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May 24, 2024 اردو ► PRINT EDITION ► BR MARKETS ► Dollar to PKR ►
Print - 2016-02-19
US Plains HRW wheat bids steady

US Plains HRW wheat bids steady

Spot cash basis bids for hard red winter (HRW) wheat were steady in the southern US Plains on Wednesday, traders said. Dealers said interest in wheat was quiet, but that could change as the outlook for new crop begins. Warm weather in Oklahoma is expected
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Prices mixed on grain market

Prices mixed on grain market

Rates moved both ways on the wholesale grain market on Thursday in the process of trading, dealers said. On the cereals side, Makai low type was up by Rs 25 to Rs 2775 and the best quality was higher by Rs 100 to Rs 2875, other commodities maintained over
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
US FOB Gulf soyabean offers mixed, corn mostly steady

US FOB Gulf soyabean offers mixed, corn mostly steady

Export premiums for soyabeans shipped from the US Gulf Coast were mixed on Wednesday, with nearby values supported by good demand for spot shipments, and deferred offers weighed down by stiff competition from South American suppliers, traders said. Corn e
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
EU wheat prices flat, bearish trend persists

EU wheat prices flat, bearish trend persists

European wheat prices were flat on Wednesday as operators gave paused after a strong fall the previous day but traders said the mood for sellers remained gloomy due to hefty supplies and export concerns. March milling wheat was unchanged at 153.25 euros a
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Brazil's 2016-17 center-south sugar output to jump 10 percent
Currency

Brazil's 2016-17 center-south sugar output to jump 10 percent

Brazil's 2016-17 center-south sugar output should increase by 10 percent compared to the previous season to 34 million tonnes, brokerage and consultancy INTL FCStone said on Tuesday. The cane crush in the new center-south crop, expected to start around Ma
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Karachi Port's activities

Karachi Port's activities

The Karachi Port handled 78,376 tonnes of cargo comprising 51,673 tonnes of import cargo and 26,703 tonnes of export cargo including 4,768 loaded and empty containers during the last 24 hours ending at 0700 hours on Thursday. The total import cargo of 51,
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Oil cake market rates
Cotton

Oil cake market rates

The March vaida was unchanged on the forward cottonseeds oilcake market on Thursday in the process of trading, dealers said. The March Vaida closed on Wednesday at Rs 2050.50 and it commenced with no change in the early hours, they said.
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Prices firm as phutti arrivals depict fall in PCGA report
Exchange

Prices firm as phutti arrivals depict fall in PCGA report

Prices showed steadier trend on the cotton market on Thursday as the Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) fortnightly report released, showing a decline of 33.62 percent in seed cotton arrival figures against the last year, dealers said. The officia
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Moderate activity on steady cotton market
Cotton

Moderate activity on steady cotton market

Due to a sharply lower cotton output this year (August 2015 / July 2016) of only about 9.8 million bales (155 Kgs) against the earlier projection of upto 15 million bales, domestic prices over the past several weeks have remained steady though turnover ha
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Moderate activity on steady cotton market
Cotton

Moderate activity on steady cotton market

Due to a sharply lower cotton output this year (August 2015 / July 2016) of only about 9.8 million bales (155 Kgs) against the earlier projection of upto 15 million bales, domestic prices over the past several weeks have remained steady though turnover ha
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Air Canada posts second record profit

Air Canada posts second record profit

Air Canada said Wednesday it posted a record Can$1.2 billion (US $884 million) profit last year, more than doubling its previous record earnings in 2014, thanks largely to low fuel costs. Canada's flagship airline raked in Can$13.9 billion (US $10.1 billi
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Air Canada posts second record profit

Air Canada posts second record profit

Air Canada said Wednesday it posted a record Can$1.2 billion (US $884 million) profit last year, more than doubling its previous record earnings in 2014, thanks largely to low fuel costs. Canada's flagship airline raked in Can$13.9 billion (US $10.1 billi
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
RWE suspends dividend payouts after annual loss
Exchange

RWE suspends dividend payouts after annual loss

RWE, Germany's second-biggest power supplier, said Wednesday it will partially suspend dividend payouts after running up a loss in 2015 as a result of collapsing wholesale prices and weak profitability in the conventional power generation.
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
RWE suspends dividend payouts after annual loss
Exchange

RWE suspends dividend payouts after annual loss

RWE, Germany's second-biggest power supplier, said Wednesday it will partially suspend dividend payouts after running up a loss in 2015 as a result of collapsing wholesale prices and weak profitability in the conventional power generation.
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Standard and Poor's cuts Saudi Arabia's rating by two notches to A-

Standard and Poor's cuts Saudi Arabia's rating by two notches to A-

Standard and Poor's cut Saudi Arabia's credit rating by two notches on Wednesday, saying low oil prices would have a considerable impact on the country's finances and economy. "In our view, the decline in oil prices will have a marked and lasting impact o
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Standard and Poor's cuts Saudi Arabia's rating by two notches to A-

Standard and Poor's cuts Saudi Arabia's rating by two notches to A-

Standard and Poor's cut Saudi Arabia's credit rating by two notches on Wednesday, saying low oil prices would have a considerable impact on the country's finances and economy. "In our view, the decline in oil prices will have a marked and lasting impact o
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Venezuela raises fuel price, devalues bolivar amid crisis
Exchange

Venezuela raises fuel price, devalues bolivar amid crisis

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Wednesday devalued the currency and raised heavily subsidized fuel prices in an effort to stem a widening economic crisis, though critics of the socialist leader quickly dismissed the moves as insufficient.
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Toyota recalls 2.9 million vehicles worldwide

Toyota recalls 2.9 million vehicles worldwide

Toyota said Thursday it was recalling 2.87 million vehicles globally due to the possibility that their rear seatbelt could come apart in a crash and cause injuries. The recall involved Toyota's RAV4 sports utility vehicle made between July 2005 and August
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
HSBC executives rue missed chance in HQ choice

HSBC executives rue missed chance in HQ choice

British Finance Minister George Osborne's relief at HSBC's choice of London over Hong Kong as its headquarters is not shared by several top executives who rue a missed opportunity for its China-centred growth strategy. With its historical roots in China -
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
ECB lowers emergency funding cap for Greek banks

ECB lowers emergency funding cap for Greek banks

The European Central Bank lowered the cap on emergency liquidity assistance (ELA) Greek banks can draw from the domestic central bank by 0.1 billion euros to 71.4 billion euros ($79.5 billion), the Bank of Greece said on Thursday. The move reflected impro
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Nestle tempers sales growth expectations in tough markets

Nestle tempers sales growth expectations in tough markets

Food group Nestle missed forecasts with a 4.2 percent rise in annual underlying sales and predicted only a similar outcome this year, saying it was getting harder to raise prices in a tough economic environment. It was the third successive year that the m
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Nestle tempers sales growth expectations in tough markets

Nestle tempers sales growth expectations in tough markets

Food group Nestle missed forecasts with a 4.2 percent rise in annual underlying sales and predicted only a similar outcome this year, saying it was getting harder to raise prices in a tough economic environment. It was the third successive year that the m
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
ECB says profits up in 2015

ECB says profits up in 2015

The European Central Bank said Thursday that its net profit increased in 2015, due to income the sale of securities and its ability to recover operating expenses related to its role as banking supervisor. The ECB said in a statement its 2015 bottom-line n
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
ECB says profits up in 2015

ECB says profits up in 2015

The European Central Bank said Thursday that its net profit increased in 2015, due to income the sale of securities and its ability to recover operating expenses related to its role as banking supervisor. The ECB said in a statement its 2015 bottom-line n
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Unexpected job decline dents optimism in Australia labour market

Unexpected job decline dents optimism in Australia labour market

Australia's bumper run of job creation has hit a dry patch, raising questions over the central bank's confidence in the labour market and whether it might be forced to cut interest rates again. Thursday's data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
BAE Systems profit jumps

BAE Systems profit jumps

BAE Systems, the British maker of military equipment, said Thursday that group net profit rose by 24 percent last year, as it looked forward to recovering government defence budgets. Profit after tax rose to £918 million ($1.31 billion, 1.18 billion euros
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
BAE Systems profit jumps

BAE Systems profit jumps

BAE Systems, the British maker of military equipment, said Thursday that group net profit rose by 24 percent last year, as it looked forward to recovering government defence budgets. Profit after tax rose to £918 million ($1.31 billion, 1.18 billion euros
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Apple launches China payments service in crowded market

Apple launches China payments service in crowded market

Apple on Thursday launched its mobile payment service Apple Pay in China, pitting the US technology giant against strong domestic rivals in a large but already crowded market. Success in the world's second-largest economy is crucial for the California-bas
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Japan's exports fall most since 2009

Japan's exports fall most since 2009

Japan's annual exports in January fell the most since the global financial crisis as demand weakened in China and other major markets, leaving policy makers battling to revive a fragile economy after a fourth-quarter contraction. Exports fell 12.9 percent
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
China consumer inflation quickens in January

China consumer inflation quickens in January

China's consumer inflation rate climbed higher in January, official data showed Thursday, as the world's second-largest economy struggles with slower growth. The consumer price index (CPI) - a main gauge of inflation - rose 1.8 percent last month from a y
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
French government courts controversy with labour market reform

French government courts controversy with labour market reform

France's Socialist government unveiled labour market reform plans making it easier for companies to cut staff, provoking criticism Thursday from within its own ranks and labour unions. Despite unemployment running at record levels, the measures to be cons
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
US jobs market firming; manufacturing still on the ropes

US jobs market firming; manufacturing still on the ropes

The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell last week, pointing to labour market strength that keeps Federal Reserve interest rate hikes on the table this year. Other data on Thursday showed factory activity in the mid-Atlan
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Gulf markets rise on oil hopes, ignore debt downgrades
Exchange

Gulf markets rise on oil hopes, ignore debt downgrades

Gulf stock markets rose on Thursday amid hopes for a global deal to prop up oil prices, as investors largely ignored sharp downgrades of the credit ratings of three nations in the region. Late on Wednesday, Standard & Poor's cut Saudi Arabia by two notche
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Tokyo shares up more than two percent
Exchange

Tokyo shares up more than two percent

Tokyo shares closed more than two percent higher Thursday, rebounding from losses the previous day to extend a global rally fuelled by a surge in oil prices. The benchmark Nikkei 225 index at the Tokyo Stock Exchange jumped 2.28 percent, or 360.44 points,
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Wall Street rallies for third session, led by energy shares
Exchange

Wall Street rallies for third session, led by energy shares

US stocks tallied their third straight session of gains on Wednesday, led by energy shares as oil prices jumped, while better-than-expected economic data helped allay growth fears. Nine of the 10 major S&P sectors closed higher, with energy rising 2.9 per
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Australian shares at two-week top

Australian shares at two-week top

Australian shares rose 2.25 percent on Thursday, marking their highest close since February 2, buoyed by a pick up in energy and resource stocks following a bounce in oil and a revival in commodities companies. The S&P/ASX 200 index was up by 109.9 points
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
US bonds fall again on stock rise, solid data

US bonds fall again on stock rise, solid data

US Treasury prices fell on Wednesday, with benchmark yields rising to their highest in 1-1/2 weeks, as gains in US stocks and encouraging data on producer prices and factory production reduced the appeal of low-yielding bonds. Still the minutes for the Fe
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
US bonds fall again on stock rise, solid data

US bonds fall again on stock rise, solid data

US Treasury prices fell on Wednesday, with benchmark yields rising to their highest in 1-1/2 weeks, as gains in US stocks and encouraging data on producer prices and factory production reduced the appeal of low-yielding bonds. Still the minutes for the Fe
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Indian shares gain for second day

Indian shares gain for second day

Indian shares rose more than 1 percent on Thursday to post their second straight day of gains as energy and mining stocks were boosted by a rise in crude oil prices, even as European shares faltered after poor corporate results. Asian stocks also rose acr
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
China stocks surrender gains on profit-taking

China stocks surrender gains on profit-taking

China's stock market rebound showed signs of fatigue on Thursday, with main indexes giving up initial gains and ending lower, as profit-taking threatens to erase optimism fuelled by stimulus hopes. The bluechip CSI300 index fell 0.3 percent, to 3,053.70,
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
European shares pull back from two-week high

European shares pull back from two-week high

European equities fell back after climbing to a two-week high on Thursday, as support from gains in tech shares was counteracted by a decline in commodity related stocks in the energy and mining sectors. The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index was 0.1 per
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Hong Kong stocks climb

Hong Kong stocks climb

Hong Kong stocks climbed more than 2 percent on Thursday, aided by a surge in energy shares, following overnight gains in US and European equities and a jump in oil prices. The Hang Seng index ended up 2.3 percent at 19,363.08 points, while the China Ente
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Sri Lankan shares fall for 9th session

Sri Lankan shares fall for 9th session

Sri Lankan shares fell for a ninth straight session on Thursday to their lowest close in nearly twenty-two months as rising domestic interest rates and global economic worries dented investor sentiment. The main stock index edged down 0.19 percent at 6,20
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Southeast Asia stocks rise on oil price rebound
Exchange

Southeast Asia stocks rise on oil price rebound

Southeast Asian stock markets rose on Thursday, with the Malaysian index hitting a seven-week high amid gains in the ringgit in reaction to rebounding oil prices while Indonesian shares posted modest gains after the central bank cut rates as expected. Gai
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
FTSE falters as mining stocks, 'Brexit' fears weigh

FTSE falters as mining stocks, 'Brexit' fears weigh

Britain's top share index end a four-day winning streak with a fall on Thursday, led lower by major mining stocks and hit by growing concern over the potential impact of Britain's exit from the European Union. The FTSE 100 index was down 1 percent at 5,97
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
China's yuan edges up
Exchange

China's yuan edges up

The yuan edged up against the dollar on Thursday after the central bank fixed a slightly stronger midpoint. The People's Bank of China set the midpoint rate at 6.5152 per dollar prior to market open, 0.13 percent firmer than the previous fix of 6.5237. Th
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Loonie leads commodity currencies higher in Asia
Exchange

Loonie leads commodity currencies higher in Asia

The Canadian dollar held at two-week highs on Thursday, having benefited hugely from a jump in oil prices, while an absence of fresh cues in minutes of the Federal Reserve's January meeting saw the greenback shuffle sideways. Investors warmed to the Canad
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Yen rises, Aussie falls in Europe
Exchange

Yen rises, Aussie falls in Europe

Australian dollar was the biggest loser on major currency markets on Thursday, as data there and revived concern about global growth sent stock markets lower and the yen higher against the dollar. China's yuan, one source of global financial nerves in Jan
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Early trade in New York: yen inches higher
Currency

Early trade in New York: yen inches higher

The yen gained against the euro and dollar on Thursday as a rebound in oil prices and European stock markets failed to convince currency markets that the rough start to 2016 was over. Sterling gained more than half a percent on positive signs ahead of 'no
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Dollar slides against yen in Asia
Exchange

Dollar slides against yen in Asia

The dollar fell against the yen on Wednesday after minutes of the Federal Reserve meeting in January showed the central bank's concern that global economic developments could pose a risk to the US economic outlook. The dollar fell below 114 yen following
Published 19 Feb, 2016 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 Thursday. 78.50-78.50 (previous 78.50-78.50). 03.00-04.50 percent (* previous 01.50-04.50 percent). (* revised).
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Ringgit leads Asia FX gains
Exchange

Ringgit leads Asia FX gains

The Malaysian ringgit advanced more than 1 percent on Thursday, leading gains among emerging Asian currencies, as a surge in oil prices and better-than-expected fourth-quarter data eased concerns about Southeast Asia's third-largest economy. Regional curr
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Sri Lankan rupee forwards end steady
Currency

Sri Lankan rupee forwards end steady

Sri Lankan rupee forwards ended steady on Thursday as dollar sales by exporters and banks offset importer demand for the greenback, currency dealers said. The rupee is, however, expected to further depreciate due to rising imports, selling of government s
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Aussie recovers from jobs hit, kiwi rises
Currency

Aussie recovers from jobs hit, kiwi rises

The Australian dollar held broad gains on Thursday, having recovered from a brief wobble in the wake of soft jobs data, while the New Zealand dollar edged up on improving risk appetite. The Australian dollar had initially dipped half a US cent as data sho
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Sterling rises against dollar as focus turns to EU summit
Currency

Sterling rises against dollar as focus turns to EU summit

Sterling rose from a two-week low against the dollar and recovered ground against the euro on Thursday, helped by gains in European stock markets, although worries about Britain's future in the European Union is likely to limit any advance. The pound was
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Banned Westfield gets early return for lower-level matches

Banned Westfield gets early return for lower-level matches

Former Essex bowler Mervyn Westfield has been cleared to return to English reserve level and minor counties cricket a year ahead of schedule after serving a ban for corruption, it was announced Thursday. The pace bowler was banned from all cricket for fiv
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Australia determined to ruin McCullum farewell party

Australia determined to ruin McCullum farewell party

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum pads up for his final Test Saturday in Christchurch, with Australia determined to ruin his farewell party as they eye world domination. If Australia sweep the two-Test series, which they lead 1-0, they will hurdle Indi
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Sri Lanka recall Malinga, Mathews for WT20

Sri Lanka recall Malinga, Mathews for WT20

Sri Lanka recalled Thursday skipper Lasith Malinga, vice captain Angelo Mathews and other big guns for the World Twenty20 which starts next month, the country's cricket board announced. Seam bowler Nuwan Kulasekara and left-armed spinner Rangana Herath we
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Ronaldo, Jese on target as Real beat Roma

Ronaldo, Jese on target as Real beat Roma

Cristiano Ronaldo hit his 89th Champions League goal while second-half substitute Jese added a late second as Real Madrid took a massive step towards the quarter-finals with a 2-0 win at Roma on Wednesday. Real travelled to the Stadio Olimpico looking to
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Clarke makes return with eyes on T20

Clarke makes return with eyes on T20

Former Australia captain Michael Clarke makes his return to cricket this weekend in a Sydney club competition, but with his eyes on some unfinished business in the Twenty20 format. The 34-year-old, who bowed out of the game in August after the disastrous
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Rabada signs for Kent

Rabada signs for Kent

South Africa rising star Kagiso Rabada is to join Kent in June and July of the upcoming English season, the county announced Thursday. The 20-year-old paceman was South Africa's leading bowler in their recent home series against England, taking 22 wickets
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Errani recovers to reach Dubai semi-finals

Errani recovers to reach Dubai semi-finals

Sara Errani struggled through a match littered with 39 break point chances to post a difficult 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 defeat of Madison Brengle on Thursday for a place in semi-finals of the Dubai Tennis Championships. The Italian who played the 2013 final in Dubai
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
PAF celebrates World Military Sports Council Day

PAF celebrates World Military Sports Council Day

Like other part of the world the World Day of the International Military Sports Council (CISM) Thursday celebrated under the aegis of PAF Sports Control Board Committee at its premises here on Thursday. Air Commodore Zia Ur Rehman, Officer Commanding Air
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Pakistan veterans' team to play ODI in Sri Lanka

Pakistan veterans' team to play ODI in Sri Lanka

Six teams from Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka will participate in the first fifty plus (50+) One Day International Cricket Tournament, to be played in Sri Lanka from February 20 to 29. Players over 50 years age will participating in this tournament. The
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
South Africa and England primed for WC warm-up clashes

South Africa and England primed for WC warm-up clashes

England's lengthy tour of South Africa winds up with two Twenty20 internationals which are effectively a rehearsal ahead of their clash in the World Twenty20 in India next month. It will be the last chance for England to settle on their World Cup combinat
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Afridi hints at possible squad changes for World Twenty20

Afridi hints at possible squad changes for World Twenty20

Pakistan's Twenty20 captain, Shahid Afridi has not ruled out making some changes in the national squad for the World T20, which begins India in next month. Although the national selectors have announced a 15-member squad for the Asia Cup and the World T20
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Bulgaria shuts scandal-hit homes for disabled children

Bulgaria shuts scandal-hit homes for disabled children

Bulgaria said Thursday it had shut all of its communist-era institutions for disabled children, which for years had been plagued by scandals of negligence and abuse cases resulting in deaths. The closure of the 25 homes marks the end of painful reforms la
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Israeli killed in West Bank Palestinian stabbing attack

Israeli killed in West Bank Palestinian stabbing attack

An Israeli man was killed and another moderately wounded when two Palestinians stabbed them in a supermarket in the occupied West Bank on Thursday before being shot, officials said. A 21-year-old victim was taken to Jerusalem's Shaare Zedek hospital in se
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Iraqi court sentences 40 to death over 2014 Tikrit massacre

Iraqi court sentences 40 to death over 2014 Tikrit massacre

An Iraqi court on Thursday sentenced 40 men to hang over the June 2014 massacre by Sunni jihadists and allied militants of hundreds of military recruits in Tikrit, the judiciary said. The central criminal court in Baghdad found 40 of 47 defendants guilty
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
EU leaders press Turkey to curb migrant flow

EU leaders press Turkey to curb migrant flow

European Union leaders meeting in Brussels on Thursday piled pressure on Turkey to curb the flow of migrants to Europe in line with an aid-for-cooperation deal signed last year. Pressure to enforce the deal is growing as EU officials say thousands of migr
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
China launches new shipping giant to battle downturn

China launches new shipping giant to battle downturn

China on Thursday launched a challenge to global shippers AP Moller Maersk and Mitsui OSK Lines, but analysts said the giant company must slim down its workforce and order book to weather one of the industry's worst-ever slumps. Created from the state-dri
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Fast action needed to lower economic impact of Zika: World Bank

Fast action needed to lower economic impact of Zika: World Bank

The World Bank said Thursday that a rapid response is necessary to minimize the impact of the Zika virus outbreak on the economies of Latin America and the Caribbean. With "a swift, well-coordinated international response," the impact of the mosquito-born
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Fast action needed to lower economic impact of Zika: World Bank

Fast action needed to lower economic impact of Zika: World Bank

The World Bank said Thursday that a rapid response is necessary to minimize the impact of the Zika virus outbreak on the economies of Latin America and the Caribbean. With "a swift, well-coordinated international response," the impact of the mosquito-born
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Saudi ground forces would target IS in Syria: minister

Saudi ground forces would target IS in Syria: minister

Saudi forces participating in any US-led ground operation in Syria would focus on fighting the Islamic State group not President Bashar al-Assad, Saudi Arabia's foreign minister told AFP on Thursday. In an interview in Riyadh, Adel al-Jubeir also said sep
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Nepal sets up new body to review disputed charter

Nepal sets up new body to review disputed charter

Nepal late Thursday announced plans to establish a committee to review disputed provisions within the country's new constitution which sparked deadly protests and a crippling border blockade that ended earlier this month. Demonstrators belonging to southe
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Ukraine's pro-West coalition edges from brink of collapse

Ukraine's pro-West coalition edges from brink of collapse

Ukraine's pro-EU ruling coalition pulled back from the brink on Thursday after one junior partner withdrew while a populist party announced plans to step in and pull the country "out of the abyss." The war-scarred former Soviet republic has been riven by
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Uber vows to stay in Hungary despite clampdown

Uber vows to stay in Hungary despite clampdown

Global ride-sharing app Uber vowed Thursday to continue in Hungary despite the government bringing in tough new legislation aimed at cracking down on the service after large taxi driver protests. "Uber is staying in Hungary, stands by its drivers, and wil
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Romanian president under fire in tax ruling storm

Romanian president under fire in tax ruling storm

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis sparked a storm of criticism Thursday for challenging a tax ruling against a media group whose boss is serving 10 years in jail for fraud. Elected in late 2014 pledging to uphold the rule of law and fight corruption, Ioha
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Liberian president appoints son head of central bank

Liberian president appoints son head of central bank

Liberia's central bank confirmed Thursday it has appointed the son of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as interim governor despite his previous suspension from the institution for failing to properly declare his assets. Charles Sirleaf was deputy governor
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Shanghai copper rises
Exchange

Shanghai copper rises

Shanghai Futures Exchange copper pared early gains to close up 0.1 percent at 35,700 yuan ($5,478) a tonne on Thursday as persistent jitters over China's growth tempered support from soaring oil and a successful short-term debt refinancing by commodities
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Copper slips as market frets over China demand
Exchange

Copper slips as market frets over China demand

Copper prices fell on Thursday as markets fretted over demand in China, though expectations of further monetary stimulus in the country and firmer oil and equities helped to limit losses. Benchmark copper on the London Metal Exchange was untraded at the c
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Rubber flat
Exchange

Rubber flat

Benchmark Tokyo rubber futures ended flat on Thursday after profit-taking by day-traders erased early gains which were triggered by a rally in oil prices and a sharp increase in Japanese equities, dealers said. The Tokyo Commodity Exchange rubber contract
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Ukraine raises grain export forecast

Ukraine raises grain export forecast

Ukraine has raised its grain export forecast for the 2015/16 season to around 37 million tonnes from 36 million, buoyed by rising maize demand from abroad and expectations of a good crop next year, the agriculture minister told Reuters on Monday. Maize ex
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Palm oil weakens
Vegetable Oil

Palm oil weakens

Malaysian palm oil futures fell as the ringgit gained over 1 percent against the dollar on Thursday, and on expectations of weaker export data towards the end of February. The palm oil contract for May delivery on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange w
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Raw sugar dips
Currency

Raw sugar dips

Raw sugar futures on ICE fell more than 2 percent on Thursday, pressured by the weak currency in top grower Brazil ahead of the spot contract's expiry at the end of the month, while whites extended losses to a 4-1/2-month low. Cocoa futures rose to one-mo
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Gold rebounds in New York

Gold rebounds in New York

Gold held onto earlier gains and snapped three days of losses on Wednesday, after minutes of the US Federal Reserve's latest meeting showed policymakers considered changing their planned path of interest rate hikes in 2016. "If the recent tightening of gl
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Gold dips in Asia

Gold dips in Asia

Gold eased on Thursday as stocks rebounded but managed to hold above $1,200 an ounce on bets the Federal Reserve could slow the pace of US interest rate hikes. Minutes from the Fed's last policy meeting released on Wednesday showed that policymakers consi
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Gold eases in Europe
Exchange

Gold eases in Europe

Gold eased on Thursday as a run higher in equities tempered upward momentum in the precious metal, though uncertainty over the direction of US monetary policy helped to keep prices above $1,200 an ounce. Strength in the dollar, which rose half a percent a
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
US MIDDAY: soya, wheat and corn down

US MIDDAY: soya, wheat and corn down

Chicago Board of Trade wheat futures fell more than 1 percent on Thursday, setting back from a two-session rally as traders returned their focus to record-large global inventories and poor export demand for US supplies, traders said. Corn and soyabean fut
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
US MIDDAY: gold rises

US MIDDAY: gold rises

Gold prices rose more than 1 percent on Thursday afternoon, reversing earlier losses and lifting silver, as US equities resumed their downward spiral, renewing bullion's safe-haven appeal that has spurred the market's biggest rally in years. On Wall Stree
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Corruption charges: SHC rejects SSGC official's bail plea

Corruption charges: SHC rejects SSGC official's bail plea

Sindh High Court (SHC) rejected the bail petition of former deputy managing director, Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) Shoaib Warsi over his alleged involvement in embezzlement. Warsi is currently in the custody of National Accountability Bureau over charg
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Prime Minister approves 1200-bed hospital for federal capital

Prime Minister approves 1200-bed hospital for federal capital

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday approved a new 1200-bed hospital in Islamabad to cater to long standing demand of the people for quality health-care facility and severe shortage of hospitals in the federal capital. According to the PM House, the P
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
KE mulling signing PPA with SNPC for 100 megawatts supply

KE mulling signing PPA with SNPC for 100 megawatts supply

K-Electric, in its efforts to meet the continuing increase in power demand of Karachi, has entered into principle understanding on Power Purchase Agreement with Sindh Nooriabad Power Company (SNPC) for indigenous gas-based power supply of 100 MW. This pow
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
SMEDA launches research journal

SMEDA launches research journal

The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) has launched a research journal to strengthen intellectual relations between industry and academia. A launching ceremony held at the authority's head office also drew in Chief Executive Office
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
Three killed over enmity
Exchange

Three killed over enmity

At least two persons died and many others injured in exchange of fire between two rival groups here on Thursday. Police said that armed men of two groups that were in old enmity over various disputes traded fire in Daki area of district Loralai of Balochi
Published 19 Feb, 2016 12:00am
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