Re jumps 158 paise to 1-month high vs dollar as Fed defers taper

Mumbai: The rupee today zoomed by 158 paise to trade at over one-month high of 61.80 against the dollar at the Interbank Foreign Exchange market on hopes of increased capital inflows after the US Federal Reserve's surprise decision to keep its stimulus programme intact. The rupee had settled just a paise lower at 63.38 against the dollar in yesterday's trade.

Traders said besides expectations of increased capital inflows, the dollar's weakness against other currencies overseas, after the US Federal Reserve surprised markets by leaving its massive bond-buying programme unchanged, boosted the rupee's sentiment.

Meanwhile, stock markets were up by nearly 3 per cent in the opening trade. The BSE benchmark index soared by 574.13 points, or 2.88 per cent, to 20,536.29, while National Stock Exchange's Nifty rose by 183.65 points, or 3.11 per cent to 6,083.10 in opening trade. PTI

Re jumps 158 paise to 1-month high vs dollar as Fed defers taper

Mumbai: The rupee today zoomed by 158 paise to trade at over one-month high of 61.80 against the dollar at the Interbank Foreign Exchange market on hopes of increased capital inflows after the US Federal Reserve's surprise decision to keep its stimulus programme intact. The rupee had settled just a paise lower at 63.38 against the dollar in yesterday's trade.

Traders said besides expectations of increased capital inflows, the dollar's weakness against other currencies overseas, after the US Federal Reserve surprised markets by leaving its massive bond-buying programme unchanged, boosted the rupee's sentiment.

Meanwhile, stock markets were up by nearly 3 per cent in the opening trade. The BSE benchmark index soared by 574.13 points, or 2.88 per cent, to 20,536.29, while National Stock Exchange's Nifty rose by 183.65 points, or 3.11 per cent to 6,083.10 in opening trade. PTI

Rajasthan minister resigns over rape charge

Jaipur: Rajasthan Minister of State for Dairy and Rural Industries Babu Lal Nagar resigned Thursday, two days after a woman filed a case against him accusing him of raping her. A first information report (FIR) was Tuesday registered against Nagar at the Sodala police station here, a police officer told IANS.

Nagar told the media that he sent his resignation letter to Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's office. 'I am resigning on moral grounds and to let the investigation agency conduct a free and fair probe,' he said. Nagar refuted the allegations and said he was being framed in 'a political conspiracy'.

'My house was swarming with people on Sep 11, the day when the woman says she was raped. I was not alone even for a minute,' said Nagar. Nagar represents Dudu in Ajmer district in the state assembly. A police officer said the complainant was a married woman. She had approached a court recently, and the court directed police to register the FIR.

Rajasthan minister resigns over rape charge

Jaipur: Rajasthan Minister of State for Dairy and Rural Industries Babu Lal Nagar resigned Thursday, two days after a woman filed a case against him accusing him of raping her. A first information report (FIR) was Tuesday registered against Nagar at the Sodala police station here, a police officer told IANS.

Nagar told the media that he sent his resignation letter to Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's office. 'I am resigning on moral grounds and to let the investigation agency conduct a free and fair probe,' he said. Nagar refuted the allegations and said he was being framed in 'a political conspiracy'.

'My house was swarming with people on Sep 11, the day when the woman says she was raped. I was not alone even for a minute,' said Nagar. Nagar represents Dudu in Ajmer district in the state assembly. A police officer said the complainant was a married woman. She had approached a court recently, and the court directed police to register the FIR.

Obama to honour Washington Navy Yard shooting victims

Washington: US President Barack Obama will attend a memorial service Sunday to honour the victims of Monday's shooting rampage at Washington Navy Yard, a White House spokesperson said.

'I think the president will want to mourn the loss of these innocent victims and share in the nation's pain in the aftermath of another senseless mass shooting,' reported Xinhua citing Jay Carney at a daily briefing.

The shooting rampage occurred inside a building at the Washington Navy Yard which serves as the headquarters of the Naval Sea System Command. Thirteen people, including the suspect, were killed in the shooting.

Obama to honour Washington Navy Yard shooting victims

Washington: US President Barack Obama will attend a memorial service Sunday to honour the victims of Monday's shooting rampage at Washington Navy Yard, a White House spokesperson said.

'I think the president will want to mourn the loss of these innocent victims and share in the nation's pain in the aftermath of another senseless mass shooting,' reported Xinhua citing Jay Carney at a daily briefing.

The shooting rampage occurred inside a building at the Washington Navy Yard which serves as the headquarters of the Naval Sea System Command. Thirteen people, including the suspect, were killed in the shooting.

Lebanon seeks more aid for Syrian refugees

Beirut: Facing difficulties in tackling a rapidly increasing number of Syrian refugees, Lebanon has appealed to the global community to provide more aid to be able to support the civil war-affected people.

The international community should provide more aid to help Lebanon allocate it among Syrian refugees, Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said Wednesday during a meet with ambassadors and representatives of donor states and international organisations.

"The international community must take its responsibility towards Lebanon, given that the latter has become the first hosting country," reported Xinhua citing Mikati

The community should "announce an honest and long- term commitment to back the significant efforts exerted by the Lebanese authorities and people to help the refugees," Mikati said .

According to the report of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Lebanon is hosting over 739,000 Syrian refugees. 

- IANS

Lebanon seeks more aid for Syrian refugees

Beirut: Facing difficulties in tackling a rapidly increasing number of Syrian refugees, Lebanon has appealed to the global community to provide more aid to be able to support the civil war-affected people.

The international community should provide more aid to help Lebanon allocate it among Syrian refugees, Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said Wednesday during a meet with ambassadors and representatives of donor states and international organisations.

"The international community must take its responsibility towards Lebanon, given that the latter has become the first hosting country," reported Xinhua citing Mikati

The community should "announce an honest and long- term commitment to back the significant efforts exerted by the Lebanese authorities and people to help the refugees," Mikati said .

According to the report of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Lebanon is hosting over 739,000 Syrian refugees. 

- IANS

BlackBerry could cut 40 per cent of workforce

New York: Struggling smartphone maker BlackBerry could cut its workforce by up to 40 per cent by the end of the year, The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday. 

Citing unidentified people familiar with the matter, the newspaper said that the Canadian company plans to make the cuts through layoffs that will occur in all of its departments, potentially affecting several thousand people. 

When contacted by The Associated Press later today, BlackBerry released a statement saying that it wouldn't comment on "rumours and speculation." "As previously stated, we are in the second phase of our transformation plan. Organisational moves will continue to occur to ensure we have the right people in the right roles to drive new opportunities in mobile computing," BlackBerry said. 

The report comes as BlackBerry continues to lose money amid tough competition from Apple Inc.'s iPhone and phones running Android, such as Samsung's Galaxy. The company's board is looking at strategic alternatives, including a possible sale of the company. 

Waterloo, Ontario-based BlackBerry had 12,700 employees the last time it reported an employment figure in March. 

BlackBerry shares fell 10 cents to USD 10.46 in afternoon trading.

BlackBerry could cut 40 per cent of workforce

New York: Struggling smartphone maker BlackBerry could cut its workforce by up to 40 per cent by the end of the year, The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday. 

Citing unidentified people familiar with the matter, the newspaper said that the Canadian company plans to make the cuts through layoffs that will occur in all of its departments, potentially affecting several thousand people. 

When contacted by The Associated Press later today, BlackBerry released a statement saying that it wouldn't comment on "rumours and speculation." "As previously stated, we are in the second phase of our transformation plan. Organisational moves will continue to occur to ensure we have the right people in the right roles to drive new opportunities in mobile computing," BlackBerry said. 

The report comes as BlackBerry continues to lose money amid tough competition from Apple Inc.'s iPhone and phones running Android, such as Samsung's Galaxy. The company's board is looking at strategic alternatives, including a possible sale of the company. 

Waterloo, Ontario-based BlackBerry had 12,700 employees the last time it reported an employment figure in March. 

BlackBerry shares fell 10 cents to USD 10.46 in afternoon trading.