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Sep 23, 2024 اردو ► PRINT EDITION ► BR MARKETS ► Dollar to PKR ►
Print - 2009-02-05
Dollar steady before job data

Dollar steady before job data

The dollar held steady against a basket of currencies in cautious trade on Wednesday before jobs data in the United States and interest rates decisions by central banks in Europe. But the US currency trimmed some of the previous day's losses against curre
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Dollar tumbles on better housing data

Dollar tumbles on better housing data

The dollar fell versus a basket of currencies on Tuesday after an unexpected jump in US pending home sales and fresh stimulative measures by central banks world-wide eroded safe-haven flows into the greenback. The currency market continued to take its cue
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Bangladesh interbank forex, interest rates

Bangladesh interbank forex, interest rates

Interbank buy/sell rates for the taka against the dollar on Wednesday. 68.93/68.96 (previous 68.95/68.96). Call Money Rates: 8.00-12.00 percent (previous 8.00-12.00 percent.
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Hong Kong dollar firms slightly

Hong Kong dollar firms slightly

The Hong Kong dollar was modestly higher against the US dollar on Wednesday after moving in a narrow range, while interbank rates fell across the board amid abundant liquidity. The local currency hit a session high of 7.7535 against the US dollar, slightl
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Won and rupiah lead Asian currencies higher

Won and rupiah lead Asian currencies higher

The South Korea won and Indonesian rupiah led Asian currencies higher on Wednesday after economic data raised hopes that unprecedented world-wide efforts to tackle the global slowdown may finally find traction. The won gained just over 1 percent to 1,369.
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Swiss franc little changed

Swiss franc little changed

The Swiss franc traded little changed against the euro and the dollar on Wednesday as markets braced for US jobless data and interest rate decisions from the European Central Bank and the Bank of England. Trading in the euro-franc was taking a "timeout",
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Middlesbrough admit Football Association charge

Middlesbrough admit Football Association charge

Middlesbrough admitted Wednesday a charge of failing to control their players during the Premier League match against West Bromwich Albion on January 17. The charge was imposed by the Football Association (FA) for the way in which Boro's players reacted f
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Fabregas wants to return to Barcelona

Fabregas wants to return to Barcelona

Arsenal's Spanish international midfielder Cesc Fabregas wants to return to Barcelona next season where he would have a better chance of playing in the Champions League, sports daily Marca reported Wednesday. The 21-year-old, who has been in Spain recover
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Japan crush Finland in qualifying warm-up

Japan crush Finland in qualifying warm-up

Striker Shinji Okazaki scored two clinical first-half goals to spark Japan to a 5-1 home win over Finland in a World Cup qualifying warm-up on Wednesday. The ease of the victory should give Japan a timely boost a week before the visit of Australia, who to
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Pakistan and Australia agree to play ODI series in UAE

Pakistan and Australia agree to play ODI series in UAE

Pakistan and Australia have agreed to play a five-match one-day series and a Twenty20 game at neutral venues in the United Arab Emirates in April and May, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ejaz Butt said on Wednesday. Australia pulled out of their scheduled
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Australia unlikely to tour Pakistan: PCB

Australia unlikely to tour Pakistan: PCB

Australia are unlikely to tour Pakistan to play a five-match one-day series and a Twenty20 game because of lingering fears over security in the troubled nation, a top official said Wednesday. The latest blow to Pakistan cricket follows a decision by the I
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
First World Cup stadium ready for South Africa 2010

First World Cup stadium ready for South Africa 2010

Pretoria stadium Loftus Versfeld will become the first of 10 venues for the 2010 World Cup to open for action when it hosts a South African Premier Soccer League match on Saturday. The stadium's renovation has been completed, including the installation of
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Zimbabwe complete 5-0 series

Zimbabwe complete 5-0 series

Zimbabwe completed a 5-0 series clean sweep over Kenya on Wednesday, winning the fifth and final match by seven wickets at the Nairobi Gymkhana club. Zimbabwe, propped up by an unbeaten third-wicket partnership of opener Hamilton Masakadza (84) and Sean W
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Sky seals English Premier League TV deal

Sky seals English Premier League TV deal

The English Premier League said Wednesday it had struck a deal with BSkyB for the broadcaster to continue showing the majority of live matches in a deal reportedly worth more than one billion pounds. "The Premier League has awarded four of the six audio-v
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Sania Mirza out of Fed Cup

Sania Mirza out of Fed Cup

India's chances of reaching the next stage of the Federation Cup have been dealt a major blow with the late withdrawal of Sania Mirza. India's top-ranked female player, having reached a peak of 27 in late 2007, Mirza was expected to spearhead India's chal
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Dokic makes winning Fed Cup return

Dokic makes winning Fed Cup return

Jelena Dokic continued her spectacular comeback Wednesday, leading Australia to a comprehensive 3-0 win over South Korea in their opening Fed Cup Asia/Oceania Group I clash. The former world number four said she was nervous ahead of her first appearance f
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Bahraini in bid to unseat Bin Hammam at FIFA

Bahraini in bid to unseat Bin Hammam at FIFA

Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Mohamed Bin Hammam is facing an unprecedented challenge to his reign after Bahrain's soccer chief launched a bid to unseat him from FIFA's executive committee. Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim al Khalifa rejected sugg
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Rohingyas rounded up, beaten in Thailand: survivor

Rohingyas rounded up, beaten in Thailand: survivor

Two men from among 198 Rohingyas found off Indonesia this week said they had been rounded up in Thailand, beaten and cast adrift in a rickety, engineless boat by Thai authorities. Thailand's treatment of the Rohingyas, an oppressed Muslim minority from ma
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Vatican demands Holocaust denier publicly recant views

Vatican demands Holocaust denier publicly recant views

The Vatican on Wednesday ordered a traditionalist bishop who denies the Holocaust to publicly recant his views if he wants to serve as a prelate in the Roman Catholic Church. The Vatican said Pope Benedict was not aware of Bishop Richard Williamson's deni
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
52 killed in north Sri Lanka; cease-fire urged

52 killed in north Sri Lanka; cease-fire urged

At least 52 civilians were killed by shelling in Sri Lankan's northern war zone, the United Nations said on Wednesday, while a crowded hospital was hit again and Britain and the United States urged a cease-fire. "There were 52 killed and 80 wounded from o
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Estonian in Russia spy probe on trial by March

Estonian in Russia spy probe on trial by March

A former Estonian defence ministry official accused of spying for the country's Soviet-era master Moscow is set to face trial within weeks, justice authorities said Wednesday. "The case will reach court in a few weeks, in March at the latest," Gerrit Maes
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Khatami signals presidential plans

Khatami signals presidential plans

Former President Mohammad Khatami has given the strongest signal so far that he will run in Iran's June presidential election, telling supporters he should "fulfil my promises" about announcing his candidacy. Khatami, who served from 1997 to 2005, oversaw
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Japanese man dies after 14 hospitals refuse care

Japanese man dies after 14 hospitals refuse care

A 69-year-old Japanese cyclist injured in a road accident died after 14 hospitals refused to admit him because they already had too many patients, emergency workers said Wednesday. They said the victim was finally admitted to hospital three hours after hi
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Zimbabwe to debate unity government law after delay

Zimbabwe to debate unity government law after delay

Zimbabwe's parliament will on Thursday debate a law to form a unity government, after an initial delay raised fears that a political and damaging economic crisis would be prolonged. Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai last week a
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
South African judge postpones Zuma's corruption case

South African judge postpones Zuma's corruption case

A South African judge on Wednesday postponed a hearing on ruling ANC leader Jacob Zuma's corruption case to August 25, several months after he is expected to become the next president. Zuma is the candidate of the African National Congress in an election
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Hundreds protest Madagascar mayor's sacking

Hundreds protest Madagascar mayor's sacking

Hundreds of supporters of Madagascar's sacked mayor Andry Rajoelina gathered Wednesday in front of his office to protest against his dismissal in the wake of rioting that killed 68 people. Rajoelina, the new leader of the Indian Ocean island's opposition,
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Partial strike in India Tamil Nadu state on Sri Lanka

Partial strike in India Tamil Nadu state on Sri Lanka

Protesters called a strike on Wednesday in India's southern state of Tamil Nadu to protest Sri Lanka's military offensive against Tamil Tigers, but many people ignored the call. Buses, trains and planes were unaffected, while government offices, banks and
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Bones discovered beneath Spanish parliament

Bones discovered beneath Spanish parliament

Human bones have been discovered during repair work underneath the Spanish parliament building, officials said Wednesday. The bones, which belonged to at least three people, were believed to be several centuries old. They were thought to have been inside
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Kosovo launches its own secret service

Kosovo launches its own secret service

Kosovo on Wednesday began creating its own secret service, appointing former police officer Bashkim Smakaj as director of the Kosovo Intelligence Agency (KIA). President Fatmir Sejdiu and Prime Minister Hashim Thaci made the appointment at a ceremony in P
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
British soldier arrested in Afghanistan in secrets probe

British soldier arrested in Afghanistan in secrets probe

A British soldier has been arrested in Afghanistan over an alleged breach of the country's Official Secrets Act, the Ministry of Defence in London said Wednesday. The soldier, who was not identified, is being flown back to Britain for questioning and the
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Kyrgyzstan moves to shut key US base

Kyrgyzstan moves to shut key US base

The Kyrgyz government on Wednesday approved the closure of a US air base on its territory, hastening the end of a vital supply route for Nato forces in Afghanistan. Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev had announced in Moscow a day earlier that his governme
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Karzai confesses tensions with allies

Karzai confesses tensions with allies

President Hamid Karzai said Wednesday there were "serious tensions" in his relationship with Afghanistan's foreign allies and that they were pressuring him to stop complaining about civilian casualties. The strains emerged after incidents last year when U
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
World powers welcome Obama's talk offer to Iran

World powers welcome Obama's talk offer to Iran

World powers on Wednesday said they were committed to a diplomatic solution on the issue of Iran's nuclear programme and welcomed US President Barack Obama's offer to talk directly with Tehran. "(We) emphasise a common commitment to a diplomatic solution
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
North Korea may test-fire missile toward Japan

North Korea may test-fire missile toward Japan

North Korea may be preparing to use the site of its previous ballistic missile launches on the east coast to fire its longest range missile, possibly towards Japan, news reports said on Wednesday. The missile reports follow threats directed at Seoul and W
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Indian man jailed for taking 50 cents 24 years ago

Indian man jailed for taking 50 cents 24 years ago

An Indian court sentenced a 75-year-old doctor to jail for accepting half a dollar as bribe nearly a quarter of a century ago, officials said on Wednesday. India's federal police caught Balgovind Prasad accepting 25 rupees (51 cents) from a sweeper in 198
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
China jails official who built Shanghai business hub

China jails official who built Shanghai business hub

The official who oversaw the creation of the glitzy Lujiazui business district in Shanghai's Pudong area has been sentenced to life in prison for accepting bribes, the China Daily said on Tuesday. Kang Huijun, 51, formerly vice governor of Pudong, headed
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Russia lets US supplies through to Afghanistan

Russia lets US supplies through to Afghanistan

Russia will let the United States send supplies across its territory to Afghanistan and offer flexible support, a top Moscow diplomat said on Wednesday, a day after Kyrgyzstan decided to close down a US military airbase. Moscow had in recent days responde
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
UK trade unions reach deal over foreign workers

UK trade unions reach deal over foreign workers

Demonstrators at an oil refinery in Britain were Wednesday urged to abandon their protest after a deal was reached in marathon talks between trade unions and employers at the plant owned by French energy company Total.
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
UN agency accuses Hamas of stealing Gaza aid

UN agency accuses Hamas of stealing Gaza aid

Police affiliated with the Islamic Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip forcibly seized 3,500 blankets and 406 food packages earmarked for hundreds of poor Gaza Strip families, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) charged Wednesday.
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Malia and Sasha dolls get name change

Malia and Sasha dolls get name change

"Marvellous Malia" and "Sweet Sasha", the two plush dolls that did not put a smile on US first lady Michelle Obama's face, have had name changes, the dolls' maker Ty Inc said in a statement. "In deference to the wishes of the first family, Ty Inc has offi
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Areva signs nuclear reactor accord with India

Areva signs nuclear reactor accord with India

French group Areva on Wednesday signed a draft accord for the sale of two to six nuclear reactors to India, a huge new market now open with the end of a nuclear trade embargo on New Delhi. The memorandum of understanding also covers the potential supply b
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Bank lending rates in US dollars rise again

Bank lending rates in US dollars rise again

Bank lending rates in US dollars rose again on Wednesday, extending a three-week climb that reflected both uncertainty about the banking sector and cautious optimism toward battered credit markets. There is great uncertainty surrounding the shape of the e
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Sterling strengthens

Sterling strengthens

Sterling strengthened on Wednesday, particularly against the euro, after data showed that the deterioration in the UK service sector slowed and a credit rating downgrade of Russia spurred heavy euro selling. Sterling's rally was fuelled by a broad-based i
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Euro tumbles in London

Euro tumbles in London

The euro tumbled against the dollar and the yen on Wednesday after Fitch downgraded Russia's long-term foreign and local currency ratings, sparking fears of a steep downturn in eastern Europe. The yen and the dollar also gained broadly on a renewed flight
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Indian rupee off two-week highs

Indian rupee off two-week highs

The Indian rupee came off two week highs to close almost flat on Wednesday as local shares gave up most of their gains, while a strengthening dollar overseas also soured sentiment. The partially convertible rupee closed at 48.82/83 per dollar, off a high
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Power shutdown notice

Power shutdown notice

According to IESCO press release, Power supply will remain suspended due to construction/maintenance work as per following schedule: Saturday 7 and 8 Tuesday 10 February from 0900 to 1500 hours, Modern Floor Mill Feeder, Modern Floor Mill and surroundings
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Bowzer fire kills one

Bowzer fire kills one

Sudden fire in a private bowzer left Mazhar Ali, S/O Sabaz Ali, landowner of a Tando Alam Oil Complex Well No 4 badly burnt and his guard, Ismail dead while they were attempting to steal crude oil. The incident took place when Mazhar and Ismail were tryin
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Reception for new FNF resident representative

Reception for new FNF resident representative

Olaf Kellerhoff, new Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) Resident Representative in Pakistan, said he was delighted to come to Pakistan and he would work hard for achieving FNF goals and creating awareness regarding human rights and human dignity.
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Qazi asks lawyers to chalk out strategy for continuous sit-in

Qazi asks lawyers to chalk out strategy for continuous sit-in

Qazi Hussain Ahmad, Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami on Wednesday assured full co-operation to the lawyers fraternity and urged them to chalk out solid strategy for a continuous sit-in in front of Parliament House till restoration of judiciary including deposed chie
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
National Assembly body slams delay in PEC vice chairman nomination

National Assembly body slams delay in PEC vice chairman nomination

National Assembly Standing Committee on Science and Technology expressed concern over the delay in nomination of Vice Chairman of Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC). In-spite of the several meetings of the governing body, the matter of nomination of the V
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
36 officials of police group promoted as SPs

36 officials of police group promoted as SPs

The federal government has promoted 36 officials of the police group (Grade-17) to the post of Superintendent of the Police and 22 officials (Grade-17/18) of the District Management Group (DMG).
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Nadra urged to register maximum overseas Pakistanis

Nadra urged to register maximum overseas Pakistanis

The Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis, Dr Farooq Sattar has urged Nadra to register maximum Overseas Pakistanis to collect accurate data of Pakistanis living abroad. The Minister was talking to Chairman Nadra, Muhammad Arshad Hakeem who called on h
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Land dispute since 1980: PIA and CAA told not to go to court

Land dispute since 1980: PIA and CAA told not to go to court

Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the National Assembly on Wednesday directed Pakistan International Airline (PIA) and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) not to go into the court against each other over land dispute.
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Import of LNG from Gulf states under consideration

Import of LNG from Gulf states under consideration

Senator Waqar Ahmed Khan, Minister for Investment has said that to meet the energy shortfall due to growth and development, all possible sources of energy are being explored including import of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
'Country in dire need of foreign investment'

'Country in dire need of foreign investment'

The ex-Chairman, Pakistan Steel Linepipe Industry Association (PSPA), Malik Tariq Mahmood has said that the foreign investment in the country is need of the hour but due to unsatisfactory law and order situation and political instability in the country, f
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
UN official meets Rehman

UN official meets Rehman

The United Nations Country Director, Fikret Akcura was called on Interior Advisor, Rehman Malik on Wednesday. The UN official informed Malik about the visit of the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon to Pakistan and conveyed concerns regarding abduction of
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
KEDA polling on February 21

KEDA polling on February 21

The election of Karachi Electronics Dealers Association (KEDA) will be held on February 21. The election of association was pending since last two years due to court proceedings. The Sindh High Court has recently ordered for the election.
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
'National Assembly body to advise removal of CVT and dividend'

'National Assembly body to advise removal of CVT and dividend'

The National Assembly standing committee on finance and revenue would recommend the government to withdraw CVT on trading of shares, and taxation on dividends, to boost the investor confidence. This was stated by Fauzia Wahab, chairperson of NA standing c
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Karachiites compelled to brave long period of load shedding

Karachiites compelled to brave long period of load shedding

Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) has failed to minimise the power shortages, compelling Karachiites to brave 5 to 6 hours long loadshedding daily. The company is yet to restore electric supply from KANUPP, which was shut down due to some technical f
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Sindh government stops funding for 12 Karachi uplift schemes

Sindh government stops funding for 12 Karachi uplift schemes

The Sindh government has stopped releasing funds for 12 Karachi development schemes. Sources in Sindh Planning and Development (P&D) Department told Business Recorder on Wednesday that the City District Government Karachi (CDGK) had proposed 12 dev
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Asian bond spreads narrow

Asian bond spreads narrow

Asian bonds firmed on Wednesday after a three-day slide, lifted by better-than-expected US home sales data that raised hopes the market at the centre of the global financial crisis may be close to reaching a bottom.
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Asian bond spreads narrow

Asian bond spreads narrow

Asian bonds firmed on Wednesday after a three-day slide, lifted by better-than-expected US home sales data that raised hopes the market at the centre of the global financial crisis may be close to reaching a bottom.
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Indian shares gain

Indian shares gain

Indian shares rose 0.57 percent Wednesday, shedding most intraday gains, on news the country's software sector would grow by a lower-than-forecast 16 to 17 percent this financial year, dealers said. The benchmark 30-share Sensex index added 52.55 points t
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Wednesday's midday trade: Nasdaq, S&P 500 rise

Wednesday's midday trade: Nasdaq, S&P 500 rise

The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq rose on Wednesday as economic data reassured some investors and offset a batch of disappointing corporate earnings and outlooks. Data from the Institute for Supply Management showed the vast service sector shrank again in Januar
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
European credit spreads tighten

European credit spreads tighten

European credit spreads tightened sharply on Wednesday as US data continued to show less steep declines than expected, which also boosted stock markets. By 1601 GMT, the Markit iTraxx Crossover index, made up of 50 mostly "junk"-rated credits, was at 1,03
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
European credit spreads tighten

European credit spreads tighten

European credit spreads tightened sharply on Wednesday as US data continued to show less steep declines than expected, which also boosted stock markets. By 1601 GMT, the Markit iTraxx Crossover index, made up of 50 mostly "junk"-rated credits, was at 1,03
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
UK's top share index rises

UK's top share index rises

Firmer-than-forecast UK and US data calmed investor nerves on Wednesday, lifting Britain's top share index 1.5 percent by the close, with miners rallying after BHP Billiton reported an increase in profits. The FTSE 100 ended up 64.14 points at 4,228.60, a
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
New York cotton futures settle higher

New York cotton futures settle higher

Cotton futures settled higher Wednesday as the market's ability to hold an area of support encouraged late short-covering in fibre contracts, brokers said. The key March cotton contract rose 0.29 cent to close at 49.67 cents per lb, trading between 49.02
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
US copper climbs

US copper climbs

US copper futures hurdled back above $1.50 a lb on Tuesday as a weaker dollar and an unexpected jump in pending home sales in December drove the bullish sentiment. But rising inventory levels continued to reflect the metal's worrisome demand outlook, and
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Shanghai copper extends gains

Shanghai copper extends gains

Shanghai copper extended gains on Wednesday, building on the previous session's 5 percent surge and chasing even sharper gains in London overnight on hopes that the slide in commodities since mid-2008 may have bottomed out. Shanghai copper futures rose 2.
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Copper hits one-week high

Copper hits one-week high

Copper rose 3 percent to a one-week high on Wednesday, boosted by reports of Chinese buying and as data from China and the United States raised hopes the pace of the global economic downturn may be slowing. China has started buying copper from domestic bo
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Oil slips to near $40

Oil slips to near $40

Oil settled near $40 a barrel on Wednesday, down slightly after the US stock market fell and a government report showed a larger-than-expected build in US crude inventories. US light crude for March delivery settled at $40.32, down 46 cents, after falling
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Cocoa, coffee and sugar fall in London

Cocoa, coffee and sugar fall in London

Cocoa eased on Wednesday with concern about possible softer demand linked to the economic downturn encouraging profit taking after last month's advance. Coffee and sugar prices also fell, weakened partly by a firmer dollar, dealers said. "There is an elem
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Gold climbs above $900 in London

Gold climbs above $900 in London

Gold climbed above $900 an ounce on Wednesday on demand for the metal as a safe store of value, but remained rangebound as the markets awaited direction from a raft of financial news due later in the week. Spot gold was quoted at $905.90/907.90 an ounce a
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
US MIDDAY: cocoa, coffee ease

US MIDDAY: cocoa, coffee ease

US cocoa and arabica coffee futures eased in thin dealings Wednesday, pressured by chart-based indicators and a firmer dollar, traders said. Arabica coffee for March delivery down 0.25 cent at $1.19 per lb by 9:17 am EST (1417 GMT). Trading range from $1.
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
US MIDDAY: wheat falls

US MIDDAY: wheat falls

Chicago Board of Trade wheat futures turned lower on Wednesday morning, falling due to poor export demand for US supplies, traders said. Kansas City and Minneapolis wheat futures also weakened. At 10:14 am CST (1614 GMT), CBOT March wheat was down 8-1/2 c
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
US MIDDAY: sugar steadies

US MIDDAY: sugar steadies

Raw sugar futures on ICE Futures US at 1313 GMT. March raw sugar contract flat at 12.66 cents per lb. Trading from 12.56 to 12.73 cents. Volume at 7,501 lots.
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
US MIDDAY: soyabeans higher

US MIDDAY: soyabeans higher

Chicago Board of Trade soyabean futures rose at the open on Wednesday morning on a technical bounce following declines earlier in the week, traders said. At 9:33 am CST (1533 GMT), the Chicago Board of Trade March soyabean futures contract was 19 cents hi
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
US MIDDAY: copper rises

US MIDDAY: copper rises

Copper rose to a one-week high in New York futures early trade on Wednesday after reports of increased Chinese buying and upbeat data from China and the United States helped extend a two-day rally in the metal. Copper for March delivery rose 0.90 cent to
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
US MIDDAY: gold jumps

US MIDDAY: gold jumps

US gold futures rebounded nearly 2 percent on Wednesday following the previous session's decline, fuelled by worries due to massive liquidity injections by central banks and after a major brokerage upgraded its price forecast. Gold for April delivery rose
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Government urged to save auto industry from decline

Government urged to save auto industry from decline

Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) Acting President, Shaban Khalid on Wednesday urged upon the government to provide relief to the auto industry by reducing interest rates on loans. According to ICCI press release, Khalid said that auto-sec
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Government to allocate agriculture-land to retired army personnel

Government to allocate agriculture-land to retired army personnel

The government will allocate agri-land to retired army officers, Hawaldars, JCOs and heirs of martyrs, stated Secretary District Armed Services Board Jahangir Khan. Talking to newsmen, the official disclosed that officers and aforementioned Army serviceme
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
JICA hailed for supporting development work in Pakistan

JICA hailed for supporting development work in Pakistan

'The Government and the people of Pakistan are thankful to Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) for extending its commendable support for infrastructure development, bringing reforms in health, education, environment, water and sanitation, agric
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Section 144 imposed during exams

Section 144 imposed during exams

District Nazim Muzaffargarh Malik Allah Dad Khar has imposed section 144 CrPC during schools' grade five and eight exams in the district. According to the notification, no outsider or unconcerned person will be allowed to enter within a radius of 200 mete
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Seminar on global financial meltdown

Seminar on global financial meltdown

The Institute of Cost and management Accountants of Pakistan (ICMAP) is organising a seminar on global financial meltdown at its premises here on Friday (tomorrow). An announcement here on Wednesday said that the Dean and Director of the Institute of Busi
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Sony Ericsson, IBM sign outsourcing agreement

Sony Ericsson, IBM sign outsourcing agreement

The IBM has signed a five-year outsourcing agreement with Sony Ericsson regarding the management of application maintenance and development of all of Sony Ericsson's SAP applications globally. An announcement to this effect was made in a statement here on
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
150,000 tonnes of urea import contract finalised

150,000 tonnes of urea import contract finalised

Trading Corp-oration of Pakistan (TCP) has finalised the contract for the import of further 1,50,000 tonnes of urea at $285 per tonne. TCP Chairman, Muhammad Saeed told Geo News that the government had floated tender for the import of 2,50,000 tonnes of u
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Spring fair in UK: Wajid urges quality production of Pakistani goods

Spring fair in UK: Wajid urges quality production of Pakistani goods

Pakistan High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Wajid Shamsul Hasan has urged the Pakistani exporters to maintain the quality of their products for retaining the competitive edge and at the same time diversify their markets to access non-traditional are
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
'Agriculture-scientists should introduce modern technology to farmers'

'Agriculture-scientists should introduce modern technology to farmers'

The Minister of State for Food and Agriculture, Rafique Ahmed Jamali said that agri-scientists should provide modern technologies to the farmers for mass production. He said that the Government has a clear vision to extricate the country out of difficult
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Screening of Indian films case hearing on February 10

Screening of Indian films case hearing on February 10

The Lahore High Court on Wednesday in some identical petitions challenging exhibition of Indian films in Pakistan adjourned the proceedings till February 10. The petitioners, Aslam Dar and others said that the Censor Board was issuing Censor Certificates
Published 05 Feb, 2009 12:00am
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