Category: Other
Sri Lanka waters among most dangerous for sea turtles: study
MANILA, September 29, 2011 (AFP) – The waters around India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are home to the world’s most endangered sea turtles, according to a study released Thursday aimed at setting a blueprint for global conservation. While it was well known that almost all sea turtle species face extinction, the study by 30 scientists […]
Europe threatens to break off India free-trade talks
BRUSSELS, September 27, 2011 (AFP) – European governments are threatening to break off negotiations with India on a free-trade deal the EU had hoped would be worth 175 billion euros a year, an EU report revealed on Tuesday. Four years after talks began with New Delhi, frustrated European Union trade ministers have taken the decision […]
Criminal Trial
THE HAGUE (AFP) – Dutch prosecutors Tuesday asked for jail sentences between 10 to 16 years against five suspected Tamil Tigers for aiding the Sri Lankan rebel movement from the Netherlands, including collecting funds. Prosecutors said by extension, the men were responsible for the LTTE’s actions like the recruitment of child soldiers and murder. Arrested […]
” needed on India trade deal
BRUSSELS, September 26, 2011 (AFP) – European Union trade commissioner Karel De Gucht warned Monday that a long-planned free-trade agreement between Europe and India is in trouble failing more “flexibility” from both sides. “We remain fully engaged on these negotiations,” the Belgian said after talks in Brussels among the EU’s 27 trade ministers. “But I […]
Rare pre-historic footprints found in Mexico
MEXICO CITY, September 27, 2011 (AFP) – Footprints from early humans that are between 4,500 and 25,000 years old have been discovered in a remote area of northern Mexico, researchers said Monday. The five footprints set in stone “are among the few impressions of the first inhabitants in the American continent found in Mexico,” the […]
‘s output
Sept 27, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s tea production is unlikely to match last year’s levels given a continuing decline in crops owing to bad weather, a broker said. “In the mid grown areas on the eastern side, Namunukula and Passara, and Linugalla, and on the western slopes Kandy, Matale, Kurunegala and Madulkelle have recorded […]
Insider Dealing
Sept 28, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Securities and Exchange Commission said five employees of SMB Leasing, will be charged for insider dealing on the firm’s stock. The SEC said the employees had bought shares ahead of a rights and warrant issue by the company. Information on the rights issue had been made public on […]
” to Afghanistan: US
WASHINGTON, September 23, 2011 (AFP) – The US military’s top officer bluntly accused Pakistan on Thursday of “exporting” violent extremism to Afghanistan through proxies and warned of possible action to protect American troops. In a scathing and unprecedented condemnation of Pakistan, Admiral Mike Mullen said the country’s main intelligence agency ISI was actively supporting Haqqani […]
Court Martial
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, September 23, 2011 (AFP) – A third member of an alleged rogue US army unit in Afghanistan pleaded guilty Thursday in a plea deal over shock killings of local civilians that embarrassed the US army. Private First Class Andrew Holmes was accused of being a member of a five-person “kill team” implicated […]
Terror Funding
Sept 23, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s parliament has passed changes to laws against money laundering and terrorist financing, broadening their scope and enabling police to freeze funds. The amendments make the island’s anti-money laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) laws “fully compliant with the international standards,” a statement from the central bank’s financial […]
Sri Lanka manufactures lobby to curb rubber farmer trade access
Sept 22, 2011 (LBO) – Sri Lankan rubber products manufacturers are lobbying to double an export cess on raw rubber exports as prices remain high amid strong demand and tight local supply. Manufacturers want the export cess, that had been raised to 12 rupees a kilo only earlier this year, doubled to 24 rupees, according […]
Pushed Back
NEW YORK, September 21, 2011 (AFP) – Sentencing of Raj Rajaratnam, the hedge fund magnate convicted in the biggest Wall Street insider trading case in years, has been postponed until October. A court order Wednesday by New York federal Judge Richard Holwell moved sentencing day from September 27 to October 13. No reason was given. […]