In Wednesday's South Asia papers

14 May 2008 04:30  [Source: ICIS news]

80 killed, 150 wounded in Jaipur blasts
Terror struck yet again--this time in Jaipur, at the busiest market, at the busiest hour, aimed with chilling precision to kill, maim, terrify and cleave the country. At last count, the toll was 80 killed, and with over 150 injured, it could go up.

CIC to decide if CJI under RTI Act
Undeterred by the Chief Justice of India's assertion that he does not come under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the Central Information Commission (CIC) has decided to take up the issue in a full bench hearing soon. The issue is likely to come up before the Supreme Court breaks for recess.

Bharti's bid may win govt backing
Bharti's attempt to acquire MTN's telecom operations across 21 countries in Africa may not just be a breathtaking business move, but also allows India to gain an important foothold in the continent and give it leverage in geo-political matters.

Nissan plans an entry-level car
A day after announcing a low-cost $2500 car in partnership with Bajaj, Nissan has chalked out plans to also go solo and introduce an entry-level car in India by early 2010. The car, with 90% localisation, will be priced aggressively in the volume segment.

No cause for alarm, show F&O bets
The 50-share Nifty breached the psychological 5,000-mark for the second time in three trading sessions, reviving scary memories of steep falls during May 2004 and May 2006. This has put a question mark over the durability of the bottom made by the market in March.

Social networking sites a rage among marketers
A recent commercial for a menswear brand features a rather antediluvian plot premise: a young man flirting outrageously with a dragon-like secretary who stands in the way of meeting his boss. It’s a commercial that many of the ‘rascals’ of today will find hard to relate to, given the glut of avenues that are open to reach a senior.

Uncertainty looms over AL's joining in talks
Uncertainty loomed large over participation of Awami League in the ensuing talks with the Caretaker Government as the Awami League Working Committee - that adjourned till today - experienced strong debate on Hasina's release issue.

Government starts inviting political parties for dialogue: Commerce Adviser
Commerce adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman on Tuesday said the government has started sending letters inviting the political parties to participate in the much-talked about dialogue beginning from 22 May as per the Chief Adviser's announcement.

Top priority on rural development in national budget suggested
Speakers at a seminar here on Sunday suggested top priority on rural development, education and health in view of these sectors' significant contribution in poverty reduction.

KSA, BD companies sign deal to export fish products
Atlas Fisheries, a Bahrain-based Saudi Arabian Company has signed a joint venture agreement with Baraka Ltd. a Bangladeshi company Ahmed Amin Group of Companies in the capital recently.

Muslim ministers demand Hizbullah as CM
The tussle for the post of Chief Minister of the Eastern Province took another turn with Muslim ministers, yesterday, insisting that M.L.A.M Hizbullah be appointed to the post and warning that they might even leave the government en masse if he were not appointed.

UNP-SLMC want polls annulled
The UNP-SLMC alliance yesterday decided to go to the Court of Appeal with available evidence seeking an annulment of the results of the eastern provincial council election, after Elections’ Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake said he had no option but to accept the reports of his senior presiding officers.

Homeguard wins a Daihatsu Mira at Nokia’s Avurudu promotion
A homeguard from the North Central Province was the lucky winner of a Daihatsu Mira that was given through Nokia’s Avurudu Promotion. "We conducted such an event to promote original products as well as for people to buy from authorised dealers in Sri Lanka", Nokia Sri Lanka National Sales Manager Kent Sitaca stated.

SL milk sector lacks coherent plan
Nestle Lanka Limited a company which had commenced doing business in Sri Lanka over one hundred years said that lack of overall coherent plan to develop dairy industry has put the sector on hold preventing Sri Lankan becoming self sufficient in dairy products.

Gilani to sit on resignations till Asif’s return: Decision final: Nisar
The nine federal ministers of the Pakistan Muslim League-N submitted their resignations to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday.

Serial blasts rock Jaipur; 80 killed
A series of bomb blasts on Tuesday at markets in the northern Indian city of Jaipur killed 80 people, the Rajasthan state home minister said.

Third breakdown at KSE in 23 days
Trading was suspended at the Karachi Stock Exchange on Tuesday at around noon for nearly one and a half hours, which the bourse management attributed to technology-related problems.That was for the third time in 23 days that the hardware/software had refused to perform normally in the midst of a trading session.

Computers prices surge by 15%-20%
As the dollar continues its unprecedented rise against rupee, importers of personal computers and accessories have cancelled orders placed with international suppliers for indefinite period.

BUSINESS RECORDER

Front Page

Seven serial bombs kill 80 in Jaipur
Seven near-simultaneous bomb blasts tore through crowded markets in the Indian tourist city of Jaipur on Tuesday, killing at least 80 people and wounding 150 in what police said was a terror attack.

Oil price strikes record $126.98
The price of crude oil struck a record high of $126.98/bbl Tuesday in New York despite new predictions of slower demand growth for energy, traders said.

Economic advisory council planned
The government is likely to form an Economic Advisory Council (EAC) for consultation on the economic policy issues, besides taking experts' views on the matters to be presented before the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) for approval.

Infrastructure sector: Romanians, Malaysians keen to invest
Romanian and Malaysian investors have expressed interest in investment opportunities in infrastructure sector in Pakistan under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) modality. A delegation from Romania currently visiting Pakistan has evinced interest in participating in the energy and construction industries.

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