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Print - 2007-11-15
Kenyan tea prices mixed

Kenyan tea prices mixed

Kenya tea prices were mixed at this week's auction, with some grades holding steady and others easing slightly, traders said on Wednesday. Mombasa-based Africa Tea Brokers (ATB) said 122,071 packages were offered for sale, with 13,382 unsold.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Indian soyaoil futures rise

Indian soyaoil futures rise

Indian soyaoil futures rose for a second day on Wednesday, boosted by higher Chicago soya contracts and a modest rebound in crude oil prices. The market was also underpinned by the farm minister's statement on Tuesday that there was no plan to lower impor
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Vietnamese rice trade slows

Vietnamese rice trade slows

Rice sales in Vietnam ground to a halt this week as exporters had almost fulfilled contracted shipments for 2007, while domestic prices surged due to thin supply, traders said on Wednesday. "The market is dead quiet now as most have finished their loading
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
New York sugar softer

New York sugar softer

Raw sugar futures settled easier on Tuesday on speculative sales after an early boost provided by investment fund buying petered out, with brokers saying the weak tone may lead to more losses this week. ICE Futures March electronic sugar contract was down
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Soybeans hit three-year top

Soybeans hit three-year top

Soybean futures at the Chicago Board of Trade surged on Tuesday, rising to fresh three-year highs amid brisk export demand, especially from China, traders said. But soyoil futures fell as crude oil slumped on signs that the surge to nearly $100 a barrel w
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
CBOT rice rallies

CBOT rice rallies

Rough rice futures on the Chicago Board of Trade ended higher on Tuesday, with July rising to an all-time high for any contract, amid fund and speculative buying and hopes of fresh export sales, traders said. Traders said Calyon and Rosenthal Collins were
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Indonesia palm oil easier

Indonesia palm oil easier

Indonesian palm oil prices extended losses on Wednesday, tracking weakening Malaysian palm oil futures and with lacklustre local demand providing little support. Crude palm oil at the state marketing centre in Jakarta was sold at 8,063 rupiah ($0.878) a k
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Malaysia palm oil ends steady

Malaysia palm oil ends steady

Malaysian crude palm futures ended higher on Wednesday as a gain in soyaoil and crude oil markets supported prices. But fears that global demand would be dented by red hot palm oil prices, which struck a record high of 3,013 ringgit per tonne last week, w
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Industrial bodies start election preparations

Industrial bodies start election preparations

Karachi based Industrial Associations have started preparations to hold annual elections in the second half of December this year. Site Association of Industry (SAI) and All Pakistan Textile Processing Industry Association (APTPMA) are likely to announce
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Private sector credit jumps to over Rs 60.5 billion

Private sector credit jumps to over Rs 60.5 billion

The private sector credit, which showed a net retirement of Rs 4 billion during the first quarter of FY08, grew to over Rs 60.5 billion on November 3, 2007, compared with over Rs 38 billion on October 27, 2007, and to a hefty amount of Rs 83.6 billion in
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Private sector credit jumps to over Rs 60.5 billion

Private sector credit jumps to over Rs 60.5 billion

The private sector credit, which showed a net retirement of Rs 4 billion during the first quarter of FY08, grew to over Rs 60.5 billion on November 3, 2007, compared with over Rs 38 billion on October 27, 2007, and to a hefty amount of Rs 83.6 billion in
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
EOBI seeks Nadra biometrics facility for pensions payment

EOBI seeks Nadra biometrics facility for pensions payment

The Employees Old Age Benefit Institution has asked Nadra to put to use its biometrics facilities to the advantage of EOBI pensioners. The EOBI and Nadra have already held a few meetings, but the coming meeting in the next two to three weeks is likely to
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
'915 persons given jobs in Sindh'

'915 persons given jobs in Sindh'

The Director of Manpower, Government of Sindh in its monthly progress report has informed that as many as 915 job seekers were placed on various occupations while 918 vacancies were available to his management by different organisations during the month o
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Body formed to expedite pace of uplift works in Hyderabad

Body formed to expedite pace of uplift works in Hyderabad

The District Co-ordination Officer Hyderabad Aftab Ahmed Khatri has constituted a vigilance committee headed by EDO Agriculture Hyderabad Shujauddin Siddiqui to expedite pace of development works for lining of water-courses under "National Programme for I
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Consultative meeting today

Consultative meeting today

A consultative meeting of representatives from NGOs and important members of civil society called by the Action Committee of the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) will held at the CPNE Secretariat, Farid Chambers' at 1.30pm today.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
UBL Funds Online facility announced

UBL Funds Online facility announced

UBL Fund Managers has announced the launch of UBL Funds Online, which is an online investment facility for its investors. UBL Funds Online is a free of charge service that will allow investors to manage and keep track of their investments and portfolio us
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
UBL Funds Online facility announced

UBL Funds Online facility announced

UBL Fund Managers has announced the launch of UBL Funds Online, which is an online investment facility for its investors. UBL Funds Online is a free of charge service that will allow investors to manage and keep track of their investments and portfolio us
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
FBR headquarterss to have unit for monitoring WHT

FBR headquarterss to have unit for monitoring WHT

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has decided to establish a specialised unit at its headquarters for effective monitoring of withholding taxes on national level.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
BoP opens its branch at Shahra-e-Faisal

BoP opens its branch at Shahra-e-Faisal

Hamesh Khan, President Bank of Punjab, inaugurated its Malir Halt Branch at main Shahra-e-Faisal near Quaid-e-Azam International Airport on Tuesday. Distinguished guests and valued customers of the bank were present on the occasion.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Mobilink holds media training workshop in Turkey

Mobilink holds media training workshop in Turkey

Pakistan is one of the largest emerging cellular phone markets of the world with the abundance of professionals and growing number of users, depicting a stable economic growth of the country.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Myanmar opens gem auction

Myanmar opens gem auction

Myanmar opened a lucrative auction of gems on Wednesday despite tightening Western sanctions and calls for a boycott from top international jewellers following the junta's deadly crackdown on protests.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Opec chief says no need for output hike

Opec chief says no need for output hike

Opec chief Abdallah al-Badri on Wednesday rejected US calls for increased oil output to cool record prices, saying the market is already well supplied. But the oil cartel's secretary general said a final decision would be made by Opec ministers at a meeti
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Qantas to buy 188 new aircraft for Asia push

Qantas to buy 188 new aircraft for Asia push

Australian flag-carrier Qantas announced plans Wednesday to buy up to 188 new aircraft from Airbus and Boeing to expand services into South-East Asia and defend local market share. Qantas said it had ordered 31 narrow-bodied Boeing B737-800 aircraft and 6
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Britain-Europe rail link zooms into new era

Britain-Europe rail link zooms into new era

High-speed rail travel between Britain and continental Europe zoomed into a new era Wednesday as Eurostar trains began operating between Paris and a newly-renovated high-tech London hub.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Airbus flies high as Dubai show marks bumper year

Airbus flies high as Dubai show marks bumper year

The Dubai air show has celebrated a bumper year with record orders for new aircraft nearing 68 billion dollars, the lion's share snapped up by European manufacturer Airbus. The Toulouse-based company said on Wednesday it received firm orders for 163 new a
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Pension crisis: France hit by transport chaos

Pension crisis: France hit by transport chaos

France was plunged into travel chaos for the second time in a month Wednesday as striking railway unions staged a show of strength against the economic reforms of President Nicolas Sarkozy.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Sony and NXP create new joint chip venture

Sony and NXP create new joint chip venture

Electronics giant Sony and Dutch semi-conductor company NXP said Wednesday they were creating a joint venture, with headquarters in Vienna, to allow payments and ticketing using mobile phones.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
BP reveals major gas discovery in Caspian Sea

BP reveals major gas discovery in Caspian Sea

British energy giant BP, looking to recover from falling output, heavy fines and a boardroom scandal, announced Wednesday that it has made a major gas discovery in the Caspian Sea bordering Azerbaijan.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Japanese banks' subprime woes widen

Japanese banks' subprime woes widen

Japanese financial firms were hit by fresh subprime woes Wednesday as several banks posted profit slumps and two securities firms delayed a planned merger due to recent market turmoil.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
RoK Telecom preferred broadband bidder

RoK Telecom preferred broadband bidder

South Korea's top mobile carrier SK Telecom was named Wednesday as the preferred bidder for Hanaro Telecom, the nation's second-largest broadband service provider, officials said. "SK Telecom was selected today as preferred bidder," the sale's manager Gol
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
China says key pollution indicators improve

China says key pollution indicators improve

Two major pollution indicators have dropped in China for the first time in several years as steps taken to clean up the nation's devastated environment kicked in, the government said Wednesday.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
European new car sales bounce back in October

European new car sales bounce back in October

car sales in Europe rebounded in October with 5.5 percent growth after a September soft spot owing to a recovery in the main markets, the ACEA European automakers association said Wednesday.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Taiwan stocks end up 2.5 percent

Taiwan stocks end up 2.5 percent

Taiwan stocks ended 2.47 percent higher on Wednesday in their biggest one-day jump in almost three months, paced by HTC and other tech shares, as a Wall Street rally eased concerns of a slowdown in the US economy.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Hong Kong shares mark best day in nearly three months

Hong Kong shares mark best day in nearly three months

Hong Kong blue chips jumped nearly 5 percent on Wednesday, boosted by Wall Street gains, as China Mobile surged after the wireless operator said it is talking to Apple Inc about offering iPhones in China.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
US stocks snap four-day losing streak

US stocks snap four-day losing streak

US stocks snapped a four-day losing streak on Tuesday with Nasdaq notching its biggest gain in more than four years after news that Apple Inc was in talks to offer iPhones in China sent investors bargain hunting among battered technology stocks.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
US Treasury prices drop

US Treasury prices drop

US Treasuries tumbled on Tuesday as a stock market rally and unexpected strength in housing data led investors to trim their holdings of safe-haven government bonds. A report showing pending home sales rose unexpectedly in September, providing a rare bit
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
US Treasury prices drop

US Treasury prices drop

US Treasuries tumbled on Tuesday as a stock market rally and unexpected strength in housing data led investors to trim their holdings of safe-haven government bonds. A report showing pending home sales rose unexpectedly in September, providing a rare bit
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Singapore shares jump

Singapore shares jump

Singapore share prices closed 1.42 percent up on Wednesday, boosted by Wall Street's recovery, dealers said. The main Straits Times Index added 49.44 points to 3,524.91. Volume totalled 2.28 billion shares worth 2.61 billion Singapore dollars (1.81 billio
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Jakarta shares finish firmer

Jakarta shares finish firmer

Indonesian share prices closed 1.4 percent higher on Wednesday following Wall Street's rebound on easing fears about the US credit crisis, although gains were pared by late profit-taking, dealers said.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Nikkei bounces back from 15-month low

Nikkei bounces back from 15-month low

The Nikkei average rose 2.5 percent on Wednesday, bouncing back from the previous session's 15-month low as a rally on Wall Street and a softening yen spurred buying of financial and other battered stocks. Canon Inc climbed 4.5 percent 5,600 yen on its bi
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Indian shares ride global surge, gain 4.7 percent

Indian shares ride global surge, gain 4.7 percent

India's main stock index rose 4.7 percent on Wednesday, posting its biggest percentage gain in three weeks, as worries over US credit-related losses eased boosting world markets.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Thai shares rise

Thai shares rise

Thai share prices closed 0.45 percent higher on Wednesday as investors took heart from sharp gains on Wall Street and a drop in global oil prices, dealers said. They said the market held firm on buying of banking and property stocks.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Philippines shares make gains

Philippines shares make gains

Philippines share prices closed 2.3 percent higher on Wednesday, buoyed by the overnight rebound on Wall Street, dealers said. They said investors were encouraged by positive developments overseas and by the latest batch of corporate earnings, shrugging o
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Bangladesh interbank forex, interest rates

Bangladesh interbank forex, interest rates

Interbank buy/sell rates for the taka against the dollar on Wednesday. 68.61/68.61 (previous 68.61/68.61). Call Money Rates: 6.50-10.50 percent (previous 6.50-10.50 percent.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Australian dollar boosted by firmer stocks

Australian dollar boosted by firmer stocks

The Australian dollar advanced past 90 US cents on Wednesday as firmer regional stock markets encouraged investors to return to riskier positions in high-yielding currencies.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Chinese yuan rebounds versus dollar

Chinese yuan rebounds versus dollar

China's yuan closed up against the dollar on Wednesday, bouncing from early losses and ending a two-day correction of last week's rally, while non-deliverable forwards set a record for implied 12-month yuan appreciation for a fourth day in a row.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Yen retreats versus high-yielders

Yen retreats versus high-yielders

The yen fell on Wednesday, extending broad losses as Asian stocks climbed, while investors reckoned that a rally that pushed the Japanese currency to an 18-month high against the dollar this week had gone too far. The dollar gained against the yen, but st
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Dollar drops as investors stay cautious

Dollar drops as investors stay cautious

The dollar fell against most major currencies on Tuesday, resuming a long-term decline after a respite the previous session as investors expected further signs of housing weakness and sluggish consumer spending that could hurt US economic growth.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Taiwan dollar up on stocks

Taiwan dollar up on stocks

The Taiwan dollar firmed on Wednesday as a strong rise in domestic shares boosted sentiment, although the central bank bought US dollars to curb the local currency's gains. The Taiwan dollar ended stronger at T$32.288 to the US dollar after opening flat f
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Asian currencies mostly up

Asian currencies mostly up

Most Asian currencies rose against the dollar on Wednesday as regional share markets rebounded after top US executives reassured investors that the banking system can withstand shocks from credit-related losses. The South Korean won briefly touched 910.8
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Swiss franc up

Swiss franc up

The Swiss franc rose versus the dollar on Wednesday amid a broad slide of the greenback, supported by comments from the Swiss National Bank warning the franc's weakness was an inflation risk.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Cambodian general arrested for 1996 murder

Cambodian general arrested for 1996 murder

A Cambodian military general has been arrested over the murder of British deminer Christopher Howes, who was kidnapped and killed in 1996, local media reported Wednesday. Khem Ngun, a former Khmer Rouge soldier, was charged Tuesday with pre-meditated murd
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
One dead in Tajik presidential palace blast

One dead in Tajik presidential palace blast

A strong blast shook a conference centre near Tajikistan's presidential palace on Wednesday killing a security guard and scattering debris, just as a European Union-run conference was due to start. The blast, described as a terrorist act by the prosecutor
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Rwandan rebels in Congo vow to resist disarmament

Rwandan rebels in Congo vow to resist disarmament

A Rwandan rebel group operating in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo said it would resist a Congolese government plan to disarm it by force, complicating efforts to end linked insurgencies in the turbulent region.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Cyclone poised to slam into Bangladesh, India

Cyclone poised to slam into Bangladesh, India

cyclone packing high winds and heavy rains could slam into Bangladesh as early as Thursday and India a day later, forecasters said. Bangladesh went on alert on Wednesday as weather officials said Tropical Cyclone Sidr, hovering over the Bay of Bengal, cou
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Fujimori trial: Peru arrests former army general

Fujimori trial: Peru arrests former army general

Police on Tuesday arrested a retired army general for his alleged participation in a 1992 massacre that figures prominently in the upcoming trial of former president Alberto Fujimori.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
UN envoy concerned at arrest of Myanmar activist

UN envoy concerned at arrest of Myanmar activist

UN human rights envoy Paulo Sergio Pinheiro was "concerned" about the arrest of a prominent Myanmar labour activist while he met junta officials, a United Nations official told AFP Wednesday.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Lebanon awaits presidential candidate list

Lebanon awaits presidential candidate list

Lebanon's political leaders were waiting on Wednesday for the powerful Maronite cardinal to name presidential candidates amid a flurry of diplomatic efforts to break a damaging political deadlock.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
New York governor drops plan for drivers' licenses for illegals

New York governor drops plan for drivers' licenses for illegals

New York governor Eliot Spitzer has dropped his campaign to offer driving licenses to illegal immigrants, tantamount to giving them coveted national identity cards, amid fierce opposition, The New York Times reported Wednesday.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Fears for Darfuri asylum seekers after British court ruling

Fears for Darfuri asylum seekers after British court ruling

Britain's highest court on Wednesday overturned a ruling that the government was acting unlawfully by sending Darfuri asylum seekers back to squatter camps in Sudan. Campaigners voiced disappointment at the ruling, saying it opened the way for hundreds to
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Indonesian anti corruption body overwhelmed with cases

Indonesian anti corruption body overwhelmed with cases

Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has received tens of thousands of reports of suspected corruption since 2003 but has resolved just a tiny fraction of them, an official said Wednesday. "It's a long process until one case concludes with
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Philippines, MILF ready for peace deal in January

Philippines, MILF ready for peace deal in January

Muslim separatist rebels and the Philippines government broke a year-long impasse and resumed talks Wednesday, in a process the Malaysian hosts said could lead to a peace deal by January. "Hopefully, the peace pact can be inked by January 2008," a Malaysi
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Afridi and Gambhir heavily fined for on-pitch clash

Afridi and Gambhir heavily fined for on-pitch clash

Pakistan all rounder Shahid Afridi and Indian batsman Gautam Gambhir were heavily fined on Wednesday following their on-pitch clash during the third one-day international in Kanpur. Afridi was fined 95 percent of his match fee and Gambhir 65 percent follo
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
I am not ready yet: Shoaib Akhtar

I am not ready yet: Shoaib Akhtar

Fiery Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar admitted Wednesday he was not in shape for the ongoing series against India, despite impressive recent performances.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Wapda announces squad for football league

Wapda announces squad for football league

The Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda), winner of 48th, 49th and 50th National Football Championship from 2001 to 2004, announced their team for the Balochistan and Sindh Leg of 4th Pakistan Premier Football League.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Asif hopeful of playing India Test

Asif hopeful of playing India Test

Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif said Wednesday he hoped for an early return to international cricket after missing the one-day series against India due to an elbow injury. The 24-year-old paceman was withdrawn from Pakistan's one-day squad hours before
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Racism behind assault in India: Chappell

Racism behind assault in India: Chappell

Former Australian cricket captain Greg Chappell believes he was subjected to a racist attack while coaching India and that the authorities there tried to cover it up, reports said Wednesday. He makes the charge in a documentary about his troubled two-year
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Akmal to face fitness test before fourth India ODI

Akmal to face fitness test before fourth India ODI

Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal will undergo a fitness test to assess his finger injury before Thursday's fourth one-dayer against India, skipper Shoaib Malik said. Akmal aggravated the injury during Monday's third game, which India won to lead the fiv
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Federer bounces back in Masters, Davydenko out

Federer bounces back in Masters, Davydenko out

World number one Roger Federer got his Masters Cup campaign back on track by eliminating Russia's Nikolay Davydenko in straight sets on Wednesday. The triple Masters Cup champion, shocked in his opening match by Fernando Gonzalez, overwhelmed the Russian
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Japan shoots first high-definition of Earth rising

Japan shoots first high-definition of Earth rising

Japan's space agency said Wednesday it has shot the first high-definition image of the Earth rising, showing a crystal clear blue planet emerging from the moon's horizon. The images were taken by Japan's Kaguya probe, the most extensive investigation of t
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Chad denies bail to French charity workers in kidnap case

Chad denies bail to French charity workers in kidnap case

A judge in Chad denied bail Wednesday to six French charity workers at the centre of a child abduction case that sparked violent anti-French protests in the capital Ndjamena. The judge ruled that the defendants, along with three Chadians charged in the sa
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Merkel to hold coalition together after deputy quits

Merkel to hold coalition together after deputy quits

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will struggle to hold her already wobbly "grand coalition" together after the sudden resignation of the moderate number two in her cabinet, analysts said Wednesday.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Georgia vows to lift state of emergency on Friday

Georgia vows to lift state of emergency on Friday

Georgia will lift a state of emergency on Friday, the ex-Soviet republic's speaker of parliament said Wednesday, a week after violent disturbances in the capital Tbilisi and growing international pressure.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
US ships make first north Vietnam stop since war

US ships make first north Vietnam stop since war

Two US Navy ships on Wednesday became the first since the war ended to dock in northern Vietnam, the US embassy said, reflecting growing bilateral ties. The USS Guardian and the USS Patriot would stay in Haiphong port until Sunday to allow their crew to t
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Danish Prime Minister wins third term

Danish Prime Minister wins third term

Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen led his centre-right coalition to a third term in power in parliamentary elections on Tuesday, promising voters he would lower taxes and maintain a tough stance on asylum-seekers.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
'Russia could counter US with missiles'

'Russia could counter US with missiles'

Russia could counter a planned US anti-missile defence system in central Europe by deploying missiles in neighbouring ally Belarus, a senior Russian general said Wednesday. "Why not, given the appropriate conditions and appropriate position of Belarus?" G
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Freeing of Palestinian prisoners opposed

Freeing of Palestinian prisoners opposed

A majority of Israelis are opposed to the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners being mulled by Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, a poll in the Maariv newspaper said on Wednesday.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Israelis on US mission ahead of peace meeting

Israelis on US mission ahead of peace meeting

Two top aides to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert flew to Washington overnight ahead of expected peace talks, amid reports of a freeze on construction of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Malaysia rebuffs US help in fighting Straits piracy

Malaysia rebuffs US help in fighting Straits piracy

A Malaysian minister on Wednesday rejected US help in fighting piracy in the Malacca Straits, saying it was not necessary since attacks have decreased significantly in the area.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Iran gives IAEA nuclear designs: diplomats

Iran gives IAEA nuclear designs: diplomats

Iran has handed over to the UN nuclear watchdog a document containing design information that could help to make nuclear weapon parts, diplomats said on Wednesday.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Is Iran seeking to reduce tension with US in Iraq?

Is Iran seeking to reduce tension with US in Iraq?

Iran is defiant in a row with the West over its disputed atomic plans but may be seeking to ease tension with the United States by trying to restrain Shi'ite militias in Iraq and restricting arms crossing the border.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
DPRK making progress on resolving nuclear issues: US

DPRK making progress on resolving nuclear issues: US

North Korea is "making progress" in resolving allegations that it had been pursuing a covert programme to produce highly-enriched uranium for nuclear weapons, US envoy Christopher Hill said here on Wednesday. "I say that we've made some progress," Hill to
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Afghan and US-led forces kill dozens of Taliban

Afghan and US-led forces kill dozens of Taliban

Afghan and US-led coalition forces killed dozens of Taliban fighters in the south of the country after an ambush by a large group of insurgents, the US military said on Wednesday.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Blackwater killed 14 Iraqis without cause: FBI

Blackwater killed 14 Iraqis without cause: FBI

FBI investigators have found that Blackwater guards shot 14 people with no justification in the controversial September 16 incident in Baghdad, the New York Times reported Wednesday.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
No danger of Turkish invasion: Talabani

No danger of Turkish invasion: Talabani

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani ruled out a Turkish "invasion" of his country and said the cross-border crisis over Kurdish rebels was easing, in an interview published on Wednesday. "I don't think there is any danger of a Turkish invasion of (Iraqi) Kurdi
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Four US soldiers killed in Iraq

Four US soldiers killed in Iraq

Insurgents have killed four American soldiers and two Iraqis in a spate of attacks, including the bombing of a US military convoy near Baghdad's highly fortified Green Zone, officials said on Wednesday.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Iran has right to peaceful nuclear energy use: China

Iran has right to peaceful nuclear energy use: China

China believes Iran has the right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy but supports nuclear non-proliferation efforts, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said here Wednesday. Beijing also hoped for a "positive outcome" from dialogue between Iran, Europ
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Sterling hits four-year low versus euro

Sterling hits four-year low versus euro

Sterling fell to a four-year low against the euro on Wednesday, after the Bank of England signalled interest rates would need to be cut and predicted a worsening outlook for economic growth. The BoE's quarterly inflation report showed inflation hitting it
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Dollar dips in London

Dollar dips in London

The yen fell on Wednesday and high yielding currencies rallied as stronger equity markets bolstered risk appetite, prompting investors to move back into carry trades. The dollar stayed under pressure versus the euro and a basket of major currencies on con
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Indian rupee climbs

Indian rupee climbs

The Indian rupee headed back toward near-decade highs on Wednesday with sentiment boosted by a surging stock market, but dollar purchases by oil refiners and suspected central bank intervention blocked its path.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
US Stocks: Wednesday midday trade

US Stocks: Wednesday midday trade

US stocks inched higher on Wednesday as a rebound in crude oil prices lifted shares of oil companies, including Exxon Mobil Corp, while financial services companies gained on reassuring news from Bear Stearns Cos Inc.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Malaysian shares little changed

Malaysian shares little changed

Malaysian share prices closed little changed Wednesday with investors still cautious about the US economic outlook, dealers said. "I don't think things in the US will get much worse from where they are now," said Ang Kok Heng, chief investment officer at
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Bonds: credit rally boosted by equity rise

Bonds: credit rally boosted by equity rise

European credit spreads tightened sharply on Wednesday, lifted by rallying equities, hope that the worst of bank write-downs are over and strong US retail sales.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Bonds: credit rally boosted by equity rise

Bonds: credit rally boosted by equity rise

European credit spreads tightened sharply on Wednesday, lifted by rallying equities, hope that the worst of bank write-downs are over and strong US retail sales.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
Chinese stocks soar

Chinese stocks soar

China's stock market surged 4.94 percent on Wednesday in a broad rally led by heavyweights such as financials and resource plays, as strong gains in overseas markets, particularly Hong Kong, encouraged buying.
Published 15 Nov, 2007 12:00am
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