Author: lbostgadmin
Zimbabwe inflation hits 2.2 million percent: bank chief
HARARE, July 16, 2008 (AFP) – Zimbabwe’s inflation rate, already the world’s highest, hit an astronomical 2.2 million percent Wednesday after Robert Mugabe’s re-election in a one-man poll critics had said the nation could ill afford. After months of silence on the inflation rate, central bank governor Gideon Gono let slip it was well into […]
Unmarked grave found in eastern Sri Lanka, troops overrun key Tiger base
July 16, 2008 (AFP) – Several human bones have been found in an unmarked grave in Sri Lanka’s eastern district of Batticaloa, police said Wednesday. The site was discovered by a group of people who were digging a well on Tuesday. “We are not sure if it is a mass grave. Several bones were unearthed. […]
‘s elephant orphanage hopes for jumbo success
UDAWALAWE, July 16, 2008 (AFP) – After years of being bottle-fed formula milk, eight orphaned baby elephants appear reluctant to leave their temporary home, but mahouts heave-ho them onto trucks for a journey back to the wild.The elephants are enticed with milk and coconut palm to climb the ramps into the trucks — the time […]
My Phone
July 16, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Tigo, a unit of Millicom International Cellular is issuing plastic-card ownership certificate in response to anti-terror rules, which can be piggy-backed to give additional benefits to customers, an official said. The new regulations introduced by the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka require mobile customers to give on […]
Peninsular 3G
July 16, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Dialog Telekom, a unit of Telekom Malaysia, said it had launched third generation (3G) mobile services allowing video calling in the island’s northern Jaffna peninsular. Dialog’s video calling comes with a conferencing facility that allows users in six different locations to talk. Dialog says is 3G network now […]
Aussie Arrest
July 16, 2008 (LBO) – Australian police have arrested the director of a Melbourne business school over links with Tamil Tigers following a request from US authorities, a media report said.The Australian newspaper said Thulasitharan Santhirarajah, 34, is expected to be extradited to the United States. “The man is wanted to face prosecution for alleged […]
Sri Lanka scrambles to stop Japan travel warning
July 16, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is scrambling to head off an imminent travel warning from Japan, in a bid to save the struggling tourism industry from a new blow, a top official said.Tourism secretary George Michael said Sri Lanka has learned of an imminent travel warning from Japan and tourism minister Milinda Moragoda […]
Harbour Moves
July 16, 2008 (LBO) – Colombo port plans to order more quay-side gantry cranes, mobile cranes and tractors to boost productivity and cope with increasing cargo flows, a senior official said.Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) chairman Saliya Wickramasuriya said the new equipment acquisition was part of the ports efforts to improve efficiency and the port’s […]
Sri Lankan shares close down
July 16, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lankan shares closed one percent lower Wednesday on losses in telco stocks and the John Keells Holdings conglomerate as sentiment remained weak, brokers said.The All Share Price Index closed down 25.08 points at 2,415.07 while the Milanka lost 1.85 percent (54.43 points) to close at 2,881.86. Turnover was 200 […]
Team USA includes several athletes who previously failed doping tests
INDIANAPOLIS, July 14, 2008 (AFP) – Reigning Olympic 100 metre champion Justin Gatlin was noticeably absent when the USA’s track and field team for Beijing was officially named on Monday.Gatlin, who is serving a four-year ban for using steroids, tried unsuccessfully last month to get the US courts to permit him to compete in the […]
India have batsmen to counter Mendis, says Kumble
CHENNAI, July 14, 2008 (AFP) – India captain Anil Kumble said Monday he was confident his experienced batsmen will see off the threat posed by spinner Ajantha Mendis in the Test series in Sri Lanka. The Indian players found Mendis virtually unplayable in the recent Asia Cup final in Karachi, where the spinner grabbed 6-13 […]
Federal Reserve tightens US home mortgage lending
WASHINGTON, July 14, 2008 (AFP) – The US Federal Reserve on Monday tightened home mortgage lending in a bid to improve consumer protection from practices blamed in part for the worst US real-estate crisis in decades.The Fed said its board of governors approved rules for home mortgage loans “to better protect consumers and facilitate responsible […]