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‘s major species at threat: Australian report
SYDNEY, September 29, 2009 (AFP) – Almost 10 percent of the world’s mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish are in danger of extinction due to climate change and other factors, according to an Australian report released Tuesday.“We have a long way to go, we have discovered and named only about a quarter of Australia’s estimated […]
India drops arms scandal case against Italian: report
NEW DELHI, September 29, 2009 (AFP) – India on Tuesday said it was dropping a graft case against an Italian involved in the arms scandal that ended Rajiv Gandhi’s premiership 20 years ago, the Press Trust of India reported. Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium told the supreme court the case against Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi would […]
Strike forces Air India to suspend ticket sales
NEW DELHI, September 29, 2009 (AFP) – Air India said on Tuesday that about half of its international flights had been cancelled due to a strike by pilots and announced a suspension of new bookings.Nine out of 21 international flights and 37 out of 177 domestic flights were scrapped, spokesman Jitender Bhargava said, after pilots […]
Bharti shares rise as MTN talks deadline looms
NEW DELHI, September 29, 2009 (AFP) – Shares of Bharti Airtel rose nearly two percent in morning trade Tuesday ahead of an expected announcement by the top Indian mobile firm and South Africa’s flagship group MTN on a possible tie-up.Shares of Bharti Airtel were up 1.75 percent or 7.25 rupees at 421.60, a day ahead […]
UN ratchets up criticism of Sri Lankan camps
September 29, 2009 (AFP) – The United Nations on Tuesday issued its strongest criticism yet of Sri Lanka over its continued internment of 250,000 people who fled fighting in the final stages of the island’s separatist war.Walter Kaelin, a representative of the United Nations secretary-general, said civilians held in tightly-guarded camps should be granted freedom […]
Sri Lanka poor governance hindering productivity: expert
Sept 29, 2009 (LBO) – Poor governance, weak institutions, high inflation, high interest rates and protectionism, are hindering efforts by Sri Lanka’s private sector to improve productivity, a trade promotion expert has said.Lloyd Yapa, a former government official who supervised an industrial export drive of the government at one time, also says companies should try […]
Sri Lankan shares close flat
Sep 28, 2009 (LBO) – Sri Lankan shares closed flat Monday, as investors took a break from an overheating market, while the trend is expected to continue for a few more days, brokers said. The All Share Price Index was up 0.05 percent (1.59 points) to end at 2,893.64 while the more liquid Milanka fell […]
Rogue Banking
Sep 28, 2009 (LBO) – The global financial crisis was triggered by the loose monetary policy of the US Federal Reserve but central banks remained unregulated, a top Indian Reserve Bank official said.“The crisis has happened because of two things,” Reserve Bank of India deputy governor K C Chakrabarty said at the Sri Lanka Association […]
Top Marks
Sept 28 (LBO) – Fitch Ratings Lanka said it has confirmed DFCC Bank’s (DFCC) national long-term rating at ‘AA(lka)’ with a stable outlook.It also confirmed the bank’s senior debentures at ‘AA(lka)’ and subordinated debentures at ‘AA-(lka)’, also with a stable outlook. “The ratings are driven by the bank’s strong capital base as supported by continued […]
Indian pilot strike enters third day, flights hit
NEW DELHI, September 28, 2009 (AFP) – Debt-ridden Air India cancelled around 40 flights on Monday as management and striking pilots of the state-run carrier met to negotiate an end to three days of stoppages over a slash in bonuses.But senior pilots’ representative V.K. Bhalla told the Press Trust of India news agency that talks […]