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Oct 05, 2024 اردو ► PRINT EDITION ► BR MARKETS ► Dollar to PKR ►
Print - 2009-10-24
Obama administration slashes executive salaries

Obama administration slashes executive salaries

The Obama administration has opted to slash executive salaries at firms rescued by taxpayer bailouts, cutting cash payments by 90 percent amid a public backlash at bloated Wall Street bonuses. In a dramatic government swipe at big business as unemployment
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Clinton to travel to Pakistan soon

Clinton to travel to Pakistan soon

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will travel to Pakistan "soon" for high-level talks there but her travel dates must be kept secret for security reasons, top aides said. Assistant Secretary of State PJ Crowley spoke of Clinton's "desire to travel to
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Oil spike may hurt economy: IEA

Oil spike may hurt economy: IEA

A rapid rise in oil prices could hamper the global economic recovery, the executive director of the International Energy Agency said on Thursday, but added it was too early to say if that scenario was unfolding now. "If the movement is too rapid, a spike
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Pakistani jailed in US for running illegal money transfer business

Pakistani jailed in US for running illegal money transfer business

A Pakistani was sentenced on Friday to 37 months in prison for operating an unlicensed money transmitting business, announced United States Attorney Michael L. Levy. Habib Khan, aged 49, from Philadelphia pleaded guilty last April, admitting that he opera
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Eurozone on recovery track

Eurozone on recovery track

An array of upbeat eurozone data on Friday bolstered hopes of a durable recovery there but experts remained cautious and Britain shocked financial markets by failing to creep out of recession in the third quarter. The UK economy shrank by 0.4 percent comp
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Pakistani jailed in US for running illegal money transfer business

Pakistani jailed in US for running illegal money transfer business

A Pakistani was sentenced on Friday to 37 months in prison for operating an unlicensed money transmitting business, announced United States Attorney Michael L. Levy. Habib Khan, aged 49, from Philadelphia pleaded guilty last April, admitting that he opera
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Transport worker's a day of strike across Italy

Transport worker's a day of strike across Italy

Transport workers across Italy are staging a day of strike, expected to idle many buses, trams and subway trains. The walkouts are scheduled at various times Friday from city to city and are expected to cause some traffic disruption. Unions have said they
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
New VAT regime: small business special tax regime to be introduced

New VAT regime: small business special tax regime to be introduced

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is exploring possibilities to introduce "small business special tax regime'''' for the small retailers and shopkeepers having annual turnover below the registration threshold of Rs 5 million under the new Value Added Tax
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Japan orders BNP Paribas to suspend some operations

Japan orders BNP Paribas to suspend some operations

Japan's financial regulator Friday ordered French bank BNP Paribas to suspend part of its operations in the country for two weeks for fixing stock prices and submitting an inaccurate report. The Financial Services Agency (FSA) instructed the bank to halt
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
New VAT regime: small business special tax regime to be introduced

New VAT regime: small business special tax regime to be introduced

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is exploring possibilities to introduce "small business special tax regime'' for the small retailers and shopkeepers having annual turnover below the registration threshold of Rs 5 million under the new Value Added Tax (
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
China formally launches Nasdaq-style board

China formally launches Nasdaq-style board

China on Friday raised the curtain on its long-awaited Nasdaq-style board, ChiNext, in a key step towards setting up a multi-tier capital market and giving a boost to small and medium-sized firms. Gold confetti rained down on a red ticker reading "Formall
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
New VAT regime: small business special tax regime to be introduced

New VAT regime: small business special tax regime to be introduced

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is exploring possibilities to introduce "small business special tax regime' for the small retailers and shopkeepers having annual turnover below the registration threshold of Rs 5 million under the new Value Added Tax (V
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Volvo trucks third quarter eases capital hike worries

Volvo trucks third quarter eases capital hike worries

World number two truckmaker Volvo made a smaller third-quarter loss than expected, easing fears it would need more cash from investors, but it still expects sharp declines in its main markets. The commercial vehicles maker made its biggest-ever quarterly
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Volvo trucks third quarter eases capital hike worries

Volvo trucks third quarter eases capital hike worries

World number two truckmaker Volvo made a smaller third-quarter loss than expected, easing fears it would need more cash from investors, but it still expects sharp declines in its main markets. The commercial vehicles maker made its biggest-ever quarterly
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Bridgestone to shed 875 jobs in Australia, New Zealand

Bridgestone to shed 875 jobs in Australia, New Zealand

Japanese tyremaker Bridgestone said Friday it would shed nearly 900 jobs in Australia and New Zealand as it closes manufacturing plants amid a world-wide slump in demand for cars. The company said it would shut its tyre manufacturing facility in Adelaide
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Japan's real exports edge up

Japan's real exports edge up

Japan's real exports grew in September thanks to robust demand from Asia, while the country's trade surplus climbed to its highest level since the global crisis. Although the pace of recovery in exports is likely to slow in coming months, economists expec
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
MCB declares 25 percent cash dividend

MCB declares 25 percent cash dividend

Despite the overall slowdown in the economy the MCB Bank continued to perform well in terms of balance sheet and revenue growth. The board of directors of the bank met on Friday under the chairmanship of Muhammad Mansha and reviewed the bank''''s performa
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Prime Ministers of Italy, Russia, Turkey push gas pipeline plan

Prime Ministers of Italy, Russia, Turkey push gas pipeline plan

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin Thursday agreed to work to bring forward the start date for a pipeline seen as a rival to an EU-backed project, in talks with his Italian and Turkish counterparts. Putin met in his home city of Saint Petersburg with I
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
MCB declares 25 percent cash dividend

MCB declares 25 percent cash dividend

Despite the overall slowdown in the economy the MCB Bank continued to perform well in terms of balance sheet and revenue growth. The board of directors of the bank met on Friday under the chairmanship of Muhammad Mansha and reviewed the bank''s performanc
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Japan's Kamei calls for second extra budget

Japan's Kamei calls for second extra budget

Banking Minister Shizuka Kamei said on Friday that Japan needs to compile a second extra budget for the year to March worth at least 10 trillion yen ($110 billion) as the economy slowly recovers from a deep recession. Kamei's comments on the need for and
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
MCB declares 25 percent cash dividend

MCB declares 25 percent cash dividend

Despite the overall slowdown in the economy the MCB Bank continued to perform well in terms of balance sheet and revenue growth. The board of directors of the bank met on Friday under the chairmanship of Muhammad Mansha and reviewed the bank's performance
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
EU launches probe into Nordbank state aid plan

EU launches probe into Nordbank state aid plan

European Union antitrust regulators opened an in-depth investigation into a German state aid package for regional lender HSH Nordbank on Friday, saying they suspected the measures might violate EU rules. German regional authorities had provided a 10 billi
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
MCB declares 25 percent cash dividend

MCB declares 25 percent cash dividend

Despite the overall slowdown in the economy the MCB Bank continued to perform well in terms of balance sheet and revenue growth. The board of directors of the bank met on Friday under the chairmanship of Muhammad Mansha and reviewed the bank's performance
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Cambodia and Thailand clash at summit over Thaksin

Cambodia and Thailand clash at summit over Thaksin

Cambodia and Thailand traded barbs at an Asian summit Friday after Cambodia's prime minister offered fugitive former Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra a safe haven and job as an adviser. Hun Sen, the outspoken Cambodian premier, further riled the hosts of th
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Law & order causes $7.321 million outflow from equity market

Law & order causes $7.321 million outflow from equity market

A huge outflow of million of foreign portfolio investment from the country''s equity market was witnessed during the week ended on October 23, 2009. "The prevailing law and order situation and terrorists'' attacks in different cities of the country shook
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Polish retail sales disappoint, economy still growing

Polish retail sales disappoint, economy still growing

Rising unemployment and weak wage growth took their toll on Poland's consumers last month, data showed on Friday, but the EU's largest ex-communist economy is expected to maintain modest growth in the third quarter. Retail sales rose by 2.5 percent year-o
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Law & order causes $7.321 million outflow from equity market

Law & order causes $7.321 million outflow from equity market

A huge outflow of million of foreign portfolio investment from the country's equity market was witnessed during the week ended on October 23, 2009. "The prevailing law and order situation and terrorists' attacks in different cities of the country shook th
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Whirlpool beats on cost cuts, ups full-year view

Whirlpool beats on cost cuts, ups full-year view

Whirlpool Corp reported a higher-than-expected quarterly profit on Friday as cost cuts offset weak sales, and the world's biggest appliance maker raised its full-year forecast. The company attributed the higher outlook to downsizing and cost reductions, a
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Law & order causes $7.321 million outflow from equity market

Law & order causes $7.321 million outflow from equity market

A huge outflow of million of foreign portfolio investment from the country's equity market was witnessed during the week ended on October 23, 2009. "The prevailing law and order situation and terrorists' attacks in different cities of the country shook th
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Whirlpool beats on cost cuts, ups full-year view

Whirlpool beats on cost cuts, ups full-year view

Whirlpool Corp reported a higher-than-expected quarterly profit on Friday as cost cuts offset weak sales, and the world's biggest appliance maker raised its full-year forecast. The company attributed the higher outlook to downsizing and cost reductions, a
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Intelligence agencies told to strengthen network

Intelligence agencies told to strengthen network

A high-level meeting on law and order chaired by PM Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Monday discussed immediate and long-term measures to tackle the menace of terrorism and directed the provincial and federal intelligence agencies to strengthen their network.
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Boeing submits bids for $2 billion India defence projects

Boeing submits bids for $2 billion India defence projects

Boeing Co has submitted two proposals to the Indian Air Force, offering the AH-64D Apache and the CH-47F Chinook in a deal potentially worth $2 billion, Boeing's country head and Indian officials said on Friday. India invited bids in May for 22 attack hel
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Intelligence agencies told to strengthen network

Intelligence agencies told to strengthen network

A high-level meeting on law and order chaired by PM Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Monday discussed immediate and long-term measures to tackle the menace of terrorism and directed the provincial and federal intelligence agencies to strengthen their network.
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Jakarta shares up

Jakarta shares up

Indonesian shares closed 1.43 percent higher on Friday with a late rush on blue chip stocks triggered by expectations Standard and Poor's may soon upgrade the country's credit rating, dealers said. The Jakarta Composite Index rose 34.77 points to 2,467.95
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Hong Kong shares end near 15-month high

Hong Kong shares end near 15-month high

Hong Kong shares ended 1.71 percent up on Friday - a near-15-month high - after better-than-expected corporate results out of the United States. The benchmark Hang Seng Index finished 379.21 points up at 22,589.73. Turnover was 76.00 billion Hong Kong dol
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
US stocks end firmer

US stocks end firmer

US stocks rose on Thursday after quarterly results from insurer Travellers and regional bank PNC Financial gave a boost to financial stocks. Financials were among the top gainers after insurer Travelers Cos Inc posted gains after it raised its full-year o
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Holbrooke says aid not conditional

Holbrooke says aid not conditional

The United States on Friday said the defence bill authorisation of $700 million in counterinsurgency assistance for Pakistan is absolutely unconditional with its top official for the region Richard Holbrooke stressing that the legislation only places usua
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
US Treasury prices slip

US Treasury prices slip

US Treasury debt prices retreated on Thursday as a stock market rally drew investors away from safe-haven government debt. A little price-cutting ahead of next week's new supply also put Treasuries on the defensive. The Treasury announced a record large $
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Holbrooke says aid not conditional

Holbrooke says aid not conditional

The United States on Friday said the defence bill authorisation of $700 million in counterinsurgency assistance for Pakistan is absolutely unconditional with its top official for the region Richard Holbrooke stressing that the legislation only places usua
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
US Treasury prices slip

US Treasury prices slip

US Treasury debt prices retreated on Thursday as a stock market rally drew investors away from safe-haven government debt. A little price-cutting ahead of next week's new supply also put Treasuries on the defensive. The Treasury announced a record large $
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Philippines shares soar

Philippines shares soar

Philippines share prices closed 1.53 percent higher on Friday due to a technical rebound, dealers said. The composite index gained 44.27 points to 2,932.99 while the all-shares index added 1.32 percent to 1,848.03 points. A total of 1.03 billion shares wo
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Seoul shares slightly higher

Seoul shares slightly higher

Seoul shares rose on Friday with car makers such as Kia Motors rallying after a strong set of quarterly results, but losses in builders including Daewoo Engineering weighed on the market. Analyst said gains in global markets helped lift investor sentiment
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Taiwan stocks rally

Taiwan stocks rally

Taiwan stocks rose 0.54 percent on Friday following a rebound on Wall Street, with major PC vendors Asustek and Acer rising after the launch of the Windows 7 operating system boosted their sales outlook. The main TAIEX share index closed up 41.35 points a
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Chinese shares jump

Chinese shares jump

Chinese shares closed up 1.85 percent on Friday led by banks and automakers, a day after third-quarter data showed strong growth in the economy, dealers said. The Shanghai Composite Index, which covers both A and B shares, was up 56.44 points to 3,107.85
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Singapore shares rise

Singapore shares rise

Singapore shares closed 1.24 percent higher on Friday as investors snapped up bargains after recent declines, dealers said. The blue chip Straits Times Index gained 33.37 points to 2,715.34. Volume totalled 1.56 billion shares worth 1.45 billion Singapore
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Nikkei edges firmer

Nikkei edges firmer

Japan's Nikkei stock average edged up 0.2 percent on Friday, with construction machinery shares rising on hopes for China's economy and Kirin Holdings gaining ground on a brokerage upgrade. But Japan Airlines fell nearly 7 percent after the Nikkei busines
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
JGB yield curve flattens

JGB yield curve flattens

The Japanese government bond yield curve flattened on Friday, with superlong yields dipping as selling pressure from a week-long sell-off driven by issuance concerns eased slightly. A wait-and-see mood prevailed as the market awaited details of a meeting
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
JGB yield curve flattens

JGB yield curve flattens

The Japanese government bond yield curve flattened on Friday, with superlong yields dipping as selling pressure from a week-long sell-off driven by issuance concerns eased slightly. A wait-and-see mood prevailed as the market awaited details of a meeting
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Yuan inches up

Yuan inches up

Spot yuan rose slightly against the dollar on Friday after the central bank set its daily mid-point marginally lower in line with the dollar's rise on global markets, reflecting Beijing's intention to keep the yuan stable for now. Dealers said the steady
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Dollar recovers after dip

Dollar recovers after dip

The dollar briefly touched its latest low for the year against the euro on Friday after the market took aim at options barriers, while sterling, a laggard in the broad rally against the dollar, rose ahead of UK growth data. The yen fell across the board a
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Dollar recovers

Dollar recovers

The dollar rose broadly on Thursday as most investors bet the greenback's recent sharp slide against major currencies had gone too far, too fast. Since April, the dollar has lost around 12 percent against six major currencies, with heavy selling in recent
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Asian currencies: won and ringgit lead gains

Asian currencies: won and ringgit lead gains

The South Korean won and Malaysian ringgit jumped on the dollar's broad weakness on Friday, but their gains were capped by lingering concerns about renewed interventions to curb currency rises. The beleaguered US dollar extended its weakening streak, hitt
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Australian dollar consolidates

Australian dollar consolidates

The Australian dollar inched up on Friday, but traders said a rally which took it to 14-month highs earlier this week was showing signs of tiring as speculators reassessed extended long positions on the Aussie. The Aussie was at $0.9276, up from $0.9253 s
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Hong Kong dollar remains strong

Hong Kong dollar remains strong

The Hong Kong dollar held at the top of its trading band against the US dollar on Friday, prompting the city's central bank to step into the market for the fourth straight day to prevent the local currency from rising beyond its fixed range, amid continuo
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Swiss franc slips

Swiss franc slips

The Swiss franc slipped against the euro on Friday although remaining perilously close to intervention levels, and retreated also against the dollar, while continuing to flirt with parity. The franc dipped 0.1 percent against the euro compared to the New
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Despite Doha, India pushes ahead with free trade pacts

Despite Doha, India pushes ahead with free trade pacts

India's rising number of free trade agreements signals a commitment to more open markets, but the question remains whether such deals will smooth the way for Asia's third-largest economy to sign a global trade pact. Against the backdrop of the stuttering
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Benfica, Shakhtar on song, Andreolli saves Roma

Benfica, Shakhtar on song, Andreolli saves Roma

Everton sank to a first Europa League defeat of the season with a 5-0 loss at Benfica on Thursday, while reigning champions Shakhtar Donetsk thrashed Toulouse and Roma rescued a draw at Fulham. An injury-time goal earned 10-man Lazio a 2-1 win over Villar
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Schnyder ends Clijsters Luxembourg hopes

Schnyder ends Clijsters Luxembourg hopes

US Open champion Kim Clijsters suffered a midnight defeat at the 220,000-dollar WTA Luxembourg tournament when Swiss veteran Patty Schnyder won their second round clash 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (8/6). Clijsters, the second seed, was bidding for a sixth title in this
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Premier League strike bumper new deal with Barclays

Premier League strike bumper new deal with Barclays

The English Premier League agreed a new three-year sponsorship deal with Barclays bank worth a total of 82.25 million pounds (89.61 million euros) to the 20 top-flight clubs. Barclays have been the Premier League's title sponsor since 2004 and their curre
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Australia want to play India more often

Australia want to play India more often

India may play in Australia in four out of six years under the new future cricket tours programme, reports said here on Friday. Under the current international playing schedule, Australia visit India for Tests or one-day internationals every year, while I
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
India release itinerary for Sri Lanka Test tour

India release itinerary for Sri Lanka Test tour

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) released the itinerary for Sri Lanka's test and one-day tour starting next month. Sri Lanka will play three tests, five one-day internationals and two Twenty20 matches over two months. According to the sche
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Pakistan appoint new manager for Kiwi series

Pakistan appoint new manager for Kiwi series

Pakistan on Friday appointed former player Abdul Raqeeb as cricket team manager for next month's limited-over series against New Zealand. He replaces Yawar Saeed, 74, who reportedly fell out with captain Younus Khan during the recent Champions Trophy in S
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Kuwait beat Pakistan in U-16 Asian Soccer

Kuwait beat Pakistan in U-16 Asian Soccer

Kuwait, which used to beat Pakistan heavily in 80s and 90s, failed to repeat their free-scoring method, as Pakistan fended off a Kuwait onslaught on Friday, who managed only hard-earned 1-0 win over Pakistan at Malaysia's Shah Alam Stadium. Midfielder Sou
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Misbah eyes comeback

Misbah eyes comeback

Pakistan former vice captain Misbah-ul-Haq was hoping Friday that an electric championship performance would secure him a quick return to the national team after being axed against New Zealand. Barely a day after being dropped from the one-day, Twenty20 a
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
More European troops needed in Afghanistan

More European troops needed in Afghanistan

The Nato-led mission in Afghanistan required more European troops and could not be a "US-only" enterprise, United Nations envoy Kai Eide said on Friday. Eide, the UN's special representative to Afghanistan, said more international troops were necessary to
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Kabul to bar fraud-tainted poll workers from run-off: UN

Kabul to bar fraud-tainted poll workers from run-off: UN

Afghan officials have promised that polling workers who committed fraud in the country's August elections will be barred from any role in a November 7 run-off vote, UN envoy Kai Eide said on Friday. The August presidential elections were plagued by allega
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
6.0-magnitude quake strikes Indonesia

6.0-magnitude quake strikes Indonesia

A strong 6.0-magnitude quake struck Indonesia's Papua province on the island of New Guinea Friday, the US Geological Survey said, but there were no reports of damage. The quake struck at 8:15 pm (1115 GMT), three kilometres (two miles) east of Manokwari a
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Bangladesh bans militant Islamic group

Bangladesh bans militant Islamic group

Bangladesh has banned Hizb-ut-Tahrir, an Islamic group allegedly involved in subversive activities, on security grounds, media reports said Friday. The Home Ministry issued an order Thursday outlawing the international outfit, already banned in some other
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Far-right leader slams BBC over 'lynch mob' TV appearance

Far-right leader slams BBC over 'lynch mob' TV appearance

British far-right leader Nick Griffin accused the BBC Friday of mounting a "lynch mob" on him in a charged appearance on a TV political panel show, and called for it to be re-recorded. Griffin, accused of a weak performance on BBC's "Question Time", sugge
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Maoist rebels in India reject laying down arms for talks

Maoist rebels in India reject laying down arms for talks

Maoist militants in India have rejected the government's demand that they surrender their arms before peace talks and slammed a major offensive targeting them, news reports said Friday. In an interview with local news channels in the eastern state of West
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
US and UAE nuclear deal to take effect soon

US and UAE nuclear deal to take effect soon

The United States and United Arab Emirates are finalising a landmark nuclear power co-operation agreement now that Congress has given its tacit approval, US officials said on Thursday. "We are entering into the final stages of efforts to bring the propose
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Onus on US to keep military ties stable: China

Onus on US to keep military ties stable: China

China said Friday the onus was on the United States to keep defence ties between the nations stable, state media reported, as its second-ranking military officer prepared to travel to Washington. Qian Lihua, defence ministry spokesman, said that after the
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Clinton gives downbeat report on Middle East to Obama

Clinton gives downbeat report on Middle East to Obama

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton offered President Barack Obama a downbeat report on Thursday on his administration's so-far frustrated efforts to forge Middle East peace. Clinton met the president in the Oval Office to deliver a keenly anticipated p
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
African leaders adopt landmark refugee convention

African leaders adopt landmark refugee convention

African leaders on Friday adopted a convention - billed as the first of its kind world-wide - on the protection of the 17 million people on the continent who have fled their homes. The convention, which is legally binding, requires member states to provid
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Russian parliament approves bill for easier foreign military moves

Russian parliament approves bill for easier foreign military moves

The Russian parliament overwhelmingly approved a bill Friday to make it easier for the government to deploy the military in foreign conflicts without a formal declaration of war. The vote in the third and final reading of the bill gained approval of 436 o
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
'UK troops in Afghanistan could be cut by 2014'

'UK troops in Afghanistan could be cut by 2014'

British troop numbers in Afghanistan could be scaled back in five years as the Afghan army is strengthened, though some will have to stay behind in a support role, the British army's new chief said on Thursday. General David Richards, who took over as chi
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Global swine flu deaths nudge towards 5,000

Global swine flu deaths nudge towards 5,000

The global death toll from swine flu has hit at least 4,999, the World Health Organisation said Friday. In a situation update, the WHO said that, in North America, the United States was reporting nation-wide rates of influenza-like illness (ILI) "well abo
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Sudan must form new court for Darfur: AU report

Sudan must form new court for Darfur: AU report

Sudan should set up a court which includes foreign judges to try the gravest crimes committed in Darfur, according to an African Union report obtained by Reuters on Friday. The 148-page report's findings on justice for the victims in Darfur recommended th
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
UK deploys permanently armed police in London

UK deploys permanently armed police in London

Wielding submachine guns and pistols, British police are making rare armed patrols in crime-blighted London neighbourhoods - a change in law enforcement tactics that may prompt calls for the wider use of weapons by the country's traditionally unarmed Bobb
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
US sends drones to monitor east African pirates

US sends drones to monitor east African pirates

US military surveillance drones based in the Seychelles islands are patrolling off Somalia's coast in hopes of stemming a rising piracy trade. Pirates have unleashed a wave of attacks in recent days as the new pirate season begins. Monsoons kept pirates o
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Refinery explosion rocks Puerto Rico

Refinery explosion rocks Puerto Rico

An enormous explosion rocked the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico early Friday as 14 fuel tanks exploded at a gasoline refinery, leaving two people injured, officials said. The huge fireball covered the area around the Caribbean Petroleum plant with thick
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Thousands of postal workers strike for second day

Thousands of postal workers strike for second day

Britain's postal union staged a second consecutive day of strikes on Friday, with about 78,000 delivery and collection staff absent from work, crippling mail deliveries and dealing a blow to Prime Minister Gordon brown. The Communication Workers Union (CW
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
UN inspectors to leave for Tehran on Saturday

UN inspectors to leave for Tehran on Saturday

Inspectors from the UN nuclear watchdog will depart for Tehran on Saturday to inspect Iran's second uranium enrichment plant near the holy city of Qom, the official IRNA news agency said. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) staff "will stay for
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Iran challenges UN-drafted nuclear deal

Iran challenges UN-drafted nuclear deal

Iran on Friday challenged a UN-drafted plan for it to cut a stockpile of nuclear fuel that the West fears could be used for weapons, saying it wanted to buy nuclear fuel from abroad. The deal had already been approved by the other parties - the United Sta
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Sterling tumbles

Sterling tumbles

Sterling tumbled across the board on Friday, leaving it on track for its biggest fall against the euro in six months, after data revealed a shock third-quarter contraction in the UK economy. British gross domestic product shrank by 0.4 percent between Jul
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Euro, dollar rise in London

Euro, dollar rise in London

The dollar and euro rose broadly on Friday benefiting from a steep slide in sterling after data showed the British economy was still mired in recession in the third quarter, confounding expectations for a return to growth. News the British economy shrank
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Rise in sterling Libor pauses

Rise in sterling Libor pauses

Benchmark sterling interbank lending rates paused at 5-week highs on Friday after Britain's economy unexpectedly contracted again, while abundant amounts of liquidity kept euro and dollar rates pinned at record lows. Three-month sterling Libor held steady
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Indian rupee snaps a two-day fall

Indian rupee snaps a two-day fall

The Indian rupee, which fell over the week after showing a net rise for six straight weeks, snapped a two-day fall to strengthen on Friday as a rise in local share prices raised expectations of more capital inflows.
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Malaysian shares rise

Malaysian shares rise

Malaysian shares ended up 0.56 percent on Friday in a muted response to the 2010 budget, which focused on reining in government spending and reducing the deficit, dealers said. The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index rose 7.08 points to 1,267.10. "Buying interes
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Asian spreads snap two-day widening

Asian spreads snap two-day widening

Asian bond spreads narrowed on Friday after two straight sessions of widening, as stock gains lifted appetite for riskier assets, which also benefited newly-issued debt from Noble Group. The Asia ex-Japan iTraxx investment-grade index narrowed by 5 basis
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Asian spreads snap two-day widening

Asian spreads snap two-day widening

Asian bond spreads narrowed on Friday after two straight sessions of widening, as stock gains lifted appetite for riskier assets, which also benefited newly-issued debt from Noble Group. The Asia ex-Japan iTraxx investment-grade index narrowed by 5 basis
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
No slowdown in European primary market

No slowdown in European primary market

European primary bond markets showed no signs of slowing down on Friday, with issuance expected from across the financial and corporate spectrum. The most watched deal remains the Nation-wide RMBS transaction. Expectations are that the deal will price tod
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
No slowdown in European primary market

No slowdown in European primary market

European primary bond markets showed no signs of slowing down on Friday, with issuance expected from across the financial and corporate spectrum. The most watched deal remains the Nation-wide RMBS transaction. Expectations are that the deal will price tod
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Indian shares edge up

Indian shares edge up

Indian shares edged up 0.13 percent on Friday, snapping three days of losses, but most intraday gains were erased as investors unwound positions ahead of the weekend, dealers said. The benchmark 30-share Sensex index rose 21.07 points to 16,810.81. Tradin
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
Friday's midday trade: Wall Street slips

Friday's midday trade: Wall Street slips

US stocks fell on Friday as weak industrial and energy shares overshadowed robust results from technology heavy-weights Microsoft and Amazon.com. Energy shares slid as crude prices lost more than 1 percent to fall to around $80 a barrel on caution about d
Published 24 Oct, 2009 12:00am
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