Leaders of Ireland's Greens hope party members will vote on Wednesday to back a deal to enter government for the first time and swallow long-standing opposition to Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern.
Ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will not dare return from exile because he could be assassinated by his opponents, the general who removed him in a bloodless coup last year said on Wednesday.
Thousands of passengers were stranded at airports across India on Wednesday as employees of state-run airline Indian went on strike to demand higher wages and benefits. The strike began late on Tuesday when thousands of ground staff and some cabin crew st
Bangladesh's former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia and 12 others have been charged for violating laws governing trading and manufacturing companies in the country, officials said on Wednesday. A court asked all the accused, including Khaleda's detained
Two former White House officials were subpoenaed on Wednesday as part of the congressional probe of US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales' firing last year of federal prosecutors. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy of Vermont issued subpoena
An explosion rocked Beirut's seafront corniche on Wednesday, killing at least four people near a military beach club, security sources said. They said several people were wounded in the blast, which tore through a street near an amusement park and the Bai
Lebanese anti-Syrian parliamentarian Walid Eido was killed on Wednesday, with at least nine other people, when a bomb ripped through his car in western Beirut, security sources said. One of Eido's sons was among the dead by the blast on Beirut's seafront
Gunmen blew up a major Sunni mosque in the Iraqi town of Iskandariya on Wednesday, police said, following an attack on a revered Shia shrine that has stirred fears of a surge in sectarian bloodshed. Police said Iskandariya's Grand Mosque had been totally
Suspected al Qaeda militants on Wednesday blew up the minarets of a revered Shia mosque in the Iraqi city of Samarra, target of a 2006 bomb attack that unleashed a tidal wave of sectarian violence. Fearing renewed bloodshed, Iraq's government imposed an i
Shimon Peres was elected Israel's president on Wednesday, winning a national honour that crowns the political career of the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and 83-year-old statesman. Parliament, which picks the head of state, chose Peres by a margin of 86 to 2
The United Nations is optimistic Sudan will stick to an accord on a UN-African Union force for troubled Darfur, a UN spokeswoman said on Wednesday, but some diplomats feared Khartoum had set conditions. After months of negotiations, Sudan accepted on Tues
Organisers of a national reconciliation conference in Somalia due to start on Thursday have postponed it for one month in the second delay to long-awaited peace efforts in the chaotic Horn of Africa nation. Ali Mahdi Mohamed, chairman of the National Reco
Indonesian police have captured the country's most wanted militant, Abu Dujana, who heads a military wing of the Southeast Asian militant group Jemaah Islamiah (JI), a police spokesman said on Wednesday.
Hamas fighters and forces loyal to Western-backed President Mahmoud Abbas battled on Wednesday for control of the Gaza Strip in an escalating Palestinian supremacy struggle he described as "madness".
India will hold elections next month to choose a new president if the ruling coalition and the opposition do not agree on a consensus candidate, the Election Commission said on Wednesday.
Iran does not care if the United Nations passes any more resolutions against it because of its nuclear programme, the president said on Wednesday. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad expressed his country's defiance as world powers consider carrying out their threat to i
European Union countries agreed on Wednesday to immediately share information when citizens of fellow member states are convicted in their courts. Countries will also be obliged to respond to criminal record requests within 10 working days, under the plan
Sterling weakened against the dollar and retreated from earlier three-month highs against the euro on Wednesday after slower-than-expected UK wage growth helped cool inflationary concerns. Average earnings grew an annual 4.0 percent in the period, compare
The dollar rose to a 4-1/2 year high against the yen and 11-week peak versus the euro on Wednesday after a rally in US Treasury yields drew investors towards the greenback. Markets were also awaiting US retail sales data, the Federal Reserve Beige Book an
The Indian rupee slipped on Wednesday as investors took cues from local stocks that fell nearly 1 percent, and trimmed holdings in relatively risky assets like the local unit on an uncertain outlook for global rates.
The iTraxx Crossover index swung in a 10-basis-point range on Wednesday as US government bond yields pushed to 5-year highs before retreating, while in the primary market Italian power company Enel raised 5 billion euros.
The iTraxx Crossover index swung in a 10-basis-point range on Wednesday as US government bond yields pushed to 5-year highs before retreating, while in the primary market Italian power company Enel raised 5 billion euros.
China's main stock index surged more than 2 percent in heavy trade on Wednesday as share prices and turnover neared levels which prompted government action to cool the market last month. "This upward momentum means the market is overheating again," said Z
US stocks rose on Wednesday as a pullback in benchmark bond yields triggered a rebound in interest-rate-sensitive shares including banks, utilities and home builders. Data signalling strength in US consumer spending also reassured investors, lifting share
Seoul shares fell 0.5 percent on Wednesday, as exporters such as Hyundai Motor were hit by worries that inflationary pressures would raise interest rates world-wide, slowing down economic growth.
Britain's index of 100 leading shares rose on Wednesday as upbeat miners and a retreat in US bond yields from 5-year highs soothed sentiment in stock markets. The FTSE 100 closed 0.6 percent higher at 6,559.6, underpinned by upbeat miners.
Brazilian millers bought three cargoes of western Canadian wheat totalling 80,000 tonnes, the Canadian Wheat Board said on Wednesday. The CWB also said further shipments were possible.
Egypt plans to offer eight new gold mining concessions as part of its scheme to revive its precious metal industry, a senior official said on Wednesday. The Arab world's most populous country, which once considered gold the skin of the gods, is revisiting
Oil vaulted more than a dollar a barrel on Wednesday after a US government report showed gasoline stockpiles remaining well below normal at the start of the summer driving season. Gasoline stocks, which were expected to rise last week, were unchanged as r
J.P. Morgan has restructured its foreign exchange and commodities desks for the third time in seven months, with FX head Rob Lichten to step down, according to an internal document seen by Reuters on Wednesday.
Cotton futures closed higher Wednesday on switch trade and speculative buying and the strong performance may nudge prices higher before the week is done, analysts said. The New York Board of Trade's open-outcry July cotton contract climbed 0.84 cent to en
Brazil is again set to ban planting of winter soyabeans in three centre-west states from June 15 for three months to prevent the spread of Asian soya rust disease, private analysts Celeres said in a weekly report.
Base metals were boosted on Wednesday as equity markets headed higher, with copper rising 1.6 percent but analysts said the sentiment remained vulnerable. London-listed miners like Xstrata, Anglo American, Rio Tinto rose up to 5 percent, led by a bullish
Gold bounced back in late trade on Wednesday after falling to a three-month low as the dollar pared gains following a retreat in US Treasury yields. Gold was also helped by short-covering. It rose as high as $652.25 an ounce after falling to $642.90, its
Corn futures at the Chicago Board of Trade were mixed early on Wednesday with the market recovering from a slide on the open amid weather jitters, traders said. An upturn in crude oil markets helped keep the corn market from falling, they said.
Wheat futures at the Chicago Board of Trade were up sharply at midday on Wednesday, rallying from early declines as worries about US harvest delays and tight global supplies prompted speculative buying, traders said. Kansas City Board of Trade hard red wi
Chicago Board of Trade soyabean and soyaoil futures fell early Wednesday, tracking the moves in Malaysian palm oil market overnight, traders said. "I think the main reason soyabeans are lower is the drop in palm oil. They raised the trading margin almost
US copper futures rebounded from 2-1/2-week lows overnight to trade slightly higher, but the upside looked cloudy as a strong dollar and lingering concerns of slowing Chinese demand continued to weigh on sentiment, analysts said.
US gold futures turned higher on Wednesday, changing course from early declines as they tracked US bond prices, the dollar, and the inflationary implications of higher-than-expected US retail sales and import price data, traders said.
The process of resettlement and rehabilitation of the affectees of under-construction Mangla dam raising project will be completed before the completion of the construction work for raising of the dam.
A three-day exhibition of contemporary arts of Pakistan opens here on Friday, which will showcase the diversity of expression from every region of the country.
Abdul Rashid, an analyst has said that "International Donors' Conference on Consolidating Food Security", held in Niger will focus on key issues. Talking to a TV channel, he said the conference focuses on three key issues.
Federal Information and Broadcasting Minister Mohammad Ali Durrani on Wednesday called for rationalising Associated Press of Pakistan Corporation service structure and the salary packages of its staff particularly working on editorial side.
Multan Food Department has so far purchased 678,521 tons of wheat against the target of 800,000 tons, achieving 84.84 percent of the revised procurement target.
The British Opposition party leader David Cameron has praised Pakistan's economy growth and described its expansion as only second to China. He was speaking at a gala dinner, hosted by the Conservative Party to mark the 60th independence anniversary of Pa
The people of Beirut have turned to private security contractors using sniffer dogs, surveillance cameras and explosives detectors as government forces fail to prevent repeated bomb attacks.
It is very surprising to note that the textile industry despite having several incentives is still waiting for more concessions from the government. During the last many years, the government has provided several relief packages to boost the country's exp
The President of Pakistan, while inaugurating the K-3 Water Project in June-2006, declared adequate water supply to Karachi and adjoining areas. However, hundreds of thousands Karachiites, especially of Gulistan-e-Jauhar have not yet benefited by the K-3
For Mahamed Jama, a Minnesota taxi driver, the Islamic restriction on drinking alcohol is a seamless rule for life. "He who carries alcohol, he who drinks and he who sells it are the same thing," he says.
US and South Korean negotiators have struck a landmark trade deal in the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA). If ratified, the agreement will provide American workers and businesses with new opportunities and serve as a powerful statement of the US
In the streets of Hebron's Old City -- home to the Tomb of the Patriarchs religious site holy to both Jews and Muslims -- most shops are boarded up, their metal shutters firmly closed.
The news about a proposal for rupee devaluation appearing in the Business Recorder on 12th June, 2007, was denied promptly by the Ministry of Commerce. Contradiction of the news was noted and printed the next day.
Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) President and Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Amir Qazi Hussain Ahmad has strongly condemned the murder of President Talba Mahaz Karachi, Wasif Aziz. Also he has announced that his party would approach the police to lodge the FIR ag
The Punjab government has accepted the 'Land Record Computerisation' project as a challenge, whereas the past governments have been making merely false claims in this regard. Provincial Revenue Minister Gul Hameed Khan Rokhari said this while talking to j
To promote small and cottage industries on modern lines the Punjab Small Industries Corporation (PSIC) is setting up four modern Common Facility Centres (CFCs) in the province.
With a view to discuss and formulate an opinion on the exposure draft of International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) for SMEs issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA) on
Brigadier Syed Amjad Shabbir was installed as honorary Colonel of the Baloch Regiment popularly known as the 'Fateh-e-Wasir-e-Hind' at an impressive ceremony held here on Wednesday.
Punjab Communication and Works Department has been directed to constitute survey teams comprising engineers and road experts, which would point out black spots and dangerous curves on various roads in the province, so that these could be removed immediate
Senior leaders of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) have termed the nomination of Shahzad Ali Malik as chairman Bank of Punjab a good omen for the whole banking sector, and said it will further strengthen government and priv
The Punjab government has withdrawn detention orders of as many as 47 political activists while the aged arrested workers of political parties would also be released as soon as the Opposition provides their names.
The Lahore High Court (LHC) allowed former federal minister Ahmed Mukhtar to go abroad from June 15 to August 2, 2007. The court passed these orders when the law officer contended before the court that the government had no objection if court allowed the
An Additional District and Sessions Judge allowed bails to Dr Masood and Dr Rafique Zaki of Masood Hospital, Dr Shafiq and Dr Omer of Al Shaafi Hospital, Dr Rehmat Ali, Dr Rana Amjad of the Rashid Hospital involved in illegal kidney transplantation busine
Member Audit, Central Board of Revenue (CBR), Abdur Razzaq has said that under the National Audit Research Project, the process of audit at Large Taxpayer Units of Lahore and Karachi is going on smoothly and it will be extended to the third LTU in Islamab
President of Muttahida Tallaba Mahaz, an alliance of many student organisations, Syed Wasif Aziz, was gunned down by unknown assailants in Malir 15 area on Tuesday night.
Shafqat Mehmud, Collector Sales Tax (Enforcement) has been invited to be the principal speaker in the meeting of the KCCI GST Sub-Committee on June 14. He will apprise the members to comprehend and be aware of the budgetary changes as well as provide any
The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has suggested the Sindh government to initiate programme of basic manufacturing of chemicals and drugs.
The Capital Gain Tax (CGT) relaxation to the bourses and real estate sector till 2008 has been given to encourage inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country. These views were expressed by DG, RTO, Asrar Rauf while addressing a post-budget se
An effective policy is needed to exploit the oil, gas, coal and hydel potential to meet the power requirements of the country to avoid further aggravation of the situation in near future.
The reform policy introduced by the Central Board of Revenue (CBR) four years ago had not only broadened the tax base but the tax collection had also increased.
A six-member delegation of All Pakistan Textile Association (Apta) headed by its Chairman Adil Mehmood will meet the Chairman Senate Committee for finance on Thursday (Today) to discuss the matters and problems regarding the crisis-hit textile sector in I
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Pakistan (IEEEP) is organising a two-day multi-topic international symposium on June 15-16, 2007. IEEEP Chairman (Karachi Centre) Engr. S.S.A. Jafri stated this at a press conference held here on Wedne
Export Promotion Bureau has received the following International Tenders from abroad. Interested Pakistani parties dealing in the under mentioned items can obtain further details of Tenders from the addresses given or from EPB Head Quarters and its Region
Export Promotion Bureau has received the following Trade Enquiries from abroad. Interested Pakistani parties dealing in the under mentioned items can obtain further details from the addresses given or from EPB Head Quarters and its Regional/Sub-Regional O
The present government has selflessly served the masses and instead of focusing on big cities only, the scope of developmental work has also been extended to backward areas. Punjab Minister for Public Health Engineering, Sardar Hassan Akhtar Moakal, state
The Enforcement Directorate of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Wednesday razed 25 mud houses during its ongoing operation against encroachments and illegal built. The mud houses as well as makeshifts were razed in the Kacha Abadis of Sectors H-
The Met Office has forecast hot and humid weather with gusty winds and maximum temperature range between 34 to 36 degrees centigrade for Karachi on Thursday. Hot and dry weather with gusty winds is also forecast for Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas divisions whil
A crisis seem to be looming in the horizon as Chairman, All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) Sindh Zone, reacted angrily on the 6 percent income tax levied on CNG stations in the federal budget. Chairman APCNGA Junaid Makda has opposed levy and termed it
Five new hostels would be constructed to fulfil the requirement of increasing enrolment. In this connection, a new hostel is under the construction at PARS and rest of four hostels, would also be constructed on urgent bases.
Punjab University's Urdu Department has published its Journal "Bazyaft". Chairman Urdu Department Professor Dr Muhammad Saleem Malik is its editor while Dr Aurangzeb, Dr Muhammad Kamran, Dr Waheed Qureshi, Dr Wazeer Aga and others are members of the edito
Vice-chancellor, Government College University (GCU) Professor Dr Khalid Aftab has said that improvement in education should be an ongoing process, which is imperative for heralding better academic environment in an institution.
A two member delegation of Association for Overseas Technical Scholarships (AOTS), Japan is arriving here on June 19 to explore the areas of training opportunities under AOTS scheme.
A function, organised by the Hamdard Naunehal Assembly, comprising speeches, skit and 'Dua-e-Said' to highlight the significance and proper use of summer vacations was held on Tuesday at a local hotel.
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has decided to provide 40,000 online books in addition to 23,000 journals that have been made available through the Digital Library Programme, the HEC said on Wednesday.
Punjab Governor Lieutenant General Khalid Maqbool (retd) has stressed the need for adopting rational approach for modernisation of industrial sector for further accelerating the pace of trade and commerce activities in the country.
Whereas there is no gain saying the fact that Pakistan's economy is, by and large, single-crop-based, the textile industry of Pakistan, especially the textile processing and garments sector, should have been in all fairness, afforded some sort of protecti
The family members of Indian "prisoners of war (PoWs)", who reportedly went missing during 1971 war, have sought permission from the Pakistan government to visit Attock jail in search of their near and dear ones on the basis of what they claimed sufficien
The project of establishment of Marble City in Mohmand Agency was discussed in a meeting, held at Governor's House here on Wednesday. NWFP Governor Lieutenant General Ali Muhammad Jan Aurakzai (Retd) presided over the meeting while Jehangir Khan Tareen, F
The spokesman of Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) said on Wednesday that the government, in line with steps to facilitate the common man, is providing a subsidy of Rs 4.28 per liter on Kerosene oil while Rs 4.82 is being given on light diesel oil.
Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaaf chairman Imran Khan has said that President General Pervez Musharraf should resign now. He said that he did not support PML-Q but he did support General Pervez Musharraf's 7-point agenda. Talking to BBC news channel in London he
Indian High Commissioner First Secretary for Political Affairs and First Secretary for Trade Affairs have called on PML-N Secretary General Iqbal Zafar Jhagra on Wednesday and exchanged views about present regional and bilateral issues.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz terming the Budget 2007-08 as growth and development-oriented on Wednesday said it provides incentives and relief to all segments of society, including the businessmen and industry through simplification of tax procedures and r
A ten-member delegation of the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors led by CPNE President Syed Faseih Iqbal is leaving here tomorrow on a five-day tour of the Kingdom of Nepal.
Zaheer Ahmed Khan was re-elected chief of Karachi Union of Journalists, Dawn Unit in the annual elections of the unit for 2007-2008, according to results announced by KUJ General Secretary, Javed Asghar Chaudhry, on Wednesday.
As many as two persons were electrocuted when electricity wire fell upon them here at Zia Colony, Abidabad, on Wednesday morning. They were cousins and identified as Syed Ghani (20) s/o Usman Gul and Syed Hasan (25) s/o Gul Hasan were on their way to work
The Centre for Rural Development Communication (CRDC) has published its first issue of research journal quarterly "Keenar" on Wednesday. Research journal Keenar to cover and promote research works.
President General Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday said Pakistan offered attractive incentives for investment in various sectors, particularly the Information Technology.
"The signing of the first ever jewellery franchise between 91Facets of India and R.S. Concepts of Pakistan is a result of the facility provided in the "My Karachi Exhibition" held recently in Karachi. This was stated by Majyd Aziz, President, Karachi Cham