Britain's top share index fell on Wednesday in a shortened Christmas Eve session, with soft crude prices hurting energy stocks while AstraZeneca fell after US authorities requested more data on its Seroquel drug. The FTSE 100 closed 39.39 points lower, or
Shanghai copper rebounded from early losses to close up nearly 1 percent on Wednesday, on the back of bargain hunting and a solid spot premium. London copper gained 1.2 percent, after a 3 percent overnight fall to a four-year low on dismal US housing data
US copper futures hit a new four-year low in abbreviated pre-holiday business on Wednesday, pulled down as weak economic data fed concerns about deteriorating demand. New York metals markets settled one hour earlier on Wednesday December 24, and will rema
Copper rebounded 1.7 percent higher before reversing gains on Wednesday to match a 4-year low hit in the previous session as the uncertain economic outlook weighed despite a weak dollar. The dollar slipped against the yen and a basket of currencies in thi
Oil dropped 9 percent on Wednesday as another round of gloomy economic data showed the United States has fallen deeper into recession. US crude settled at $35.35, down $3.63 or 9.31 percent. London Brent crude settled at $36.61 a barrel, down $3.75. The l
Oil dropped 9 percent on Wednesday as another round of gloomy economic data showed the United States has fallen deeper into recession. US crude settled at $35.35, down $3.63 or 9.31 percent. London Brent crude settled at $36.61 a barrel, down $3.75. The l
Oil dropped 9 percent on Wednesday as another round of gloomy economic data showed the United States has fallen deeper into recession. US crude settled at $35.35, down $3.63 or 9.31 percent. London Brent crude settled at $36.61 a barrel, down $3.75. The l
US cocoa futures retraced to settle lower on Wednesday, a day after they soared nearly 4 percent, while concerns about tight supplies kept underpinning prices, traders said. Benchmark March trickled down $25 to close at $2,626 per tonne. Wide trading rang
Cocoa futures fell on Wednesday from the prior day's 23-year peak in London on origin selling and general profit-taking, dealers said. Sugar prices held steady while arabica coffee edged higher on the back of a weaker dollar. "We had a little bit of origi
Raw sugar futures bounced to a firmer finish on Wednesday, albeit in thin holiday volumes, as prices received a technical boost after an overnight test of underlying support held, brokers said. ICE agricultural futures traded an abbreviated session on Wed
US gold futures finished firmer on Wednesday after a fresh round of US economic readings reinforced fears of extended recession, though trade was thin with many participants gone for the Christmas holiday, traders said. Futures markets will be closed Thur
Gold slipped in thin holiday trade on Wednesday, shrugging off a weaker dollar, as crude oil prices fell over worries of deteriorating demand. In light trading ahead of Christmas, spot gold was down at $836.90 an ounce at 1253 GMT versus $838.55 late in N
Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) organised its 20th Convocation on its campus Wednesday. 556 students participated in the graduation ceremony and received awards and medals, for outstanding academic performances and excellence. Renowned jou
Pakistan returned to civilian rule shortly after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto a year ago, but the nascent democracy is now caught in a web of crises that is threatening its future, analysts say. The government led by President Asif Ali Zardari, cam
Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (Smeda), All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma), and University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Lahore have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement a comprehensive Energy Mana
President Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Ali Ahmad Kurd on Wednesday said second long march of the lawyers to Islamabad on March 9 would conclude with a sit-in at the Constitution Avenue. Addressing a launching ceremony of book written by former Pre
Punjab Chief Minister, Shahbaz Sharif has said that to restore the beauty of Lahore, haphazard billboards were being removed while landscape and models were being set up at important places. He also directed to replace fused streetlights on all roads by J
Senior economic journalists Mansoor Ahmad (The News) and Itrat Bashir Ahmad (Business Recorder) have unanimously been elected as President and Vice-President, respectively, of the Lahore Economic Journalists Association (LEJA) for the year 2
Punjab Labour Minister Ashraf Khan Sohna has said that the ambit of free education and scholarship for the children of industrial workers was being extended. Besides, reserving 30 percent seats quota in all disciplines of Comsats Lahore, seats had also be
Apropos a news item, "Proposal to reduce duty, taxes on LPG import deferred," carried by Business Recorder on December 23, 2008, LPG Association of Pakistan has submitted the following: The Government of Pakistan has already removed 5% Customs Duty
Chief Minister's Task Force for Environment Chairman Dr Awais Farooqi has asked the development authorities and TMAs of the province not to approve maps of commercial plazas and high-rise buildings without obtaining no objection certificate (NOC) from the
Pakistan People's Party leader and Pakistan Hockey Federation President Qasim Zia on Wednesday said that there is one man rule in Punjab while Governor Salmaan Taseer is playing his constitutional role. Talking to reporters here at National Hockey Stadium
Like other parts of the globe, the Christian community is celebrating Christmas with vigour and high spirits across Pakistan on Thursday. The X-mas celebrations commenced with mass services at the main churches in different parts of the country on Wednesd
Recently our Prime Minister appeared as a guest speaker on a TV channel. The host confronted the Prime Minister with core issues like the drone attacks, provincial-federal tussle in Punjab, the practice of making all important decisions in the Presidency
"The Germans are particularly picky when it comes to their coffee," says Vietnamese coffee tester Le Anh Tuan, as he produces a testing sheet to note his findings. The sheet mentions a number of palate sensations: moldy, woody, sour and tangy, among other
Turkish foreign minister and chief negotiator for the EU Ali Babacan, speaking at a Nato foreign ministers meeting recently, mentioned that the Turkish Constitution, as it stands now, will not help Turkey move forward with its reform agenda.
The nation today is observing the birth anniversary of its Father and the first Governor-General, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, to pay tribute to him for his selfless services for the just cause of the South Asian Muslims and deploying his prodigious
Quoting reliable sources, a Recorder Report appearing the other day has made the disconcerting revelation that Sindh Minimum Wages Board (SMWB) has failed to implement the provision of Rs 6,000 per month as the minimum wage for industrial workers.
Today's celebrations of the birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah falling in the midst of mounting Indian pressure on world leaders to ensure more results from US-led attempts to force Pakistan into acquiescing to her outlandish demands, v
Pakistan's Ambassador to the United Nations Abdullah Hussain Haroon has described Shaheed Benazir Bhutto as a "charismatic and an able leader" devoted to the people's welfare and strengthening the country. In a statement marking her first death anniversar
A prominent British member of the Parliament and Iran's Nobel Prize winner paid rich tributes to late former prime minister Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto describing her as a 'truly international personality' who gave hope to millions of Pakistanis.
United States' UN Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, reminding that Shaheed Benazir Bhutto stood for moderation, has called on moderates to present a united front against extremists for the success of democracy in Pakistan. "Her death was a great tragedy becaus
NWFP Inspector General of Police, Malik Naveed Khan said on Wednesday that NWFP police have lost 154 policemen and got 522 wounded in fight against militancy and terrorism in 2008.
The National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage, Lok Virsa organised a one-day workshop to discuss craft related problems in connection with ongoing artisans-at-Work exhibition under "Craft of the Month" programme.
Poll experts in Dhaka described on Wednesday the recent parliamentary election in Pakistan as a watershed in democracy the world over, as it had seen end of a nine-year one-man rule and emergence of a strong democratic governance. Although, Benazir Bhutto
Warid has again taken the lead in introducing My5, a wonderful permanent feature for its Post-paid subscribers. My5 will enable Warid Post-paid subscribers to make unlimited calls and talk as much as they want on their five Friends and Family numbers.
Amidst weakening macroeconomic fundamentals, JCR-VIS Credit Rating Company Ltd believes that there is significant stress on the general insurance sector, as reflected in performance of both the underwriting and investment management functions.
The staff of Atlas Bank Limited has donated an amount of over Rs 1.69 million to go towards Balochistan earthquake relief effort. This donation was collected to help the families still suffering from the after-effects of earthquake. Hundreds are still exp
Muhammad Sharif Awan, a BS-19 officers of Income Tax Group, has assumed the charge of Director (Finance), Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP), Karachi with immediate effect from December 23, 2008. Prior to his present assignment, he served on various ke
The Ministry of Water and Power has asked Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) to make some investment in the public utility in the wake of a visible slump in the international fuel prices. Well placed sources told Business Recorder on Wednesday
Speakers at a seminar on Wednesday observed that there is an acute dearth of technical institutes in the country which is putting negative impact on the small and medium industrial growth.
The Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has said that Shaheed Benazir Bhutto has sacrificed her life for completing the mission of her great father Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto to convert this country into a welfare state by bringing social and economi
Sindh Governor, Dr Ishrat-ul-Ibad has said that non-Muslims here are not considered minorities but Pakistanis and this is the reason that they enjoy equal opportunities to progress in every field. He was addressing a gathering of members of Christian comm
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).
The National Steering Committee has approved changes in the specifications given in the bid-document of the project 'Clean Drinking Water for All' (CDWA), against the original plan. Now, the contractor would have to rectify the defects in the already inst
The Senate was informed on Wednesday that the Parliamentary Committee on National Security would finalise recommendations to improve rule of law in the country soon after the Muharram ul Harram.
The government said on Wednesday it would not allow any surgical strike inside Pakistan and was fully prepared to respond if war was imposed by India as it got full backing from all the political parties on national security.
The National Assembly on Wednesday unanimously passed a resolution at the end of a two-day debate on 'national security policy' urging the international community to press India to close down its terror cell and stop anti-Pakistan propaganda.
The National Assembly on Wednesday unanimously passed a resolution at the end of a two-day debate on 'national security policy' urging the international community to press India to close down its terror cell and stop anti-Pakistan propaganda.
The staff of the Town Planning Wing of Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has partially demolished a kitchen and a storeroom that has been constructed illegally by the management of Al-Quraish Marriage Hall and occupying a public passage at College Road T
The City Government has started installing power generators at all its water pumping stations in the city to ensure uninterrupted water supply to the city, City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal told the business community. Addressing members of Korangi Associatio
The Election Committee of Peshawar Press Club (PPC) on Wednesday released final list of candidates for the annual elections scheduled for December 29. According to the list, a one-on-one contest is expected between Shamim Shahid of the Daily Nation and si
New Jubilee Life Insurance Company has announced the offer and bid price per unit for the following funds effective from Wednesday, (December 24, 2008).
The newly appointed Director Administration (DA) of Pakistan Steel. Rasul Bakhsh Phulpoto has taken over the charge on Tuesday. A BS-21 government officer of Sindh, Phulpoto has vast experience of management and administration.
New Jubilee Life Insurance Company has announced the offer and bid price per unit for the following funds effective from Wednesday, (December 24, 2008).
Dr Fehmida Mirza, Speaker National Assembly has said that to attain a respectable and dignity place for Pakistan in the comity of nations, every Pakistani should follow the golden principles of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
New Jubilee Life Insurance Company has announced the offer and bid price per unit for the following funds effective from Wednesday, (December 24, 2008).
Speaker National Assembly Dr Fehmida Mirza has extended heartiest greetings to the Christian community on the auspicious occasion of Christmas. She said that Jesus Christ was ordained by Almighty Allah to preach love, peace, tolerance and brotherhood.
The Government of Japan granted a financial support of 71,101 dollar (approx. Rs 5.7 million) under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects to the Al-Mustafa Development Network, a non-governmental organisation, for the implementation
Punjab Finance Minister, Tanvir Ashraf Kaira has said that Shaheed Benazir Bhutto was the voice of the poor and she wanted to eradicate terrorism and restore democracy in the country. While talking to various delegations of the Pakistan People's Party (PP
Punjab Chief Minister, Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said the best way to pay homage to Father of the Nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah is to act upon his golden principles and make practical efforts to safeguard ideological and geographical fron
Speaker National Assembly Dr Fehmida Mirza has said the entire nation is united to give a befitting reply to any foreign aggression. "Our army is completely a professional army and is capable enough to defend its frontiers," she said while addressing the
Minister for Law Farooq H. Naek on Wednesday said the government will accept the report of Standing Committee on Education of the National Assembly and courts decision with respect to Farah Hameed Dogar case.
President, Asif Ali Zardari has emphasised the need for interfaith dialogue and harmony among people belonging to different religion said the government would protect the rights of minorities in the country. In his message to the Christian community all o
President Asif Ali Zardari has said that PPP is people's welfare party which is fighting for the rights of workers, farmers, students and downtrodden people since its inception. He was telephonically addressing the public meeting held under the auspices o
The First Micro Finance Bank Ltd (FMFB) has been ranked seventh in the 2008 MIX Global 100 Composite Ranking of Microfinance Institutions (MFIs). The ranking issued by the Microfinance Information Exchange, Inc highlighted the performance of well rounded,
The UN Security Council sanctions committee and Interpol have recognised Pakistan's efforts being made against terrorism, Information Minister Sherry Rehman said here on Wednesday.
Rates moved both ways with modest fluctuations on the currency market on Wednesday, dealers said. The rupee fell three paisa against dollar on the interbank market for buying at 78.88 and two paisa for selling at 78.92, they said.
Rehman Malik, Advisor to Prime Minister on Interior, on Wednesday dispelled the impression of impending war between India and Pakistan and said that the political leaderships of India and Pakistan "are mature enough", and are against war.
Rates moved both ways with modest fluctuations on the currency market on Wednesday, dealers said. The rupee fell three paisa against dollar on the interbank market for buying at 78.88 and two paisa for selling at 78.92, they said.
Pakistan Railways is suffering a deficit of Rs 28 billion due to weak policies of the previous regime, said Railways Minister Ghulam Ahmad Bilour, here on Wednesday. Talking to the reporters at a local hotel after attending National Conference on "Future
According to IESCO press release, power supply will remain suspended due to construction and annual maintenance work as per following schedule: Sunday 28 December 2008 from 0800 to 1600 hours, Alnoor Colony Feeder, P/Chowk Feeder, T&T Feeder, PAF Feeder,
The NWFP Police on Wednesday claimed the arrest of the masterminds in the kidnapping of the Peshawar-based Consul General of Afghanistan and commercial attaché of the Consul General of Iran.
Benazir Bhutto was not just a courageous leader committed to democracy but she also had the extraordinary ability to mobilise public support for causes, something that is necessary for any country to pull itself out of crisis, a top US scholar and former
The Crime Investigation Department (CID) officials have arrested five persons whom they suspect of planning a suicide attack on the residence of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Member of National Assembly (MNA), Rasheed Akber Niwani. The official