Category: Other
Italian contraction sets eurozone alarm bells ringing
MILAN, August 10, 2008 (AFP) – The Italian economy contracted in the second quarter, official data showed, adding to a deepening sense of gloom about the eurozone economy amid a flurry of bad news for the 15-nation bloc.Italy is the first eurozone country to reveal figures for the second quarter and a 0.3-percent quarter-on-quarter contraction […]
Western concern over oil and gas pipelines through Georgia
LONDON, August 10, 2008 (AFP) – Western concerns are growing over the impact of bloody clashes between Georgia and Russia on a key oil pipeline through the region from the Caspian Sea to the West, analysts say.While Georgia does not produce oil itself, US and European energy firms have counted on the pro-Western country — […]
‘s ex-PM Zia to be freed soon: minister
DHAKA, August 9, 2008 (AFP) – Bangladesh’s military-backed government is close to freeing ex-prime minister Khaleda Zia, a minister said Saturday, as part of an apparent deal to secure her party’s participation in December general elections.Last year the government tried to force both Sheikh Hasina and Zia into exile as part of an effort to […]
US, Europeans scramble to prevent Georgia-Russia war
WASHINGTON, August 9, 2008 (AFP) – The United States and European Union are leading a diplomatic push to prevent all-out war between Georgia and Russia, calling for a ceasefire as Russian tanks rolled into a rebel Georgian province. Envoys from the US, EU and Organization of Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) were being deployed […]
Online social networking sites are hacker playgrounds
LAS VEGAS, August 8, 2008 (AFP) – Computer security researchers on Thursday warned that online social networking websites are playgrounds for hackers who can easily take advantage of people’s trust. Opportunities for mischief abound as users place intimate details of their lives on profile pages and install mini-applications made by strangers that don’t always have […]
Maldives adopts a new constitution
Aug 8, 2008 (LBO) – Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom ratified a new constitution that ushers in key reforms and allows multi-party elections in the Indian Ocean republic. “Today we have witnessed a special moment where (the) Maldives has embraced a constitution that will usher in a liberal and modern democracy into the country, and […]
ASEAN, India to sign free trade pact in December: official
BANGKOK, August 8, 2008 (AFP) – Southeast Asian nations will sign a free trade pact with India in December on the sidelines of a regional summit in Bangkok, an official said Friday. Talks in Brunei removed the remaining obstacles to the pact, which will liberalise trade in goods between India and the 10-member Association of […]
Oil prices slide beneath 116 dollars
LONDON, August 8, 2008 (AFP) – Crude prices slumped below 116 dollars a barrel on Friday as the market shrugged off confirmation that separatist Kurdish rebels were behind a blast that has cut a strategic oil pipeline in Turkey. Brent North Sea crude for September delivery shed 1.91 dollars to 115.99 dollars per barrel in […]
US, UN condemn military coup in Mauritania
WASHINGTON, August 6, 2008 (AFP) – US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Wednesday condemned the military coup in Mauritania and called for the release of the African country’s president and prime minister. “The United States condemns the Mauritanian military’s overthrow of the democratically elected Government of Mauritania and welcomes the statements by the African […]
German insurer Allianz warns on profits after weak second quarter
FRANKFURT, August 7, 2008 (AFP) – Shares in the German insurance group Allianz plunged on Thursday after the group warned that it would not reach its operating profit target going into 2009 following a difficult second quarter.Allianz shares showed a loss of 3.52 percent to 109 euros in initial trading on the Frankfurt stock exchange […]
India completes key trade road in Afghanistan
KABUL, August 07, 2008 (AFP) – India has almost completed a key road linking Afghanistan to Iranian sea ports despite Taliban attacks that claimed more than 100 lives in two years, the deputy public works minister said.The 217-kilometre (134-mile) route connects a nearly completed ring road around Afghanistan to the Iranian port cities of Bandar-i-Abas […]
Sri Lanka blamed for serious security lapse at South Asian summit
August 07, 2008 (AFP) – India said there had been serious security lapses during a visit to Sri Lanka by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh despite the island nation’s promise of “ultimate security.” The Sri Lankan bodyguard assigned to protect Singh did not turn up during a regional summit last weekend, while the motorcade for India’s […]