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Print - 2010-03-20
Dubai crisis overplayed by Western investors

Dubai crisis overplayed by Western investors

Dubai's "build and they will come" model is in a state of flux, rather than broken, as the emirate suffers growing pains in its evolution from emerging economy to global business hub, one of its key developers said.
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Bending the rules

Bending the rules

The Federal Finance Ministry has been asked to do something which is not usually allowed: it has reportedly forwarded a summary for the appointment of Vazir Ali Khoja as Managing Director, National Investment Trust, it is reliably learnt. Khoja is a forme
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Spain government passes new law to boost economy

Spain government passes new law to boost economy

Spain's government approved a new law on Friday to boost productivity and lift the struggling economy's competitiveness over the next ten years. The Economic Sustainability Law, equipped with 25 billion euros ($34 billion) of funds, aims to shift Spain's
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
China and Bangladesh sign oil and gas agreement

China and Bangladesh sign oil and gas agreement

China and Bangladesh pledged closer co-operation on Friday after they signed an agreement on oil and gas during an official visit to Beijing by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The two countries issued a joint statement Friday in which they agreed to strengt
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Rio, Chinalco sign iron ore joint venture as price talks drag

Rio, Chinalco sign iron ore joint venture as price talks drag

Global miner Rio Tinto signed a $2.9 billion pact with Chinese metals group Chinalco to jointly develop an African iron ore project, amid tense iron ore price talks with China's steel mills and just ahead of a trial of four Rio employees.
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Bangladesh shuts three telecoms operators

Bangladesh shuts three telecoms operators

The authorities in Bangladesh have shut down three private telecommunications operators in the country on suspicion of running illegal telephony over the internet, a spokesman for the telephone regulatory body said Friday. The Bangladesh Telecommunication
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Bears dominate proceedings on ISE

Bears dominate proceedings on ISE

Bears dominated the proceedings at the Islamabad Stock Exchange (ISE) where equities showed negative signs under the lead of hot favourite amid decrease in the index. ISE Ten Index showed a decrease of 1.76 points, as the Index moved from 2,457.77 to 2,45
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
China tries to cool yuan dispute with US

China tries to cool yuan dispute with US

China on Friday said it was sending an envoy to Washington to try to ease trade frictions as its currency regime comes under fire, warning that threats from US legislators could stifle room for progress. The announcement, along with conciliatory comments
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Bears dominate proceedings on ISE

Bears dominate proceedings on ISE

Bears dominated the proceedings at the Islamabad Stock Exchange (ISE) where equities showed negative signs under the lead of hot favourite amid decrease in the index. ISE Ten Index showed a decrease of 1.76 points, as the Index moved from 2,457.77 to 2,45
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
British Airways strike to go ahead after talks collapse

British Airways strike to go ahead after talks collapse

Last-ditch talks aimed at preventing a strike by some 12,000 British Airways (BA) cabin crew collapsed Friday, leaving thousands of travellers facing chaos within hours. After a bitter public war of words, BA chief executive Willie Walsh and the joint lea
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
US will ''do more and announce more'': Holbrooke

US will ''do more and announce more'': Holbrooke

The United States on Friday said it has made "huge advances" in its relationship with Pakistan and pledged "serious intense" discussions with the key ally on enhancing economic and security co-operation at next week''s strategic dialogue.
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Foreign central banks' US debt holdings rise: Fed

Foreign central banks' US debt holdings rise: Fed

Foreign central banks' holdings of US Treasuries and agency debt at the Federal Reserve rose in the latest week, data from the US central bank showed on Thursday. The combined holdings of Treasuries and agency securities by foreign central banks at the Fe
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
US will 'do more and announce more': Holbrooke

US will 'do more and announce more': Holbrooke

The United States on Friday said it has made "huge advances" in its relationship with Pakistan and pledged "serious intense" discussions with the key ally on enhancing economic and security co-operation at next week's strategic dialogue.
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Russia's jobless rate down, economy still limping

Russia's jobless rate down, economy still limping

Nearly 400,000 unemployed Russians found jobs last month, but the economy contracted as investment continued to fall and growth in retail sales and disposable incomes was very slow, data showed on Friday. Russia's economy started to recover from its first
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
US will 'do more and announce more': Holbrooke

US will 'do more and announce more': Holbrooke

The United States on Friday said it has made "huge advances" in its relationship with Pakistan and pledged "serious intense" discussions with the key ally on enhancing economic and security co-operation at next week's strategic dialogue.
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
EU seeks firm Greek aid plan; France, Germany differ

EU seeks firm Greek aid plan; France, Germany differ

The European Union's monetary affairs chief urged the bloc's leaders on Friday to agree a standby aid package for Greece next week but France and Germany struck different notes and the euro slid. EU heads of state and government will discuss the issue at
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Hafeez lists priorities for economy boost

Hafeez lists priorities for economy boost

Advisor to Prime Minister on Finance, Dr Hafeez Shaikh on Friday said financial management, economic discipline, good governance and microeconomic framework would be his priorities. Talking to newsmen here, Hafeez said in the past benefits of economic gro
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
IMF wants European body for cross-border bank failures

IMF wants European body for cross-border bank failures

The International Monetary Fund called on Friday for the creation of a European Resolution Authority to deal with failures of cross-border financial institutions. IMF Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn said such an authority should be part of a broa
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Hafeez lists priorities for economy boost

Hafeez lists priorities for economy boost

Advisor to Prime Minister on Finance, Dr Hafeez Shaikh on Friday said financial management, economic discipline, good governance and microeconomic framework would be his priorities. Talking to newsmen here, Hafeez said in the past benefits of economic gro
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
India's central bank raises rates

India's central bank raises rates

India's central bank on Friday surprised markets with an inter-meeting rate increase by raising key policy rates by 25 basis points citing rising inflation pressure and robust growth. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) increased the repo rate, the rate at wh
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Hafeez lists priorities for economy boost

Hafeez lists priorities for economy boost

Advisor to Prime Minister on Finance, Dr Hafeez Shaikh on Friday said financial management, economic discipline, good governance and microeconomic framework would be his priorities. Talking to newsmen here, Hafeez said in the past benefits of economic gro
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Global pact against tobacco smuggling stalled

Global pact against tobacco smuggling stalled

A global pact to halt smuggling and counterfeiting of tobacco products, which costs governments up to $40 billion a year in lost taxes, has become bogged down over ways to trace products, officials said on Friday. The agreement would also ban duty-free sa
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Pepco requests government to increase power tariff

Pepco requests government to increase power tariff

Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco) has requested the government to increase power tariff by Rs 1.44 per unit, a private news channel reported on Friday. According to the channel, Pepco sources said that if the government has no objection on the incre
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Berlin sees trade surplus criticism as compliment

Berlin sees trade surplus criticism as compliment

Foreign criticism of Germany's trade surplus, most recently from France, is a compliment, Finance Minster Wolfgang Schaeuble said on Friday. "Hidden behind the comments from our French friends is praise," etitiveness," he said, while "those who are maybe
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Pepco requests government to increase power tariff

Pepco requests government to increase power tariff

Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco) has requested the government to increase power tariff by Rs 1.44 per unit, a private news channel reported on Friday. According to the channel, Pepco sources said that if the government has no objection on the incre
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Lloyds to return to profit this year

Lloyds to return to profit this year

Bailed out British lender Lloyds Banking Group said on Friday it would return to profit this year thanks to a bigger than expected drop in bad debts, wrong-footing forecasts for another loss, and sending its shares sharply higher. Lloyds, which sank 6.3 b
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Pepco requests government to increase power tariff

Pepco requests government to increase power tariff

Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco) has requested the government to increase power tariff by Rs 1.44 per unit, a private news channel reported on Friday. According to the channel, Pepco sources said that if the government has no objection on the incre
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Lloyds to return to profit this year

Lloyds to return to profit this year

Bailed out British lender Lloyds Banking Group said on Friday it would return to profit this year thanks to a bigger than expected drop in bad debts, wrong-footing forecasts for another loss, and sending its shares sharply higher. Lloyds, which sank 6.3 b
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Canada comeback rolls on as price pressures emerge

Canada comeback rolls on as price pressures emerge

Canadian core inflation stayed unexpectedly high in February and retailers posted solid sales gains in January, according to reports on Friday that helped push the Canadian dollar closer to parity with the greenback.
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Samsung, LG see growth, but know rivals catching up

Samsung, LG see growth, but know rivals catching up

Technology powerhouses Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics reinforced market optimism that strong demand recovery is in place, while cautioning that competition from global rivals is heating up. The comments from Samsung, the world's top maker of LCD f
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Italy approves smaller industry incentives package

Italy approves smaller industry incentives package

Italy's cabinet on Friday approved a package of around 300 million euros in industrial incentives, including white goods and scooters but excluding the key car sector. The measures mark a sharp reduction from last year's 1.2 billion euros of incentives, w
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Rs 1.7 trillion revenue target set for 2010-11

Rs 1.7 trillion revenue target set for 2010-11

The Ministry of Finance has fixed Rs 1710 billion as revenue collection target for the Federal Board of Revenue for 2010-11 against Rs 1,380 billion for 2009-10, reflecting an increase of Rs 330 billion. Sources told Business Recorder on Friday the
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Finnish dockers' strike to end: mediator

Finnish dockers' strike to end: mediator

A strike by 3,000 dockers that crippled Finland's foreign trade for more than two weeks is to end, after both sides accepted a compromise agreement, the conciliator's office said Friday. "They have accepted the proposal and the walkout will end," Outi Pel
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Rs 1.7 trillion revenue target set for 2010-11

Rs 1.7 trillion revenue target set for 2010-11

The Ministry of Finance has fixed Rs 1710 billion as revenue collection target for the Federal Board of Revenue for 2010-11 against Rs 1,380 billion for 2009-10, reflecting an increase of Rs 330 billion. Sources told Business Recorder on Friday the
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
US hotel loan default rate may double by 2012: Fitch

US hotel loan default rate may double by 2012: Fitch

Hotel loan defaults could double in the United States, reaching 30 percent, by 2012 as the lodging industry struggles with a drop in cash flows and lower property values, Fitch Ratings said on Thursday. Hotel revenues have fallen nearly 20 percent since 2
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Rs 1.7 trillion revenue target set for 2010-11

Rs 1.7 trillion revenue target set for 2010-11

The Ministry of Finance has fixed Rs 1710 billion as revenue collection target for the Federal Board of Revenue for 2010-11 against Rs 1,380 billion for 2009-10, reflecting an increase of Rs 330 billion. Sources told Business Recorder on Friday the
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Chile central bank holds rates low as economy grows

Chile central bank holds rates low as economy grows

Chile's central bank held its benchmark interest rate unchanged for the eighth straight month on Thursday to help fuel an economy that had just pulled out of recession when a destructive earthquake hit last month.
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
WTO to rule on Boeing-Airbus row on Tuesday

WTO to rule on Boeing-Airbus row on Tuesday

The World Trade Organisation is to issue a ruling Tuesday on a US complaint charging the European Union with illegal subsidies to aircraft manufacturer Airbus, an industry source said Friday. "The decision will be made public on Tuesday afternoon," the so
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
EADS may tender for US tanker deal if in with a chance

EADS may tender for US tanker deal if in with a chance

European aerospace giant EADS may submit a new offer to supply the US air force with tanker jets if revised Pentagon tender rules give it a fair chance of success, the firm said Friday. Last week, EADS angrily pulled out of the race for the 35-billion-dol
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Fears of a US double dip 'remain unfounded': ECRI

Fears of a US double dip 'remain unfounded': ECRI

A measure of future US economic growth rose for the seventh straight week, while its yearly growth gauge rebounded after a 12-week slide, indicating a pullback in the pace of recovery in the coming months, a research group said on Friday.
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
JGB futures dip

JGB futures dip

Japanese government bond futures inched down on Friday as investors unwound long positions in the wake of weaker US Treasuries and Tokyo's Nikkei stock average rising back towards a two-month high. Foreign investors such as hedge funds also continued unwi
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
JGB futures dip

JGB futures dip

Japanese government bond futures inched down on Friday as investors unwound long positions in the wake of weaker US Treasuries and Tokyo's Nikkei stock average rising back towards a two-month high. Foreign investors such as hedge funds also continued unwi
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Toronto stocks slip

Toronto stocks slip

Toronto's main stock index closed moderately lower on Thursday as concerns about tighter credit in China and doubts about an aid plan for debt-stricken Greece increased investor caution over the global economic outlook and pressured commodity prices. Both
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Taiwan stocks end firmer

Taiwan stocks end firmer

Taiwan stocks inched up 0.15 percent on Friday to a fresh eight-week closing high, led by gains in Acer and other heavyweights, as investor confidence continued to get a lift from foreign buying. The TAIEX share index rose 11.57 points to 7,897.91, with t
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Dow gains for eighth straight day

Dow gains for eighth straight day

The Dow industrials rose for an eighth consecutive session on Thursday, lifted by a rise in Boeing's stock, while a mixed group of economic figures kept the broader S&P 500 in check. The Dow's gains came even though more stocks declined than advanced on t
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Hong Kong, China stocks edge up

Hong Kong, China stocks edge up

Shares in China and Hong Kong eked out small gains in a cautious session on Friday, with wary investors expecting Beijing to further tighten liquidity by lifting bank reserve ratios. The Shanghai Composite Index closed up 0.71 at 3,067 points, its highest
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
US bonds fall

US bonds fall

US Treasuries fell on Thursday as investors cleared room for next week's supply, overshadowing tame inflation data that reinforced the view the Federal Reserve can leave short-term interest rates near zero percent. The Treasury Department, as expected, sa
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
US bonds fall

US bonds fall

US Treasuries fell on Thursday as investors cleared room for next week's supply, overshadowing tame inflation data that reinforced the view the Federal Reserve can leave short-term interest rates near zero percent. The Treasury Department, as expected, sa
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Seoul shares rise

Seoul shares rise

Seoul shares ended 0.7 percent higher on Friday, fuelled by continued foreign buying and rises in key technology and auto issues including Samsung Electronics and Kia Motors. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) finished up 10.94 points at 1,686.
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Nikkei rebounds, nears two-month high

Nikkei rebounds, nears two-month high

Japan's Nikkei average rose 0.8 percent on Friday, with retailer Aeon climbing in the wake of an upbeat profit forecast and as shares rebounded broadly after a resilient performance from the Dow industrials. The Nikkei climbed after succumbing to profit-t
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Asian bond spreads widen

Asian bond spreads widen

Asian spreads widened on Friday, taking further away from eight-week lows, as investor worries about Greece triggered profit-taking. Convern about stretched valuations and excess supplies also pressured prices and caused spreads to inch wider. "Many globa
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Asian bond spreads widen

Asian bond spreads widen

Asian spreads widened on Friday, taking further away from eight-week lows, as investor worries about Greece triggered profit-taking. Convern about stretched valuations and excess supplies also pressured prices and caused spreads to inch wider. "Many globa
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Yuan steady

Yuan steady

The yuan was little changed against the dollar in offshore forwards on Friday, stabilising as steadily mounting US pressure for resumed yuan appreciation met with repeated insistence from China that it will keep the currency stable. Benchmark dollar/yuan
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Euro holds steady but renewed Greek woes weigh

Euro holds steady but renewed Greek woes weigh

The euro stabilised but remained under pressure on Friday after Greece said it could not achieve promised deficit cuts if its borrowing costs remain so high. The euro had fallen broadly the previous day on worries over Greece's debt problems after a media
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Euro drops on Greece fears

Euro drops on Greece fears

The euro fell against the dollar on Thursday on persistent worries over Greece's debt problems after a report said the country was not optimistic about aid from euro zone members. The euro also fell to a 17-month low versus the Swiss franc after a Swiss N
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Taiwan dollar flat

Taiwan dollar flat

The Taiwan dollar traded largely flat on Friday as the central bank moved to offset mild gains from expectations of a sustained economic recovery in Asia despite new doubts about debt in Europe, dealers said. The island's central bank, which is keen to co
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Australian dollar at record high

Australian dollar at record high

The Australian dollar was strong near a record high against a beleaguered euro on Friday as worries about Greece's fiscal problems kept the common currency under pressure. The euro struggled at A$1.4769, a whisker from a record low of A$1.4759 hit offshor
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Swiss franc near new highs

Swiss franc near new highs

The Swiss franc consolidated gains on Friday, trading close to Thursday's new 17-month highs after a Swiss National Bank policy maker said firms and consumers should prepare for a return to foreign exchange rates set by markets. The franc spiked higher fo
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Ali Hai occupies top slot in Royal Palm Golf

Ali Hai occupies top slot in Royal Palm Golf

In the four rounds Royal Palm National Golf Championship currently in progress at the Royal Palm Golf Course, the contender in command of the situation is Ali Hai of Karachi who occupies the top slot on the leader board with another stunning round of two
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Malik, Rana allowed to play in Bangladesh

Malik, Rana allowed to play in Bangladesh

Pakistan gave permission Friday for banned former captain Shoaib Malik and all-rounder Rana Naved-ul-Hasan to play in a domestic Twenty20 league in Bangladesh. Earlier this month the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) banned Malik and Naved from all forms of th
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Central contract to 37 cricketers awarded

Central contract to 37 cricketers awarded

In an expected move, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) ignored three former skippers Younus Khan, Mohammad Yousuf and Shoaib Malik and pacers Rana Naveed ul Hasan and Shoaib Akhtar, when it formally announced central contracts to 37 cricketers for one year sta
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Irfan hails PFF chief for getting office in World Cup body

Irfan hails PFF chief for getting office in World Cup body

Football Development Officer for four regions, Muhammad Irfan Khan Niazi, has congratulated Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) President, Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat for winning heart of Sepp blatter, President of Fédération Internationale de Football Associa
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
2010 World Cup helps FIFA revenues to record

2010 World Cup helps FIFA revenues to record

The World Cup in South Africa has helped FIFA's revenues past the billion dollar mark for the first time, world football's governing body said Friday. "We are very confident, not only confident but very proud, that we can deliver the World Cup to Africa a
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Capello invites injured Beckham to World Cup

Capello invites injured Beckham to World Cup

England have accepted injured David Beckham is out of contention for a place at the World Cup but coach Fabio Capello has invited the crestfallen midfielder to join the squad in South Africa anyway. The 34-year-old midfielder tore an Achilles tendon playi
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Lahore Muhammadan wins

Lahore Muhammadan wins

Hard-hitting Saifullah showed attractive batting display to propel Lahore Muhammadan to seven wickets win over Lahore Eagles in the first SPM Lahore Veterans Cricket League at Race Course Ground, Jail Road, Lahore on Friday. Eagles managed 228-8 with Sali
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Cash-strapped Chinese living in shipping containers

Cash-strapped Chinese living in shipping containers

Rocketing house prices in China's booming south are forcing low-earners to turn to cheap homes made out of shipping containers, state press said Friday. Clusters of container villages are cropping up around the boomtown of Shenzhen, near Hong Kong, where
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
China wages to rise as labour shortages grow

China wages to rise as labour shortages grow

The frustrations of companies in coastal China trying to hire enough workers may become a permanent headache, foreshadowing higher wages, according to a top labour economist. Labour shortages, especially in export hubs in China's coastal provinces, have i
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Mother of British teen killed in Goa admits benefit fraud

Mother of British teen killed in Goa admits benefit fraud

The mother of a British teenager killed in India faces a possible jail term after she admitted falsely claiming 19,000 pounds (21,000 euros, 29,000 dollars) in state benefits Friday. Fiona MacKeown's 15-year-old daughter Scarlett Keeling was found dead on
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Atom smasher cranks up to record energy levels: CERN

Atom smasher cranks up to record energy levels: CERN

The world's most powerful atom smasher has been brought up to a record energy level, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research said Friday, in readiness for collisions that could generate new discoveries in particle physics. "At just after 5.20 this
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Iran allows Osama's daughter to leave

Iran allows Osama's daughter to leave

A teenaged daughter of Osama bin Laden has been allowed to fly out of Tehran where she had taken refuge in Saudi Arabia's embassy, a Saudi-financed newspaper reported on Friday. Asharq Al-Awsat said Iman bin Laden arrived in Damascus on a commercial fligh
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Admirals, others face trial over Turkey 'plot'

Admirals, others face trial over Turkey 'plot'

Thirty-three suspects, among them three admirals, will stand trial in Turkey over alleged plans to carry out attacks against non-Muslim minorities in a bid to discredit the government, the Anatolia news agency reported Friday.
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Gambia defence ministry accuses 10 of treason

Gambia defence ministry accuses 10 of treason

Gambia's justice ministry on Thursday accused 10 people, including top military brass, of treason over a foiled attempt last year to overthrow President Yahya Jammeh. The alleged coup plotters are said to have bought arms and equipment and recruited merce
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Library book is returned - 45 years late

Library book is returned - 45 years late

Staff at the Dinnington library are used to people bringing books back late but the package they received last month was in a class of its own. It contained a paperback first edition copy of "Quatermass and the Pit" by Nigel Kneale which had been borrowed
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
US leaves open more arms for Taiwan

US leaves open more arms for Taiwan

The United States on Thursday left open the possibility of further arms sales to Taiwan, with a senior official saying that China's military build-up was aimed squarely at the self-governing island. President Barack Obama's administration in January appro
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
US F-35 fighter in first vertical landing

US F-35 fighter in first vertical landing

A Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 fighter aircraft landed vertically for the first time on Thursday, a bright spot in the Pentagon's priciest arms purchase programme, troubled by cost increases and delays. Test pilot Graham Tomlinson, in a radar-evading F-35B,
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Indian man charged with murder of Philippine tourist

Indian man charged with murder of Philippine tourist

Singapore authorities on Friday charged an Indian man with the murder this week of a 30-year-old Philippine tourist, a media report said. Gopinathan Nair Remadevi Bijukumar, 34, was suspected of stabbing Roselyn Reyes Pascua to death, the online edition o
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
President pledges 60,000 jobs to rebuild quake-hit Chile

President pledges 60,000 jobs to rebuild quake-hit Chile

Chile's new President Sebastian Pinera has pledged to create 60,000 jobs as part of reconstruction efforts after the massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake that struck the country last month. Pinera's week-old administration will "re-launch the production secto
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Indian cabinet clears death sentence for hijackers

Indian cabinet clears death sentence for hijackers

India's federal cabinet Friday approved changes to an anti-hijacking law to award the death penalty to hijackers, news reports said. The proposed amendments also allow the Indian Air Force to shoot down a hijacked plane if there is evidence that it could
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Iran jails former vice president, reform activist

Iran jails former vice president, reform activist

A former Iranian vice president and prominent reform activist convicted of spreading propaganda against the ruling clerical establishment has begun a one-year prison sentence, a close relative said Friday. An appeals court upheld Hossein Marashi's convict
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Militants declare campaign versus Iraqi political parties

Militants declare campaign versus Iraqi political parties

An al Qaeda-linked militant group that claimed responsibility for recent bombings in Baghdad has declared a new military campaign against Iraqi political parties, according to a group that monitors insurgents' communications. The threat from Islamic State
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Obama backs 'framework' to revamp US immigration

Obama backs 'framework' to revamp US immigration

President Barack Obama, under pressure to keep a campaign promise to revamp US immigration policy, embraced a "promising, bipartisan framework" on Thursday offered by two senior US senators. Obama said the proposal by Democrat Charles Schumer and Republic
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Deal near for Guantanamo closure, trials

Deal near for Guantanamo closure, trials

The White House is nearing a bipartisan deal with US lawmakers to close the Guantanamo Bay prison by putting more detainees on trial before military commissions, a report said Friday. The prospective deal would allow military tribunals to try alleged Sept
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
US court rules for media on bailout information

US court rules for media on bailout information

The US Federal Reserve may be required to make public some of its records on emergency lending programmes to banks in the financial bailout, an appeals court ruled on Friday in cases brought by news organisations. Fox News Network, a unit of News Corp, an
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Yemen declares end to war with rebels

Yemen declares end to war with rebels

Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh declared an end to a long-running war with northern Shia rebels that drew in neighbouring Saudi Arabia last year, according to a television interview to be aired on Friday. But the president, under international pressur
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
US Army worries about 'threat' from whistleblower website

US Army worries about 'threat' from whistleblower website

A small, cash-strapped website that publishes documents governments want kept secret has caught the attention of the Pentagon, which says the site poses a possible threat to US troops. A report by the US Army Counterintelligence Center says the whistleblo
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
US military pushed for closure of CIA, Saudi website

US military pushed for closure of CIA, Saudi website

The US military in 2008 shut down a website set up by the CIA and Saudi Arabia to expose terror plots, angering both parties, who saw the site as a vital intelligence tool, the Washington Post reported Friday.
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Britain and France to cooperate more on nuclear defence: Prime Minister

Britain and France to cooperate more on nuclear defence: Prime Minister

Britain and France will work together more closely on nuclear defence, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Friday, after a report that the two countries could share submarine patrols. Brown said he had reached an agreement with French President Nicolas Sarko
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Mubarak names successor to late Al-Azhar cleric

Mubarak names successor to late Al-Azhar cleric

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Friday appointed a new head of Al-Azhar, Sunni Islam's most prestigious institution, after the death of its top cleric last week, the official MENA agency reported. Mubarak, who is recovering from surgery in Germany, "h
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
EU ready to act on Iran's satellite jamming

EU ready to act on Iran's satellite jamming

The European Union plans to take action against Iran for its jamming of European satellite broadcasts, according to a draft statement by EU foreign ministers ahead of a meeting on Monday. The statement, obtained by Reuters, follows talks among EU foreign
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
Somali rebels raise funds on Internet: UN report

Somali rebels raise funds on Internet: UN report

Armed rebel groups in Somalia are using the Internet for fundraising and recruitment, and they achieve better results through the Web than they do on the ground, a United Nations report said. The report by the UN Monitoring Group on Somalia also highlight
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
South East Asian stocks: Thailand scales new 20-month peak, others mixed

South East Asian stocks: Thailand scales new 20-month peak, others mixed

Thai stocks scaled a 20-month peak on Friday as investors snapped up banks and energy shares on renewed confidence in its economy, while most other Southeast Asian stock markets fizzled or managed just small gains. Singapore and Indonesia each posted smal
Published 20 Mar, 2010 12:00am
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