Secretary General, PPP, Jehangir Badr in a statement issued on Thursday.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Effective parliamentary scrutiny of budget sought

Effective parliamentary scrutiny of budget sought

The Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives Pakistan (CPDI-Pakistan) on Thursday drew the attention of the parliamentarians to take the budget session extremely serious and conduct it in a manner that effective parliamentary scrutiny could be exercis
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Advance planning termed vital for increased crop production

Advance planning termed vital for increased crop production

Khalid Ijaz Qureshi, Agriculture expert on Thursday said, advance planning for increased production was crucial to benefit from new technology. Talking to PTV he said, the increased production of wheat, potato, pulses have given high levels of income to t
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Early completion of Shershah Bridge directed

Early completion of Shershah Bridge directed

Minister of State for Communications Eng. M. Shahid Jamil has expressed displeasure over slow pace of work on Shershah Bridge being constructed by National Highway Authority (NHA) on Chenab river near Multan.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Pakistan to attend Bangalore women moot

Pakistan to attend Bangalore women moot

Women leaders from across the world will come together to harness women power for creating a better world at the three-day International Women Conference hosted by the Art of Living Foundation (ALF) in Bangalore from June 8.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
'IT sector registering an excellent growth'

'IT sector registering an excellent growth'

Pakistan's IT sector was registering an excellent growth and had grown to a size of $2 billion, said Managing Director, Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), Yusuf Hussain here Thursday.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
'Birth rate has decreases, claims minister'

'Birth rate has decreases, claims minister'

Sindh provincial Minister of Population Syed Ali Buksh Papo Shah has said the birth rate has decreased from 2.1 to 1.9 percent due to the attempts and campaign of ruling regime. He said this while distributing rewards among the students of ninth and tenth
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Sindh chief secretary visits Central Jail, Karachi Zoo

Sindh chief secretary visits Central Jail, Karachi Zoo

Sindh Chief Secretary Shakil Durrani, on Thursday paid a surprise visit to Central Jail Karachi, went round its various wards, saw food preparation in the kitchen for prisoners and checked its quality.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Mango industrial estate, storage, processing facilities promised

Mango industrial estate, storage, processing facilities promised

Sindh Assembly Speaker Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah has said that mango industrial estate as well as a cold storage and processing facilities will be made available at Mirpurkhas so that mango growers could get maximum price of their mango crop.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Three suspected Taliban arrested in Quetta

Three suspected Taliban arrested in Quetta

Security forces arrested three suspected Taliban militants in a raid in Quetta, police said on Thursday. The arrests from an apartment block in Quetta came late on Wednesday on an intelligence report that the trio would visit the area, senior police offic
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
IBP 'Budget Breakfast Forum' on June 12

IBP 'Budget Breakfast Forum' on June 12

The Institute of Bankers Pakistan (IBP) has planned a "Budget Breakfast Forum" on June 12 at its premises here to examine and appraise different aspects of the Federal budget, to be announced on June 9.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Samsung to bring attractive mobile phone

Samsung to bring attractive mobile phone

Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, a global leader of mobile phones and telecommunication systems and Jasper Morrison, a leading industrial designer, co-operated to bring an attractive mobile phone, SGH-E590.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
AUDI launches 07

AUDI launches 07

AUDI has successfully launched the 07 in Pakistan. To be available in several engine models; 4.2-litre FSI, 3.6FSI-litre, 3.0-litre TDi engine options. The 2-ton Q7 is priced in the region Rs 59-80 lakhs, rivaling the likes of the BMW X5, Porsche Cayenne,
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
EPZA cancels 25 plots

EPZA cancels 25 plots

Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZA) has cancelled 25 plots of those investors, which did not initiate any industrial or business activity on their, plots in Karachi Export Processing Zone (KEPZ).
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Jam orders relief operation in cyclone-hit areas

Jam orders relief operation in cyclone-hit areas

Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Muhammad Yousaf has expressed dissatisfaction over the performance of District Government Gwadar to cope with the cyclone, hitting various coastal towns and facilities.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Transporters seek safety measures on highways

Transporters seek safety measures on highways

Expressing grave concern over rise in looting of goods carriers on Super Highway, Northern Bypass and Link Road, Karachi Goods Carriers Association (KGCA) demanded Sindh government to ensure safe travelling on these roads by intensifying police patrolling
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
NIB Bank assigned A+, Al ratings

NIB Bank assigned A+, Al ratings

The Pakistan Credit Rating Agency (Pacra) has maintained the long-term and short-term entity ratings of NIB Bank Limited at A+ (Single A Plus) and A1 (A One), respectively. Meanwhile, Pacra assigns A (Single A) rating to the proposed unsecured subordinate
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
NIB Bank assigned A+, Al ratings

NIB Bank assigned A+, Al ratings

The Pakistan Credit Rating Agency (Pacra) has maintained the long-term and short-term entity ratings of NIB Bank Limited at A+ (Single A Plus) and A1 (A One), respectively. Meanwhile, Pacra assigns A (Single A) rating to the proposed unsecured subordinate
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Public-private partnership vital to education boost: minister

Public-private partnership vital to education boost: minister

Sustainable development in the education sector is only possible through close cooperation and coordination between the government and the private sector. Punjab Minister for Education, Mian Imran Masood, stated.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
NJI to provide cover to Khushhali Bank clients

NJI to provide cover to Khushhali Bank clients

Khushhali Bank has partnered with New Jubilee Life Insurance (NJI) Company Limited, Pakistan to provide insurance cover to its clients all across the nation. In this regard an agreement was formalised between Khushhali Bank President Ghalib Nishtar and Ch
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
PML-N decries price hike before budget

PML-N decries price hike before budget

Central Secretary Finance PML (N) Mohammad Pervaiz Malik MNA, has said that prices of commodities of common use like ghee, cement, edible oils, milk and different fares have been increased to make adjustment to the new provision of budget and the claims o
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
SBP Report on the state of the economy

SBP Report on the state of the economy

The State Bank of Pakistan's Third Quarterly Report for FY07 has been issued. As it should have been, besides stating plain facts about the economy, it focuses on the strong and weak areas of the national scene close to the end of the financial year and h
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Climate change battle could spell new disasters

Climate change battle could spell new disasters

Rich countries meeting in Germany this week will agree that they need to confront climate change, but unpleasant tradeoffs are already emerging. Unless properly managed, a rush to reshape the world's economy to arrest climate change could end up trampling
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Who knew? Freshwater crabs thrive in Roman ruins

Who knew? Freshwater crabs thrive in Roman ruins

Who could have guessed that throughout the rise and fall of Rome's emperors, monarchs and politicians a lowly creature has reigned supreme in the ruins of Trajan's mighty empire? Potamon fluviatile, an unassuming freshwater crab, has shown superior stayin
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Syrian girls learn entrepreneurs aren't all vermin

Syrian girls learn entrepreneurs aren't all vermin

It could be a scene from a reality TV show as a young Syrian entrepreneur pitches her team's plan for a wheelchair factory to a potential investor. Twisting her fingers nervously, Rama al-Habri, a 16-year-old in jeans and red top, has never done anything
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Cement export to India via land route

Cement export to India via land route

Presently. India is facing shortage of cement and cement manufacturers Pakistan can export surplus production to India and can earn much needed foreign exchange for the country, provided that the following measures to be taken:
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Loadshedding

Loadshedding

It is unjustifiable as to why there is loadshedding in late hours of midnight. People who are already exhausted from their hectic work schedule and faced the similar problems at their work place manage to sleep peacefully but apparently hanks to the KESC
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
And now noise pollution

And now noise pollution

It's four in the morning, in the Islamic (apologies to the secularists but this still stands) Republic of Pakistan. Didn't Pak mean pure, pure water, people, food, air, what is it that they actually refer to of all these now extinct elements?
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Typhoid fever

Typhoid fever

One often hears of non-availability of clean drinking water in city slums and rural backyards. It is not commonly appreciated that contaminated water can cause large scale incidence of Typhoid.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Journalists, lawyers protest new curbs on media

Journalists, lawyers protest new curbs on media

Members of District Bar Association and local journalists jointly took out a protest rally and staged a protest demonstration against the constraints imposed on electronic media and detention of lawyers and media men.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Lawyers observe black day against curbs on media

Lawyers observe black day against curbs on media

The lawyers observed Thursday as a black day and organised a protest rally and boycotted courts to condemn the presidential reference against Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and amendment in the Pemra Ordinance 2007.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Old bridge on the verge of collapse

Old bridge on the verge of collapse

An old bridge over River Chenab near Muzaffargarh, which connects Punjab with NWFP, Balochistan and Sindh by rail and road, has been in a state of disrepair over the years because of negligence of the National Highway Authority.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
US MIDDAY: gold futures slip

US MIDDAY: gold futures slip

US gold futures fell early in choppy trade on Thursday as a stronger dollar and rising US Treasury yields hurt buying interest, and traders said the precious metal could fall further if prices dropped below chart-based support levels.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
US MIDDAY: copper down

US MIDDAY: copper down

US copper futures were softer at the open on Thursday as ongoing jitters surrounding China's equity markets prompted red metal traders to take to the sell-side, analysts said.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
US MIDDAY: soyabeans higher

US MIDDAY: soyabeans higher

Soyabean futures at the Chicago Board of Trade were higher at Thursday's midsession on technical buying, following the strength in corn and soyabean oil, traders said. Soyabeans slipped from its early highs as corn backed down. Technical buying was trigge
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
US MIDDAY: corn climbs

US MIDDAY: corn climbs

Corn futures at the Chicago Board of Trade rallied on Thursday as worries about dry conditions for the young crop in the eastern US Midwest sparked buying by commodity funds, traders said.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
US MIDDAY: wheat rises

US MIDDAY: wheat rises

Wheat futures on the Chicago Board of Trade were firm at midsession on Thursday as news of potential export demand from India prompted short covering, traders said. Strength in corn and soybean futures lent support to wheat as well, although all three com
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Gold steadies in Europe

Gold steadies in Europe

Gold steadied after choppy trading on Thursday but remained vulnerable to declines as the dollar rose against major currencies. Spot gold was quoted at $669.00/669.50 an ounce by 1437 GMT after rising as high as $672.40 and falling to $665.90, compared wi
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
LME changes rules; nickel tumbles

LME changes rules; nickel tumbles

Nickel fell almost six percent on Thursday after the London Metal Exchange changed lending rules to free up more metal, analysts said. The nickel market, with prices hitting $51,800 a tonne in May and rising some 40 percent this year, has been characteris
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
ICCO head sees cocoa deficit

ICCO head sees cocoa deficit

International Cocoa Organisation chief (ICCO) Jan Vingerhoets told Reuters on Thursday he estimated the 2006/07 (September-October) world cocoa deficit at 125,000-150,000 tonnes. The London-based ICCO has estimated a global cocoa surplus of 192,000 tonnes
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
New York cotton futures marginally up

New York cotton futures marginally up

Cotton futures ended marginally higher Thursday on buying by small speculators as most of the trade sat back to wait for release of a government crop report next week, brokers said. New York Board of Trade's open-outcry July cotton contract added 0.21 cen
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
India to import five million tonnes wheat

India to import five million tonnes wheat

India, which scrapped a one million tonne wheat import tender late last month, on Thursday said it would import 5 million tonnes of the grain between August and December to build large buffer stocks.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Oil rises above $71

Oil rises above $71

Oil climbed above $71 a barrel on Thursday, nearing a nine-month high, after Opec's president reiterated the exporter group was pumping enough crude to satisfy world markets. Opec President Mohammed al-Hamli said oil supplies were "sufficient currently" a
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Corn price outlook hinges on weather: analysts

Corn price outlook hinges on weather: analysts

Market analysts are looking past a government grain report due on Monday to focus on weather forecasts and demand for corn from the ethanol sector as they develop strategies for clients on whether to buy or sell corn.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
USDA seen trimming soyabean stock estimates

USDA seen trimming soyabean stock estimates

The US Agriculture Department will likely trim its forecast of how many US soyabeans will be left at the end of the marketing year on August 31 by roughly 10 million bushels in its upcoming monthly report, analysts said.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Rate fears send FTSE to lowest close in a month

Rate fears send FTSE to lowest close in a month

Britain's FTSE 100 index fell to its lowest close in more than a month in choppy trade as the prospect of higher interest rates spooked investors, with insurers, banks and real estate stocks weighing most.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Chinese shares up three percent

Chinese shares up three percent

Chinese shares jumped towards the close on Thursday, ending more than 3 percent higher as institutional investors returned to the market to buy selected blue chips as well as coal and construction-related stocks. The Shanghai Composite Index closed at 3,8
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Rate worries push Crossover above 200 basis points

Rate worries push Crossover above 200 basis points

European credit spreads widened on Thursday for the second consecutive day, breaking above a key psychological level amid worries inflation may drive interest rates higher and hurt corporate profits.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Rate worries push Crossover above 200 basis points

Rate worries push Crossover above 200 basis points

European credit spreads widened on Thursday for the second consecutive day, breaking above a key psychological level amid worries inflation may drive interest rates higher and hurt corporate profits.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
US Stocks: Thursday's midday trade

US Stocks: Thursday's midday trade

US stocks declined for a third straight day on Thursday after a sharp jump in Treasury debt yields stoked worries about inflation and higher interest rates that threatened to squeeze corporate profits. Rate-sensitive shares like utilities and home builder
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Yen slides in London

Yen slides in London

The yen slipped against the dollar on Thursday after reports that North Korea fired short-range missiles triggered broad-based buying of the US currency. The dollar also gained support from rising US yields, with benchmark 10-year Treasury yields breaking
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Sterling slips versus dollar and euro

Sterling slips versus dollar and euro

Sterling fell against the dollar and euro on Thursday after the Bank of England left UK interest rates at 5.5 percent, prompting investors to trim long positions amassed beforehand on the basis a surprise hike was possible.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Indian rupee eases to one-week low

Indian rupee eases to one-week low

The rupee tested a fresh one-week low on Thursday after a drop in stocks spurred investors to pare positions in the Indian unit amid concerns that a reversal in global risk appetite could prompt a wave of capital outflows.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Britain unveils new anti-terror measures

Britain unveils new anti-terror measures

Britain's Home Secretary John Reid proposed Thursday new laws to combat the threat of terrorist attacks, including some he conceded might stir controversy. The plans unveiled in parliament include allowing terror suspects to be held without charge for lon
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Bangladesh jails businessman for corruption

Bangladesh jails businessman for corruption

A special anti-corruption court in Bangladesh sentenced the owner of a television channel to three years in prison on Thursday for failing to submit a statement of wealth detailing the source of his funds, a court official said.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Lebanese Islamists seek surrender of camp militants

Lebanese Islamists seek surrender of camp militants

Lebanese Islamists on Thursday sought the surrender of al Qaeda-inspired militants locked in deadly battles with troops at a Palestinian refugee camp but the group said it would not give itself up.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
German police capsize protesters' boats at G8

German police capsize protesters' boats at G8

Police rammed two inflatable speed boats that breached a security zone around a seaside resort where world leaders were meeting on Thursday, tipping activists into the Baltic and injuring three of them.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
BAE denies any wrongdoing in UK-Saudi arms deals

BAE denies any wrongdoing in UK-Saudi arms deals

BAE Systems denied any wrongdoing in response to media reports that it paid 1 billion pounds ($2 billion) over a decade to a Saudi prince in connection with Britain's biggest-ever arms export contract.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Bombers in Iraq kill 19, reporter shot dead

Bombers in Iraq kill 19, reporter shot dead

Bombers struck in Baghdad and at a police headquarters in a northern Iraqi border town on Thursday, killing 19 people, and gunmen shot a reporter in the latest attack targeting Iraqi journalists.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
12 killed in Oman as cyclone targets Iran

12 killed in Oman as cyclone targets Iran

Cyclone Gonu killed at least 15 people in Oman and neighbouring Iran, officials said on Thursday, as driving rain and pounding winds in the fiercest storm to hit the Gulf for 30 years halted oil exports.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Economy in good shape, work needed: G8 leaders

Economy in good shape, work needed: G8 leaders

The global economy is in good shape, but emerging market economies with big current account surpluses need to ensure movement in their exchange rates to help iron out imbalances, G8 leaders said on Thursday. In a statement issued from a summit, leaders of
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Putin turns tables on Bush with new missile plan

Putin turns tables on Bush with new missile plan

Russian President Vladimir Putin turned the tables on Washington on Thursday by suggesting the United States use a Russian-controlled radar instead of US anti-missile hardware in central Europe.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
Immigration bill fails crucial US Senate vote

Immigration bill fails crucial US Senate vote

A sharply divided US Senate on Thursday threw into doubt the fate of a White House-backed plan to revamp US immigration laws. In a serious blow to the bipartisan effort, the Senate fell 27 votes short of the 60 votes needed in the 100-member chamber to li
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
France and Britain agree on EU treaty

France and Britain agree on EU treaty

French President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Thursday he and British Prime Minister Tony Blair had struck a deal on reforming the EU's institutions while Germany reported progress towards a treaty.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am
North Korea missile launch draws White House ire

North Korea missile launch draws White House ire

North Korea fired up to two short-range missiles off its west coast on Thursday, Yonhap news agency quoted government officials as saying, the second launch in as many weeks, drawing quick criticism from Washington.
Published 08 Jun, 2007 12:00am