Category: Other
Oil prices fall in Asian trade
SINGAPORE, July 19, 2010 (AFP) – Oil prices dipped in Asian trade Monday as sentiment was dampened by weak US economic data that spurred concerns of slow demand in the world’s largest energy consumer, analysts said. “There is still some negative sentiment, but at the moment (the price) hasn’t fallen precipitously. Given the data flow, […]
Sri Lanka wide-eyed primate caught on camera for the first time
LONDON, July 19, 2010 (AFP) – A “cute” primate so rare it was thought to be extinct has been caught on camera in the forests of Sri Lanka for the first time, scientists said Monday. The Horton Plains slender loris is a small, nocturnal animal which can grow up to 17 centimetres (six inches) long […]
Floor Tussle
July 18, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Bharti Airtel unit has taken floor prices imposed by the regulator to court complaining that it helps the market leader and hurts the consumer, a media report said. Bharti Airtel Lanka, has petitioned Sri Lanka’s supreme court, The Island newspaper said Saturday. The court has to agree to […]
US urges Maldives to accept foreign mediation
July 17, 2010 (AFP) – The United States on Saturday urged the Maldives to accept international offers of mediation to resolve a political crisis that has led to angry street demonstrations. Their intervention prompted Nasheed to reappoint his 13-member cabinet last Tuesday, a week after they resigned en masse. But the mediation has done little […]
Sri Lanka tea trade sees strong demand
July 17, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lankan tea prices are likely to stay strong on good demand from consuming countries and possible shortages caused by disruption of production at key origins like India, officials said. Tea Exporters Association chairman Jayantha Keragala said Sri Lankan tea prices were attractive right now. “At the moment we’re enjoying […]
BP stops Gulf oil flow for first time since April
NEW ORLEANS, July 16, 2010 (AFP) – British energy giant BP stopped the oil flowing into the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday for the first time in three months as it began key tests hoping to stem the spill for good. Shortly after BP engineers shut down the last of three valves on a giant […]
India Assam tea output to fall on pest attack: report
July 15, 2010 (LBO) – Tea output in India’s Assam region, the country’s top production region may fall 30 to 40 percent in the second half of 2010, leading to higher prices, a media report said. Last year India had produced 979 million kilograms of tea. Assam is said to produce more than half of […]
South Korea unveils new measures to attract foreign tourists
SEOUL, July 15, 2010 (AFP) – South Korea Thursday unveiled new measures such as development of ecological attractions to attract more foreign tourists, especially from China. Six new quays for cruise ships will be created on the southern resort island of Jeju and in the western port city of Incheon and other coastal towns, the […]
” awaits appeal verdict in Nepal
KATHMANDU, July 13, 2010 (AFP) – Nepal’s Supreme Court is set to rule Wednesday on an appeal by a Frenchman linked to a series of grisly backpacker killings across Asia in the 1970s who is contesting his murder conviction. Charles Sobhraj, a balding 65-year-old dubbed the “Bikini Killer,” could walk free if the court overturns […]
India says Pakistan intel oversaw Mumbai attacks: report
NEW DELHI, July 14, 2010 (AFP) – India has accused Pakistani intelligence services of overseeing the 2008 militant attacks on Mumbai, a report said Wednesday ahead of a major meeting between the rival nations. Home Secretary G. K. Pillai told the Indian Express newspaper that the level of involvement of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) had […]
‘s double-digit inflation inches higher
NEW DELHI, July 14, 2010 (AFP) – India’s double-digit inflation edged higher in June, touching an annual rate of 10. 55 percent, official data showed Wednesday, stoking pressure for another interest rate hike this month. April’s inflation reading was revised higher to 11.23 percent — a 19-month peak, the data showed. But the central bank […]
New Charge
July 13, 2010 (AFP) – Sri Lankan police have filed a new case against former army chief and defeated presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka for allegedly employing military deserters, his party said Tuesday. Fonseka led the Sri Lankan army to a spectacular victory against Tamil Tiger rebels in May last year, ending the island’s 37-year separatist […]