Australia, Japan and South Korea booked their places at next year's Beijing Olympic football tournament after draws with North Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain respectively on Wednesday.
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan said he would boycott India's cricket matches after he was accused of using cricket events to promote his films. Khan's comments followed reports in the Indian media quoting officials from the Board of Control for Cricke
Banished Australian umpire Darrell Hair said on Wednesday he had correctly handled last year's abandoned cricket Test between England and Pakistan, which became the first in history to be won by forfeit.
Veteran Indian leg-spinner Anil Kumble says he will not be under pressure when he makes his captaincy debut in the opening Test against Pakistan here on Thursday. The 37-year-old was named skipper for a three-Test series against Pakistan, replacing Rahul
International health experts unveiled a master plan on Wednesday that they said could avert at least 36 million premature deaths worldwide from "lifestyle" diseases by 2015.
Afghanistan is in "crisis" and risks becoming a divided state, as Taliban insurgents now control vast areas of unchallenged territory, a thinktank warned Wednesday. The Senlis Council called for the Nato-led force in the country to be doubled in size to 8
Israeli authorities plan to issue a new anti-hijack identification system to incoming aircraft which they say is foolproof, but some experts are not convinced it will plug all the security holes on the horizon.
India and China will hold their first wargames in December as part of a series of joint exercises between the two Asian neighbours who fought a war in 1962, an official announced Wednesday.
Lebanon's main anti-Syrian Christian leader accused Syria and its allies on Wednesday of blocking a deal on a new president by threatening chaos if their preferred candidate was not elected. "Syria and its allies have shut the door on consensus despite al
India and the UN nuclear watchdog formally launched consultations on Wednesday that are needed to secure a landmark nuclear deal between New Delhi and Washington. International Atomic Energy Agency chief Mohamed ElBaradei and the head of India's atomic en
Bangladesh's army said Wednesday it had finally reached most parts of its cyclone-hit southern coastline where millions of desperate survivors were at risk from starvation and disease.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown apologised on Wednesday for Britain's tax authority losing the personal details of nearly half the population in an error which has dealt a new blow to his Labour government.
Middle East peace envoy Tony Blair will hold talks in Riyadh with King Abdullah centred on a US drive to persuade Arabs to attend a conference next week on Israeli-Palestinian peace, government sources said on Wednesday.
Israel stepped up efforts on Wednesday to bolster Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbbas before next week's Middle East peace conference that is expected to launch formal negotiations on a Palestinian state.
Firefighters in north-western China have extinguished a fire that had burned in an underground coal seam for a half-century, state media reported on Wednesday. It took firefighters more than three years to put out the blaze by drilling into the burning co
US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has decided to halt plans to scale back army troops in Europe and will keep more than 40,000 in Germany and Italy, The New York Times reported Wednesday.
Former White House press secretary Scott McClellan blames President George W. Bush in a book for his dissemination of false information about a CIA leak scandal that rocked the administration.
President Vladimir Putin, using Cold War rhetoric, accused foreign governments on Wednesday of sponsoring his opponents in next month's election to weaken Russia and carry out "dirty tricks" against it.
More than 300,000 Iraqis including 600 Shia tribal leaders have signed a petition accusing Iran of sowing "disorder" in southern Iraq, a group of sheikhs involved in the campaign said. The sheikhs showed Reuters two thick bundles of notes, which contained
Saboteurs staged a co-ordinated attack on France's high-speed rail network early on Wednesday, causing nation-wide delays to services already hit by an eight-day transport strike, the SNCF state railways said.
A car bomb killed at least six people, including women and children, in the Iraqi city of Ramadi on Wednesday in a rare attack on a region that has become one of the safest in the country. Major Mohammed Arak said a parked car exploded outside a courthous
Afghan police and US-led coalition forces killed more than 50 Taliban militants in fighting in southern Afghanistan, the government said Wednesday. The "terrorists" were killed in clashes in the volatile Charchino district of Uruzgan province over the pas
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Wednesday ruled out giving "the slightest concession" in Iran's atomic stand-off with the West, amid doubts over whether new talks with the European Union would go ahead. Ahmadinejad's remarks were the latest sign his gove
Sterling fell to 72 pence per euro for the first time in 4-1/2 years on Wednesday after Bank of England minutes backed expectations that interest rates will be cut before too long. Two of the nine policymakers voted for a cut this month, with the rest bac
The dollar hit a record low against the euro and a basket of major currencies on Wednesday and the yen rose sharply as concerns on the health of the US economy and global credit markets saw investors flee risky carry trades.
The Indian rupee eased to its lowest in more than a week on Wednesday as oil prices stayed near record levels and a fifth successive fall in the stock market heightened concerns that foreigners were withdrawing funds.
Malaysian share prices closed down 0.9 percent Wednesday in line with regional markets as investors fretted over the health of the US economy and rising oil prices, dealers said. They said the loss was made worse by the steep fall of national carmaker Pro
US stocks tumbled on Wednesday, driving the benchmark S&P 500 briefly into negative territory for the year, on fears that the credit crisis and fallout from the housing slump will hurt economic growth, while a surge in fuel costs threatened to squeeze hol
Singapore share prices closed 2.65 percent lower Wednesday, mirroring regional losses on fears soaring oil prices could slow the US economy, dealers said. The main Straits Times Index slumped 91.07 points to 3,347.20 on volume of 1.83 billion shares worth
European credit spreads surged wider on Wednesday to levels not seen since August, after the late-July peak in the credit market turmoil, led by financials as fears mounted about further writedowns and illiquidity. The iTraxx senior financials index hit a
European credit spreads surged wider on Wednesday to levels not seen since August, after the late-July peak in the credit market turmoil, led by financials as fears mounted about further writedowns and illiquidity. The iTraxx senior financials index hit a
Britain's top share index slid 2.5 percent on Wednesday, led by banks and miners, as concerns over credit market strife and its impact on the wider economy gnawed at sentiment though buoyant oil lifted energy stocks.
Nigeria risks being blacklisted by the International Cocoa Organisation if traders continue to export beans in old jute sacks, a top official of the Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN) said on Tuesday.
London cocoa futures ended lower on Wednesday as producer and speculative selling emerged after prices had earlier risen to the highest level in almost three weeks, dealers said. Robusta coffee ended mostly firm with the exception of the spot month which
Coffee berry disease will cut Kenya's coffee harvest in the 2007/08 crop year by 20 to 30 percent, based on internal forecasts, the Coffee Board of Kenya said on Tuesday. "So far I am looking at something between a 20 percent, 25 percent, 30 percent drop,
Cotton futures settled mixed on Wednesday in quiet pre-holiday business, with brokers saying the market will be looking at several factors next week to provide direction after the long holiday break. The market will be shut Thursday and Friday for Thanksg
Affluent urban dwellers in fast growing India and China are buying more gold jewellery, an international gold executive said on Tuesday. "Both countries are on the same page... both are labelled as growth regions (for gold)," said Albert L.H. Cheng, Manag
Concern about the fallout from credit losses and economic growth hit industrial metals prices on Wednesday, sending copper down 4 percent to an 8-month low. Zinc tumbled more than 6 percent and lead shed 4.4 percent while mining stocks in London such as B
Gold tested investor appetite above $800 an ounce on Wednesday, bringing recent 28-year highs back into view as oil topped $99 per barrel and the dollar hit record lows against the euro. With worries over the crisis in credit markets and slowing US growth
New York cocoa futures were lower early on Wednesday after a spike in prices during the previous session, and Arabica was slightly down, traders said. "We've seen some early weakness, I think because of the slightly stronger dollar. On the platform, it ap
Raw sugar futures were flat in early business on Wednesday as players tweaked positions in front of the long holiday weekend, brokers said. ICE Futures electronic March sugar was flat at 9.75 cents per lb at 9:12 am EST (1412 GMT), trapped between 9.74 an
Wheat futures on the Chicago Board of Trade were called to open 2 to 4 cents higher on Wednesday on concerns about dry weather in the southern US Plains, traders said. The overnight trend for CBOT wheat was up 4-3/4 cents to down 1-3/4 cents, with Decembe
Corn futures on the Chicago Board of Trade were lower early on Wednesday on spillover pressure from a profit-taking setback in the soya complex after the strong rally on Tuesday, traders said.
Soyabean futures at the Chicago Board of Trade were lower at Wednesday's midsession on profit taking ahead of the US Thanksgiving holiday, traders said. But the overall tone of the market was choppy and mixed in pre-holiday trade.
US copper futures fell almost 5 percent early on Wednesday, ending near eight-month lows as worries about the economy weakened investor appetite for risk.
Gold futures in New York rose for a second straight day early on Wednesday on the back of a tumbling dollar, rising oil and the speculation that the US Federal Reserve may cut key interest rates again.
Pakistan Open and Spinners Association's Chairman Ijaz Ahmad has accused the government of constantly ignoring his association's contribution and services to develop the national economy with the sector offering 20 percent.
It is not new that the State has all responsibilities to take care of people. One of the important sectors is health, which needs special attention of the government. A report appeared in the media that some harmful chemicals and freely available in the m
Azad Jammu and Kashmir needs special attention of the government of Pakistan especially Federal Board of Revenue, Islamabad for taking serious steps to increase trade and industrial activities.
So, the general elections are going to be held much earlier than middle of February next year in the country. Early date for holding of the polls to constitute the new National and Provincial Assemblies has also been announced by President General Pervez
"Musharraf is in Saudi Arabia amidst the ongoing serious law and order situation in the county with the liberals and the educated up in arms against the emergency..."
Battling an insurgency, wrote T.E. Lawrence, the legendary "Lawrence of Arabia" who fought in the Arab revolt against the Ottoman Empire almost a century ago, is "messy and slow, like eating soup with a knife".
Agricultural credit plays an important role in development as it helps the farmers and entrepreneurs to undertake new investments and adopt new technologies to enhance productivity. Pakistan rural credit market is characterised by the co-existence of form
The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed as withdrawn five of the six petitions challenging the candidature of President Pervez Musharraf for reelection. In all probability, the sixth too would be dismissed, removing the last hurdle in the way of General Per
The Ministry of Textile Industry has linked the grant of six percent R&D rebate to supply of complete information on their business and R&D expenditure by all registered textile units, says a Recorder Report.
A seminar on jewellery designing, manufacturing and gemology will be organised at a local hotel on November 24. The moot would be held under the auspices of the Pakistan Gems and Jewellery Development Company (PGJDC).
The number of HIV/AIDS cases in Larkana is rising alarmingly, and according to an independent sources some 500 HIV/AIDS patients were present in Larkana, while the number of registered HIV/AIDS is 148 that include 10 women.
Caretaker Prime Minister Mohammadmian Soomro on Wednesday said that Kashmir dispute needed to be resolved in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people for a sustainable peace in the South Asia.
Pakistan-China Joint Investment Company (PCJIC), a venture co-invested by China Development Bank, is eyeing an equity purchase in an integrated project of coal mine exploration and power generation in the South Asian country. Pakistan's Ambassador to Chin
A five-member Brunei defence delegation, led by the Permanent Secretary of Defence of Brunei, Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Hamid called on Secretary Defence Production Lieutenant General Shahid Siddiq Tirmizey on Wednesday and discussed matters of mutu
Braving sporadic spells of rain, scores of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) activists demonstrated on Tuesday near the UN Headquarters in New York to voice their support for President Pervez Musharraf's policies, including his declaration of state of emerge
Minister for Communication Barrister Habibur Rehman on Wednesday asked the political parties to sit together and find out an amicable way forward towards democracy rather than indulging in the practice of confrontation and violence.
Deteriorating security in Afghanistan has slowed the rate of returns from refugee camps in Pakistan after a boom following the 2001 collapse of the Taliban regime, an official said on Wednesday.
Journalists community of Multan continued their protest on Wednesday against strict curbs on media following declaration of emergency rule by General Musharraf in the country and police torture on mediamen in Karachi on the other day.
Malaria kills more than one million people annually around the world with more than 300 million clinical cases reported yearly, five times as many as cases of TB, aids, measles and leprosy combined.
Six more ministers were inducted in the caretaker cabinet of Balochistan here on Wednesday morning making the total number of the cabinet members as eighteen.
Training of the micro-finance borrowers is a must so that they could use the loan effectively. This was stated by Dr Ishrat Hussain, chairman, National Commission for Government Reforms (NCGR) and former State Bank governor and at Citi-PPAF Microentrepren
A 17-member delegation of Pakistan Software Houses Association (Pasha) visited the Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZA), which was led by the President Pasha Ashraf Kapadia, said a press release issued here on Wednesday.
Pakistan, which remained one of the main suppliers of soccer balls for the football World Cup in the past, has lost this important market. The reason is the switchover from hand-stitched balls to machine-stitched soccer balls.
Karachi Stock Exchange management is arranging a presentation on the draft code of conduct for brokers on November 28. The presentation is being arranged to seek members' comments/feedback on the various important issues regarding the draft code of conduc
Sindh Ombudsman Yousaf Jamal has called upon the national financial and commercial institutions to come forward and save the dying tradition of patronising creative literary work. He was speaking at a press conference held at a local hotel on Tuesday to b
IGI Securities is introducing an SMS service that will instantly confirm any trading transactions made by investors - anytime and anywhere. Whether they buy or sell, investors will be able to validate their trade, almost immediately after they make their
After a two-year gap, the first consignment of imported wheat, booked by the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) will reach Karachi next week, sources told Business Recorder. The TCP has imported the wheat with a view to curbing the rising prices
The Consul General of the USA in Karachi Kay Anske visited Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) on Wednesday. She had a meeting with Managing Director, KSE Adnan Afridi, Deputy Managing Director Yaqoob Memon and Director Shehzad Chamdia.
Punjab government has failed to utilise more than Rs 7.4 billion provided by the Ministry of Religious Affairs under President's Permanent Rehabilitation Scheme (PPRS) for unemployed youths.
Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (Smeda) in collaboration with Sarhad University of Information and Technology (SUIT) has launched postgraduate diploma in entrepreneurship and business innovation.
Apropos a news item "PSO in dire straits as Rs 8bn stuck up with Wapda," carried by Business Recorder on Monday, the Pakistan State Oil Company Limited has clarified that the tone of the news item in which words like "threatening letter" and "Shah
Sitara Chemical Industries Limited (SCIL) has raised Rs 1.1 billion through a Sukuk Issue. SCIL had mandated the consortium of AMZ Securities (Private) Limited and JS Bank Limited to act as Advisors & Arrangers for arranging PKR 1.1 billion through Sharia
Sitara Chemical Industries Limited (SCIL) has raised Rs 1.1 billion through a Sukuk Issue. SCIL had mandated the consortium of AMZ Securities (Private) Limited and JS Bank Limited to act as Advisors & Arrangers for arranging PKR 1.1 billion through Sharia
The Businessmen Panel, NWFP chapter, launched the election campaign for four vacant seats of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry with pledges to open the doors of the apex trade body of the province to all industrialists, traders, and shopkeepers
The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and Chamber of Commerce Industry and Mines of Kermanshah (CCIMK), Iran, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Tuesday evening. KCCI President Shamin Ahmed Shamsi and CCIMK President Keyvan K
Around 25,000 acres of forestland in Sindh is still under illegal possession of land mafia, Business Recorder learnt here on Wednesday. Sources in Sindh Forest and Wildlife Department said that a grand operation was launched by Sindh police, in col
The Ministry of Population Welfare has started youth reproductive health (RH) awareness project in Quetta for creating awareness among youth of 18 to 25 years so that they could play their role in the population control.
The NWFP government has decided to immediately establish a relief camp for internally displaced persons of Swat district at Risalpur and finalised arrangements for accommodation and other related facilities in this camp.
The UN General Assembly has declared 2008 as 'The International Year of Sanitation (IYS)'to raise awareness about the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) issued to reduce by half the population without access to basic sanitation by 2015.
Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) started achieving a major breakthrough towards the latest road communication sector after the construction work on the phased gigantic project of 600-kilometer long Kashmir Trunk Road from Muzaffarabad to Bhimbher started, off
The Punjab government would spend Rs 25 million on provision of clean drinking water to the residents of Bahawalpur. This was stated by Executive Engineer (XEN), Public Health Khalid Nadeem Bukhari while talking to newsmen here on Wednesday.
Around 20 per cent of mobile users in Pakistan change their handset thrice a year which indicates that Pakistan is a lucrative market for manufacturers of mobile handsets and other telecom equipment.
Soon after the announcement of the election schedule, the Provincial Election Commission (PEC) here on Wednesday started arrangements for smooth conduct of the general elections on January 8, 2008.
A poor farmer was manhandled and tortured by a group of influential persons over a monetary dispute in a nearby village here on Wednesday, police said. Muhammad Akram, brother of president Muslim League (N) tehsil Liaqatpur and aspiring candidate of provi
Multan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) President Anis Ahmed Sheikh and executive committee has welcomed the government's decision to induct Khawaja Muhammad Jalal-uddin Roomi in caretaker set-up as Provincial Minister for industries and said that he
Police on Wednesday baton-charged and tear-gassed journalists protesting against emergency rule in Faisalabad, leaving 10 injured, witnesses and officials said. Two of them were seriously hurt and a number were arrested.
Taking stern action against growing trend of performing stunts on the Capital's roads by motorcyclists, Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) fined 1,643 one-wheelers and impounded 346 motorcycles under section 115 of the Motor Vehicle Ordinance during the last
People with higher blood levels of vitamin D have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Vitamin D is essential for healthy teeth and bones, and it helps the body absorb and use calcium, but the ideal intake of vitamin D has been unclear, BBC reporte
Voicing a staunch opposition to the emergency rule in the country, the Alliance for Protection of Human Rights (APHR), a group of civil society organisations, has renewed the pledge to continue the struggle for withdrawal of proclamation of emergency; re-
Several leaders of Pakistan Muslim League (PML) on Wednesday hailed the appointment of former Justice Ijaz Nisar as caretaker Chief Minister of the Punjab. Former parliamentarians, (MNAs), Azhar Yousufzai, Aftab Khichi, Nazir Arain and ex district Nazim,
The Lahore High Court has ordered the government to make appointments of public defenders after calling all eligible candidates. The order follows a petition filed by Shahid Mehmood Khan challenging the process of appointment of public defenders on the gr