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Print - 2010-12-26
India to start sugar futures on Monday

India to start sugar futures on Monday

Indian commodity exchanges will start sugar futures from Monday, the regulator said, initially launching six contracts as the country revives exports and the government looks for ways to moderate food price inflation. India had banned trade in sugar futur
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Japanese firm eyes long-grain rice exports

Japanese firm eyes long-grain rice exports

Japan can export long-grain rice and cut surplus of its staple food by making better use of idle rice paddies and converting some fields to grow the type of grains popular to global markets, a leading trader said on Friday. Nobuyuki Chino, president of To
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Argentine soya prices rise for fourth day on CBOT

Argentine soya prices rise for fourth day on CBOT

Argentina's soya closing prices and trends on Thursday: In the main grains market of Rosario, soya prices closed up for a fourth day at between 1,385 and 1,420 pesos ($339-$348) per tonne, a new record in local currency terms, tracking gains in the Chicag
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Australian sugar district braces for weekend deluge

Australian sugar district braces for weekend deluge

Australia's key sugar-growing district of Queensland is bracing for more drenching of its early crop, with flash flooding and mudslides and a possible cyclone predicted to accompany torrential downpours over the holiday weekend, forecasters said. But thi
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Malaysia, Indonesia eye March wheat; India sells meal

Malaysia, Indonesia eye March wheat; India sells meal

Indonesia is likely to be in the market for some 100,000 tonnes of wheat for March shipment, while Malaysia is expected buy around 60,000 to 80,000 tonnes early January when traders and millers return from the year-end break. India, which sold around 10,0
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Rains reduce sugar content in Australia's 2010 crop

Rains reduce sugar content in Australia's 2010 crop

Australian sugar group Canegrowers said 18 percent of the 2010 sugar crop has been left unharvested due to heavy rains that decimated growing regions, with next year's plantings also showing damage. The fresh concerns over sugar yields from Australia, one
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
West African central bank blocks funds to Ivory Coast

West African central bank blocks funds to Ivory Coast

West Africa's central bank cut funds to Ivory Coast's Laurent Gbagbo on Thursday, adding to pressure on the defiant leader to step down after a disputed poll world powers and neighbours say he lost. At least 173 people have been killed following the Novem
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Canada's TD Bank to buy Chrysler Financial for $6.3 billion

Canada's TD Bank to buy Chrysler Financial for $6.3 billion

Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) said it will buy Chrysler Financial Corp for 6.3 billion dollars in cash, part of a major expansion of Canadian banking behemoths into the United States. The deal comes just days after the Bank of Montreal (BMO) doubled its stak
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Kuwait bourse mulls over-the-counter

Kuwait bourse mulls over-the-counter

Kuwait Stock Exchange, the Arab world's second largest, is mulling launching an over-the-counter market in 2011 mainly for troubled listed firms, its director said. "The management of the bourse will submit this proposal to the bourse committee in January
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Repsol agrees to sell stake in YPF for $500 million

Repsol agrees to sell stake in YPF for $500 million

Spain's biggest oil company, Repsol, said it has agreed to sell 3.3 percent of its Argentine unit YPF SA to two US investment funds for 500 million dollars (381.5 million euros). Repsol will sell a 1.63 percent stake in YPF to Capital International for 25
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Dubai's DP World sells 75 percent Australian stake

Dubai's DP World sells 75 percent Australian stake

Dubai ports operator DP World said it has agreed to sell 75 percent of its stake in DP World Australia for 1.5 billion US dollars, as its debt-laden parent firm vies to reduce its liabilities. The world's fourth-largest port operator said in a statement i
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
ECB's Stark concerned about rating agencies

ECB's Stark concerned about rating agencies

Credit rating agencies have yet to overcome underlying conflicts of interest that have contributed to the current crisis and their approach was a reason for concern, an ECB Executive Board member said. "I am concerned about one development and that's the
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Deutsche Bank to pay $550 million over US fraud

Deutsche Bank to pay $550 million over US fraud

Deutsche Bank has agreed to pay nearly 554 million dollars and admit criminal wrongdoing in a tax fraud case that generated billions of dollars, the bank and New York prosecutors said. The German bank admitted taking part "in financial transactions which
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
European airlines seen set for take-off in 2011

European airlines seen set for take-off in 2011

Investors have started to buy back into European airlines in anticipation of a period of top-line growth, as business travel picks up and with more of the gains seen going to the bottom line. More profitable business travel is rising again, as economies e
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Russian rouble sets three-month peak

Russian rouble sets three-month peak

The rouble set fresh three-month peaks against the euro-dollar basket on Friday, bolstered by the central bank delivering on market expectations of a deposit rate hike and thus raising the Russian currency's yield appeal. The central bank raised deposit r
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Key Euribor rate falls after liquidity operations

Key Euribor rate falls after liquidity operations

Key euro-priced bank-to-bank lending rates ticked down on Friday, pushed down by excess liquidity and the ECB's promise to keep providing banks with unlimited cash until at least April. The three-month Euribor rate - traditionally the main gauge of unsecu
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Most LatAm currencies soften

Most LatAm currencies soften

Latin American currencies softened against the dollar on Thursday in light, pre-holiday trade after upbeat US economic data supported views of a solid US economic recovery. Brazil's currency weakened, however, after the country's central bank called an au
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Serb central bank buys 48.5 million euros

Serb central bank buys 48.5 million euros

The Serbian central bank purchased 48.5 million euros at an auction on Friday after the dinar appreciated 1.5 percent against the single currency a day earlier, dealers and traders said. The central bank has been buying or selling euros in the market to p
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
African currencies seen flat in thin holiday trade

African currencies seen flat in thin holiday trade

Leading frontier African currencies are expected to hold steady against the dollar next week during thin end-of-year trade, although bad weather in Europe may undermine them slightly.
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Sri Lankan rupee down

Sri Lankan rupee down

Sri Lanka's rupee closed weaker on importer demand for dollar in a short market day ahead of Christmas weekend, while the stock market rose 0.7 percent on Friday to a six-week high on bargain hunting despite foreign selling. The day's turnover was 1.3 bil
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Canadian dollar ends higher for third straight session

Canadian dollar ends higher for third straight session

Canada's dollar finished higher for a third straight session on Friday in sparse trade that is expected to stretch through the rest of the year. The Canadian currency moved in a narrow 55-point range during a holiday-shortened North American session. It f
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
2011 to bring recovery, inflation, more euro-pain

2011 to bring recovery, inflation, more euro-pain

In 2010, little more than a year after celebrations of the euro's 10th birthday, the very survival of the currency of the world's largest economic bloc came under threat - a reminder that the world's economic foundations are never completely stable. And s
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Philippine central bank may keep rates steady

Philippine central bank may keep rates steady

The Philippine central bank has scope to keep its policy rate at a record low, with inflation seen benign up to at least early 2011 and growth expected to moderate next year, the economic planning chief said on Thursday. The central bank holds a rate-sett
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
South Korean won down after North's nuclear threat

South Korean won down after North's nuclear threat

The South Korean won fell against the dollar early on Friday, pressured by worries about geopolitical tensions after North Korea threatened a nuclear war. The won, however, found some support as exporters are expected to buy it on dips if it gets close to
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Vietnam trade gap shrinks to $12.37 billion

Vietnam trade gap shrinks to $12.37 billion

Vietnam's trade deficit this year is expected to narrow to $12.37 billion following an annual jump in exports of 25.5 percent to $71.63 billion, a state-run newspaper reported on Saturday. Imports this year would rise 20.1 percent to $80 billion, the ruli
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Fears grow of euro-style debt crisis in US states

Fears grow of euro-style debt crisis in US states

No sooner has the last crisis ended, than warnings about the next one begin. In the dying days of the year, with the sub-prime mortgage debacle entering the rear-view mirror, economy-watchers are warning 2011 could see US states and municipalities plunge
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
ECB loans show big needs in peripheral states

ECB loans show big needs in peripheral states

Results of the latest European Central Bank loans confirmed Thursday that commercial banks on the eurozone's rim have the greatest need for central bank funds going into 2011. The latest ECB refinancing operation saw 32 banks borrow 20.6 billion euros (26
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Snow hits UK retailers in key Xmas period

Snow hits UK retailers in key Xmas period

British shopper numbers in December are expected to be weaker than forecast after snow and ice gave retailers a "torrid time" over the last few weeks of 2010, a survey suggested on Saturday. Data from the market research company Synovate said the coldest
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Oil exports from Iraq's Kurdish north to resume

Oil exports from Iraq's Kurdish north to resume

Iraq's newly appointed oil minister said on Saturday that oil exports from the country's northern self-ruled Kurdish region would soon resume as part of the country's national oil export policy. The Kurds have sought greater control over oil in their crud
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Algeria's trade surplus up on higher energy earnings

Algeria's trade surplus up on higher energy earnings

Higher world oil prices pushed Algeria's trade surplus up to $14.80 billion in the first 11 months of 2010 from $4.70 billion in the same period last year, official figures showed on Saturday. Exports were up 26.8 percent to $51.27 billion from $40.44 bil
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Algeria's trade surplus up on higher energy earnings

Algeria's trade surplus up on higher energy earnings

Higher world oil prices pushed Algeria's trade surplus up to $14.80 billion in the first 11 months of 2010 from $4.70 billion in the same period last year, official figures showed on Saturday. Exports were up 26.8 percent to $51.27 billion from $40.44 bil
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Germany's DIHK expects 2011 growth of 2.4 percent

Germany's DIHK expects 2011 growth of 2.4 percent

Germany's DIHK chamber of commerce expects growth of 2.4 percent in 2011 and that would be twice the average rate of the last 15 years, its president Hans Heinrich Driftmann said in an interview with Reuters. "I assume we'll have growth in 2011 of 2.4 per
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Suzuki to supply small cars for Mitsubishi Motors in Japan

Suzuki to supply small cars for Mitsubishi Motors in Japan

Japan's Suzuki Motor will supply compact vehicles to Mitsubishi Motors in their domestic market, the two firms said Friday, as automakers explore ways to survive in a shrinking market. Suzuki will offer 800 Solio vehicles to Mitsubishi Motors a month, und
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
China to exempt consumption tax on biodiesel

China to exempt consumption tax on biodiesel

China's Finance Ministry has retroactively exempted consumption tax on pure biodiesel made from waste animal fats or vegetable oils, and will refund taxes already paid over the last two years. The policy is backdated to January 1, 2009, the ministry said
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
China sees 2010 factory output up 15 percent

China sees 2010 factory output up 15 percent

China's industrial output is likely to grow about 15 percent in 2010 compared with the previous year, state media on Saturday quoted the country's industry minister as saying. Minister Li Yizhong made the comments at a government meeting in Beijing, Xinhu
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
China to invest 30 billion dollars in water saving projects

China to invest 30 billion dollars in water saving projects

China plans to invest 30 billion dollars on water conservation projects in 2011 to reduce the impact of natural disasters on grain production, state media said Saturday. The report comes after severe flooding and droughts across the country this year dest
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Paraguay hits record 14.5 percent economic growth

Paraguay hits record 14.5 percent economic growth

Paraguay in 2010 reached an unprecedented 14.5 percent economic growth thanks largely to record cereal and beef exports, President Fernando Lugo said Thursday. "Paraguay today is the economic growth champion of America and the world," said the leftist pre
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
20th century financial titan Neuberger dies at 107

20th century financial titan Neuberger dies at 107

Roy R. Neuberger, a giant among 20th century American financiers, stock brokers and patrons of the arts, has died at Manhattan's Pierre Hotel at 107, the New York Times reported on Saturday. Neuberger, founder of investment firm Neuberger Berman, had live
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
7.3 quake triggers Pacific tsunami on disaster anniversary

7.3 quake triggers Pacific tsunami on disaster anniversary

A powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck off the western Pacific nation of Vanuatu on Sunday, triggering a small tsunami exactly six years after giant waves killed 220,000 people around the Indian Ocean. The Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center s
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Weather freezes Christmas Day swim in London

Weather freezes Christmas Day swim in London

An annual Christmas Day swimming race in the lake in London's Hyde Park was called off Saturday after the water froze - although some hardy people could not resist a quick dip into the icy shallows. The 100-yard (91-metre), open-air race in the Serpentine
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Lebanese al Qaeda leader shot dead

Lebanese al Qaeda leader shot dead

The leader of an al Qaeda splinter group was found shot dead execution-style on Saturday in Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon, a Palestinian official said. "The body of Ghandi Sahmarani, leader of Jund al-Sham, was found this morn
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Yemen sends anti-terrorism forces to south

Yemen sends anti-terrorism forces to south

Yemen has deployed new anti-terrorism forces in the country's restive south, the ministry of interior announced Saturday, as Washington urged Sanaa to step up its fight against al Qaeda. The announcement follows a spate of deadly attacks on government and
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Zimbabwe seeks prosecutions over WikiLeaks reports

Zimbabwe seeks prosecutions over WikiLeaks reports

Zimbabwe will appoint a commission to investigate the "treasonous collusion" that led to several embarrassing reports being released by WikiLeaks, the country's attorney-general said Saturday. "With immediate effect, I am going to instruct a team of pract
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Myanmar junta warns political opposition

Myanmar junta warns political opposition

Myanmar's junta on Saturday warned the opposition to cooperate with the newly elected government. Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who was released from a seven-year house detention a week after the November 7 elections, has said she favours dialogue w
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Most Swedes want king to step down

Most Swedes want king to step down

Nearly two-thirds of Swedes would like to see King Carl XVI Gustaf abdicate and hand the throne over to his daughter Princess Victoria, according to a new poll published on Saturday. Sixty-three percent of those surveyed by the Aftonbladet newspaper said
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Somali pirates seize Thai vessel with 27 crewmen

Somali pirates seize Thai vessel with 27 crewmen

Somali pirates on Saturday captured a Thai bulk carrier with its 27 crew members in the Arabian Sea, a maritime official said. The Thor Nexus was seized in the early hours while on its way to Bangladesh from the United Arab Emirates. All its crew members
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Hamas abiding by Israel truce but ready for war

Hamas abiding by Israel truce but ready for war

The Hamas is observing a truce with Israel but is also ready for a resumption of hostilities, a spokesman for the group's armed wing warned on Saturday. "There is a truce in effect in the field. It is real if Israel stops its aggression and ends it's sieg
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Amnesty slams India for doctor's life sentence

Amnesty slams India for doctor's life sentence

Amnesty International has attacked the Indian judiciary for sentencing a doctor to life imprisonment on charges of helping Maoist rebels, warning the verdict could further stoke unrest. Binayak Sen, arrested in 2007 in the state of Chhattisgarh and accuse
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Gas heater suffocates Jordan wedding night couple

Gas heater suffocates Jordan wedding night couple

A newly-wed Jordanian couple died from suffocation on Saturday after they left a gas heater turned on overnight, a security official said. "The newlyweds died from suffocation at dawn on Saturday after they inhaled carbon dioxide emitted from the gas heat
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
German national killed in Afghanistan

German national killed in Afghanistan

A German national injured in an armed attack in northern Afghanistan Friday died of his wounds in hospital Saturday, local officials said. "Yesterday at around 4:30pm (1200 GMT), two unknown armed motorcyclists shot a German national as he was on his way
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
French defence minister visits Afghanistan

French defence minister visits Afghanistan

French Defence Minister Alain Juppe arrived in Kabul Saturday for a Christmas visit to troops deployed in Afghanistan, according to an AFP journalist. Juppe, on his first journey to the country since he assumed his post in November, is due to visit severa
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Two million register for London Games tickets

Two million register for London Games tickets

Two million people have registered an interest for tickets for the London 2012 Olympic Games, despite the prices being higher than initially promised, the head of the organising committee said Saturday. Paul Deighton expects a further 500,000 to sign up f
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
PFA declares Lahore Football League illegal

PFA declares Lahore Football League illegal

Punjab Football Association (PFA)'s Secretary Agha Muhammad Latif has declared District Football Association (DFA) Lahore League illegal being contrary to PFA Calendar. As per yearly activity calendar issued by PFA, the DFA League is to be held from 15th
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Anderson boost for England in crucial Ashes Test

Anderson boost for England in crucial Ashes Test

England's main strike bowler James Anderson and Steve Finn are fit to play in the crucial fourth Ashes Test against Australia, captain Andrew Strauss said on Saturday. Anderson had been troubled by a side strain but bowled at close to full pace in the MCG
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
New Zealand, Pakistan seek honour in adversity: first T20 match today

New Zealand, Pakistan seek honour in adversity: first T20 match today

With New Zealand cricket in turmoil on the field and Pakistan in tumult off it, there is plenty at stake for both sides when they launch a 11-match series with a Twenty20 game in Auckland Sunday. Over the next seven weeks New Zealand and Pakistan will att
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
PCB blames India for lack of players in IPL

PCB blames India for lack of players in IPL

A senior Pakistani cricket official Saturday blamed India for the exclusion of Pakistan's players from next year's lucrative Indian Premier League Twenty20 tournament. Subhan Ahmed, chief operating officer of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), claimed that
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
PCB targeting more international cricket

PCB targeting more international cricket

Pakistan Cricket Board will continue to push for more international tours while top-level cricket on its soil is suspended over security fears, an official said Saturday. "We are in negotiations with Sri Lankan and England boards for our Future Tour Progr
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
British queen highlights unifying power of sport

British queen highlights unifying power of sport

Queen Elizabeth II used her Christmas Day message Saturday to highlight the importance of sport as a way of building communities, 19 months ahead of the London Olympic Games. In her traditional televised address to the nation, which is regularly watched b
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
National Games kicked up in colourful ceremony

National Games kicked up in colourful ceremony

Thousands defied security concerns have gathered in Qayyum Sports Complex to express jubilation on the opening much awaited week-long sports festival of 31st National Games here on Saturday. The National Games scheduled in 2008 were twice postponed in pas
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Sports events held in Chief Minister's cup

Sports events held in Chief Minister's cup

On the 5th day of Chief Minister's cup, various teams have showed their talent for the final competition at Tehsil level. The players from Tehsil Gujranwala, Shakargarh, Zafarwal, Narowal, Kamoke, Nowshehra, Sialkot, Mandi Bahauddin, Malikwal, Thalia, D.G
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Ivory Coast fearful as Gbagbo rejects intervention threat

Ivory Coast fearful as Gbagbo rejects intervention threat

Ivory Coast marked a fearful Christmas on Saturday as defiant strongman Laurent Gbagbo rejected a West African threat to oust him by force unless he cedes power to his rival Alassane Ouattara. The pair have been locked in a political stand-off for almost
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Belarus arrests air force chief

Belarus arrests air force chief

Belarus has detained the head of its air force on suspicion of abuse of authority, the defence ministry said, without saying if the arrest had any link to a crackdown after post-election protests. The ministry's statement said Major General Igor Azarenok,
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Iran to launch 'reconnaissance' satellite

Iran to launch 'reconnaissance' satellite

Iran will launch a reconnaissance satellite dubbed the "Fajr" in the next few months, Defence Minister Ahmad Vahidi said in a report Saturday by the official IRNA news agency. Vahidi said the Islamic republic would also put into space around the same time
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Egypt says not seeking nuclear arms

Egypt says not seeking nuclear arms

Egypt is not seeking to acquire nuclear arms and wants to rid the region of such weapons, Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit said on Saturday. A May 2008 US cable released by WikiLeaks quoted Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak as warning US officials Egypt
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Dutch police arrest Somalis over terrorism plot

Dutch police arrest Somalis over terrorism plot

Dutch police arrested 12 Somalis on Christmas Eve on suspicion of plotting an imminent terrorist attack in the Netherlands. The alleged plot was uncovered in a country seen as a potential target for militants over its former military role with Nato forces
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Iran opposition leaders barred from travel abroad

Iran opposition leaders barred from travel abroad

Iran's opposition leaders are barred from leaving the country, a prominent conservative lawmaker said Saturday, hiking up the pressure on the reform movement. The comments by Mousa Qorbani, a member of the Judicial Committee in parliament, were the first
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Top US commander visits troops in Afghanistan

Top US commander visits troops in Afghanistan

The commander of international forces in Afghanistan General David Petraeus paid a Christmas visit to troops in the war-torn area on Saturday, an ISAF statement said. General Petraeus visited Farah province in western Afghanistan where he met with Italian
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Ecuador recognises Palestine state

Ecuador recognises Palestine state

Ecuador formally recognised Palestine as an independent state on Friday, following the lead of its neighbours Bolivia, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay earlier this month. President Rafael Correa signed "the Ecuadoran government's official recognition of Pal
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Japan Prime Minister considering cabinet reshuffle

Japan Prime Minister considering cabinet reshuffle

Japan's Prime Minister Naoto Kan is leaning toward a cabinet reshuffle before a parliament session next month as he tries to woo a tiny opposition party into the coalition, the Nikkei daily reported on Saturday. The premier has offered cabinet posts to th
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Kabul raid kills two after US embassy threat

Kabul raid kills two after US embassy threat

Afghan and foreign troops killed two men during a raid in downtown Kabul after receiving a "credible threat" to attack the US Embassy in the capital, the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said on Saturday. ISAF confirmed Friday's ope
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Airport Christmas for Europe's stranded travellers

Airport Christmas for Europe's stranded travellers

Hundreds of travellers trapped by icy weather spent Christmas Day queuing for flights in Europe on Saturday after sleeping on camp beds overnight in Paris and Brussels airports. Travel disruptions this month have upset year-end travel for hundreds of thou
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Pope urges peace in Middle East

Pope urges peace in Middle East

Pope Benedict prayed for a rebirth of peace in the Middle East and encouraged Catholics in Iraq and communist China to resist persecution in his Christmas message read amid heightened security on Saturday. In the "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and the world)
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
100 injured in Argentina Christmas celebrations

100 injured in Argentina Christmas celebrations

Fireworks from Christmas revellers injured at least 100 people in Argentina this year, medical officials said Saturday, fewer than last year. A dozen of the wounded were treated for burns at the Quernado hospital in Buenos Aires, including an 11-year-old
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Bomb explodes in church in southern Philippines, wounds 6

Bomb explodes in church in southern Philippines, wounds 6

An improvised bomb exploded Saturday at the roof of a Catholic church in the southern Philippines, injuring six people attending a Christmas Day mass, a regional military spokesman said. Among those wounded was the priest who was celebrating the mass at t
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Chinese police enlist Internet users for help

Chinese police enlist Internet users for help

Police in China are offering cash and other rewards to encourage the country's millions of Internet users to help solve criminal investigations, state media said Saturday.
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
US plans new nuclear talks with Russia

US plans new nuclear talks with Russia

The US government plans to resume nuclear arms negotiations with Russia next year in hopes of securing legal limits on the smaller, battlefield nuclear weapons, The New York Times reported late Friday. The newspaper said these weapons are viewed as the mo
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Pakistan can reap IT benefits: vice chancellor UAF

Pakistan can reap IT benefits: vice chancellor UAF

Pakistan can reap the IT benefits by effectively using the remote-sensing and digital image processing technology and producing vibrant human resources to make planning ahead of any activity. This was stated by Professor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan Vice Chancello
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
'Linguistic differences played key role in creation of Bangladesh'

'Linguistic differences played key role in creation of Bangladesh'

Speakers of a seminar on "East Pakistan Debacle and Our Contemporary Responsibilities" at the Punjab University Centre for South Asian Studies (CSAS) have said that linguistic differences has played key role in the creation of East Pakistan and it is high
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Shujaat meets Imran with a view to forming alliance

Shujaat meets Imran with a view to forming alliance

PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain held a meeting with Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan here on Saturday, and invited him to form a political alliance to fight against elements with vested interests that are creating unrest in the
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Shahbaz inaugurates mobile health unit in Muzaffargarh

Shahbaz inaugurates mobile health unit in Muzaffargarh

Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan came into being after rendering numerous sacrifices under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam, but we could not achieve our destiny.
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Traders urged to benefit from RAK FTZ

Traders urged to benefit from RAK FTZ

Ambassador of Pakistan in UAE Jamil Ahmad Khan said on Saturday that Pakistani businessmen must take advantage of close trade ties as well as attractive business environment created by the RAK FTZ (UAE) for promoting their business.
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Shahbaz for 'economic freedom'

Shahbaz for 'economic freedom'

Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif has said that political freedom is meaningless without economic freedom and the country can only be put on the road to progress by depending upon our own resources. He was talking to a delegation Punjab University, whi
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Benazir Bhutto murder probe team expanded

Benazir Bhutto murder probe team expanded

The Interior Ministry has expanded the team investigating the assassination of Benazir Bhutto by inducting two police officers from Islamabad and Sindh Police and representatives from intelligence agencies.
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Benazir Bhutto murder probe team expanded

Benazir Bhutto murder probe team expanded

The Interior Ministry has expanded the team investigating the assassination of Benazir Bhutto by inducting two police officers from Islamabad and Sindh Police and representatives from intelligence agencies.
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Government strengthening democracy: Wattoo

Government strengthening democracy: Wattoo

The Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Mian Manzoor Ahmed Khan Wattoo has said that the PPP-led government is stabilising the democracy and taking positive steps for welfare of the people in urban and rural areas of the country.
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Sialkot-Dammam direct flight from January 6

Sialkot-Dammam direct flight from January 6

Pakistan International Airline (PIA) will start its direct Sialkot-Dammam (Saudi Arabia) flight from January 6th from Sialkot International Airport, disclosed General Manager Sialkot International Airport Muhammad Nawaz Chaudhry.
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Anti-dumping duty on import of hydrogen peroxide

Anti-dumping duty on import of hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen Peroxide is a basic raw material, which is used in textile industry and is in short supply from local producers. Local demand of hydrogen peroxide is about 80,000 ton while it is produced locally 60,000 ton when there is normal condition of the i
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Balochistan chief minister declares 27th a closed holiday

Balochistan chief minister declares 27th a closed holiday

Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Muhammad Aslam has declared December 27 as closed holiday in the province. December 27 is third anniversary of former Prime Minister Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD) has issue
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
HRCP concerned over FSC decision

HRCP concerned over FSC decision

Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed its concern over decision of Federal Shariat Court (FSC) seeks reversal of several provisions of the Women's Protection Act (WPA) 2006. The commission said the decision undermines the authority of t
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Legislators informed about uplift projects

Legislators informed about uplift projects

Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif here on Saturday in a meeting with legislators apprised them of various development projects in the Province. He implored upon the legislators to play role in the development of their areas. Talking about Dani
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
PIA launched new routes this year: Mukhtar

PIA launched new routes this year: Mukhtar

Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar said on Saturday that PIA had launched new routes to some international destinations during the current year. He was speaking at the inauguration of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Apna Ghar Scheme for lower grade e
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Iran media team meets Shahbaz

Iran media team meets Shahbaz

A delegation led by Media Advisor to President of Iran and Managing Director of Iranian News Agency (IRNA) Ali Akbar Javanfekr, called on the Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif at Chief Minister's Secretariat on Saturday. Ambassador of Iran in
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Government not interested in amending blasphemy law: Sumsam

Government not interested in amending blasphemy law: Sumsam

Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Syed Sumsam Ali Shah Bukhari on Saturday assured that the government was not interested in amending the blasphemy law. In a brief telephonic talk with a private TV channel, he said, "The penalty for blasp
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Economy needs support through taxation: Fehmida

Economy needs support through taxation: Fehmida

Speaker National Assembly Dr Fehmida Mirza on Saturday said the government was seeking consensus in the legislative body to reach a firm agreement over making Reformed General Sales Tax (RGST) Bill a law. Talking to journalists after attending the 63rd de
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Parliamentary parties repose confidence in Raisani

Parliamentary parties repose confidence in Raisani

All parliamentary parties in Balochistan reposed full confidence on the leadership of Chief Minister Nawab Mohammad Aslam Raisani here on Saturday. The heads of all parliamentary parties and other lawmakers vowed to support Nawab Raisani in a meeting held
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
M A Zuberi

M A Zuberi

My first interaction with late M A Zuberi was as a banker - on the roll of the IDBP, while he worked for Dawn. Our contacts were few but meaningful. He was a great help in the travel of the ICMAP to the position of the most prestigious body of accountants
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Comeback of the department store: shoppers like it simple

Comeback of the department store: shoppers like it simple

Just a couple of years ago, downtown department stores seemed on the way out, with retailing gurus telling us the future was shopping malls, big malls, with mega-car-parks and lots of branded clothing boutiques. In Germany, which has plenty of both types,
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
Augmenting the tax-to-GDP ratio

Augmenting the tax-to-GDP ratio

Pakistan must augment its dismal tax-to-GDP ratio of 9 percent to meet the financial requirements for rehabilitation and reconstruction of the flood/militancy and earthquake-hit areas. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) wishes to increase the ratio to 15
Published 26 Dec, 2010 12:00am
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