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Print - 2013-05-02
The Weather

The Weather

The weather report on Wednesday (May 01, 2013) and the forecast for Wednesday (May 02, 2013).

Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Pakistan Mercantile Exchange - PMEX

Pakistan Mercantile Exchange - PMEX

Pakistan Mercantile Exchange - PMEX (Formerly National Commodity Exchange Limited - NCEL) Trading Summary on Wednesday (May 01, 2013).

Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Shipping Intelligence

Shipping Intelligence

Karachi Shipping Intelligence report incorporating changes till 7 am on Wednesday (May 01, 2013).

Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Shipping Intelligence

Shipping Intelligence

Karachi Shipping Intelligence report incorporating changes till 7 am on Wednesday (May 01, 2013).

Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Closing of sterling rates

Closing of sterling rates

Closing of sterling rates at 1730 GMT - on Wednesday (May 01, 2013).

Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
New York cotton

New York cotton

Wednesday's closing prices of New York cotton in US cents/lb.

Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
New York cotton

New York cotton

Wednesday's closing prices of New York cotton in US cents/lb.

Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Indian gold futures ease on strong rupee

Indian gold futures ease on strong rupee

Indian gold futures eased on Tuesday due to a stronger rupee amid steady overseas markets, while physical traders stayed on the sidelines seeking bigger falls as they prepare to stock for a key festival next month. India, the world's biggest buyer of the
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
US Midwest soya bids higher

US Midwest soya bids higher

Soyabean spot basis bids were steady to sharply higher at processors and elevators around the US Midwest on Tuesday as a spike in farmer sales in recent days failed to satisfy red-hot demand from crushers of the oilseed, dealers said. Soya bids are the hi
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
US wheat futures rise sharply

US wheat futures rise sharply

US wheat futures rose sharply for the second straight day on Tuesday on worries that the winter wheat crop will fall short of expectations due to weather woes, traders said. MGEX spring wheat hit its highest level since February 8 on worries about plantin
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Indian sugar futures steady

Indian sugar futures steady

Indian sugar futures were treading water on Tuesday as a slight improvement in demand due to the summer season outweighed ample supplies and a drop in overseas prices. The key June contract on India's National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange was down 0
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
EU rapeseed crop to reach three-year high: Oil World

EU rapeseed crop to reach three-year high: Oil World

The European Union will harvest 20.2 million tonnes of rapeseed in summer 2013, a three-year high and up from 19.24 million tonnes in 2012, Hamburg-based oilseeds analysts Oil World said on Tuesday. "Successful winter crop plantings and only limited winte
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Kenyan tea prices down

Kenyan tea prices down

The average price of Kenya's top grade Broken Pekoe Ones tea slipped to $3.38 per kg at auction from $3.43 at the previous sale, leading trader Africa Tea Brokers (ATB) said on Tuesday. The east African economy is the world's leading exporter of black tea
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
US corn offers firm

US corn offers firm

Corn export premiums at the US Gulf Coast were steady to firm on Tuesday amid tight old-crop US stocks and light demand from routine buyers, traders said. A surge in corn futures prices on Monday chilled buying interest, but traders said regular importers
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Ivory Coast cocoa growing conditions good

Ivory Coast cocoa growing conditions good

Most of Ivory Coast's main cocoa growing regions saw a healthy mix of rainfall and sunshine last week, but small bean size and poor quality remained a major concern in several areas, farmers said on Tuesday. Harvesting of the April-to-September mid-crop i
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Black Sea wheat exporters keep shipping despite thin stocks

Black Sea wheat exporters keep shipping despite thin stocks

Black Sea wheat producers have enough in stock to keep some exports flowing for the last two months of the season, keeping pressure on the world market which had all but written them off. Ukraine and Russia have almost exhausted their exportable surplus f
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Activity at Karachi and Qasim ports

Activity at Karachi and Qasim ports

The Karachi Port handled 44,230 tonnes of cargo comprising 23,638 tonnes of import cargo and 20,592 tonnes of export cargo including 2,817 loaded and empty containers during the last 24 hours ended at 0700 hours on Wednesday. The total import cargo of 23,
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Canadian canola futures fall

Canadian canola futures fall

ICE Canadian canola futures slipped on Tuesday with soybeans, but registered their fourth monthly gain in five months. Some profit-taking seen after nearby canola registered a 1.7 percent gain in April. Tight Canadian supplies underpinned canola, with dry
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Bangladesh tea prices rise

Bangladesh tea prices rise

Tea prices in Bangladesh surged at the first auction of the new season on Tuesday on robust demand from local buyers for good quality crop, brokers said. The average price of Bangladeshi tea rose to 279.91 taka ($3.6) per kg against 164.56 taka in the las
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Kenya's top grade coffee price falls

Kenya's top grade coffee price falls

The top price of Kenya's benchmark coffee grade AA dropped to $318 per 50-kg bag at auction from $433 per bag at last week's sale, the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) said on Tuesday. Although Kenya is a relatively small producer, its high quality beans are
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
US Plains HRW wheat bids steady

US Plains HRW wheat bids steady

Cash bids for hard red winter wheat were steady in the US Plains on Tuesday as production potential for the new crop looked poor, according to a new condition report from the government. The US Department of Agriculture said Monday afternoon that 33 perce
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Facebook and banks ask US judge to throw out IPO lawsuit

Facebook and banks ask US judge to throw out IPO lawsuit

Facebook Inc, its Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg and dozens of banks asked a federal judge to throw out a lawsuit accusing the social media company of misleading investors about its financial condition before its $16 billion initial public offering a yea
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Kuwait plans high public service charges for expatriates

Kuwait plans high public service charges for expatriates

Kuwait plans to increase service charges on foreigners, media reports said Wednesday, triggering the ire of the main labour union which also blasted the government for deporting hundreds of expatriates. State Minister for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Mohammad A
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
IBM unveils 'world's smallest movie' using atoms

IBM unveils 'world's smallest movie' using atoms

IBM scientists Wednesday unveiled what they called "the world's smallest movie," which tracks the movement of atoms magnified 100 million times. The film, "A Boy and His Atom," depicts a character named Atom who befriends a single atom and follows him on
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Eurozone rescue fund nears capital target

Eurozone rescue fund nears capital target

A massive rescue fund created to ward off further crisis in the eurozone has reached more than half its capital target and is on pace to become the world's richest financial institution, the European Stability Mechanism said in a statement on Wednesday. "
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Eurozone rescue fund nears capital target

Eurozone rescue fund nears capital target

A massive rescue fund created to ward off further crisis in the eurozone has reached more than half its capital target and is on pace to become the world's richest financial institution, the European Stability Mechanism said in a statement on Wednesday. "
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Lufthansa, workers' union settle pay dispute

Lufthansa, workers' union settle pay dispute

German trade union Verdi has agreed a pay deal with Lufthansa for 33,000 cabin crew and ground staff across the airline group, it said on Wednesday, averting another round of strikes that the union had threatened. Employees of Lufthansa Systems, Lufthansa
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Apple raises record $17 billion in bond sale

Apple raises record $17 billion in bond sale

Technology giant Apple confirmed Wednesday it sold $17 billion in bonds in the biggest corporate debt issue ever. The bond sale, described in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, broke the record of $16.5 billion from Roche Holding
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Apple raises record $17 billion in bond sale

Apple raises record $17 billion in bond sale

Technology giant Apple confirmed Wednesday it sold $17 billion in bonds in the biggest corporate debt issue ever. The bond sale, described in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, broke the record of $16.5 billion from Roche Holding
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
France, Italy join hands over eurozone crisis

France, Italy join hands over eurozone crisis

France and Italy presented a united front Wednesday on the eurozone debt crisis amid deepening divisions over belt-tightening policies in the European Union as some countries reach breaking point. French President Francois Hollande met Italy's brand new P
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Credit Suisse names European investment banking co-heads

Credit Suisse names European investment banking co-heads

Credit Suisse named Marisa Drew and Ewen Stevenson to jointly lead its European investment banking business, following the departure of Jamie Welch to a client. Drew and Stevenson will continue in their current roles as head of the bank's global market so
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Nasdaq says small firms should be able to trade on single venue

Nasdaq says small firms should be able to trade on single venue

Exchange operator Nasdaq OMX Group wants small and emerging companies listing shares on the public markets to be allowed to choose to be traded only on the venue where they are listed so buyers and sellers have an easier time connecting. Nasdaq CEO Robert
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
UK trudges towards recovery as manufacturing improves

UK trudges towards recovery as manufacturing improves

British manufacturing almost returned to growth in April and house prices showed their biggest annual rise in more than a year, suggesting that a slow economic recovery is on its way. A senior central banker made a similar assessment of the economy, sayin
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
China's factory PMI raises doubts about economy's strength

China's factory PMI raises doubts about economy's strength

Growth in China's manufacturing sector unexpectedly slowed in April as new export orders fell, raising fresh doubts about the strength of the economy after a disappointing first quarter. The official purchasing managers' index (PMI) fell to 50.6 in April
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
US companies hire less, manufacturing growth slows

US companies hire less, manufacturing growth slows

US companies hired the fewest employees in seven months in April while manufacturing growth slowed to a crawl, suggesting the economy has run into a soft patch as budget-cutting in Washington starts to bite. Businesses added 119,000 employees to payrolls
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
TSX drops more than one percent

TSX drops more than one percent

Canada's main stock index fell more than 1 percent on Wednesday as weak economic data from China and falling commodity prices fuelled sharp falls in shares of materials and energy companies. The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index was down 13
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Australian shares end lower

Australian shares end lower

Australian shares slipped 0.5 percent on Wednesday as disappointing Chinese manufacturing data and weak metal prices weighed on miners, but trading was subdued as many investors took to the sidelines ahead of the Federal Reserve meeting result. Global min
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
S&P 500 ends at another record high on Apple, economic data

S&P 500 ends at another record high on Apple, economic data

US stocks rose moderately on Tuesday, with the S&P 500 ending at another all-time closing high on a jump in Apple and encouraging economic data. The benchmark index hit a new intraday high in the last minutes of trading, following a session that was large
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Bonds steady as refunding, central banks in focus

Bonds steady as refunding, central banks in focus

The US Treasury's quarterly refunding statement on Wednesday will be the first in a cluster of highly anticipated releases this week, as investors question where further cuts in Treasuries issuance will come as the government heads into another round of n
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Bonds steady as refunding, central banks in focus

Bonds steady as refunding, central banks in focus

The US Treasury's quarterly refunding statement on Wednesday will be the first in a cluster of highly anticipated releases this week, as investors question where further cuts in Treasuries issuance will come as the government heads into another round of n
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Most markets closed

Most markets closed

Markets in China, Hong Kong, South Korea, India, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan and Singapore were all closed on Wednesday for the May Day holiday. European bourses were also shut for the May Day public holiday. Trading will resume on Thursda
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Jakarta bourse rallies

Jakarta bourse rallies

Southeast Asian stock markets were closed on Wednesday due to the May Day holiday, except the Indonesian market, which closed 0.53 percent higher after real estate companies reported higher-than-expected first-quarter results. The Jakarta Composite Index
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Dubai bourse shrugs off soft Emaar earnings

Dubai bourse shrugs off soft Emaar earnings

Dubai heavyweight Emaar Properties fell on Wednesday after reporting a drop in quarterly profit on rising costs, but the overall market recovered from an early slide, suggesting investors' underlying optimism had not changed. Property developer Emaar repo
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Nikkei average slips for third straight day

Nikkei average slips for third straight day

Japan's Nikkei average fell on Wednesday after posting its best April performance in 20 years, with Sharp Corp and semiconductor equipment maker Tokyo Electron Ltd tumbling on disappointing earnings news. Gains in Fujifilm Holdings Corp and Kao Corp after
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Banks help FTSE higher on ECB rate cut expectations

Banks help FTSE higher on ECB rate cut expectations

Britain's leading share index ended higher in thin trade on Wednesday as heavily weighted bank shares rose on hopes of monetary easing in Europe, although it pared gains after weaker-than-expected US data. The FTSE 100 closed up 21.17 points, or 0.3 perce
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Australian, New Zealand dollars stall in holiday trade

Australian, New Zealand dollars stall in holiday trade

The Australian and New Zealand dollars held their ground in subdued trade on Wednesday as most of Asia was shut for a holiday, even after Chinese data added to signs of cooling growth in the world's second biggest economy.
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
First Australian banknote set to fetch $3.6 million

First Australian banknote set to fetch $3.6 million

Australia's first banknote, printed 100 years ago and found in a letter in England in 1999, has gone on sale for Aus$3.5 million (US $3.6 million), auctioneers said Wednesday. The 10 shilling note, with the serial number M000001, was issued on May 1, 1913
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Dollar near two-month low against basket of currencies

Dollar near two-month low against basket of currencies

The dollar languished near a two-month low against a basket of currencies on Wednesday as investors wagered the US central bank will recommit to its aggressive stimulus programme, or even possibly expand it. The dollar index was at 81.726, after having fa
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Dollar falls versus basket of currencies in London

Dollar falls versus basket of currencies in London

Expectations the US Federal Reserve will stick to its aggressive stimulus programme pushed the dollar to a two-month low against a basket of currencies on Wednesday. The dollar index, which measures the US currency's value against a basket of currencies,
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Early trade in New York: dollar falls to two-month low

Early trade in New York: dollar falls to two-month low

The US dollar fell to a two-month low against major currencies on Wednesday after weaker-than-expected US economic reports reinforced expectations the Federal Reserve will maintain its stimulative monetary policy. The Fed ends its two-day policy meeting l
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Dollar drops to two-month low in New York

Dollar drops to two-month low in New York

The dollar fell to its lowest level against a basket of currencies in two months on Tuesday as a deluge of US data had investors discounting any pullback in the Federal Reserve's easy money policy any time soon. Investors pared positions in favour of the
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Yen may hit 105 versus dollar in coming months

Yen may hit 105 versus dollar in coming months

The yen looks set to fall further and could hit 105 versus the dollar, although it is unlikely to drop as smoothly as it has done so far, a portfolio manager for FX trading fund Rhicon Currency Management said. "A move to say, sort of 105 or thereabouts,
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
ECB rate cut may limit money market appeal

ECB rate cut may limit money market appeal

An ECB rate cut this week would limit moves in the money market in future but may also prevent borderline healthy banks returning to the market and dull its appeal for others. While the European Central Bank is widely expected to cut its main interest rat
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Sterling hits 2-1/2 months high against dollar

Sterling hits 2-1/2 months high against dollar

Sterling rose to a 2-1/2 month high against the dollar on Wednesday after data showed British manufacturing contracted less than expected, reducing the chance of more stimulus from the Bank of England. By contrast, the Federal Reserve is expected to maint
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Dortmund reach Champions League final

Dortmund reach Champions League final

Borussia Dortmund qualified for their second ever Champions League final on Tuesday, beating Real Madrid 4-3 on aggregate despite losing the second leg of their semi-final 2-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu. Needing a huge turnaround from the first leg last wee
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
No Caribbean Tests for Pakistan

No Caribbean Tests for Pakistan

Pakistan's tour of the West Indies this year will comprise five ODIs and two Twenty20 internationals but no Tests, because of the difficulty in finding a window for a full tour. "The Pakistan issue, it's fair to say that we haven't completely concluded ne
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Bailey gets vice-captain nod for Champions Trophy

Bailey gets vice-captain nod for Champions Trophy

George Bailey was Wednesday handed the vice-captaincy of Australia's squad for their defence of the Champions Trophy, while promising fast bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile won a call-up. The eight-nation tournament starts in England next month with Bailey getti
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Pakistan's former greats baffled by new batting coach

Pakistan's former greats baffled by new batting coach

Pakistan's appointment of Trent Woodhill as batting coach for next month's Champions Trophy has been met with bafflement, with former greats saying they had never even heard of the Australian. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Monday appointed the 42-year-
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Minnows Buriram make history for Thailand

Minnows Buriram make history for Thailand

Unheralded Buriram United made history as the first Thai team to reach the AFC Champions League last 16 after a thrilling night's action on Wednesday. The club from provincial Thailand missed a first-half penalty but then twice came back from a goal down
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Ferrer toughs it out to reach last eight

Ferrer toughs it out to reach last eight

Top seed David Ferrer had to dig deep to reach the quarter-finals at the ATP Portugal Open on Wednesday finally overcoming Frenchman Eduardo Roger-Vasselin 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. The 31-year-old Spaniard, who was beaten in his opening match at last week's Barcelo
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Sajjad, Abu Saim crash out from Asian Snooker

Sajjad, Abu Saim crash out from Asian Snooker

Pakistan's outing in the Jubilee Insurance 29th Asian Snooker Championship ended on Wednesday when Mohammad Sajjad and Abu Saim crashed out in the quarter-finals. Aamir Sarkosh (Iran), Omer Al Kojah (Syria), Saleh Muhammad (Afghanistan) and Zhao Xintong (
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Pakistan to fight on after Davis Cup appeal rejected

Pakistan to fight on after Davis Cup appeal rejected

Pakistan on Wednesday vowed to fight on after the tennis world governing body rejected their appeal over their forfeited Davis Cup tie against New Zealand. The International Tennis Federation (ITF) upheld the decision to award the match played in Yangon l
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Vote-buying, abuse claims overshadow Asian vote

Vote-buying, abuse claims overshadow Asian vote

Asia's troubled football body elects a new leader on Thursday after a bitter campaign dominated by claim and counter-claim of outside interference, and even allegations of human rights abuses. Two years after vote-buying accusations prompted the eventual
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Maria can cause major upset in Asian Squash Championship: coach

Maria can cause major upset in Asian Squash Championship: coach

Pakistan female squash star Maria Toorpakai's coach, Jonathon Power believes his pupil can cause major upset in the ongoing 17th Asian Squash Championship when she meets Low Wee Wern of Malaysia in the event. "She is a very talented player and capable of
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Afridi hopes for comeback

Afridi hopes for comeback

Struggling all-rounder Shahid Afridi vowed Wednesday to work hard to return to the Pakistan team after being axed from the 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy. "Being in and out is a one-off thing. It happens to every cricket player and I will soon stag
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Israel will not talk on basis of 1967 lines: minister

Israel will not talk on basis of 1967 lines: minister

Israel will keep refusing to negotiate on the basis of a total withdrawal from land it seized during the 1967 Six-Day War, a minister said Wednesday after the Arab League modified its peace plan. "If Israel agrees to come to the negotiating table while ac
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Turkmen president falls from horse

Turkmen president falls from horse

Turkmenistan's equestrian-mad President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov suffered a spectacular fall from his horse after a race, according to Internet videos, but state media in the isolated ex-Soviet state maintained a rigid silence on the incident.
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Turkish Airlines bans bright lipstick on hostesses

Turkish Airlines bans bright lipstick on hostesses

Turkish Airlines has banned air hostesses from wearing brightly-coloured lipsticks such as red or pink, a move which has sparked fierce debate as the government is accused of trying to Islamise the country, local media reported Wednesday. Numerous women p
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Cuba says US must shut Guantanamo, hand back base

Cuba says US must shut Guantanamo, hand back base

Cuba's foreign minister demanded Wednesday that Washington shut its controversial jail at Guantanamo Bay and return the long-held military base to Havana. The comments by Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva came a day after U
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Bolivia announces expulsion of USAID

Bolivia announces expulsion of USAID

President Evo Morales announced Wednesday the expulsion of USAID from Bolivia, accusing the US development agency of meddling in the country's internal affairs. In a fiery speech to workers on May Day, the leftist president of South America's poorest coun
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
UK government broke EU air quality law: judges

UK government broke EU air quality law: judges

British judges ruled on Wednesday that the UK government has breached European Union air quality law and asked the European Court of Justice (ECJ) for guidance on what action needs to be taken, delaying immediate improvements to air pollution. Britain's h
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Assad makes rare public visit for May Day

Assad makes rare public visit for May Day

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad made a rare public visit on Wednesday to an electrical plant in central Damascus to mark Labour Day, the presidency's official Facebook page said. "President Assad is now visiting the Umayyad electrical plant in Tishreen
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Putin hands 'Hero of Labour' awards to conductor, coalminer

Putin hands 'Hero of Labour' awards to conductor, coalminer

President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday handed out the first "Hero of Labour" awards to Russians since reviving the Soviet-era tradition this year, with recipients ranging from top conductor Valery Gergiev to a Siberian coalminer.
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
UN envoy criticises India for failing to protect women

UN envoy criticises India for failing to protect women

A UN special envoy on Wednesday faulted India's efforts to tackle discrimination and violence against women and urged the government to empower women and foster social change. Rashida Manjoo, UN special rapporteur on violence against women, was on a 10-da
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Afghan army to take lead role in all operations in two months

Afghan army to take lead role in all operations in two months

Afghanistan's army will take a lead role in operations across the country within the next two months as Nato-led international troops pull back, a Defence Ministry official said Wednesday. Zahir Azimi, a ministry spokesman, said: "The national army is rea
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Japan, Saudi Arabia condemn Syria regime 'grave' violations

Japan, Saudi Arabia condemn Syria regime 'grave' violations

Japan and Saudi Arabia condemned "grave" human rights violations by Syria's regime which they said has lost its "legitimacy", in a joint statement on Wednesday after a meeting of top officials. Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrived Tuesday in the Opec
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
460 people killed in bloody month for Iraq

460 people killed in bloody month for Iraq

Violence in Iraq rose sharply in April, killing 460 people, according to AFP figures, as May started off with attacks that left 13 people dead on Wednesday, including six police and four anti-Qaeda fighters. The majority of the April deaths came during a
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Thousands march in Rabat demanding jobs, pay rises

Thousands march in Rabat demanding jobs, pay rises

Thousands of people took to the streets of Rabat on Wednesday demanding jobs and pay rises, during May Day demonstrations marked by tensions, with a large security contingent deployed in the Moroccan capital. Several thousand people marched up the city's
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Cotton gains for fourth straight session

Cotton gains for fourth straight session

Cotton futures rose for a fourth straight session on Tuesday, in its longest string of daily gains since mid-March as concerns over planting delays and a weaker US dollar and strong financial markets supported fibre prices, dealers said. The most-active J
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Copper, nickel fall as US, China data boost demand worries

Copper, nickel fall as US, China data boost demand worries

Copper slid on Wednesday, extending its deepest monthly drop in almost a year in April, due to concerns over growth in top metal consumer China and in the United States after data suggested the world's two biggest economies remain fragile. Nickel touched
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Brent crude drops below $100 a barrel

Brent crude drops below $100 a barrel

Oil pared losses after falling more than $3 a barrel to settle below $100 a barrel on Wednesday as soft economic data from China darkened the outlook for global demand, and as US crude oil inventory rose to a record level. Brent crude futures fell $2.42 t
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Ship lineup to carry Brazilian sugar edges up

Ship lineup to carry Brazilian sugar edges up

Ships arriving and waiting to load Brazilian sugar from the 2013/14 crop that started crushing in the past weeks has increased to 30 vessels from 28 a week ago, shipping agents Williams Servicos Maritimos Ltda said on Tuesday. The flow of raw sugar due to
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Tokyo rubber futures fall over one percent

Tokyo rubber futures fall over one percent

Benchmark Tokyo rubber futures fell more than 1 percent on Wednesday, hurt by a stronger yen currency ahead of closely-watched central bank meetings, and caution over US economic data due this week that weighed on prices. Aggressive selling was curbed as
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Wheat jumps two percent

Wheat jumps two percent

US wheat surged 2 percent on Tuesday, with benchmark futures at the Kansas City Board of Trade climbing to the highest level in seven weeks on concerns scouts on an annual crop tour will find freeze-damaged fields in the top growing state of Kansas. Corn
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
ICE sugar drops after large delivery, cocoa soars

ICE sugar drops after large delivery, cocoa soars

Sugar futures on ICE fell on Wednesday after the exchange reported a larger-than-expected delivery on the May contract a day after it expired, while cocoa jumped to the highest since December on signs there could be less available beans in the near future
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Gold lower in New York

Gold lower in New York

Gold edged lower on Tuesday in volume as investors strong US home prices and consumer confidence data kept investors cautious before policy meetings at the US Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank later this week. Bullion investors took profits af
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Gold down in Asia

Gold down in Asia

Gold ticked lower on Wednesday on a lack of physical buying and as investors waited to see if the US Federal Reserve sticks to its stimulus programme to spur the economy, which may boost the metal's appeal as a hedge against inflation. Gold fell $1.89 an
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Gold falls in London

Gold falls in London

Gold fell on Wednesday as buying slowed down due to holidays in China and parts of Europe, and as investors waited to see if the US Federal Reserve would stick to its stimulus programme to spur the economy. The Fed's policy-making committee ends its meeti
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
US MIDDAY: soya plunges

US MIDDAY: soya plunges

US grains plunged early on Wednesday, with soyabean futures on pace for their worst daily losses in a month after data showed an unexpected slowdown in economic growth in top commodities importer China. Investors also locked in profits after big rallies i
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
US MIDDAY: gold slips

US MIDDAY: gold slips

Gold fell more than 2 percent on Wednesday, the biggest daily drop since its historic decline in mid-April, as investors sold off a range of commodities, and caution prevailed ahead of a policy statement by the Federal Reserve. Silver dropped 4 percent an
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
PEW expresses concern over receding gold, silver prices

PEW expresses concern over receding gold, silver prices

The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Wednesday expressed concern over receding gold and silver prices terming it a sign of shrinking economic activity on the global scale. Contracting economic activity is because of incoherent policies of western banks cau
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Nishat Power Limited

Nishat Power Limited

Nishat Power Limited is the third Independent Power Producer (IPP) which was incorporated as a public limited company in 2007 under the Power Policy 2002, after Attock and Atlas. The IPP is a subsidiary of Nishat Mills Limited of Nishat Groups.
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Nishat Power Limited

Nishat Power Limited

Nishat Power Limited is the third Independent Power Producer (IPP) which was incorporated as a public limited company in 2007 under the Power Policy 2002, after Attock and Atlas. The IPP is a subsidiary of Nishat Mills Limited of Nishat Groups.
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Loadshedding may increase if funds not provided: Pepco

Loadshedding may increase if funds not provided: Pepco

An increase in loadshedding is on the cards if the required funds for furnace oil and gas are not provided in next few days, said the Pepco sources. Currently the power outages stand at 12-14 hours in urban and 16-18 hours in rural areas. The system is ge
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Educated youths can change destiny of nation: Shahbaz

Educated youths can change destiny of nation: Shahbaz

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senior leader and Punjab's former Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said the PML-N believes that it is our youth which, if given proper education and skills, can change the destiny of the nation.
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
Multi-sectoral coordination stressed to deal with HIV/AIDS

Multi-sectoral coordination stressed to deal with HIV/AIDS

Health professionals and others have emphasised the need for multi-sectoral coordination among organisations, researchers and implementers for AIDS Control Programme to effectively deal with the HIV/AIDS. Speaking at a meeting of Punjab AIDS Control Progr
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am
WASA asked to introduce reforms

WASA asked to introduce reforms

Provincial Minister for Industry and Housing Arif Ejaz said on Wednesday that WASA needed to introduce reforms to improve its performance. He also said that a comprehensive strategy was also required to improve collection and generation system of the depa
Published 02 May, 2013 12:00am