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Asian stocks make cautious rebound with eyes on Fed
TOKYO, Aug 30, 2007 (AFP) – Asian stock markets made a cautious rebound Thursday as investors kept an eye on US Federal Reserve moves to combat housing woes that have battered global bourses. Asian markets were in positive territory after a strong recovery on Wall Street overnight but early gains were pared in Tokyo and […]
Venezuela to kick out Exxon, Conoco Phillips
CARACAS, Aug 30, 2007 (AFP) – The Venezuelan government wants two US oil giants that refuse to come under state control to leave and is not offering compensation, Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez said.There is an estimated 230 billion barrels of oil in Venezuela’s Orinoco field but 78 billion are proved.Exxon Mobil and Conoco Phillips have […]
Sri Lanka appoints committee to probe child recruitment charges
Aug 29, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lanka Wednesday appointed a committee to probe allegations of child recruitment by a Tamil group allegedly linked to the government. The move came ahead of a crucial United Nations meeting next month on the human rights situation on the island. The committee will “inquire into allegations of abduction and […]
No Rules
August 30, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka power engineers have called off all industrial action including a non co-operation campaign following a second meeting with senior government officials. The Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers Union (CEBEU) met senior government officials at Temple Trees on Tuesday following an initial meeting on Sunday. Union officials said most of […]
Sri Lanka opposition warns of possible default of a proposed sovereign bond
August 29, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s main opposition announced a protest in front of HSBC Bank’s Colombo office after its leader warned that the country may not be able to repay 500 million dollars the bank is helping to raise. United National Party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe informed HSBC chief Stephen Green that the proposed […]
Sri Lankan businesses focus on forex hedging amid rupee volatility
August 29, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lankan exporters, importers and freight forwarders are to discuss ways of managing foreign exchange risks at a time when the rupee has started weakening against the dollar.Standard Chartered Bank, which structured and completed Sri Lanka’s first rupee option, is to provide technical experts for a seminar on understanding foreign […]
Sri Lanka markets off to a shaky start, rupee edges lower
August 29, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s financial markets got off to a shaky start Wednesday with the rupee edging lower against the greenback and stocks losing ground after opening firmer after a religious holiday. The spot dollar traded at 113.10 rupees with intervention at 113.08 dealers said. Meanwhile overnight call rates dropped to 13.00/13.50 […]
China issues first batch of bonds to fund new forex investment agency
BEIJING, Aug 29, 2007 (AFP) – China was to sell nearly 80 billion dollars worth of government bonds Wednesday in the first batch of a planned special issue to fund a new foreign exchange investment agency, state media reported.The Ministry of Finance was to issue on Wednesday 600 billion yuan (79.4 billion dollars) as part […]
Dollar rebounds in volatile Asian trade
TOKYO, Aug 29, 2007 (AFP) – The dollar rebounded after falling sharply on Wednesday against the yen over renewed concern about credit problems in the United States, dealers said.But they said dollar-selling sentiment remained strong as the recent turmoil in equities may continue. The financial chaos has led dealers to unwind their risky “carry trades” […]
World stocks hammered as credit destruction continues
NEW YORK, Aug 28, 2007 (AFP) – Global stock markets saw dizzying declines Tuesday as a drop in US consumer confidence suggested slow growth ahead and Federal Reserve comments hinted at deeper-than-expected housing market woes. Shanghai managed to hit another record high however, on strong company earnings reports that pushed the overall market up by […]