Author: lbostgadmin
‘s child obesity problem ballooning – study
GENEVA, May 21, 2008 (AFP) – Child obesity is ballooning into a big problem in China as ‘little emperors’ are increasingly getting an appetite for the Western couch-potato way of life, according to a study presented in Geneva.Almost one in five children under seven is overweight and more than seven percent are obese, according to […]
‘ pay packets
SYDNEY, May 21, 2008 (AFP) – Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd urged company executives to rein in their salaries Wednesday, amid a furore over an 80 million dollar (76.8 million US) payout to the head of an investment bank. Speaking after it was revealed that outgoing Macquarie bank chief executive Allan Moss would receive a […]
US ethanol policy under siege in food-for-fuel debate
WASHINGTON, May 21, 2008 (AFP) – Amid a surge in food prices blamed in part on US expansion of corn-based ethanol production, lawmakers, experts and industry officials are urging the government to rethink a new law mandating alternative fuels. The United States is the world’s top producer of corn-based ethanol, which the administration of President […]
‘s son quits ruling party
KUALA LUMPUR, May 21, 2008 (AFP) – Malaysian former premier Mahathir Mohamad’s son quit the ruling party Wednesday after his father called for mass resignations to force the ouster of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.. Businessman Mokhzani Mahathir warned the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) was heading for “annihilation” unless Abdullah stepped down to take […]
Bollywood muscles in on Hollywood
CANNES, May 21, 2008 (AFP) – With India’s entertainment billionaires seemingly blessed with limitless pockets, Bollywood is flexing its movie muscle, taking on Hollywood in unexpected corners of the globe and buying up theatres worldwide.“Bollywood now has the muscle and (Indian) corporates have big money,” prominent Indian filmmaker Jagmohan Mundra told AFP. Mundra said Bollywood […]
Sri Lankan Airlines produces technicians and engineers
May 21, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lankan Airlines technical training has completed the training of over 40 foreign and local students in aircraft engineering and maintenance, the airline said. The technician’s course has 1,200 hours of theory and another 1,200 hours of practical training in workshops, base maintenance and line maintenance. A batch of students […]
Sri Lanka eastern dairy industry gets US boost
May 21, 2008 (LBO) – The United States which is helping milk farmers in eastern Sri Lanka says more private sector investment is needed to boost production and get better prices for producers. Hess says the dairy sector holds great promise for improving the livelihoods of thousands of Sri Lanka farmers throughout the island, especially […]
Sri Lanka Chilaw Plantations back in state hands
May 21, 2008 (LBO) – Chilaw Plantations, a Sri Lanka government owned plantation that was under private management, would be taken back to state control before the end of the month, a senior government official said. Though the bulk of the plantations are now in private hands, some plantations, including Elkaduwa Plantations in the Matale […]
Higher Rate
May 23, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Commercial Bank says it will pay 12 percent interest a year on a savings account, if it is opened with a minimum balance of 50,000 rupees. Other than maintaining a minimum balance of 50,000 rupees, the account, branded ‘Commercial Bank Super Saver’ has no restrictions on the number […]
Sri Lankan stocks sag with investors in holiday mood
May 21, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s stocks weakened further Wednesday as the market re-opened after a long weekend with brokers expecting trading to be sluggish in the next two days owing to the Vesak holiday mood of investors. Talawakelle Plantations traded one rupee higher at 41.00 and Kegalle Plantations was also up by one […]
Sri Lankan stock prices, turnover slump
May 21, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s stocks weakened further Wednesday with turnover falling below 100 million rupees and brokers expecting the market to be sluggish in the rest of the trading week shortened by a religious holiday. The Colombo Stock Exchange All Share Index ended down 0.38 percent (9.83 points) at 2,586.81 points while […]
Sri Lanka Treasuries plunge across tenors
May 21, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka Treasuries yields plunged for the third week running with the benchmark 3-month yield falling 41 basis points to 17.14 percent, the government’s debt office said. Corrected 6-month yield The government sold 4.0 billion out of 10.5 billion rupees of maturing bills, the debt office, which is a unit […]