Author: lbostgadmin
Fed blunders under spotlight as ECB stands tall
PARIS, Jan 23, 2008 (AFP) – A stunning interest rate cut by the US Federal Reserve, followed by a clear signal from its European counterpart that it would not follow suit, illustrates sharp differences in the operating mandates of the two central banks. In Washington Tuesday, the Fed rode to the rescue of global stock […]
NZealand central bank leaves interest rates unchanged
WELLINGTON, Jan 23, 2008 (AFP) – New Zealand’s central bank left interest rates unchanged Thursday, saying the economy was in good shape despite recent global market turmoil and fears of a recession in the US. Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) Governor Alan Bollard left the official cash rate on hold at 8.25 percent, one […]
‘s economic growth hits 13-year high amid inflation fears
BEIJING, Jan 24, 2008 (AFP) – China’s economy grew a blistering 11.4 percent in 2007, reaching its highest level in 13 years, the government said Thursday, warning more needed to be done to address the rising threat of inflation. China’s policy-makers have long complained that consumption is too small and the savings rate too high, […]
Rogue trader hits Societe Generale with 7 billion dollar loss
PARIS, Jan 24, 2008 (AFP) – Trading in shares of Societe Generale was supended on Thursday after the French banking giant announced a sole trader was responsible for racking up 4.9 billion euros (7.15 billion dollars) in losses. Societe Generale announced earlier Thursday that a single trader was responsible for a massive 4. 9 billion […]
Digital TV
Jan 24, 2008 (LBO) – Mobile operator Dialog Telekom’s digital broadcasting of terrestrial television via standard broadcast frequencies will be less costly for content providers and increase reception throughout Sri Lanka, company officials said. Dialog’s Terrestrial Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB-T) pilot project was launched Wednesday covering areas north of the capital Colombo like the Wattala […]
LawAsiaICT2008
Jan 24, 2008 (LBO) — Sri Lankan regulators should look for all options to bring down the cost of mobile phone ownership as the industry has emerged as a key driver of economic growth, the head of the island’s top celco has said.Business drivers in emerging markets like Sri Lanka need to make services more […]
Shattered Hopes
DUBAI, Jan 24, 2008 (AFP) – A Sri Lankan maid, in transit on her way home from Kuwait to see her children for the first time in three years, hanged herself in a toilet at Dubai airport, an Emirati daily said on Thursday.The report came just two days after the oil-rich Gulf states reached agreement […]
Rubber Cheques
Jan 24, 2008 (LBO) — One in ten cheques issued in Sri Lanka bounces and account holders are writing dud cheques with impunity despite it being a criminal offense, a top central banker said.Central Bank deputy governor Ranee Jayamaha says nine percent of the 250,000 cheques, especially in the Colombo area sent for clearing are […]
Sri Lanka stocks lose momentum
Jan 24, 2008 (LBO) — Sri Lanka stocks closed lower Thursday losing some of the gains made a day earlier after a hideout of Tamil Tiger leader Vellupillai Prabhakharan was bombed. The All Share Index closed 0.64 percent lower, falling 15.68 points to 2,436.71 and the liquid Milanka index closed 0.78 percent or 24.61 points […]
Sri Lanka central bank says no excessive money printing
Jan 23, 2008 (LBO) — Sri Lanka’s central bank says allegations of excessive money printing are “baseless” despite using central bank credit of 45.2 billion rupees to purchase treasury bills up to September 2007. “The attention of the Central Bank has been drawn to a few mischievous and /or erroneous reports where allegations have been […]
Sri Lanka jets raid top Tamil Tiger hideout: military
Jan 23, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka air force jets have bombed a key jungle base in the northern Tamil Tiger stronghold of Kilinochchi Thursday, which the defence ministry said was frequented by the guerrilla leadership. . The defence ministry said the base identified as ‘X-ray’ base was raided at 11.15 am was a ‘hub’ […]
Global markets take wild ride as Fed makes surprise cut
NEW YORK, Jan 22, 2008 (AFP) – Global stock markets saw some relief from the mayhem of the past few days as the US Federal Reserve’s surprise rate cut helped stem the massive losses seen around the world. In a wildly volatile day for markets, Wall Street ended with moderate losses while European shares closed […]