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‘s Day to heart
MALE Feb 14, 2008 (LBO) – Unsigned love letters, flowers, tokens and trinkets of undying affection.This is not a page from a romantic novel, but how youngsters in the Islamic Republic of Maldives plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day celebrations and marketing gimmicks have, according to many, reached a new high this year, with […]
‘s News Corp.: report
NEW YORK, Feb 13, 2008 (AFP) – Yahoo is exploring a possible alliance with media conglomerate News Corp.to stave off a take-over by software giant Microsoft, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday. Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. owns the Journal, as well a global media empire that includes popular online social networking website MySpace, Dow […]
India to propose ban on sledging at ICC meeting
NEW DELHI, Feb 14, 2008 (AFP) – India will propose a ban on sledging — verbally abusing opponents to put them off their game — at an upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting, a top official said here Thursday.“Cricket is not a physical, contact sport and we don’t see why there should be any abusive […]
Sri Lankans focus on Australian frailties
PERTH, Australia, Feb 14, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene vowed here Thursday to target Australian frailties as the tourists bid for top spot in the tri-series table. A win for Sri Lanka on Friday would see them top of the standings, relegating the world champions to bottom place. His own side’s confidence […]
Gilchrist bats for under-fire umpires
PERTH, Australia, Feb 13, 2008 (AFP) – Australia’s Adam Gilchrist went in to bat for the umpires on Wednesday, despite being at the wrong end of a dodgy decision at the weekend. “I am not going to hold a grudge against any umpire, particularly that bloke. I respect him…. I have the utmost respect for […]
UN seeks 44 million dollars to feed Sri Lanka displaced
Feb 14, 2008 (AFP) – A United Nations agency Thursday appealed for 44 million dollars to feed thousands of people displaced by fighting between Sri Lankan troops and Tamil Tiger rebels. The World Food Programme (WFP) currently feeds more than a million Sri Lankans, of whom 400,000 have been internally displaced. “For now, we urgently […]
Sri Lanka shares end higher on bank, ceramic interest
Feb 13, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lankan shares ended higher Wednesday on the back of Tuesday’s gains with turnover boosted by large transactions in Lanka Walltile and National Development Bank, brokers said. The All Share Price Index closed at 2,507.42, up 12.58 points or half a percentage point while the more liquid Milanka index rose […]
Sri Lanka to entice Arab tourists in deal with Al-Jazeera
Feb 13, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is targeting Middle Eastern visitors by tying up with Al-Jazeera TV to make up for dwindling numbers from traditional European markets, officials said. “There is a need to be more aggressive in promoting the country’s image among Middle East travellers,” deputy minister of tourism Faiszer Musthapha […]
Sri Lankan cloves prices stabilize after tumble
Feb 13, 2008 (LBO) – Prices of Sri Lankan clove have stabilized after a sharp fall last month, a senior official has said. But growers are expected to start harvesting more as prices firm and also to do replanting. Gulam Chatoor of the Spices & Allied Products Producers’ and Traders’ Association (SAPPTA) said producers and […]
World oil market could be set for lengthy slowdown: IEA
PARIS, Feb 13, 2008 (AFP) – The world oil market could be set for a lengthy slowdown, the International Energy Agency said on Wednesday, signalling a sharp shift in the climate which pushed the oil price to 100 dollars last month.The IEA is based in Paris and is an offshoot of the OECD. “Just as […]