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Five held over attempt to kill Maldives president: police
COLOMBO, Jan 9, 2008 (AFP) – Police in the Maldives said Wednesday they arrested four more people in connection with an unsuccessful attempt to kill the Indian Ocean archipelago’s president. Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who has ruled Maldives with an iron fist since 1978, escaped assassination while touring the atoll’s northern islands on Tuesday thanks to […]
World to grow by 3.3-pct, Asia 9.6-pct in 2008: World Bank
WASHINGTON, Jan 8, 2008 (AFP) – The global economy is expected to slow to a modest 3.3 percent growth pace this year, but the pace could worsen if the United States slips into recession, the World Bank said Tuesday. Despite financial turmoil unleashed by a meltdown in the US mortgage market, global growth slowed in […]
New Zealand judge to chair cricketer Singh appeal
DUBAI, Jan 9, 2008 (AFP) – New Zealand judge John Hansen has been appointed as commissioner for the appeal of Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh against the finding that he made racist comments during the second Test against Australia.In the meantime, Harbhajan may continue to play pending the verdcit of the appeal being given.The BCCI announced […]
Sri Lanka steps up security for lawmakers after assassination
Jan 9, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lanka has increased its already tight security arrangements for members of parliament following the death of a cabinet minister in a suspected Tamil Tiger bomb attack, officials said Wednesday.The number of bodyguards and security vehicles assigned to lawmakers was stepped up after Tuesday’s roadside bombing just outside the capital […]
Sri Lanka expects tourism boost from devout visitors
Jan 08, 2008 (LBO) – The arrival of a spiritual leader and his followers for a religious ceremony in Sri Lanka will boost foreign visitors in January, the war ravaged island’s tourism promotion officials said Tuesday. Some 30,000 members of the Bohra community are expected for the 10-day Ashara Mubaraka ceremony starting January 9. His […]
Tech Crime
Jan 08, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka needs more trained investigators to probe computer crimes and common policies and laws to combat electronic crimes which can extend across borders, legal professionals have said. “We also can adopt common directives similar to the EU, otherwise countries in Asia and the Pacific will not be able to […]
Sri Lankan Airlines to be run by government again: official
Jan 08, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s government will take the reigns of SriLankan Airlines after a management agreement with Emirates Airlines ends in March 2008, the head of the island’s investment promotion office said. “The president has decided that the government will run SriLankan Airlines from April,” Board of Investment chief Dhammika Perera told […]
Qatar Airways plays down Sri Lankan interest: report
Jan 08, 2007 (LBO) – Middle Eastern carrier Qatar Airways has played down its interest in Sri Lankan Airlines after its current managing shareholder Emirates, announced a sell out of its equity stake, reports said. Though suffering a 4.7 billion loss and badly hit by war risk insurance it managed to survive by using Maldives […]
Maldives president saved by 15 year old: report
Jan 08, 2008 (LBO) – Maldives president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was saved by a 15-year old youth as he was stabbed by a man who had a knife concealed inside a national flag, a report said. The boy Mohamed Jaisham was treated for injuries to his hand, Minivan News, an online news service from the […]
Maldivian president escapes assassination bid: minister
Jan 8, 2008 (AFP) – The president of the Maldives, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, escaped an assassination attempt Tuesday, a senior minister told AFP. “The president was greeting people when a young boy pulled out a knife and tried to stab him in the stomach,” Information Minister Mohamed Nasheed said by telephone from the island capital […]