Author: lbostgadmin
British PM demands answers in defence minister row
LONDON, October 8, 2011 (AFP) – British Prime Minister David Cameron on Saturday demanded an urgent report into claims his defence minister allowed a close friend to influence government business involving Afghanistan and Libya. Cameron’s office at first said that minister Liam Fox had the premier’s “full confidence” despite the allegations about Adam Werritty, who […]
Sri Lanka ruling coalition sweeps mini-polls
Oct 09, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s ruling coalition of President Mahinda Rajapaksa won a a series of local councils except the capital Colombo and an eastern town, following polls marred by a deadly shootout among party rivals. The ruling United National People’s Alliance won 21 out of 23 city councils with the main opposition […]
Sri Lanka ruling party wins polls marred by violence
October 9, 2011 (AFP) – The Sri Lankan president’s party won 22 out of 23 local councils in elections, results showed Sunday, as police investigated a gun battle between political rivals in which three people were killed. Two factions within the national ruling alliance clashed shortly before polling closed on Saturday, leaving a presidential aide […]
Sri Lankan police probe deadly shootings at polls
October 9, 2011 (AFP) – Sri Lankan police launched an investigation on Sunday into an election-day gunfight between political rivals in which three people were shot dead, including one adviser to the president. Police said Premachandra, 55, died of multiple gunshot wounds along with the two bodyguards in the short but bloody fight after a […]
Western fast food, waistlines surge in India
NEW DELHI, October 9, 2011 (AFP) – Every lunchtime at a McDonald’s on the corner of one of central New Delhi’s biggest streets, queues of hungry young patrons, often four-wide and unruly, snake towards the counters. In another study published last month, the International Federation of the Red Cross focused on the “double-edged scandal” of […]
Legal Status
NEW YORK, October 9, 2011 (AFP) – Raj Rajaratnam, convicted in the biggest US insider trading case for years, faces a sentence of up to 24 years prison next week at the close of a case seen as making an example of the hedge fund tycoon. The sentencing hearing on October 13 before federal Judge […]
‘s role
LONDON, October 7, 2011 (AFP) – Britain’s defence minister Liam Fox ordered an inquiry Friday into the role of a friend and self-styled adviser after claims that he influences government business despite having no official role. Fox said the “wild allegations” would be probed after confirming that he met Adam Werritty on an official visit […]
‘s mid-term test
October 8, 2011 (AFP) – Voters in Sri Lanka’s capital went to the polls Saturday to elect a local municipal council, in a contest widely seen as a mid-term test for President Mahinda Rajapakse. Rajapaksa’s ruling coalition, the United People’s Freedom Alliance, is fielding candidates for the prestigious Colombo municipality as well as 22 others, […]
Presidential aide, bodyguard killed during Sri Lanka vote
October 8, 2011 (AFP) – A presidential aide and his bodyguard were shot dead in a gunbattle involving opposing factions of the Sri Lankan ruling party during Saturday’s local council elections in the capital, police said. Former lawmaker and advisor to the president, Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra, was pronounced dead shortly after being taken to hospital […]
Climate talks inch ahead on aid despite discord
PANAMA CITY, October 8, 2011 (AFP) – Climate negotiators said Friday they made progress on laying out ways to help poor countries but deep differences remained on core issues ahead of a make-or-break talks in South Africa. With scientists warning that the planet is far behind on meeting pledges to control climate change, officials from […]
Research Buy
Oct 08, 2011 (LBO) – UK-based WPP Plc said it had bought full control of Lanka Market Research Bureau, a market research agency in which it only had 49 percent stake earlier. WPP bought the stock through its wholly owned research arm Kantar, the firm said in a London Stock Exchange filing. WPP is a […]
Banking Charter
Oct 08, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s central bank has directed bank fully disclose rates, fees and penalties on banking services in three languages, set up a complaints procedure and take special care when dealing with disabled and elderly customers. “Elderly, disabled or customers with low financial literacy have the right to receive special attention […]