All Blogs
Chinese airline to launch inflight cell phone, Internet service
HONG KONG, Sept 3, 2007 (AFP) – Shenzhen Airlines said Monday passengers will soon be able to use their mobile phones and connect to the Internet during flights. Airlines have previously provided onboard air-to-ground fixed telephones on some seats at a premium charge. But until now they have banned the use of mobiles.Swiss-based technology firm […]
Agriculture minister quits
TOKYO, Sept 3, 2007 (AFP) – Japan’s farm minister resigned Monday over a money scandal, a week after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe re-shuffled his cabinet in a bid to clean up the government’s image.Endo is the fifth person to leave Abe’s cabinet, besides those removed in the reshuffle, since Abe took the premier’s seat nearly […]
‘s mobile customers: Goose or eggs?
Sept 03, 2007 (LBO) – Taxes are necessary. The consistent theme of the “Choices” columns has been that choices have to be made; that one cannot have the cake and eat it too. The present administration got elected by promising to fight a war, give government employment to all graduates, give subsidies to all and sundry, […]
Sri Lanka lodges protest over vandalised Paris embassy
PARIS, Sept 3, 2007 (AFP) – The Sri Lankan embassy in Paris claimed Monday that Tamil Tiger rebels vandalised its flag ahead of a visit by Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama later this week.In a statement denouncing “intimidatory tactics” by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, the embassy said “LTTE agents” destroyed its flag pole and […]
” in Sri Lanka
Sept 3, 2007 (AFP) – At least 34 people have “disappeared” in Sri Lanka over the past three weeks, the Red Cross said Monday ahead of a United Nations meeting to discuss the island’s human rights record.More than 5,400 people have been killed in clashes since December 2005 in an ethnic conflict that has claimed […]
Sri Lanka blocks Tamil Tiger supply route
Sept 3, 2007 (AFP) – Troops in Sri Lanka have blocked a key supply route used by the Tamil Tigers in possible preparation for a delayed major assault on the rebels’ northern heartland, military experts said Monday. The military has been trying to break into the stronghold, the Wanni, for weeks but took some nearby […]
Sri Lanka floats the rupee; two way quotes return
Sept 03, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s central bank has successfully floated the rupee after printing billions of rupees on an ill-fated intervention and sterilization adventure that nearly brought the national currency to its knees, analysts said. On August 23, the central bank stopped threatening dealers who were earlier labeled as being anti-national and heavy […]
Sri Lanka tea firms urged to grow own energy
Sept 1, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s tea plantations companies have been urged to grow their own fuel as a means of reducing costs at a time when fossil fuel prices are escalating. Growing crops like gliricidia would not only provide a cheap source of firewood to meet energy requirements but also nutrients for the […]
Worker Relations
September 02, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s employers and labour unions have set up a dispute settlement mechanism funded by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) with the aim of improving industrial relations. The Association for Dialogue and Conflict Resolution (ADCOR) is tasked with resolving employment related conflicts, making representations to authorities and conducting regular dialogue […]
Not Criminal
September 02, 2007 (LBO) – Prosecutors in the Philippines have sought to withdraw a criminal prosecution against Goldquest directors following appeals to higher courts, media reports from the country said. The case stemmed from a criminal complaint by former associates of Goldquest directors. Goldquest chief Vijayeswaran Vijayaratnam and several others were arrested in Jakarta but […]