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Print - 2008-06-11
Central banks go on offensive against inflation

Central banks go on offensive against inflation

Central bankers on both sides of the Atlantic unleashed a further verbal offensive on inflation, sparking a rise in the US dollar and drops in stock and bond prices on Tuesday. The Bank of Canada surprised markets by keeping its key interest rate steady a
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Middle East struggles to contain record inflation surge

Middle East struggles to contain record inflation surge

Gulf Arab states launched emergency efforts to control soaring prices while inflation in Egypt hit a 19-year peak on Tuesday as spiralling costs for food and fuel threaten to damage economic growth and stir discontent.
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Small business optimism index hits 28-year low

Small business optimism index hits 28-year low

Small business owner confidence in the US economy deteriorated to its lowest in 28 years, according to a survey released on Tuesday. The National Federation of Independent Business said its index of small business optimism fell 2.2 points in May to 89.3,
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
US trade gap widens

US trade gap widens

The US trade deficit widened more than expected in April as the price of imported oil hit a record, pushing overall imports to an all-time high, a Commerce Department report showed on Tuesday. The monthly trade gap grew nearly 7.8 percent to $60.9 billion
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Gazprom predicts $250 oil in 2009

Gazprom predicts $250 oil in 2009

Russia's Gazprom, the supplier of a quarter of Europe's natural gas, expects the price of crude oil to almost double within 18 months and to take gas prices higher with it.
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
IMF outlook on US economy remains bleak

IMF outlook on US economy remains bleak

IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn sounded a pessimistic note on the US economy on Monday, saying a stronger-than-expected first-quarter performance did not necessarily mean the worst is over. "I am only partly reassured by data for the first quarter of 200
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
IMF and UN 'inadequate' on crises: Commonwealth

IMF and UN 'inadequate' on crises: Commonwealth

Commonwealth leaders said international institutions such as the United Nations and the World Bank were inadequate in their response to a trio of global financial crises, calling on Tuesday for immediate reform. "Global crises required truly global and un
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Developing world growth to slow: World Bank

Developing world growth to slow: World Bank

Global credit turmoil, an economic slowdown in industrial countries and accelerating inflation are set to curb the rapid pace of growth in developing economies this year, the World Bank said on Tuesday. The economic cooling may be welcome relief to countr
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Apple unveils new iPhone with faster Web and GPS

Apple unveils new iPhone with faster Web and GPS

Apple has unveiled a new version of its popular iPhone built for high-speed wireless networks with faster Internet access and more features for business users. Chief executive Steve Jobs said the price for the mobile device will start as low as 199 dollar
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
IEA trims world oil demand, cuts supply forecast

IEA trims world oil demand, cuts supply forecast

World oil demand will rise at its slowest pace in six years during 2008 as a raft of fuel subsidy cuts in Asia erodes consumption, the International Energy Agency said on Tuesday. But the adviser to 27 industrialised economies also sharply lowered its pro
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Kazakhmys to buy 7.7 percent of ENRC; market eyes merger

Kazakhmys to buy 7.7 percent of ENRC; market eyes merger

Kazakh miner Kazakhmys Plc is due to become the biggest shareholder in its bigger rival ENRC Plc by buying a 7.7 percent stake from the government, boosting the chances of a merger, analysts said. Kazakhmys said on Tuesday it had no immediate plans to lau
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Former Fed chief expects financial market pressure

Former Fed chief expects financial market pressure

The possibility of a US recession will put further pressure on financial markets in the coming months and push policymakers to implement regulatory reforms, former US Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker said on Monday.
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Bangladesh minister says 2008-2009 budget realistic

Bangladesh minister says 2008-2009 budget realistic

The finance adviser (minister) to Bangladesh's army-backed interim government said on Tuesday that his 2008-09 fiscal budget would help alleviate poverty, boost farming and create jobs. "The fiscal proposals the July-June budget made were neither out of p
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Chinese CPI inflation eases to 7.7 percent

Chinese CPI inflation eases to 7.7 percent

China's consumer prices rose 7.7 percent in May from a year earlier, easing from an almost 12-year high of 8.5 percent in April, two sources familiar with the data said on Tuesday. Economists polled by Reuters had expected inflation to dip to 7.9 percent,
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Tesco core sales slow as UK consumer squeezed

Tesco core sales slow as UK consumer squeezed

Tesco said its first quarter like-for-like sales excluding petrol in its core UK market rose 3.5 percent, slower than at the start of the year as clothing and furniture sales were hit by a consumer squeeze. Tesco shares fell more than 2.6 percent to 391.2
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Tesco core sales slow as UK consumer squeezed

Tesco core sales slow as UK consumer squeezed

Tesco said its first quarter like-for-like sales excluding petrol in its core UK market rose 3.5 percent, slower than at the start of the year as clothing and furniture sales were hit by a consumer squeeze. Tesco shares fell more than 2.6 percent to 391.2
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
BOJ to keep rates steady, gloomy outlook prevails

BOJ to keep rates steady, gloomy outlook prevails

The Bank of Japan is expected to keep interest rates on hold at 0.5 percent this week as a slowing economy and gloom over corporate activity remain key concerns, with inflation still among the lowest in major economies.
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Iran's annual inflation tops 25 percent

Iran's annual inflation tops 25 percent

Iran's annual inflation rate rose to more than 25 percent in May, the central bank said, highlighting a growing economic problem facing President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ahead of next year's election.
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
China risks sharp slowdown in 2008: researcher

China risks sharp slowdown in 2008: researcher

The Chinese economy is at risk of a sharp slowdown in 2008 and may need to accept above-target inflation to keep growth on track, a government researcher said on Tuesday. Yu Bin, the head of macroeconomic research with the Development Research Centre, a t
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Techs drag Taiwan stocks to more than two-month low

Techs drag Taiwan stocks to more than two-month low

Taiwan stocks fell 2.5 percent to a more than two-month closing low on Tuesday, as investors shunned major tech exporters such as TSMC on worries over high oil prices and slowing demand from the United States.
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Hong Kong shares slide 4.2 percent

Hong Kong shares slide 4.2 percent

Hong Kong shares plunged to their lowest level since April 1 on Tuesday after Shanghai stocks fell the most in a year in a broad sell-off triggered by Beijing's latest round of monetary austerity measures.
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Dow bounces back on McDonald's, home sales

Dow bounces back on McDonald's, home sales

The Dow staged a modest rebound on Monday from Friday's nearly 400-point drop, as concerns about consumer spending and the housing market were eased by better-than-expected sales figures from McDonald's Corp and a surprising gain in pending home sales.
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
China stocks tumble 7.7 percent

China stocks tumble 7.7 percent

China's main stock index tumbled 7.73 percent on Tuesday, its biggest drop since June last year, after the central bank announced a harsher-than-expected tightening of monetary policy to fight inflation. Banks and property shares led the declines as buyer
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Philippines shares plunge

Philippines shares plunge

Philippines share prices closed down 3.4 percent on Tuesday amid soaring oil prices, regional stock market weakness and following a Wall Street slide last week, dealers said. The composite index fell 93.75 points to 2,645.95 points. The all-share index fe
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Thai share prices close 1.69 percent lower

Thai share prices close 1.69 percent lower

Thai share prices closed 1.69 percent lower on Tuesday amid concerns over record oil prices and high inflation, dealers said. They said the bourse followed regional markets, and that investors were also still wary of the political situation as protests ru
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Nikkei ends at two-week low

Nikkei ends at two-week low

Japan's Nikkei average fell 1.1 percent to a two-week closing low on Tuesday as worries about global stagflation outweighed the positive effect on exporters of the dollar's rise to a three-month high against the yen.
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Indian shares drop

Indian shares drop

Indian shares closed 1.17 percent lower on Tuesday after hitting a new intra-day low for the year, led by a plunge across Asian markets and worries over high oil prices, dealers said. The benchmark Mumbai 30-share Sensex index fell 176.85 points at 14,889
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Singapore shares fall

Singapore shares fall

Singapore share prices closed 1.65 percent lower on Tuesday ahead of key US economic data to be released this week, dealers said. The blue chip Straits Times Index dropped 50.97 points to 3,033.05 on volume of 1.31 billion shares worth 1.50 billion Singap
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Yuan dives versus dollar

Yuan dives versus dollar

The yuan fell sharply against the dollar in the offshore forwards market on Tuesday and one-year dollar/yuan volatilities hit a fresh post-revaluation high after an aggressive monetary tightening by China's central bank.
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Dollar jumps, Bernanke stokes Fed rate hike

Dollar jumps, Bernanke stokes Fed rate hike

The dollar jumped to a three-month high against the yen on Tuesday after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said the central bank would strongly resist an erosion in inflation expectations, convincing more investors that rate hikes could come this year
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Forex remarks from Treasury, Fed boost dollar

Forex remarks from Treasury, Fed boost dollar

The dollar jumped on Monday as top Treasury and Federal Reserve officials voiced concern about its recent slide, raising the chances that officials could step into the foreign exchange market to support the US currency.
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Australian dollar at 3 1/2-week lows

Australian dollar at 3 1/2-week lows

The Australian dollar fell to its lowest in over three weeks on Tuesday as warnings from the Federal Reserve chief about inflation lifted the US currency and battered bonds around the globe. "Bernanke's concern about inflation has pushed the US dollar up
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Most Asian currencies down

Most Asian currencies down

Most Asian currencies fell on Tuesday after Fed chief Ben Bernanke's warning on inflation fanned expectations of US interest rate rises this year, but central bank intervention lifted the won and the baht. The Philippine peso briefly dipped to 44.45 per d
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Swiss franc falls

Swiss franc falls

The Swiss franc fell against the dollar on Tuesday as the greenback was lifted by comments that suggested the US Federal Reserve could hike rates this year. "Against the dollar, the franc is down because of comments from (Federal Reserve Chairman) Bernank
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Twenty20 fever hits England's county clubs

Twenty20 fever hits England's county clubs

The "sold out" signs are springing up around England's county cricket grounds as the Twenty20 revolution gathers pace. The country's domestic Twenty20 competition begins its sixth year on Wednesday and the "crash bang wallop" form of the game has never be
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Murray advances at Queen's after Grosjean injury

Murray advances at Queen's after Grosjean injury

British number one Andy Murray got off to a winning start at Queen's Club on Tuesday after Sebastien Grosjean pulled out with a leg injury just two games into their second round match. Murray will be relieved to have advanced with the minimum effort again
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
LTA blasted by British prospect

LTA blasted by British prospect

The Lawn Tennis Association were accused of letting young British talent go to waste after James Ward, one of the prospects they neglected, came close to shocking former world number one Marat Safin at Queen's Club. Ward, ranked 488th in the world, had co
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Moores expects Kiwi backlash

Moores expects Kiwi backlash

England coach Peter Moores expects New Zealand to be a far tougher proposition in the upcoming one-day series than they were in a lopsided Test campaign. England cruised to a 2-0 Test series victory with an innings and nine run win, achieved with more tha
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
UEFA back referee in Dutch goal dispute

UEFA back referee in Dutch goal dispute

Netherlands' controversial first goal in Monday's 3-0 Group C victory over world champions Italy at Euro 2008 was correctly awarded despite many observers believing it was offside, organisers UEFA said on Tuesday. UEFA general secretary David Taylor told
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
India beat Pakistan by 140 runs

India beat Pakistan by 140 runs

India beat Pakistan by 140 runs in a triangular one-day series match here at the Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Statium here on Tuesday. Pakistan chasing 330 to win all out only making 190 in 35.4 overs. Earlier, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir thrived on Pakis
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Japan massacre suspect said he was ugly, lonely

Japan massacre suspect said he was ugly, lonely

A suspect behind a stabbing spree in Tokyo which left seven dead was handed to prosecutors on Tuesday as a picture emerged of an angry young man engulfed by feelings he was ugly and lonely.
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Three Hamas gunmen killed

Three Hamas gunmen killed

Israeli troops killed three Hamas fighters in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday as Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met with top ministers to weigh up a possible military offensive on the besieged territory. On Tuesday Israeli troops killed three Hamas fighters in Gaza
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Iran withdrawing assets from European banks

Iran withdrawing assets from European banks

Iran is withdrawing assets from European banks in the face of tightening international sanctions against the Islamic Republic over its disputed nuclear programme, an Iranian daily said on Tuesday.
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
US expected to pledge some $10 billion for Afghans

US expected to pledge some $10 billion for Afghans

The United States is expected to pledge roughly $10 billion in aid for Afghanistan at a donors conference to be held in Paris on Thursday, a Bush administration official said.
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Nepal's former king to leave palace today

Nepal's former king to leave palace today

Nepal's ex-king Gyanendra will leave his palace on Wednesday, a day before the expiry of a deadline set by a constitutional assembly which abolished the monarchy, a palace official said. He is expected to move to a former hunting lodge on the outskirts of
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Democratic party fundraising on the rise

Democratic party fundraising on the rise

The Democratic Party raised 247 million dollars between January 1, 2007 and April 30, 2008, a sum that could prove crucial this election year, according to Federal Election Commission figures. The total is 24 percent more than the party raised during the
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Tsvangirai rejects unity government

Tsvangirai rejects unity government

Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai on Tuesday ruled out suggestions of a national unity government, saying his party was sure to win a presidential runoff despite government violence. Tsvangirai told a news conference in Harare that Zimbabwe was
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Sri Lanka not ready for peace moves: Tiger leader

Sri Lanka not ready for peace moves: Tiger leader

A Tamil Tiger leader accused the Sri Lankan government on Tuesday of denying international mediators access to the rebels and said Colombo was not ready for peace talks. The government rejected the rebels' claim.
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
South Korea girds for protests; cabinet offers to quit

South Korea girds for protests; cabinet offers to quit

South Korea's entire cabinet offered to resign on Tuesday in the face of massive street protests, as its increasingly unpopular president warned that Asia's fourth-largest economy could be heading into crisis.
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
'Guantanamo war crimes trials below standard'

'Guantanamo war crimes trials below standard'

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour said on Tuesday planned Guantanamo war crimes trials fell short of international standards and handing down death penalties would be "just not acceptable".
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Relief as China 'quake lake' drains at speed

Relief as China 'quake lake' drains at speed

China declared victory over an unstable "quake lake" on Tuesday as floodwaters were released downstream, where hundreds of thousands had been under threat of a second crisis following last month's earthquake.
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
EU and US seek to turn up pressure on Iran

EU and US seek to turn up pressure on Iran

The United States and the European Union sought on Tuesday to turn up the pressure on Iran to drop its nuclear enrichment programme by saying they were ready to go beyond a latest round of UN sanctions. But President George W. Bush acknowledged the limits
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Somali Islamist head rejects UN pact

Somali Islamist head rejects UN pact

Hard-line Islamist leaders rejected a UN-brokered peace pact signed by the Somali government and some opposition figures, and vowed on Tuesday that war would continue. "We don't see that as a peace deal, we see it as a trap," Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys tol
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
UN calls for 'new deal' on Afghanistan

UN calls for 'new deal' on Afghanistan

The UN Special Representative for Afghanistan, Kai Eide, called Tuesday on Kabul and its international supporters to forge a "new deal" to push forward progress for the Afghan people. Afghanistan and more than 80 countries and international organisations
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Head of Saddam tribe blown up in car bomb blast

Head of Saddam tribe blown up in car bomb blast

The head of Saddam Hussein's tribe was killed by a bomb planted on his vehicle north of Baghdad on Tuesday, police said. The blast killed Sheikh Ali al-Neda as he travelled along a highway after leaving his home in the late Iraqi president's hometown of A
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
McCain and Obama stake out divergent paths on taxes

McCain and Obama stake out divergent paths on taxes

Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama staked out starkly opposing stances on taxes on Tuesday, with McCain promising corporate tax breaks and Obama pledging tax increases for many.
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
High fuel prices spark protests in Asia and Europe

High fuel prices spark protests in Asia and Europe

Protesters marched in India, Hong Kong and Nepal over soaring oil prices on Tuesday and Spaniards stockpiled fuel and food, fearing shortages because of a truck drivers' strike that has halted deliveries.
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Sterling falls

Sterling falls

Sterling fell on Tuesday as British data did little to change the view that inflation is rising and growth is slowing, and on expectations of euro zone and US rate hikes. Sterling was unable to capitalise on data showing retail sales grew at their fastest
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Dollar surges in London

Dollar surges in London

The dollar rose broadly, setting a three-month high against the yen on Tuesday, after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke raised his anti-inflationary language, stoking expectations for US interest rate rises.
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Indian rupee sags to two-week low

Indian rupee sags to two-week low

The Indian rupee fell to a two-week low on Tuesday, hit by worries about foreign investors withdrawing funds after the stock market hit a new low for 2008, but suspected central bank intervention checked its losses.
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Credit spreads widen

Credit spreads widen

European credit spreads widened on Tuesday on fears of interest rate hikes, although they recovered partly later in the day after US share market declines were smaller than feared. By 1534 GMT, the Markit investment-grade iTraxx Europe index was at 92.5 b
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Credit spreads widen

Credit spreads widen

European credit spreads widened on Tuesday on fears of interest rate hikes, although they recovered partly later in the day after US share market declines were smaller than feared. By 1534 GMT, the Markit investment-grade iTraxx Europe index was at 92.5 b
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Asian bond spreads stay broad

Asian bond spreads stay broad

Asian sovereign and corporate bond spreads widened on Tuesday after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke indicated inflation was becoming a priority, marking the latest indication that global interest rates are on the rise.
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Asian bond spreads stay broad

Asian bond spreads stay broad

Asian sovereign and corporate bond spreads widened on Tuesday after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke indicated inflation was becoming a priority, marking the latest indication that global interest rates are on the rise.
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Tuesday's midday trade: US stocks climb

Tuesday's midday trade: US stocks climb

US stocks shifted gears and climbed at midday on Tuesday as investors bought Dow industrials like Coca-Cola and other companies with steady earnings, while a drop in oil prices helped ease concerns about inflation.
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Malaysian shares little changed

Malaysian shares little changed

Malaysian stocks closed little changed on Tuesday amid profit-taking by retail players and short-term investors, dealers said. The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index fell 0.02 points to 1,230.96 and declining stocks outnumbered advancers 396 to 227.
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
FTSE remains down

FTSE remains down

Britain's top shares index fell for a third day in a row on Tuesday as commodity stocks weighed, though miner Eurasian Natural Resources rose on market talk of a merger with rival Kazakhmys. The commodity-heavy FTSE 100 closed down 50.3 points or 0.9 perc
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Tokyo rubber near two-week high

Tokyo rubber near two-week high

Tokyo rubber futures firmed on Tuesday, hovering near their highest level in almost two weeks, helped by a weaker yen. The benchmark rubber contract on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange for November delivery added 1.0 yen per kg to 337.6 yen, having hit a high
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Shanghai copper and zinc fall

Shanghai copper and zinc fall

Shanghai copper fell nearly 1 percent on Tuesday after China tightened monetary policy by more than expected over a long holiday weekend, and zinc dropped by its daily limit on weak demand and arbitrage. The most active Shanghai August copper contract sli
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Copper down, nickel jumps

Copper down, nickel jumps

A strong dollar knocked copper prices lower on Tuesday, while nickel jumped almost 7 percent as a gas explosion in Australia raised concerns over this year's output, traders and analysts said. In other metals, zinc fell to a 2-1/2-year low on poor fundame
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Oil plummets $3 on demand worries

Oil plummets $3 on demand worries

Oil fell sharply on Tuesday after the US Federal Reserve signalled it was taking aim at inflation, triggering a rebound in the US dollar and a sell-off across commodities markets. Further pressure on prices came after two of the world's biggest energy for
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
North America tomato industry reeling

North America tomato industry reeling

Florida's tomato industry is in "complete collapse" and growers in California and Mexico are having trouble selling their crops as US regulators hunt the source of a salmonella outbreak linked to certain tomato varieties, growers said on Tuesday.
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
London cocoa sets new high

London cocoa sets new high

London robusta coffee and cocoa futures rose on investor and fund buying on Tuesday, while white sugar moved sideways, underpinned by firm physical demand for the sweetener, dealers said. Coffee led the gains, as technical buying by investment funds and s
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Gold slips in London

Gold slips in London

Gold fell more than 2 percent on Tuesday as the dollar rose after comments by US Treasury secretary Henry Paulson. Paulson reiterated he would be prepared to intervene in currency markets to underpin the dollar.
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
US MIDDAY: coffee, cocoa firm

US MIDDAY: coffee, cocoa firm

Arabica coffee on ICE Futures US jumps 3 percent in volatile trade on short-term buying Tuesday, while cocoa gained as investors bought day-earlier dips amid rollover activity, traders said.
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Sugar eases

Sugar eases

Raw sugar futures eased on ICE Futures US at EDT 1253 GMT. July contract gained 0.10 cent to 9.80 cents per lb. Range from 9.66 to 9.84 cents. July contract volume at 8,578 lots.
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
US MIDDAY: corn rises

US MIDDAY: corn rises

Corn was up 1-1/2 to 5 cents per bushel, with July up 2-1/2 at $6.49-1/4 per bushel early on Tuesday. Support from USDA's June supply/demand report that showed a cut in US corn production for this year and a decline in corn ending stocks. Wet US weather h
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
US MIDDAY: wheat climbs

US MIDDAY: wheat climbs

Wheat was up 1/4 to 10-1/2 cents per bushel, with July up 5-3/4 at $7.94-1/4 per bushel early on Tuesday. Rebound from Monday's decline with gains in corn also supportive. USDA's June production and supply/demand reports neutral for wheat prices.
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
US MIDDAY: soyabeans down

US MIDDAY: soyabeans down

CBOT soyabeans were down 14 cents per bushel to up 5, with July down 13 at $14.39 per bushel early on Tuesday. Turns down on likely switch to larger US soya acreage this year as flooding harms corn crop.
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
US MIDDAY: copper falls

US MIDDAY: copper falls

US copper futures lost over one percent of their value early on Tuesday as a stronger dollar continued to hold its bearish influence over price, keeping them pinned down near the bottom of an almost three-month range.
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
US MIDDAY: gold tumbles

US MIDDAY: gold tumbles

US gold futures tumbled 2 percent on Tuesday as the dollar surged after comments on inflation from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke triggered speculation of an interest rate hike. The August gold contract on Comex division of New York Mercantile Exch
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
PGJDC organises CAD/CAM course in Lahore

PGJDC organises CAD/CAM course in Lahore

Pakistan Gems and Jewellery Development Company (PGJDC) has organised a Computer Aided Jewellery Designing (CAD/CAM) Course at Gems and Jewellery Training and Manufacturing Centre in Lahore. The course that started on Tuesday would continue for one month
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Enquiry ordered against land allotments during five years

Enquiry ordered against land allotments during five years

Advisor to Chief Minister (ACE) for Inquiries and Anti-Corruption Establishment, Gul Mohammed Laat has ordered an inquiry against allotment of land in Karachi and all over the province during the last 5 years in violation of laid down rules and regulation
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
LDAs clean-up drive continues

LDAs clean-up drive continues

Estate Management Directorate staff of the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has carried on with its clean-up campaign for the third consecutive day by flattening temporary and permanent constructions flouting the building by-laws on both sides of Multan
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Fate of ad-hoc lecturers hangs in balance

Fate of ad-hoc lecturers hangs in balance

The fate of 860 ad-hoc lecturers, kept on regularisation promise by the previous government, hangs in balance as they continue to wait for appropriate orders.
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
CDGK to spend Rs 22 million for recreational facilities

CDGK to spend Rs 22 million for recreational facilities

City District Government Karachi has decided to start different projects costing Rs 22.50 million meant to provide recreational facilities at Clifton Beach Park. The projects include a monorail to be run at a cost of Rs 10 million while another Rs 10 mill
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Aga Khan youth art competition, 'friends of the environment' held

Aga Khan youth art competition, 'friends of the environment' held

Aga Khan Planning and Building Service Pakistan, in an attempt to create a deeper understanding of the crucial importance of environment, conceptualised an art competition titled, 'Friends of the Environment' at a hotel here on Tuesday.
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Anti-polio drive starts in Sukkur

Anti-polio drive starts in Sukkur

Member Provincial Assembly (MPA) Sindh, Dr Nasrullah Baloch inaugurated sub-national immunisation campaign for polio eradication in the Sukkur district on Monday. The drive is being launched by Health Department Sukkur from Tuesday to Thursday in the dist
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Advance medical facilities in far-flung areas termed vital

Advance medical facilities in far-flung areas termed vital

Provision for advance medical facilities in small cities are essential to help the ailing people seek needed relief at their nearest, said Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences Jamshoro Vice Chancellor Professor Naushad Ahmed Shaikh.
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
300 new family welfare centres to be set up

300 new family welfare centres to be set up

As many as 300 new family welfare centres will be established in the province for the provision of basic maternal and child health care facilities to the maximum people at their doorsteps.
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Punjab Health Department sets up monitoring teams

Punjab Health Department sets up monitoring teams

The Punjab Health Department has set up monitoring teams consisting of senior officers to check health facilities in the province. Each team has been assigned 10 districts where every officer will report with recommendations to the provincial co-ordinator
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am
Drive against spurious drugs launched

Drive against spurious drugs launched

A drive against manufacturers and sellers of fake and spurious drugs has begun in the Punjab and 130 cases have been sent to drug courts. It was disclosed in a meeting of Provincial Quality Control Board Health Department, here on Tuesday, disclosed an of
Published 11 Jun, 2008 12:00am