The euro held firm against the dollar and yen in Asian trade on Thursday after dropping overnight amid concerns about political upheaval in debt-hit Greece and strains on Spain's banking sector. The euro bought $1.2948 and 103.28 yen in Tokyo morning trade, stronger than $1.2944 and 102.98 yen in New York late Wednesday. The dollar strengthened against the Japanese currency, changing hands at 79.74 yen against 79.69 yen. Despite a breather …

Gold slipped by Rs 500 to Rs 56,100 per tola in the local market Tuesday as its international price dropped. Chairman All Sindh Jewelers Association Haji Haroon told ‘Geo News’ that gold prices fell in the local market as its international price slipped to $ 1,627 an ounce.

China's high court overturned the death sentence on a former tycoon Friday, in a case that caused an uproar over the nation's use of capital punishment for economic crimes. The State Supreme Court ordered the high court in eastern China's Zhejiang province to retry the case of Wu Ying. It recommended that any death sentence should come with a two year reprieve -- a penalty almost always commuted to life in prison. "The State Supreme Court …

The launch in India of a new BlackBerry by Research In Motion Ltd is not just a nod to its lower-end users who love it less for its security, push email and seamless roaming than for its simplicity and its Messaging. It's a strategy the Canadian company hopes will help fill both a hole in its balance sheet and a half-year wait for its next big thing - the BlackBerry 10 platform. But will it work? The handset itself won't impress devotees: …

The dollar was steady against other major currencies in Asian trade on Thursday as investors looked to a Bank of Japan policy meeting amid speculation of further monetary easing. The euro bought $1.3217 and 107.49 yen in Tokyo morning trade, almost flat with New York trade late Wednesday. The dollar was also little changed at 81.33 yen. The greenback was likely to move within the 81.00-81.60 yen range on Thursday as the market awaited …

The government is going to shortlist three major contenders for selection of consultant by next week for high profile transaction of third generation (3G) technology that possesses potential to bring investment of over $1 billion, it is learnt. The official documents available with The News disclosed that Auction Supervisory Committee (ASC) under chairmanship of Finance Minister Dr Hafeez Shaikh will meet on April 11 to finalize short listing …

The euro sagged against other major currencies in Asian trade Monday, as risk-averse investors flocked to the safe-haven yen following weaker-than-expected US jobs data. The European single currency was changing hands at $1.3050 and 106.38 yen Monday, slipping from $1.3070 and 107.53 yen in Tokyo trade on Friday. The dollar was at 81.52 yen, down from 82.27 yen. The Japanese currency rose after official data said February's current account, …

A product from fir trees and yeast may soon replace ambergris, a kind of whale barf, to make expensive perfume, scientists said Thursday. For centuries, perfume makers have prized ambergris for its ability to prevent scent from dissipating. The wax-like substance is secreted by sperm whales to protect their digestive systems from sharp objects. When the animals vomit, the ambergis reacts with salty ocean water and eventually washes ashore …

Blackberry maker Research In Motion Ltd is losing two more senior executives as the money-losing company embarks on a strategic overhaul that its new chief executive says could result in its sale. Alan Brenner, a senior vice president for the BlackBerry platform, will leave after a transition period, and Alistair Mitchell, a vice president for the BlackBerry Messenger instant messaging product, has already left, RIM spokeswoman Tenille Kennedy …

Gold prices fell more than 1 percent to their lowest in nearly three months after minutes from the US Federal Reserve's March meeting suggested a fresh round of monetary stimulus was unlikely as the US economy gradually improves. Ultra-loose monetary policy, which keeps real interest rates and consequently the opportunity cost of holding gold low, helped push the metal to record highs in 2011. Expectations the Fed would instigate another …