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Bus bomb kills 15 in Sri Lanka
COLOMBO, April 2, 2007 (AFP) – At least 15 people, including a child, were killed and 25 wounded when a bomb ripped through a crowded bus in eastern Sri Lanka Monday, officials said. The defence ministry immediately accused Tamil Tiger rebels of setting off the bomb, while the rebels denied they were responsible. Passengers were […]
‘s inflation promoters call for higher minimum wage: report
April 02, 2007 (LBO) – A trade union connected to a Sri Lankan political party whose policy influence expanded the budget deficit and drove inflation to very high levels in the last three years is now calling for a higher minimum wage, reports said. But agitation for salary increments also usually follows high inflation. Updated […]
Sri Lanka aim to cash in on Windies woes
GEORGETOWN, Guyana, March 31, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lanka coach Tom Moody has said his team will try to capitalise on the West Indies’ current unimpressive form in their World Cup Super Eights match here on Sunday. Brian Lara’s West Indians find themselves in a must-win situation after losing to defending champions Australia and New […]
McGrath breaks record as Australia thrash Bangladesh
ST JOHN’S, Antigua, March 31, 2007 (AFP) – Glenn McGrath became the most successful bowler in World Cup history as reigning champions Australia thrashed Bangladesh by 10 wickets at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium here Saturday.Bangladesh are back in action here Tuesday against New Zealand while Australia have a week’s break until they return for […]
Sri Lanka seeks to scrap truce with Tigers: report
April 1, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lanka plans to hold a referendum on whether to maintain a fragile five-year-old ceasefire between government troops and separatist Tamil Tiger rebels, a state-run newspaper said Sunday.The truce allows either party to opt out by giving two weeks’ notice to Norway. The government of President Mahinda Rajapakse hopes to […]
France detains 16 Tamil Tiger fund-raising suspects
PARIS, April 1, 2007 (AFP) – Sixteen suspected members of the Tamil Tigers rebel group were detained Sunday in Paris during an investigation into terrorist financing activities, sources close to the case said.Police made the arrests under the direction of anti-terrorist judge Jean-Louis Bruguiere, the sources said. The suspects are alleged to be involved in […]
Amnesty World Cup campaign not cricket, Sri Lanka fumes
April 1, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lanka protested Sunday against an Amnesty International campaign at the cricket World Cup drawing attention to human rights abuses on the island. The London-based rights group has been calling for Sri Lanka to ‘Play by the Rules’ in its conflict with Tamil rebels by persuading thousands of fans to […]
‘s observer status
NEW DELHI, March 31, 2007 (AFP) – South Asian officials Saturday recommended observer status for Iran at next week’s regional summit which will be dominated by trade amid warming ties between rivals India and Pakistan. China, the European Union, Japan, South Korea and the United States already have observer status with the eight-nation South Asian […]
South Asia holds summit to build trade, fight terror
NEW DELHI, April 1, 2007 (AFP) – South Asian leaders meet in New Delhi this week to push for joint action against terrorism and efforts to overcome mistrust dogging the trade ambitions of their bloc of 1.4 billion people. Foreign ministry officials began laying the groundwork on Saturday for the South Asian Association of Regional […]
Malaysian anti-corruption chief dumped amid graft allegations: report
KUALA LUMPUR, March 31, 2007 (AFP) – Malaysia’s top anti-corruption official, who is facing a police investigation into graft allegations against him, will not have his contract renewed, a report said Saturday.Malaysians believe their country has an “acute” corruption problem, international monitor Transparency International said recently, warning the issue could drive away foreign investors.Zulkipli Mat […]