Singapore's Changi Airport International (CAI) said it has signed a contract to prepare a masterplan for development of the King Hussein International Airport in Jordan.
Philippine electronics manufacturers called on Friday for changes in the country's power tariffs and in wage laws to help its exports remain competitive as the peso strengthens.
Japan's number two mobile telephone operator KDDI Corp said Monday it had weathered increasingly fierce competition to post a rise in interim profits on the back of brisk subscriber growth. KDDI said it had signed up more than a million new customers for
Japan's number two mobile telephone operator KDDI Corp said Monday it had weathered increasingly fierce competition to post a rise in interim profits on the back of brisk subscriber growth. KDDI said it had signed up more than a million new customers for
A growing number of foreign investors are piling into Brazil, anticipating that it may gain an investment grade rating sooner rather than later as it appears relatively unscathed by the global credit crunch. After Moody's Investors Service raised Brazil's
Wipro, India's third-largest software maker, posted higher-than-expected second-quarter profit growth of 18 percent Friday on the back of overseas orders, new clients and a 600 million dollar US acquisition.
Wipro, India's third-largest software maker, posted higher-than-expected second-quarter profit growth of 18 percent Friday on the back of overseas orders, new clients and a 600 million dollar US acquisition.
Sales of personal computers in the Asia Pacific region outside Japan rose 24 percent in the third quarter to September, compared with the same period a year ago, an industry report said.
Sales of personal computers in the Asia Pacific region outside Japan rose 24 percent in the third quarter to September, compared with the same period a year ago, an industry report said.
Taiwan stocks fell 0.3 percent on Friday as investors left the market before a slew of domestic quarterly earnings, but cellphone plays such as Wintek Corp rose following Nokia's solid earnings.
Indian share prices slid 2.44 percent in volatile trade on Friday as investors chose to unwind positions fearing sharper falls on concerns over capital flow controls, dealers said. They said the markets could drop further until clarity emerges on a deriva
The Nikkei average fell 1.7 percent to end at its lowest in three weeks on Friday as exporters such as TDK Corp were hit by a stronger yen while bank shares dropped on worries over fallout from the global credit squeeze.
US Treasuries rallied for a fourth day on Thursday as credit concerns, rising jobless claims and weaker regional factories boosted expectations the Federal Reserve would cut rates again soon.
US Treasuries rallied for a fourth day on Thursday as credit concerns, rising jobless claims and weaker regional factories boosted expectations the Federal Reserve would cut rates again soon.
Thai share prices closed 0.10 percent lower on Friday as sentiment turned downbeat on a sluggish regional market, dealers said. They said investors also sold banking and financial stocks, but energy shares held firm in line with soaring global oil prices.
Philippines share prices closed 1.3 percent higher on Friday as investors shrugged off worries over soaring oil prices, dealers said. They said index heavyweight Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co (PLDT) rebounded after a seven-day losing streak while
Jakarta share prices closed 2.0 percent lower for the second straight session on Friday as investors continued to lock in profits following recent record-setting rallies, dealers said.
Malaysian share prices closed 0.45 percent lower on Friday, as concerns emerged over the impact of high oil prices on global economic growth, dealers said. They said world oil prices hovered after smashing through 90 US dollars a barrel amid tensions betw
Chinese stocks slipped and turnover shrank on Friday because of worries about tightening monetary policy, after an early rebound of the market ran out of steam.
US stocks were little changed on Thursday as optimism about technology profits helped cancel out worries about how much the credit crunch has hurt the economy, after disappointing earnings from Bank of America.
China's yuan edged up against the dollar on Friday ahead of a meeting of top Group of Seven financial officials which may step up pressure on Beijing for faster appreciation.
The euro hit a record high against the dollar on Friday as the dollar languished after soft US data and weak earnings from the No 2 US bank bolstered expectations for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates.
The dollar fell to a record low against the euro and a basket of currencies on Thursday, pressured by soft US economic data and sluggish corporate earnings that bolstered chances of an interest rate cut.
The Swiss franc rose early on Friday as the dollar showed weakness against major currencies across the board, while data supported a picture of a healthy Swiss economy. The franc has also gained this week from a warning by the country's top central banker
Central banks in Singapore and Malaysia were suspected of intervening to cap their currencies on Friday after weak economic data and bank earnings undermined the US dollar ahead of a meeting of Group of Seven officials.
The Australian dollar fell to a two-week low against the Japanese yen on Friday as a fresh bout of risk aversion prompted investors to cut their exposure to higher-yielding currencies.
Andy Roddick was on Friday confirmed as the latest to join the eight-man field for November's Masters Cup in Shanghai. The ATP said the American world number five had qualified as he could not be dropped lower than eighth by any players standing behind hi
Several attempts to save the life of former Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer were unsuccessful, a nurse told the Coroner's Inquest here on Thursday. Novelette Robinson, a registered nurse, who was assigned to the medical team for the Jamaica leg of the
England opener Andrew Strauss has been dropped for his country's forthcoming Test tour of Sri Lanka. Strauss was missing from the 15-man England squad named on Friday after a disappointing run of form, which saw him average just 27 over the last year.
World number three Novak Djokovic powered his way to a 7-6 6-2 win over unseeded Croat Mario Ancic to book his place in the semi-finals of the Madrid Masters on Friday. The 20-year-old Serb became the first player to take a set off Ancic this week when he
Holders India will renew their rivalry with Australia in the shortest form of the game when they square up here on Saturday in their first Twenty20 international after the world championship. The Indians upset 50-over champions Australia in the semi-final
South Africa said Friday they would continue their cricket tour of Pakistan after assurances of stepped up security for players in the wake of deadly bomb blasts in Karachi. At least 138 people were killed Thursday when two explosions ripped through a cro
North and South Korea plan to hold talks this month to pave way for the inter-Korean prime ministers' meeting in November, a top government official said Friday. Officials from both Koreas planned to meet at North Korea's Kaesong City near the inter-Korea
Kyrgyzstan votes in a constitutional referendum on Sunday that could substantially weaken the president's powers in a bid to resolve years of political upheaval in this Central Asian state.
A prominent New York scientific laboratory suspended Nobel Prize-winning DNA authority Dr James Watson on Thursday night over racially insensitive comments he was quoted as making in an interview earlier in the week.
French commuters faced a second day of disruption on the rail network Friday, as unions discussed more strikes against government plans to reform pension privileges enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of public sector workers.
A Canadian schoolteacher accused of sexually abusing boys across Southeast Asia was arrested and paraded before the cameras in Thailand Friday, ending a global manhunt sparked by a decoded digital photo.
Human rights groups criticised Brazilian authorities on Friday for endorsing a new police offensive against urban crime in which a dozen people were killed in Rio de Janeiro and security forces were deployed around the capital Brasilia.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert heads to Europe next week to meet the new leaders of France and Britain for the first time and press his campaign against arch foe Iran's nuclear drive.
US President George W. Bush certified Saudi Arabia as an anti-terrorism ally on Friday, weeks after a top US Treasury official sharply criticised the kingdom's record. Bush's move came in a memorandum to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, required un
Military-run Myanmar claimed Friday it was taking another step on its "road map" to democracy by drafting a new charter, and accused the United States of training monks who led protests last month.
Kurdish guerrillas could strike Turkish oil pipelines if Turkish troops attack them, a pro-rebel news agency quoted one of their leaders as saying on Friday. "We have no specific policy regarding pipelines but we are currently waging a defensive war.
Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan called on Baghdad on Friday to shut down camps run by separatist Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq and to hand over guerrilla leaders.
The minority government of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper easily survived on Thursday the first of three confidence votes on its legislative programme. The Conservative government is expected to overcome the votes as the Liberal Party, the main op
At least 31 people were killed and dozens feared missing after a ferry sank off Indonesia's Sulawesi island in the latest transport accident to hit the archipelago nation, officials said Friday. Residents near the town of Bau Bau on south-east Sulawesi he
A bomb explosion in an upscale shopping mall in the Philippine capital Manila on Friday killed eight people and wounded more than 100, police and local officials said.
Afghanistan said on Friday it had no evidence the government of Iran was behind a shipment of weapons to Taliban insurgents. The commander of Nato-led troops in Afghanistan said on Thursday a shipment of hi-tech roadside bombs intercepted in Afghanistan o
Iran is ready to establish nuclear energy cooperation with other countries, based on the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran's foreign minister said on Friday. He was speaking during a visit to the western Afghan city of Her
A senior US army officer in Iraq was sentenced to two years in prison on Friday after a court martial found him guilty of illegally possessing thousands of secret military documents.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad denied his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin has made a proposal over the Iranian atomic programme, contradicting Iran's top nuclear negotiator, media reported Friday.
Chinese President Hu Jintao will give a Communist Party council some say in electing the Party's new core leadership in a breakthrough that could play against unpopular officials linked to his predecessor.
European Union leaders voiced relief at clinching a deal on Friday on a treaty to reform the 27-nation bloc's institutions, replacing a defunct constitution and ending a two-year crisis of confidence in Europe's future.
Sterling hit a two-month high versus the dollar and rallied versus the euro on Friday after stronger-than-expected British growth figures dimmed expectations of an imminent interest rate cut from the Bank of England.
The dollar slid to a fresh record low against the euro and a basket of currencies on Friday, pressured by the growing view that a slowdown in the US economy will force another cut in interest rates this month. Markets were jittery ahead of a meeting of Gr
The Indian rupee inched higher on Friday after a company repatriated a loan raised overseas, which helped offset concerns about outflows from the stock market that fell for a third day. The partially convertible rupee shrugged off early volatility to end
US stocks dropped on Friday after heavy equipment maker Caterpillar Inc cut its profit forecast and warned the housing downturn was spreading to other parts of the economy.
European credit spreads widened further on Friday, rounding off a week of poor performance, as a laundry list of worries weighed on the market, battering investor confidence.
European credit spreads widened further on Friday, rounding off a week of poor performance, as a laundry list of worries weighed on the market, battering investor confidence.
Singapore share prices closed 1.62 percent lower on Friday, dragged down by banking stocks ahead of their third-quarter earnings reports next week, dealers said. They said investors were also spooked by oil prices that traded near a record 90 dollars a ba
Britain's top share index joined a decline in global stocks on Friday, tracking sharp losses across the Atlantic as credit fears re-ignited to knock banks on the 20th anniversary of Black Monday. The FTSE 100 ended down 81.5 points, or 1.2 percent, at 6,5
Global lead prices look set to scale new heights on worries over falling Chinese exports and as problems with mines hamper primary metal production. Visible stocks held in London Metal Exchange (LME) warehouses fell to 17-year lows at the end of September
London robusta coffee futures ended mostly lower on Friday although nearby premiums continued to climb on concern about a supply squeeze, dealers said. White sugar ended slightly higher but the market remained rangebound while cocoa finished little change
Oil prices receded on Friday as dealers took profits from a record rally over $90 a barrel that was spurred on by winter supply worries and the weakening US dollar. US crude settled down 87 cents at $88.60 a barrel, down from the all-time high of $90.07 h
The increasing use of biofuels to tackle global warming is having a dramatic impact on global commodity markets, the head of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange said Thursday. The recent surge in crude oil and wheat prices to record highs pointed to a transfo
Cotton futures finished on Friday at a fresh three-month high on speculative buying and the market may use the momentum from this advance to extend its gains next week, brokers said. ICE Futures open-outcry December cotton gained 0.25 cent to close at 65.
Copper held steady on Friday, as selling pressure from higher inventories and falling equity markets was balanced by a weaker dollar supporting prices, while aluminium touched a new seven-week high. European stocks sagged, tracking a fall in US shares wit
A weak dollar, record oil prices and geo-political tensions helped gold to a 28-year high on Friday while platinum hit a record peak, but bullion's gains were erased as investors took profits. The US currency pared losses after hitting a record low versus
Arabica coffee corrected higher in early trade on Friday, in range-bound dealings following Thursday's sharp drop as forecasts for rain in top producer Brazil continued, traders said.
Raw sugar futures punched higher in early business Friday on investment fund buying as another surge in crude oil prices inspired the market's advance, brokers said. "Oil got to $90 (a barrel) and this encouraged the funds to push it. ICE Futures electron
Wheat futures on the CBOT were up sharply on Friday, boosted by news Russia plans to slap a prohibitive tariff on wheat exports and on continued aggressive export sales of US wheat, traders said. At 10:02 am CDT (1502 GMT), CBOT wheat was up 5-1/4 to 12 c
Corn futures at the Chicago Board of Trade were firm past midday Friday on follow-through technical buying, supported by the strength in wheat and a slowdown in harvest, traders said. Outlooks for smaller-than-expected 2008 US corn seedings, strong export
Soyabean futures at the CBOT setback Friday on spill-over selling from soyaoil and crude oil as those markets were pressed by profit-taking after rising to historic highs this week, traders said. Both soyabeans and soyaoil came off their early lows when C
US copper futures rose in early trade on Friday, stemming a three-day price-slide, as technical buying and record lows in the dollar overshadowed rising visible supplies, analysts said. Edward Meir, metals analyst with MF Global, expected metals to end th
Platinum futures in New York set a lifetime contract high on supply fears and gold contracts also hit $770 an ounce early on Friday, but the precious metals erased initial gains as the dollar recovered and crude oil slid.
Provincial Minister for Communication and Works Chaudhry Zaheer-ud-Din Khan has said the construction of the 96-kilometre long dual carriage way from Gujrat to the Salam interchange motorway through Mandi Bahauddin is in progress and will be completed at
Government has decided to immediately release Rs 200 million for constructing the Sheikh Rashid Expressway and Flood Channel as the Planning Commission (PC) has accepted the contractor's major demand of not capping the overall cost of the project, officia
Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has been using pretty hostile language for some days. His latest order to remove PPP welcome banners for Chairperson Benazir Bhutto should be removed has been turned down by the Nazim of Karachi in a very blunt b
Yes. This is the pertinent question which I want to ask from the legislators of the All Parties Democratic Movement (APDM) who resigned en masse from the Parliament and the Provincial Assemblies and the PPP legislators who abstained themselves from the pr
Being the closing keynote address of Dr Shamshad Akhtar, Governor, State Bank of Pakistan, on October 18, 2007 at Georgetown University, Washington. In the closing session for this event on Islamic Finance, I propose to reflect on the growth and trends in
Among the Caspian Sea littoral states' leaders who gathered for a summit in Tehran, the host, President Mehmoud Ahmedinejad, must have been the happiest man to hear what Russian President Vladimir Putin had to say at a press conference on Tuesday. And, in
How tragic that the glory of Benazir Bhutto's homecoming was so short-lived. Within a span barely twelve hours after her arrival to a tumultuous welcome her motorcade was attacked by what appears to have been a suicide bomber as it inched towards the Quai
The Sindh High Court Bar Association in its meeting here on Friday strongly condemned the bomb blasts in PPP rally and said that the bomb blasts by the terrorists in the procession of Benazir Bhutto on the street of Karachi is the direct outcome of the po
Rashid Ali Panhwar, a reporter associated with Electronic News Gathering (ENG) Service of Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) injured while covering Benazir Bhutto's procession underwent a surgery on Friday morning.
General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Vice Chief of Army Staff visited Headquarters Southern Command Quetta and troops deployed in Kohlu and Sui on Friday. During his day-long visit, Vice Chief of Army Staff met senior field commanders.
Sindh Minister for Women Development Dr Saida Malik has appealed to all political parties to adopt an unanimous approach in handling the situation emerging due to terrorists activities in the country. Talking to APP here on Friday, Dr Saida, who is also P
The Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (Hesco) will carry out necessary repair and maintenance work at 220 KV Hala Road Grid Station on Saturday. A Hesco spokesman said here on Friday that repair and maintenance work would also be carried out at the same g
Foreign Minister Khurshid M. Kasuri left here for Afghanistan to attend 17th meeting of the Council of Ministers of Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) being held in Herat on Saturday. The meeting will review progress achieved so far on major ECO proj
Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) management has extended the due date for payment of electricity bills from October 12. A KESC announcement said that such bills could be paid without late payment surcharge upto October 20. It said all the Banks
US Consulate's principal officer Bryan Hunt emphasised the importance of preserving "shared global heritage" as he announced on Friday a $50,000 grant, under the US Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation, to conserve the shrine of Hazrat Jalalud Din
The "Mealy Bug" has attacked chilli crop in Sindh areas with farmers being helpless to save them, warned on Friday Agri-Forum Pakistan Chairman Muhammad Ibrahim Mughal.
A campaign to dole out loans for Rabi crops 2007-08 through one window operation has started and will remain operative till January 7 next year. Land holders of 25 acres of irrigated and 50 acres of barani land could get production loan upto Rs two lakh f
The Kisan Board Pakistan has urged the government to immediately announce support the wheat prices. Central President Sardar Zafar Hussain Khan said in a statement here on Friday that he feared that the crushing season might never start in Sindh on Octobe
Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth office of the UK government, Lord Malloch-Brown said that teachers could play an effective role in bringing about a governance system accountable to the people.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Friday that talks with the United States to set up 'reconstruction zones' in the earthquake-hit areas and some tribal areas of NWFP and Balochistan were in an advance stage, which, when materialised, would provide duty-
The price of tomato on Friday was quoted at Rs 38 per kg, in G-9/4 Juma'a Bazaar. This was a huge climb down from Rs 140, reported three days back. Probably the Supreme Court ruling urging implementation of price control measures might have had brought do
The Iranian special representative on gas project, Ghanimi Fard called on the Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Amanullah Khan Jadoon here on Friday and exchanged views to promote oil and gas interaction between the two brotherly countr