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US, UN condemn military coup in Mauritania
WASHINGTON, August 6, 2008 (AFP) – US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Wednesday condemned the military coup in Mauritania and called for the release of the African country’s president and prime minister. “The United States condemns the Mauritanian military’s overthrow of the democratically elected Government of Mauritania and welcomes the statements by the African […]
Names to look out for at Beijing Games
PARIS, Aug 07, 2008 (AFP) – AFP Sports Service has chosen a selection of athletes who could be grabbing the headlines during the Beijing Olympics. Here is Part One: ATHLETICS Muna Lee (USA): Two weeks after her car was struck by a drunken driver and her shoulder was hurt, this thin 27-year-old speedster known more […]
Sri Lanka government 2009 budget bill to parliament on Oct 9
Aug 07, 2008 (LBO) – The appropriation bill for Sri Lanka’s budget for 2009 will be presented to parliament on October 9 for its first reading, the government said Thursday. The budget speech and second reading of the budget will be on November 6, a government spokesman said. The cabinet this week approved a proposal […]
Sri Lanka debt markets still to show full potential: expert
Aug 06, 2008 (LBO) – A veteran fixed income specialist says Sri Lanka’s debt market has still to show its full potential though it is 15 years since the first commercial paper was issued in the island. The first commercial paper was issued by John Keells Holdings and Aitken Spence, with a guarantee from state-run […]
Sri Lanka IOC unit gains on earnings outlook as oil prices fall
Aug 06, 2008 (LBO) – Stocks closed higher Wednesday with the indices lifted by gains in the Sri Lanka unit of Indian Oil Corp as lower crude oil prices improved its earnings outlook, brokers said. Dialog Telekom was flat at 13.50. All plantations shares ended stronger after the island’s tea exports and earnings hit record […]
At Sea
Aug 06, 2008 (LBO) – A new International Labour Organisation maritime convention that Sri Lanka is to ratify will improve the safety, efficiency and working conditions of seafarers, officials said. The ILO maritime labour convention, also known as a ‘bill of rights’ for seafarers has an enforcement system that will prevent their exploitation by owners […]
Southern Sri Lanka shaken by earth tremor
Aug 06, 2008 (LBO) – Southern parts of Sri Lanka were shaken by minor tremors, early on Wednesday morning, and investigations are underway to find the cause, an official said. The tremors were felt in Tangalle, Beliatte, Ranna and Kudawella, in Sri Lanka’s southern province by residents around 5.45 to 5.50 am local time, JNW […]
Maldives heads for democracy amid political intrigue
August 06, 2008 (LBO) – Maldives is set to ratify a new constitution this week which will bring multi-party democracy the Indian Ocean tourist paradise, but the archipelago’s politics are already tainted with allegations of bribery amid fears of a constitutional crisis.Under that, an Elections Commission must be formed within 30 days, a Supreme Court […]
‘s Prince Philip has prostate cancer: report
LONDON, August 6, 2008 (AFP) – Queen Elizabeth II’s elderly husband Prince Philip has been diagnosed with prostate cancer but is defying the disease and carrying on with engagements, London’s Evening Standard reported Wednesday. Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the report, which cited “medical sources” as saying the diagnosis was made in April. “Medical […]
Fed avoids rate hike as oil bubble pauses
WASHINGTON, August 5, 2008 (AFP) – The Federal Reserve, in a widely predicted move, kept its main interest rate unchanged at 2.0 percent Tuesday citing concerns about sputtering economic growth and inflationary pressures. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rocketed 331 points to close at 11,615.77 as investors cheered the announcement, although tumbling oil prices also […]