Author: lbostgadmin
South Asia holds summit to build trade, fight terror
NEW DELHI, April 1, 2007 (AFP) – South Asian leaders meet in New Delhi this week to push for joint action against terrorism and efforts to overcome mistrust dogging the trade ambitions of their bloc of 1.4 billion people. Foreign ministry officials began laying the groundwork on Saturday for the South Asian Association of Regional […]
‘s observer status
NEW DELHI, March 31, 2007 (AFP) – South Asian officials Saturday recommended observer status for Iran at next week’s regional summit which will be dominated by trade amid warming ties between rivals India and Pakistan. China, the European Union, Japan, South Korea and the United States already have observer status with the eight-nation South Asian […]
Amnesty World Cup campaign not cricket, Sri Lanka fumes
April 1, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lanka protested Sunday against an Amnesty International campaign at the cricket World Cup drawing attention to human rights abuses on the island. The London-based rights group has been calling for Sri Lanka to ‘Play by the Rules’ in its conflict with Tamil rebels by persuading thousands of fans to […]
France detains 16 Tamil Tiger fund-raising suspects
PARIS, April 1, 2007 (AFP) – Sixteen suspected members of the Tamil Tigers rebel group were detained Sunday in Paris during an investigation into terrorist financing activities, sources close to the case said.Police made the arrests under the direction of anti-terrorist judge Jean-Louis Bruguiere, the sources said. The suspects are alleged to be involved in […]
Sri Lanka seeks to scrap truce with Tigers: report
April 1, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lanka plans to hold a referendum on whether to maintain a fragile five-year-old ceasefire between government troops and separatist Tamil Tiger rebels, a state-run newspaper said Sunday.The truce allows either party to opt out by giving two weeks’ notice to Norway. The government of President Mahinda Rajapakse hopes to […]
McGrath breaks record as Australia thrash Bangladesh
ST JOHN’S, Antigua, March 31, 2007 (AFP) – Glenn McGrath became the most successful bowler in World Cup history as reigning champions Australia thrashed Bangladesh by 10 wickets at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium here Saturday.Bangladesh are back in action here Tuesday against New Zealand while Australia have a week’s break until they return for […]
Sri Lanka aim to cash in on Windies woes
GEORGETOWN, Guyana, March 31, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lanka coach Tom Moody has said his team will try to capitalise on the West Indies’ current unimpressive form in their World Cup Super Eights match here on Sunday. Brian Lara’s West Indians find themselves in a must-win situation after losing to defending champions Australia and New […]
Sri Lanka evaluates effectiveness of disaster warning system
March 31, 2007 (LBO) – Community-based disaster warning system technologies and their effectiveness were tested in a recent study conducted in 32 villages Sri Lanka’s coastal belt. This project was started after the devastating Asian tsunami that claimed the lives of more than 35,000 people in Sri Lanka. It was funded by the International Development […]
Foreign officials meet ahead of South Asian summit
NEW DELHI, March 31, 2007 (AFP) – South Asian foreign ministry officials began laying the groundwork on Saturday for a regional summit to be dominated by trade talk amid warming ties between rivals India and Pakistan. The meeting of foreign secretaries will review the progress of panels formed under the South Asian Association for Regional […]
Cricket: We let England off the hook, says Ireland skipper
GEORGETOWN, Guyana, March 31, 2007 (AFP) – Ireland captain Trent Johnston admitted his team squandered their early advantage and allowed England to set a challenging total which proved decisive in their World Cup Super Eights defeat.“We are not here to shame in critics.We are showing that there are good players in Ireland, and the goal […]
Malaysian anti-corruption chief dumped amid graft allegations: report
KUALA LUMPUR, March 31, 2007 (AFP) – Malaysia’s top anti-corruption official, who is facing a police investigation into graft allegations against him, will not have his contract renewed, a report said Saturday.Malaysians believe their country has an “acute” corruption problem, international monitor Transparency International said recently, warning the issue could drive away foreign investors.Zulkipli Mat […]
‘ diesel-petrol price gap worsens
March 30, 2007 (LBO) – The gap between petrol and diesel prices in Sri Lanka has widened further overnight with a hike of 7 rupees a litre by state owned Ceylon Petroleum Corporation with the second player Lanka IOC following suit. The retail prices of a litre of 90-Octane petrol is now 104 rupees, 95-Octane […]