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Asian giants seen keeping US trove despite dollar plunge
TOKYO, March 23, 2008 (AFP) – With the dollar plunging and the Federal Reserve slashing interest rates, markets are on alert for any signs that foreign investors, particularly in Asia, are buying fewer US assets.But while some private investors may be heading for the exit, analysts say the authorities in Japan and China look set […]
‘s Warnapura but Windies fightback
PROVIDENCE, Guyana, March 22, 2008 (AFP) – Three wickets in the final period, including the scalp of Malinda Warnapura for a maiden Test hundred of 120, wobbled Sri Lanka after their batsmen revelled in the opening Test against West Indies on Saturday. Left-hander Warnapura, opening the batting, maximised ideal conditions to give Sri Lanka a […]
Excess cash, peg to weak dollar fuel Gulf inflation
MANAMA, March 23, 2008 (AFP) – Abundant liquidity, triggered by sharply higher oil revenues, and the effect of currencies pegged to a weakening dollar are fueling inflation in the Gulf region, economists say. And the situation is so serious that Gulf business leaders will meet in Bahrain on Monday to get advice from the International […]
Sri Lanka tour of Pakistan hit by Twenty20 tournament
March 23, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s proposed series of one-day internationals against Pakistan next month is in jeopardy due to a clash of dates with the cash-rich Indian Premier League. Sri Lanka had offered to play in the short series following a pull-out by Australia from a full tour of Pakistan in March-April due […]
‘s Warnapura plays down maiden Test hundred
PROVIDENCE, Guyana, March 23, 2008 (AFP) – Malinda Warnapura feels he has a long way to go before anyone can put his name in the same bracket with Sanath Jayasuriya. The left-hander was speaking after he collected his maiden Test hundred against West Indies on the opening day of the opening Test at the Guyana […]
Sri Lankan media faces increasing harassment
March 23, 2008 (LBO) – The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), a media freedom watchdog, has written to Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapakse urging him to probe a recent spate of attacks on journalists and ensure their protection. The New Yorkbased, independent, non-profit organization that works to safeguard press freedom worldwide, said in a statement […]
No evidence for Arthur C Clarke child sex allegations: Sri Lanka
March 23, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lankan authorities said Sunday that the British-born sci-fi writer Arthur C.Clarke had been cleared of decade-old paedophile allegations before his death last week.Clarke was buried Saturday in Colombo, where he had lived since 1956.Obituary writers have resurrected the 1998 accusations that he had sex with young boys in his […]
Sri Lanka starts whale watching
March 22, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is launching whale and dolphin watching tours in the island’s Western and Southern waters in an effort to exploit a growing trend in eco-tourism, officials said. The joint venture between Walkers Tours, a unit of John Keells Holdings, and state-rn Ceylon Fishery Harbours Corporation (CFHC) is part of […]
Sci-fi visionary Arthur C. Clarke buried in Sri Lanka
March 22, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lanka on Saturday buried visionary British sci-fi writer Arthur C.Clarke amid tears and tributes from family and fans as the government ordered a minute’s silence across the island.The 90-year-old author, who died at the age of 90 on Wednesday following a brief illness, was buried in a plot owned […]
Bear Stearns staff auction off teddies, T-shirts, memorabilia
WASHINGTON, March 21, 2008 (AFP) – Bear Stearns’ go-getting investment bankers used to chase million-dollar deals, but staff at the now hard up Wall Street bank have resorted to auctioning off Bear Stearns-branded memorabilia to raise funds.Bear Stearns workers have put a range of mementos up for sale online at eBay in recent days following […]