AGL 35.20 Decreased By ▼ -0.50 (-1.4%)
AIRLINK 123.23 Decreased By ▼ -10.27 (-7.69%)
BOP 5.04 Increased By ▲ 0.07 (1.41%)
CNERGY 3.91 Decreased By ▼ -0.12 (-2.98%)
DCL 8.15 Decreased By ▼ -0.27 (-3.21%)
DFML 44.22 Decreased By ▼ -3.18 (-6.71%)
DGKC 74.35 Decreased By ▼ -0.65 (-0.87%)
FCCL 24.47 Increased By ▲ 0.22 (0.91%)
FFBL 48.20 Increased By ▲ 2.20 (4.78%)
FFL 8.78 Decreased By ▼ -0.15 (-1.68%)
HUBC 145.85 Decreased By ▼ -8.25 (-5.35%)
HUMNL 10.85 Decreased By ▼ -0.15 (-1.36%)
KEL 4.00 Decreased By ▼ -0.06 (-1.48%)
KOSM 8.00 Decreased By ▼ -0.88 (-9.91%)
MLCF 32.80 Increased By ▲ 0.05 (0.15%)
NBP 57.15 Decreased By ▼ -0.65 (-1.12%)
OGDC 145.35 Increased By ▲ 2.55 (1.79%)
PAEL 25.75 Decreased By ▼ -0.26 (-1%)
PIBTL 5.76 Decreased By ▼ -0.16 (-2.7%)
PPL 116.80 Increased By ▲ 2.20 (1.92%)
PRL 24.00 Decreased By ▼ -0.15 (-0.62%)
PTC 11.05 Decreased By ▼ -0.42 (-3.66%)
SEARL 58.41 Increased By ▲ 0.41 (0.71%)
TELE 7.49 Decreased By ▼ -0.22 (-2.85%)
TOMCL 41.10 Decreased By ▼ -0.04 (-0.1%)
TPLP 8.31 Decreased By ▼ -0.36 (-4.15%)
TREET 15.20 Increased By ▲ 0.12 (0.8%)
TRG 55.20 Decreased By ▼ -4.70 (-7.85%)
UNITY 27.85 Decreased By ▼ -0.15 (-0.54%)
WTL 1.34 Decreased By ▼ -0.01 (-0.74%)
BR100 8,528 Increased By 68.1 (0.8%)
BR30 26,868 Decreased By -400.5 (-1.47%)
KSE100 81,459 Increased By 998 (1.24%)
KSE30 25,800 Increased By 331.7 (1.3%)
Print - 2013-04-22
Nine killed in Afghanistan violence

Nine killed in Afghanistan violence

At least nine people were killed in two separate incidents in Afghanistan, while Taliban militants allegedly chopped off hands and legs of two Afghan men, officials said Sunday. In eastern Paktika province, three civilians were killed and seven others inc
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Nine killed in Afghanistan violence

Nine killed in Afghanistan violence

At least nine people were killed in two separate incidents in Afghanistan, while Taliban militants allegedly chopped off hands and legs of two Afghan men, officials said Sunday. In eastern Paktika province, three civilians were killed and seven others inc
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
JUI-F to clean sweep elections in KP: Fazl

JUI-F to clean sweep elections in KP: Fazl

The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has said that politicians talking about a new Pakistan were in fact the agents of Western countries. Addressing a large public gathering at the residence of former city Nazim Muhammad Zahid
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
JUI-F to clean sweep elections in KP: Fazl

JUI-F to clean sweep elections in KP: Fazl

The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has said that politicians talking about a new Pakistan were in fact the agents of Western countries. Addressing a large public gathering at the residence of former city Nazim Muhammad Zahid
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Global finance officials endorse World Bank target to end poverty

Global finance officials endorse World Bank target to end poverty

Global finance officials on Saturday endorsed a new World Bank goal to end extreme global poverty by 2030 and emphasised that its focus should be on ensuring that the poorest benefit from strong growth and rising prosperity in developing nations.
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Global finance officials endorse World Bank target to end poverty

Global finance officials endorse World Bank target to end poverty

Global finance officials on Saturday endorsed a new World Bank goal to end extreme global poverty by 2030 and emphasised that its focus should be on ensuring that the poorest benefit from strong growth and rising prosperity in developing nations.
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Global finance officials endorse World Bank target to end poverty

Global finance officials endorse World Bank target to end poverty

Global finance officials on Saturday endorsed a new World Bank goal to end extreme global poverty by 2030 and emphasised that its focus should be on ensuring that the poorest benefit from strong growth and rising prosperity in developing nations.
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Imran pledges restoration of peace in Pashtun areas

Imran pledges restoration of peace in Pashtun areas

Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan Sunday said if voted to power they will start building a new Pakistan after three weeks. Imran Khan was addressing thousands of his supporters at an election rally in Karak town, a day after he formally kicked off
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Imran pledges restoration of peace in Pashtun areas

Imran pledges restoration of peace in Pashtun areas

Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan Sunday said if voted to power they will start building a new Pakistan after three weeks. Imran Khan was addressing thousands of his supporters at an election rally in Karak town, a day after he formally kicked off
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Imran speaking language of Zardari: Shahbaz

Imran speaking language of Zardari: Shahbaz

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shahbaz Sharif has said, "if his party voted to power" it will bring an industrial revolution in the country. Addressing a public meeting here on Sunday, he expressed that PML-N would emerge as a leading party i
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Imran speaking language of Zardari: Shahbaz

Imran speaking language of Zardari: Shahbaz

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shahbaz Sharif has said, "if his party voted to power" it will bring an industrial revolution in the country. Addressing a public meeting here on Sunday, he expressed that PML-N would emerge as a leading party i
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Egyptian justice minister resigns

Egyptian justice minister resigns

Egypt's Justice Minister Ahmed Mekky has resigned in protest at what he sees as "an assault" on the judiciary by the Islamist-led authorities, the Justice Ministry spokesman said on Sunday. Mekky submitted his resignation to President Mohamed Mursi on Sat
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Egyptian justice minister resigns

Egyptian justice minister resigns

Egypt's Justice Minister Ahmed Mekky has resigned in protest at what he sees as "an assault" on the judiciary by the Islamist-led authorities, the Justice Ministry spokesman said on Sunday. Mekky submitted his resignation to President Mohamed Mursi on Sat
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
FIR of attack on Zehri's convoy registered

FIR of attack on Zehri's convoy registered

The FIR of attack on the convoy of Sardar Sanaullah Zehri, President of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Balochistan, was registered against Amanullah Zehri and his six sons on Sunday, Aaj News reported. It is to be mentioned here that in the April 16
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Somali journalist killed by gunmen

Somali journalist killed by gunmen

A Somali journalist was killed by gunmen in Mogadishu on Sunday, the fourth reporter to be murdered in the war-ravaged capital this year, the nation's journalism union said.
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
BoE's cheap credit scheme to be extended

BoE's cheap credit scheme to be extended

A scheme to get more credit flowing in Britain's stagnant economy will be expanded to include specialist lenders and will run for a year longer than planned, the Sunday Telegraph newspaper reported. The Bank of England and the Treasury have been working o
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Late 20th century was warmest in 1,400 years

Late 20th century was warmest in 1,400 years

Earth was cooling until the end of the 19th century and a hundred years later, the planet's surface was on average warmer than at any time in the previous 1,400 years, according to climate records presented on Sunday. In a study spanning two millennia pub
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
North Korea moves two more missile launchers

North Korea moves two more missile launchers

North Korea has moved two short-range missile launchers to its east coast, apparently indicating it is pushing ahead with preparations for a test launch, a South Korean news agency reported on Sunday. South Korea and its allies have been expecting some so
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Futures spreads down by 351 basis points

Futures spreads down by 351 basis points

The futures spreads decreased by 351 basis points during the outgoing week to 5.86 percent while the trading activities on the futures counter witnessed positive trend as average daily volumes remained up by 45.4 percent to 17.50 million shares. Similarly
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Futures spreads down by 351 basis points

Futures spreads down by 351 basis points

The futures spreads decreased by 351 basis points during the outgoing week to 5.86 percent while the trading activities on the futures counter witnessed positive trend as average daily volumes remained up by 45.4 percent to 17.50 million shares. Similarly
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Futures spreads down by 351 basis points

Futures spreads down by 351 basis points

The futures spreads decreased by 351 basis points during the outgoing week to 5.86 percent while the trading activities on the futures counter witnessed positive trend as average daily volumes remained up by 45.4 percent to 17.50 million shares. Similarly
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Futures spreads down by 351 basis points

Futures spreads down by 351 basis points

The futures spreads decreased by 351 basis points during the outgoing week to 5.86 percent while the trading activities on the futures counter witnessed positive trend as average daily volumes remained up by 45.4 percent to 17.50 million shares. Similarly
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
KSE witnesses mixed trading

KSE witnesses mixed trading

Amid volatility in global equity markets and commodity prices, Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) witnessed a mixed week. However, the local bourse showed a resilient mood in last three sessions. The KSE-100 share index closed at 18,631.21 against 18,714.28 poi
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
KSE witnesses mixed trading

KSE witnesses mixed trading

Amid volatility in global equity markets and commodity prices, Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) witnessed a mixed week. However, the local bourse showed a resilient mood in last three sessions. The KSE-100 share index closed at 18,631.21 against 18,714.28 poi
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
KSE witnesses mixed trading

KSE witnesses mixed trading

Amid volatility in global equity markets and commodity prices, Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) witnessed a mixed week. However, the local bourse showed a resilient mood in last three sessions. The KSE-100 share index closed at 18,631.21 against 18,714.28 poi
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
US team, Kayani discuss Afghanistan

US team, Kayani discuss Afghanistan

A US delegation called on Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani here on Sunday and discussed matters of mutual interest with particular focus on Afghanistan.
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
US team, Kayani discuss Afghanistan

US team, Kayani discuss Afghanistan

A US delegation called on Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani here on Sunday and discussed matters of mutual interest with particular focus on Afghanistan.
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Expired CNIC holders can cast vote

Expired CNIC holders can cast vote

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has allowed people having expired Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs) to cast their votes in the upcoming general election. The commission said on Sunday that those people whose CNICs had been expired wer
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Expired CNIC holders can cast vote

Expired CNIC holders can cast vote

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has allowed people having expired Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs) to cast their votes in the upcoming general election. The commission said on Sunday that those people whose CNICs had been expired wer
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
CJ reiterates commitment towards polls

CJ reiterates commitment towards polls

Indepen-dent judiciary is playing a pivotal role in eradicating oppression and injustices because of which a democratically-elected government had completed its five-year term, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said on Sunday.
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
CJ reiterates commitment towards polls

CJ reiterates commitment towards polls

Indepen-dent judiciary is playing a pivotal role in eradicating oppression and injustices because of which a democratically-elected government had completed its five-year term, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said on Sunday.
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Election Outlook-V: Musharraf and his circumstances

Election Outlook-V: Musharraf and his circumstances

"It's not Musharraf, it's the judiciary that is on trial," shouts a visibly grief-stricken lawyer at the buffet table of one of the crowded elitist clubs of Pakistan at the weekend. This lawyer, who has represented Musharraf in one of his cases in recent
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Election Outlook-V: Musharraf and his circumstances

Election Outlook-V: Musharraf and his circumstances

"It's not Musharraf, it's the judiciary that is on trial," shouts a visibly grief-stricken lawyer at the buffet table of one of the crowded elitist clubs of Pakistan at the weekend. This lawyer, who has represented Musharraf in one of his cases in recent
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
THE RUPEE: rates under pressure

THE RUPEE: rates under pressure

The rupee came under pressure against the dollar however it managed to shed some losses versus the euro during the week, ended on April 20. On the interbank, the national currency shed four paisa in relation to the dollar for buying and selling at Rs 98.3
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
THE RUPEE: rates under pressure

THE RUPEE: rates under pressure

The rupee came under pressure against the dollar however it managed to shed some losses versus the euro during the week, ended on April 20. On the interbank, the national currency shed four paisa in relation to the dollar for buying and selling at Rs 98.3
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Four soldiers killed in roadside bombing

Four soldiers killed in roadside bombing

A roadside bomb targeting a military convoy on Sunday killed four army soldiers and wounded four more in a north-western tribal area near the Afghan border, officials said. The blast was triggered by remote control in Mirali town in North Waziristan triba
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Four soldiers killed in roadside bombing

Four soldiers killed in roadside bombing

A roadside bomb targeting a military convoy on Sunday killed four army soldiers and wounded four more in a north-western tribal area near the Afghan border, officials said. The blast was triggered by remote control in Mirali town in North Waziristan triba
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
West Bank holds first ever marathon

West Bank holds first ever marathon

Some 650 runners ran in the West Bank's first ever marathon Sunday. The first internationally recognised Palestine Marathon set off from the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and led through the hilly streets of and birthplace of Jesus. Most runners wer
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
The Weather

The Weather

The weather report on Sunday (April 21, 2013) and the forecast for Monday (April 22, 2013).

Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Your rupee last week

Your rupee last week

Following currency fluctuations took place in foreign exchange rates during the last week. (April 15 to April 19, 2013).

Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Power outages impact cotton market as trading remains lackluster

Power outages impact cotton market as trading remains lackluster

Cotton: Trading activity on the cotton market remained lackluster this week as power outages in Punjab paralysed much of the industry. With millers continuing to remain on the sidelines, the official spot rate of ex-gin grade three cotton has subse
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Iqbal's 75th death anniversary observed

Iqbal's 75th death anniversary observed

The 75th death anniversary of Allama Dr Mohammad Iqbal, revered as Muffakir-e-Pakistan, Shair-e-Mashriq and Hakeemul Ummat, was observed with solemnity all over Pakistan on Sunday to pay homage to the philosopher who gave the idea of a separate homeland f
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
ECP withdraws blank column proposal in ballot paper

ECP withdraws blank column proposal in ballot paper

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has formally withdrawn its proposal of introducing 'none of the above' (blank) column in the ballot papers for the upcoming elections. ECP official Khurshid Alam, talking to APP on Sunday, said that the ballot pap
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
No wrangling on announcement of MQM candidates: Altaf

No wrangling on announcement of MQM candidates: Altaf

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief, Altaf Hussain, has said that the MQM is the only party in the country that has the distinction of announcing names of election candidates from all over Pakistan in one day and at one place. He said this while talking
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Domestic tourism needed to attract foreign tourists: President STFP

Domestic tourism needed to attract foreign tourists: President STFP

Aftab-ur-Rehman Rana is the President of Sustainable Tourism Foundation Pakistan (STFP), Islamabad. Rana is a renowned tourism professional, and for the past six years, he is working for the USAID as a Tourism Development Specialist, on the project of Liv
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Domestic tourism needed to attract foreign tourists: President STFP

Domestic tourism needed to attract foreign tourists: President STFP

Aftab-ur-Rehman Rana is the President of Sustainable Tourism Foundation Pakistan (STFP), Islamabad. Rana is a renowned tourism professional, and for the past six years, he is working for the USAID as a Tourism Development Specialist, on the project of Liv
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Energy prospects for Pakistan

Energy prospects for Pakistan

Access to reliable, affordable and uninterrupted electric power and other forms of energy is the key to economic growth and welfare of any society. Studies by International Energy Agency and other international organisations have shown strong correlations
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
SECP needs a chief to restore its integrity

SECP needs a chief to restore its integrity

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) - in the aftermath of the unceremonious removal of its erstwhile chairman Mohammad Ali Ghulam Mohammad on orders of the Supreme Court of Pakistan after the apex court ruled his appointment in confl
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
PPP's strategy to retain power

PPP's strategy to retain power

Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) 2013 election strategy is distinct from its own past strategies as well as those being employed by other political parties.
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Of IMF and things to come

Of IMF and things to come

There is no use in avoiding the obvious - it is best that we as a nation reconcile ourselves to the fact that another IMF programme is inevitable. If there are still people who want to deny the obvious I only refer to our precarious balance of payments po
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Lal Masjid tragedy: any lessons learnt?

Lal Masjid tragedy: any lessons learnt?

Some of the mystery surrounding the Lal Masjid tragedy is about to be unravelled. On Thursday, the Supreme Court ordered that the report of the one-man commission it had constituted last December to investigate the army operation - in which a large but un
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Will polls insulate us against dark future?

Will polls insulate us against dark future?

There was very little new the Minister of Water and Power, Musadik Malik, proposed in his presentation to the Federal Cabinet. His Caretaker Cabinet colleagues - new to the job - may have been astonished but we are not. For last five years: there has been
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Low turnout for ICoast local polls amid opposition boycott

Low turnout for ICoast local polls amid opposition boycott

Ivorians turned out in low numbers for local elections Sunday seen as a test for stability in the west African nation amid high tensions in the face of a boycott by former president Laurent Gbagbo's party.
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Italy's Grillo denounces party deal making over president

Italy's Grillo denounces party deal making over president

The leader of Italy's anti-establishment 5-Star Movement, Beppe Grillo, on Sunday criticised the re-election of President Giorgio Napolitano as a desperate attempt to retain power by a discredited establishment. The euro zone's third largest economy is st
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Merkel party loses support after female hiring quota dispute: poll

Merkel party loses support after female hiring quota dispute: poll

Support for German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives has fallen by 2 percentage points to 39 percent after a dispute over quotas requiring companies to hire more women executives, an opinion poll published on Sunday showed.
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Yemen drone strike kills two suspected militants

Yemen drone strike kills two suspected militants

Two suspected members of al Qaeda were killed on Sunday in a US drone strike on a site used for training members of the Islamist network in central Yemen's Marib province, a security official told Reuters. The official said the strike was carried out at d
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Russia's Usmanov knocks steel boss Mittal off top of rich list

Russia's Usmanov knocks steel boss Mittal off top of rich list

Russian businessman Alisher Usmanov has knocked Lakshmi Mittal off the top of this year's Sunday Times Rich List with a jump in his fortune to 13.3 billion pounds ($20.3 billion) after a tough year for the Indian steel magnate.
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Paraguay votes for president in bid to end crisis

Paraguay votes for president in bid to end crisis

Voters in Paraguay cast ballots on Sunday to choose a new leader and try to turn the page on a political crisis that saw the impeachment of leftist president Fernando Lugo ten months ago. Polls show the two leading candidates are conservative tobacco baro
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Smart meters can help reduce energy crisis: IWCCI

Smart meters can help reduce energy crisis: IWCCI

The Islamabad Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI) on Sunday asked electricity and gas companies to consider adopting smart meter technology to discourage wastage, reduce loadshedding and operational costs and ensure profit.
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
International moot on biotechnology begins from today

International moot on biotechnology begins from today

An international conference on 'Biotechnology: Prospects and Challenges in Agriculture, Industry, Health and Environment' will be organised from April 22 to 26, at National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE).
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
'Lok Mela help promote national integration, harmony'

'Lok Mela help promote national integration, harmony'

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Caretaker Minister for Information and Culture, Ms. Mossarat Qadeem said that holding of national level cultural programmes like National Lok Mela is the need of the hour for promotion of national integration and provincial harmony.
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
MSF for sparing health structures, services from violence

MSF for sparing health structures, services from violence

An international non-governmental organisation, Medicines Sans Frontiers (MSF), has called for sparing medical structure and patients from the violence. MSF, which is working in Bajaur, the area borders Afghanistan, called for respect and safety and secur
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
One more body recovered from Gayari

One more body recovered from Gayari

The body of one more martyred was recovered from Gayari on Sunday, bringing the total number of bodies recovered so far to 122. This was the first body to be recovered after resumption of search operation at Gayari.
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
NAB approaches provincial government to arrest power defaulters

NAB approaches provincial government to arrest power defaulters

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has approached the provincial governments to seek police co-operation for possible arrests of electricity bills defaulters. NAB is also planning to freeze assets of the accused persons after expiry of deadline, say
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Pak Robotics team leaves for US on April 23

Pak Robotics team leaves for US on April 23

Pakistan Robotics team will leave for the United States on Tuesday to participate in the 1st Lego League international Robotics competition to be held on April 24. The National Robotics Champions team will be the first ever Pakistani Team to participate i
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Pesco recovers Rs 4.6 million from 21 defaulters

Pesco recovers Rs 4.6 million from 21 defaulters

Peshawar Electricity Supply Company (Pesco) recovered Rs 4.6 million from 21 industrial, commercial and domestic defaulter consumers of Khyber, Mardan, Bannu and Hazara Circles during recovery campaign.
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Pakistan left with two options, IMF loan or economic collapse: PEW

Pakistan left with two options, IMF loan or economic collapse: PEW

The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Sunday expressed grave concern over deteriorating economy saying that interim set-up lacks focus on economy. Lack of serious attitude towards economy on the part of former government has left country with two options, s
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Cases processed by RTOs: FBR blocks refund payment orders

Cases processed by RTOs: FBR blocks refund payment orders

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has blocked genuine refund payment orders (RPOs) despite processing and clearance of genuine refund claims by the Regional Tax Offices (RTOs) for the last many months causing severe liquidity crunch for manufacturers/exp
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Experts probe human-to-human spread of China bird flu

Experts probe human-to-human spread of China bird flu

Experts from the UN's health agency are examining whether the H7N9 bird flu virus is spreading among humans, after a cluster of cases among relatives, but downplayed fears of a pandemic on April 19. "What we don't know is the size of the iceberg under thi
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Vibrating fork to combat obesity makes its debut

Vibrating fork to combat obesity makes its debut

An electronic fork that vibrates when you eat too fast went on sale on April 17 on Kick-starter, with its French inventors claiming it can help combat obesity and digestive issues. Those who contribute at least $89 on the crowd funding website will get a
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Astronomers find most Earth-like planets yet

Astronomers find most Earth-like planets yet

Using a potent NASA space telescope to scan the skies for planets like ours where life might exist, astronomers said on April 18 they have found the most Earth-like candidates yet. Two of the five planets orbiting a sun-like star called Kepler-62 are squa
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Tiny fish offers big hopes in genome research

Tiny fish offers big hopes in genome research

One of the world's most popular aquarium fishes on April 17 joined the rat, the mouse, fruitfly and nematode worm in the roll call of creatures whose DNA has been sequenced to help fight disease among humans. A consortium of researchers unveiled the genom
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Mum, dad equally good at recognising baby's cry

Mum, dad equally good at recognising baby's cry

French researchers on April 16 dealt a blow to folklore that says mothers are better than fathers in recognising their baby's cry. The "maternal instinct" notion gained scientific backing more than three decades ago through two experiments, one of which f
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Antarctic summer ice melting 10 times faster

Antarctic summer ice melting 10 times faster

Summer ice in the Antarctic is melting 10 times quicker than it was 600 years ago, with the most rapid melt occurring in the last 50 years, a joint Australian-British study showed on April 15. A research team from the Australian National University and th
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
App developers hit hurdles on way to gold rush

App developers hit hurdles on way to gold rush

More than 80 billion apps are likely to be downloaded this year, accompanied by stories of the occasional developer who sells his app for millions. But not every app is so successful and most app developers have to work hard to stay on top of things.
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Yahoo China to end email service: media

Yahoo China to end email service: media

Yahoo's China arm will shut down its email service later this year, state media reported April 19, in a move illustrating the brand's diminishing profile in the country. Yahoo China announced it will close its email service by August 19, a move the China
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Google superfast Internet service spreading to Utah

Google superfast Internet service spreading to Utah

Google said on April 17 that its experimental high-speed Internet service is setting its sights on the Utah city of Provo. Provo is slated to be the third US city to get Google Fiber service that promises to move data at a blazing gigabyte-per-second, acc
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Microsoft ending support for Windows XP

Microsoft ending support for Windows XP

Microsoft has announced that it is ending support for the Windows XP operating system on April 8, 2014. Germany's Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) advises XP users to update to a newer version of Windows or an alternative like Linux by that d
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
One billion Android phones in use in nine months seen

One billion Android phones in use in nine months seen

Google Inc Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt predicted on April 16 that there will be more than a billion smartphones in use featuring its Android software within the next six to nine months. Schmidt also noted that Google had no intention of blocking acces
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Facebook Home features spread to iPhones

Facebook Home features spread to iPhones

Facebook said on April 16 that features from its new Home software for Android-powered smartphones will begin spreading this week to Apple's popular iPhones. "Home was about our ability to demonstrate what you can do when you own the whole experience," Fa
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
HP aims at revolutionising computers with motion-control technology

HP aims at revolutionising computers with motion-control technology

Computers controlled by a swipe of the hand - a staple of science fiction flicks like "Minority Report" - could soon hit the mass market as the result of a new deal between Hewlett-Packard Co and a San Francisco start-up called Leap Motion.
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Twitter to mine people's tweets to target ads

Twitter to mine people's tweets to target ads

Twitter on April 17 began to allow ads to be targeted at users based on the words written in 'tweets' and messages forwarded to followers at the popular social network. Previously, contents of Twitter messages relied on algorithms that pool the interests
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
LinkedIn to test smartphone ads in new mobile apps

LinkedIn to test smartphone ads in new mobile apps

LinkedIn Corp on April 17 introduced revamped mobile apps that give greater prominence to the stream of information shared by members of the professional social network and will for the first time allow the company to show ads to smartphone users.
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Danish palace launches mobile telephone app

Danish palace launches mobile telephone app

Although Danish Queen Margrethe II might not personally use a mobile phone, the royal palace said Monday it was due to release a free app for people interested in keeping track of the royal family's official events. In addition to getting updated news fro
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Medium-sized mobiles popular among users

Medium-sized mobiles popular among users

Smartphones with especially large or small screens are not nearly as popular among users as those with medium-size screens when it comes to surfing and using apps, according to research by US Company Flurry. The company analysed data from millions of smar
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
L'Oreal first quarter sales slightly beat forecasts

L'Oreal first quarter sales slightly beat forecasts

L'Oreal reported slightly higher than expected first-quarter sales, driven by solid demand for its mass market and luxury products in North America, China and the Gulf states.
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
L'Oreal first quarter sales slightly beat forecasts

L'Oreal first quarter sales slightly beat forecasts

L'Oreal reported slightly higher than expected first-quarter sales, driven by solid demand for its mass market and luxury products in North America, China and the Gulf states.
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Bosch sales subdued by stagnant Europe

Bosch sales subdued by stagnant Europe

Germany's Bosch, one of the world's biggest auto parts suppliers, said sales were subdued in the first quarter, reflecting a stagnant European economy. Bosch repeated on April 18 that it would not reach its 8 percent operating margin target this year - th
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Bosch sales subdued by stagnant Europe

Bosch sales subdued by stagnant Europe

Germany's Bosch, one of the world's biggest auto parts suppliers, said sales were subdued in the first quarter, reflecting a stagnant European economy. Bosch repeated on April 18 that it would not reach its 8 percent operating margin target this year - th
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am
Chinese bank ICBC tops Forbes Global 2000 list

Chinese bank ICBC tops Forbes Global 2000 list

Chinese bank ICBC knocked US oil giant ExxonMobil from its perch as the world's biggest public company on April 17, ranking number-one for the first time on the Forbes Global 2000 list. Underscoring the power move by Chinese companies to top global rankin
Published 22 Apr, 2013 12:00am