Category:
Asia on brink of diabetes disaster, experts warn
PARIS, Nov 10, 2006 (AFP) – Health services across Asia could crash in the face of a worsening epidemic of obesity-led diabetes, experts warn. The more common Type 2 diabetes results mainly from an unhealthy diet and inactivity. In 2003, 194 million people in Asia had diabetes and by 2025, the tally could be 333 […]
‘s poorest
WASHINGTON, Nov 10, 2006 (AFP) – What do Bill Gates, Queen Sofia of Spain, Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus and billionaire philanthropist George Soros all have in common?They all believe that small business loans known as microcredit can help lift tens of millions of the world’s poorest people, who mainly live across Asia, out […]
Tamil MP killed amid heavy Sri Lanka fighting
Nov 10, 2006 (AFP) – Gunmen assassinated a pro-rebel Tamil MP in the capital Colombo Friday as Sri Lanka’s warring parties fought fresh battles and faced rising international condemnation over civilian killings.“They are clearly not going to get a solution through violence,” Boucher warned.Unidentified gunmen shot dead legislator Nadarajah Raviraj, 44, and his bodyguard as […]
Sea battles in Sri Lanka, government under fire over killings
Nov 10, 2006 (AFP) – Tamil rebels and Sri Lanka’s navy fought a fierce sea battle Friday amid mounting international condemnation over heavy civilian casualties in the separatist conflict. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) destroyed two naval gunboats in fighting overnight Thursday, with the navy hitting back in the morning and destroying two […]
UN slams deadly Sri Lankan army artillery shelling
UNITED NATIONS, Nov 9, 2006 (AFP) – UN relief coordinator Jan Egeland on Thursday slammed an indiscriminate artillery bombardment by the Sri Lankan army that left at least 65 Tamils dead.“Yesterday’s massive attack on civilians shows that force continues to be used indiscriminately in the conflict in Sri Lanka,” said Egeland, the UN under secretary […]
Open Up
SINGAPORE, Nov 9, 2006 (AFP) – Asia should further liberalise its airline industry to unleash the region’s full growth prospects or risk losing billions in unrealised potential, industry experts said Thursday.“Often they are liberalisation’s biggest winners,” said Herdman. “We must ensure that the regulatory framework keeps pace with industry needs.” “We need one more revolution […]
Tech Ride
TOULOUSE, France, Nov 9, 2006 (AFP) – As rain clouds gather over European aircraft maker Airbus, the giant plane at the root of its problems is set to jet off on for a tour of the Asia region next Monday for a final round of technical tests.EADS, or the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company, […]
Rational Decision
November 09 (LBO) – The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has responded to a weekend news report in the continuing controversy over the sudden closure of a special investigation unit that was probing the Goldquest scheme among others.Administration Rationalization and Investigations into Prohibited Schemes This Press Release is issued to clear any misconception that may […]
Start Small
November 9, 2006 (LBO) – Most local small and medium enterprises lack support services like marketing and technical skills rather than access to credit to grow their businesses, a top Central Bank official said Thursday. Local banks are heavily weighted towards collateral base lending, instead of project based lending, which in turn makes it difficult […]
Safe Haven
Nov 09 (LBO) – Sri Lanka stands the risk of getting too complacent about its low prevalence of AIDS, researchers say and should strengthen treatment and care of those living with the disease. There are an estimated 5000 people living with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), which attacks the body™s immune system – the body™s ability […]
Losing Weight
Nov 09, 2006 (LBO) – Despite scores of raids, arrests and legal penalties over the years, Sri Lankan authorities say many shopkeepers and other vendors still doctor their measuring scales. From our annual raids we have been able to catch around 1134 vendors in 2005 and there is a slight increase in the numbers compared […]
Zimbabwe watchdog to enforce price controls
HARARE, Nov 9, 2006 (AFP) – The Zimbabwean government is to establish an official commission to monitor prices and incomes in the latest attempt to stall skyrocketing inflation, a government minister said Thursday.“We are hopeful that the (incomes and pricing) commission will be in place soon,” Industry and International Trade Minister Obert Mpofu told AFP. […]