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Print - 2010-09-11
Eid - Celebrations, delight and thanksgiving

Eid - Celebrations, delight and thanksgiving

Fragrance of Henna, Sweetness of Sheerkhorma, hands full of colourful bangles, and brightness of new clothes marks the festival of Eid. Eid have a special significance for the Muslims around the World. Eid is a day of celebrations, delight and thanksgivin
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
KARACHI CHRONICLE: The democracy game

KARACHI CHRONICLE: The democracy game

A bypoll is to be held on September 22 in one of the city's politically volatile areas, Orangi, on the provincial assembly seat PS-94, which fell vacant after the assassination of MQM's Syed Raza Haider. In the name of peace holding bypolls should be abol
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Ugly realities of 'war on terrorism'

Ugly realities of 'war on terrorism'

On the eve of 9th anniversary of 9/11, the world is turning into hub of religious bigotry, hate crimes, terrorism, intolerance, mass killings, war tragedies and what not. The announcement of public burning of holy Quran by a church in Florida (The Dove Wo
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Quaid-i-Azam as Governor-General

Quaid-i-Azam as Governor-General

During his public life, spanning over four decades, Quaid-i-Azam Jinnah had filled in several roles, each one with distinction. At one time or another, he was one of the greatest legal luminaries India had produced during the first half of this century; a
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Star-light Venice film festival lacks magic moment

Star-light Venice film festival lacks magic moment

The 2010 Venice film festival nears its end lacking the buzz which a standout movie provides and the A-list star power on which such events thrive. The 24-strong competition line-up, featuring the youngest group of directors in memory, has been seen by cr
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Japan's economy still picking up but risks rising

Japan's economy still picking up but risks rising

Japan's government kept its assessment of the economy unchanged in a monthly report on Friday but warned of increasing downside risks to growth such as the strong yen and slowing overseas growth. The government also downgraded its view on exports, saying
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Nato chief appeals for more troops to train Afghans

Nato chief appeals for more troops to train Afghans

Nato chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen Friday appealed to members of the coalition in Afghanistan to provide more troops able to train Afghans, and ensure a swifter withdrawal of foreign forces. "On troop requests, we have been quite successful in the generatio
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Thousands of Afghans protest Holy Quran-burning plan

Thousands of Afghans protest Holy Quran-burning plan

The pastor of a small Florida church, facing an outpouring of concern from US leaders and anger from Muslims world-wide, said on Friday he did not plan to burn copies of the Holy Quran on the anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Bay sees expanding China cross-border trade

Bay sees expanding China cross-border trade

Internet commerce giant eBay Inc said on Friday it expects cross border trade over its network from China to grow 80 percent this year to $4 billion, as smaller companies look to export their wares. "There's enormous opportunity for small- and medium-size
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Serbia reward on the cards after Kosovo backdown: EU ministers

Serbia reward on the cards after Kosovo backdown: EU ministers

Serbia is in line to be rewarded for its acceptance to water down a controversial resolution on Kosovo with an acceleration of its European Union membership bid, several foreign ministers from the bloc indicated Friday.
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Obama says Republicans holding recovery hostage

Obama says Republicans holding recovery hostage

President Barack Obama accused Republicans on Friday of holding the middle class hostage as he pushed new ideas to stimulate the sluggish US economy and try to reverse Democrats' grim election prospects. With opinion polls showing more Americans questioni
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Death toll mounts as fire devastates California city

Death toll mounts as fire devastates California city

At least six people were killed when a gas pipeline exploded and set off a fire that engulfed a neighbourhood near San Francisco, local media said Friday. San Bruno Fire Captain Charlie Barringer told the Los Angeles Times he expected the toll to rise as
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Robert Gates may visit China this year

Robert Gates may visit China this year

US Defence Secretary Robert Gates could travel to China this year, the Pentagon said on Thursday, following signs from Beijing of a willingness to resume military ties suspended over an arms sale to Taiwan. China froze military-to-military contacts with t
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Iran denies building secret uranium enrichment site

Iran denies building secret uranium enrichment site

Iran on Friday denied claims by opposition groups that it was secretly building a new uranium enrichment site deep in the mountains north-west of the capital. "We have no such installation that enriches uranium and if they (opposition groups) are aware of
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
US wholesale inventories jump

US wholesale inventories jump

US wholesale inventories surged by the largest amount in two years in July, a government report said on Friday, in a sign firms were anticipating enough demand to boost stock this summer. Inventories jumped 1.3 percent, the steepest gain since July 2008,
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Italy holds out on EU-South Korea free trade deal

Italy holds out on EU-South Korea free trade deal

Italy on Friday refused to sign a free trade deal the European Union wants to reach with South Korea, citing reservations on its impact on its auto industry. "My Italian colleague has expressed clearly considerations that made it difficult at this time to
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Obama taps Goolsbee as top White House economist

Obama taps Goolsbee as top White House economist

President Barack Obama has chosen Austan Goolsbee as the new head of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, US administration officials said on Thursday, promoting a long-time adviser from his inner policy circle.
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Canada adds more jobs, but details soft

Canada adds more jobs, but details soft

Canada's economy added more jobs than expected in August, but the pace of employment creation slowed from the first half of the year, suggesting the recovery was losing momentum, and market reaction to the numbers was unenthusiastic. Statistics Canada sai
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Greek economy slump hurts revenues, jobs

Greek economy slump hurts revenues, jobs

Greece's austerity measures are hurting revenues and hindering deficit-cutting efforts while more jobs are lost, fresh economic data showed on Friday. Heavy debt payments and weak revenues weighed on the budget amid a deepening recession, with the deficit
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
IMF to sell $400 million worth of gold to Bangladesh

IMF to sell $400 million worth of gold to Bangladesh

The International Monetary Fund on Thursday announced it would sell 10 metric tons of gold to Bangladesh, worth around 403 million dollars. "This transaction is part of the total sales of 403.3 metric tons approved by the executive board," the IMF said in
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Nokia brings in Microsoft executive to replace CEO

Nokia brings in Microsoft executive to replace CEO

Nokia, the world's top cellphone maker, brought in Microsoft's Stephen Elop to replace its embattled chief executive and lead a renewed effort to compete in the smartphone market. Canadian Elop, the head of Microsoft's business division, will take over fr
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Banker's resignation greeted with relief in Berlin

Banker's resignation greeted with relief in Berlin

Germany's political establishment voiced relief on Friday after the resignation of central banker Thilo Sarrazin, who has inflamed the country with outspoken comments on race and religion. Sarrazin said he would quit the Bundesbank's board from the end of
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Spain overhauls labour market

Spain overhauls labour market

Spain's parliament gave final approval Thursday for a sweeping overhaul of the labour market designed to slash soaring unemployment and revive the economy, despite union plans for a general strike. The new law - which will make it easier and cheaper for e
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Goldman names asset division chairman

Goldman names asset division chairman

Goldman Sachs Group Inc named Jim O'Neill, a company veteran, chairman of its asset management business. O'Neill, who headed global economics, commodities and strategy research, will work from London in a newly created role. His responsibilities will help
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
China facing huge unemployment pressures

China facing huge unemployment pressures

With more than one billion workers in China, the world's most populous nation is facing a huge unemployment problem as only 780 million labourers are employed, the government said Friday. The numbers included in China's "white paper" on the nation's human
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
China's imports leap, cutting trade surplus

China's imports leap, cutting trade surplus

China's imports leapt in August, boding well for a strengthening of domestic demand in an economy that has become a major driver of global growth. The unexpectedly big increase in imports also dented China's politically contentious trade surplus ahead of
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
US Midwest corn, soyabean bids steady

US Midwest corn, soyabean bids steady

Corn and soybean spot-basis bids mostly remained steady around the US Midwest on Thursday amid slow farmer sales and early harvest activity, grain merchants said. Aside from a few spot loads, merchants said farmers would wait for a market rally to spur ne
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Russia considering sunflower seed, oil export ban

Russia considering sunflower seed, oil export ban

Russia is considering a ban on exports of sunflower seeds and sunflower oil in the wake of a catastrophic drought at the request of vegetable oil producers, the Deputy Agriculture Minister said on Thursday. "We are working on it," Sergei Korolyov told a g
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Ivory Coast cocoa prices fall

Ivory Coast cocoa prices fall

Cocoa prices in top grower Ivory Coast slid last week as losses on the futures market and continued bean quality problems dampened demand among exporters, farmers and exporters said on Thursday. Growers were also eager to unload their stockpiles to raise
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
France sets to export 11 million tonnes of wheat

France sets to export 11 million tonnes of wheat

France is set to export a record 11 million tonnes of wheat onto the world market this season and could ship even more as it soaks up demand created by an export ban in drought-ravaged Russia, France's farm office said. French and US wheat exports have bo
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Brazil's government raises coffee output estimate

Brazil's government raises coffee output estimate

Brazil's government made a slight increase of 0.3 percent to its estimate for coffee production in the 2010/11 harvest on Thursday, as a clearer picture emerges with most of the crop now already gathered. The agriculture ministry's crop supply agency Cona
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Thailand to sell 52,000 tonnes of raw sugar

Thailand to sell 52,000 tonnes of raw sugar

The state-run Thai Cane and Sugar Corp (TCSC) will open a tender next week to sell 52,000 tonnes of raw sugar from the 2010/11 crop, a senior official said on Wednesday. "The tender will be held on Wednesday, September 15, and buyers could offer at premiu
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Argentina's wheat, corn sowings seen bigger

Argentina's wheat, corn sowings seen bigger

Argentina's wheat area is seen slightly bigger than previously forecast and rains have brought relief to crops in recent days, Buenos Aires Grains Exchange said in a report on Thursday. Argentina is one of the world's leading wheat suppliers and markets h
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Canadian canola futures fall

Canadian canola futures fall

ICE Canadian canola futures fell on Thursday with commercial selling and spillover pressure from weaker soy futures, traders said. Buying based on harvest delays and frost concerns limited losses-trader. Total volume of 20,233 contracts was largest in nea
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Asian naphtha price three-week higher

Asian naphtha price three-week higher

Asian naphtha price was at a three-week high on Thursday, held up by higher Brent crude, but sentiment stayed on the downward spiral due to ample supplies, which also caused the intermonth spread to flip to a discount for the first time in about a month.
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Russia harvests 47 million tonnes of grain

Russia harvests 47 million tonnes of grain

Russia, devastated by a severe drought, had harvested 47 million tonnes of grain by bunker weight by September 8, down 34 percent from a year ago, Agriculture Ministry data on Friday showed. The data on the ministry's website www.mcx.ru showed that grains
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
EU clears biggest wheat exports in three years

EU clears biggest wheat exports in three years

The European Union this week granted export licences for 943,000 tonnes of soft wheat, the highest volume in three years, the EU's executive said on Thursday. This week's export licences took the total since the beginning of the 2010/11 (July-June) season
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
US wheat futures fall

US wheat futures fall

Chicago wheat futures fell half a percent on Friday on profit-taking amid thin trade ahead of a US Department of Agriculture report on global demand and supply. Wheat futures had jumped 4 percent in the last session on expectations of strong US exports an
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Sterling falls versus euro, dollar

Sterling falls versus euro, dollar

Sterling fell against the dollar and the euro on Friday, weighed down by uncertainty over the outlook for the UK economy, with market players recommending selling into rallies in the currency. Traders said sterling had been supported earlier in the day by
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Dollar rises versus majors in Asia

Dollar rises versus majors in Asia

The dollar rose against major currencies on Friday, staging a small rebound against the yen and the Swiss franc following a rise in US bond yields, while the yen slipped against commodity currencies. Chinese trade data showed higher-than-expected imports
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Dollar loses steam, Swissie slides in London trade

Dollar loses steam, Swissie slides in London trade

The dollar gave up most early gains against the yen on Friday, heading towards 15-year lows and keeping prospects for yen intervention alive, while the Swiss franc stumbled as investors sold safe-haven currencies. News that Dubai World had reached a deal
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Early trade: Euro and dollar both gain

Early trade: Euro and dollar both gain

The euro and dollar both rallied against the yen and Swiss franc while commodity bloc currencies rose on Friday as strong import data from China raised optimism about global economic growth and prompted higher risk tolerance. The dollar rose 0.7 percent o
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Yen hovers near 15-year peak

Yen hovers near 15-year peak

The yen hovered near a 15-year high against the dollar on Thursday as conflicting messages from policymakers led investors to bet Japanese authorities were not ready to intervene to weaken their currency. The euro fell against the dollar and yen as concer
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Swiss franc down sharply versus euro

Swiss franc down sharply versus euro

The Swiss franc fell sharply against the euro on Friday, staying well clear of an all-time high hit earlier this week, as risk appetite increased, boosting the euro. The Swiss National Bank is widely expected to keep its interest rate target at ultra-low
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Asian currencies: Baht rally capped by central bank

Asian currencies: Baht rally capped by central bank

Asian forex trading was thinned by public holidays in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines on Friday, while the Bank of Thailand intervened again to rein in the baht. The Chinese yuan jumped after the central bank surprised the market by fix
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Interbank euro rates dip

Interbank euro rates dip

Interbank euro lending rates dipped on Friday as abundant European Central Bank liquidity limited upward pressure and there were signs that alternative avenues of funding were also opening up to banks. The euro commercial paper market - made up of short-d
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Australian and New Zealand dollars firm

Australian and New Zealand dollars firm

The Australian and New Zealand dollars were firm and within sight of recent highs on Friday, taking comfort from data showing a big rise in Chinese imports. China, Australia's biggest trade partner and New Zealand's second largest, had higher-than-expecte
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Yuan up after surprise mid-point high

Yuan up after surprise mid-point high

The yuan closed higher against the dollar on Friday after the People's Bank of China surprised the market by fixing the mid-point at a post-revaluation high in an apparent move to create two-way trading. The yuan failed to reach or trade above the central
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
French industrial output best of poor bunch

French industrial output best of poor bunch

French industrial production rose strongly in July but weaker performances by Italy and Germany did little to dispel fears that Europe's economic recovery is losing pace after a surprisingly large second-quarter spurt. France's statistics said industrial
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
India's industrial output soars

India's industrial output soars

India's industrial output accelerated much faster than expected in July on surging capital goods production, strengthening the case for further monetary tightening by the central bank to tame near double-digit inflation. Industrial output rose 13.8 percen
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
India car sales hit monthly record

India car sales hit monthly record

Car sales in India hit a record monthly high in August, industry data showed, as consumers flocked to showrooms in a booming auto market flooded with new models and cheap loans. Sales of cars are likely to remain strong in the ongoing festive season as th
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Japan Prime Minister urges US, Europe not to interfere over yen

Japan Prime Minister urges US, Europe not to interfere over yen

Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan on Friday called on other nations not to interfere with Japan's effort to lower the yen, should Tokyo decided to intervene in the market. Kan, in a debate with his rival for the ruling party leadership, also accused the e
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
World Basketball: Durant masterclass fires US into semis

World Basketball: Durant masterclass fires US into semis

A masterclass performance by forward Kevin Durant steered the United States into the world championship semi-finals with an 89-79 victory over Russia on Thursday. The Americans next face Lithuania who brushed aside Argentina 104-85 after hitting eight thr
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
FIFA delegation wrap up whirlwind US tour

FIFA delegation wrap up whirlwind US tour

A FIFA delegation wrapped up its whirlwind tour of the United States on Thursday saying they'd seen a number of "excellent" potential World Cup venues. The United States is vying to host either the 2018 or 2022 World Cup, and FIFA will vote on both on Dec
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Delhi health chief blames Games for dengue outbreak

Delhi health chief blames Games for dengue outbreak

New Delhi's top health official on Friday blamed preparations for next month's Commonwealth Games for an outbreak of dengue fever that has caused concern among nations participating in the event. "Games projects have been delayed and as a result the diggi
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Villa sends signed shirts to trapped Chilean miners

Villa sends signed shirts to trapped Chilean miners

Barcelona striker David Villa, whose family have worked in mining for generations, has sent two signed shirts to the 33 workers who have been trapped down a Chilean shaft for more than a month. The 28-year-old from the Spanish mining region of Asturias si
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Pietersen's miserable form continues

Pietersen's miserable form continues

Kevin Pietersen's miserable form continued on Friday as the axed England batsman was dismissed for just one run in the second innings of his County Championship debut for Surrey. Pietersen had hoped to use his loan spell at second division Surrey to redis
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Vettori named New Zealand player of the year

Vettori named New Zealand player of the year

New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori has been named his country's player of the year at a ceremony in Auckland. New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan said the accolade late Thursday was the second consecutive year Vettori had picked up the awar
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Portugal sack Queiroz as national team coach

Portugal sack Queiroz as national team coach

Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz was sacked on Thursday in the wake of his six-month ban for insulting anti-doping agents before this year's World Cup. "Given recent events, the FPF directors decided unanimously to settle (end) Carlos Queiroz's contract with
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Nadal edges closer to first US Open final

Nadal edges closer to first US Open final

For the third year in a row, Rafa Nadal is through to the semi-finals of the US Open. The one title he needs to complete his grand slam collection is now tantalisingly close. Nadal booked his place in the last four by thrashing his fellow Spaniard Fernand
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Strong demand lifts KHNP, Powerlong on debut

Strong demand lifts KHNP, Powerlong on debut

Bonds from state-owned Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) and Chinese developer Powerlong Real Estate Holdings Ltd gained on their Asian debut on Friday, reflecting strong demand for the region's credits. The broad market was firmer, driven by upbeat US j
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
South East Asian stocks: Thai stocks recover

South East Asian stocks: Thai stocks recover

Thai stocks posted small gains on Friday as investors bought recently-beaten energy and big-caps as the recovery in the local economy boded well for corporate results, while institutional selling sent Vietnam lower. The benchmark Thai stock index snapped
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Friday's early trade: stocks rise

Friday's early trade: stocks rise

US stocks rose on Friday as energy shares were boosted by a jump in crude oil prices and wholesale inventory data pointed to rising consumer demand. Energy shares advanced as crude futures traded up almost 3 percent, well above $76 per barrel, after the f
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Wall Street buoyed by upbeat economic data

Wall Street buoyed by upbeat economic data

US stocks rose on Thursday as stronger-than-expected jobs and trade data helped lift optimism about the economic recovery, although sentiment was fragile as investors fretted over European banks. Financials, hit hard in the August downturn, were among top
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
European CDS edge wider

European CDS edge wider

European corporate credit default swap spreads edged wider on Friday, as stock futures pointed lower on worries about how much capital European banks might have to raise due to stricter new bank rules. Sources said on Thursday Deutsche Bank was mulling a
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
European CDS edge wider

European CDS edge wider

European corporate credit default swap spreads edged wider on Friday, as stock futures pointed lower on worries about how much capital European banks might have to raise due to stricter new bank rules. Sources said on Thursday Deutsche Bank was mulling a
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Treasuries fall

Treasuries fall

US Treasuries fell on Thursday after jobs and trade data suggested the economy wasn't as weak as feared, boosting riskier assets such as stocks and hurting demand at the government's long-bond auction. Safe-haven bonds took a hit early in the day from new
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Treasuries fall

Treasuries fall

US Treasuries fell on Thursday after jobs and trade data suggested the economy wasn't as weak as feared, boosting riskier assets such as stocks and hurting demand at the government's long-bond auction. Safe-haven bonds took a hit early in the day from new
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Hong Kong, Shanghai shares edge up

Hong Kong, Shanghai shares edge up

Hong Kong stocks rose on Friday, posting their second successive weekly gain, led on the day by blue chips CNOOC and HSBC after better-than-expected US jobs data eased worries of a double-dip recession. Also, data from China showed imports leapt in August
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Nikkei up 1.6 percent

Nikkei up 1.6 percent

Japan's Nikkei average rose 1.6 percent on Friday, helped by what some market players said was buying of futures and a slight softening of the yen against the dollar. Stronger-than-expected US data on jobless benefits and trade added to investor confidenc
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Seoul shares hit 27-month high

Seoul shares hit 27-month high

Seoul shares rose to the psychologically significant 1,800-point level, hitting a 27-month closing high on Friday as stronger-than-expected US economic data lifted key exporters such as Samsung Electronics Co Ltd. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KO
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Indian markets closed

Indian markets closed

Indian stock, bond, foreign exchange and commodities markets will be closed on Friday for a public holiday. The Bombay Stock Exchange's main index closed up 0.71 percent at 18,799.66 points on Thursday. The partially convertible rupee ended at 46.47/48 pe
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
European shares off four-month highs

European shares off four-month highs

European shares retreated from four-month highs on Friday, with banks slipping ahead of the Basel Committee meeting and on a report Deutsche Bank plans a capital increase of up to 9 billion euros ($11.4 billion). At 1103 GMT, the FTSEurofirst 300 index of
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
FTSE edges lower

FTSE edges lower

Weaker commodity stocks pushed Britain's top stock index slightly lower around midday, holding near a four-month high in cautious trade ahead of new European bank capital rules which are set to be finalised this weekend. By 1051 GMT, the blue chip index w
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
US troops charged with murder of Afghan civilians

US troops charged with murder of Afghan civilians

Twelve US soldiers have been charged with gruesome crimes in Afghanistan ranging from murdering civilians to keeping body parts as war trophies - revelations that the Pentagon said on Thursday damaged America's image around the world. The infantry soldier
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
China tells Japan to back down in sea dispute

China tells Japan to back down in sea dispute

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi demanded on Friday that Japan unconditionally free a Chinese fishing boat captain seized in disputed waters, raising the pitch of Beijing's latest territorial quarrel with Tokyo. Yang summoned Japan's ambassador to Chi
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
India, Russia to build military transport planes

India, Russia to build military transport planes

India and its biggest military supplier Russia announced Friday a 600-million-dollar joint venture to manufacture military transport aircraft for the two countries. The 50:50 venture was signed by India's state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, Russian Uni
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
US faces growing home-grown terror threat

US faces growing home-grown terror threat

Home-grown terrorists have become one of the main threats faced by the United States in the nine years since the attacks of September 11, 2001, a report issued Friday says. The report by the Bipartisan Policy Center's National Security Preparedness Group
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Germany denies secret nuclear power deal

Germany denies secret nuclear power deal

The German government denied on Friday charges that it had made a secretive deal to cap safety costs for utility firms as part of an agreement to extend the lifespans of nuclear power plants. Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert dismissed
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Obama sees enormous hurdles in Middle East peace talks

Obama sees enormous hurdles in Middle East peace talks

US President Barack Obama said on Friday he saw "enormous hurdles" ahead in Middle East peace negotiations, but said it was a risk worth taking and the United States would remain engaged even if talks break down. "There are enormous hurdles between now an
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Fire kills 11 police recruits in Cairo

Fire kills 11 police recruits in Cairo

A fire at a police training centre in a Cairo suburb killed 11 Egyptian police recruits and injured at least six, state- run media reported Friday. According to al-Ahram daily, the incident occurred early Thursday in a poor area on the outskirts of Cairo.
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Iran to free female US hiker

Iran to free female US hiker

Iran will free on Saturday a female US hiker detained in the Islamic republic for more than a year for alleged spying and illegally entering the country, the Mehr news agency and an official said. Sarah Shourd, one of the three US hikers currently held in
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Arms makers turn focus from bombs to bytes

Arms makers turn focus from bombs to bytes

Global arms makers that have long relied on planes, tanks and guns for profits are increasingly focusing on the bits and bytes of cybersecurity as they bend to new US government priorities and a potential new battlefield. Weapons manufacturers are snappin
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Kremlin talks tough after Caucasus attack

Kremlin talks tough after Caucasus attack

President Dmitry Medvedev demanded tough action against militants on Friday after a suicide bombing killed at least 18 people, and an insurgent leader called for more attacks outside Russia's Muslim regions. The remarks from Medvedev and Chechen rebel lea
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Fidesz win at local poll key to revive Hungary: Prime Minister

Fidesz win at local poll key to revive Hungary: Prime Minister

Hungary's prime minister told supporters on Friday the country can take a "giant step forward" if his ruling Fidesz party wins municipal elections next month, enabling it to revive the weak economy. Viktor Orban, whose centre-right Fidesz has retained a t
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
475 child sex abuse cases in Belgian Catholic Church

475 child sex abuse cases in Belgian Catholic Church

A Belgian Catholic Church-backed commission Friday published a report revealing hundreds of cases of alleged sexual abuse of minors by clergy and church workers, and 13 suicides by abuse victims. The commission said it had received 475 complaints in the f
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Need to address Balochs' grievances

Need to address Balochs' grievances

Finally, the government has come out hard on the 'insurgents' of Balochistan. It has banned several organisations and handed over the powers of police to the FC. Though the measures being taken to counter threats in Balochistan seem necessary, the questio
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Super flood and rehabilitation

Super flood and rehabilitation

History is replete with examples of nations having turned their adversity into a window of opportunity to achieve what they never would have in normal times. Without a cataclysmic tragedy, they often remain mired in retrogressive traditions that block the
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Gaddafi's black gold has lost its lustre for some

Gaddafi's black gold has lost its lustre for some

Colonel Moamer Gaddafi's empire harbours a lot of oil. But the black gold business is especially tough in Libya, and full of political pitfalls. That has forced some international companies to think about withdrawing from the North African country.
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Quaid wanted government to work for people's welfare

Quaid wanted government to work for people's welfare

Father of the Nation Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, whose death anniversary is being observed today (Saturday), was a dynamic Muslim leader, a great political strategist, constitutionalist, a distinguished parliamentarian and above all one of the great
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Self-actualisation of flood-affected people

Self-actualisation of flood-affected people

It's time to consider what will be the psychological impact on the population as a result of the loss of all their assets or whatever little that they had. When they get back to their houses what will be their first reaction. No one really understands the
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Literally in troubled waters

Literally in troubled waters

Speaking at a flood victims' camp in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on Thursday, Prime Minister Gilani underlined the scale of the disaster caused by the unprecedented floods. According to him, the country was literally in troubled waters as the floods had made an ir
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Spirit of Eid-ul-Fitr

Spirit of Eid-ul-Fitr

Eid-ul-Fitr, being observed today across Pakistan, except in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, is unique in the sense that it is burdened with an overhang of two catastrophic developments: one, massive destruction, unprecedented human dislocation and misery caused by t
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Minister presents cheques of Rs 9.8 million to Gilani

Minister presents cheques of Rs 9.8 million to Gilani

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said the government was taking all possible measures to provide relief to the flood affected people. He said that it is dire need of the time to collectively work for the rehabilitation of their flood affected br
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Diseases fast spreading at relief camps in Jhang

Diseases fast spreading at relief camps in Jhang

Executive Secretary, Caritas Pakistan Yasmine Joseph has said diseases are fast spreading in flood-hit areas of Jhang due to unavailability of clean drinking water. Caritas Pakistan Faisalabad will continue its relief activities in Jhang.
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
USAID to deliver water purification kits

USAID to deliver water purification kits

The US Department of State and USAID will deliver a number water purification kits, including buckets and filtering cloths, to Pakistanis affected by the worst humanitarian disaster in Pakistan's history. According to an announcement here on Friday, this
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
NGOs' relief goods distribution limited to Quetta

NGOs' relief goods distribution limited to Quetta

Various non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have been continuing to have 'photo sessions' by distributing relief goods among a number of flood victims, who have taken refuge in relief camps set up in the provincial metropolis. These organisations are av
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Rain hinders rescue efforts

Rain hinders rescue efforts

Fresh rains hampered rescue efforts in Dadu Friday as thousands of people trying to leave flood-threatened towns remained stranded, a Sindh provincial irrigation minister said. The catastrophic flooding that has inundated vast swathes of Pakistan, killing
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
India to release 58 Pakistani fishermen today

India to release 58 Pakistani fishermen today

The Indian government on Friday approved the release of 58 Pakistani fishermen on the eve of the Muslim festival of Eid-ul-Fitr. Pakistan had recently freed 442 Indian fishermen. "The Home Ministry has ordered the release of 58 Pakistani fishermen from In
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am
Kenyan President hands over relief goods to Pakistani envoy

Kenyan President hands over relief goods to Pakistani envoy

Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki handed over relief goods for the victims of floods to the High Commissioner of Pakistan Masroor A Junejo and extended sympathies of his government and people over the wide spread devastation. President Kibaki, while referring
Published 11 Sep, 2010 12:00am