AIRLINK 191.84 Decreased By ▼ -1.66 (-0.86%)
BOP 9.87 Increased By ▲ 0.23 (2.39%)
CNERGY 7.67 Increased By ▲ 0.14 (1.86%)
FCCL 37.86 Increased By ▲ 0.16 (0.42%)
FFL 15.76 Increased By ▲ 0.16 (1.03%)
FLYNG 25.31 Decreased By ▼ -0.28 (-1.09%)
HUBC 130.17 Increased By ▲ 3.10 (2.44%)
HUMNL 13.59 Increased By ▲ 0.09 (0.67%)
KEL 4.67 Increased By ▲ 0.09 (1.97%)
KOSM 6.21 Increased By ▲ 0.11 (1.8%)
MLCF 44.29 Increased By ▲ 0.33 (0.75%)
OGDC 206.87 Increased By ▲ 3.63 (1.79%)
PACE 6.56 Increased By ▲ 0.16 (2.5%)
PAEL 40.55 Decreased By ▼ -0.43 (-1.05%)
PIAHCLA 17.59 Increased By ▲ 0.10 (0.57%)
PIBTL 8.07 Increased By ▲ 0.41 (5.35%)
POWER 9.24 Increased By ▲ 0.16 (1.76%)
PPL 178.56 Increased By ▲ 4.31 (2.47%)
PRL 39.08 Increased By ▲ 1.01 (2.65%)
PTC 24.14 Increased By ▲ 0.07 (0.29%)
SEARL 107.85 Increased By ▲ 0.61 (0.57%)
SILK 0.97 No Change ▼ 0.00 (0%)
SSGC 39.11 Increased By ▲ 2.71 (7.45%)
SYM 19.12 Increased By ▲ 0.08 (0.42%)
TELE 8.60 Increased By ▲ 0.36 (4.37%)
TPLP 12.37 Increased By ▲ 0.59 (5.01%)
TRG 66.01 Increased By ▲ 1.13 (1.74%)
WAVESAPP 12.78 Increased By ▲ 1.15 (9.89%)
WTL 1.70 Increased By ▲ 0.02 (1.19%)
YOUW 3.95 Increased By ▲ 0.10 (2.6%)
BR100 11,930 Increased By 162.4 (1.38%)
BR30 35,660 Increased By 695.9 (1.99%)
KSE100 113,206 Increased By 1719 (1.54%)
KSE30 35,565 Increased By 630.8 (1.81%)
Print - 2007-12-18
Dollar pulls back after hitting two-month high

Dollar pulls back after hitting two-month high

The dollar pulled back after hitting a two-month high against a basket of currencies on Monday, with market players taking profits after scoring big gains on data late last week showing a jump in US consumer inflation.
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Election petition of Akhter Rasool dismissed

Election petition of Akhter Rasool dismissed

A full bench of the Lahore High Court (LHC) has dismissed an election petition of former Member of the Provincial Assembly, Akhtar Rasool and others challenging the decisions by returning officers. Petitions of Samiullah, Mehr Mehmood Ahmed, Muhammad Azam
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Cotton Spot Rates

Cotton Spot Rates

Official KCA spot rates for local dealings in Pakistan rupees on Monday (December 17, 2007).

Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Five women contestant from Faisalabad

Five women contestant from Faisalabad

Only five female candidates are contesting general election-2008 from the district Faisalabad. Four of them belong to various political parties while one is an independent candidate.
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
PML-Q completes process of fielding candidates

PML-Q completes process of fielding candidates

President Pakistan Muslim League (Q) Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has said that his party has completed process of fielding candidates for elections in the country on each and every seat. He told PTV on Monday that since fielding of candidates was completed,
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Old Hyderabad: 29 candidates withdraw from five NA seats

Old Hyderabad: 29 candidates withdraw from five NA seats

A total of 29 candidates withdrew from the candidatureship for contesting elections on five National Assembly seats of Old Hyderabad based on Matiari, Hyderabad and Tando Allahyar districts. After withdrawal of 29 candidates, 51 candidates are now contest
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Key stock and currency market movements

Key stock and currency market movements

The latest close of key indices on major world stock exchanges and the London closing values of the euro, the Japanese yen, the British pound and gold bullion (previous day's closes in brackets).

Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Minority votes to play vital role in Sindh

Minority votes to play vital role in Sindh

The minority votes estimated at 0.5 million in Sindh have got very importance for upcoming general elections as political leaders and notables have started their trips to different villages and towns for getting the same.
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
New York cotton

New York cotton

Friday's closing prices of New York cotton in US cents/lb.

Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
IFJ urges political parties to sign declaration for free media

IFJ urges political parties to sign declaration for free media

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has fully supported its affiliate, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), in calling for all political parties in Pakistan to sign a declaration that they will support no move to pass anti-media
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
New York cotton

New York cotton

Friday's closing prices of New York cotton in US cents/lb.

Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Improvised explosive devices threat

Improvised explosive devices threat

Experts on 'Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) from Pakistan, Afghan and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) met on Monday and reviewed measures to counter the IED threat, the army said.
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
The Weather

The Weather

The weather report on Monday (December 17, 2007) and the forecast for Tuesday (December 18, 2007).
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Polling staff, police personnel to get ballot papers by December 27

Polling staff, police personnel to get ballot papers by December 27

Polling staff and police personnel deputed for polling duty can send applications for getting ballot papers from their respective returning officers by December 27 for exercising the right of franchise during the coming general election to be held on Janu
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Polls boycott: MMA parties not bound to obey JI decision

Polls boycott: MMA parties not bound to obey JI decision

Central leader of Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), Allama Sajid Naqvi has said that MMA parties are not bound to obey Jamaat-e-Islami's decision to boycott upcoming general elections because it is the decision of JI's Majlis-e-Shura but not of MMA.
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
'Economic indicators testify massive uplift'

'Economic indicators testify massive uplift'

President Pervez Musharraf on Monday said all economic indicators testify that the country has been put on the road to progress and prosperity and record amount was being spent on development projects across the country.
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
ADB team meets secretary excise

ADB team meets secretary excise

A consultative mission of Asian Development Bank for Sindh Public Management Programme on Monday met the Secretary Excise and Taxation Muhammed Naseer Jamali, at his office here.
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
'Around 50 percent population still facing sanitation hazards'

'Around 50 percent population still facing sanitation hazards'

Around 50 percent of country's population is facing sanitation related hazards with rural poor more prone to it and suffering from diseases like diarrhoea and cholera, experts noted at a conclave of Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) activists on Monda
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Packed milk price up by 72 percent in four months

Packed milk price up by 72 percent in four months

The price of one litre pack of tetra packed milk has recorded a phenomenal rise of Rs 12 (72 percent) to Rs 44 in last five months, market sources and users said here on Monday. They said that it was surprising that nobody was checking this sharp rise in
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Government urged to exempt export industry from load shedding

Government urged to exempt export industry from load shedding

Millions of dollars worth export consignments of textiles face disaster and default due to unscheduled irregular breakdowns and heavy load shedding of electricity and gas supply disruption, agitated Chairman Pakistan Textile Exporters Association (PTEA) M
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
TA rating for determinants of poverty reduction successful: ADB

TA rating for determinants of poverty reduction successful: ADB

Asian Development Bank (ADB) experts observed that the overall rating of the technical assistance (TA) for determinants and drivers of poverty reduction and ADB's contribution in rural Pakistan was very successful and outputs were of good quality.
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Back seat for the people's problems

Back seat for the people's problems

On the face of it, President Pervez Musharraf's reelection should have been a done thing by now, but that does not seem to be the case as the question of its constitutionality breathes so much fire into the pre-election national debate.
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Scant supply

Scant supply

The annual ritual of blames and claims over energy shortages has started again with cuts in gas supply to the industrial sector and the announcement by the Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco) of 90-minute load-shedding every day.
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Giving meaning to economic activity

Giving meaning to economic activity

During the past centuries, political thinkers, reformers, academicians, capitalists, business managers, and the public offered a variety of opinions on the reason of economic activity; on its roller-coaster trend through the years, and on how best to stab
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
With prices high, farming is bright spot in US

With prices high, farming is bright spot in US

Gordon Wassenaar has his eye on a $300,000 combine harvester to replace the 1990 model he repairs each winter in the workshop on his farm. And he just bought more land to add to his 1,600-acre spread.
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Kenya's kingmaker sets sights on the crown

Kenya's kingmaker sets sights on the crown

Dubbed the kingmaker for helping put President Mwai Kibaki in power five years ago, Raila Odinga is now intent on dethroning his former ally. The men fell out three years after their 2002 win, and Odinga has been on the campaign trail ever since.
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Improving Pakistan's image abroad

Improving Pakistan's image abroad

President Pervez Musharraf, while participating in the official television channel Programme, suggested that the business community, media and the government should join hands and devise a strategy for improving Pakistan's perception abroad.
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Keep the city clean

Keep the city clean

This year, Eid-ul-Azha is preceded by numerous flyovers and planned sky scrappers giving this metropolis a respectable look. All these demands that places littered with blood, bones, and remains of the sacrificial goats and cows are attended promptly.
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
'National commission for human rights being established'

'National commission for human rights being established'

Caretaker Minister for Human Rights Ansar Burney said that National Commission for Human Rights is being established in the country to address the issues falling in the periphery of human rights in a more effective way.
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
CDA to start seven road projects in three months

CDA to start seven road projects in three months

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) will start the widening, rehabilitation and construction of seven different roads in federal capital during the next three months, a CDA official said on Monday. The official said that during the current fiscal year
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Khawaja Allauddin urs to begin from March 17

Khawaja Allauddin urs to begin from March 17

The annual Urs of Hazrat Khawaja Allauddin Ali Ahmad Sabir will be held at Kalyar Sharif, India from March 17-24, next year. The Ministry of Religious Affairs, Zakat and Ushr has asked the interested zaireen to send their applications on the newly compute
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Platinum hits record highs, gold weakens

Platinum hits record highs, gold weakens

Spot platinum hit a record high in volatile European trade on Monday, as higher demand for the metal and rising borrowing rates put an upward pressure on prices, analysts said. Gold also traded in a wide range, hitting its lowest in nearly two weeks on a
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
London sugar, coffee and cocoa up

London sugar, coffee and cocoa up

London white sugar futures hit a 4-1/2 month high on Monday and robusta coffee climbed to a 5-week peak as investment funds turned their attention to soft commodity markets as equities and oil prices tumbled.
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Oil falls on possible Opec hike, dollar gains

Oil falls on possible Opec hike, dollar gains

Oil fell on Monday as the dollar firmed and on prospects Opec could decide to raise crude output when it meets in February. US oil settled 64 cents lower at $90.63 a barrel, off earlier lows of $89.49. London Brent crude for February delivery settled down
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Base metals descend

Base metals descend

Industrial metal prices were hammered on Monday in volatile trade as worries about falling demand and the deteriorating health of the global economy gathered pace. Copper fell to a 9-month low, aluminium to a 9-week low, zinc and tin touched 1-month lows
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Indian soyoil futures rise

Indian soyoil futures rise

Indian soyoil futures rose on Monday after new data showed a leap in overall imports by China so far this year, and on strong buying in the physical market ahead of a period of peak winter demand.
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
New York cotton futures smidgen lower

New York cotton futures smidgen lower

Cotton futures ended marginally softer Monday as the market consolidated near a five-month high and could grind higher over the next few sessions, brokers said. ICE Futures open-outcry March cotton contract eased 0.20 cent to finish at 65.65 cents per lb,
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Britain's top share index declines

Britain's top share index declines

Britain's top share index fell to a three-week low on Monday, as inflation fears knocked global equity markets and dented hopes the US Federal Reserve would deliver more rate cuts to relieve downbeaten credit markets. The FTSE 100 index closed down 1.9 pe
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Monday midday trade: Dow slumps as economic worry hits Wall Street

Monday midday trade: Dow slumps as economic worry hits Wall Street

US stocks slid on Monday as worries about the housing slump's impact on the economy rattled investors, driving down shares of bellwethers such as Caterpillar Inc. Technology shares also took a heavy beating as investors worried about the outlook for busin
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Malaysian shares slip

Malaysian shares slip

Malaysian share prices Monday closed down 0.8 percent as investors sold stocks across the board amid renewed concern over the outlook for the US economy, dealers said. The Kuala Lumpur composite index was down 11.80 points at 1,391.61.
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
European credit spreads widen

European credit spreads widen

European credit spreads nudged wider on Monday, but trading volumes were light heading closer to the Christmas holiday with attention focused on US bank earnings and housing data later in the week.
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
European credit spreads widen

European credit spreads widen

European credit spreads nudged wider on Monday, but trading volumes were light heading closer to the Christmas holiday with attention focused on US bank earnings and housing data later in the week.
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Indian rupee slips

Indian rupee slips

The Indian rupee on Monday slipped in tandem with local stocks, which had their largest fall in 4 months, as global investors pulled out of relatively risky emerging market assets on raised concerns of a US slowdown.
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Dollar rises against euro in London

Dollar rises against euro in London

The dollar hit a two-month high versus a basket of major currencies on Monday, as strong inflation data at the end of last week continued to bolster sentiment on the US economy in thin year-end trading.
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Sterling steadies

Sterling steadies

Sterling was steady against a broadly stronger dollar, but it stayed well below levels seen last week as increased risk aversion and soft data weighed on the currency. The pound recovered slightly from a 2-1/2 month low against the greenback but sentiment
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Kyrgyz party wins all seats

Kyrgyz party wins all seats

President Kurmanbek Bakiyev's party won every seat in Kyrgyzstan's next parliament, early results showed on Monday after a weekend election sharply criticised by Western monitors and the opposition.
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Putin to become premier in Medvedev government

Putin to become premier in Medvedev government

President Vladimir Putin said on Monday he would become prime minister in a future Russian government if his close ally Dmitry Medvedev was elected president, giving Putin a new role after he leaves the Kremlin.
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Israel to resume Jerusalem work

Israel to resume Jerusalem work

The Israeli government has decided to resume work "as soon as possible" on a controversial construction project near the bitterly contested Al-Aqsa mosque esplanade, a government website said on Monday. The project is to restore an access ramp near the mo
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Death toll eases but Iraq awaits its full 'awakening'

Death toll eases but Iraq awaits its full 'awakening'

A controversial "surge" in US military operations has cut the death toll in Iraq, but prospects for peace between rival political blocs remain a distant dream going into a New Year of the conflict.
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
2007 deadliest year for journalists

2007 deadliest year for journalists

Record numbers of journalists have been killed around the world this year, with at least 110 dying in 27 countries, the media defence group Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) said Monday. "This year's tally represents a 14 percent increase over the 2006 figure,"
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Divisions deepen at South Africa's ANC meeting

Divisions deepen at South Africa's ANC meeting

Feuding supporters of ANC rivals Jacob Zuma and President Thabo Mbeki chanted slogans at each other on Monday, highlighting deep divisions as the ruling party chooses its next leader. In chaotic and unprecedented scenes Zuma supporters sang his trademark,
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Saudi king pardons teenage rape victim

Saudi king pardons teenage rape victim

Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah has pardoned a teenage girl sentenced to six months in jail and 200 lashes after being gang raped, Al Jazirah newspaper reported on Monday. The ruling against the 19-year-old girl in the ultra-conservative Muslim kingdom had a
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Ahmadinejad defies world on nuclear, slams critics at home

Ahmadinejad defies world on nuclear, slams critics at home

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad defied the world in 2007 by refusing to make the slightest concession in the nuclear crisis and clashed with domestic rivals critical of his outspoken style and economic polices.
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Iran needs nuclear work for new power plant

Iran needs nuclear work for new power plant

Iran on Monday vowed it would never suspend the sensitive process of uranium enrichment on domestic soil, saying it needed the fuel for a new nuclear power station it is building in the west of the country. The head of Iran's atomic energy organisation Gh
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Basra hand over does not diminish UK's role: Miliband

Basra hand over does not diminish UK's role: Miliband

Britain's decision to "flee" Iraq shows the insurgency is stronger than ever, al Qaeda's number two said Sunday, after British forces transferred security control in Basra province to the Iraqis.
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
'Russian supplies prove Iran seeks bomb'

'Russian supplies prove Iran seeks bomb'

A senior Israeli minister charged on Monday that Iran's insistence on enriching uranium despite Russia's delivery of nuclear fuel supplies proved Tehran was seeking an atomic bomb.
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
A history of delays: Iran's first nuclear power plant

A history of delays: Iran's first nuclear power plant

The delivery of nuclear fuel from Russia is an apparent breakthrough for Iran's first nuclear power plant, a project dating to before the Islamic revolution that has been the victim of repeated delays. The project to build the plant in the southern port c
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Afghan and Nato troops kill 20

Afghan and Nato troops kill 20

Afghan and Nato-led forces killed 20 Taliban fighters and wounded another nine in an operation west of the main southern city of Kandahar, the provincial police chief said on Monday. The Zherai district, west of Kandahar, is a hotbed of Taliban activity t
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Allies losing Afghanistan war: Australian minister

Allies losing Afghanistan war: Australian minister

Australia's new government has warned Nato and its allies they will lose the war against hard-line Taliban forces in Afghanistan unless they urgently change tactics, a report said Monday. The country's new Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon issued the stark
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Russia warns the West over Kosovo independence

Russia warns the West over Kosovo independence

Russia warned Monday that Kosovo could slip into "uncontrollable crisis," ahead of a UN Security Council showdown over the Serbian province's Western-backed push for independence.
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Iraq slams Turkish air strikes

Iraq slams Turkish air strikes

Iraq's parliament on Monday strongly condemned Turkish air strikes on its northern territory, branding them a "cruel attack" on the country's sovereignty that resulted in civilian casualties.
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Thai Dam break worsens Malaysia's floods

Thai Dam break worsens Malaysia's floods

Floods in Malaysia's north-eastern Kelantan state worsened after a dam burst in southern Thailand as the nation-wide death toll rose to 23, reports said Monday. Deputy prime minister Najib Razak said water levels at the Golok river, which marks the bounda
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
World powerless to stop Darfur carnage

World powerless to stop Darfur carnage

Diplomatic wrangling dashed hopes for an end to the killing and rape in Darfur this year and a new UN-backed peace mission that starts on January 1 faces an uphill struggle.
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
'Kumble won't shy from challenge'

'Kumble won't shy from challenge'

Anil Kumble won't back down from a challenge on India's cricket tour of Australia and has a positive attacking attitude, former coaches of the two teams said Monday. India tour here from late this month and Kumble has the task of leading a winning touring
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
German coach training to women football players

German coach training to women football players

Upto 24 women football players are learning finer points of modern football at a training camp under the supervision of visiting German coach Monika Staab here at Punjab stadium. The week-long camp is a part of Pakistan Football Federation's endeavour to
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Federer and Henin get top ITF awards

Federer and Henin get top ITF awards

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) announced on Monday that world No is Roger Federer and Justine Henin were the 2007 ITF World Champions. Federer, who won the Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open titles to bring his Grand Slam haul to 12, took t
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Capello vows to drag the best out of England squad

Capello vows to drag the best out of England squad

Fabio Capello embarked on the task of restoring England's football fortunes on Monday with a pledge to drag the best out of the country's under-performing stars. The Italian, who has a reputation as a strict disciplinarian, also issued a warning that noon
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Bad weather threatens Galle celebrations

Bad weather threatens Galle celebrations

Rain and an unpredictable pitch for Tuesday's final Test between England and Sri Lanka may overshadow cricket's return to Galle following the 2004 tsunami tragedy that destroyed the stadium. The series decider with Sri Lanka 1-0 up will be the first big m
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Chelsea wait for news on Terry's latest injury

Chelsea wait for news on Terry's latest injury

Chelsea were facing an anxious wait on Monday to discover the seriousness of an ankle injury that forced captain John Terry to limp out of Arsenal's Emirates Stadium on crutches on Sunday.
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Eboue apologises for Terry tackle

Eboue apologises for Terry tackle

Chelsea's Salomon Kalou revealed Monday that Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Eboue had apologised to Blues captain John Terry for a tackle which threatens to keep the England centre-half on the sidelines during the busy Christmas and New Year period.
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Philippines' November BOP deficit $67 million

Philippines' November BOP deficit $67 million

The Philippines recorded a balance of payments (BOP) deficit of $67 million in November, reversing the previous month's $1.19 billion surplus, mainly due to debt servicing, the central bank said on Monday. It was only the second deficit this year after a
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Ingersoll-Rand to buy Trane for $9.56 billion

Ingersoll-Rand to buy Trane for $9.56 billion

Diversified manufacturer Ingersoll-Rand Co Ltd said on Monday it would buy Trane Inc, a maker of heating and air conditioning systems, for about $9.56 billion in cash and stock. The deal values Trane at $47.81 per share, a 28.5 percent premium over its De
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
ArcelorMittal says US steel plant sale falls

ArcelorMittal says US steel plant sale falls

The world's leading steel group ArcelorMittal said on Monday the sale for $1.35 billion (934 million euros) of one of its US plants had failed because the buyers had been unable to raise finance. The factory at Sparrows Point in the east of the United Sta
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
South Korea 2008 foreign car sales seen up 30 percent

South Korea 2008 foreign car sales seen up 30 percent

Sales of imported cars in South Korea are expected to grow around 30 percent next year, helped by the release of various entry-level models, the head of SK Networks Co's grey import car business said on Monday.
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Chip giants push for bigger wafers, but cost a hurdle

Chip giants push for bigger wafers, but cost a hurdle

Some of the world's largest chip makers are exploring a move to bigger pizza-sized silicon wafers to boost efficiency and help them grab market share as demand for gadgets from music players to cameras surges - but only if someone foots the multi-billion
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Auckland International Airport board rejects Canadian bid

Auckland International Airport board rejects Canadian bid

The board of Auckland International Airport recommended Monday that shareholders reject a partial take-over bid for New Zealand's air transport hub by a Canadian pension fund. "We do not believe the offer fully reflects the value of Auckland Airport," cha
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Britain's economy feels pain of credit squeeze

Britain's economy feels pain of credit squeeze

Gloom over the British economy spread on Monday as the Confederation of British Industry slashed its growth forecasts and more evidence emerged of falling house prices. The CBI said the economy was unlikely to grow by more than 2 percent in 2008, a sharp
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Hungarians strike against watershed health reforms

Hungarians strike against watershed health reforms

Hungarian rail workers, doctors and teachers staged strikes Monday as parliament prepared to pass watershed legislation to open the state healthcare system to private insurance firms for the first time.
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Rio Tinto to invest $991 million in Australian mine

Rio Tinto to invest $991 million in Australian mine

The world's third biggest miner Rio Tinto Monday said it would invest 991 million US dollars to boost production at a coal mine in north-eastern Australia to meet growing demand from Asia.
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Aon to sell two units for $2.75 billion, boost buyback

Aon to sell two units for $2.75 billion, boost buyback

Aon Corp, one of the world's largest insurance brokers, said on Monday it has agreed to sell two units for about $2.75 billion and will use the proceeds to buy back shares. The company said it sold its Combined Insurance Co unit to ACE Ltd for $2.4 billio
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Aon to sell two units for $2.75 billion, boost buyback

Aon to sell two units for $2.75 billion, boost buyback

Aon Corp, one of the world's largest insurance brokers, said on Monday it has agreed to sell two units for about $2.75 billion and will use the proceeds to buy back shares. The company said it sold its Combined Insurance Co unit to ACE Ltd for $2.4 billio
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
US net inflows surge in October, equity buys up

US net inflows surge in October, equity buys up

Net overall capital inflows into the United States surged to $97.8 billion in October from a revised $32.8 billion outflow in September, the Treasury Department said on Monday. October's inflows were more than sufficient to cover the month's US trade defi
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Yuan slides against broadly firmer dollar

Yuan slides against broadly firmer dollar

The yuan ended sharply lower against the dollar on Monday as China's central bank again set a lower reference rate and the dollar continued its rally in overseas markets, dealers said. The yuan ended at 7.3873 per dollar, down from Friday's close of 7.371
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Swiss franc firms ahead of data

Swiss franc firms ahead of data

The Swiss franc firmed slightly against the dollar in early trading on Monday, recovering some ground ahead of economic data and a busy schedule of speeches from Swiss central bankers. The franc was changing hands for 1.1524 francs per dollar, up from 1.1
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Asian currencies drop against firmer dollar

Asian currencies drop against firmer dollar

Asian currencies fell against a broadly stronger dollar on Monday after US consumer price data dampened prospects of further interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve, with the Philippine peso leading the declines. The peso hit a one-week low at 41.68 p
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Bangladesh interbank forex, interest rates

Bangladesh interbank forex, interest rates

Interbank buy/sell rates for the taka against the dollar on Monday. 68.55/68.61 (previous 68.60/68.61). Call Money Rates: 8.00-16.00 percent (previous 7.45-14.00 percent.
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Russia test-fires intercontinental missile

Russia test-fires intercontinental missile

Russia on Monday test-launched a new intercontinental ballistic missile, part of a system that can outperform any anti-missile system likely to be deployed, according to the officer in charge of missile forces.
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Singapore bunker fuel prices rise

Singapore bunker fuel prices rise

Singapore bunker prices rose as tightening supplies squeezed the market on Monday, while the differentials to fuel oil cargoes widened. Prices for the 380-centistoke (cst) grade rose $4.00 to $479-$481 a tonne, while its discount extended 25 cents to $1.2
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Algerian sugar refiner to raise output

Algerian sugar refiner to raise output

Algeria's leading private agro-business group Cevital, which runs North Africa's largest sugar refinery, will raise annual output to 800,000 tonnes in January 2008 from 600,000 tonnes now, its CEO said on Monday. "The additional 200,000 tonnes will be sug
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am
Activity at Karachi and Qasim ports

Activity at Karachi and Qasim ports

The Karachi Port handled 250,430 tonnes cargo including 191,267 tonnes import, 59,163 tonnes export cargo and 3,676 containers (TEUs) during last 48 hours ending at 0700 hours on Monday.
Published 18 Dec, 2007 12:00am