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The sniper of Baghdad
BAGHDAD, Jan 5, 2008 (AFP) – Through the sights of a high-powered rifle the silhouette of a soldier takes shape in the window of a concrete watchtower.A shot rings out and the body collapses like a puppet, falling from view. Juba has struck again. A new video of the mysterious marksman of the Islamic Army […]
Sri Lanka needs monitoring mission: rights group
Jan 5, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lanka urgently needs an international rights monitoring mission following Colombo’s decision to pull out of a ceasefire pact with Tamil rebels, a London-based rights group said Saturday.The Minority Rights Group International said Colombo’s decision to formally withdraw from the ceasefire deal with the rebels would result in escalating violence. […]
Sri Lankan tea may be lifted by Kenyan unrest
Jan 04, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lankan tea prices could be pushed higher if violence in Kenya, the world’s biggest tea exporter, disrupts supplies to the world market, trade officials said. The violence in Pakistan, a big tea consumer nation, could on the other hand dampen demand, they said. There has been no impact yet […]
Obama beats Clinton in Iowa, Huckabee top Republican
DES MOINES, Iowa, Jan 3, 2008 (AFP) – Democrat Barack Obama triumphed in the first 2008 White House nominating contest Thursday, dealing a severe blow to Hillary Clinton’s hopes and boosting his own chances of being the first black US president.“We are choosing hope over fear.We’re choosing unity over division and sending a powerful message […]
”’s role in peace deal
Jan 04, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is looking at redefining the role of Norway in the county’s peace effort following its decision to terminate a truce with the Tamil Tigers with effect from January 16, 2008, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama told a news conference Friday. .Updated The Sri Lankan government Thursday formally notified Norway […]
Sri Lanka needs UN monitors, says rights group
WASHINGTON, Jan 3, 2008 (AFP) – Human Rights Watch called Thursday for a UN human rights monitoring mission in Sri Lanka in the wake of the breakdown of the 2002 ceasefire agreement between the government and the Tamil Tiger secessionists.The New York-based group said new monitors were needed to replace the Norwegian-led Sri Lanka Monitoring […]
” by end of truce in Sri Lanka
WASHINGTON, Jan 3, 2008 (AFP) – The United States on Thursday said it was “troubled” by the Sri Lankan government’s decision on Wednesday to end its 2002 truce with Tamil Tiger rebels, and urged both sides to avoid further fighting. “The United States is troubled” by the Sri Lankan government’s decision, State Department spokesman Sean […]
Gassing Up
Jan 04, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s second cooking gas retailer raised prices by 17 percent Thursday on a formula approved by the consumer authority while the minister in charge said advance notice of price increases should not be given. The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation has not raised prices since July. After fuel prices were fixed, […]
Sri Lanka withdraws from truce with Tamil Tigers
Jan 2, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s government Wednesday decided to formally end a moribund peace process with Tamil rebels and withdraw from a ceasefire arranged by peace broker Norway, top officials told AFP. “The cabinet of ministers today decided to pull out of the ceasefire,” presidential spokesman Chandrapala Liyanage said. “The legal process will […]
‘s funeral
Jan 3, 2008 (AFP) – A prominent Sri Lankan Tamil opposition MP who was murdered earlier this week was cremated here Thursday amid tight security and allegations that the island’s government was behind the killing.The cremation took place amid heavy fighting between government troops and Tamil Tiger rebels in northern Sri Lanka, hours after the […]