Interbank buy/sell rates for the taka against the dollar on Wednesday. 70.94/70.95 (previous 70.95/70.95). Call Money Rates: 15.00-15.00 percent (previous 7.50-22.50 percent).
The Australian dollar fell to one-week lows on Wednesday and came within striking distance of parity against a broadly stronger greenback, hit by profit taking and falling commodity prices. The Aussie last traded at $1.0022, near the session low of $1.001
The Swiss franc was near flat against the euro on Wednesday and with risk aversion limited several analysts saw the franc falling as traders capitalised on its record rise against the common currency. With economic worries taking a back seat, the safe-hav
The Indian rupee declined for the second day to end at two-week lows on Wednesday on persistent importer dollar demand, weak shares and broad dollar strength. The partially convertible rupee ended at 45.33/34 per dollar, after hitting 45.33, its weakest s
The South Korean won and the Indian rupee fell against the dollar on Wednesday, leading overall declines in Asian currencies as investors covered dollar-short positions amid the greenback's strength and on importers' deals. The won fell on importers' doll
The yuan closed down against the dollar on Wednesday after China's central bank pulled the mid-point back from a record high, affirming market expectations the authorities will likely keep the currency stable for now. The People's Bank of China has so far
Manchester United finally put space between themselves and the chasing pack when a 2-1 home win over Stoke City moved Alex Ferguson's side three points clear at the top of the Premier League on Tuesday. Goals by Javier Hernandez and Nani either side of a
Michael Beloff, the man who will oversee the anti-corruption tribunal in Doha that will determine the futures of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer, has a wealth of experience in the growing field of sport and the law. Beloff, assisted by Justi
Roger Federer produced a no-frills display against compatriot Marco Chiudinelli to reach the Qatar Open quarter-finals on Wednesday. After thrilling the crowd on Tuesday with one of his "between the legs" trick shots, the Swiss world number two laboured t
Top seed Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic cruised into the quarter-finals of the 450,000-dollar ATP Chennai Open with an easy win over Ivan Dodig on Wednesday. The world number six trounced the 88th-ranked Croat 6-2, 6-4 in 87 minutes on the centre cou
Centuries from Alastair Cook and Ian Bell put England within sight of their first series victory in Australia for 24 years after a dominant third day at the final Sydney Ashes Test on Wednesday. Cook again tormented Australia with 189 while Bell scored hi
World number one Caroline Wozniacki and her team-mate Aravane Rezai notched straight-sets singles wins on Wednesday to power Europe into a 2-0 lead over Asia-Pacific at Hong Kong's World Team Challenge. Danish sensation Wozniacki, 20, dispatched China's t
Former Australian skipper Steve Waugh was immortalised in a bronze sculpture unveiled during the final Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday. Waugh is shown holding aloft his bat and baggy cap in celebration of his 29th and perhaps most fam
Pakistan cricketers Salman Butt and Mohammad Aamer on Wednesday voiced confidence they would again play for their country ahead of a make-or-break anti-corruption tribunal in Doha. The pair, along with Mohammad Asif, face the hearing Thursday on charges o
The muted bidding process to host the 2015 Asian Cup was concluded on Wednesday when AFC President Mohammed Bin Hammam confirmed sole bidders Australia had been selected. The lack of competition to Australia, who were granted a six-month extension last ye
FIFA chief Sepp Blatter wants smaller domestic leagues and fewer games to boost international level football. In an interview on the FIFA website, Blatter said that the increasingly-charged calendar for world football was a major issue of concern for him.
Jacques Kallis hit his second century of the match to put South Africa on top on the fourth day of the series-deciding third and final Test against India at Newlands on Wednesday.
Dubai's index retreated for a third straight session on Wednesday, weighed down by builder Arabtec which fell after the regulator imposed a six-month trading ban on its chief executive. Arabtec dropped 2.5 percent, and the company's chief executive Riad K
Indian shares declined for the second day, closing nearly 1 percent lower on Wednesday, with financials leading the fall on concerns their margins could shrink in the near term. Weak world markets also kept the sentiment subdued. Banks have been raising t
Shanghai shares slipped on Wednesday on profit taking in resource stocks after commodities such as oil and copper retreated from multi-year highs. Hong Kong's Hang Seng, however, eked modest gains to close 0.4 percent higher following a rally in local dev
US stocks rose on Wednesday as much stronger-than-expected jobs data boosted optimism about the labour market and the economic recovery. Financials led gains, with the S&P financial index up nearly 1 percent, while the Nasdaq was the strongest among the t
Investors abandoned red-hot commodity shares on Tuesday, while fears of lower supermarket profits hit food retailers, sending the S&P and Nasdaq lower. Volume was strong for a second day as investors reshuffled their portfolios at the beginning of the yea
US Treasuries were little changed on Tuesday and could stall near current levels as traders may have priced in too much optimism for near-term economic growth. Treasuries failed to find strong direction for most of the day as traders looked ahead to key j
US Treasuries were little changed on Tuesday and could stall near current levels as traders may have priced in too much optimism for near-term economic growth. Treasuries failed to find strong direction for most of the day as traders looked ahead to key j
Seoul shares slipped after touching an all-time high on Wednesday, fuelled by firm gains in Hyundai Motor Co and steelmakers such as POSCO, but falls in refiners and banking plays weighed. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) ended down 0.12 perc
Southeast Asian bourses gained on Wednesday as investors piled into banking stocks, expecting them to gain in a rising interest rate environment, but palm oil shares dropped, tracking a fall in global commodities. Malaysian shares scaled another record in
Japan's Nikkei average inched down 0.2 percent after moving in a tight range on Wednesday, with a broad commodities sell-off prompting investors to take profits after it hit a near eight-month closing high the previous day. But data showing US factory ord
Taiwan stocks dropped 1.68 percent on Wednesday in their worst one-day percentage fall in nearly two months, as profit-taking set in following recent strong gains in banks, including Chang Hwa Bank. Fund managers, however, expected the correction to be br
European shares closed flat on Wednesday as a report showing a large increase in US job creation was countered by a stronger dollar that helped weaken metals prices and halt a rally in the mining sector. The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index of top shar
Britain's top shares rallied on Wednesday after employment data from the US showed the economic recovery was picking up steam, which helped miners and oil stocks pare losses and banks rally. The FTSE 100 closed up 29.99 points, or 0.5 percent, at 6,043.86
Criticised for incompetence and mismanagement, the US official assigned to combat corruption in the multibillion-dollar effort to rebuild Afghanistan on Tuesday announced the firing of two top deputies and pledged to focus on financial fraud and waste.
US President Barack Obama's top spokesman Robert Gibbs said Wednesday he will step down and work outside the White House as an advocate for his boss, as an administration reshuffle gathered pace. Gibbs, one of Obama's closest advisors, possesses sharp pol
Three Nato-led troops were killed in separate attacks in Afghanistan on Wednesday, the force said, as residents of a restive province accused the alliance's troops of killing Afghan civilians. Two soldiers were killed in an improvised bomb explosion in ea
The commander of Nato's training mission in Afghanistan says the coalition will spend $20 billion on developing the country's security forces during 2010 and 2011. He says Nato's training presence will continue through at least 2016.
Australia's record floods are causing catastrophic damage to infrastructure in the state of Queensland and have forced 75 percent of its coal mines, which fuel Asia's steel mills, to grind to a halt, Queensland's premier said on Wednesday. The worst flood
Dick King-Smith, the British author of the popular children's books which spawned the hit film "Babe", has died at the age of 88, his publishers said on Wednesday. The prolific writer, whose 1983 book "The Sheep-Pig" was made into the 1995 film, died in h
A Dubai court has jailed seven Indians and a Pakistani, two of them for life, for beating a man to death and burying his body in a shallow grave, The National newspaper reported on Wednesday. The English-language daily said the gang beat a rival bootlegge
Britain's defence secretary said Wednesday that 2011 and 2012 are crucial in the fight against the Afghan insurgency and that Nato forces are now strong enough to make a lasting difference in the war against the Taliban. British Defence Secretary Liam Fox
One of the head designers of the Patriot missile has died in Florida. He was 91. The son of Zdzislaw Starostecki (z-GEE'-slav Star-o-STE'-key) said his father died in Sarasota on December 31. Andrew Starostecki says his father fought for his native countr
Radical Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr returned Wednesday to Iraq for a hero's welcome in his stronghold of Najaf after nearly four years outside the country, an AFP correspondent said. "Moqtada al-Sadr has returned to his home in Najaf. He arrived about 3:0
China appears to have completed a prototype of its first known stealth fighter, reports said Wednesday, highlighting Beijing's military modernisation days ahead of a visit by the US defence secretary. Photographs published online and Chinese military sour
A maliciously coded e-mail masquerading as a White House Christmas card was a sinister move by hackers to steal sensitive documents from US law enforcement and military officials, according to cybersecurity analysts. The bright red and green holiday greet
Hungary on Wednesday rejected any suggestion that it face limits on its responsibilities in the EU presidency after criticism of its media law and crisis taxes. In the bloc's rotating presidency for the next six months, Hungary issued a Foreign Ministry s
The United States and Israel top the list of countries that Turks see as a threat, according to an opinion poll seen by AFP Wednesday. The survey, conducted by the Ankara-based Metropoll research company last month, found that 42.6 percent saw the United
Israel deliberately maintained the economy of the Gaza strip "on the brink of collapse" without "pushing it over the edge," a leaked US diplomatic cable from 2008 showed Wednesday. According to a cable from the US embassy in Tel Aviv dated November 3, 200
Benchmark US March cotton futures came within a hair of rising their four-cent trading limit, as funds and system trades triggered a rally. Though March then pulled off a one-week high, it retained healthy gains. Benchmark March cotton on ICE Futures US r
US cotton futures settled with healthy gains on Tuesday, reversing small losses in the last minutes of trade, as investors saw an opportunity to buy in a tight market when prices fell briefly before the close. Concerns about global cotton supplies kept pr
Copper prices ended lower on Tuesday, falling from a fresh record high in London and succumbing to a vicious sell-off in the broader commodities complex that enabled corrections in many over-heated markets. COMEX copper for March delivery shed 8.85 cents,
Shanghai copper shed 1.5 percent on Wednesday, part of a market-wide spasm of risk aversion that on Tuesday saw commodities score their biggest daily fall in seven weeks. Shanghai's third month contract fell 1.5 percent to 70,750 yuan, having touched a 4
Copper eased on Wednesday, weighed down by a firmer dollar, but strong economic data out of the United States boosted risk appetite and helped to pare losses. Copper for three-month delivery on the London Metal Exchange closed at $9,540 a tonne from $9,58
Tokyo rubber futures hit another record high on Wednesday on the back of strong demand and tight supply, but weaker oil prices and profit-taking limited gains, dealers said. The benchmark rubber contract on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange for June delivery r
Soyabean futures on the Chicago Board of Trade closed lower on Tuesday as most-active March lost 0.7 percent, ending a session dominated by profit-taking and fund-based selling, traders said. "There was just an exhaustion of buying interest across the flo
ICE raw sugar futures reversed direction to close down 3.5 percent on Tuesday, moving in a wide 3-cent range as the dollar strengthened and joining a broadbased commodity sell-off ahead of index fund rebalancing. Cocoa also moved sharply lower as concerns
Malaysian crude palm oil futures fell more than 2 percent on Wednesday after a strong New Year rally driven partly by weather concerns lost some steam because of a stronger dollar. But traders said steep losses were unlikely as vegetable oil markets were
Liffe May cocoa ended 33 pounds weaker at 1,942 pounds a tonne on Wednesday after touching a three-week low for the benchmark second month of 1,921 pounds. Traders maintain a close watch on political tensions in Ivory Coast although supplies continue to f
Oil prices bounced back to above $90 a barrel on Wednesday as unexpectedly big gains in US private sector jobs spurred optimism the economy was recovering at a faster pace. Wall Street and commodities markets latched on to the ADP Employer Services employ
US gold futures lost more than 3 percent on Tuesday as signs of an improving economic outlook diminished safe-haven buying and a profit-taking commodities rout dragged prices off highs. Benchmark COMEX February gold futures settle down $44.10 or 3.1 perce
Spot gold steadied on Wednesday from a more than two percent fall in the previous session, as bargain hunting on the physical market lent support and helped offset a stronger dollar. Spot gold gained 0.3 percent to $1,383.16 an ounce by 0651 GMT, after po
Gold extended losses on Wednesday, continuing its biggest three-day slide since mid-November, after surprisingly strong US jobs data buoyed the dollar and encouraged investors to buy into riskier assets. Spot gold was bid at $1,369.80 an ounce at 1539 GMT
ICE raw sugar futures on Wednesday reversed early losses in choppy dealings and kept sights on last week's 30-year peak, while cocoa fell as concerns over risks to supplies from Ivory Coast eased despite a political impasse.
Grain futures on the Chicago Board of Trade were mixed on Wednesday, with short-covering in soyabeans fuelling the rally from opening levels. Traders said this week's sell-off in soyabeans was overdone given tight US stockpiles. Commercial buying on Tuesd
Copper ended down for a second straight day on Wednesday, but the pace of decline slowed from the previous session's swift slide after a double dose of strong US economic data again boosted risk appetite. "The turnaround is basically a function of the fac
Gold fell but off its earlier lows early on Wednesday as the dollar surged after a strong US private-sector employment report, which reinforced an improving economic outlook and dented safe-haven buying. US data showed a surprise jump in US private-sector
A six-year girl child was killed and 15 others sustained injuries in a road accident near Feroza about 20 kilometres from on Wednesday. According to police, a bus (LWF-6255) was on its way to Sadiqabad from Faisalabad when it overturned at a sharp bend.
On the initiatives of Federal Board of Revenue, the Directorate General of Training & Research (Customs), Karachi (DGTR) arranged an interactive and informative seminar on Afghan Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement, 2010 on 04 January, 2010 at its regional D
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Minister for Social Welfare, Sitara Ayaz on Wednesday said that a Child Protection Commission comprising representatives of the members of the provincial legislature, lawyers and civil society would become functional next month.
National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Board on Wednesday approved four corruption references against different persons, which are to be filed in the accountability courts against the accused including FBR official in Rs 30 million fake tax returns scam.
Chairman, Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI), Syed Johar Ali Qandhari has suggested that the government should declare 2011 as "Export Year". Talking to Business Recorder he urged government to devise a comprehensive plan in consultat
The Sponsors/Holding company of Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC), M/s KES Power Limited, have fully subscribed to their portion (72.45 percent) of the subject right shares at the subscription price of Rs 3.50 per share. According to an information s
Speakers of a conference on Afghanistan declared the co-operation of six regional bordering countries of Afghanistan and the support of three giants' ie: Nato, America and Russia as imperative for long lasting peace in the country.
Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) has submitted an adjournment motion against the Education and Literacy Department, for discontinuing the services of 7187 contract employees. PML-F MPA, Nusrat Bano Sehr Abbasi submitted the adjournment motion to
The like-minded group of PML-Q Wednesday demanded of the Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to step down, setting precedence for others as member of the party that claims itself champion of democracy. "The government has lost the required majority so the p
The commodity--wheat, sugar, rice and urea--debt has touched Rs 382 billion, but the government is still unable to devise a viable plan for disposing of over 4 million tons of surplus wheat.
As a result of strong resentment shown by the business fraternity regarding the recent unprecedented hike in the price of Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) form, the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) has revised the rate of GSP Form fro
A total number of 87 National Assembly members were those who did not speak a single word for the last three years in National Assembly as per press reports. Some time back, a similar report was printed in a section of press about the Senators. In the las
It's no secret that Spain's Franco dictatorship killed more than 100,000 of its opponents shortly after the country's 1936-39 civil war. A lesser known crime of that dictatorship, however, is the organised kidnapping of children. Even today, Spain is stil
We daily hear and read talks and analyses about the government's plan to levy RGST. Some argue that the tax proposals are not feasible at this stage, and some propose that the government should introduce these measures through administrative measures. The
Sui was the venue of an unusual event last Sunday when COAS Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani inaugurated a military college, converted from a controversial army cantonment into an educational institution, in the presence of Balochistan Governor Zulifqar Magsi and Ch
The assassination of Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer in an upscale Islamabad locality, on a foggy Tuesday afternoon, graphically plays out the high drama of the difficult and torturous times the people of Pakistan are presently passing through. The best av
The government of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has undergone a dramatic status change: from a majority coalition government to a minority government.
The massive deployment of security forces with the support of latest detective equipments was decided to avoid any untoward incident during the 267th annual urs celebrations of great saint poet of Sindh Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai (RA) to commence fro
A large number of postal employees on Wednesday staged demonstration at I. I. Chundrigar Road to lodge protest against government's reported move to privatise Pakistan Post Office Department. Postal Action Committee for Anti-Privatisation (alliance of Col
Board of Revenue, Sindh has handed over 1,490 acres land to City District Government Karachi (CDGK) for its projects here on Wednesday. Officials at CDGK told Business Recorder that Board of Revenue Sindh has allotted the land to CDGK for various p
JCR-VIS Credit Rating Company Limited has upgraded the Management Quality Rating of ABL - Asset Management Company Limited (ABL AMC) to 'AM3+' (AM Three Plus) from 'AM3' (AM Three). The rating action takes into account improvement in systems and controls
JCR-VIS Credit Rating Company Limited has upgraded the Management Quality Rating of ABL - Asset Management Company Limited (ABL AMC) to 'AM3+' (AM Three Plus) from 'AM3' (AM Three). The rating action takes into account improvement in systems and controls
Soaring diesel prices have offset profits for fishermen despite the winter's low catch is fetching nearly double prices. Unlike last year, a sizeable number of Indian Mackerel is landing this winter, fetching a good sum of Rs 300 per kg as compared to its
Islamic Banking Industry (IBI) has sustained growth momentum despite prevailing tenuous economic conditions; and overall share of IBI in the country's banking system also improved to 6.4 percent in September 2010.
The Pakistan Railways, Karachi Division, has launched a vigorous campaign against ticket-less travelling. An official said on Wednesday the campaign had been initiated on the directive of Divisional Superintendent Karachi, Aftab Ahmed Memon.
At least 748 people including 447 activists of political, religious and other parties were killed in target killing in Karachi during the year 2010. According to the statistics of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) 1981 people were killed in vario
A man was killed while two others injured in the wee hours of Wednesday in an armed attack in the limits of Korangi police station. Police sources said that some three armed assailants, who came on bike, sprayed bullets on Ashraf Ali, 48 and two others Mo
Business Community has welcomed the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) decision to reduce certificate of origin fee from Rs 1000 to Rs 100 per shipment. Recent past the TDAP has abruptly increased the certificate of origin fee from Rs 25 per e
APC by Schneider Electric, a global leader in integrated critical power and cooling services, on Wednesday announced the launch of EcoBreeze(tm), a modular indirect evaporative and air-to-air heat exchanger cooling solution, for tackling the energy requir
The National Assembly Standing Committee on Science and Technology has directed the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) to halt the on-going election of engineering council being conducted under PEC Act, 1976. The directives were issued following Standing
Islamabad police and GIZ Gender Responsive Policing (GRP) Project have signed an agreement with respect to Ladies Complaint Units (LCUs) to improve its functioning by ensuring prompt action in case of violence against women. The agreement was signed by AI
Convenor Sugar Cane Growers Association Javed Mahmood Malik called on the officials of US Consulate Lahore's Economic Officials including Jassica E. Berlow and others the other day and presented a copy of Sugar Cane Growers' Industrial Complex High Tech E
The 3RD Oil and Gas Pakistan 2011 Forum will hold a conference on the theme "Focusing on Energy Issues & Opportunities to Secure Pakistan's Future" on January 29. The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Resources, Government of Pakistan along with PLATTS, wor
Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control and the world over are observing the Right of Self-determination Day on Wednesday. According to Kashmir Media Service, the observance of the Day is aimed at reminding the world that the United Nations resolut