Author: lbostgadmin
New Zealand central bank lifts interest rates
WELLINGTON, July 26, 2007 (AFP) – New Zealand’s central bank raised interest rates Thursday for the fourth successive time this year due to sustained inflationary pressures.“But easing is going to be a considerable time away unless the economy softens very rapidly.” Reserve Bank of New Zealand Governor Alan Bollard raised the official cash rate (OCR) […]
May to July in Britain wettest since 1776
LONDON, July 26, 2007 (AFP) – The three-month period from May to July has already become the wettest in history here, even before the end of the month, Britain’s Met Office said Thursday.Figures released by the weather forecasting agency showed that 387.6 millimetres (15.3 inches) of rain has fallen across England and Wales, the most […]
‘s upgrades China, Hong Kong, Macau ratings
HONG KONG, July 26, 2007 (AFP) – International ratings agency Moody’s Investors Service said Thursday it has upgraded its currency ratings for China, Hong Kong and the gambling haven of Macau.It has raised China’s long-term foreign currency bond rating to “A1” from “A2” on the back of the exceptional strength of its external payments position, […]
Indonesia issues tsunami alert after 6.6-magnitude quake
JAKARTA, July 26, 2007 (AFP) – Indonesian authorities issued a tsunami warning Thursday for the province of North Maluku after a 6.6-magnitude quake hit the area, a meteorology official said.The earthquake was centered 57 kilometres (35 miles) under the seabed some 234 kilometres northwest of the town of Ternate, the capital of North Maluku, said […]
Flat Profits
July 26, 2007 (LBO) – Dialog Telekom, Sri Lanka’s largest celco saw consolidated net profits dip by a marginal 3 percent in the June quarter as start-up costs of a new pay TV division dragged the group bottom line down. “DBN will expand its fixed wireless operation into four more districts including Colombo, during the […]
Easy Dollars
July 26, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has relaxed foreign currency transactions in the country by allowing money changers to sell as well as buy forex and also relaxed rules on operating non-resident foreign currency accounts. The Central Bank, which regulates the industry, said in a public notice that nine money changers out of 62 […]
Investment banks in detailed bids for Sri Lanka sovereign bond
July 25, 2007 (LBO) – Investment banks vying to lead-manage a sovereign bond issue have started to make detailed presentations to the Sri Lanka government as official data showed that the country’s foreign reserves were coming under pressure. The beauty parade is expected to be completed this week with banks making proposals for 400 and […]
Sri Lanka badmouthed by terrorists, sympathizers, political promoters, ignoramuses: CB Governor
July 25, 2007 (LBO) – Negative views about Sri Lanka’s economy are promoted by terrorists, terror sympathizers, promoters of political agendas and people who are unaware of the real picture, the country’s Central Bank governor said. “We are not saying Sri Lanka is perfect. We have a lot of room to grow. We have a […]
Sri Lanka blast deaths climb to 12
July 25, 2007 (AFP) – The death toll in a bomb attack against a military convoy in northern Sri Lanka rose to 12 as a wounded soldier died in hospital on Wednesday, police said.The Tigers have been fighting for a separate state for minority Tamils for 35 years, a conflict that has claimed more than […]
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SYDNEY, July 25, 2007 (AFP) – A New Zealander was jailed for 24 years Wednesday after being convicted of the first murder in 150 years on the tiny South Pacific territory of Norfolk Island.He will be eligible for parole after a minimum of 18 years. Glenn McNeill, 29, murdered Australian Janelle Patton and dumped her […]
Animal rescuers on red alert as it rains cats and dogs in Britain
OXFORD, England, July 25, 2007 (AFP) – It is not only humans who have been hit by Britain’s worst floods in 60 years — cats, dogs and donkeys are also suffering, prompting a rescue mission on an unprecedented scale. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) has sent a third of […]
” trade deal
SOFIA, July 24, 2007 (AFP) – Six foreign medics sentenced to death then life imprisonment in Libya in a controversial AIDS case were free in the Bulgarian capital Tuesday after the EU struck a multi-million-dollar financial and trade deal with Tripoli.The five Bulgarian nurses and one Palestinian doctor who also has Bulgarian citizenship were released […]