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Emirates starts airborne mobile phones
Mar 24, 2008 (LBO) – Emirates airline has commercially launched an in-flight mobile telephone service costing 27 million dollars, partnering with the communications firm AeroMobile, the carrier said. “The first authorised mobile phone call made from a commercial flight was made today at 30,000ft enroute to Casablanca, onboard an Emirates Airbus A340-300 aircraft,” the airline […]
Singapore inflation in February 2008 highest since breaking hard peg
SINGAPORE, March 24, 2008 (AFP) – Singapore’s inflation rate struck an annual 6.5 percent in February, pushed up by higher food and housing costs, the government said Monday.Despite the surge, the government said underlying inflation remained stable and maintained its inflation forecast of 4.5-5.5 percent for 2008. Inflation for 2007 was 2.1 percent. Higher costs […]
Afghanistan to privatise national telephone firm
KABUL, March 23, 2008 (AFP) – Afghanistan said Sunday it planned to sell up to 80 percent of its telecommunications arm in one of the most ambitious parts of the country’s ongoing privatisation programme. Bidders must register their interest in purchasing part of Afghan Telecom by April 4 and the tender process was expected to […]
Christians celebrate Easter, pope calls for Tibet solution
CARACAS, March 23, 2008 (AFP) – From the streets of Caracas to a rain-soaked Saint Peter’s Square, Christians around the world celebrated Easter Sunday amid messages of renewal, peace and hope. At the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI called for “solutions that will safeguard peace and the common good” in Tibet, the Middle East and Africa […]
Sri Lanka asks for new Pakistan schedule to stay in Twenty20 game
March 24, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lanka have asked Pakistan to re-schedule a proposed one-day international series in order to allow their players to take part in the Indian Premier League (IPL), a top official said here Monday. Chief executive of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Duleep Mendis said the team would tour Pakistan only if […]
Vaas, Jayawardene star as Sri Lanka declares at 476
PROVIDENCE, Guyana, March 23, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lanka collected the prized scalp of Chris Gayle to strengthen their hold on the opening Test against West Indies on Sunday after their captain Mahela Jayawardene posted his 22nd Test hundred. Left-arm fast-medium bowler Chaminda Vaas inflicted an early blow to the West Indies’ batting, when he […]
Heavy casualties in Sri Lanka fighting
March 24, 2008 (AFP) – Heavy fighting between Tamil Tiger rebels and Sri Lankan troops in the north of the island over the weekend has resulted in heavy casualties, both sides said Monday.According to the defence ministry, clashes on Saturday and Sunday in the districts of Mannar, Vavuniya and Weli Oya left at least 100 […]
Sri Lanka should liberalize edible oil imports: coconut exporters
Mar 23, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s exporters of value added coconut products are asking to authorities to free edible oil imports, so that profits from oil milling would fall, freeing more nuts for other industries. Sri Lanka’s coconut milk powder, coconut cream and desiccated coconut producers have been found their cost of production increasing […]
Censorship
Mar 23, 2008 (LBO) – Books written by academics based in Sri Lanka which were printed abroad had been seized by the island’s customs authorities, in a move which could be a new form of censorship, a media report said. The Sunday Times newspaper said a book by economic researcher Mutukrisna Sarvanandan, from the Point […]
US, Russia, China in fierce battle to sell fighter jets in Asia
WASHINGTON, March 23, 2008 (AFP) – The United States is bracing for tough competition from Russia and China as cash-flush Asian economies look up to the trio for a new breed of fighter jets to beef up their air forces, experts say. Japan, India, Australia and South Korea are keen to have the most modern, […]