Anarchist protests erupted on Monday in Scotland's capital, sparking scuffles between riot police and demonstrators two days before leaders of the world's richest nations hold a summit nearby. Several people were detained, at least two police were injured

Israeli President Moshe Katsav said on Monday the vocal opposition of pro-settler rabbis to Israel's Gaza pullout could incite ultranationalists to try to assassinate Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. "In the struggle over the disengagement someone is likely t

African Union (AU) chairman Olusegun Obasanjo called on rich nations on Monday to provide the continent with money rather than sympathy in its fight against poverty at their summit in Scotland this week.

President George W. Bush has told Britain's Tony Blair to expect no favours at this week's Group of Eight summit in return for backing war in Iraq as a deal on climate change looked set to offer little concrete action. Prime Minister Blair has made tackli

France abolished the legal terms "legitimate" and "illegitimate" for children on Monday with a decree saying the distinction dating back to the Napoleonic Code of 1804 made no sense anymore. Abolishing the terms brings France's civil code in line with law

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) on Monday suspended all shipments of aid to Somalia pending the release of a ship carrying tsunami relief that was hijacked by pirates last week off the Somali coast. "We have suspended all shipments of food aid to Somali

International experts gathered in Vienna Monday to discuss tightening restrictions on material that could be used for nuclear bombs, with Russia and the United States warning of the danger of nuclear terrorism.

Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has pardoned 3,343 prisoners serving sentences for minor crimes to mark the 43rd anniversary of independence on Tuesday, state radio said. Prisoners convicted of terrorism, threatening state security, murder and cor

Asia needs about $100 million in the next three years to fight avian flu as the virus looks set to stay, but only about a third of that has been pledged, health and livestock experts said. They said more money was needed to help chronically-infected Vietn

President George W. Bush on Monday said that the United States must not lose "our heart, our nerve, or our way" in the face of the deadly insurgency in Iraq. "We know that when the work is hard, the proper response is not retreat. It is courage," Bush tol

The Islamic militant group Hamas on Monday rebuffed an invitation to join the Palestinian cabinet, snubbing President Mahmoud Abbas who wants a unity government to help him control Gaza after Israel's pullout. Abbas, facing public pressure to curb growing

The cost of insuring against a default by British broadcaster ITV rose on Monday but eased off its highs by late in the session, after a newspaper reported over the weekend that the company could become a take-over target again. Britain's Mail on Sunday r

The cost of insuring against a default by British broadcaster ITV rose on Monday but eased off its highs by late in the session, after a newspaper reported over the weekend that the company could become a take-over target again. Britain's Mail on Sunday r

Indian shares hit a new closing high on Monday, extending their winning streak to four sessions, as foreign funds ploughed even more money into front-line stocks. The 30-share BSE index closed 0.92 percent higher at 7,277.38 points, having touched an all-

Here is how major stock markets outside the United States ended on Monday.

Leading UK shares closed higher for a fifth consecutive session on Monday, driven by solid gains in oil majors Shell and BP as crude prices rose, while fresh bid talk fuelled a 3 percent rise in broadcaster ITV. ITV shares closed at 128-1/2 pence, boosted

Sterling slid to near 14-month lows against the dollar on Monday and held near one-month lows versus the euro as expectations grew that the Bank of England may soon cut interest rates. The pound came under renewed selling pressure as the greenback extende

The euro fell to its lowest level against the dollar in more than a year on Monday after comments from a European Central Bank official reignited investors' concerns about future stability of the eurozone. Markets have been on the alert for signs of troub

Copper staged a partial recovery on Monday on the London Metal Exchange (LME) after Friday's 3.5 percent sell-off, trading within ranges but finding support from industrial unrest. "People are not yet very concerned about the strikes but they are supporti

Gold bullion was hardly moving during subdued Monday afternoon trading in Europe, with the market opting to mark time after steep losses at the end of last week, while US futures were closed, traders said. The US market is closed for Independence Day, whi

Oil prices rose on Monday, adding to big gains late on Friday that took US crude back to $59 a barrel. London August Brent gained 46 cents to $58 a barrel after gains of nearly $2 on Friday. US crude, shut on Monday for the July 4 public holiday, surged b

Monday's Rotterdam vegetable oil prices at 1600 GMT.

Monday's Rotterdam vegetable oil prices at 1600 GMT.

Over 300 paramedics belonging to various districts of Sindh, in the wake of their ongoing peaceful protest for approval of their service structure, on Monday staged a sit-in at Sindh Secretariat Karachi for three hours. Paramedical Joint Action Committee

All timings are in PST (Pakistan Standard Time).

Sindh High Court on Monday adjourned hearing of constitutional petition against 'Crorepati lottery', introduced by Punjab government Bank of Punjab in the name of Punjab Development Fund (PDF). Sajjad Ahmed Bhatti, a resident of Larkana, who purchased 31

The Engineering Development Board (EDB) has planned to organise a 2-day workshop on July 11-12, 2005 in Islamabad to encourage private sector and foreign investors for the investment in steel and construction sector, said a statement issued here, on Monda

The Collectorate of Customs, Sales Tax and Central Excise, Hyderabad comprising the entire province, excluding erstwhile Karachi civil division, has collected Rs 14.690 billion substantially surpassing the combined revenue target of Rs 14.529 billion. The

"Oh, he will be long remembered after he is removed by he who chose him."

The Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP), struggling to rein in sugar prices, will aim to buy up to 100,000 tonnes of refined sugar this week, but Indian supplies won't be considered for those purchases, an official with the state-run buying agency said

Vice-Chancellor Karachi University, Professor Dr Pirzada Qasim inaugurated the seven-day National Chemistry Talent contest at the HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry here on Monday. The competition is being organised by the International Centre for Chemic

The Training & Development Division of Happenings International has planned to organise a two-day comprehensive training workshop on "Modern Selling Strategies" on July 26-27, 2005 at a local hotel in Karachi. Happenings International Chief Executive, Kha

The Gujranwala Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) President Asad Elahi has said that business community would face manifold problems due to levy of 0.1 percent withholding tax on withdrawal of amount of Rs 25000 or above from banks. While talking to bu

Please refer to Haji Hanif Sheikh's letter published in your daily of 28th June, 2005, with regard to markup on markup being charged by financial institutions. The role of the State Bank in enforcing its own provisions with regard to public protection is

Rubina Kausar's rejoinder of 10th June to Mumtaz Hussain's letter regarding the above subject made a lot of sense. Mumtaz Hussain's reply to her on 16th June smacked of ignorance and lacked correct perception of the Islamic way of life.

We are a small Service Industry and would like to inform the public that we have applied for a small gas connection for power generation to produce our own. This would not exceed 200KW for the Service Industry. Foreign Investment details were forwarded to

During the last budget, the steel melters and other manual rolling mills using steel ingots and c.c. billets produced by melters were allowed to pay Rs 300 + Rs 200 = Rs 500 per ton in sales tax. Although the steel melters have never paid the full sales t

Cranes work day and night to complete the 365-room Kempinski resort on the Dead Sea. Nearby, a cluster of resorts is doing unprecedented business. The activity hails the emergence of Jordan's once sleepy border strip with Israel as a top regional retreat

The purpose and rationale of the Audit Committee is to render assistance to the Board of Directors of the Company in fulfilling its legal and fiduciary obligations and responsibilities to the shareholders, potential shareholders and the investment communi

The breakdown of the Internet system due to a fault in the PTCL's submarine cable, South, East Asia Middle East, Western Europe-3 (SEA-ME-WE-3), has thoroughly exposed the system's vulnerability and done considerable damage to the country's image and its

Local bodies election schedule, announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan, for August 18, 25 and September 29, promises to be a tumultuous affair. The conference that the MQM had organised on the subject on Sunday, calling it All Parties Conference

The wheat procurement during current season attained the mark of 3.937 million tons registering a significant increase of 83.24 per cent of the target. According to final figures of wheat procurement, Pakistan Agriculture Storage and Supply Corporation (P

The special committee constituted by NWFP Governor Khalil-ur-Rehman to recommend amendments to the prevailing law in Fata; known as Frontier Crimes Regulations (FCR), in its meeting at the Governor's Fata Secretariat here on Monday, started clause-wise re

The Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) has condemned the increase in the prices of petrol, diesel, and kerosene oil. PBC Vice Chairman Hafiz Abdur Rehman Ansari, in a statement, demanded of the government to immediately withdraw the increase made in oil prices. H

Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Ejazul Haq has said that some 118 MNAs demanded of President Pervez Muhsarraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz for accountability of corrupt nizims. Addressing a press conference along with MPA Ghulam Murtaza , Ejazul

The traffic police has launched a week long "Traffic Awareness Campaign" to educate the people about traffic rules here on Monday. Deputy Superintendent Traffic Police, Malik Matloob Ahmed said the step had been taken on the special directive of DIG Traff

Punjab University has notified that the Diploma in Arabic, Diploma in Hindi and Certificate in Hindi annual examination 2005 will commence from July 25. Admission forms will be received as on July 09 with single fees and on July 15 with double fees.

The body constituted by the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) to resolve the issues and create harmony among the office-bearers of the bar met LHCBA President Fakharunnisa Khokhar here on Monday. The committee members informed the LHCBA president

Grand Opposition Alliance comprising MMA, ARD and other opposition parties would be formed within this month for the restoration of sovereignty of parliament, and exerting pressure on General Pervez Musharraf to quit one of the offices of COAS or Presiden

Fountain House Lahore (FHL), on completion of 35 years of its service in the field of mental health, has decided to organise "Mental Health Week" from July 11 to 16, 2005. Miss Samreen Shabana, a spokesperson of Fountain House said here on Monday the basi

The University of Health Sciences (UHS) Lahore is holding a series of workshops to boost research capabilities of postgraduate students, apart from apprising them about contemporary issues in medical research methodologies. The third workshop of the serie

Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources, Amanullah Khan Jadoon, has urged the people to elect sincere and honest candidates in the next local bodies polls so that their problems could be solved at their doorstep. Addressing a public meeting i

The Punjab Industrial Estates (PIE) Development and Management Company has estimated that development of Multan Industrial Estates Phase-II will provide 40,000 direct and 400,000 indirect jobs. "We have acquired services of a consultant to finalise the de

The Punjab government has enhanced budgetary allocations for education sector from Rs 43 billion in 2004-05 to Rs 53 billion in the current financial year out of which Rs 6 billion would be received from the donors. Punjab Minister for Education, Mian Imr

The SME Cluster Development Programme (SCDP) designed by United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (Unido) will compliment activities being carried out by small and medium enterprise development authority (Smeda), export promotion bureau (EPB) an

The government has decided to set up an independent organisation to run the Prime Minister's "One Village-One Product" programme to promote rural products of the country. "As a first step, a special cell is being set up in Small & Medium Enterprises Devel

The Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court (LHC) has dismissed Azhar Hussain Shah, superintendent of the sessions court Attock. The Chief Justice has appointed Latif-ur-Rehman, OSD LHC, as the superintendent, session court Attock. Azhar Hussain Shah was p

A Special Division bench of the Lahore High Court (LHC) Monday adjourned the hearing of a plea for July 14, seeking permission to re-broadcast BBC Urdu service bulletins by private radio. The court adjourned the hearing due to lack of time. The petition f

People residing in dilapidated buildings in different areas of the provincial metropolis have been directed to shift to safe places to avoid any untoward incident during the monsoon season. The town administrations under city district government Lahore (C

Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas, Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat on Monday left for two-week visit to United States. During his stay, as the head of a delegation of elected members of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Council, he will visit New York

Higher Education Commission (HEC) and USAID have planned to increase contributions to the Fulbright scholarship programme to 150 million dollars. This was announced by the US Educational Foundation Pakistan (USEFP) here on Monday. Dr Grace Clark, Executiv

The Election Commission of Pakistan has enrolled 1.5 million fresh voters in updating process of the electoral rolls. Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad, Secretary Election Commission of Pakistan has clarified that electoral rolls for the local government elections

National Association of British Pakistanis Chairman, Khurshid Ahmed, has appreciated the ongoing confidence-building measures (CBMs) between Pakistan and India and expressed the hope that both of the countries would succeed in resolving all the outstandin

Ministry of Women Development has decided to establish governance structures at federal, provincial and district level to empower women and ensure gender equality. The key reform of the plan is the establishment of gender development sections in six strat

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, on Monday said that sound character building of youth, especially at the school-going age, is essential to safeguard the country's ideological frontiers. Speaking at the summer school

The government appears agreeable to renew the passport of Nawaz Sharif, as speculation here thickens that Saudi government effected rapprochement between the exiled ex-prime minister and President Pervez Musharraf during latter's high-profile visit to the

The weather report on Monday (July 04) and the forecast for Tuesday (July 05, 2005).

The Customs laboratories have started checking of over 100,000 bottles of confiscated liquor to ascertain whether it is fit for human consumption or not. Official sources told Business Recorder on Monday that the exercise is a part of CBR's plan to

Official KCA spot rates for local dealings in Pakistan rupees on Monday (July 04, 2005).

NWFP Minister for Industries, Labour, Law & Parliamentary Affairs, Malik Zafar Azam has said that provincial government is not oblivious of its responsibilities and has been taking all possible measures to help and rehabilitate the flood victims. He advis

Wholesale poultry rates on Monday (July 04, 2005) and Tuesday (July 05, 2005).

The Karachi Transport Ittehad has expressed its deep concern over the recent raise of oil prices and threatened that city transporters would observe a 'token strike' on July 21, if the decision to raise the oil prices was not withdrawn. The transport itte

Weekly statement of position of all scheduled banks as at the close of business on July 04, 2005.

NWFP Assembly on Monday unanimously passed two identical resolutions demanding withdrawal of raise in the prices of petrol, diesel, kerosene oil and natural gas, and exempting the flood affected areas from payment of utility bills. The two resolutions wer

Weekly statement of position of all scheduled banks as at the close of business on July 04, 2005.

The government's failure to explain rationale behind last week's raise in POL prices irked the opposition members of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Resources on Monday, and sparked a near walk out from the meeting. The c

New Jubilee Life Insurance Company has announced the offer and bid price per unit for the following funds effective from Monday, July 04, 2005.

Utility Stores Corporation of Pakistan (USCP) Managing Director, Brigadier Hafeez Ahmad (Retd), on Monday said that utility stores would provide five million flour bags at subsidised rates in the month of July under the Prime Minister's 'Atta Relief Packa

New Jubilee Life Insurance Company has announced the offer and bid price per unit for the following funds effective from Monday, July 04, 2005.

Five patients facing blockade in brain vessels were treated through brain angiography (neuroendo-vascular therapy) at two city hospitals. Tariq Mahmood (27) and Fouzia (27) facing Arterio Venous Malformation (AVM) and Zubaida Begum (60) suffering from car

New Jubilee Life Insurance Company has announced the offer and bid price per unit for the following funds effective from Monday, July 04, 2005.

At least six people were killed and five injured in an armed clash between Jamali and Brohi tribesmen near Osta Muhammad here late Sunday. According to details, one Zulfiqar allegedly belonging to Brohi Tribe barged into the house of Mahar Jamali in a vil

Karachi Plastic/Urea Moulding Compounds Rates on Monday (July 04, 2005).

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is to provide 50 million dollars (Rs 3 billion) for Sindh Coastal and Inland Community Development Project (SCICDP) to be implemented during the year 2006. The amount will be spent under an integrated, well synchronised an

Karachi Yarn Market Rates on Monday (July 04, 2005).

Pakistan and China have agreed to enhance bilateral co-operation in the education sector. Under the agreement, International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI) will hold special teaching courses for the Chinese Muslims to learn Quran, Fiqah and Hadith.

Karachi Yarn Market Rates on Monday (July 04, 2005).

Pakistan Muslim League President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain held meeting with Sindh Governor Dr Ishrat-ul-Ibad Khan at Governor House here on Sunday night. Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, Nasreen Jalil of MQM's Rabita Committee, PML Secretary Ge

Cotton yarn rates in rupees per 10 Lbs on Monday (July 04, 2005).

The process of admissions at Hamdard University started from Monday. Spokesman of the institute announced that the university would offer admissions in various disciplines, including those of medical sciences, management sciences, engineering and informat

Cotton yarn rates in rupees per 10 Lbs on Monday (July 04, 2005).

At least five passengers were killed and 14 other injured when a passenger coach coming from Gwadar to Karachi overturned at the Coastal Highway near Ormara. The accident took place at 02.00 am on Monday. The reports suggested that accident took place whe

Commodities market rates in rupees on Monday (July 04, 2005).

There would be low floods in river Indus as 3 to 4 lac cusec water is likely to pass from Nawabshah district near Mud-Bungalow between July 14 and 15, however there is no threat that the villages of katcha areas of the district would be flooded. Assistant

Paper market rates in rupees on Monday (July 04, 2005).

The emergency relief cell of the establishment division here on Monday dispatched relief goods to flood-affected areas of Swat, Nowshera and Charsadda. According to official sources, relief goods were sent to the local administration for its distribution

Grain and other commodity rates in rupees on Akbari Mandi on Monday (July 04, 2005).

After appointing CBR Members from the private sector, the Central Board of Revenue (CBR) has now decided to hire 'research scholars' and 'technical experts' from open market to conduct research and analysis and IT-related work. The tax authorities have em

Hides and skin rates in rupees prevailing on the commodity markets in Karachi on Monday (July 04, 2005).

Four-day meeting of Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the National Assembly will start here on Tuesday to examine accounts and audit reports of various ministries and divisions for the year 2000-01. PAC Chairman MNA Malik Allah Yar Khan will chair the fi