Chinese imports fell for a seventh straight month in May while exports also sank, according to official data Monday, as the world's second biggest economy shows protracted weakness despite government easing measures. The disappointing figures also come as

Gulf stock markets were mixed on Monday after Brent oil slipped towards $63 per barrel on news of a slide in China's fuel imports. China, the world's biggest net oil importer, bought nearly a quarter less crude in May than it did in the previous month, of

Hong Kong stocks edged up on Monday, led by mainland banking heavyweights on expectations that Beijing will step up reforms in the state sector. The Hang Seng index rose 0.2 percent, to 27,316.28, while the China Enterprises Index gained 1.4 percent, to 1

China's main stock indexes rose more than 2 percent on Monday, to a new seven-year high, as investors piled into bluechips, ditching small caps on valuation concerns, ahead of MSCI's decision on including Chinese shares to its global index. The CSI300 ind

US stocks were weaker in early afternoon trading on Monday as investors weighed the prospect of the Federal Reserve raising interest rates as soon as September, after Friday's strong jobs report. The declines follow three straight weeks of losses, with th

Taiwan stocks dropped 0.58 percent on Monday, dragged by struggling smartphone brand HTC Corp, which plummeted on poor quarterly outlook. As of 0140 GMT, the main TAIEX index was down 53.91 points at 9283.46, after closing flat on Friday. The electronics

Upbeat Japanese growth data failed to drive Tokyo stocks higher on Monday with the benchmark index slipping into negative territory by the close. The Nikkei 225 index at the Tokyo Stock Exchange edged down 3.71 points to finish at 20,457.19, while the Top

Indian shares fell to close at their lowest level this year on Monday as worries about weaker-than-average monsoon and foreign selling continued to hit bluechips such as Housing Development Finance Corp. The benchmark BSE index fell 0.92 percent to 26,523

Investors in Turkey on Monday took fright at a new period of political uncertainty after legislative elections, with shares tumbling over five percent and the lira hitting a new record low against the dollar. Turkey's central bank acted swiftly to give so

Shares in Germany's largest lender, Deutsche Bank, surged almost 4 percent on Monday on the appointment of a new CEO, but failed to offset a broader sell-off in European equities as bond yields and the euro rose. Deutsche was one of only two stocks in pos

South African stocks inched lower on Monday, led by mining shares on faltering metal prices as weak Chinese imports raised concerns over demand in the world's top commodities consumer. Africa's biggest iron ore producer Kumba Iron Ore led the decliners li

Indonesian shares hit a near seven-month closing low on Monday as the rupiah extended slides after upbeat US jobs data bolstered expectations of an interest rate hike, while Thai shares rebounded, helped by gains in select transport and construction share

Britain's top share index edged lower and finished near the previous session's two-week low, with sharp gains in Diageo on a reported takeover interest offset by weaker firms like Shire and GKN Diageo, the world's largest producer of spirits, jumped 6.8 p

The Australian and New Zealand dollars were pressured against the US dollar on Monday after strong US jobs data bolstered expectations for a US interest rate rise before year-end. The gathering evidence for the Federal Reserve to start tightening policy c

The dollar held firm near 13-year highs against the yen in Asia on Monday after much better-than-expected US employment data bolstered expectations for an interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve before the year-end. US nonfarm payrolls jumped 280,000 la

The dollar fell off 13-year highs against the yen on Monday after a wire service report, denied by President Barack Obama, that claimed to cite remarks by him on the greenback's strength. The euro climbed more than 1 percent to top $1.12 against the dolla

The dollar fell from near 13-year highs against the yen on Monday on a media report that US authorities were uncomfortable with their strong currency, prompting some traders to trim favourable bets in the greenback. US President Barack Obama was quoted in

The Malaysian ringgit hit a nine-year low and the Indonesian rupiah set a fresh 17-year low on Monday, after robust US jobs data bolstered expectations of an interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve before year-end. The dollar climbed broadly against Asi

Interbank buy/sell rates for the taka against the dollar on Monday. 77.80-77.80 (previous 77.80-77.80). Call Money Rates: 05.25-6.75 percent (Previous 05.25-06.75 percent).

Sri Lankan rupee forwards ended a tad weaker on Monday as dollar sales by a state-run bank for spot currency were limited only to select trades, putting pressure on the forwards, dealers said. A state bank has been selling ample dollars to keep the curren

Sterling fell towards a one-month low against a euro boosted by higher European bond yields on Monday, extending two weeks of losses during a sell-off of euro zone bonds and a run of weaker-than-expected UK economic data. Figures released last week showed

China's yuan eased against the dollar on Monday after the central bank set the daily guidance rate lower for a second straight session, but a near record trade surplus helped to reverse the loss, traders said. The People's Bank of China (PBOC) set the mid

Portsmouth authorities announced Monday they were reviewing plans to repaint the English city's main landmark in the colours of a rival city's football team, following an outcry. In a sponsorship deal, the city council planned to paint the Spinnaker Tower

Palestine have given up home advantage for Thursday's World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia after the oil-rich kingdom cited "exceptional conditions" for their inability to travel to the West Bank. The Group A match, the first for both teams in the sec

New Zealand expect a new-look England squad to match their aggressive style of cricket in the five-game One-day series, captain Brendon McCullum said on Monday. Following a dismal World Cup campaign, England are resting key players, including fast bowlers

England One-day international captain Eoin Morgan said Monday the side had "fallen behind by a long way" in limited overs cricket, but was confident they would improve in their upcoming series with New Zealand. Morgan's men face the World Cup finalists in

Pakistan's coach Waqar Younis expressed confidence the cricket squad would achieve targets in Tests and One-day series as they set off for a tour of Sri Lanka on Monday. Pakistan will play three Tests, five one-day internationals and two Twenty20s on thei

Former champions Germany and Norway got off to winning starts at the women's World Cup on Sunday as newcomers Ivory Coast and Thailand took a battering. Germany whipped the Ivory Coast 10-0 after Norway thrashed Thailand 4-0 in the opening round of Group

World Cup winners Germany believe the June dates for internationals are far from convenient with domestic and European club competitions only just over and players eager for a break after a long season. The Germans face the United States in a friendly in

There is no reason Brazil's hosting of last year's World Cup should be probed as part of the FIFA scandal, President Dilma Rousseff insisted in an interview published Monday. "I do not think the problem is here. But one must investigate all the consequenc

Lawmakers across Paraguay's political divide are urging senators to approve stripping the headquarters of South American football of its legal immunity, a status that spotlights how soccer's global governing body FIFA has often been able to skirt legally

Hong Kong upgraded to "serious" on Monday its response to an outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in South Korea, where the number of cases jumped and fears grew about the economic impact of the disease. South Korean President Park Geun-hye

Belgrade is to erect a monument honouring Gavrilo Princip, the Bosnian Serb nationalist whose assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand sparked World War I, city authorities said Monday. Local official Goran Vesic told state broadcaster RTS that the monum

British Prime Minister David Cameron tripped up over Europe at a summit of the Group of Seven Industrial nations (G7), appearing to issue an ultimatum to his own ministers over the EU only to swiftly withdraw it, saying he had been misunderstood. The deba

Concluding that Iran's nuclear programme is entirely peaceful will take "years and years" even if Tehran and world powers sign a hoped-for accord this month, the UN atomic watchdog head said Monday. The International Atomic Energy Agency has for years sai

The United Nations on Monday released a "List of Shame" of children's rights violators but did not include Israel, despite an outcry over the death of more than 500 children in the Gaza war. Rights groups had called on Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to add

Guyana warned Monday it would "vigorously" resist any attempt by Venezuela to enforce a new claim over coastal waters where Exxon Mobil recently announced an important oil find. Caracas issued a decree May 27 laying claim to waters off the Essequibo, a di

The Supreme Court overturned a law Monday that would have allowed US passport holders born in the disputed city of Jerusalem to record their country of birth as "Israel." After lengthy deliberation, the court decided that the 2002 law breaches the preside

At least 49 civilians, including six children, were killed on Monday in Syrian government air strikes on a town in Idlib province in the country's north-west, a monitoring group said. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the raids hit a square in

War-torn Syria has asked the UN atomic watchdog for help in converting a nuclear facility and shipping abroad potentially dangerous nuclear material, the head of the watchdog said Monday. "We have received a request from Syria early this year... We are st

A Romanian parliamentary committee on Monday ruled against a request from anti-graft prosecutors to proceed with a corruption case against Prime Minister Victor Ponta. Parliament still has to make the final decision on whether to strip Ponta of his immuni

Human Rights Watch condemned on Monday "flagrant human rights abuses" during the first year in power of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, on the anniversary of his inauguration. Sisi was sworn in on June 8, 2014 following a landslide election victo

Dzhuna, a famed mystic healer and astrologer who is said to have treated Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev and Russian celebrities, died on Monday at 65, her friends said. "Dzhuna died on Monday morning," Andrei Malakhov, the host of a prime-time chat show on

Yemen's exiled president took a hard line Monday ahead of weekend peace talks in Geneva, ruling out negotiations with Iran-backed rebels and denouncing Tehran's "dangerous" meddling in his country. After overrunning Sanaa in September, the Huthi rebels se

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto was close to retaining a slim majority in the lower house of Congress on Monday despite losing support in mid-term elections marked by anger over corruption, gang violence and weak economic growth. Mexicans cast votes

Belgium on Monday began minting 2.5-euro coins marking the 200th anniversary of Napoleon's defeat of at the Battle of Waterloo, after France forced it to scrap a two-euro coin of the same purpose. Paris objected to the new Belgian coin, commemorating the

Horst Brandstaetter, owner of the German toy company that produces Playmobil, the small plastic figures loved by children the world over, has died aged 81 the company announced on Monday. "With Horst Brandstaetter the Playmobil family loses not just its c

US authorities on Monday released video of a black Muslim man as he is shot dead by police and the FBI in Boston. The suspect is accused of having planned to behead police officers. The grainy video was filmed by a surveillance camera fixed to a Burger Ki

Iraqi forces and militia fighters have rolled back the Islamic State group in the northern town of Baiji and at a nearby oil refinery but it is too soon to declare victory in either battle, the Pentagon said Monday. The US military's account of fighting a

Apple announced Monday it would launch its tap-to-pay mobile payments system in Britain next month, allowing iPhones to be used to pay at 250,000 locations including London's transit system. "We are now excited to announce we are bringing Apple Pay to the

At least 16 people, most of them school children, were killed when the truck they were riding in plunged into a ravine in central Peru, authorities reported Monday. "The accident has left some 16 dead. Thirty injured people have been evacuated," Ruben Alv

A Zambian musician was arrested on Monday over a song he composed that officials said defamed President Edgar Lungu by accusing him of drinking too much and being incompetent. Chama Fumba, 31, whose stage name is Pilato, was detained in Lusaka and charged

Leaders of the world's major industrial democracies resolved on Monday to wean their energy-hungry economies off carbon fuels, marking a major step in the battle against global warming that raises the chances of a UN climate deal later this year. The Grou

Leaders of the world's major industrial democracies resolved on Monday to wean their energy-hungry economies off carbon fuels, marking a major step in the battle against global warming that raises the chances of a UN climate deal later this year. The Grou

Prince Biscuits, a leading sandwich biscuit brand of Continental Biscuits Ltd, sponsored the Karachi Kids festival held at Frere Hall Karachi, this weekend. The two day kids' festival was a complete family gala with a variety of stalls and recreational ac

The government has finally conceded to the opposition demand for live coverage of Parliament proceedings on budget debate after around three hours topsy-turvy negotiations, which led to one-day delay in the debate. The debate on budget was scheduled to be

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has enhanced sales tax on textile sector in consultation with the sector in budget (2015-16) by proposing 3 percent sales tax on all presently identified inputs including yarn and fabrics and 5 percent sales tax on finis

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has empowered Customs officers to recover sales tax at the import stage and strengthened the legal authority of the customs department to ensure recovery from importers. According to the amendment in Sales Tax Act throug

The idea of Shifa International Hospital (SHFA) was first conceived in New York, in the middle of 1985. The principal object was to establish medical centers in Pakistan, and the first hospital was set up in Islamabad. The Shifa Hospital was incorporated

The idea of Shifa International Hospital (SHFA) was first conceived in New York, in the middle of 1985. The principal object was to establish medical centers in Pakistan, and the first hospital was set up in Islamabad. The Shifa Hospital was incorporated

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Nasir Khan Durrani awarded Mansehra police for arresting a dreaded terrorist involved in several attacks on Army convoy and police mobile in a ceremony held at CPO Peshawar Monday. According to deta

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf lawyer Abdul Hafeez Pirzada informed the General Elections Inquiry Commission on Monday that he will decide whether the PTI chief Imran Khan should record his statement before the commission or not after receipt of Form-15. A thre

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) will impose up to Rs 50,000 on importers, who would be contravening the requirement of placing invoice and packing list inside the import containers. Through the Finance Bill 2015, the lower limit for making contraventio

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Information & Higher Education Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani has said the provincial government has set-up a state of the art automated information cell in the provincial information department for redressal of public complaints abou

Federal Minister for Finance Senator Ishaq Dar here on Monday inaugurated the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan's (SECP) investor education web portal 'Jama Punji'. The web portal is envisioned to play a key role in the SECP's overall investo

Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Nasirul Mulk on Monday administered oath to the recently appointed Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) Rana Asad Ameen. During May this year, Finance Division had issued a notification for removal of former AGP Muhammad Bul

Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) here on Monday organised a national consultation on humanitarian effectiveness and response in Pakistan. The consultation was held in preparation for the World Humanitarian Summit 2016 and was the last in a series

Pakistan Rice Mills Association (PRMA) on Monday urged the government to direct Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) and Pakistan Agriculture Storage Service Corporation (Passco) to intervene in the market by purchasing rice from rice-shellers to enable

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Sardar Mahtab Ahmad Khan has directed the political administration to facilitate mines lease holders in Fata. The investors should not be discouraged rather they should be guided and facilitated. The Governor advised the member

"So Haroon Akhtar Khan is what?"

UK Border Force (BF) has released all five crew members of Pakistan International Airline (PIA) after two-hour interview and allowed the departure to flight PK-788 to Karachi. According to sources, PK-788 (London to Karachi) of the PIA had been stopped by

Three children drowned and died in a flooded Nullah here on late Sunday night. Search for the bodies was in progress. Levies sources said that heavy rain which lashed various areas of district Khuzdar of Balochistan flooded the Nullahs and steams. In Sunn

With an aim to highlight the significance of Oceans and to promote awareness amongst Pakistan Navy Personnel to protect and preserve the Oceans, Pakistan Navy celebrated World Oceans Day with great enthusiasm. A highly spirited participation by Pakistan N

The first Rs 22.237 billion Islamic rental property fund of the subcontinent was launched at Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) Monday. The two-day book building process for the country's first Rental Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), Dolmen City REIT (DCR),

The first Rs 22.237 billion Islamic rental property fund of the subcontinent was launched at Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) Monday. The two-day book building process for the country's first Rental Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), Dolmen City REIT (DCR),

Property Dealers' Association (PDA) Qasimabad demanded strict action against Baba Fareed Builders allegedly involved in committing frauds worth of millions rupees with various innocent people. PDA Leaders, Ghulam Asghar Panhwer, Engineer Rahmutallah Sand

In a seminar recently held in Islamabad, PLUMgrid, a leading innovator of virtual network infrastructure for OpenStack Clouds, welcomes Inbox Business Technologies to its Global Alliance Programme. Through this Global Alliance Programme means that Inbox w

Korangi Association of Trade and Industry's (Kati) patron-in-chief S M Muneer has welcomed the government's decision of withdrawing powers of issuing Statuary Regulatory Orders (SROs) from the Federal Board of Revenue's (FBR). Commenting on the budget spe

Lasbela Chamber of Commerce and Industry's (LCCI), president Yakoob H. Karim has apprehended that the common man will suffer in the wake of taxes imposed on the essential items such as dairy products, filtered water. He also criticised the government for

Unknown armed men gunned down a policeman here on Monday and escaped the scene. The firing incident took place in Kaki area of Bannu where unknown armed motorcyclists opened fire at policemen. As a result of firing a policeman died on the spot while the a

Pakistan's leading provider of end to end logistics services e2e Supply Chain Management announced the appointment of Junaid Iqbal as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and equity partner. As CEO, Junaid Iqbal will take charge of the overall business and comme

Prevention of Blindness (POB) Trust, a subsidiary of Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA), on Monday organised an eye camp during which free-of-cost surgeries were conducted. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Misbah-ul-Aziz, Chairman, PIMA, said: "In Pa

Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Vice President Sherry Rehman on Monday was elected as Senator from Sindh unopposed. Last week, Rehman filed nomination papers for a general seat of the Senate from Sindh that had fallen vacant after the resignation of Abdul L

Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) Chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao has said that if provincial government was sincere in efforts to ease opposition's concerns over alleged rigging and mismanagement in local government elections in the upcoming All Parties Conferen

President Tri-Party Alliance (TPA) secretary general, ANP Mian Iftikhar Hussain has said that the provincial government has convened All Parties Conference (APC) with mala-fide intentions to sabotage the strike of opposition. Briefing the media after pres

Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan on Monday said that the killing of two brothers at the hand of Punjab Police would not have happened if the killers involved in Model Town massacre had been punished. Talking to reports after condoling wi

American Ambassador to Pakistan Richard G Olson met Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Monday, to discuss matters of mutual interest and bilateral relations. Sources claimed that views were also exchanged to promote co-operation in different sectors.

K-Electric through its press statement has assured that an emergency plan has been initiated to deal with the incoming Cyclone Ashobha in which KE's team has been put on standby to counter any devastation or breakdown if God-forbid the cyclone affects the

In the wake of expected cyclone, Advisor to Chief Minister Sindh for Labour and Human Resources Asghar Ali Junejo has repealed vacations of doctors, nurses, paramedics and other staff of hospitals of Sindh Employees Social Security Institutions (SESSI). H

Following Pakistan Meteorically Department (PMD) weather advisory that Cyclonic conditions are developing in the Arabian Sea, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued directives to all the relevant departments to take preventive measur

Home Minister Sarfraz Bugti on Monday reiterated that foreign intelligence agencies including Indian Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) are conspiring against Pakistan after the historic China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) agreement. He expressed these

Ministry of Commerce organized an International Conference on Trade and Competitiveness with the support of World Bank which was attended by distinguished scholars, policy makers, representatives of development agencies and private sector. Federal Ministe

After a detailed inquiry into a major case of abuse of dominance by a business firm, the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has issued show cause notice to a world's leading food company, for unreasonably raising the prices of most common baby food

An Envoys' Conference is being held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday (today) in which Pakistan's Ambassadors from 14 countries of SAARC and ECO regions will participate. The Conference, which will be inaugurated by the Advisor to the Prime Mi

A local court of Islamabad on Monday granted physical remand of 17 Axact employees to Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for seven days. FIA produced the Axact employees before judicial magistrate Rasool Buksh Mir Jatt in connection with the alleged sale

A local court on Monday extended physical remand of Chief Executive Officer (ECO) of Axact, the IT company accused of running fake degree empire, Shoaib Shaikh and eight other accused till June 10. FIA investigators produced the nine accused before magist

The issues pertaining to growing violence in Balochistan province stay due to interference of a neighbouring country. In current situation in Balochistan, the role of the federal government regarding handling it is very poor. These views were presented by

Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts and Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM) Senior Vice Chairman Mumshad Ali has stressed upon the need for creating a strong liaison between educational institutions, widely recognised as major contributors to economic

Inspector General of Police Punjab Mushtaq Ahmad Sukhera while addressing the first largest 7th passed out batch comprising 504 lady constables at Police Training College, Chung, Lahore, on Monday has said a large number of female officers are being recru

Pakistan Awami Tehreek Chairman Tahirul Qadri has said that by not allocating funds for NACTA the Sharifs have once again proven their loyalty with the terrorists' elements. Talking to members of the Consultative Council from Canada via video link, Dr Qad