Category: Other
Students in Venezuela march against Chavez after TV station closure
CARACAS, June 1, 2007 (AFP) – Dodging police cordons around the National Assembly, thousands of students Friday managed to reach lawmakers to deny any subversive intent in their protest against the shutdown of anti-government RCTV channel. “We’ve come here to get their document.We think there has to be a dialogue so everyone of us can […]
‘s Murali embarrasses Moody
June 2, 2007 (AFP) – Former Sri Lankan cricket coach Tom Moody says he is embarrassed by the derogatory reaction and constant harassment directed by Australian crowds towards Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralitharan.Muralitharan’s ultra-flexible bowling action has come under its heaviest scrutiny in Australia, where he has been called for throwing on two tours, prompting […]
Opposition Despots
June 01, 2007 (LBO) – The Free Media Movement has slammed the opposition United National Party over its continued attempts to intimidate newspaper editors using parliamentary privilege. The full statement from the FMM is reproduced below: The Free Media Movement (FMM) expresses its surprise and dismay at the statement issued by the United National Party […]
Tough times for South Asian budget airlines
BANGALORE, India, June 1, 2007 (AFP) – Indian liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya bought a 26 percent stake Thursday in Air Deccan, throwing a 5.5 billion rupee (135 million dollar) lifeline to the loss-making discount carrier.Jet Airways bought rival Air Sahara for 340 million dollars in April. Bangalore-based Deccan will issue new preferential shares to Mallya’s […]
Japanese minister commits suicide over corruption inquiry
TOKYO, June 1, 2007 (AFP) – Japan was expected on Friday to name a replacement for agriculture minister Toshikatsu Matsuoka, who committed suicide earlier this week amid allegations of corruption, news reports said.Matsuoka, 62, known as a fervent lobbyist for farmers in his district, hanged himself Monday as he was set to face questioning in […]
Francophone Siberian tiger to be taught English
OTTAWA, May 30, 2007 (AFP) – Everyone likes the sound of French it seems, and a zoo in western Canada has asked visitors to speak French to its Siberian tiger. “We hope people will come to the zoo and speak French to him to keep him company,” said Jan Archbold, a spokeswoman for the Edmonton […]
Capital Loss
May 30, 2007 (LBO) – Tableware exporter Dankotuwa Porcelain has announced plans to reduce its share capital to wipe off accumulated losses amounting to 244 million rupees, making it the first company to do so after a new company law came into effect. A company statement said it proposes reducing the stated capital to 231.5 […]
Asset Backed
May 30, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lankan companies that securitize leases will get to retain capital allowances and be exempt from stamp duty under a new law being drafted by capital markets regulators, officials said Monday. Such instruments required mature markets, developed infrastructure, comprehensive legislation, and human expertise. Asset-securitization would help reduce the cost of […]
US to propose Zoellick to head World Bank
WASHINGTON, May 29, 2007 (AFP) – US President George W. Bush was on Wednesday to name administration pointman Robert Zoellick to head the World Bank, replacing Paul Wolfowitz, who quit over a favoritism scandal involving his bank employee girlfriend. The naming of the steady, stalwart Zoellick was meant to end weeks of upheaval in the […]
Human Capital
May 30, 2007 (LBO) – The Securities and Exchange has hired three new specialists to push asset management, debt markets and communications, the regulator said Wednesday. Namal Kamalgoda has been appointed as, Director, Capital Market Development – Asset Management. He was chief investment officer at Eagle NDB Fund Management Company which had 18 billion rupees […]
Tamil wins another battle for equality with Hindi in India
CHENNAI, India, May 30, 2007 (AFP) – Tamil, one of India’s ancient Dravidian languages, is to have its own government-funded institute, Tamil Nadu state’s chief minister said.The federal government has agreed to set up the International Institute of Classical Tamil Language in the state capital Chennai, where language politics have often boiled over. M. Karunanidhi […]
Caught
JAKARTA, May 29, 2007 (AFP) – Two Sri Lankans and an Indonesian have been arrested in Jakarta for allegedly running a people smuggling operation to Australia, a senior police officer said Tuesday.The three are suspected of organising an operation earlier this year that saw the Australian navy intercept a boat with 83 Sri Lankans in […]