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Southern African countries launch free trade zone
JOHANNESBURG, August 17, 2008 (AFP) – Southern African countries launched a regional trade zone at a summit on Sunday that aims to eliminate import tariffs, with plans for a common currency by 2018. Eleven of the 14 countries that are part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) will participate in the free trade area, […]
‘s Mendis an unusual spinner, says Dhoni
DAMBULLA, August 18, 2008 (AFP) – India one-day captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Monday conceded it was not easy to read Sri Lanka’s unorthodox spinner Ajantha Mendis. “When you are playing Mendis, you have to save wickets and get runs as well. It gets a bit tough. Even Murali (Muttiah Muralitharan) was difficult some time […]
Sri Lanka crush spineless India
DAMBULLA, August 18, 2008 (AFP) – Mahela Jayawardene cracked a responsible half-century to guide Sri Lanka to a crushing eight-wicket victory over India in the first one-day international here on Monday.The Sri Lankan skipper scored an unbeaten 61 for his 47th half-century to help his team achieve a modest 147-run target with more than 15 […]
‘s economy as gloomy data piles up
NEW DELHI, August 17, 2008 (AFP) – Until a few months ago, the most popular buzz phrase for India was “economic miracle”, with the nation appearing impervious to the financial turmoil engulfing the developed world. “No other issue is likely to dominate the political scene” as much in the coming months, he said. The government […]
Australia announces Pacific guest worker scheme
SYDNEY, August 17, 2008 (AFP) – Thousands of Pacific Islanders will be allowed to live and work in Australia under a new guest worker plan announced Sunday by the government.Federal Agriculture Minister Tony Burke said the scheme would allow up to 2,500 people from Kiribati, Tonga, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea to work here for […]
Openers Jayasuriya, Sehwag in explosive duel
DAMBULLA, August 17, 2008 (AFP) – Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene are looking forward to an explosive start to their one-day international series starting here Monday.Sri Lanka’s left-handed opener Sanath Jayasuriya may be 39, but remains a bowler’s nightmare with his ability to change the course of a match […]
Bolt set up for historic sprint double
BEIJING, August 17, 2008 (AFP) – Jamaica’s Usain Bolt has set himself up for the first Olympic sprint double since American Carl Lewis 24 years ago after scorching to the 100m title in world record-breaking style. Bolt set the 91,000-capacity National Stadium alight on Saturday when he broke his own record in scorching to the […]
Phelps makes history with eighth gold
BEIJING, August 17, 2008 (AFP) – Michael Phelps became the first competitor in the history of the Olympics to win eight gold medals at a single Games as the United States won the men’s 4x100m medley relay on Sunday. With the victory, Phelps overtook compatriot Mark Spitz, who won seven swimming gold medals at Munich […]
Saudi intelligence chief in Pakistan amid Musharraf crisis
ISLAMABAD, August 16, 2008 (AFP) – Saudi Arabia’s intelligence chief dashed to Pakistan for talks with the government over its plans to impeach President Pervez Musharraf, a senior official in Islamabad said Saturday.“If the president resigns, the coalition government will look into the (amnesty) subject,” he told AFP. The visit of Muqrin bin Abdul Aziz […]
Sri Lanka fighting endangering civilians: Amnesty
August 16, 2008 (AFP) – Fighting between Sri Lankan troops and Tamil Tiger rebels in the north is endangering the lives of tens of thousands of displaced people, rights group Amnesty International said. Amnesty said it had received reports that the government is housing those who have been able to leave LTTE areas in temporary […]