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Print - 2014-12-29
The Weather

The Weather

The weather report on Sunday (December 28, 2014) and the forecast for Monday (December 29, 2014).

Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Your rupee last week

Your rupee last week

Following currency fluctuations took place in foreign exchange rates during the last week. (December 22 to 26, 2014).

Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
KP chief minister for reviewing policies regarding Afghan refugees

KP chief minister for reviewing policies regarding Afghan refugees

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak has said that it is the need of hour to review policies regarding Afghan refugees and foreign affairs to ensure protection and security in the country. In wake of Peshawar tragedy, deployment of sufficient
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Rashid greets new office-bearers of NPC & KPC

Rashid greets new office-bearers of NPC & KPC

Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Senator Pervaiz Rashid on Sunday congratulated Shahryar Khan and Fazil Jamili, newly- elected presidents of National Press Club Islamabad and Karachi Press Club, respectively. In his mes
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Key TTP commander held

Key TTP commander held

A key commander of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) was detained by security forces in Wazir Dand area of Khyber Agency on Sunday. According to official sources, the security forces and Khasadar force on a tip-off raided a suspected house in Wazir Dand an
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
BoP acquisition of core banking system

BoP acquisition of core banking system

The Bank of Punjab (BoP) published a Request for Proposal (RFP) under Punjab Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) Rules in March 2014. After a transparent bidding process in which local vendors representing the two top most Core Banking Systems in the
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
But what if they don't want to see

But what if they don't want to see

Recently, urged on by a particular reference while indulging in a favourite pastime, reading, searched and downloaded from the internet, a paper by Fredric Bastiat, apparently written in 1850 and titled, "That Which is Seen, and That Which is Not Seen". W
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Franco-German experience

Franco-German experience

The French government has given no formal authorisation to Electricite de France (EDF) to explore civil nuclear projects in Pakistan, so stated Francois Pupponi, French parliamentarian and chair of France-Pakistan Friendship group as Philippe Nauche, Chai
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
The IMF targets

The IMF targets

The IMF has just released the report on the fourth and fifth review of the EFF with Pakistan. This review also contains projections of the economic outcome in 2014-15. As demonstrated below, the projections are optimistic in nature and do not adequately r
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
BJP targeting Article 370

BJP targeting Article 370

The four-phase state assembly election in the Indian-held Kashmir has thrown up a hung house, setting off once again the game of musical chairs for the chief ministership. None of the contesting parties had expected an absolute majority in the 87-seast ch
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
C/A deficit challenge

C/A deficit challenge

According to the latest data released by the State Bank on 23rd December, 2014, current account (C/A) balance of the country posted a deficit of dollar 2.345 billion during July-November, 2014 which was higher by dollar 200 million or 9.0 percent than dol
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Islamic State executed nearly 2,000 people in six months

Islamic State executed nearly 2,000 people in six months

The Islamic State militant group has killed 1,878 people in Syria during the past six months, the majority of them civilians, a British-based Syrian monitoring organisation said on Sunday. Islamic State also killed 120 of its own members, most of them for
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Libya fighting destroys two days oil supply

Libya fighting destroys two days oil supply

A fire caused by fighting at one of Libya's main export terminals has destroyed more than two days of the country's oil production, officials said on Sunday, as clashes escalated between factions battling for control of the OPEC member nation.
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Floods in Malaysia and Thailand kill at least 24

Floods in Malaysia and Thailand kill at least 24

The worst flooding in Malaysia in more than a decade has killed 10 people and forced nearly 160,000 from their homes and more rain is expected, authorities said on Sunday. Among the casualties, five were in the worst-hit state of Kelantan, in north-easter
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Iranian general killed by sniper bullet in Iraq

Iranian general killed by sniper bullet in Iraq

A sniper killed an Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander who was training Iraqi troops and Shia militia fighting Islamic State (IS) militants in the Iraqi city of Samarra, official Iranian media reported on Sunday.
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Football hero George Weah in landslide Liberian Senate win

Football hero George Weah in landslide Liberian Senate win

Liberian opposition politician and former football star George Weah won a landslide victory in Senate elections in Ebola-ravaged Liberia, official results showed Sunday. Weah - who in 1995 became the first and only African yet to win the Ballon d'Or as Eu
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Hamas bars Gaza war orphans from Israel trip

Hamas bars Gaza war orphans from Israel trip

Hamas on Sunday prevented dozens of children orphaned during its 50-day war with Israel from entering Israeli territory in a pre-arranged trip, organisers and officials said. The week-long visit was planned for 37 children whose parents were killed by Isr
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Russian magazine editor faces 15 days in jail

Russian magazine editor faces 15 days in jail

The editor-in-chief of Russia's top opposition magazine, The New Times, has been accused of disobeying traffic police and faces up to 15 days in jail amid ever-shrinking tolerance for dissent. Writing on Twitter, Yevgenia Albats said a court would hear he
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Hong Kong confirms first case of deadly bird flu this winter

Hong Kong confirms first case of deadly bird flu this winter

A woman is critically ill in Hong Kong with the deadly H7N9 strain of bird flu, the first confirmed case in the city this winter, the Hong Kong government said. The woman, 68, was admitted to hospital on Thursday after falling ill on December 19, the Hong
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
In US-Cuba prisoner swap, mystery surrounds the unnamed 53

In US-Cuba prisoner swap, mystery surrounds the unnamed 53

Cuba's most prominent dissidents say they have been kept in the dark by US officials over a list of 53 political prisoners who will be released from jail as part of a deal to end decades of hostility between the United States and Cuba. For years, dissiden
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Croatian president, rival head for run-off after tight contest
Libor

Croatian president, rival head for run-off after tight contest

Croatia's President Ivo Josipovic and his conservative rival on Sunday headed for a January run-off following a tight first round vote in a country battling a severe economic crisis. Centre-left incumbent Josipovic and his main challenger Kolinda Grabar-K
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
KP CM directs probe into Timergara accident

KP CM directs probe into Timergara accident

KP Chief Minister Pervez Khattak has taken notice of the Timergara accident and directed district administration for conducting complete investigation for identifying the causes, responsible officials or organisations of the accident and presenting of rep
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
PPP accepted military courts due to serious security situation: Khurshid

PPP accepted military courts due to serious security situation: Khurshid

Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Syed Khurshid Shah has said that Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) though don't favour formation of military courts in country during rule of the democratic government but it accepted the decision in larger interes
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Improved Pak-Afghan relationship key to fight against Taliban: Aziz

Improved Pak-Afghan relationship key to fight against Taliban: Aziz

Pakistan says its anti-terrorism campaign is focused on all militant outfits operating in the country, without distinguishing between "good" and "bad" Taliban. Adviser on national security and foreign policy, Sartaj Aziz, in an interview tells VOA the pol
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Interviews for admission to MPhil today

Interviews for admission to MPhil today

The interviews of MPhil for admissions to six various disciplines at Area Study Centre (ASC) of Sindh University Jamshoro will be held on Monday (today) at about 9.30 am in the centre. According to Director of the centre Prof Dr Hamadullah Kakepoto, all t
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Vice Chancellor pledges to make SU distinguished institution in region

Vice Chancellor pledges to make SU distinguished institution in region

Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Imdad Ali Ismaili said on Sunday efforts were being made to make the Sindh University (SU) a distinguished institution in the region recognised for its global perspective and diverse and supportive learning environment, besides hav
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Rangers post to be set up in vicinity of DHA City

Rangers post to be set up in vicinity of DHA City

DHA's City Karachi's steering committee meeting, chaired by DHA Administrator, Brigadier Zubair Ahmed, has decided to establish a Rangers Post in the vicinity of DHA City for better security arrangements. The meeting held on Sunday reviewed the developmen
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
FPCCI polls today

FPCCI polls today

Annual elections of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) for the year 2015 will be held today (December 29). Polling will be held from 10am to 5pm. There will be election for the posts of FPCCI president, senior vice presidents
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Police kill two militants of banned outfit

Police kill two militants of banned outfit

Two alleged militants associated with a banned outfit were killed in a police encounter while in another incident two police constables were killed by unidentified armed men in the city, here on Sunday. According to police and rescue sources, two policeme
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
UoP extends winter vacations for three days

UoP extends winter vacations for three days

The University of Peshawar (UoP) and its affiliated institutions on Sunday extended the winter vacations for further three days according to revise scheduled the universities will be reopened on January 01, instead of December 29. According to spokesman o
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
B.Com exams begin today

B.Com exams begin today

Over 50,000 candidates will appear in the B Com (Regular) annual examinations beginning today, Karachi University's controller of examinations announced on Sunday. He said 32 examination centres for B Com Part-1 and Part-11, respectively, have been set up
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Karachi Timber Market inferno: JI demands judicial inquiry

Karachi Timber Market inferno: JI demands judicial inquiry

Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) leaders on Sunday visited the arson affected Timber Market and reviewed the estimated loss occurred by the fire. On the occasion, the JI leaders also met with the residents of Timber Market and ensure full assistance on behalf of the
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Two thirds of US women get wrong radiation for breast cancer: study

Two thirds of US women get wrong radiation for breast cancer: study

Two thirds of women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer in the United States get radiation for twice as long as recommended, researchers said the other day. The findings in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) showed that most women
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Pet reptiles pose risk to infants

Pet reptiles pose risk to infants

Owning exotic reptiles such as snakes, chameleons, iguanas and geckos could place infants at risk of salmonella infection, according to a British study published on Monday. Researchers in the south-western English county of Cornwall found that out of 175
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
'India's birth rate shrinks'

'India's birth rate shrinks'

India's birth rate declined dramatically in the last two decades due in part to rising female literacy, a new study shows, but experts warned against complacency in the country of 1.2 billion. The Total Fertility Rate-the number of children the average wo
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Fish eye sheds light on colour vision

Fish eye sheds light on colour vision

A fish eye from a primitive time when Earth was but one single continent has yielded evidence of colour vision dating back at least 300 million years, researchers said on December 23. Analysing the fossilised remains of a fish from the "spiny shark" famil
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Spike seen in methane on Mars, but source unknown

Spike seen in methane on Mars, but source unknown

Methane, a gas that on Earth comes mainly from living organisms, has been measured for the first time making a sudden spike on Mars, leaving scientists puzzled about its origin. The latest findings from NASA's Curiosity rover, which has been exploring the
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Genes linked to developmental disorders

Genes linked to developmental disorders

British scientists said on December 24 they had discovered 12 genes linked to developmental disorders in children that can cause heart defects, seizures and intellectual disability. The genes were found in a trawl of the genomes of 1,133 children with sev
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
November global temps dip, earth still nears heat record

November global temps dip, earth still nears heat record

The Earth is still on track for a record-breaking year for heat even though the average global temperature last month dipped to the seventh warmest since 1880, US government scientists said on December 15.
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Cambodian doctor charged over mass HIV infection

Cambodian doctor charged over mass HIV infection

An unlicensed Cambodian doctor was charged on December 22 over an apparent mass HIV infection in a remote village after admitting he reused needles when treating patients, officials said. Hundreds of panicked residents of Roka village in the western provi
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
IMF policies criticised over Ebola outbreak

IMF policies criticised over Ebola outbreak

International Monetary Fund (IMF) policies left healthcare systems in the African countries worst affected by Ebola under-funded and lacking doctors, and hampered a co-ordinated response to the outbreak, researchers said on December 22. Links between the
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
After Ebola, UN must prepare for next deadly outbreak: Ban

After Ebola, UN must prepare for next deadly outbreak: Ban

The United Nations must learn lessons from the Ebola crisis and begin preparing now for the next outbreak of deadly disease, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Monday. Returning from a visit to Ebola-hit countries, Ban also called for recovery efforts to
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Help from afar: remote desktop can help sideline computer problems

Help from afar: remote desktop can help sideline computer problems

It's an increasingly common scenario: Grandpa is having trouble with his computer, but the granddaughter to whom he regularly turns for help lives a couple of hundred kilometres away. They could try to discuss the problem by phone, but that often leads to
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Amazon.com offers one-hour delivery in Manhattan

Amazon.com offers one-hour delivery in Manhattan

Internet retail titan Amazon.com on Thursday began offering to have online purchases in some New York buyers' hands within an hour for a $7.99 delivery charge. The new speedy delivery option was available to people in some parts of Manhattan who subscribe
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Google and Microsoft stand with Sony against hackers

Google and Microsoft stand with Sony against hackers

Google and Microsoft joined forces with Sony on Wednesday, using their online might to release "The Interview" film to online audiences despite threats from hackers. "Of course it was tempting to hope that something else would happen to ensure this movie
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Huawei's smartphone sales shoot up

Huawei's smartphone sales shoot up

China's Huawei Technologies Co Ltd has taken sales of its low-price Honour brand of smartphones to 20 million from 1 million in just one year, hitting pay dirt with the disruptive online-only strategy it copied from smaller upstart Xiaomi Inc. Given the e
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Indonesian capital bets on web drive to lift fortunes

Indonesian capital bets on web drive to lift fortunes

The Indonesian capital - a chaotic metropolis with shaky Internet access - is hoping to turn its fortunes around with an ambitious online platform that allows residents to report problems, from crime to traffic jams, with their smartphones. A concrete jun
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Facebook teams with NFL to score with online video

Facebook teams with NFL to score with online video

Facebook said Thursday it had teamed with the National Football League to show ad-sponsored video clips at the leading social network. The move comes as Facebook tries to tackle a multi-billion-dollar television advertising realm seen as ripe for disrupti
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Refillable cartridges option to save money on printing

Refillable cartridges option to save money on printing

The thing with printers is that they are usually not too expensive. The real costs come with the never-ending need to buy new ink cartridges. But there are some models and tactics that allow consumers to save some money.
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Google self-driving car prototype ready to try road

Google self-driving car prototype ready to try road

Google on Monday announced that the first completed prototype of its self-driving car is ready to be road tested. "We're going to be spending the holidays zipping around our test track, and we hope to see you on the streets of Northern California in the n
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Apple pushes first ever automated security update to Mac users

Apple pushes first ever automated security update to Mac users

Apple Inc has pushed out its first-ever automated security update to Macintosh computers to help defend against newly identified bugs that security researchers have warned could enable hackers to gain remote control of machines. The company pushed out the
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Image wobble tells researchers who was behind the camera

Image wobble tells researchers who was behind the camera

It's possible to identify the person who took a picture or a video just by analysing the wobble of the image. Researchers at Jerusalem's Hebrew University made the discovery, German website Heise Online reports.
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Keep your computer from going to sleep: free programme helps

Keep your computer from going to sleep: free programme helps

It's generally a good thing for a computer to go into sleep mode if it's not used for a certain amount of time, because you reduce energy use and fan wear. But sometimes, powering down will mar vital operations like virus scans, downloads or data backups.
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
New India airline to begin flights as rival seeks to stay aloft

New India airline to begin flights as rival seeks to stay aloft

India's newest airline announced on December 22 it will start flying next month and declared it was "enthusiastic" about the future, as shares of troubled rival SpiceJet rocketed on reports of a rescue. The new carrier, called Vistara - a Sanskrit word me
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
After seven years, Spain tiptoes back into house-building

After seven years, Spain tiptoes back into house-building

On a street in central Madrid, Juan Jose Perucho points to where he is going to build one of the capital's tallest residential blocks after buying a site bigger than five football pitches from the state-owned metro network. "We've sold faster than ever be
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Chinese companies will mostly stay at home in 2015

Chinese companies will mostly stay at home in 2015

Chinese companies are always said to be planning a big overseas push. So far, the expected surge in cross-border acquisitions by mainland corporations has largely failed to materialise. In 2015, most will once again decide that overseas growth can wait.
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
France's Accor eyes earnings boost from China deal

France's Accor eyes earnings boost from China deal

French hotel operator Accor said on Monday its strategic alliance with China Lodging Group will boost earnings after the first year and help quicken its expansion in the fast-growing Chinese domestic travel and hospitality market.
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Asian business sentiment rebounds in fourth quarter

Asian business sentiment rebounds in fourth quarter

Business sentiment among Asia's top companies rebounded in the fourth quarter to the second-highest level in almost three years, a Thomson Reuters/INSEAD survey showed, helped by a stronger US economy and a plunge in oil prices. The result was only slight
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Insurance companies still the darlings of the financial world

Insurance companies still the darlings of the financial world

Higher capital requirements and the inclusion of more aggressive features on subordinated debt instruments are unlikely to be a major hurdle for insurance companies, which continue to be among investors' favourite assets to hold.
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
As Ford closes, European rust belt seeks new ideas

As Ford closes, European rust belt seeks new ideas

In the heart of Western Europe, the Belgian-Dutch-German rust belt has been dealt another blow. Two car plants closed this month as companies sought cheaper labour elsewhere, the final chapter of a manufacturing boom that began when coal mines fuelling Eu
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Chelsea and Man City suffer festive slumps

Chelsea and Man City suffer festive slumps

Leaders Chelsea and second-place Manchester City both succumbed to post-Christmas hangovers on Sunday as the two pace-setters dropped points in the Premier League title race. Chelsea drew 1-1 at Southampton, which presented City with a chance to close to
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Brathwaite, Samuels defy South Africa

Brathwaite, Samuels defy South Africa

Kraigg Brathwaite and Marlon Samuels hit half-centuries as the West Indies fought back on the third day of the second Test against South Africa at St George's Park on Sunday. Brathwaite made 65 not out and Samuels was unbeaten on 60 as the West Indies rea
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Ferrari, McLaren take a hit from Marussia collapse

Ferrari, McLaren take a hit from Marussia collapse

Ferrari and McLaren stand to lose millions as a result of the collapse of the Marussia Formula One team, the Sunday Telegraph newspaper reported. It said documents from administrators FRP Advisory dated December 18 showed that Ferrari, Formula One's oldes
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Rahane, Kohli tons as India close on Australia

Rahane, Kohli tons as India close on Australia

India counter-punched their way back into the third Test on the back of centuries from Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane in a record stand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday. Kohli savaged the Australian bowlers, particularly Mitchell Johnson, for his
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Boult double gives New Zealand crucial break

Boult double gives New Zealand crucial break

Two late wickets by Trent Boult put New Zealand back in control of the first Test against Sri Lanka Sunday after a maiden Test century by Dimuth Karunaratne had briefly given the tourists a glimmer of hope. Sri Lanka were closing in on wiping out their 30
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Amir Khan visits Data Darbar

Amir Khan visits Data Darbar

British boxer Amir Khan here on Sunday visited Data Darbar and prayed for safety and prosperity of Pakistan. The Pakistani origin boxer also laid a wreath on the shrine of the saint. Talking to press he stated that he was deeply hurt by the incident in Pe
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Elder-care challenges prompt tech executives to create startups, apps

Elder-care challenges prompt tech executives to create startups, apps

For years, Google Inc's commerce chief, Stephanie Tilenius, held a demanding job and helped oversee the medical care of her parents, an experience that led her to leave the Internet search giant in 2012 and start a company to help patients combat chronic
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Saudi Arabia's 2015 budget based on oil price around $60: analysts

Saudi Arabia's 2015 budget based on oil price around $60: analysts

Saudi Arabia's 2015 state budget assumes an oil price close to current levels of around $60 a barrel for Brent crude, a shift from past budgets which were based on prices well below market levels, analysts say. The kingdom doesn't reveal the oil prices wh
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
China to widen deposit base for banks

China to widen deposit base for banks

The People's Bank of China (PBOC) will change rules governing how loan-to-deposit ratios are calculated at banks starting from next year, according to a copy of a central bank document seen by Reuters, in a move that will boost liquidity conditions. The P
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Beijing expands subway system, increases fares

Beijing expands subway system, increases fares

China's capital, Beijing, expanded its subway system on Sunday, extending three lines and opening one more at the same time it ushers in a price rise that has sparked complaints. Beijing seeks to tackle worsening congestion and reduce subsidies for transp
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Beijing expands subway system, increases fares

Beijing expands subway system, increases fares

China's capital, Beijing, expanded its subway system on Sunday, extending three lines and opening one more at the same time it ushers in a price rise that has sparked complaints. Beijing seeks to tackle worsening congestion and reduce subsidies for transp
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
German government sees low oil prices helping economy

German government sees low oil prices helping economy

The German government expects low oil prices to boost growth in Europe's biggest economy by 0.2-0.3 percent next year, Der Spiegel magazine reported on Sunday, citing an internal economy ministry memo. Prices for oil have fallen by around 45 percent to ab
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Europe 'not doing so badly': Bundesbank chief

Europe 'not doing so badly': Bundesbank chief

Europe's economy is not doing as badly as some people think, Germany's central bank chief Jens Weidmann said Sunday as he gave an upbeat prediction for Germany, its biggest component. On Germany's outlook for 2015, he said: "As things are right now, and i
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Algerian energy minister says OPEC should cut oil output

Algerian energy minister says OPEC should cut oil output

Algeria said on Sunday that OPEC should cut production to push oil prices up, adding that it did not share the views of big producers inside the cartel who prefer to let the market regulate prices, energy minister Youcef Yousfi was quoted as saying by the
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Russian government allocates $110 million for arms exporters

Russian government allocates $110 million for arms exporters

The Russian government said on Sunday it has pledged 6 billion roubles ($110 million) to help arms exporters service loans from domestic banks, in a further show of state support for companies hit by the country's financial crisis. The government has take
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
South Korea's department store sales fall

South Korea's department store sales fall

Sales at South Korea's top department stores fell in November by the fastest pace in nearly two years on an annual basis, official data showed on Sunday, adding to concerns that Asia's fourth-largest economy is losing steam. Combined sales last month at d
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Kuwait's Al Ahli Bank's chairman resigns

Kuwait's Al Ahli Bank's chairman resigns

The chairman of Kuwait's Al Ahli Bank has resigned due to ill health and been replaced by the lender's deputy chairman, it said on Sunday. Ahmed Yousef Behbehani stepped down with effect from December 24, with deputy chairman Talal Mohamed Reda Yousef Beh
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Sony's PlayStation back online after Christmas hack

Sony's PlayStation back online after Christmas hack

Sony's PlayStation reported that its network was back online and claimed that it had been attacked, three days after it and Microsoft's Xbox went down in an outage. An allegedly co-ordinated Christmas day hack brought down the gaming consoles, both hot gi
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Ruble fall creates turbulence for Russian airlines

Ruble fall creates turbulence for Russian airlines

Their international competitors may be cheering tumbling oil prices, but the collapse in the ruble has meant major financial turbulence for Russian airlines who have expenses in foreign currencies. The ruble has slumped by 40 percent this year against the
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Norway has firm policy against currency intervention

Norway has firm policy against currency intervention

Norway's central bank has a firm policy against intervening in the currency market and has no position on where the crown currency should be, central bank Governor Oeystein Olsen told national daily DN, confirming the bank's stance. The crown has been hit
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
UAE regulator urges brokerages to obey margin trading rules

UAE regulator urges brokerages to obey margin trading rules

The United Arab Emirates Securities and Commodities Authority urged brokerages that extend margin trading services to obey regulations and sell clients' shares if shortages in their accounts are not filled on time. The market regulator said it was making
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
UAE regulator urges brokerages to obey margin trading rules

UAE regulator urges brokerages to obey margin trading rules

The United Arab Emirates Securities and Commodities Authority urged brokerages that extend margin trading services to obey regulations and sell clients' shares if shortages in their accounts are not filled on time. The market regulator said it was making
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Trade-weighted euro may be set for shock upswing in 2015

Trade-weighted euro may be set for shock upswing in 2015

While investors are betting the euro will fall against the dollar next year, hopes that the European economy will therefore get a boost could be premature: it may not depreciate at all against currencies of other major trading partners.
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Help for British house buyers could end up hurting building stocks

Help for British house buyers could end up hurting building stocks

Government moves to help most British home buyers have boosted housebuilding stocks - helping the likes of Barratt Developments and Taylor Wimpey extend a multi-month rally. But those gains could soon come under pressure, warn brokers, as the impact of pa
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Gulf markets rise despite oil's weakness

Gulf markets rise despite oil's weakness

Gulf stock markets rose on Sunday despite oil's weakness as Saudi Arabia's plan to maintain government spending at a high level boosted investor confidence. The Saudi government released a 2015 state budget last Thursday that provides for a 0.6 percent in
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Indian stocks seen rallying again in 2015, driven by reforms

Indian stocks seen rallying again in 2015, driven by reforms

Indian shares will continue this year's big rally in 2015, propelled by the passage of key fiscal reforms, according to analysts in a Reuters poll who see another year of 20 percent-plus gains. The poll of 18 analysts, taken in the past week, predicts the
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Sri Lankan stocks rise

Sri Lankan stocks rise

Sri Lankan stocks closed at its highest in five weeks on Friday in thin trading, led by large caps such as Ceylon Tobacco Company Plc even as investors stayed away amid holiday season and political uncertainty before the January 8 presidential polls. The
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Emerging currency volatility spikes on oil, high-yield risks

Emerging currency volatility spikes on oil, high-yield risks

Implied volatility in emerging market currencies - a gauge of expected swings in their exchange rates - rocketed to multi-month highs on Monday, fuelled by massive price falls in commodity and credit markets. One-month implied volatility derived from opti
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Brazil's Tombini says may reduce FX intervention in 2015

Brazil's Tombini says may reduce FX intervention in 2015

Brazil's central bank will keep intervening in the foreign exchange market next year but could reduce the scale of these operations, which are aimed at countering the slide in the country's currency, the real, which has stoked inflation.
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Egyptian pound steady

Egyptian pound steady

The Egyptian pound held steady at a central bank dollar sale on Sunday and on the black market. The bank offered $40 million and said it had sold $38.4 million at a cut-off price of 7.1401 pounds to the dollar, a rate unchanged from its last sale on Thurs
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Wall Street week ahead: big questions for markets for 2015

Wall Street week ahead: big questions for markets for 2015

Wall Street was generally calmer in 2014 than in previous years, but that doesn't mean the stock market was devoid of drama. Big selloffs in biotechnology and social media stocks had strategists predicting doom in the spring, and the plunge in oil prices
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Dozens of Rwandan Hutu rebels surrender in DR Congo

Dozens of Rwandan Hutu rebels surrender in DR Congo

A group of 83 Rwandan Hutu rebels turned themselves in on Sunday in the face of threatened action by UN and Congolese troops as part of efforts to restore calm in the Democratic Republic of Congo's restive east. The rebels from the Democratic Forces for t
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Four die of bird flu in Libya

Four die of bird flu in Libya

Four people have died of bird flu in Libya in recent days, the health minister of the country's internationally recognised government said on Saturday. Rida al-Awkali said a fifth person suspected of having contracted the virus is currently in hospital in
Published 29 Dec, 2014 12:00am