Malaysian palm oil futures fell for a second consecutive day on Thursday evening as a stronger ringgit dragged the market down, outweighing an improvement in export demand. Palm oil fell in the previous session as the local currency strengthened against t

Raw sugar on ICE Futures US dropped to a two-week low on Thursday as sell stops exaggerated losses on profit taking, returning much of the quarter's gains that lifted prices to their highest since 2014. Arabica coffee finished the quarter marginally highe

Gold fell more than 1 percent on Wednesday as a rally in assets seen as higher risk, such as equities, prompted some investors to cash in gains sparked the previous day by Fed chair Janet Yellen's cautious tone on further rate hikes. Yellen's comments, wh

Gold ticked up on Thursday, helped by a softer dollar and Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen's caution over US interest rate hikes, and was set to record its best quarter in nearly 30 years. Bullion rallied sharply this year as worries over global economi

Gold rose 1 percent on Thursday as the dollar and stock markets retreated, keeping the metal on course for its biggest quarterly gain in nearly 30 years as expectations of US interest rate hikes receded. The metal is highly exposed to rising rates, which

US corn futures plunged more than 4 percent on Thursday in the market's steepest drop since mid-August after the US Agriculture Department forecast 2016 planted acreage well above trade expectations. Soyabeans drifted lower on spillover pressure from corn

Gold edged up on Thursday as the dollar and stock markets retreated, locking in the metal's biggest quarterly gain in nearly 30 years amid reduced expectations for US interest rate hikes. The metal is highly exposed to rising rates, which lift the opportu

Kenya's economic growth is expected to accelerate both this year and next, helped by low oil prices, improved agricultural output, a supportive monetary policy and infrastructure investments, the World Bank said on Thursday. However, the bank also warned

Kenya's economic growth is expected to accelerate both this year and next, helped by low oil prices, improved agricultural output, a supportive monetary policy and infrastructure investments, the World Bank said on Thursday. However, the bank also warned

Egypt's current account deficit more than doubled to $8.9 billion in the July-December first half of the 2015/2016 financial year, the central bank said in a statement on Wednesday. Egypt devalued the pound this month as it wrestles with a shortage of dol

Canada's economy grew by a much larger-than-expected 0.6 percent in January, Statistics Canada data indicated on Thursday, reducing the odds that the Bank of Canada will need to cut interest rates further this year. Market operators polled by Reuters had

South Korea's industrial output surged at the fastest rate for more than six years in February over January, Statistics Korea data showed on Thursday, as demand for smartphones and cars drove factory activity. Output rose by a seasonally adjusted 3.3 perc

Spain's next government seems certain to be hamstrung by tough spending restrictions after the country missed its 2015 public deficit target by almost a full percentage point, far more than expected. Months of fruitless coalition talks following inconclus

Abu Dhabi's state-owned investment fund Mubadala did not receive any new cash from the government in 2015 for the first time in at least eight years, its financial statement accompanying a 12.4 percent rise in profit showed on Thursday. In a further sign

Abu Dhabi's state-owned investment fund Mubadala did not receive any new cash from the government in 2015 for the first time in at least eight years, its financial statement accompanying a 12.4 percent rise in profit showed on Thursday. In a further sign

Russia's Rosneft on Thursday reported a 2 percent rise in 2015 net profit to 355 billion roubles ($5.2 billion) and a sharp fall in debt, easing concerns over the financial health of the world's top listed oil producer by output. Oil companies, important

Russia's Rosneft on Thursday reported a 2 percent rise in 2015 net profit to 355 billion roubles ($5.2 billion) and a sharp fall in debt, easing concerns over the financial health of the world's top listed oil producer by output. Oil companies, important

Eurozone consumer prices continued to fall in March at only a slightly slower pace than in February, data showed Thursday, despite the European Central Bank boosting its already massive stimulus programme to beat deflation. Economists fear falling prices

Germany, Europe's biggest economy, shaved 24 billion euros ($27 billion) off its overall public debt burden to 2.153 trillion euros in 2015, the country's central bank, or Bundesbank, said on Thursday. Measured against the gross domestic product (GDP), th

French consumer spending unexpectedly surged in February, surpassing a peak reached five years ago before the euro zone debt crisis hit and a sign of brisk growth in the bloc's second-biggest economy at the start of the year. Consumer spending, the tradit

Job vacancies in Australia jumped 2.7 percent in the December-February quarter to hit their highest since mid-2012, a promising sign of improving demand for labour. Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed total job vacancies rose to 172,800 s

When Hagoda Gamage Shalika Perera, a small Sri Lankan businesswoman, got a deposit of $20 million in her account last month, she said the funds were expected but had no idea they were stolen from Bangladesh's central bank in one of the largest cyber heist

Britain's current account deficit has surged to a record high, underscoring a weak spot in an economy that is coming under sharper focus before a vote on whether to remain in the European Union. While official data also showed the economy grew slightly fa

The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits unexpectedly rose last week, but a sharp drop in layoffs in March suggested the labour market momentum remained intact. Labour market strength, however, has not been accompanied by robust wage growt

More than $4.5 million of tens of millions recently stolen from Bangladesh and funnelled into Philippine casinos was recovered Thursday, as a lawmaker in Manila said almost half the haul could still be salvaged. On February 5, unidentified hackers shifted

S&P cut its outlook for China's sovereign credit rating on Thursday to negative from stable, but maintained the rating at AA-, saying the government's reform agenda is on track but likely to proceed more slowly than expected. The downgrade for China's out

S&P cut its outlook for China's sovereign credit rating on Thursday to negative from stable, but maintained the rating at AA-, saying the government's reform agenda is on track but likely to proceed more slowly than expected. The downgrade for China's out

Turkish output grew by a stronger-than-expected 4 percent in 2015, official data showed on Thursday, as robust domestic demand provided cheer for an economy that has been weighed down by political and security concerns. Spillover effects from the conflict

Facing slowing growth in the global economy, the International Monetary Fund called Thursday for policies that support research and development to promote innovation. "Fiscal policy can play an important role in stimulating innovation through its effects

Major Middle East stock markets ended mixed on Thursday after a volatile quarter in which Gulf bourses plunged to multi-year lows before recovering along with oil prices, while Egypt swung in response to currency policy. Saudi Arabia's index closed the da

Australian shares recorded their worst first-quarter in eight years as a 1.5 percent rally on Thursday failed to make up for weeks of heavy selling, while New Zealand stocks finished the three month period at an all time high. The S&P/ASX 200 index to ros

China stocks extended gains on Thursday after the previous session's 2 percent jump, as markets took comfort in the likely prospect that US interest rates will rise at a slower pace. Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen's remarks earlier in the week that th

Wall Street was set to end a tumultuous first quarter on a quiet note with the three major indexes eking out small gains on Thursday, led by healthcare stocks. Worries about the global economy caused a steep selloff in stocks at the start of the year, bef

US stocks plowed further into positive territory for 2016 on Wednesday, helped for a second session by comments from Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen that eased anxiety about potential interest rate hikes. MetLife and other financial stocks led the mark

Indian shares ended unchanged on Thursday after a volatile session due to the expiry of monthly derivative contracts, but indexes still posted their best monthly gain in more than four years boosted by big overseas inflows. The broader NSE index rose 0.04

Hong Kong's benchmark share index retreated from near three-month highs on Thursday as some investors took profits from a jump in the previous session as fears of a near-term US interest rate hike receded. The Hang Seng index ended down 0.1 percent at 20,

Shorter-dated US Treasury yields fell on Wednesday as traders piled on bets the Federal Reserve would raise interest rates gradually in the coming months in the wake of dovish comments from Fed Chair Janet Yellen. This view of slow rate increases spurred

Shorter-dated US Treasury yields fell on Wednesday as traders piled on bets the Federal Reserve would raise interest rates gradually in the coming months in the wake of dovish comments from Fed Chair Janet Yellen. This view of slow rate increases spurred

Japan's Nikkei 225 on Thursday ended the first quarter as one of the worst-performing stock indices globally, dropping nearly 12 percent since January when global markets were pulverised by an eye-watering sell-off. Plunging oil prices, worries about Chin

European shares fell on Thursday after solid gains in the previous session, with French telecoms and Italian banks underperforming. The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index fell 1 percent. The index had risen 1.3 percent in the previous session after Fed C

Sri Lankan shares firmed up on Thursday led by large caps on fiscal year-end buying, but closed nearly 12 percent lower in the March quarter as rising interest rates dented investor appetite for risk assets, brokers said. The benchmark share index ended 0

Most Southeast Asian stock markets closed down on Thursday, led by Singapore and Vietnam, as the boost from a US Federal Reserve statement this week scaling back expectations for any interest rate hikes faded. Singapore's Straits Times Index slid 1.1 perc

UK shares retreated on Thursday, ending a weak first quarter of 2016 on a downbeat note, although a recovery in mining shares helped it outperform euro zone indexes. Britain's FTSE 100 was down 28.27 points, or 0.5 percent, at 6,174.90 by the close. That

China's yuan is poised for its biggest quarterly gain since September 2014, underpinned by firmer central bank guidance as the country's financial markets continue to stabilise and the dollar loses momentum. Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen's cautious v

Investors gave the dollar a wide berth early on Thursday as dovish comments from Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen continued to resonate, dampening demand for the currency. The dollar index last stood at 94.931, having come within a whisker of a five-mon

The US dollar fell to its lowest level in five months against the euro on Thursday in trade dominated by month-end rebalancing flows, putting the dollar index on track for its worst quarterly performance in five years. These flows are caused by global por

The dollar hit its lowest level in more than five months against a basket of currencies on Thursday and was set to post its biggest quarterly percentage loss in more than five years after traders continued to digest dovish comments from Federal Reserve Ch

The US dollar hit its lowest level against the euro in nearly seven weeks on Wednesday following dovish comments from Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen that pushed out expectations for the central bank's next interest rate hike. The euro advanced to $1.1

Inter-bank buy/sell rates for the taka against the dollar on Thursday. 78.40-78.40 (previous 78.40-78.40). 02.50-04.50 percent (Previous 02.40-04.50 percent).

Most emerging Asian currencies rose on Thursday, adding to monthly and quarterly gains, as waning expectations of near-term US interest rate hikes spurred investors to seek higher yields in the region. The Chinese yuan climbed as the central bank set its

Sri Lankan five-day rupee forwards ended firmer on Thursday as dollar selling by a state bank outweighed heavy demand for the greenback by importers, dealers said. The forwards, which act as a proxy for the spot currency and are called spot next, hit 145.

Sterling slipped on Thursday and closed the quarter with its heaviest trade-weighted losses since late 2008, having been hurt by global financial turmoil and worries over a possible British exit from the European Union. Markets have become increasingly ra

The Australian and New Zealand dollars stood near nine-month peaks on Thursday, though their explosive monthly gains were unlikely to be greeted with open arms by their respective central banks. The Australian dollar sat at $0.7658, having popped above 77

Five members of the reigning Women's World Cup champion United States team said Thursday they have filed a complaint against the US Soccer Federation alleging wage discrimination, insisting they should be paid the same as their male counterparts. Barely f

Abbottabad clinched the overall trophy after securing 107 points in the KP U-23 Hazara Region Women Inter-District Games which concluded here Thursday. Abbottabad has a slide edge over close rival District Haripur after concluding of the 13 various events

University of Peshawar clinched the trophy after defeating University of Central Punjab team in the final of the All-Pakistan Inter-University Men Tennis Championship played here at grassy courts of the University of Peshawar on Thursday. Treasurer Univer

Qatar World Cup stadium workers have suffered abuse and been subjected to forced labour, Amnesty International said Thursday, for the first time alleging rights violations at a 2022 tournament venue. The London-based watchdog said labourers at the Khalifa

Britney Cooper fired a half-century as the West Indies beat New Zealand by six runs in Mumbai on Thursday to reach the women's World Twenty20 final for the first time. The right-hander scored 61 off 48 balls as the Windies made a formidable 143 for six in

Dashing opener Jason Roy pledged that England would come out "all guns blazing" in Sunday's World Twenty20 final as they look to complete their head-spinning transformation from cricket's laughing stock to champions. Just one year ago, England were lickin

Reigning Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber cruised into the ATP and WTA Miami Open semi-finals on Wednesday by dispatching US 22nd seed Madison Keys 6-3, 6-2. The German second seed will play a Thursday semi-final against two-time Australian Open

A charitable gesture by Argentinian football star Lionel Messi has provoked outrage in Egypt, where a lawmaker and football official took umbrage at the donation: his football boots. Messi, in an interview with the private satellite channel MBC Misr, had

FIFA president Gianni Infantino insisted Thursday that he has "no magic formula" to overcome the damage caused by the corruption crisis which has rocked football's world governing body. Swiss-Italian lawyer Infantino succeeded the suspended Sepp Blatter i

Cricket great Shane Warne Thursday criticised Australia's line-ups at the World Twenty20, saying the "wrong" choices were responsible for the team crashing out in the group stages. Steve Smith's team were knocked out by India in a do-or-die showdown in Mo

India's dreams of a World Twenty20 title on home soil were shattered on Thursday after the West Indies stunned the hosts by seven wickets to reach the final. Lendl Simmons fired an explosive 82 off 51 balls as the Windies broke Indian hearts in the semi-f

India's dreams of a World Twenty20 title on home soil were shattered on Thursday after the West Indies stunned the hosts by seven wickets to reach the final. Lendl Simmons fired an explosive 82 off 51 balls as the Windies broke Indian hearts in the semi-f

Students and workers clashed with police in several French cities on Thursday during angry protests over labour reforms that drew nearly 400,000 people. Striking rail workers disrupted services across France in protest at the proposed reforms while studen

UN judges acquitted Serbian nationalist firebrand Vojislav Seselj of war crimes and crimes against humanity on Thursday, a shock verdict that delivered a boost to his anti-EU Serbian Radical Party ahead of April elections. War victims reacted with dismay

The Palestinian mobile phone industry lost more than $1 billion (885 million euros) in revenues in the past three years, the World Bank estimated Thursday, citing Israeli restrictions as a leading cause. Israel limits imports of equipment by Palestinian t

The Palestinian mobile phone industry lost more than $1 billion (885 million euros) in revenues in the past three years, the World Bank estimated Thursday, citing Israeli restrictions as a leading cause. Israel limits imports of equipment by Palestinian t

The Palestinian mobile phone industry lost more than $1 billion (885 million euros) in revenues in the past three years, the World Bank estimated Thursday, citing Israeli restrictions as a leading cause. Israel limits imports of equipment by Palestinian t

Britain will provide nearly $30 million to the Lebanese army, mostly to boost security along the country's volatile border with Syria, the UK's top diplomat said on Thursday. In his first visit to Beirut as foreign secretary, Philip Hammond announced Brit

EU member states agreed Thursday to impose sanctions on three Libyan figures for obstructing the peace process and the formation of a government of national unity in the war-torn country, sources said. One of the sources, who asked not to be named, told A

Russia on Thursday launched a cargo ship to the International Space Station on an unmanned mission to resupply crew currently in space. "The 63rd Progress resupply ship is beginning its two-day treck to ISS," a NASA commentator said as Russia's Roscosmos

Six police officers were killed and at least 23 people wounded on Thursday in a bomb attack targeting a Turkish police vehicle in the Kurdish-majority south-eastern city of Diyarbakir, a security source said. The attack took place a day before Prime Minis

Iraqi cleric Moqtada al-Sadr ordered his followers to end a two-week sit-in on Thursday after the country's premier proposed new ministers for a technocratic cabinet that he had demanded. The sit-in at entrances to Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone,

The White House on Thursday lambasted Donald Trump's suggestion that Asian allies should develop nuclear weapons, saying it would shatter doctrine held for decades, with "catastrophic" consequences. Following the Republican frontrunner's declaration that,

Luxembourg on Thursday launched a money laundering probe linked to a corruption scandal embroiling Malaysian Premier Najib Razak who is accused of using money in a state-run fund for his own purposes. Najib, 62, has been under fire over allegations that b

A Rwandan military tribunal on Thursday condemned two senior army figures to 20 years in prison for inciting rebellion, an AFP correspondent at the Kigali court said. "The court condemns Colonel Tom Byabagamba to 21 years in jail and a reduction in rank,

The Business community of Southern Punjab and Farmers Associations on Thursday demanded greater focus on agriculture as 80 percent exports of the country were depended upon agriculture. Development of agriculture sector is linked to prosperity of farmers,

British High Commissioner (BHC) Thomas Drew met Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, here on Thursday. British High Commissioner condemned Gulshan Iqbal Park tragedy and expressed deep sense of sorrow and grief over the loss of precious human lives. He a

Health experts at a conference have demanded the federal and provincial governments to allocate four percent of the total fiscal budget for health sector, to ensure best healthcare facilities. They also called for strict implementation of anti-tobacco law

"An attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference", an adage of Winston Churchill that clearly defines the success of Turkish Airlines (TA). The Turkish Airlines is an epitome for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) that how positive attitude c

Muhammad Hanif Gohar is a veteran real estate developer and an outspoken member of the country's business community. He is also current Vice Chairman of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry. BR Research discussed real estate development

Muhammad Hanif Gohar is a veteran real estate developer and an outspoken member of the country's business community. He is also current Vice Chairman of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry. BR Research discussed real estate development

The Co-ordination Committee of Muttahida Quami Movement has strongly condemned the torture and use of water cannon against the protesters of Sindh Professors and Teachers Association (Sipla) in front of Chief Minister's House. In a statement, the Co-ordin

The APNS has elected Sarmad Ali as President, Rameeza Majid Nizami as Senior Vice President, Mumtaz A Tahir as Vice President, Umer Mujib Shami as Secretary General, S M Munir Jilani as Joint Secretary and Syed Ali Hasan Naqvi as Finance Secretary of the

Traders have called the security arrangements in the city insufficient to cope with any terrorism incidents, demanding handing over of police stations to Rangers to scale up the fragile order. The Lahore blast left the local markets completely deserted as

Implementation of the European Union (EU) funded Sindh Union Council and Community Economic Strengthening Support (SUCCESS) programme in rural Sindh has been initiated primarily aimed at poverty reduction through social mobilisation. The EU will fund some

The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) will reinvestigate the RAW terrorists detained in Karachi Central Jail. The responsibility has recently been assigned to the CTD. Accused Nadeem Uncle and Sahfique had confessed that they were RAW agents.Five more ac

Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah conferred military awards on Pakistan Navy Officers, CPOs/POs and sailors during an impressive Investiture Ceremony held on Thursday at Bahria Auditorium.

Pakistan Railways has allowed the Khushall Khan Khattak Express and the Mehar Express to halt for one minute at the Choora Sharif Railway Station junction to help pilgrims on the eve of the annual Urs. The implementation will be done during April 5 and 8

National Accountability Bureau's (NAB) Director General Colonel Siraj-ul-Naeem (Retd) on Thursday said that corruption was a greater threat to business sector in Pakistan, adding that due to mega corruption in different sectors of Pakistan, the country wa

A trade delegation of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (Reap), led by the association's Senior Vice-Chairman Noman Ahmed Shaikh, has returned with huge export orders from China. The delegation visited Beijing, Schenzhen and Guangzhou during 17 to 26

Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) on Thursday arrested 59 Indian fishermen for violating the territorial waters limits of the country. PMSA sources said that the fishermen were arrested at Sir Creek in Arabian Sea inside Pakistan's territorial limi

The National Council of Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan in its meeting on Thursday, chaired by President Kashif Mateen Ansari, announced the results of Fall 2015 Examination. The Institute has declared Fall 2015 Session Examinatio

LPG Chamber of Pakistan Chairman Irfan Khokhar said that explosive licences are very essential for all the LPG tankers and bowsers but explosive department only issue licences on the basis of bribery. He demanded that easy way should be introduced for acq

The country's total liquid foreign exchange reserves declined slightly by $98 million to $20.424 billion at the end of last week. During the week ending March 25, 2016, State Bank of Pakistan's liquid foreign exchange reserves decreased by $42 million to

Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) apprehended 03 electricity thieves upon the special directives of Chief Executive Officer Dr Rana Abdul Jabbar Khan in different areas of IESCO Region. According to the details, 03 culprits were caught red handed

US-Pakistan Centre for Advanced Studies in Water (USPCAS-W) at Mehran University of Engineering & Technology (MUET), Jamshoro in collaboration with United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) will organise a three-day training workshop on "Ge

Imams and other religious leaders are an under-used means of pushing action to combat climate change, experts and religious scholars say. Religious leaders have the moral standing to call on people and businesses to consider the environmental impact of th