A Palestinian held by Israel without trial has slipped into a coma after a nearly two-month hunger strike, his lawyer said Friday, raising fears for his life. "I was informed yesterday (Thursday) evening by the (Israeli) hospital where he is being held th

Nearly one million people in Guatemala are struggling to feed themselves as poor rainfall has led to drought and shrunken harvests, worsening hunger among the poor, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said. Linked to the El Nino weather phenome

A UN human rights watchdog called on Iraq on Friday to close what it described as secret detention centres where militant suspects, including minors, are "severely tortured". The panel of 18 independent experts, who reviewed Iraq's record in preventing to

South Sudan's government said Friday it was pulling out of peace talks to end a 20-month long civil war after rebel forces split despite international threats of sanctions. Tens of thousands of people have been killed in a war marked by widespread atrocit

At least 42 people have been killed in clashes between Islamic State, a rival Islamist group and forces loyal to the official government in two Libyan cities, residents and medics said on Friday. The fighting typifies the chaos in the oil-producing countr

The Sri Lankan rupee ended steady on Friday despite importer dollar demand ahead of the parliamentary election on Monday, while dealers said they expected the currency to face further pressure in line with weakening regional currencies. The rupee traded s

China's yuan held steady against the dollar on Friday, but posted its biggest weekly loss on record due to the central bank's surprise move to devalue its currency. The People's Bank of China (PBOC) set the midpoint rate at 6.3975 per dollar prior to mark

Taiwan's Central Bank guided the overnight interbank rate lower for the fourth day in a row Friday, after forecasting the consumer price index to contract this year. The rate was lowered to 0.379 percent from 0.382 percent on Thursday. This is the rate th

Turkey's lira tumbled to a fresh record low against the dollar on Friday, prompting the central bank to step in with an attempt to shore up the currency following the collapse of talks to form a coalition government. However, the moves - which traders sai

The dollar was steady on Friday after China's central bank appeared to have stopped guiding the yuan lower for now, easing concerns that a weaker Chinese currency could derail plans by the US Federal Reserve to raise interest rates. The dollar traded at 1

The euro rose on Friday after Greece's parliament gave approval to a new bailout agreement, with relative calm returning to currency markets after a week that saw China devalue the yuan, sending ripples through global financial markets. The euro hit $1.11

The dollar edged higher on Friday against a basket of currencies on encouraging data on US producer prices and industrial output, while euro ended a good week on a weak note even as the Greek parliament approved a new bailout agreement. Relative calm retu

The Russian rouble lost ground on Friday after the oil price sank further below $50 per barrel. At 0900 GMT, the rouble was down 0.3 percent against the dollar at 64.91 and shed 0.4 percent versus the euro to 72.35. "The rouble has to be quoted all the ti

Nigeria's interbank lending rates eased to 14 percent on Friday from 40 percent last week after injections of liquidity from matured Treasury bills and refunds by the central bank of cash set aside by banks to buy dollars. The cost of borrowing among bank

The Kenyan shilling recouped some of its losses on Friday after weakening due to banks covering their short positions ahead of an expected increase in domestic money market liquidity, while stocks barely moved. At 0740 GMT, commercial banks posted the shi

Emerging Asian currencies fell on Friday and are set for weekly losses, defying China's efforts to soothe jittery global markets after yuan devaluation, due to a bearish outlook for the world's second-largest economy and its currency. The Malaysian ringgi

Sterling inched higher against the dollar and euro on Friday as investors refocused on the prospect of the Bank of England raising interest rates in the coming months, after fears of a China-led global "currency war" subsided. The pound had hit a one-mont

ICE cotton rose for the third straight session on Friday after an unexpectedly bullish US government supply and demand report from earlier in the week, but encountered resistance at the prior session's high as physical market activity remained cool. "We h

Indian oilseed futures closed lower on Friday due to higher imports of vegetable oil in July, while soyoil edged up on festive demand. India imported 36 percent more vegetable oils in July from a year ago at 1.5 million tonnes, the biggest monthly rise si

Shanghai copper is expected to break support at 39,250 yuan per tonne and fall further towards the next support at 38,790 yuan, following the completion of a five-wave cycle from the August 7 low of 37,310 yuan. These supports are identified respectively

Copper steadied on Friday as investor concerns over weak summer demand were offset by relief that China's central bank had stopped guiding the yuan lower, returning some buying power to Chinese importers of the metal. The People's Bank of China set the yu

US crude oil edged higher after posting a fresh 6-1/2-year low early on Friday amid concerns over global oversupply, while Brent futures slipped as the front-month September contract approached expiration. Data showing North Dakota crude oil production ro

Benchmark Tokyo rubber futures skidded on Friday, dragged down by US crude oil prices which hit their lowest in almost 6-1/2 years, but the contract marked a small gain for the week amid thin trade as many traders were away for holiday, dealers said. The

Friday's Rotterdam vegetable oil prices at 1600 GMT.

Friday's Rotterdam vegetable oil prices at 1600 GMT.

US corn and soybean export premiums at the Gulf Coast were generally steady on Thursday as a sharp drop in futures prices this week stoked demand but US supplies continue to face stiff competition from South American exporters, traders said. Chicago Board

Malaysian palm oil futures rose for a second day on Friday, tracking overnight trading of comparative oils higher, as a falling ringgit offered some support to the commodity. The benchmark palm oil contract for October on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Ex

Arabica coffee futures on ICE hit a three-month high on Friday as investors covered short positions and on worries about slow harvesting and small bean sizes in Brazil. Raw sugar edged higher in a technical correction, drifting further away from Monday's

Gold steadied away from a three-week high on Friday as China calmed jittery global markets, with upbeat US retail sales refreshing expectations for a near-term increase in US interest rates. But bullion was still set to end a seven-week losing streak afte

Gold edged up on Friday as the dollar softened and investors weighed the impact of China's currency intervention on the timing for the first US interest rate increase in nearly a decade. Bullion was set to end a seven-week losing streak after China's yuan

Soybean futures on the Chicago Board of Trade fell Friday for the fifth session in the last six as forecasts for welcome rains next week in the US Midwest bolstered crop prospects, traders said. The forecasts pressed a market still reeling from worries ab

Gold turned slightly lower on Friday as the dollar shifted higher on encouraging US data and as investors weighed the impact of China's currency intervention on the timing for the first US interest rate increase in nearly a decade. US industrial output ad

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed deep remorse Friday over World War II and said previous national apologies would stand, but Asian nations that suffered under Tokyo's militarism were unmoved. In a closely watched speech on the eve of the 70th

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed deep remorse Friday over World War II and said previous national apologies would stand, but Asian nations that suffered under Tokyo's militarism were unmoved. In a closely watched speech on the eve of the 70th

At least one soldier was killed and five others injured in an explosion in Turbat district of Balochistan on Friday while a major terror bid foiled in Zhob. According to security sources, the explosion occurred near a security forces' vehicle in Kech Kora

At least one soldier was killed and five others injured in an explosion in Turbat district of Balochistan on Friday while a major terror bid foiled in Zhob. According to security sources, the explosion occurred near a security forces' vehicle in Kech Kora

Hurriyat leader Asiya Andrabi on Friday hoisted the Pakistani flag and sang the country's national anthem with a group of women celebrating Pakistan's Independence Day in Indian Occupied Kashmir. Indian media reported that the group of Dukhtaran-e-Millat

Hurriyat leader Asiya Andrabi on Friday hoisted the Pakistani flag and sang the country's national anthem with a group of women celebrating Pakistan's Independence Day in Indian Occupied Kashmir. Indian media reported that the group of Dukhtaran-e-Millat

Authorities on Friday criticised the Indian army for killing a civilian woman in cross-border shelling violating a ceasefire agreement. Three other civilians - the woman's husband and daughter, and a third female relative - were wounded in the shelling, l

Authorities on Friday criticised the Indian army for killing a civilian woman in cross-border shelling violating a ceasefire agreement. Three other civilians - the woman's husband and daughter, and a third female relative - were wounded in the shelling, l

Thousands of people are expected to march in cities across the globe on Saturday in support of Iran's deal with world powers over its controversial nuclear programme, activists said. The "global day of peace", as organisers describe it on Facebook, is aim

Thousands of people are expected to march in cities across the globe on Saturday in support of Iran's deal with world powers over its controversial nuclear programme, activists said. The "global day of peace", as organisers describe it on Facebook, is aim

A British trader accused of helping trigger a US stock market crash through a company registered at his modest London home was granted bail Friday and free to leave prison. Navinder Singh Sarao, 36, was arrested in London in April at the request of US aut

A British trader accused of helping trigger a US stock market crash through a company registered at his modest London home was granted bail Friday and free to leave prison. Navinder Singh Sarao, 36, was arrested in London in April at the request of US aut

A British trader accused of helping trigger a US stock market crash through a company registered at his modest London home was granted bail Friday and free to leave prison. Navinder Singh Sarao, 36, was arrested in London in April at the request of US aut

Eurozone finance ministers approved Friday a third debt bailout worth up to 86 billion euros to keep Greece afloat and avoid its chaotic exit from the single currency bloc, officials said. "New loans of up to 86 billion euros will be made available over t

Eurozone finance ministers approved Friday a third debt bailout worth up to 86 billion euros to keep Greece afloat and avoid its chaotic exit from the single currency bloc, officials said. "New loans of up to 86 billion euros will be made available over t

Eurozone finance ministers approved Friday a third debt bailout worth up to 86 billion euros to keep Greece afloat and avoid its chaotic exit from the single currency bloc, officials said. "New loans of up to 86 billion euros will be made available over t

Cameroon will send nearly 2,500 soldiers to join a west African regional force to fight Boko Haram Islamists that will number 8,700 men, the defence minister said Friday. Nigeria's neighbours Chad, Cameroon and Niger, which have all suffered attacks by Bo

Cameroon will send nearly 2,500 soldiers to join a west African regional force to fight Boko Haram Islamists that will number 8,700 men, the defence minister said Friday. Nigeria's neighbours Chad, Cameroon and Niger, which have all suffered attacks by Bo

Kurdish forces fighting Islamic State (IS) jihadists in northern Iraq appear to have been attacked with chemical weapons, the German defence ministry said Thursday. The allegations, deemed "plausible" by a US official, follow claims in March by the autono

Kurdish forces fighting Islamic State (IS) jihadists in northern Iraq appear to have been attacked with chemical weapons, the German defence ministry said Thursday. The allegations, deemed "plausible" by a US official, follow claims in March by the autono

Arab Bank has reached a settlement with hundreds of US victims of attacks in Israel and the Palestinian territories who filed a lawsuit accusing the bank of supporting terrorism. A spokesperson for the bank confirmed to AFP that an agreement had been reac

Arab Bank has reached a settlement with hundreds of US victims of attacks in Israel and the Palestinian territories who filed a lawsuit accusing the bank of supporting terrorism. A spokesperson for the bank confirmed to AFP that an agreement had been reac

Arab Bank has reached a settlement with hundreds of US victims of attacks in Israel and the Palestinian territories who filed a lawsuit accusing the bank of supporting terrorism. A spokesperson for the bank confirmed to AFP that an agreement had been reac

An earthquake of high intensity jolted different areas of Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Friday evening. According to details, an earthquake of magnitude 6.2 on the Richter scale was felt in Islamabad, Murree, Abbot

An earthquake of high intensity jolted different areas of Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Friday evening. According to details, an earthquake of magnitude 6.2 on the Richter scale was felt in Islamabad, Murree, Abbot

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday greeted Pakistan on its Independence Day. "Greetings and good wishes to the people of Pakistan on their Independence Day," Modi tweeted.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday greeted Pakistan on its Independence Day. "Greetings and good wishes to the people of Pakistan on their Independence Day," Modi tweeted.

US Secretary of State John Kerry renewed the US commitment to strengthen partnership with Pakistan on the country's 69 Independence Day, lauding efforts to achieve the goals of economic prosperity and strengthen democratic institutions. "On behalf of Pres

US Secretary of State John Kerry renewed the US commitment to strengthen partnership with Pakistan on the country's 69 Independence Day, lauding efforts to achieve the goals of economic prosperity and strengthen democratic institutions. "On behalf of Pres

A Moscow military tribunal on Friday sentenced the former commander of Russia's land forces Vladimir Chirkin to five years in jail for taking a bribe, a court spokesman said. Chirkin, 59, was a decorated officer who served as commander of the land forces

A battle between Islamic State group jihadists and local gunmen in Sirte has left between 150 and 200 dead, a Libyan diplomat said Friday, warning of a massacre in the coastal city. "A real massacre is taking place, and we call on the international commun

Pakistan Rangers, Sindh during a targeted action, in Landhi- 6 area has apprehended criminals involved in heinous crimes, including target killings and smuggling of weapons. The law enforcing agency in its statement issued here on Friday said that the ope

Appreciating the role of Parliament, Supreme Court and the military courts in elimination of the scourge of terrorism from Pakistani soil, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Friday said the solutions to all problems facing the country were possible only

Appreciating the role of Parliament, Supreme Court and the military courts in elimination of the scourge of terrorism from Pakistani soil, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Friday said the solutions to all problems facing the country were possible only

Authorities imposed a curfew in parts of the main city of Indian-held Kashmir on Friday to prevent any move by Kashmiris to celebrate Pakistan's Independence Day, police said. The restrictions in occupied Srinagar, which included the closure of the city's

Authorities imposed a curfew in parts of the main city of Indian-held Kashmir on Friday to prevent any move by Kashmiris to celebrate Pakistan's Independence Day, police said. The restrictions in occupied Srinagar, which included the closure of the city's

Four hundred Baloch separatists have surrendered at a ceremony held on the occasion of Independence Day, here on Friday. The ceremony was held at Quetta Police Lines which was attended by Commander Southern Command, Lieutenant General Muhammad Nasser Khan

Four hundred Baloch separatists have surrendered at a ceremony held on the occasion of Independence Day, here on Friday. The ceremony was held at Quetta Police Lines which was attended by Commander Southern Command, Lieutenant General Muhammad Nasser Khan

Secretary of State John Kerry called Friday for "genuine democracy" in Cuba as the American flag was raised over a US embassy in Havana for the first time in 54 years. Putting a symbolic capstone on the United States' historic rapprochement with Cuba, Ker

Secretary of State John Kerry called Friday for "genuine democracy" in Cuba as the American flag was raised over a US embassy in Havana for the first time in 54 years. Putting a symbolic capstone on the United States' historic rapprochement with Cuba, Ker

China''s central bank on Friday raised the value of the yuan against the US dollar by 0.05 percent, the national foreign exchange market said, ending three days of falls after a surprise devaluation. The daily reference rate was set at 6.3975 yuan to $1.0

China's central bank on Friday raised the value of the yuan against the US dollar by 0.05 percent, the national foreign exchange market said, ending three days of falls after a surprise devaluation. The daily reference rate was set at 6.3975 yuan to $1.0,

China's central bank on Friday raised the value of the yuan against the US dollar by 0.05 percent, the national foreign exchange market said, ending three days of falls after a surprise devaluation. The daily reference rate was set at 6.3975 yuan to $1.0,

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has revised conditions for grant of license or its renewal to non-profit associations under Section 42 of the Companies Ordinance, 1984. In this regard, the SECP has issued circular 28 of 2015 date

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has revised conditions for grant of license or its renewal to non-profit associations under Section 42 of the Companies Ordinance, 1984. In this regard, the SECP has issued circular 28 of 2015 date

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has revised conditions for grant of license or its renewal to non-profit associations under Section 42 of the Companies Ordinance, 1984. In this regard, the SECP has issued circular 28 of 2015 date

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) will take new initiatives to facilitate textile sector by addressing their concerns through new anti-smuggling strategy, upward revision of customs values on import of fabric/garments, possible regulatory duty on import

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) will take new initiatives to facilitate textile sector by addressing their concerns through new anti-smuggling strategy, upward revision of customs values on import of fabric/garments, possible regulatory duty on import

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) will take new initiatives to facilitate textile sector by addressing their concerns through new anti-smuggling strategy, upward revision of customs values on import of fabric/garments, possible regulatory duty on import

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday sought an explanation from senior cabinet member and minister for climate change, Mushahidullah Khan, over an interview the latter gave to BBC Urdu, in which he alleged that former Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) ch

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday sought an explanation from senior cabinet member and minister for climate change, Mushahidullah Khan, over an interview the latter gave to BBC Urdu, in which he alleged that former Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) ch

All "legitimate" demands of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) would be addressed, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said while talking to a news channel. He said that all political parties including MQM should play their role in the Parliament for greater national

All "legitimate" demands of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) would be addressed, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said while talking to a news channel. He said that all political parties including MQM should play their role in the Parliament for greater national

The Indian Deputy High Commissioner to Pakistan was called in by the Director General (SA& SAARC) on Friday and a protest was lodged against the decision of the Indian National Investigation Agency not to contest the bail granted to Swami Aseeman. A state

The Indian Deputy High Commissioner to Pakistan was called in by the Director General (SA& SAARC) on Friday and a protest was lodged against the decision of the Indian National Investigation Agency not to contest the bail granted to Swami Aseeman. A state

A much-awaited five-year Auto Policy (2015-20) was once again blocked by the Economic Co-ordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet with the direction that further consultations be held, after Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) rejected the incentives proposed

A much-awaited five-year Auto Policy (2015-20) was once again blocked by the Economic Co-ordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet with the direction that further consultations be held, after Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) rejected the incentives proposed

A much-awaited five-year Auto Policy (2015-20) was once again blocked by the Economic Co-ordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet with the direction that further consultations be held, after Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) rejected the incentives proposed

State Bank of Pakistan Friday launched its five-year Strategic Plan titled "SBP Vision 2020". The plan is said to be aimed at becoming a role model for corporate best practices in Pakistan and to deliver effective and efficient outcomes at every level.

State Bank of Pakistan Friday launched its five-year Strategic Plan titled "SBP Vision 2020". The plan is said to be aimed at becoming a role model for corporate best practices in Pakistan and to deliver effective and efficient outcomes at every level.

State Bank of Pakistan Friday launched its five-year Strategic Plan titled "SBP Vision 2020". The plan is said to be aimed at becoming a role model for corporate best practices in Pakistan and to deliver effective and efficient outcomes at every level.

The weather report on Friday (August 14, 2015) and the forecast for Saturday (August 15, 2015).

The fluctuations observed during the day:

The fluctuations observed during the day:

All timings are in PST (Pakistan Standard Time).

Bridge is all about control. Too often we see declarers failing in their contract by losing control of the hand. By this is meant either falling short in trumps or in the timing of the play whereby in the race to establish winners, the declarer loses the

Sexy strippers with rippling six-packs are front and center once more in "Magic Mike XXL," with Channing Tatum again starring in the more light-hearted sequel to the 2012 original. Movie review website Rotten Tomatoes gave the film - out Wednesday in the

Ashton Kutcher chose a venue called "The Secret Garden," Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie kept news of their nuptials under wraps for five days, and Jennifer Aniston tied the knot in her own backyard. Aniston's surprise wedding to Justin Theroux this week mar