Category: Other
‘s largest solar plant to be built in the US
WASHINGTON, Feb 21, 2008 (AFP) – Abengoa Solar plans to build the world’s largest solar plant in Arizona in cooperation with an energy utility in the southwestern state, the companies said Thursday.Abengoa Solar, a subsidiary of Spain’s Abengoa technology company, signed a contract with Arizona Public Service Co. (APS) to build, own and operate what […]
Zimbabwe annual inflation over 100,000-pct official figures
HARARE, 2008 (AFP) – Zimbabwe’s annual inflation rate has soared to over 100,000 percent, weeks ahead of elections in the southern African country, according to official figures obtained by AFP on Wednesday.“The year-on-year inflation rate for the month of January 2008, as measured by the all items Consumer Price Index (CPI) stood at 100,580.2 percent, […]
New York oil prices hit a record 101.27 dollars
NEW YORK, Feb 20, 2008 (AFP) – New York oil prices struck a record 101.27 dollars a barrel Wednesday on renewed global supply jitters.Oil prices have jumped in the past couple of days amid the supply concerns. The latest price spike burst a prior record peak for New York oil prices of 100.40 dollars struck […]
Dollar weak, gold and oil hit new records amidst loose Fed policy
LONDON, Feb 21, 2008 (AFP) – The dollar dipped against leading currencies on Thursday as dealers worried about slowing economic growth in the United States, analysts said.In European trading, the euro rose to 1.4746 dollars, from 1.4712 dollars in New York late on Wednesday.Against the Japanese currency, the dollar eased to 108.05 yen from 108.13. […]
Sri Lanka gets $22mn UNDP grant to develop coconut industry
Feb 21, 2008 (LBO) – The United Nations Development Fund (UNDP) is to grant Sri Lanka 22 million dollars to develop the coconut industry, officials from the ministry of coconut development said. The funds will be used to improve small and medium coconut businesses, especially small holder cultivators, said Newton Peiris, advisor at the ministry […]
Dollar firms as high US inflation put question mark on new Fed printing
NEW YORK, Feb 20, 2008 (AFP) – The dollar firmed Wednesday after higher-than-expected US inflation data raised concerns the Federal Reserve will curb interest-rate easing aimed at boosting sluggish economic growth. Dealers said government figures showing US consumer inflation rising 0.4 percent in January, above forecasts for a 0.3 percent gain, was a cause for […]
Sri Lanka coconut palms hit by deadly yellowing disease
Feb 20, 2008 (LBO) – A bacteria spreading the lethal yellowing disease on coconut palms has entered Sri Lanka destroying more than 200,000 trees in the southern coast of the island, coconut experts say. The bacteria known as ˜phytoplasma™ came through a shipment of ornamental palms that were not quarantined before entering the island, Salinda […]
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HAVANA, Feb 19, 2008 (AFP) – Parliament Chief Ricardo Alarcon, one of Cuba’s top leaders, called on all Cubans Tuesday to “stay united” and uphold “the dignity of this homeland,” following President Fidel Castro’s announcement he is withdrawing from power.“We have to promise him (Castro) that all of us together, now and forever, will be […]
Oil hits record 100.10 dollars
NEW YORK, Feb 19, 2008 (AFP) – The price of oil in New York spiked to a record 100.10 dollars a barrel Tuesday on supply concerns. The price for a barrel of light, sweet crude, eclipsed the record set in January of 100.09 dollars a barrel. The market rallied amid speculation that the Organization of […]
Money Launder
Feb 19, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s central bank says it has strengthened an anti-money laundering and warns the public against engaging in illegal transactions. “The Central Bank warns the public to be aware of the dangers of getting involved in unlawful financial transactions that are detrimental to public or national interest and the country’s […]
Sri Lanka plans draconian new laws to curb coconut farmers; new disease threatens crop
Feb 19, 2008 (LBO) – Sri Lanka is planning draconian new laws to limit the rights of coconut farmers to put land to alternative uses and cut import duty on coconut oil as prices soared and a new pest hit groves in the island. Disease and clearance of coconut land for development have helped reduce […]
Aussie coach tells tourists to mind their own business
ADELAIDE, Feb 18, 2008 (AFP) – Australian coach Tim Nielsen told the touring Indians and Sri Lankans here Monday to worry about their own form instead of concerning themselves with the home side’s performances.Nielsen was responding to claims from both that the Australians were struggling, despite being the clear leader on the tri-series ladder. Sri […]