Author: LBO
First sex ‘theme park’ set to open in London
LONDON, May 18, 2006 (AFP) – The world’s first “theme park” dedicated to sex and relationships is set to open in London’s bustling West End later this summer, its promoters said Thursday.Amora: The Academy of Sex and Relationships, featuring “high-tech and interactive exhibits together with new media displays,” expects up to 600,000 visitors within its […]
Annan says it’s Asia’s turn for secretary general
TOKYO, May 18, 2006 (AFP) – UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said Thursday that most nations believe his successor should come from Asia, as campaigning for his replacement intensifies.“I can say that most of the member states believe that it is a turn for Asia,” Annan told a news conference in Tokyo. “It is a […]
Airbus A380 touches down at London’s Heathrow Airport
HEATHROW AIRPORT, England, May 18, 2006 (AFP) – The biggest passenger aircraft in the skies, the Airbus A380, landed at London’s Heathrow Airport on Thursday.The super-jumbo touched down at the west London airport at 1:19 pm (1219 GMT), making its British debut to test new facilities for jumbo aircraft. The arrival of the gigantic double-decker […]
Critics crucify ‘Da Vinci Code’ in Cannes
CANNES, France, May 17, 2006 (AFP) – The most hotly-awaited movie of the year “The Da Vinci Code” failed to crack an audience of movie critics here at a sneak preview ahead of Wednesday’s opening of the Cannes Film Festival.Several whistles instead of applause were all that greeted the end of Ron Howard’s 125-million-dollar film, […]
US asks Europe to ban Sri Lanka’s Tamil Tigers
May 16, 2006 (AFP) – The United States has asked the European Union to follow its lead and ban Sri Lanka’s Tamil Tigers as a terrorist group, a visiting US State Department official said Tuesday.“We have encouraged the EU to list the LTTE” as a terrorist group, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and […]
New guide aims to erase ‘ugly American’ image
WASHINGTON, May 15, 2006 (AFP) – Don’t be so loud.Listen. Dress up. Those are among the tips offered to US business executives traveling abroad in a new guide aimed at countering the image of the “ugly American”.Launched this month by a non-profit group concerned about mounting anti-Americanism worldwide, the “World Citizens Guide” has 16 suggestions […]
India’s Rahul Gandhi seen stepping into spotlight after mother’s win
NEW DELHI, May 14, 2006 (AFP) – The clamour is growing for Rahul Gandhi, scion of India’s most powerful political dynasty, to step into the spotlight after steering his mother Sonia Gandhi to a landslide by-election win.“Son Rises,” said the Times of India in a headline after Sonia racked up a record 417,000-vote victory margin […]
Annan urges Sri Lanka’s warring sides to resume dialogue
UNITED NATIONS, May 12, 2006 (AFP) – UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on Friday made a fresh appeal to Sri Lanka’s government and Tamil rebels to end violence and resume Norwegian-brokered peace talks.UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Annan, who is on a visit to Austria, was “disturbed by the news of major sea and aerial […]
Zimbabwe’s inflation rate crosses 1,000-percent threshold
HARARE, May 12, 2006 (AFP) – Zimbabwe said on Friday its inflation rate had crossed the landmark 1,000-percent threshold, arguably the highest in the world, with economists expressing pessimism about any major improvement soon. The Central Statistical Office said the year-on-year inflation rate in April was 1,042.9 percent, up 129.3 percentage points from March, in […]
Sea Tigers: Sri Lanka’s deadly foes
May 12, 2006 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s truce prevents Tiger rebels from venturing out to sea, but “Sea Tiger” sailors are openly defying the ban and testing the resolve of the government and Nordic peace monitors, officials say.The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) sparked a fresh row over their right to operate their deadly […]
Sri Lanka’s Jayasuriya heads for England
May 11, 2006 (AFP) – Veteran batsman Sanath Jayasuriya will join his Sri Lanka team-mates in England later this week after reversing his decision to quit, chief selector Asantha de Mel said on Thursday. The left-hander, 36, will arrive in England well ahead of the second Test in Edgbaston from May 25 and stay for […]
Murali aiming for five-wicket Lord’s haul
LONDON, May 10, 2006 (AFP) – Muttiah Muralitharan wants to mark his first Test appearance at Lord’s by taking five wickets in an innings for Sri Lanka against England and getting his name on the dressing room honours board.“He will be the most important wicket for us as far as I’m concerned because when he […]