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Snazzy Gadget
NEW YORK, June 29, 2007 (AFP) – Apple’s iPhone, one of the most eagerly awaited devices in years, went on sale Friday with technology fashionistas queued up country wide to shell out at least 500 dollars for the cell phone-music/video player. Lines up to 400 people deep snaked from the doors of Apple and AT&T […]
‘s central bank governor suspended
KATHMANDU, June 30, 2007 (AFP) – Nepal’s central bank governor and another top official have been suspended after being charged with corruption involving the embezzlement of public funds, an official said on Saturday.The charges against Nepal Rastra Bank Governor Bijaya Nath Bhattarai and Executive Director Surendra Man Pradhan were laid by an anti-graft body tasked […]
” after reaching 15,000 one-day runs
BELFAST, June 29, 2007 (AFP) – Sachin Tendulkar savoured a “wonderful moment” after adding a new chapter to his record-breaking career by becoming the first batsman to score 15,000 one-day international runs. Tendulkar reached the landmark while making 93 in India’s six-wicket win against South Africa at Stormont here Friday, a victory which levelled the […]
‘s tilt balance of assymetric warfare
BAGHDAD, June 30, 2007 (AFP) – Following this week’s foiled car bombs in central London, the British media raised the spectre of “Iraq-style attacks”, but what exactly would be the hallmarks of such a campaign?On Friday, London police defused explosives in two Mercedes cars that had been loaded with gas canisters and nails and left […]
Civillian deaths by Tamil Tigers climb up
June 30, 2007 (AFP) – Suspected rebels in Sri Lanka shot dead seven civilians and security forces discovered a truck packed with powerful explosives, the country’s defence ministry said on Saturday. Tamil Tiger rebels gunned down four farmers in the eastern town of Serunuwara late on Friday, the military said. Two Tamil civilians were shot […]
‘s central bank keeps 7.5 percent growth forecast; halts release of GDP numbers
June 30, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s economy would still grow by 7.5 percent this year despite first quarter growth sliding to 6.1 percent, the Central Bank has said, while a rising budget deficit pushed interest rates to new highs. Analysts also say a slowdown in reported growth numbers is inevitable partly because of statistical […]
Danger Signs
June 28 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Colombo port risks losing its status as south Asia’s transshipment hub if it does not move fast to add more capacity and make trade more streamlined, a senior Asian Development Bank official said. Although Colombo has a good reputation for reliability the country has not done enough to exploit […]
Arbitrage Fund
June 29, 2007 (LBO) – A UK-based hedge fund is entering Sri Lanka and has sought a listing in the Colombo Stock Exchange through the purchase of a listed shell company. Lionhart is expected to make a mandatory offer for the rest of the shares shortly. Lionhart Investments Limited has purchased 13,043,804 million shares of […]
Smooth Notes
June 29 (LBO) – The Sri Lankan distributor of the latest Toshiba notebook computer is relying on good after sales service and the strength of well-known distributors to maintain an edge over competition. Analysts say that the personal computer market has been improving and they predict that in time to come laptops are bound to […]
IMF chief to quit early as reform effort struggles
WASHINGTON, June 28, 2007 (AFP) – The head of the International Monetary Fund, Rodrigo Rato, said Thursday he will step down in October for personal reasons, casting a cloud over the major internal reform effort he launched.The IMF chief’s announcement comes as the 185-nation financial institution faces criticism that it serves the interests of wealthy […]