Groups and fixtures for the Super Eights stage of the World Twenty20 starting in Sri Lanka on Thursday:

Two-time champion Maria Sharapova finally found some rhythm to dispose of stubborn Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic and reach the quarter-finals of the Pan Pacific Open on Wednesday. The French Open holder from Russia, who needed more than three hours

Hosts Sri Lanka hope their magician spinner Ajantha Mendis recovers in time to face New Zealand in their opening Super Eights match at Pallekele on Thursday. The 25-year-old spinner took 6-8 against Zimbabwe - the best figures in all Twenty20 cricket - in

Manchester City suffered a surprise exit from the League Cup on Tuesday as Aston Villa clinched a 4-2 third round win at Eastlands, while Chelsea welcomed back controversial captain John Terry with a 6-0 rout of Wolves. City manager Roberto Mancini made 1

West Indian captain Darren Sammy admitted off-spinner Sunil Narine will be his trump card to exploit England's weakness against slow bowlers in the Super Eights match here on Thursday. England, defending the World Twenty20 title they won in the Caribbean

Asian cricket chiefs have formally backed war-torn Afghanistan for associate membership of the International Cricket Council (ICC) to reward their rapid progress in the sport, an official said. The support for Afghanistan's elevation to the second tier of

Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) President Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat has approved the package of prize money and match bonus system of 8th National Women Football Championship-2012, for winning teams and players.

Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez admitted his faltering pace bowlers were a concern ahead of the Super Eights round where big teams can capitalise on their weakness. Pakistan thumped Bangladesh by eight wickets in Pallekele on Tuesday, with Imran Nazir hi

The World Twenty20 shifts to a higher gear in Sri Lanka on Thursday when the hot favourites begin an intriguing race for the semi-finals in the Super Eights round. The preliminary league, which ended on Tuesday, separated the men from the boys as lesser t

A Syrian rebel bomb attack reduced the army headquarters in Damascus to a smouldering wreck on Wednesday as world leaders, unable to break the diplomatic deadlock in the conflict, met at the United Nations. The rebels said the assault on President Bashar

Climate change caused by global warming is freezing the world economy and already leading to the deaths of millions every year, a report commissioned by 20 of the world's most vulnerable countries said Wednesday. "Climate Vulnerability Monitor: a guide to

Egypt opposes foreign military intervention to stop the civil war in Syria and prefers an inclusive, negotiated settlement, Egypt's new Islamist president, Mohamed Morsi, said on Wednesday. "Egypt is committed to pursue the sincere efforts it has been exe

Iran's president said on Wednesday his country was under constant threat of military action from "uncivilised Zionists" and called for a new world order not dominated by Western powers in the service of "the devil." In his eighth address to the UN General

Two Nato soldiers were killed in an insurgent suicide bombing and gun battle in eastern Afghanistan Wednesday, officials said. The suicide attack was followed by small arms and rocket fire near Puli Alam, the capital town of Logar province which is less t

At least seven people were killed and 30 injured when a passenger train rammed a packed college bus on Wednesday in the eastern Indian state of Bihar, officials said. Four of the victims died on the spot after the bus belonging to an engineering college w

Radical Islamist cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri has won a delay in his extradition from Britain to the United States, days after he lost an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights. A statement from the judiciary said on Wednesday a judge had granted an in

Russia on Wednesday charged billionaire Kremlin critic and media magnate Alexander Lebedev with hooliganism after he punched a guest on a television show last year. Lebedev, who owns Britain's The Independent and Evening Standard dailies and part-owns Rus

Japanese car giant Toyota on Wednesday unveiled a robotic best friend that can offer a helping hand around the house fetching and carrying for the elderly or immobile. The human support robot, a compact cylinder-shaped machine 37 centimetres (about 15 inc

South African populist firebrand Julius Malema was charged with money laundering and released on bail Wednesday as he derided the case against him as the political handy-work of arch-foe President Jacob Zuma. Malema, once the rising star of the ruling Afr

A court in the Maldives has slapped a travel ban on ousted president Mohamed Nasheed pending a hearing over allegations of abuse of power during his tenure, his party said on Wednesday. The order preventing Nasheed from leaving the capital island Male was

Bombings and shootings mainly targeting Iraqi security forces killed eight people on Wednesday, among them a senior police officer, security and medical officials said. The violence comes a day after a wave of attacks against members of the security force

US President Barack Obama has widened his lead in the two main battleground states in the 2012 White House race as well as in Pennsylvania, according to a new opinion poll released Wednesday. The Quinnipiac University/New York Times/CBS News poll put Obam

US cotton remained under pressure on Tuesday, hitting fresh five-week lows on seasonal selling ahead of the Northern Hemisphere harvest. Falling for a fourth straight session, New York-traded cotton for December delivery settled down 0.17 cent, or 0.23 pe

The most active January copper contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange fell 30 yuan to close the session at 59,150 yuan ($9,400) per tonne on Wednesday. Traders said Shanghai copper prices were also under pressure from weak buying interest in China ahea

Copper fell on Wednesday following gains the previous day as investors ditched metals along with other risk assets after protests in Spain and Greece renewed fears about the euro zone debt crisis and its drag on global economic growth. Three-month copper

Crude oil prices fell on Wednesday as the eurozone debt crisis escalated and reinforced concerns about slowing economic growth, while US gasoline futures jumped more than 3 percent due to depressed inventories and supply uncertainty. The continuing disput

Key TOCOM rubber futures finished down 1 percent on Wednesday, unsettled by concerns about the impact of a fragile economy on demand and with a holiday in China next week keeping investors on the sidelines. Despite Wednesday's drop, Tokyo rubber futures a

Wednesday's Rotterdam vegetable oil prices at 1600 GMT.

Wednesday's Rotterdam vegetable oil prices at 1600 GMT.

US soyabeans ended marginally higher on Tuesday after a seesaw session which saw talk of end-user demand and a weaker dollar lend support though gains were limited by an advancing Midwest harvest and accounts of good yields. Futures rebounded from six-wee

Malaysian palm oil futures ended lower on Wednesday, as investors stayed cautious on rising stocks and renewed fears about a slowing global economy on Spain's financing woes. Palm oil stocks in No 2 producer Malaysia look set to climb higher on strong pro

Raw sugar futures on ICE turned lower on Wednesday as a short-lived rally linked to India's importation of sugar for the first time in two years ran out of steam and the market's focus turned to the prospect of a large delivery. Robusta coffee futures fel

Gold edged lower after choppy trade on Tuesday, on selling related to an option expiration and renewed fears about the euro zone debt crisis. Gold is still 4 percent higher for September following a sharp rally on hopes the central banks will keep the cre

Gold edged up on Wednesday as recent stimulus measures by central banks supported bullion's appeal as a hedge against inflation, although a firm dollar and a shift in investor focus to the euro zone debt crisis capped gains. Spot gold inched up 0.1 percen

Gold prices fell more than 1 percent on Wednesday as pressure from a stronger dollar and a weaker tone to stocks markets and other commodities combined with profit-taking ahead of quarter-end to push the metal through key support. Pressure from other mark

US grains tumbled on Wednesday as investors sought safe haven in the dollar amid new worries about Europe's debt crisis, with soyabeans diving below $16 a bushel to their lowest price in nearly three months. Corn futures fell 2.5 percent to the lowest lev

Gold prices ended down on Wednesday but off an earlier two-week low as a stronger dollar and weaker crude oil triggered profit-taking after bullion's recent sharp rally boosted by stimulus by central banks around the world. The metal was weighed down by g

PIA employees' unions and associations under the banner of Joint Action Committee (JACPIAE) have urged the Defence Minister to convince Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman (Retd) to withdraw his resignation as the airline and its employees need him the mo

JCR-VIS Credit Rating Company Limited has upgraded the entity ratings of Habib Bank Limited (HBL) to 'AAA/A-1+' (Triple A/A-One Plus) from 'AA+/A-1+' (Double A Plus/A-One Plus). Outlook on the ratings is 'Stable'. HBL has been continuing to demonstrate su

JCR-VIS Credit Rating Company Limited has upgraded the entity ratings of Habib Bank Limited (HBL) to 'AAA/A-1+' (Triple A/A-One Plus) from 'AA+/A-1+' (Double A Plus/A-One Plus). Outlook on the ratings is 'Stable'. HBL has been continuing to demonstrate su

The nation's leading oil marketing company, Pakistan State Oil (PSO) convened its 36th Annual General Meeting at a local hotel. The event was chaired by Sohail Wajahat Siddiqui, Chairman-Board of Management (BoM) who congratulated the shareholders on bein

The nation's leading oil marketing company, Pakistan State Oil (PSO) convened its 36th Annual General Meeting at a local hotel. The event was chaired by Sohail Wajahat Siddiqui, Chairman-Board of Management (BoM) who congratulated the shareholders on bein

A high-profile annual general meeting (AGM) of Hub Power Company is due on 27th September 2012 which will also elect new board of directors (BoD). After the exit of the two founding sponsors from Hubco during FY12 (Xenel Group and International Power), th

Two people were gunned down at Sariab Road in the city on Wednesday. According to police, some unidentified men opened fire on the road and injured two people. One of them succumbed to injuries on the way, while the other one died during treatment at the

Mohammad Zubair Chhaya has been elected unopposed as Chairman of Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) for the term 2012-13 in the annual general election held on Tuesday.

Following the funeral prayers of father and two sons, who were gunned down in Pan Mandi area on Tuesday, tension prevailed in Numaish and its other neighbourhoods on Wednesday.

Raheel Qamar Ahmad, CEO, Standard Chartered Modaraba has been elected as Chairman and Mohammed Khalid Ali, CEO, Security Leasing Corporation of Pakistan as Vice Chairman of NBFI & Modaraba Association of Pakistan for the period 2012-13. This was announced

Raheel Qamar Ahmad, CEO, Standard Chartered Modaraba has been elected as Chairman and Mohammed Khalid Ali, CEO, Security Leasing Corporation of Pakistan as Vice Chairman of NBFI & Modaraba Association of Pakistan for the period 2012-13. This was announced

Soneri Bank will now facilitate the delivery of MoneyGram payments to beneficiaries through its extensive branch network, which covers most of the high home remittance volume receiving areas in Pakistan. Recently Soneri Bank also became a member of the PR

The country's import of pulses grew by over 22 percent in August this fiscal year to $36.161 million because of the commodity's weak yield in the country, an importer said on Wednesday. "The country's production of channa [pulses] remained low this year,"

President Asif Ali Zardari declared Tuesday before the United Nations that his country had suffered enough in its fight against extremist terror and should not be asked to do more. "No country and no people have suffered more in the epic struggle against

A signing ceremony of "Minutes of discussion" of the project "Establishment of Specialised Medium Range Forecasting Centre (SMRFC) and Strengthening of Early Warning and Dissemination Network" was held in Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Wednes

"Pakistan is a land of opportunities and the credit for this goes to the huge youth population and the rich pool of talent available in the country." These sentiments were expressed by D Shiva Kumar, Senior Vice President, All India Management Association

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has once again asked all banks operating in the country to issue necessary instructions to their branches to facilitate general public in exchanging Rs 500 old design & bigger size banknote. The last date for exchanging th

Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar met the new President of the UN General Assembly Vuk Jeremic on Wednesday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Congratulating Jeremic on the assumption of presidency of the General Assembly, Foreign Minister Khar

Prices of all vegetables registered a substantial increase on the back of the hike in petroleum products rates, said retailers. Retailers said that the prices will further increase if the government persisted with its policy of periodic fuel price revisio

There is no room for opportunists in Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and only honest political leaders can stay in PTI, the party's Chairman Imran Khan said on Wednesday. He was expressing these views while responding to a question about the resignation of

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Dr Arif Alvi has said that Dr Shireen Mazari preferred to resign from the party's membership after she was issued a show cause notice for publicly criticising the party. In a statement issued here on Wednes

Dr Shireen M Mazari on Wednesday resigned as vice-president of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), saying 'money and status-quo culture' has taken root in the party after its mammoth rally of October 30 in Lahore.

Despite general perception of growth in turnover and profitability, as suggested by recent corporate results, business sentiment dipped by 9 percent over the past six months due to growing concerns related to energy shortages, worsening security and infla

Transporters on Tuesday showed their concerns over the rising fuel prices in the country, fearing the anti-transport policies of the government may deprive the metropolis of its largest public transportation. Talking to Business Recorder, President

The Election Commission of Pakistan has announced holding by-elections on November 17 on eight seats left vacant by the legislators declared ineligible by the Supreme Court in the dual nationality case. According to ECP candidates could file nomination pa

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has implemented five manuals for greater transparency and efficiency. They deal with inspection, enquiry/ investigation, adjudication, litigation and offsite surveillance. They will be used by the

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has not yet decided whether to grant voting rights to four million overseas Pakistanis in the upcoming general elections. Earlier, the ECP was considering giving voting rights to Pakistanis who are settled abroad.

In compliance of the directives issued by the Chairman FBR the Model Collectorate of Customs Preventive, under the leadership of Kahwar Farid Maneka, Collector of Customs Preventive has started a drive against smuggled vehicles, Iranian origin POL product

"Hillary Clinton thanked the President for his handling of the protests."

I would like to highlight manifest errors and misunderstanding found in your editorial about the Senkaku Islands, which are an integral part of Japanese territory ("Territorial dispute" September 22). You can find further elaboration of my argument at htt

The separatist movement gathering momentum in Spain's north-eastern Catalonia is threatening the country with growing instability just as it is struggling to cope with a deepening economic crisis. "The time has come" for the region of 7.6 million to apply

The state of public finances in Balochistan has been substantially changed in 2011-12 and 2012-13 compared to that in 2010-11. It is an outcome of a conclusive 7th NFC Award and the phase-wise devolution of some key ministries under the 18th Constitutiona

Last week, the Supreme Court bench hearing legislators' dual nationality case delivered its verdict, directing the Election Commission to disqualify eleven members of Parliament and provincial assemblies from both the treasury and opposition benches. The

Rarely does a Pakistani leader speak with such candour and eloquence. President Zardari, undoubtedly, put up a highly impressive show as he addressed the 67th session of the UN General Assembly in New York. We have done enough, suffered enough, and it's n

The news on the world economy is quite depressing. The World Trade Organisation (WTO) in its latest assessment has slashed its 2012 global trade outlook, citing the eurozone debt crisis and weak growth in the US and China as key factors. Global trade was

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Finance, Engr. Muhammad Humayun Khan has lauded the address of President Asif Ali Zardari to UN General Assembly who strongly criticised the blasphemous film and incitement of hate against the Muslim Ummah. He termed the ad

Mohammad Atif Dada and Waqas Anwar were elected unopposed as Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Karachi Cotton Association for the year 2012. They would take the charge of their offices w.e.f. October 1. Final results of the election of the Executive Commi

Mohammad Naeem Butt has been elected as unanimous Chairman of Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA), Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa while Mohammad Yusuf Afridi, Haji Sartaj Ali, Adan Khan and Khurram Suleman have been elected vice-chairmen for Peshawar, Malakand, N

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Wednesday directed National Accountability Bureau, Bank of Punjab (BoP) and the owners of Haris Steel Mills to ensure recovery of accounts receivable from the Mills in a multi-billion Bank of Punjab (BoP) scam.

Immediate supply of food items should be initiated and drinking water would be provided to thousands of rain-affected families in district Shahdadkot-Qambar, worst affected district by the recent heavy rains/flood. Sindh Relief Department has recommended

The Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) report, "Talent pipeline draining growth: Connecting human capital to the growth agenda", reveals that the financial performance and growth prospects of many businesses are being blighted by their failure

The domestic sugar output is likely to surge past five million tons with the start of the new crushing season this year (2012-2013), about 5 percent higher than the previous year's 4.75 million tons, Business Recorder learnt on good authority on We

The Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) health technicians', served under Expanded Polio Immunisation (EPI) programme, held a protest demonstration against the transferring of their services from contract to fix-pay, demanding for immediate regular

Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered the Director General Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to hand over the charge of investigations into Hajj scam to Hussain Asghar. A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry was hearing the

Security remains on high alert in the capital city and law enforcement agencies have not yet removed containers and barbed wires placed around the Red Zone. "The city police have received information that some organisations are planning protests this comi

Liu Jian, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China called on the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Nawabzada Malik Amad Khan here on Wednesday. He sympathised on the recent devastation caused by the tragic floods in Pakistan. He handed over a che

The founder and senior leader of Businessmen Forum, Senator, Ilyas Ahmad Bilour, has asked the federal government to further extend the Prime Minister Fiscal Relief Package for two years, saying that the facility was played important role for supporting t

Additional Secretary Revenue Division Shahid Rahim Sheikh has said that the Federal government or Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) are legally empowered to reduce tax rates or grant general/special exemptions under the Sales Tax Act, 1990, Customs Act, 1969

The German Ambassador Dr Cyrill Nunn said that in four weeks' time Pakistan will be able to benefit from preferential trade arrangement that would allow low-tariff exports to the European Union. He was speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Indust

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) imparted agri business training to 64 specialists of agriculture ministries from Khyber-Pakhtunkhawa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Sindh and Balochistan to help strengthen t

Britain's Department of International Development (DFID) is likely to provide £279 million to the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) as financial assistance for Waseela-e Taleem. Sources told Business Recorder here on Wednesday that DFID is like

The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) has opposed a plan of Petroleum Minister to grab Rs 38 billion from national kitty to favour some business tycoons of fertiliser industry. In a statement issued here on Wednesday.

JS Investments Limited (JSIL) has recently announced its financial results for the period ended June 30, 2012. The after tax profit for the said period was Rs 135.17 million with an EPS of Rs 1.35.

JS Investments Limited (JSIL) has recently announced its financial results for the period ended June 30, 2012. The after tax profit for the said period was Rs 135.17 million with an EPS of Rs 1.35.

Tobacco farmers, participating in the 3rd Asia Tobacco Forum in Manila, launched "Save our farms", a grassroots campaign to fight radical new guidelines that would devastate the livelihoods of millions of tobacco farmers in Asia.

Ambassador Abdul Basit met with Ms Petra Ernstberger, Member of the Bundestag and Chairperson of the Parliamentary Group for South Asia in Berlin, where they discussed issues of mutual interest, says a press release issued on Wednesday. The Ambassador bri

Chief Minister, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Amir Haider Khan Hoti, has said that completion of Baizai Irrigation Scheme will irrigate 25,000 acres land and will create positive impacts on lives of the people and economy. He was addressing a gathering at Grid Stat

The government's inability to resolve circular debt in the power sector is a major factor responsible for the failure to meet its budget deficit targets, sources told this correspondent on Wednesday. The government continued to extend massive subsidies to

Western governments should either criminalize blasphemy as a contempt of all religions or repeal their respective anti-Semitism laws, which requires the governments to document acts of physical violence perpetrated against Jews, to ensure freedom of expre

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have decided to further enhance bilateral economic ties in various sectors including banking, agriculture, investment, education, infrastructure development, energy and health. This was decided Wednesday in the sitting of the 9th

The Chartered Accountants Students' Association (South) [CASA(S)] is organising the Annual Chartered Accountant Students' conference with the theme chosen is "Reasons to Believe" to be held on Thursday in Karachi.

National Industrial Relations Commission (NIRC) on Wednesday announced extension in the tenure of Pakistan Steel CBA for another year and now the present CBA will hold office till June 22, 2013. This decision was announced by Chaudhry Shaukat Nawaz Goraya

University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) will get International Certification of its faculty members thereby to earn international recognition of their professional domains and make them a proud member of the highly qualified pool of the world.