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Dec 28, 2024 اردو ► PRINT EDITION ► BR MARKETS ► Dollar to PKR ►
Print - 2009-02-25
Chinese stocks tumble

Chinese stocks tumble

Chinese main stock index tumbled 4.56 percent on Tuesday, led down by financial and steel shares, after a slide by US stocks to 12-year lows increased fears over the global economy and markets. Auto shares outperformed on news of a Chinese government plan
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
US senators urge rethink on aid to Pakistan

US senators urge rethink on aid to Pakistan

US senators on Monday urged a rethink on aid to Pakistan after a watchdog said more than 12 billion dollars in US spending had failed to eliminate the country's militant haven. The call came as the foreign ministers of Pakistan and neighbouring Afghanista
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Nikkei average slips

Nikkei average slips

Japan's Nikkei average slipped 1.5 percent on Tuesday to a four-month closing low, hurt by a fall in Nomura Holdings and after Wall Street slid to a 12-year low on fears about financial system stability. Investors mostly shrugged off a comment from Japan'
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
ISE index up 42.23 points

ISE index up 42.23 points

Bulls dominated the proceedings at Islamabad Stock Exchange (ISE) on Tuesday where equities showed healthy signs under the lead of hot favourite amid increase in index. ISE Ten Index was up by 42.23 points from 1,259.64 to 1,301.87 points.
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Singapore shares down

Singapore shares down

Singapore shares closed down 1.00 percent on Tuesday but the market was showing a measure of resilience despite the fall, dealers said. The blue chip Straits Times Index slipped 16.25 points to 1,614.44 on volume of 1.00 billion shares worth 681 million S
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
ISE index up 42.23 points

ISE index up 42.23 points

Bulls dominated the proceedings at Islamabad Stock Exchange (ISE) on Tuesday where equities showed healthy signs under the lead of hot favourite amid increase in index. ISE Ten Index was up by 42.23 points from 1,259.64 to 1,301.87 points.
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Hong Kong dollar in a tight range

Hong Kong dollar in a tight range

The Hong Kong dollar held with a narrow range against the US dollar on Tuesday, with attention focusing on moves in the stock market and fund flows. The local currency was trading at 7.7531/32 against the US dollar, barely changed from late Monday trade i
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Militants declare indefinite cease-fire: operation suspended in Bajaur

Militants declare indefinite cease-fire: operation suspended in Bajaur

The militants in district Swat on Tuesday were reported to have extended cease-fire for an indefinite period. According to a report, they took the decision in the light of the presentation of 10 demands by TNSM chief Sufi Mohammad in a meeting of the 'Shu
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Yuan eases slightly against dollar

Yuan eases slightly against dollar

The yuan ended slightly weaker against the dollar on Tuesday but traded narrowly after the Chinese central bank reiterated that it wanted stability in the currency. In a quarterly monetary policy report released late on Monday, the central bank repeated t
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Militants declare indefinite cease-fire: operation suspended in Bajaur

Militants declare indefinite cease-fire: operation suspended in Bajaur

The militants in district Swat on Tuesday were reported to have extended cease-fire for an indefinite period. According to a report, they took the decision in the light of the presentation of 10 demands by TNSM chief Sufi Mohammad in a meeting of the 'Shu
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Yen falls across board

Yen falls across board

The yen fell across the board on Tuesday, sending the dollar to a three-month high, as investors who had bet the Japanese currency would push back up towards recent peaks were forced to cut loss-making positions. The yen, which until recently tended to ga
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Pakistan urgently needs 4-5 billion dollars: Kerry

Pakistan urgently needs 4-5 billion dollars: Kerry

The United States and Europe must give Pakistan 4-5 billion dollars in urgent aid or risk seeing the nuclear-armed country slip into chaos, two leading US foreign policy voices warned Tuesday. Democratic Senator John Kerry and Republican former senator Ch
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Dollar gains

Dollar gains

The dollar rose to a near-three month high against the yen on Monday as the Japanese currency fell broadly on expectations the US government could take a large stake in US lender Citigroup and inject more funds into troubled domestic banks. The Wall Stree
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Pakistan urgently needs 4-5 billion dollars: Kerry

Pakistan urgently needs 4-5 billion dollars: Kerry

The United States and Europe must give Pakistan 4-5 billion dollars in urgent aid or risk seeing the nuclear-armed country slip into chaos, two leading US foreign policy voices warned Tuesday. Democratic Senator John Kerry and Republican former senator Ch
Published 25 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 Tuesday. 68.90/68.90 (previous 68.90/68.91). Call Money Rates: 7.50-12.00 percent (previous 7.50-12.00 percent).
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Pakistan urgently needs 4-5 billion dollars: Kerry

Pakistan urgently needs 4-5 billion dollars: Kerry

The United States and Europe must give Pakistan 4-5 billion dollars in urgent aid or risk seeing the nuclear-armed country slip into chaos, two leading US foreign policy voices warned Tuesday. Democratic Senator John Kerry and Republican former senator Ch
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Australian dollar at two-week high

Australian dollar at two-week high

The Australian dollar held near two-week highs against the yen on Tuesday as the Japanese currency continued to lose its safe-haven allure, offering some support to currencies still offering higher yields. The Aussie, which often moves in tandem with shar
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
EOIs for Jamshoro powerhouses'' lease invited

EOIs for Jamshoro powerhouses'' lease invited

The Privatisation Commission (PC) has invited Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from investors, companies and consortia worth $100 million with demonstrable experience in management, rehabilitation, operation and maintenance of power generation facilities fo
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Won at 11-year closing low

Won at 11-year closing low

The South Korean won hit a near 11-year closing low against the dollar on Tuesday as more investors hunted safer assets on mounting worries about the global financial sector and weakening equity markets. "The (won's) next target could be 1,550 (per dollar
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
EOIs for Jamshoro powerhouses' lease invited

EOIs for Jamshoro powerhouses' lease invited

The Privatisation Commission (PC) has invited Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from investors, companies and consortia worth $100 million with demonstrable experience in management, rehabilitation, operation and maintenance of power generation facilities fo
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Asian currencies hit by renewed financial fears

Asian currencies hit by renewed financial fears

Asian currencies fell on Tuesday as concerns about the health of the global financial system and growing economic gloom haunted investors. The Indonesian rupiah fell 0.6 percent to 12,000 per dollar, with the loss being contained by suspected central bank
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
EOIs for Jamshoro powerhouses' lease invited

EOIs for Jamshoro powerhouses' lease invited

The Privatisation Commission (PC) has invited Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from investors, companies and consortia worth $100 million with demonstrable experience in management, rehabilitation, operation and maintenance of power generation facilities fo
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Swiss franc up

Swiss franc up

The Swiss franc rose against the dollar on Tuesday as worries about the global economy pressured stock markets and supported the traditional safe haven currency. Shares in Europe were tracking losses in Asia and the US, where Wall Street slumped to a 12-y
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
US stocks rise; Europe and Asian stocks fall

US stocks rise; Europe and Asian stocks fall

Wall Street rose on Tuesday, a day after US stocks slid to a 12-year low, but more signs of a deteriorating economy and a warning from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke that the US recession could linger lifted the appeal of low-risk assets.
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Taibu assault trial resumes in Harare

Taibu assault trial resumes in Harare

The trial of former Zimbabwe cricket captain Tatenda Taibu for assaulting a woman senior cricket official resumed in a court here on Tuesday. Taibu, now a top order batsman and wicketkeeper, is claimed to have roughed up Zimbabwe Cricket's (ZC) general ma
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
US stocks rise; Europe and Asian stocks fall

US stocks rise; Europe and Asian stocks fall

Wall Street rose on Tuesday, a day after US stocks slid to a 12-year low, but more signs of a deteriorating economy and a warning from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke that the US recession could linger lifted the appeal of low-risk assets.
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
NTDC win Wapda Karate championship

NTDC win Wapda Karate championship

National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) won Wapda Inter Unit Karate Championship followed by Quetta Electric Supply Company (Qesco) and Gujranwala Electric Power Company (Gepco) for the second and third slot respectively. NTDC secured 124 points
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
US stocks rise; Europe and Asian stocks fall

US stocks rise; Europe and Asian stocks fall

Wall Street rose on Tuesday, a day after US stocks slid to a 12-year low, but more signs of a deteriorating economy and a warning from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke that the US recession could linger lifted the appeal of low-risk assets.
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Knife terror for Fletcher family

Knife terror for Fletcher family

The fiancee of Manchester United star Darren Fletcher had a knife pressed to her throat during a "terrifying" burglary at his home, police said on Tuesday. Hayley Grice was forced to take off her engagement ring while Fletcher's mother was also forced to
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Simon advances at Dubai Open

Simon advances at Dubai Open

Gilles Simon, who is trying to break into the world's top four, survived a tough early challenge at the Dubai Open on Tuesday before defeating Kuwaiti wildcard Mohammed Ghareeb. The world number seven from France was in danger of a spectacular exit in the
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Kiwis get Wright stuff on India

Kiwis get Wright stuff on India

New Zealand have drawn on the inside knowledge of former India coach John Wright as they prepare to play the side they regard as the best in the world. India's tour of New Zealand starts here Wednesday with the first of two Twenty20 matches to be followed
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Posers for Australia ahead of Test showdown

Posers for Australia ahead of Test showdown

Australia, clinging on to their world championship, have selection posers ahead of the first Test against challengers South Africa, starting at the Wanderers Stadium Thursday. By contrast, South Africa have a settled team and will almost certainly go in w
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Younus hits triple ton

Younus hits triple ton

Younus Khan smashed several records on his way to a pugnacious maiden triple hundred as the first Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka headed for a draw here Tuesday. The 31-year-old Pakistan captain foiled all Sri Lanka's attempts to take his wicket, fini
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Younus hits triple ton

Younus hits triple ton

Younus Khan smashed several records on his way to a pugnacious maiden triple hundred as the first Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka headed for a draw here Tuesday. The 31-year-old Pakistan captain foiled all Sri Lanka's attempts to take his wicket, fini
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Khodorkovsky back in Moscow for new trial

Khodorkovsky back in Moscow for new trial

Russia has transferred oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky to Moscow from his Siberian prison, officials said Tuesday, ahead of a new trial supporters fear is aimed at keeping him in jail indefinitely. Khodorkovsky, once Russia's richest man, has been held in
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Sweden's crown princess to wed

Sweden's crown princess to wed

The long-anticipated engagement of Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria to her boyfriend of seven years will be announced Tuesday, according to media rumours sparked after a visit by the prime minister to the royal residence.
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Saudi crown prince operation 'successful': SPA

Saudi crown prince operation 'successful': SPA

Saudi Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz underwent a successful operation in New York for an unrevealed health problem, the royal court announced Tuesday. The operation was carried out on Monday, the royal court said, just three days after he arrived in Ne
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Phone game mocks Japan's 'drowsy' former finance minister

Phone game mocks Japan's 'drowsy' former finance minister

Japanese who watched footage of their former finance minister slur his words and appear to nod off at a Group of Seven press conference can now try to keep him awake in a new cell phone game. Shoichi Nakagawa - who resigned last week blaming cough medicin
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Indian woman sells baby to pay hospital bill

Indian woman sells baby to pay hospital bill

A poverty-stricken single mother in India sold her new-born son to a childless couple for 6,000 rupees (120 dollars) so she could pay her medical bill, a media report said Tuesday. The 20-year-old woman, Rajitha, delivered the baby by Caesarean section la
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
War crimes judgement Thursday for ex-Serbian president

War crimes judgement Thursday for ex-Serbian president

The UN's Yugoslav war crimes court is set to pronounce judgment Thursday on Serbian ex-president Milan Milutinovic in its first-ever ruling on crimes by Serb forces in the 1998-9 Kosovo conflict. The prosecution has sought jail terms of between 20 years a
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Toilet relief for Shanghai's World Expo

Toilet relief for Shanghai's World Expo

Shanghai has sought to reassure visitors to next year's World Expo that they can expect relief from the city's sometimes foul public toilets. The city will clean up and renovate more than 5,200 public toilets to meet an expected 70 million Expo visitors'
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Asean under spotlight during economic, political crises

Asean under spotlight during economic, political crises

Southeast Asia's regional bloc will come under close scrutiny once more as its leaders meet in Thailand this week for a summit watered down by the absence of big guns China, India and Japan. Political woes in key member states and a global economic slump
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Murdoch apologises for 'racist' chimp cartoon

Murdoch apologises for 'racist' chimp cartoon

Media tycoon Rupert Murdoch on Tuesday apologised for a political cartoon of a chimpanzee seen by critics as a racist depiction of President Barack Obama. "Last week, we made a mistake. We ran a cartoon that offended many people," Murdoch said in a statem
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Turk state TV pulls plug on Kurdish speech

Turk state TV pulls plug on Kurdish speech

Turkish state television cut off live broadcasting on Tuesday when the head of the largest pro-Kurdish party began addressing his parliamentary deputies in the Kurdish language. The incident highlighted tensions in the European Union candidate over the is
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Showers, daring, glitches as Rio Carnival rolls

Showers, daring, glitches as Rio Carnival rolls

Luxuriant floats, one topped by Parisian cancan dancers and others showering hundreds of be-feathered dancers with water, rolled on Monday as Rio de Janeiro's Carnival parades burst into life. A golden Queen Cleopatra bathing in milk, a female dancer push
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Peres urges Europeans to shun Hamas

Peres urges Europeans to shun Hamas

Israeli President Shimon Peres on Tuesday urged Europeans to shun Hamas, telling the European parliament's president that the Islamists who rule Gaza are a "murderous terrorist" group. "Europeans must understand that Hamas is a dangerous and murderous ter
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Sarkozy and Berlusconi sign nuclear energy accord

Sarkozy and Berlusconi sign nuclear energy accord

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and French President Nicolas Sarkozy signed a nuclear co-operation accord Tuesday as Italy took a first step toward returning to the use of atomic energy. The agreement covers research and waste treatment as well a
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Italy seeks nuclear power revival with French help

Italy seeks nuclear power revival with French help

Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi enlisted French help on Tuesday to overcome Italy's 22-year-old taboo on nuclear power and build new plants, which France's Nicolas Sarkozy said were "the key to European development". Volatility in oil prices and the clas
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Strike brings Berlin airports to standstill

Strike brings Berlin airports to standstill

Berlin's two main airports were brought to a complete standstill Tuesday as a three-and-a-half hour strike by ground staff forced their closure. An airport spokesman told AFP that around 100 international and domestic flights were either cancelled or dela
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
China closes Tibet to foreign tourists

China closes Tibet to foreign tourists

China has closed Tibet to foreign tourists ahead of next month's highly sensitive 50th anniversary of a failed uprising against Chinese rule, tour agencies and other industry people told AFP Tuesday. The reported ban comes amid deep tensions in the Himala
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
India offers help

India offers help

India Tuesday urged Sri Lanka to agree to the evacuation of thousands of civilians caught in the conflict zone with rebel Tamil Tigers and offered help. India offered to facilitate the process of bringing the civilians to safety and medical help for the s
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Sri Lankan troops in last Tiger-held town

Sri Lankan troops in last Tiger-held town

Sri Lankan soldiers battled on Tuesday inside the last town the Tamil Tiger separatists control, and the government said it had no plans for a truce amid UN and EU calls for a halt to fighting. Soldiers from the 58th Division entered Puthukudiyiruppu town
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Thaksin supporters demand new elections

Thaksin supporters demand new elections

Thousands of protesters marched on Thailand's seat of government on Tuesday to demand that Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva step down, adding to his troubles as the economy slides into recession. Leaders of the United Front for Democracy against Dict
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Khmer Rouge 'First Lady' in Cambodia court tirade

Khmer Rouge 'First Lady' in Cambodia court tirade

The former Khmer Rouge "First Lady" launched an angry tirade at Cambodia's UN-backed genocide tribunal on Tuesday, telling her accusers they would be "cursed to the seventh circle of hell." Ieng Thirith, 76, facing trial for crimes against humanity under
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Botched launch ends US satellite's mission

Botched launch ends US satellite's mission

The US government's first attempt to map carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere from space ended early on Tuesday after a botched satellite launch from California, officials said. The $278 million Orbiting Carbon Observatory blasted off aboard an unmanned T
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
North Korea says preparing rocket launch

North Korea says preparing rocket launch

North Korea said on Tuesday it was preparing to launch a satellite on one of its rockets, which analysts have said would actually be the test-firing of a long-range missile designed to strike US territory. The announcement, which unsettled financial marke
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Euro Libor rates at record low, spreads widen

Euro Libor rates at record low, spreads widen

The interbank cost of borrowing three-month euro funds slid to a fresh euro lifetime low on Tuesday, the British Bankers Association's latest daily fixing showed. However, the spread of three-month London interbank offered rates over OIS rates for euros a
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Sterling falls against dollar

Sterling falls against dollar

Sterling fell against the dollar on Tuesday as global recession fears resurfaced after grim US data and downbeat comments from Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke on the US economy. The pound was also lower against the euro after a mixed batch of UK dat
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Dollar hits three-month high

Dollar hits three-month high

The dollar hit a three-month high against a broadly weaker yen on Tuesday, with the recent correlation between falling stocks and yen strength broken after the exhaustive unwinding of risk-sensitive assets. Outside of strength versus the yen, the dollar f
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Indian rupee weakens

Indian rupee weakens

The rupee weakened on Tuesday following losses in other Asian currencies and a downgrade in India's investment grade outlook by rating agency Standard and Poor's. "The rupee weakened pretty fast after the S&P outlook cut was announced. It should have a ne
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Asian bond spreads widen

Asian bond spreads widen

Asian bond spreads widened on Tuesday as worries mounted about the health of US financial institutions despite assurances from the government that it is ready to prop up ailing banks. Wall Street stocks slumped to a 12-year low on Monday as investors doub
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Asian bond spreads widen

Asian bond spreads widen

Asian bond spreads widened on Tuesday as worries mounted about the health of US financial institutions despite assurances from the government that it is ready to prop up ailing banks. Wall Street stocks slumped to a 12-year low on Monday as investors doub
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
European credit spreads mixed

European credit spreads mixed

European credit default swap spreads were mixed on Tuesday, with doubts over governments' ability to stabilise the financial services sector helping to push the investment grade index wider. By 1642 GMT, the investment-grade Markit iTraxx Europe index was
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
European credit spreads mixed

European credit spreads mixed

European credit default swap spreads were mixed on Tuesday, with doubts over governments' ability to stabilise the financial services sector helping to push the investment grade index wider. By 1642 GMT, the investment-grade Markit iTraxx Europe index was
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Indian shares decline

Indian shares decline

Indian shares fell 0.24 percent on Tuesday as global rating agency Standard and Poor's lowered its outlook on India's long-term sovereign credit rating to negative from stable, dealers said. The benchmark 30-share Sensex index slipped 21.15 points to 8,82
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
FTSE falls for third day

FTSE falls for third day

Britain's top share index ended down 0.9 percent on Tuesday, retreating for the third straight session, as heavyweight Vodafone and insurers fell, but Thomson Reuters gained after quarterly results. The FTSE 100 closed 34.29 points lower at 3,816.44, afte
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Project for promotion of drip/sprinkle irrigation system

Project for promotion of drip/sprinkle irrigation system

Agriculture Department, Punjab, has formally launched a project for promotion of drip/sprinkle irrigation system and asked the applicant farmers to get their land surveyed by the district and tehsil staff of the irrigation improvement wing of the departme
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Sun of independent judiciary is about to dawn: PML-N leader

Sun of independent judiciary is about to dawn: PML-N leader

Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) Punjab vice-president Malik Muhammad Afzal Khokhar MNA said that sun of independent judiciary is about to dawn. Being optimistic, he said deposed chief justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry would be reinstated with
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Disqualification case of MPA: LHC adjourns hearing till March 5

Disqualification case of MPA: LHC adjourns hearing till March 5

The Lahore High Court (LHC) adjourned to March 05 for cross-examination of witnesses in an election petition seeking disqualification of Muhammad Ajmal, MPA from PP-63, Faisalabad. The petition was filed by PPP Punjab president, Rana Aftab Ahmad Khan, a d
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
New York cotton settles smidgen lower

New York cotton settles smidgen lower

Cotton futures settled with slight losses Tuesday in thin dealings as players struggled for leads while fretting if demand can recover from a recession that has decimated fibre consumption, brokers said. The key May cotton contract shed 0.13 cent to finis
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Aluminium rebounds, copper jumps

Aluminium rebounds, copper jumps

Aluminium bounced from a seven-year low and copper rose as Wall Street clawed its way back from the previous day's slump, but grim US economic data kept sentiment sour. US stocks scrambled back from 12-year lows hit the day before to rise about 1 percent,
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Oil jumps on stock market bounce

Oil jumps on stock market bounce

Oil prices rose 4 percent on Tuesday, tracking a bounce on Wall Street, after US Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said he was committed to protecting the troubled banking sector. Figures showing higher-than-expected compliance by the Organisation of
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Cocoa rebounds in London, sugar mixed

Cocoa rebounds in London, sugar mixed

Cocoa futures in London rebounded on Tuesday, after earlier dipping to the lowest levels in more than two months, as a wave of fund selling finally abated. Sugar prices were mixed with the impact of lower Indian output partly offset by expectations of ris
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Gold slips in Europe

Gold slips in Europe

Gold slipped in Europe on Tuesday as buyers took a break after the metal's rally to an 11-month high above $1,000 an ounce last week, but analysts said the metal would stay supported by strong investor interest. However, further stock market weakness in t
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
US MIDDAY: cocoa up, coffee eases

US MIDDAY: cocoa up, coffee eases

US cocoa futures bounced after hitting their lowest levels since early December Tuesday morning, while arabica coffee prices eased slightly, traders said. Arabica coffee for May delivery eased 0.30 cent to $1.1285 per lb by 9:30 am EST (1430 GMT). Early r
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
US MIDDAY: sugar firmer

US MIDDAY: sugar firmer

Raw sugar futures on ICE Futures US at 1309 GMT. May raw sugar contract up 0.02 cent at 13.01 cents per lb. Range from 12.93 to 13.09 cents. Volume at 3,662 lots. March added 0.03 to 12.71 cents. Contract expires at close of trade Friday.
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
US MIDDAY: soya choppy; corn and wheat soft

US MIDDAY: soya choppy; corn and wheat soft

Chicago Board of Trade grains and soya complex at 1610 GMT on Tuesday. March wheat down 3-3/4 cents $5.06-3/4 a bushel. Mounting concerns about the deteriorating global economy weighing on wheat. March corn down 3-1/2 cents at $3.48-1/4 a bushel.
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
US MIDDAY: copper cuts gains

US MIDDAY: copper cuts gains

US copper futures trimmed their morning gains Tuesday after a double-dose of bearish data sapped early strength in the industrial metal and underscored the severity of the global economic downturn. Copper for March delivery was up 1.50 cents at $1.4520 a
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
US MIDDAY: gold falls

US MIDDAY: gold falls

Gold futures dropped 2 percent Tuesday on profit taking triggered by comments by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke that inflation pressures had dramatically receded. Gold for April delivery was down $20.00, or 2.0 percent, to $975.00 an ounce at 11 am
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
NAG holds photographic exhibition

NAG holds photographic exhibition

The Nomad Art Gallery (NAG) on Tuesday opened a collection of photographs entitled 'Experimental Works' by Ali Bilgrami and Usman Malkani. Ali Bilgrami in her series 'Painting with Moon' displayed 15 items show casing the images of moon, which has always
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Kashmir issue: India asked to accept ground realities

Kashmir issue: India asked to accept ground realities

AJK Minister for Information Abdul Majid Khan has called upon India to accept ground realities to the Kashmir issue and respond positively to the Pakistan's endeavours in this regard. In a statement here, the minister said Kashmiris' right to self-determi
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Khyber University announces BDS results

Khyber University announces BDS results

Khyber Medical University (KMU) Peshawar has announced BDS second year professional examinations 2008 results. According to a press release by KMU, a total of 74 students appeared in the BDS second year professional examinations, out of which 54 were decl
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Swat deal

Swat deal

The government of Pakistan has recently struck a peace deal with Taliban of Swat. I have a few observations in this regard. First, historically no deal with Taliban in the past worked out as Taliban always back out on their words.
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Conflicting statements

Conflicting statements

Pakistan Peoples Party, under the leadership of Asif Ali Zardari, has very badly mismanaged the affairs of Government and thus has lowered the image of the country in the eves of the outside world. Take for instance the Mumbai terror attack. In the very b
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Rush to cheap corporate debt is risky gamble

Rush to cheap corporate debt is risky gamble

Investors queuing to pour cash into discounted corporate debt are in for a risky ride as hedge funds continue to dump assets on the market and default rates have yet to peak. There is rising interest from private equity and hedge funds to scoop up debt in
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
GOOD MORNING: FM radio stations in Karachi making waves

GOOD MORNING: FM radio stations in Karachi making waves

Perhaps there is a certain latent symbolism (and anxiety) in this decision of the NWFP Chief Minister, Ameer Haidar Khan Hoti, who has directed that 30,000 rifles should be distributed among the "patriotic people" and "peace loving groups" so that these p
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
A Samurai's Confessions: Pakistan, Japan and the US

A Samurai's Confessions: Pakistan, Japan and the US

Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State, made her first diplomatic trip outside the United States as representative of the Obama administration. Her choice of Japan as the first stop on her Asian itinerary pleased Japanese. (In 1998 President Bill Clinton
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Confidence-inspiring MoUs

Confidence-inspiring MoUs

Before his arrival in Shanghai on Sunday from China's Hubei Province, President Asif Ali Zardari met with Chinese State Councillor Dai Bingguo and visited the Three Gorges Project at Yichang, where he witnessed signing of an agreement on Chinese co-operat
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
US-Pakistan relations under review

US-Pakistan relations under review

It has been reported in a section of the Press that the United States is currently working on an economic package for Pakistan and Afghanistan as an integral component of its new security strategy in the region. This strategy is under review by the Obama
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Are 30,000 rifles any good?

Are 30,000 rifles any good?

No other political party in Pakistan flaunts itself as the ultimate custodian of secularism and non-violence so vigorously as the Awami National Party (ANP), the descendents of the Khudai Khidmatgar movement of Bacha Khan. So, last week when the ANP-led N
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
LHCBA elections: campaign fails to gain momentum

LHCBA elections: campaign fails to gain momentum

Annual election campaign of Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA), for 2009-10 has failed to pick up the moment as polling is scheduled to be held on February 28, and usually at this time the campaign had touched its peak but no candidate has come for
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Need to evolve progressive youth policy stressed

Need to evolve progressive youth policy stressed

The government should announce Progressive Youth Policy for provision of free education to meet the standard to each child and dismantle double standard of education system, which is creating sharp gulf between people and strengthening privileged and unpr
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Father, son killed in ambush

Father, son killed in ambush

Reham Ali and his son were gunned down here in an ambush by unidentified armed assailants, some 3-km off in east of Dera Bugti town on Tuesday. Local police told APP that Reham Ali along with his son Mohammad Umar was proceeding on motorcycle to their hom
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Cops booked under murder charge

Cops booked under murder charge

Police on the orders of District and Sessions Judge registered a case against 22 policemen, including a former SPO of Ghotki and SHO Mirpur Methalo. Ghotki police booked them on the charge of a girl's death during the police raid on Pir Bux Gabol village
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Shahbaz stresses timely completion of uplift projects

Shahbaz stresses timely completion of uplift projects

Punjab Chief Minister, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that huge amounts are being spent for improving the infrastructure and also ensuring quality and timely completion of the projects to facilitate the people at the earliest. He expressed these views,
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
Jamaat-i-Islami demands reconstitution of IICP

Jamaat-i-Islami demands reconstitution of IICP

Jamaat-e-Islami has demanded reconstitution of the Islamic Ideology Council of Pakistan (IICP) with representation of all religious schools of though (Fiqa), as the present IICP was constituted by former President General (Retd) Pervaiz Musharraf to promo
Published 25 Feb, 2009 12:00am
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