Fluctuation in international oil prices has rendered the performance of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) unpredictable in terms of productivity. While the crude oil has again receded to below $70 per barrel owning to slowdown in demand from US market, the f
Fluctuation in international oil prices has rendered the performance of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) unpredictable in terms of productivity. While the crude oil has again receded to below $70 per barrel owning to slowdown in demand from US market, the f
The World Bank is organising a two-day Consultation workshop on Bank's group environment strategy and Institutional analysis of Air Quality Management in Urban Pakistan" here at a local hotel from January 12.
Director Pakistan Meteorological Department, Dr Muhammad Hanif has forecast significantly below normal winter rains during the next two months in most parts of the country, owing to El-Nino phenomenon.
The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Sunday demanded that facts about the Ashura bombing should be brought to limelight. All probabilities should be analysed thoroughly and beneficiaries should be probed. President PEW Dr Murtaza Mughal said that the rampa
NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti on Sunday visited the Lady Reading Hospital and inquired about the health of injured victims of Lakki Marwat suicide explosion. The Chief Minister went through different sections and wards of the hospital and met
Five more critically injured succumbed to their wounds at local hospitals on Sunday, following a deadly suicide hit at volleyball ground in Lakki Marwat district, raising the death toll to 100 while 87 others sustained injuries, police said.
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has strongly condemned the bomb blast in Hangu on Sunday, which caused death of former NWFP Minister for Irrigation, Haji Ghani-ur- Rehman Khan and injuries to others. Ghani-ur-Rehman was killed as his vehicle was ta
Terming the unanimous decision on the 7th NFC Award among the federation and the provinces historic, Federal Minister for Minorities Shahbaz Bhatti said the distribution of resources in the Award was according to the wishes and expectations of the people
Federal Minister for Youth Affairs, Shahid Hussain Bhutto has congratulated the nation, prime minister and chief ministers of the provinces on signing of 7th NFC Award with consensus, and termed it a success of the democratic forces in the country. Talkin
First came see-through frogs. Now Japanese researchers have succeeded in producing goldfish whose beating hearts can be seen through translucent scales and skin. The transparent creatures are part of efforts to reduce the need for dissections, which have
Individually designed music therapy may help reduce noise levels in people suffering from tinnitus, or ear ringing, German scientists. The researchers designed musical treatments adapted to the musical tastes of patients with ear-ringing and then stripped
At least 12,220 deaths from H1N1 flu have been formally confirmed around the globe but the pandemic appears to be declining, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said. The death figure, set as of December 27, was around 700 up on the toll a week previously
Elevated levels of three proteins show ovarian cancer is starting to grow years before women are diagnosed, but they do not increase soon enough to be an early indicator of the disease, US researchers said on December 30.
Air pollution, which tends to inflame the airways in people with asthma, might also reduce the effectiveness of the rescue inhalers they count on for quick relief of their asthma symptoms, study findings hint.
Natural disasters in 2009 claimed the smallest annual toll in human life and economic loss in a decade but continued to be overwhelmingly climate related, the UN reported. Some 58 million people have been affected by 245 natural calamities so far this yea
A team of German and US scientists has discovered that genetic mutation - the basic process of evolution - occurs much faster than previously thought, according to a study published on January 01.
Studies reporting a link between sugar-sweetened beverages and weight gain have garnered a lot of attention but actually research on the issue has yielded mixed results, researchers note in a new report.
Endangered species from polar bears to giant salamanders, great white sharks to beluga whales and Namibian quiver trees to Cuban crocodiles will have their day on the Internet throughout 2010.
As technology companies make their annual trek to Las Vegas to unveil their coolest gadgets at the Consumer Electronics Show in January, investors are laying bets on another good year for the industry. The mood at CES 2010 should be far more buoyant than
Where's the best place to store your personal data? For most users the decision comes down to the PC itself or an external hard drive. The underlying motto: my data belongs here under my own roof.
Bowing to Chinese law, Apple is reportedly blocking iPhone users in China from downloading applications about two figures Beijing considers "separatists": the Dalai Lama and exiled Uighur leader Rebiya Kadeer.
Despite iPods, genetic sequencing, the Internet and Twitter, nearly a third of Americans said they thought there would be more technological advances by the year 2010.
Japanese researchers said on December 28 they had developed a "hummingbird robot" that can flutter around freely in mid-air with rapid wing movements. The robot, a similar size to a real hummingbird, is equipped with a micro motor and four wings that can
Google announced plans on December 29 to hold a press event this month about its Android mobile phone operating system amid speculation the Internet giant plans to release its own smartphone. Google invited reporters to attend an "Android press gathering"
Google reportedly hopes to strengthen its presence in the world of mobile telephony with plans to introduce its own high-tech phone sometime in 2010, according to press reports.
Social networks will face increasingly sophisticated hacker attacks in 2010 but law enforcement is expected to make strides in fighting cyber-crime, according to Web security firm McAfee Labs on December 30.
Windows 7's new "snap" feature makes it easy to dock open applications on either edge of your computer monitor. Just grab a running application by the title bar and drag it toward the left or right edge of the screen.
US speech recognition company Nuance Communications Inc announced on December 30 that it has acquired British voice-to-text firm SpinVox for 102.5 million dollars in a stock and cash deal. The Burlington, Massachusetts-based Nuance said in a statement tha
Nokia has announced a new entry-level cell phone that offers navigation functionality. The Nokia 2710 Navigation Edition will come into stores in spring 2010 for around 150 dollars. Features include GPD, preinstalled maps and an integrated compass. The ce
Zyxel is releasing a new Powerline adapter. The PLA-407 is certified based on the HomePlug AV standard and includes an integrated plug. The device transfers data using a home's own electrical wiring at gross transfer rates of 200 megabits per second.
Hotmail is often credited with making free email ubiquitous. The service is still around as Windows Live Mail (http://mail.live.com), and thanks to the competition provided by Google's Gmail, it offers more than ever.
Corruption at Dubai's state-linked companies is unusually high, the Gulf Arab emirate's police chief said on December 31, but tough new penalties introduced this week could help curb fraud. Dubai, which shocked global markets in November with a request to
Wall Street's efforts to quell public outrage over its pay practices could in fact be setting up its top executives, bankers, and traders for even bigger payouts down the road, which in turn could reignite the outcry.
UC Rusal, the world's largest aluminium producer, confirmed on December 31 that it plans to raise as much 2.6 billion US dollars in its Hong Kong initial public offering next month. The Russian metals giant plans to sell 1.6 billion shares at a price betw
The year of the Ponzi scheme will be followed by heightened regulation and more aggressive prosecutions, experts say, as US officials respond to past failures.
Tesco, Britain's biggest retailer, said it would freeze value added tax (VAT) on thousands of products in the new year. The retailer pledged to keep VAT at 15 percent on items including TVs, iPods, toys and bikes, resulting in 12 million pounds ($19.2 mil
Creditors of debt-ridden Japan Airlines would incur losses of some 700 billion yen (7.6 billion dollars) if the struggling carrier enters a bankruptcy process, a report said. The state-backed body overseeing JAL's restructuring, Enterprise Turnaround Init
Islamic banks could be facing new pressures in the wake of the financial crisis that hit Dubai last month.The Islamic financial system expanded around the world during 2009 thanks to the relative immunity it appeared to enjoy as the conventional banking b
Dutch ING, which is splitting up its bank and insurance arms, will sell its stake in Chinese insurer Antai to China Construction Bank (CCB) as part of its ongoing restructuring programme. ING said it had agreed to sell its 50 percent stake to CCB as part
South Africa will play two tests and three one-day internationals on their tour of India this year, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said on Sunday. Nagpur and Kolkata will host the two tests and Kanpur, Jaipur and Ahmedabad will hold the
Indian boxing team head coach Shiv Singh and pugilist Pramoj Kumar Sunday said that they were happy to be here in Pakistan to feature in the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Tournament.
Spain opened their Hopman Cup campaign in fine style with a clean sweep of the United States in their Group A tie at the mixed teams tournament in Australia on Sunday. Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez overcame some late jitters to give the Spanish the lead wit
US Open champion Kim Clijsters began her 2010 season with a comfortable 6-2 6-1 victory over Italian Tathiana Garbin in the first round of the Brisbane International on Sunday.
Mohammad Asif completed a career-best six-wicket haul as part of Pakistan's broader demolition of Australia that called into question Ricky Ponting's decision to bat first on a Sydney green-top.
India will be keen to extend their impressive run in a triangular series starting in Dhaka on Monday and boost their hopes of becoming the top-ranked side in one-day cricket.
Barcelona dropped their first home points this season when they were held 1-1 at home by Villarreal on Saturday, handing Real Madrid the chance to top La Liga. The champions have 40 points from 16 matches but second-placed Real can overhaul them on goal d
Manchester United is considering a 600 million pound ($954 million) bond issue as part of the Premier League soccer club's battle to bring its spiralling debts under control, reported the Sunday Times.
Manchester United suffered their most embarrassing FA Cup defeat for 26 years when Leeds United pulled off a stunning 1-0 third-round victory at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Makhaya Ntini was dropped from the South African team on Sunday in a move which could hasten the end of a notable Test career. Ntini, 32, did not travel to the ground after being told that he was not in the team for the third Test at Newlands, the ground
Sri Lanka's young team are good enough to be competitive in the one-day Tri-Series in Bangladesh this month, their coach Trevor Bayliss said on Sunday. Sri Lanka, who face hosts Bangladesh on Monday in the opening match of the tournament which also involv
Jacques Kallis hit a calm, chanceless century to keep South African hopes alive on the first day of the third Test against England at Newlands here on Sunday. Kallis made 108 not out as South Africa recovered from 127 for five to reach 279 for six at the
The eurozone's new year heralds a debt crisis that has alarm bells ringing and markets tracking government plans to tame the growing shortfall. Officials have borrowed heavily to pull the 16-nation zone out of its first recession, and debt levels are set
German Economy Minister Rainer Bruederle has urged the country's state-owned Landesbanks to merge. "There should at last be a shake up in the whole sector. In my view, one Landesbank would be plenty," Bruederle, a member of the pro-business Free Democrats
Most of the 3,000 French taxpayers whose names appeared on data stolen from a Swiss branch of bank HSBC have contacted authorities to legalise their financial holdings, French Budget Minister Eric Woerth said on Sunday.
A plan by oil giant Shell to store 300,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year in a depleted gas reservoir beneath this Dutch city has drawn the ire of residents and local officials who have vowed to thwart it. "We are going to do everything to oppose this pr
Stronger regulation should be the first line of defense against speculative bubbles that could send the US economy into a new crisis, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said Sunday. But he didn't rule out higher interest rates to stop dangerous bubbles
Russia has halted oil supplies to Belarussian refineries after failing to agree terms for 2010, traders said on Sunday, threatening a repeat of a dispute which disrupted supplies to elsewhere in Europe three years ago. Deliveries to Belarus refineries wer
Irish finance minister Brian Lenihan does not intend to leave his job and expects to make a full recovery from his illness, the Sunday Independent newspaper quoted him as saying. Recent media reports said Lenihan, who has won praise from investors for hal
Google is expected to ring in the new year by unveiling its own smartphone on Tuesday, the Nexus One, in a bid to expand its powerful Web brand in the booming mobile arena.
Oman's spending on new projects, spurred by the recovery of oil prices, will raise the demand for foreign labour in 2010, the sultanate's national economy minister said on Sunday. The Gulf Arab country expects to create 4,000 jobs in 2010 for nationals th
Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki called for an end to a bitter row over oil contracts brokered by Iraqi Kurdistan, which has fuelled investor questions about the risks of doing business in war-torn Iraq.
Iran's parliament rejected on Sunday the government's request to withdraw a bill aimed at gradually cutting energy and food subsidies, state radio said. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and parliament disagree over control of the money saved through the refo
Philips expects its annual sales to return to growth rates of 6 percent or more after the global economic crisis, the Dutch company's chief executive told a German magazine.
Philips expects its annual sales to return to growth rates of 6 percent or more after the global economic crisis, the Dutch company's chief executive told a German magazine.
Bangladesh has withdrawn a ban on the export of raw jute with immediate effect amid protests by importers, in an effort to ensure a reasonable price to growers, a senior official said on Sunday. "The ban has been lifted to boost income of the jute sector
Japan agreed on Sunday to give a new lifeline to troubled Japan Airlines by doubling a state-funded loan for the carrier to 200 billion yen (2.2 billion dollars). The government decision comes after shares in Asia's largest carrier plunged to a record low
Japan agreed on Sunday to give a new lifeline to troubled Japan Airlines by doubling a state-funded loan for the carrier to 200 billion yen (2.2 billion dollars). The government decision comes after shares in Asia's largest carrier plunged to a record low
Asia stocks rose on Thursday, racking up a 68 percent gain for the year, as a jump in US consumer confidence reinforced views that the world's largest economy is gradually recovering.
Asian local currency bonds were flat on Thursday and on course to end 2009 with huge gains, with the outlook for next year clouded by expected interest rate increases and rising deficits next year.
Asian local currency bonds were flat on Thursday and on course to end 2009 with huge gains, with the outlook for next year clouded by expected interest rate increases and rising deficits next year.
Singapore shares were expected to extend their rise into the first week of 2010 as investors return after the holiday period, dealers said. The opening of the city-state's first casino in the first quarter is also likely to perk up sentiment, they said.
The Czech Finance Ministry plans to borrow about half of its estimated record financing needs this year through state bonds to help cover an expected fiscal deficit of 162.7 billion crowns (8.83 billion dollar).
The Czech Finance Ministry plans to borrow about half of its estimated record financing needs this year through state bonds to help cover an expected fiscal deficit of 162.7 billion crowns (8.83 billion dollar).
Taiwan share prices are expected to see further upside next week on positive sentiment over the outlook for 2010 after the market gained 78.3 percent over the year, dealers said. Foreign institutional investors are likely to rebuild their portfolios at th
The Tokyo Stock Exchange, Asia's largest equities bourse, said it would go ahead with the launch of its new trading system as planned on Monday after running final checks. The new system will be able to process trades in 5 milliseconds, 600 times faster t
Mexican stocks fell on Thursday but closed out their best year since 2006 as the country began recovering from recession, while the peso posted only modest gains, hit in part this year by a debt downgrade.
Mutual funds in China have cut their recommended weighting for equities on worries that persistent government measures to curb surging property prices may weigh on the market, the latest monthly Reuters poll of fund managers shows.
Australian stocks were expected to make a quiet entry into 2010, analysts said Thursday, ahead of the release of corporate earnings reports in February. For the shortened trading week ending December 31, the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 closed up 79.7 points, or
Malaysian shares are likely to trade upwards next week on bargain hunting in financial stocks, analysts said on Thursday. "We will see some investors coming in to pick up banking stocks," Stephen Soo, analyst with TA Securities told AFP. "It is a new-year
Philippines share prices are expected to sustain a rally into the first trading week of 2010 amid renewed bullishness about the economy, dealers said on Friday. The Philippine Stock Exchange composite index gained 0.94 percent or 28.35 points over the wee
Wall Street enters the first trading week of 2010 on a bullish note but the market remains dogged by concerns on the timing of any interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve amid economy recovery. The US central bank may shed some light on how the central
Some 165 passengers and six crew escaped unhurt from a plane that skidded off the runway at Dortmund airport early on Sunday after the pilot aborted take off, a spokeswoman for airline Air Berlin said.
An earthquake in the Pamir mountains of Tajikistan has destroyed hundreds of homes, leaving some 10,000 people without shelter in the dead of winter, officials said Sunday.
South African President Jacob Zuma is set to marry his fifth wife in a traditional ceremony at his rural village in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, the presidency said in a statement Sunday. "The traditional wedding of President Jacob Zuma and Tobeka Madib
US President Barack Obama Monday swaps his Hawaiian vacation hideaway for Washington, with resurgent fears of airborne terror and Iran's nuclear defiance darkening his already daunting agenda. Challenges facing the White House in 2009 - including the wors
A Cairo court ruled on Sunday in favour of the Egyptian government's decision to ban female students wearing the niqab, or full-face veil, in university examinations.
The Afghan parliament's unexpected rejection of over two thirds of President Hamid Karzai's cabinet nominees is a political setback for the country, the head of the UN Afghan mission said on Sunday.
Heavy snow hit Beijing on Sunday, stranding thousands of passengers at the main airport and casting an unusual quiet over normally busy streets as people stayed out of the freezing weather. More than 90 percent of flights at Beijing's Capital Internationa
Afghan troops and US Special Forces killed 25 Taliban militants in a clash in northern province of Kunduz, the provincial governor said Sunday. The clash in the Archi district began Saturday afternoon when the joint forces conduct a search operation in Mu