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Print - 2014-12-09
Currency notes: exchange rates

Currency notes: exchange rates

Exchange rates for Currency Notes issued by the Treasury Management Division of National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) here on Monday (December 08, 2014).

Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Conversion for foreign currency deposits

Conversion for foreign currency deposits

Conversion for foreign currency deposits, DBC/FCBC, special USD bond & profits thereon (excluding FE-25 deposits) on Monday (December 08, 2014).

Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Exchange rates: buying and selling

Exchange rates: buying and selling

Exchange rates issued by the Treasury Management Division of National Bank of Pakistan on Monday (December 08, 2014).

Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
State Bank of Pakistan conversion rates

State Bank of Pakistan conversion rates

Rates applicable for conversion into rupees of Foreign Currency Deposits, Dollar Bearer Certificates, Foreign Currency Bearer Certificates, Special US Dollar bonds and profits thereon by all banks and also for providing forward cover on foreign currency d
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
New York cotton

New York cotton

The fluctuations observed during the day:

Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
New York cotton

New York cotton

The fluctuations observed during the day:

Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
China's November steel exports hit record high

China's November steel exports hit record high

China's steel exports in November jumped to a record high of nearly 10 million tonnes, customs data showed on Monday, reflecting increased efforts by domestic producers to sell more overseas amid slower demand at home. A slowing Chinese economy has hit de
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Russia's wheat prices up on export risks

Russia's wheat prices up on export risks

Russian export prices for wheat rose last week after risks of tighter export rules triggered a jump in global prices, analysts said on Monday. Russia's Black Sea prices for wheat with 12.5 percent protein content were up $9 last week to $264 per tonne on
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Philippines to import 600,000 tonnes of rice

Philippines to import 600,000 tonnes of rice

The Philippines' state grains agency said on Monday it will consider importing up to an additional 600,000 tonnes of rice to boost buffer stocks after Typhoon Hagupit damaged crops and prompted the release of emergency supplies. Crop losses this quarter f
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Oil cake market rates

Oil cake market rates

The December vaida was up on the forward cottonseed oilcake market on Monday in the process of trading, dealers said. The December contract closed at Rs 1600.20 but commenced with a gain of 30 paisa at Rs 1600.50 in the morning session, they said. The Jan
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Indian rapeseed futures end higher

Indian rapeseed futures end higher

Indian rapeseed futures ended up on Monday with fresh buying supporting the main winter oilseed crop amid concerns of lower output due to a smaller area under plantation. The buying was driven by expectations that India's rapeseed output would fall in 201
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Falling trend prevails on grain market

Falling trend prevails on grain market

Lack of buying interest pushed the prices most of the commodity items on the wholesale grain market on Monday in the process of modest trading, dealers said. On the cereals side, Moong Punjab went down by Rs 125 to Rs 11875 and Moong Afghan also shed the
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Daily trading report of PMEX

Daily trading report of PMEX

On Friday at Pakistan Mercantile Exchange (PMEX) value traded was PKR 3.08 billion as compared to PKR 2.08 billion reported on Thursday, an increase of 49 percent. The number of lots traded also increased by 42 percent to 12,999 from 9,129. PMEX Commodity
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
China's corn output falls, wheat up

China's corn output falls, wheat up

China, the world's second-largest corn consumer, produced 215.67 million tonnes of corn this year, down from 218 million tonnes in 2013, data from the statistics bureau showed. Output of the grain, used in the country's huge animal feed market, was slight
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
EU rapeseed crop to fall by 10 percent

EU rapeseed crop to fall by 10 percent

Crop consultancy Strategie Grains expects rapeseed production in the European Union to fall by 10 percent in 2015 as both the sown area and average yields decline after this year's record harvest. In its first projection for 2015 rapeseed output in the EU
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
China to buy 128,500 tonnes of rubber

China to buy 128,500 tonnes of rubber

China's State Reserves Bureau is to buy 128,500 tonnes of rubber for its stockpiles, an industry report said, but market participants doubt the move by the world's top consumer of the material will offer much support to prices near five-year lows.
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Activity at Karachi & Qasim ports

Activity at Karachi & Qasim ports

The Karachi Port handled 160,681 tonnes of cargo comprising 112,356 tonnes of import cargo and 48,325 tonnes of export cargo including 4,563 loaded and empty containers during the last 48 hours ending at 0700 hours on Monday. The total import cargo of 112
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
McDonald's warns that weak sales will hit fourth quarter profit

McDonald's warns that weak sales will hit fourth quarter profit

McDonald's Corp on Monday reported a steeper-than-expected drop in global sales at established restaurants in November, hurt by weakness in the United States and Asia, and warned that such results would "significantly pressure" margins in the current quar
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
McDonald's warns that weak sales will hit fourth quarter profit

McDonald's warns that weak sales will hit fourth quarter profit

McDonald's Corp on Monday reported a steeper-than-expected drop in global sales at established restaurants in November, hurt by weakness in the United States and Asia, and warned that such results would "significantly pressure" margins in the current quar
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Hudson Pacific to buy California properties in $3.5 billion

Hudson Pacific to buy California properties in $3.5 billion

Hudson Pacific Properties Inc will buy a portfolio of office buildings in California from Blackstone Group LP in a $3.5 billion stock-and-cash deal that is larger than Hudson's market value. The deal will more than double Hudson's portfolio to 53 properti
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Japan recession worse than thought: data

Japan recession worse than thought: data

Japan's economy contracted more than initially thought in the July-September quarter, revised official data revealed Monday, showing the world's third largest economy sank deeper into recession. The economy shrank 0.5 percent quarter-on-quarter, worse tha
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
German factory production stabilises after rough summer

German factory production stabilises after rough summer

Industrial production in Germany saw a slight boost in October after a strong rise the previous month, according to data released Monday, pointing to a stabilisation of the sector. Industrial output climbed 0.2 percent in October compared with the previou
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
European banks face tough year in 2015

European banks face tough year in 2015

European banks face a tough year in 2015 as fresh and as-yet unfinished regulatory hurdles compound problems created by a stalling economic recovery, credit rating agencies Moody's and Standard & Poor's said on Monday. More than seven years after the star
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
US economy to grow, inflation to slow: Chicago Fed survey

US economy to grow, inflation to slow: Chicago Fed survey

US economic growth is expected to pick up next year, driving down the unemployment rate, but inflation is seen slowing slightly, according a survey published Monday by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. The forecasts, from manufacturers, bankers, analys
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
South African trade deficit narrows in third quarter

South African trade deficit narrows in third quarter

South Africa's current account deficit narrowed slightly to six percent in the third quarter, the Reserve Bank said Monday as growth remained sluggish, with lower export volumes. Economists had forecast a 5.8 percent shortfall. The bank said income shortf
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Greece passes budget that pits optimists against creditors

Greece passes budget that pits optimists against creditors

The Greek parliament early Monday adopted a budget for 2015 that was a victory for politicians ready to celebrate the glimmer of returned growth over warnings from international creditors that such a move may be premature. The budget, which forecast 2.9 p
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Eurozone ministers give France last chance to fix budget

Eurozone ministers give France last chance to fix budget

Eurozone ministers on Monday approved the extra three months given France, Italy and Belgium to fix their bloated budgets, but warned that "all options" remained if the overspending persisted. The decision came a day after German Chancellor Angela Merkel
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Canadian housing starts climb in November

Canadian housing starts climb in November

Canadian housing starts rebounded as expected in November and building permits edged higher in October, two reports showed on Monday, suggesting the closely watched housing market held momentum heading into the traditionally slower winter season. A report
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Russian car sales level off in November after steep fall

Russian car sales level off in November after steep fall

Car sales in Russia practically stabilised in November after going into free fall in summer and autumn because of the crisis in Ukraine, industry figures published Monday said. November saw sales of 229,439 cars, just 1.1 percent less than in November 201
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
China's imports fall and export growth slows in November

China's imports fall and export growth slows in November

China's stuttering economy suffered another blow in November as export growth slowed sharply and imports surprisingly contracted, government data showed Monday, resulting in a record monthly trade surplus. Exports from the world's second-largest economy e
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Dubai leads losses as oil drags most Gulf markets down

Dubai leads losses as oil drags most Gulf markets down

Most stock markets in the Gulf fell on Monday after oil prices sank to new lows and Dubai's index dropped as investors dumped shares in Emaar Properties , which had gone ex-dividend. Dubai's bourse fell 3.3 percent to 4,031 points and Emaar tumbled 7.0 pe
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Rise in Italy borrowing costs limited by ECB stimulus prospects

Rise in Italy borrowing costs limited by ECB stimulus prospects

Italy's borrowing costs rose slightly on Monday after its credit rating was cut nearly to junk though prospects of stimulus from Europe's central bank tempered the increase. Standard & Poor's downgraded Italy's rating to BBB- from BBB late on Friday, sayi
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Rise in Italy borrowing costs limited by ECB stimulus prospects

Rise in Italy borrowing costs limited by ECB stimulus prospects

Italy's borrowing costs rose slightly on Monday after its credit rating was cut nearly to junk though prospects of stimulus from Europe's central bank tempered the increase. Standard & Poor's downgraded Italy's rating to BBB- from BBB late on Friday, sayi
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Indian shares tumble; Infosys plunges

Indian shares tumble; Infosys plunges

Indian shares posted their biggest falls in 7-1/2 weeks on Monday, as IT services exporter Infosys Ltd slumped after its founders sold the company's stock, while metals and mining firms tumbled on data showing an unexpected fall in China's imports. Recent
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Monday's early trade: Wall Street flat; biotechs climb

Monday's early trade: Wall Street flat; biotechs climb

US stocks were little changed on Monday, as investors weighed the strength of the US economy against global growth concerns following soft data out of China and Japan, while biotechs rose on merger activity. Major indexes opened slightly lower after data
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
China stocks push above key resistance level

China stocks push above key resistance level

China stocks rose sharply on Monday and the Shanghai Composite Index for the first time since 2011 broke through 3,000, a key psychological resistance level, as domestic investors shrugged off negative surprises in trade data. Mainland markets have rallie
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Southeast Asian markets: Thai SET index near three-week low

Southeast Asian markets: Thai SET index near three-week low

Southeast Asian stocks fell on Monday as lower crude oil prices hit energy shares, dragging the key Thai index to the lowest in almost three weeks, while stocks in Malaysia and Indonesia slipped amid foreign outflows and weak currencies. The Thai stock ma
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Taiwan stocks flat

Taiwan stocks flat

Taiwan stocks were flat in cautious trading on Monday as many investors stayed on the sideline ahead of key export data. As of 0330 GMT, the main TAIEX index was up 0.01 percent at 9,207.36 points. It ended up 0.2 percent on Friday. Electronics and financ
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Hong Kong shares climb

Hong Kong shares climb

Hong Kong shares rose on Monday, heartened by strong US employment data and as China shares continued to outperform on the back of a blistering rally in mainland markets. The Shanghai Composite Index crossed 3,000 points for the first time since 2011 on M
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Tokyo stocks flat

Tokyo stocks flat

Tokyo stocks closed flat Monday as buying prompted by strong US jobs data and a weak yen fizzled out. The Nikkei 225 index at the Tokyo Stock Exchange inched up 0.08 percent, or 15.19 points, to 17,935.64, the highest finish since July 2007. The Topix ind
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
European shares fall after Italy downgrade, soft Asia data

European shares fall after Italy downgrade, soft Asia data

European shares fell on Monday, trimming some of the previous session's sharp gains after Italy's sovereign debt rating was cut late on Friday and following soft economic data from China and Japan. At the close the FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European s
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Sri Lankan stocks up

Sri Lankan stocks up

Sri Lankan stocks edged up slightly on Monday, erasing early losses in sluggish trade as investors were cautious due to the political uncertainty ahead of the January 8 presidential poll. The main stock index rose 0.04 percent, or 2.55 points, to close at
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Indian bonds rise

Indian bonds rise

India's benchmark 10-year bond yield fell to a 16-1/2 month low as a slump in global oil prices reinforced expectations the central bank could cut interest rates by early next year. Traders also drew comfort from the absence of a weekly debt sale, as is u
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Indian bonds rise

Indian bonds rise

India's benchmark 10-year bond yield fell to a 16-1/2 month low as a slump in global oil prices reinforced expectations the central bank could cut interest rates by early next year. Traders also drew comfort from the absence of a weekly debt sale, as is u
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Australian shares surge

Australian shares surge

Australian shares rose to a one-week closing high on Monday with Qantas the star performer after the airline cheered investors with a faster-than-anticipated recovery from last year's record loss. The S&P/ASX 200 index climbed 0.7 percent, or 37.4 points,
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
FTSE flounders as commodity stocks crumble

FTSE flounders as commodity stocks crumble

Britain's top equity index retreated on Monday, with commodity stocks hurt by a new drop in the oil price and concerns about the pace of global economic growth, after disappointing data from China. The shares of energy services group Weir also slumped by
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Dollar touches seven-year high versus yen in Asia

Dollar touches seven-year high versus yen in Asia

The dollar set a fresh seven-year high against the yen on Monday after surprisingly robust US jobs data bolstered the view that the Federal Reserve could raise interest rates sooner than expected. The surge in payrolls by 321,000 in November easily blew p
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Early trade in New York: Dollar falls against euro, yen

Early trade in New York: Dollar falls against euro, yen

The dollar slid from a seven-year high against the yen and a two-year peak versus the euro on Monday, as investors consolidated gains made following a strong US jobs report that is expected to trigger an interest rate increase next year. The greenback's o
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Euro dips to over two-year low in London

Euro dips to over two-year low in London

The euro fell to a more than 2-year low against a broadly stronger dollar on Monday after a leading European Central Bank policymaker said government bond buying could be valuable in addressing the "massive" weakening of the euro zone economy. Austrian ce
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Bangladesh's interbank forex, interest rates

Bangladesh's interbank forex, interest rates

Interbank buy/sell rates for the taka against the dollar on Monday. 77.82-77.84 (previous 77.80-77.81). Call Money Rates: 05.75-08.25 percent (Previous 05.75-08.25 percent).
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Yuan slightly weaker

Yuan slightly weaker

China's yuan weakened against the broadly stronger dollar on Monday, despite the central bank setting a stronger official guidance rate. The People's Bank of China set the yuan's midpoint rate at 6.1282 per dollar prior to market open, 0.15 percent strong
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Sri Lankan rupee up

Sri Lankan rupee up

Sri Lankan rupee forwards closed firmer on Monday as dollar selling by exporters and inward remittances outpaced the demand for the greenback from importers, dealers said. The spot currency and three-day forwards, or spot-next, were not traded after the c
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Australian and New Zealand dollar down

Australian and New Zealand dollar down

The Australian and New Zealand dollars were nursing hefty losses on Monday as weak Chinese trade numbers only added to the selling pressure unleashed by a surprisingly robust US employment report. The Australian dollar was pinned at $0.8298, having sunk n
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Indian rupee falls

Indian rupee falls

The Indian rupee weakened on Monday after a robust monthly US employment data sparked a global rally in the dollar and raised worries that any earlier-than-expected hike in US interest rates could dent foreign flows to emerging markets. The rupee was also
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Sterling edges up

Sterling edges up

Sterling recovered from a 15-month low against the dollar on Monday as the greenback took a pause from a rally driven by the expectation that the United States is moving closer to raising interest rates. Data on Friday showed US employers added the most j
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Most emerging Asian currencies down

Most emerging Asian currencies down

Most emerging Asian currencies fell on Monday with Malaysia's ringgit and Indonesia's rupiah at lows since the 2008-09 global financial crisis as strong US jobs data boosted expectations of an early Federal Reserve interest rate hike. Regional units also
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Ryder not in New Zealand's World Cup plans

Ryder not in New Zealand's World Cup plans

Troubled batsman Jesse Ryder's chequered past came back to haunt him Monday when New Zealand selectors left him out of a preliminary 30-man World Cup squad. The 30-year-old is regarded as one of the Black Caps' few match-winners but his career has been li
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Sampras says US men's game in sad decline

Sampras says US men's game in sad decline

American legend Pete Sampras lamented Monday the decline of US men's tennis, saying he didn't know anyone capable of breaking into the top ranks for his home country. Fourteen-time Grand Slam winner Sampras blamed the increasingly global and competitive n
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Bowler Abbott set for return after tragedy

Bowler Abbott set for return after tragedy

Sean Abbott, who delivered the ball that killed Australian batsman Phillip Hughes, is set to return to action after being named Monday in the New South Wales squad. There were fears that the young fast bowler may have been too traumatised to play again af
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Kohli to lead India as Dhoni recovers fitness

Kohli to lead India as Dhoni recovers fitness

Virat Kohli said Monday he will lead India in the opening Test against Australia in place of the injured Mahendra Singh Dhoni and urged his players to adopt a positive mindset. There had been speculation that regular skipper Dhoni would resume the captain
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Clarke to lead Australia in India Test, Hughes 13th man

Clarke to lead Australia in India Test, Hughes 13th man

Michael Clarke was Monday passed fit to lead Australia in the emotional opening Test against India in Adelaide, with the late Phillip Hughes symbolically named 13th man. Clarke had been in doubt for the series opener starting Tuesday with recurring hamstr
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Malaysia apologises to Vietnam over fan violence

Malaysia apologises to Vietnam over fan violence

Malaysia's sports minister apologised on Monday after home fans attacked Vietnamese supporters during a Suzuki Cup semi-final, in ugly scenes that resulted in five arrests. Khairy Jamaluddin said he personally witnessed assaults at Malaysia's cavernous Sh
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Donovan goes out on top as Galaxy win MLS Cup

Donovan goes out on top as Galaxy win MLS Cup

The Los Angeles Galaxy gave Landon Donovan a fairytale ending to a storied career Sunday, beating the New England Revolution 2-1 after extra time in the MLS Cup final. Ireland international Robbie Keane scored the winning goal in the 111th minute as the G
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Messi follows Ronaldo with another hat-trick

Messi follows Ronaldo with another hat-trick

A third Lionel Messi hat-trick in four games helped Barcelona keep the pressure on La Liga leaders Real Madrid as they recorded a 5-1 victory over local rivals Espanyol on Sunday. After falling behind to Sergio Garcia's early strike, Barcelona then took c
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Kenyan cricket team due on December 11

Kenyan cricket team due on December 11

The Kenyan cricket team is arriving here for a five-match one-day series against Pakistan 'A' on December 11, 2014. All five matches of the rubber will be played here at the Gaddafi Stadium. The entire series would consist of day matches, and will be spre
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Saudi Arabia names new health minister to combat MERS virus

Saudi Arabia names new health minister to combat MERS virus

King Abdullah named a new health minister Monday to lead the fight against the MERS virus that has cost more than 350 lives in Saudi Arabia, after his predecessor was sacked. Mohammed bin Ali bin Hayazaa al-Hayazaa replaces Abdullah al-Rabiah who was dism
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
UN appeals for record $16.4 billion for aid work in 2015

UN appeals for record $16.4 billion for aid work in 2015

The UN appealed Monday for a record $16.4 billion (13.4 billion euros) to provide aid to nearly 60 million people world-wide next year, with almost half the amount aimed at helping victims of Syria's drawn-out conflict. "We are facing needs at unprecedent
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
US sets clean-energy trade mission to China

US sets clean-energy trade mission to China

The United States on Monday announced it will send a cabinet-level energy and trade mission to China next year to drum up clean-energy business following a breakthrough US-China climate accord. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and Secretary of Energy
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Iraqi Prime Minister vows to fight graft even at risk of own life

Iraqi Prime Minister vows to fight graft even at risk of own life

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Monday said corruption was no lesser threat than terrorism and pledged to combat it even if that puts his life at risk. Abadi took over at the helm of Iraq in September following an acrimonious process that saw his
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Merkel allies soften divisive immigrant language proposal

Merkel allies soften divisive immigrant language proposal

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's Bavarian allies watered down a call Monday for immigrants to speak German at home after the recommendation provoked a storm of anger and ridicule. The furore comes amid a growing influx of asylum seekers to Europe's top e
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Fourth self-immolation in Bulgaria in just over a month

Fourth self-immolation in Bulgaria in just over a month

A young woman set herself on fire in the central Bulgarian town of Stara Zagora on Monday, the fourth self-immolation in the country in just over a month, hospital sources said. The 32-year-old woman was hospitalised with 92-percent burns, and local emerg
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Massive fires dominate Los Angeles skyline

Massive fires dominate Los Angeles skyline

A pair of massive fires burst across the Los Angeles skyline early Monday, damaging four buildings and closing down freeways during the morning commute. No injuries were reported but the flames near a downtown freeway interchange could be seen for miles a
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
California police, protesters clash again

California police, protesters clash again

Angry crowds hurled objects at police who responded with tear gas in a second night of clashes in northern California following a grand jury decision not to indict a white New York police officer in the chokehold death of an unarmed black man. Police in B
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
War-torn Ukraine to test sweeping new ceasefire

War-torn Ukraine to test sweeping new ceasefire

Ukraine and pro-Russian insurgents prepared to put to the test a comprehensive truce on Tuesday aimed at calming an upsurge of violence that has further eroded trust between Moscow and the West. Local authorities on Monday reported the deaths of at least
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Ex-brokerage executive suspended over Olympus cover-up

Ex-brokerage executive suspended over Olympus cover-up

A former brokerage executive who helped camera giant Olympus cover up years of huge financial losses was given a suspended jail sentence on Monday. Tokyo District Court gave Akio Nakagawa, 64, an 18-month sentence, suspended for three years, and fined him
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
South African court clears Briton of honeymoon murder

South African court clears Briton of honeymoon murder

A South African court cleared British businessman Shrien Dewani on Monday of charges that he paid hitmen to kill his wife while they were on honeymoon in Cape Town four years ago. State prosecutors had argued that Dewani paid 15,000 rand ($1,300) in a plo
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Iran president warns corruption threatens state

Iran president warns corruption threatens state

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani warned Monday that corruption poses a threat to the Islamic republic, pinning the blame in a thinly-veiled attack on powerful monopolies that control the economy. "The people made the revolution in order to wipe out corrupt
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Canadian embassy in Cairo closed to public

Canadian embassy in Cairo closed to public

Canada's embassy in Cairo was closed on Monday until further notice because of security concerns, an official answering its emergency telephone line said, the second diplomatic mission to shut its doors this week. A message on the embassy's website read:
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
EU draws up 1.3 trillion-euro wish list to revive economy

EU draws up 1.3 trillion-euro wish list to revive economy

The European Union has drawn up a wish list of almost 2,000 projects worth 1.3 trillion euros ($1.59 trillion) for possible inclusion in an investment plan to revive growth and jobs without adding to countries' debts. Investment has been a casualty of the
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Prince William and Kate arrive on first trip to NYC

Prince William and Kate arrive on first trip to NYC

Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate arrived on Sunday for their first visit to New York City, a whirlwind trip that includes visits to a Harlem child development center and the September 11 Monument and Museum. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, as
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
UN envoy talks Aleppo ceasefire plan with rebels

UN envoy talks Aleppo ceasefire plan with rebels

UN peace envoy Staffan de Mistura met on Monday with Syrian opposition members to discuss his plan to "freeze" fighting in the country's war-ravaged second city Aleppo, his spokeswoman said. "The talks started today at 11:00 am (0900 GMT) and lasted for e
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Philippine capital braces for storm, as Hagupit leaves 27 dead

Philippine capital braces for storm, as Hagupit leaves 27 dead

Typhoon Hagupit weakened to a tropical storm as it churned close to the Philippine capital on Monday, after killing 27 people on the eastern island of Samar island where it flattened homes, toppled trees and cut power and communications. Manila shut down
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Hungarian Prime Minister orders tax chief to sue US over graft claims

Hungarian Prime Minister orders tax chief to sue US over graft claims

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Monday ordered his country's tax chief to sue the top US diplomat in Budapest for defamation over corruption allegations. Orban's ultimatum to Ildiko Vida is the latest twist in a row with Washington. Ties have bee
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Raul Castro blasts 'unfair' globalized world

Raul Castro blasts 'unfair' globalized world

Cuban President Raul Castro opened a Caribbean summit Monday by calling for economic and political integration in the region, and urging action against an "unfair" globalized world. The summit - bringing together the 15 CARICOM member states and Cuba - ai
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Allies to send 1,500 security personnel to Iraq: US

Allies to send 1,500 security personnel to Iraq: US

Members of a US-led coalition are ready to send roughly 1,500 security personnel to Iraq to help the Baghdad government in its fight against Islamic State group, the American commander of the war effort said Monday. Coalition partners meeting last week in
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Gambian diplomats convicted in UK embassy tobacco racket

Gambian diplomats convicted in UK embassy tobacco racket

A group of Gambian diplomats were convicted on Monday for ordering 26 tonnes of tobacco supposedly for personal consumption to then sell it illegally from their London embassy to queues of buyers. Yusupha Bojang, the deputy head of the Gambian Diplomatic
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
China sentences eight to death

China sentences eight to death

China sentenced eight people to death for their roles in two knife and bomb attacks this spring in the country's violence-plagued western region of Xinjiang, state media reported on Monday. Hundreds of people have been killed in the region in the past two
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
EU watchdog probes near mid-air civil-military collisions

EU watchdog probes near mid-air civil-military collisions

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) said Monday it was investigating a series of near mid-air collisions between European passenger planes and military aircraft. It said in a statement that the incidents had occurred during recent months but gave n
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
EU announces 61 million-euro Ebola package for west Africa

EU announces 61 million-euro Ebola package for west Africa

The European Union on Monday said it had given an extra 61 million euros in aid to help fight the Ebola crisis raging in west Africa. Neven Mimica, the EU Commissioner for International Co-operation and Development, announced the $75 million donation duri
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
US Supreme Court rejects BP challenge to Gulf spill settlement

US Supreme Court rejects BP challenge to Gulf spill settlement

The US Supreme Court on Monday rejected BP's challenge to its multibillion-dollar settlement agreement over the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill, which the oil giant complained has allowed payouts to some businesses that are unable to trace their losses to t
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Thai rubber farmers to protest

Thai rubber farmers to protest

Thai farmers plan protests to force the military government to provide more support for rubber prices and will take to the streets this week in defiance of martial law, a spokesman for farmers' groups said on Monday. Martial law has been in place since Ma
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Shanghai copper sags

Shanghai copper sags

The most-traded February copper contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange sagged 0.4 percent to 45,910 yuan ($7,453) a tonne on Monday. A deluge of China data over the coming week is likely to show a persistent cooldown in the economy, adding to pressure
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Copper down, aluminium stocks rise

Copper down, aluminium stocks rise

Copper and other base metals fell on Monday after weak Chinese trade data and a warning about the European economy. Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange shed 0.7 percent to end at $6,405 a tonne. China's imports shrank unexpectedly in November,
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Iraq cuts official crude oil selling price to Asia, US

Iraq cuts official crude oil selling price to Asia, US

Iraq has cut the official selling price (OSP) to Asia and the United States in January for its main crude oil export grade, Basrah light, but raised the OSP slightly to Europe, the state oil marketing company said on Monday. The move follows a sharp reduc
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am
Rubber up

Rubber up

Benchmark Tokyo rubber futures finished up 1.7 percent on Monday, above the key 200-yen level, helped by the yen's decline to a seven-year low. Tokyo Commodity Exchange (TOCOM) futures, which set the tone for tyre rubber prices in Southeast Asia, rose by
Published 09 Dec, 2014 12:00am