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Dollar falls to fresh low after ECB refuses to print money
NEW YORK, March 6, 2008 (AFP) – The dollar extended its losses against the euro on Thursday, tumbling to another record low after the European Central Bank left its rates unchanged and said fighting inflation was a priority. The euro set a new all-time high of 1.5393 dollars before settling at 1.5381 dollars at 2200 […]
Hayden a liar and Gilchrist no saint, says Harbhajan
NEW DELHI, March 7, 2008 (AFP) – Controversial spinner Harbhajan Singh further deepened the animosity between India and Australia on Thursday when he called Matthew Hayden “a big liar” and Adam Gilchrist “no saint.” Harbhajan has been a thorn in Australia’s flesh since 2001 when he claimed 32 wickets in three home Tests to play […]
Sri Lanka says 47 combatants killed in fresh fighting
COLOMBO, March 7, 2008 (AFP) – At least 42 Tiger rebels and five government troops were killed in fresh fighting across Sri Lanka’s embattled north, where a lawmaker was also killed in a blast, the defence ministry said on Friday.Sri Lanka has in the past accused international diplomats raising rights concerns as “terrorists” and supporters […]
Grease Pal
March 07, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s state-run Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) is looking for a joint venture partner to start a lubricant retailing business, a senior government minister said. Information minister Anura Yapa said the ministry of petroleum has told Sri Lanka’s cabinet of ministers that lubricants would be sold under the brand Ceypetco. […]
Fuel Pricing
March 07, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s state-owned petroleum utility aims to hold retail fuel prices at current levels for the time being despite crude oil prices hitting record highs, its chairman Ashantha de Mel said. Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) is hoping income from oil futures hedging and its refinery resuming production after a shut […]
Long Wait
March 06, 2008 (LBO) – Container transporters in Sri Lanka Thursday announced plans for a protest action and work stoppage that could disrupt the flow of cargo to and from Colombo port. The Joint Council of Transporters (JCT) said in a statement their members would commence a protest combined with work stoppage from March 10 […]
Tough Times
Mar 06, 2008 (LBO) – Fitch Sri Lanka has downgraded the national long term rating of Sinhaputhra to ‘BB- (lka)’ from ‘BB (lka)’ with a negative outlook, as defaults increased amid tough economic conditions. “The downgrade reflects the significantly weakened asset quality and solvency at the regulatory six-month level,” Fitch Ratings said in a statement. […]
Oil price hits record above 105 dollars
LONDON, March 6, 2008 (AFP) – Oil prices surged past 105 dollars for the first time on Thursday as traders reacted to a surprisingly sharp fall in US crude reserves and the plunging US dollar, analysts said. New York’s main oil contract, light sweet crude for delivery in April hit 105.10 dollars per barrel, topping […]
‘s richest
NEW YORK, March 5, 2008 (AFP) – US financier Warren Buffett has overtaken Bill Gates as the world’s richest man, according to Forbes annual billionaire’s list, which this year saw Russia, China and India making increasing inroads. Buffett, the 77-year-old chief of the Berkshire Hathaway holding company, saw his wealth jump from 52 billion dollars […]
‘s billionaire tables
NEW YORK, March 5, 2008 (AFP) – The number of billionaires in Asia jumped more than 30 percent last year, with tycoons from India and China leading the charge, according to Forbes magazine’s annual billionaires list. Taiwan had seven, Indonesia and Singapore both counted five, while Thailand had three and the Philippines two. In total, […]