Category: Other
Killer whales migrate, study finds, but why?
PARIS, October 25, 2011 (AFP) – Some killer whales, a study published Wednesday shows for the first time, wander nearly 10,000 kilometres (6,200 miles) from Antarctica’s Southern Ocean into tropical waters — but not to feed or breed. Rather, these fearsome predators at the apex of the marine food chain traverse the sea at top […]
India hikes rates again, sees slowdown
MUMBAI, October 25, 2011 (AFP) – India’s inflation-fighting central bank on Tuesday raised interest rates by a quarter-point, the 13th hike since March last year, while warning of a further economic slowdown this year. The rise in borrowing costs is likely to infuriate business leaders, who are already worried about growing signs of slackening domestic […]
Sri Lanka Watawala Plantations cuts losses on palm oil gains
Oct 24, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Watawala Plantations returned to profit in the September 2011 quarter, containing first half losses at 13 million rupees, as increased palm oil crops and prices helped offset losses from tea. Group sales in the six months to September 2011 sales rose eight percent to almost three billion rupees […]
India set for 13th rate hike despite growth worries
NEW DELHI, October 22, 2011 (AFP) – India’s central bank is set to raise interest rates for the 13th consecutive time this week in a bid to tame near double-digit inflation, even as “dark clouds” gather over Asia’s third-largest economy. The Reserve Bank of India has increased interest rates 12 times since March 2010 — […]
Still There
Oct 23, 2011 (LBO) – The head of Sri Lanka’s Securities and Exchange Commission said she had not received instructions to sack its director general, following strong speculation that he would be dismissed for probing securities fraud. Asked by reporters whether the SEC would continue its investigations, Sugathadasa said before a formal investigation is started, […]
Dossier Query
SYDNEY, October 19, 2011 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s envoy to Australia Wednesday said a dossier alleging war crimes during the dying days of his country’s civil war only served to fuel the agenda of “vested interests”. Thisara Samarasinghe, who was a commander in the Sri Lankan navy during the conflict which ended in 2009, said […]
‘s Reliance halts future oil and gas drilling
MUMBAI, October 17, 2011 (AFP) – India’s energy giant Reliance Industries has suspended drilling at its oil and gas exploration blocks covered under a deal with new venture partner BP pending a review, a company source said on Monday. India’s largest private oil explorer is “re-evaluating” its exploration and production strategy in partnership with the […]
Aussie Status
SYDNEY, October 17, 2011 (AFP) – Australian police were Monday examining a war crimes dossier alleging Sri Lankan authorities bombed and shelled civilians during the country’s civil war, which ended in 2009. Prepared by the International Commission of Jurists’ Australian chapter, the brief contains testimony from Sri Lankans now living in Australia that they were […]
Indian Ocean sea level rise; contrary research heard in India: report
Oct 16, 2011 (LBO) – A researcher who is questioning claims and forecasts on sea level rises connected to man made climate change, has got a hearing in India at a conference, a media report said. said Nils-Axel Morner, a Swedish academic had disputed claims of Indian Ocean sea level increases. Morner is a key […]
Sentence
NEW YORK, October 13, 2011 (AFP) – Disgraced star Wall Street hedge fund manager Raj Rajaratnam was sentenced Thursday to 11 years behind bars in the heaviest US sentence for insider trading, although far below what prosecutors had sought. New York federal Judge Richard Holwell also ordered the Sri Lankan-born founder of the Galleon Group […]
Sri Lanka freight group expands recycling business
Oct 13, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Expolanka Holdings has expanded and renamed its recycling subsidiary and also intends to venture into recycling electronic waste or ‘e-waste’. Group unit Neptune Papers has been rebranded as Neptune Recyclers and has moved into recycling plastic, polythene and scrap metal in addition to its existing waste paper business, […]
Bangladesh launches $130 laptop for schools
DHAKA, October 11, 2011 (AFP) – Bangladesh on Tuesday unveiled a $130 locally made laptop that it hopes will help bridge the digital divide in the impoverished South Asian country. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina unveiled the Doel — or magpie — laptops at a ceremony in the capital Dhaka, saying the computer, made by state-owned […]