Author: LBO
Malaysia objects to capital’s “third-rudest” status
KUALA LUMPUR, June 21, 2006 (AFP) – Malaysia on Wednesday hotly disputed a global survey that found its capital Kuala Lumpur was the third rudest in the world, saying it was renowned for its friendly people.Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said the widely publicised Reader’s Digest magazine survey of politeness levels in 35 cities could […]
How the UN’s new Human Rights Council works
GENEVA, June 19, 2006 (AFP) – The new UN Human Rights Council, which started its first-ever session here Monday, is made up of 47 nations who pledged before they were elected to respect international human rights standards.The body aims to be more effective than the widely-criticised UN Commission on Human Rights, which was disolved in […]
Sri Lanka’s tourist board chief prevented from leaving the country
June 19, 2006 (LBO) – The chairman of the Sri Lanka’s tourist board was prevented from leaving the country at the Bandaranaike International Airport early Monday morning, an official said. Immigration officials had stopped Udaya Nanayakkara from leaving Sri Lanka on a complaint from the Bribery Commission, Controller of Immigration P B Abeykoon said. Nanayakkara […]
Sri Lanka police investigate Tigers’ limpet style sea mines
June 18, 2006 (AFP) – Sri Lankan police Sunday were investigating a new type of improvised sea mine developed by Tamil Tiger rebels to target naval craft, police chief Chandra Fernando said Sunday. Police have questioned four of five men arrested Saturday while laying the mines, which are similar to limpet mines. They stick magnetically […]
Web auctioneer eBay adds ‘wiki’ for online selling tips
SAN FRANCISCO, June 13, 2006 (AFP) – Using a technology once the domain of nerds, US auction website eBay is collecting the wisdom of millions of users in a how-to guide for buying and selling online. Any of eBay’s estimated 185 million users can contribute insights to an eBay “wiki,” a website that allows visitors […]
Indian state says ‘no sir’ to nursery rhymes
NEW DELHI, June 14, 2006 (AFP) – An Indian state has decided to drop popular nursery rhymes like “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” and “Baa Baa Black Sheep” from text books for first-graders for being too Western, reports said Wednesday.“We want our children to have value education in local color,” newspapers reported Narottam Mishra, minister of […]
PwC sets up new firm in Japan following its partner’s scandal
TOKYO, June 13, 2006 (AFP) – International accounting giant PricewaterhouseCoopers set up a new firm in Japan on Tuesday after its Japanese partner came under fire over financial fraud.PricewaterhouseCoopers Arata will begin operations from July 1 to service both domestic and international companies in Japan, the US-based company said in a statement. The establishment came […]
Sri Lanka accuses Tigers of ‘intransigence’
OSLO, June 12, 2006 (AFP) – Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera on Monday accused the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) of intransigence after the recent breakdown in talks between the two sides.The rebels on Thursday aborted a two-day meeting in Oslo with Colombo representatives arranged by Norway to discuss the safety of […]
Sri Lanka’s new air chief follows in father’s flight path
June 12, 2006 (AFP) – Air Vice Marshal Roshan Goonetileke took command of Sri Lanka’s air force Monday, 25 years after his father retired from the post.Goonetileke, 50, inspected an honour guard before being handed the command at a ceremony in Colombo. Among those attending was Goonetileke’s father, retired air vice marshal Harry Goonetileke, 76, […]
Sri Lanka’s Central Bank likely to freeze main interest rates
June 12, 2006 (LBO) — Sri Lanka’s central bank is likely to keep its benchmark interest rates unchanged for the sixth month in a row, preferring a wait-and-see policy over the economy amid deteriorating security situation and a gradual rise in inflation. “There is at the present time no room for a Norwegian initiative in […]
Zimbabwe’s inflation rate soars to new high
HARARE, June 9, 2006 (AFP) – The inflation rate in economically-ravaged Zimbabwe soared to a new record high of 1,193.5 percent for May, officials said on Friday, with economists predicting even higher rates in the coming months. “The year-on-year rate of inflation in May 2006 was 1,193.5 percent, gaining 150.6 percentage points on the April […]
Sri Lanka asking Pakistan for swift military assistance: Jane’s
LONDON, June 8, 2006 (AFP) – Sri Lanka is looking to Pakistan for help to bolster its military capabilities as the ceasefire between the government and rebels appears increasingly fragile, specialist publication Jane’s Defence Weekly said Thursday. Sri Lanka has asked Pakistan to facilitate the purchase of military equipment worth around 60 million dollars (47 […]