Author: lbostgadmin
‘s Beijing dream
BEIJING, August 6, 2008 (AFP) – A globe-trotting steel billionaire and two former world champions have ensured India’s sportsmen will not cite lack of funds as an excuse if they fail at the Olympics.In a country where fortune and fame is reserved mainly for cricketers, Olympic hopefuls have blamed the absence of world class training […]
US charges 11 in massive credit, debit card scam
WASHINGTON, August 6, 2008 (AFP) – Eleven people were indicted in Boston Tuesday for stealing and selling some 40 million credit and debit card numbers they obtained by hacking into the computers of nine major US retailers, the US Justice Department said. In what the department believes is the largest hacking and identity theft case […]
Fed avoids rate hike as oil bubble pauses
WASHINGTON, August 5, 2008 (AFP) – The Federal Reserve, in a widely predicted move, kept its main interest rate unchanged at 2.0 percent Tuesday citing concerns about sputtering economic growth and inflationary pressures. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rocketed 331 points to close at 11,615.77 as investors cheered the announcement, although tumbling oil prices also […]
‘s Prince Philip has prostate cancer: report
LONDON, August 6, 2008 (AFP) – Queen Elizabeth II’s elderly husband Prince Philip has been diagnosed with prostate cancer but is defying the disease and carrying on with engagements, London’s Evening Standard reported Wednesday. Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the report, which cited “medical sources” as saying the diagnosis was made in April. “Medical […]
Maldives heads for democracy amid political intrigue
August 06, 2008 (LBO) – Maldives is set to ratify a new constitution this week which will bring multi-party democracy the Indian Ocean tourist paradise, but the archipelago’s politics are already tainted with allegations of bribery amid fears of a constitutional crisis.Under that, an Elections Commission must be formed within 30 days, a Supreme Court […]
Southern Sri Lanka shaken by earth tremor
Aug 06, 2008 (LBO) – Southern parts of Sri Lanka were shaken by minor tremors, early on Wednesday morning, and investigations are underway to find the cause, an official said. The tremors were felt in Tangalle, Beliatte, Ranna and Kudawella, in Sri Lanka’s southern province by residents around 5.45 to 5.50 am local time, JNW […]
At Sea
Aug 06, 2008 (LBO) – A new International Labour Organisation maritime convention that Sri Lanka is to ratify will improve the safety, efficiency and working conditions of seafarers, officials said. The ILO maritime labour convention, also known as a ‘bill of rights’ for seafarers has an enforcement system that will prevent their exploitation by owners […]
Sri Lanka IOC unit gains on earnings outlook as oil prices fall
Aug 06, 2008 (LBO) – Stocks closed higher Wednesday with the indices lifted by gains in the Sri Lanka unit of Indian Oil Corp as lower crude oil prices improved its earnings outlook, brokers said. Dialog Telekom was flat at 13.50. All plantations shares ended stronger after the island’s tea exports and earnings hit record […]
Sri Lanka debt markets still to show full potential: expert
Aug 06, 2008 (LBO) – A veteran fixed income specialist says Sri Lanka’s debt market has still to show its full potential though it is 15 years since the first commercial paper was issued in the island. The first commercial paper was issued by John Keells Holdings and Aitken Spence, with a guarantee from state-run […]
” tax
Aug 05, 2008 (LBO) — Sri Lanka’s environmental protection office is hoping to collect up to 800 million rupees from a series of taxes charged on people who own cars, mobile phones, standard light bulbs and firms that use telecom transmission towers.The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) will also charge a two percent levy on top […]
Bubble Deflating?
SINGAPORE, August 5, 2008 (AFP) – World oil prices fell in Asian trade Tuesday as fears about slowing US demand outweighed the increasing likelihood of heightened tensions over Iran’s controversial nuclear programme, dealers said. The storm was not seen as a threat to oil installations but operators in the crucial US petroleum industry hub said […]
Sri Lanka minister a challenge to law enforcement: media watchdog
Aug 05, 2008 (LBO) – The culture of impunity and the continued attacks against Sri Lanka’s media were condemned by the watchdog Free Media Movement, after a TV cameraman was assaulted by thugs while covering a state event.Controversial minister Mervyn Silva grabbed the camera of a Sirasa and MTV network cameraman, while goons surrounded him […]