GENEVA: More than two million Syrians have now fled their war-ravaged country, the UN refugee agency said Tuesday, lamenting the nearly 10-fold increase from a year ago. “Syria is haemorrhaging women, children and men who cross borders often with little more than the clothes on their backs,” the UNHCR said in a statement, pointing out that on September 3, 2012, it had registered just 230,671 Syrian refugees. In addition to the two million Syrians living as refugees, some 4.25 million people have been displaced within the devastated country since the conflict began in March 2011, according to UN figures.
Indian HC, Sartaj Aziz discuss Nawaz, Singh meeting
ISLAMABAD: Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan, T.C.A. Raghavan, met with Adviser to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Foreign Affairs and National Security, Sartaj Aziz, at the Foreign Office on Tuesday, DNA reported.
Stocks plunge by 436 points
KARACHI: Selling intensified at the Karachi stock market on Monday with red splattered all across the board. By the close of trading, the KSE-100 index had plunged by 436.17 points or 1.97 per cent to 21,724.68. With lone greens here and there, the declining stocks at 288, outnumbered the mere 45 gainers, by a margin of six-to-one. Market capitalisation eroded by Rs97 billion on Monday to close at Rs5.417 trillion. Although the stocks had suffered sharp pull back in the last two trading days, Thursday and Friday, most investors were shocked to see the stock prices cave in just at the start of trading on Monday.
World oil prices drop
LONDON: Oil prices fell on Monday after US President Barack Obama said he would seek approval from lawmakers for military action against Syria, easing prospects of an imminent strike, analysts said. Losses were capped by news of upbeat economic data in China, which is the world’s biggest consumer of energy. New York’s main contract, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for delivery in October, shed 41 cents to $107.24 per barrel.
India’s parliament passes cheap food law for 800 million people
NEW DELHI: India’s upper house of parliament on Monday approved a $20 billion scheme to distribute subsidised wheat and rice to 800 million people, backing an anti-malnutrition drive that investors fear will mean missing the fiscal deficit target. The Food Security Bill is seen as a vote winner by the ruling Congress party as it prepares for elections due by May next year. But investors reacted negatively to the plan when the lower house approved it last weak, on worries the government will struggle to contain the cost of subsidies.
Manufacturers jack up prices
KARACHI: Manufacturers have raised prices of washing powder, soaps and biscuits from Sept 1 after an increase by Rs2.50 per litre in diesel prices by the PML-N government. Consumers would have to swallow more bitter pills and pay high prices of various commodities after the third increase in diesel prices by the present government. Retailers said that biscuit manufacturers have increased prices by Re1 to Rs2 depending on the packet size and weight. They said leading manufacturers, mostly multinationals, have pushed up prices of washing powder by Rs5 to 10 in half and one kg packs, followed by jump of Rs2 to Rs3 in soap prices.
Indian spy plane violates airspace
SIALKOT: An Indian spy plane violated Pakistani airspace in Chaprar sector on Saturday afternoon. Chenab Rangers spokesman Maj Asad Mahmood told reporters that the Indian spy plane (RPV) entered Pakistani territory from Butti 865 at 1.55pm and went back at 1.57pm from the BSF Post in Jammu Sector after violating Pakistani airspace for about one and a half minutes. He said the green plane flew at approximately 3,500feet and entered up to 350 metres into Pakistan’s airspace.
White House holds high-level meeting amid terror fears
WASHINGTON: The White House held a high-level meeting Saturday on terror concerns that prompted Washington to issue a worldwide travel alert and order its embassies across the Islamic world closed temporarily. The meeting was held as Interpol issued a global security alert after hundreds of militants were set free in jailbreaks linked to the Al-Qaeda terror network, and as suicide bombers killed nine near the Indian consulate in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad. Those attending the meeting, chaired by National Security Advisor Susan Rice, included Secretary of State John Kerry, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.
No single party can resolve country’s challenges, says Sattar
LAHORE: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Farooq Sattar said on Sunday that no single political party could resolve the issues and challenges being faced by the country and it required joint efforts. Speaking to media representatives outside the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore, the MQM leader said every party should be taken into confidence for the country’s betterment and prosperity.Sattar said there had been enormous developments in Karachi during the rule of the MQM, adding that extortion, thefts and other crimes had declined considerably.
Australian PM Rudd calls national election for Sept 7
CANBERRA: Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd called a general election on Sunday for September 7, six weeks after he toppled former leader Julia Gillard in a party-room vote, ending a turbulent three years in power for the minority Labor government. He announced the election date in an email to supporters. Rudd, who was dumped by his centre-left party in June 2010, has generated a spike in public support since he returned but conservative opposition leader Tony Abbott is still favourite to win power.
