Category: Other
Women turning backs on matrilineal society in India’s northeast
SHILLONG, India, June 25, 2006 (AFP) – It’s not that Rosanna Lyngdoh Mawphlang isn’t grateful that under her Khasi tribe’s matrilineal system she, rather than her brothers, will inherit the family’s sprawling 21-roomed home.It’s just that she’s not sure she wants all the responsibility that goes with it. “I know this is a privilege that […]
Letting your hair down, with a little help
PARIS, June 23, 2006 (AFP) – Forget designer handbags and couture frocks, these days style-conscious women are spending big on the latest luxury accessory, human hair extensions. Hot on the heels of celebrity torchbearers like Victoria Beckham and Paris Hilton, women are paying up to 1,000 euros (1,250 dollars) to have someone else’s hair stuck […]
Giant crude producer Iran to ration petrol, stop imports
TEHRAN, June 23, 2006 (AFP) – Iran said Friday it will stop importing petrol in September and begin rationing it, ironic for a country that is OPEC’s number-two exporter of crude oil.“As there is nothing provisioned for petrol imports in the second half of this (Iranian) year’s budget …the imports will naturally stop and petrol […]
‘t give them the time of day
LONDON, June 22, 2006 (AFP) – A new list of the most common nouns in the English language published in the latest Oxford dictionary reveals that English speakers are obsessed with time, Oxford University Press (OUP) researchers said Thursday.The word “time” topped the list, with “year” in third place and “day” in fifth position and […]
Most common nouns in English? I wouldn’t give them the time of day
LONDON, June 22, 2006 (AFP) – A new list of the most common nouns in the English language published in the latest Oxford dictionary reveals that English speakers are obsessed with time, Oxford University Press (OUP) researchers said Thursday.The word “time” topped the list, with “year” in third place and “day” in fifth position and […]
Keeping Tabs
June 22, 2006 (AFP) – Sri Lanka Thursday announced plans to re-launch a state institution to investigate complaints against newspapers despite the existence of a similar operation run by editors.Media Minister Anura Yapa said the government decided to re-activate the state-run Press Council to work in parallel with the Press Complaints Commission (PCC), a private […]
Sweet Revenge
June 22, 2006 (LBO) – Sri Lanka announced plans to set up a special company to take over bad debts of state banks and revive the failed Pramuka Bank under a new tag – Sri Lanka Savings Bank, Treasury Secretary P B Jayasundara said Thursday. Last year, the four banks reported non-performing loans of around […]
‘s “third-rudest” status
KUALA LUMPUR, June 21, 2006 (AFP) – Malaysia on Wednesday hotly disputed a global survey that found its capital Kuala Lumpur was the third rudest in the world, saying it was renowned for its friendly people.Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said the widely publicised Reader’s Digest magazine survey of politeness levels in 35 cities could […]
Record tea exports Jan-May
June 21, 2006 (LBO) – Sri Lanka shipped more tea to overseas markets for the five month to May, earning a record 35 billion rupees, a commodity broker said Wednesday. For the five month period, the tropical island shipped 128.0 million kilos, higher than 112.76 million kilos sold during the same period 2005. The shipments helped […]
Malaysia objects to capital’s “third-rudest” status
KUALA LUMPUR, June 21, 2006 (AFP) – Malaysia on Wednesday hotly disputed a global survey that found its capital Kuala Lumpur was the third rudest in the world, saying it was renowned for its friendly people.Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said the widely publicised Reader’s Digest magazine survey of politeness levels in 35 cities could […]
Howls of protest as Mumbai named as rudest city on earth
MUMBAI, June 21, 2006 (AFP) – India’s crowded commercial centre Mumbai drives the nation’s rapid economic growth but is far too busy to say “thank you,” making it the world’s rudest city, according to a survey.In a rudimentary study on shopkeeper behaviour, picking up fallen papers in the street and holding open doors, Mumbai comes […]
Govt talks to Russia for lower cost fertiliser imports
June 20 (LBO) – The government is in talks with Russia to source the country’s fertiliser needs at lower cost, bypassing local agents for international fertilizer companies. Direct buying would save the government money, Athuluwage said. The state owned Lanka Fertiliser Company usually calls for tenders for local supplies of fertiliser, with needs usually met through […]