Category:
” in Mideast, S. Asia: minister
LONDON, Jan 6, 2008 (AFP) – Britain is planning a “diplomatic surge” in the Middle East and south Asia to help counter extremism and nuclear proliferation, Foreign Secretary David Miliband said in an article published Sunday. Writing in The Sunday Times, Miliband said 2008 would “show in word and deed” what Prime Minister Gordon Brown […]
High oil price will last until March: OPEC president
ALGIERS, Jan 5, 2008 (AFP) – The high price of oil will continue until the end of March 2008, the president of OPEC said Saturday.“The surge in price will probably endure until the end of the first quarter of 2008, before stabilising during the second quarter,” the Algerian Energy Minister Chakib Khelil — who is […]
New Singapore terminal to bolster air hub status: analysts
SINGAPORE, Jan 6, 2008 (AFP) – Singapore will Wednesday open an ultra-modern new 1.2-billion-dollar airport terminal that industry analysts say will reinforce the city-state’s position as a regional aviation hub.Terminal 3, which boasts a five-storey vertical garden with waterfalls, will receive its first passengers just months after a new terminal opened in Hong Kong and […]
‘s peace advisor quits
Jan 6, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse’s top advisor on the peace process quit Sunday, after the government scrapped an Oslo-brokered truce with Tamil Tiger rebels. Jayantha Dhanapala, a diplomat and former candidate for the post of UN secretary general who was appointed as peace advisor in December 2005, said he was […]
Sri Lanka scrapped peace deal donors to meet this week: report
Jan 06, 2007 (LBO) – Top donors to Sri Lanka who funded the island alongside a recently scrapped peace deal with the Tamil Tigers may meet this week to review their future course of action, a media report said. “It is likely that the Co-chairs would participate in a teleconference to review the situation that […]
Kala Pola
Jan 05, 2008 (LBO) – An annual open air art fair in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo will see more than 300 artists and sculptors displaying their creations and also be a meeting place for thousands of art lovers and buyers, its organizers said. The Kala Pola or ‘art marketplace’ is being held for the […]
Free Trade
Jan 05, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka and India have reached agreement on improving access for the island’s exports like tea to the Indian market but have yet to conclude a deal on trade in services, trade officials said. The latest round of talks between the two neighbours on a new trade deal ended in […]
The sniper of Baghdad
BAGHDAD, Jan 5, 2008 (AFP) – Through the sights of a high-powered rifle the silhouette of a soldier takes shape in the window of a concrete watchtower.A shot rings out and the body collapses like a puppet, falling from view. Juba has struck again. A new video of the mysterious marksman of the Islamic Army […]
Sri Lanka needs monitoring mission: rights group
Jan 5, 2008 (AFP) – Sri Lanka urgently needs an international rights monitoring mission following Colombo’s decision to pull out of a ceasefire pact with Tamil rebels, a London-based rights group said Saturday.The Minority Rights Group International said Colombo’s decision to formally withdraw from the ceasefire deal with the rebels would result in escalating violence. […]
Sri Lankan tea may be lifted by Kenyan unrest
Jan 04, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lankan tea prices could be pushed higher if violence in Kenya, the world’s biggest tea exporter, disrupts supplies to the world market, trade officials said. The violence in Pakistan, a big tea consumer nation, could on the other hand dampen demand, they said. There has been no impact yet […]
Obama beats Clinton in Iowa, Huckabee top Republican
DES MOINES, Iowa, Jan 3, 2008 (AFP) – Democrat Barack Obama triumphed in the first 2008 White House nominating contest Thursday, dealing a severe blow to Hillary Clinton’s hopes and boosting his own chances of being the first black US president.“We are choosing hope over fear.We’re choosing unity over division and sending a powerful message […]
”’s role in peace deal
Jan 04, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is looking at redefining the role of Norway in the county’s peace effort following its decision to terminate a truce with the Tamil Tigers with effect from January 16, 2008, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama told a news conference Friday. .Updated The Sri Lankan government Thursday formally notified Norway […]