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‘s state-linked investments circle the globe
SINGAPORE, Dec 30, 2007 (AFP) – From banks to telephones, an airline to shopping malls, and semiconductors to airports, the reach of two state-linked investment firms from the city-state of Singapore extends around the world.The normally secretive Temasek Holdings and the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC) were thrust into the spotlight in December with […]
China to slap grain export taxes to tackle symptoms of inflation
BEIJING, Dec 30, 2007 (AFP) – China said on Sunday it will levy taxes on grain exports in 2008 in the latest move apparently aimed at reining in galloping inflation and ensuring stable domestic food supplies. The rates would range from five to 25 percent, according to a brief announcement posted on the website of […]
Sri Lanka Cricket chief resigns
Dec 31, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s cricket chief Jayantha Dharmadasa on Monday stepped down, clearing the way for former captain Arjuna Ranatunga to take over in the top job. “He has offered his resignation in writing to the Sports Ministry secretary and will cease to be in office with effect from this evening,” Sri […]
Sri Lanka media watchdog slams president over unruly minister
Dec 31, 2007 (LBO) – A Sri Lankan media rights group Monday slammed President Mahinda Rajapakse for not taking action against a junior minister who allegedly rampaged through a state television station and assaulted its news director. It also urged the government to free the state print media from its control and to “re-establish state […]
Sri Lanka vows victory against Tigers in 2008: report
COLOMBO, Dec 31, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s top military commanders have vowed to escalate attacks against Tamil rebels in the New Year to achieve a “turning point” in the decades-old separatist war, a state-run daily said Monday. Army chief Sarath Fonseka expressed the hope that government forces would be able to dislodge the Liberation […]
Sri Lanka inflation eases in December
Dec 31, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s consumer prices in the capital Colombo eased in December with the most widely watched index falling 0.4 percent in the month, lowering 12-month inflation to 16.4 percent from a peak of 19.6 percent a month before. The Colombo Consumer Price Index fell 21.3 points in the month to […]
Flirty Thief
Dec 30, 2007 (LBO) – Russian programmers have created software known as ‘CyberLover’ that can infiltrate dating sites and chatrooms and seduce victims and collect personal information to be sold to identity thieves, internet security experts said.The cyber bot solicits and collects information such as home addresses, telephone numbers, and personal photographs that are used […]
”s cheapest car
NEW DELHI, Dec 30, 2007 (AFP) – India’s giant Tata Group plans to launch the world’s cheapest car early in January while also looking set to drive off with two of the poshest marques — Ford’s iconic Jaguar and Land Rover brands.Ratan Tata, head of the tea-to-steel Tata conglomerate, will unveil the “People’s Car” January […]
Sri Lanka Cricket gets Ranatunga as new chief
Dec 30, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s World Cup-winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga is to be formally appointed as head of the cricket administration next week, officials said Sunday.“His appointment is confirmed and he should take over next week as chairman of the cricket interim committee,” a senior presidential official, who did not want to be […]
‘s tragedy of violent feudal politics
Dec 30, 2007 (AFP) – The assassination of Pakistan’s Benazir Bhutto is the latest deadly chapter plaguing South Asia’s dynasties and shows violence has become entrenched in the region’s political culture, analysts say. Ruling families from the Bhuttos of Pakistan to the Gandhis of India, the Bandaranaike family of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh’s Rahman family […]
‘s warring parties say heavy battles in north
Dec 30, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s security forces and Tamil rebels were locked in fierce fighting Sunday in the island’s north with both sides claiming to have inflicted heavy losses against the other. The defence ministry said troops killed at least 33 members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and wounded another […]
Banking Credibility
Dec 29, 2007 (LBO) – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised doubts about the independence of Sri Lanka’s central bank and its ability to regulate banks fairly due to the presence of a Treasury representative which creates a conflict of interest. “¦the Monetary Board’s independence could be potentially constrained by the presence of the […]