Microsoft cuts 7,800 jobs, reorganizes phone unit

?AFP: Microsoft has announced plans to cut jobs and write down the value of its struggling mobile phone division acquired last year from Nokia by some US $ 7.6 billion -- fresh evidence of its woes in the global smartphone market.

Hambantota Port phase II commissions with water filling

?The filling of water into Phase II of the Hambantota Port was initiated on Saturday by Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Arjuna Ranatunga at a simple ceremony which lacked the pomp and majesty of similar occasions in the past.

Sri Lanka should learn from developed hub operators: Outgoing SLFFA Chief

?Following are excerpts of the speech delivered by Sri Lanka Logistics & Freight Forwarders’ Association Outgoing Chairman Dushmantha Karannagoda, at the 34th Annual General Meeting held recently.

Handouts and subsidies — Who is left holding the bag?

?The Pathfinder Foundation in its blueprint on economic reform, ‘Charting the Way Forward: Prosperity for All’, highlighted the following paragraph:  Sri Lanka needs to follow good practice which is being pursued by an increasing number of countries around the world.

Big Ideas for Small Business Managers : Accomplish your final goal by formulating a tactical plan an

?Often, we use the terms strategy and tactics interchangeably. Rather than debate Greek military etymology, Sun Tzu philosophy or the latest publications from the Harvard Business Press, here’s a simple way to look at strategy and tactics by their associated actions:

Lanka Hospitals hosts gala dinner for consultant doctors

?More than 300 resident and visiting medical consultants of Lanka Hospitals joined the Chairman and board of directors for a light evening of fellowship at Cinnamon Grand Oak Room recently.

EDB claims only 4% of Ceylon Tea brewed locally

A whopping 96 percent of Pure Ceylon Tea production volumes leave Sri Lanka to serve ...

Oil prices steady after volatile week of trading

Oil prices were little moved in early Asian trading yesterday...

Baby Cheramy kicks off ‘Senehasa Pathurai, Thegi Uthurai’ competition

As an initiative to recognize and reward mothers for their abundance of love,..

Hutch sponsors ‘GetnAiled’ gaming challenge for second time

In an effort to enhance the local competitive gaming standard to the international, ...

EWIS conducts Jaffna forum on use of Secondary Schools Technological Labs

Yet another phase of a series of forums was carried out by EWIS with the collaboration...

IWS, ZILLIONe power CA Sri Lanka’s Strategic Summit as Silver sponsors

The biggest ever strategy summit in Sri Lanka, organised by the Institute...

Lamudi examines possibilities of building int’l structures in SL

Sri Lanka is growing towards a real estate investment-friendly environment....

Althaf and Sheranga set pace in Taipei

Ogilvy Pacesetters, a leadership programme in the region initiated...

Success Media to conduct an array of programmes

Success Media is a brand name that associates itself with personality...

Women’s Chamber holds Members’ Day

The Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce...

Amãna Bank ties up with wow.lk

Amãna Bank, Sri Lanka’s premier bank to operate in full conformity...

ILO Director-General to attend International Conference on Financing for Development

The Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO),...

Shell buys Morgan Stanley’s Europe gas and power trade book

 Royal Dutch Shell (RDSa.L) has acquired Morgan Stanley’s (MS.N) European gas and...

French economy minister upbeat on new Greek proposals

 Greece’s last-minute proposals to secure an aid deal could meet the expectations...

IBM unveils ‘breakthrough’ computer chip

IBM on Thursday unveiled a powerful new chip which the company

Rupee steady for 6th session in dull trade

The Sri Lankan rupee was steady for a sixth straight session yesterday..

Ukraine offers huge state firms to foreign investors

 Ukraine said Thursday it would offer nearly 350 state firms for sale to foreign..

Tough times

An Indian vegetable vendor floats sacks of produce along a..

Clean & Clear launches ‘See the Real Me’ global campaign

Clean & Clear a flagship brand under the Johnson &Johnson portfolio,....

Greece’s Tsipras scrambles to ready tough reforms package

REUTERS: Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras raced yesterday to finalise a tough package with tax hikes and pension reforms due within hours if Athens is to win a new aid lifeline from creditors and avoid crashing out of the euro.

Gold climbs from 4-month low on Fed minutes, Chinese recovery

?REUTERS: Gold rose yesterday as a recovery in Chinese share prices cooled fears of a wider rout in the major bullion consumer, and after minutes from the Federal Reserve’s last meeting suggested caution towards a near-term increase in interest rates.

Plantation crisis

?The ‘go slow’ campaign started by workers of the 23 Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs) continued for the fourth consecutive day yesterday.

China stock bounce lifts emerging equity index off 2-year low

?REUTERS: A bounce in mainland Chinese shares yesterday lifted emerging equities off two-year lows, while currencies also got some respite, including the yuan which steadied slightly after days of volatility.

Software update may have triggered NYSE trading halt

?REUTERS: A computer malfunction that forced the New York Stock Exchange to suspend trading for more than three hours on Wednesday probably stemmed from a software update that went awry, Bloomberg reported, citing two people briefed on a preliminary review.