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London police hunt firebomber targeting SAsian businesses
LONDON, April 30 (AFP) – Police in London said Sunday they were hunting a racist serial firebomber after three apparently motiveless petrol bomb attacks on south Asian business premises in which one man died.“In the absence of any other possible motive, I’m working on the basis that these are racially-motivated attacks,” said Detective Superintendent Dick […]
India “at peak of global attractiveness” for global retailers: study
NEW DELHI, Apr. 30 (AFP) – India has emerged as the most attractive global retail destination for a second straight year, ahead of rival China which trails in fifth place, says a new study by global consultancy AT Kearney.“India is at the peak of attractiveness for retailers right now with a 350-billion-dollar retail market expected […]
Asia to host 2011 cricket World Cup
DUBAI, Apr. 30 (AFP) – Asia have beaten a joint bid from Australia and New Zealand for the right to host the 2011 cricket World Cup.The decision to award the event to India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh was made by the International Cricket Council’s executive committee meeting here on Sunday. The Asian bid won […]
Two civilians hurt as Sri Lanka troops battle Tamil Tigers
April 30 (AFP) – Sri Lankan security forces fired artillery guns at suspected Tamil Tiger positions after the rebels carried out an abortive attack on a fishing community and wounded at least two civilians, police said.Troops kept up the barrage against the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) after the guerrillas stormed into a […]
Four children killed in Sri Lanka air strikes: UNICEF
Apr. 30 (AFP) – Four children were killed in government air strikes in northeastern Sri Lanka last week, the United Nations children’s agency said Sunday, urging the reopening of schools in the affected area.UNICEF, which sent a mission to the rebel-held areas of Trincomalee district, said two schools were damaged in the bombardment. “Four children […]
‘ statement on extrajudicial killings
Apr. 30 (AFP) – Sri Lanka on Sunday protested an allegation by Scandinavian truce monitors that government forces may have been responsible for extrajudicial killings. Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapakse met Ulf Henricsson, the head of the truce monitoring mission, to demand an explanation for Saturday’s statement, a top government official said. The Sri Lanka Monitoring […]
Eighteen dead in Tiger infighting, says Sri Lankan military
Apr. 30 (AFP) – At least 18 rebels were killed and many more wounded when Tamil Tiger guerrillas on Sunday launched a major attack against a breakaway faction in eastern Sri Lanka, military and rebel sources said.The battle was one of the bloodiest incidents in an escalation of violence in recent weeks that has severely […]
Sri Lanka refugees rise to 21,000: UN
Apr.30 (AFP) – Up to 21,000 people have fled their homes following the latest spike in violence in Sri Lanka’s northeastern district of Trincomalee, the United Nations said Sunday.A bomb attack on the main market in the town of Trincomalee, 260 kilometres (160 miles) northeast of Colombo, on April 12 killed at least 17 people, […]
Civilian casualties in Sri Lanka strike “minimal” — governor
TRINCOMALEE, Apr. 30 (AFP) – The governor of Sri Lanka’s Northeast Province has played down civilian casualties inflicted during military strikes on Tamil Tiger areas, saying they were lower even than those caused by one recent Tiger bombing. “Considering the amount of firepower, the collateral damage is minimal,” Rear Admiral Mohan Wijewickrama said in an […]
Sri Lanka calls off May Day rallies amid suicide bomb fears
Apr. 30 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s main political parties have agreed to call off May Day rallies scheduled for Monday because of fears that large gatherings could attract suicide bombers, a government minister said.Plan Implementation Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said there was a consensus among political parties to avoid large meetings after a female suicide bomber […]