Category: Other
India announces stimulus package to boost growth
NEW DELHI, December 7, 2008 (AFP) – The Indian government on Sunday announced an extra four billion dollars in spending to shield the economy from the impact of the global financial crisis.The government said it would also ensure a substantial increase in expenditure for next year’s budget.“The government has decided to seek authorisation for additional […]
Hedge Management
Dec 06, 2008 (LBO) – The Sri Lanka unit of the Indian Oil Corporation has unwound some oil derivatives it bought earlier in 2008, but is left with 70,000 barrels worth deals that will expire next year, a top official said. Lanka IOC says it is honoring all contracts. Exotic Derivatives Lanka IOC had bought […]
21 new species in danger of extinction: UN convention
ROME, December 5, 2008 (AFP) – Twenty-one animal species, including the cheetah, three dolphin families and an Egyptian vulture, were added to the list of those in danger of extinction by a UN conference that ended Friday. Six other bird species as well as manatees have also been placed on the list of animals benefiting […]
Sri Lanka tea production, exports fall
Dec 05, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s tea production and exports in October fell after prices crashed although export earnings in the first 10 months have exceeded a billion dollars, brokers said. To receive instant alerts from LBO on your Dialog mobile type ‘lbo’ and send to 678 Tea exports in October had dropped to […]
Sri Lanka raises duty on imported edible oil
Dec 04, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has raised import duty on edible oil by changing it from a 28 percent rate to a specific levy of 40 rupees a kilo, in a bid to keep domestic coconut oil prices high, a government minister said.The Cabinet had also given approval to the ministry of finance […]
Sri Lanka coconut industries hit by nut shortfall
Dec 03, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lankan coconut-based industries have been badly affected by the decreasing supply of nuts because of low yields and poor prices, plantations industries minister D M Jayaratne said. “Almost stagnant or very marginal increase in coconut yield and decreasing supply of raw material to the industries has become a very […]
Media Nomination
Dec 03, 2008 (LBO) – An imprisoned Sri Lankan journalist, who faces a lengthy jail term for expressing his views, if convicted, has been nominated for a media freedom award by media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF). To receive instant alerts from LBO on your Dialog mobile type ‘lbo’ and send to 678 RSF said […]
Though shaken by siege, Mumbai comes back to life
MUMBAI, December 1, 2008 (AFP) – For 60 hours, Mumbai residents watched aghast as gunmen opened fire in a station and hospital, seizing two top hotels and a Jewish centre in a coordinated assault that left at least 172 people dead. But soon after an attack described by many in the media here as “India’s […]
India interior minister resigns over Mumbai attacks
MUMBAI, November 30, 2008 (AFP) – India’s interior minister resigned Sunday as anger grew over intelligence failures leading up to the attacks on Mumbai and investigators focused on a Pakistan-based Islamic militant group. Home Minister Shivraj Patil said he took “moral responsibility” for the assault by heavily-armed militants which left nearly 200 people dead and […]
Battle for Mumbai ends, last militants killed
MUMBAI, Nov 29, 2008 (AFP) – Commandos killed three holdout gunmen Saturday in Mumbai’s Taj Hotel, bringing an end to a two-day Islamic militant assault on India’s financial capital that left at least 155 dead, including 21 foreigners. The final attack on the historic seafront hotel was marked by heavy gunfire and loud explosions that […]
Sri Lanka tea prices fall sharply
Nov 28, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lankan tea prices at the Colombo auction fell sharply this week with large quantities unsold indicating the crisis caused by the sudden collapse in demand last month was continuing. To receive instant alerts from LBO on your Dialog mobile type ‘lbo’ and send to 678 Brokers said that prices […]
Mumbai attacks leave at least 125 dead, Pakistan accused
MUMBAI, November 27, 2008 (AFP) – Indian commandos battled into the early hours of Friday to end a multiple hostage crisis in Mumbai after suspected Pakistan-based Islamic militants killed 125 people across the city. Officials said they had almost totally cleared the luxury Taj Mahal hotel where gunmen had been holed up for more than […]