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Rape Crisis
BANGKOK, September 10, 2013 (AFP) – Nearly a quarter of men surveyed in six Asia-Pacific countries admit to committing rape, often against their own partners, according to a UN report published Tuesday that exposes widespread violence against women.Based on anonymous interviews with more than 10,000 men aged between 18 and 49-years-old in Bangladesh, China, Cambodia, […]
No Nationalism
BRUSSELS, September 10, 2013 (AFP) – The EU presents a radical shake-up of the telecoms sector Wednesday, aiming to enforce a single telecoms market and remove unpopular mobile phone roaming charges it claims are unjustified.Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso will unveil the plans to the European Parliament in his last annual ‘State of the Union’ […]
UN raises fresh fears for Sri Lanka rights defenders
GENEVA, September 9, 2013 (AFP) – The UN rights chief Monday raised fresh concerns for the safety of Sri Lankan journalists and activists she said had been harassed by the authorities for meeting with her. Navi Pillay told the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva she was worried about those she met during her week-long […]
Gas Premium
TOKYO, September 10, 2013 (AFP) – Japan called Tuesday for a reduction in the price of liquefied natural gas and a rebalancing of the global market.“I don’t understand this phenomenon,” he told the conference. Hirose added that the vast utility was diversifying its energy sources in order to reduce costs. But officials from gas-producing nations […]
‘s war ravaged provinces grow fastest in 2012
Sept 10, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s war ravaged Northern and Eastern provinces grew fastest in 2013, though starting from a low base, helped by construction but also banking and agriculture, the Central Bank said. The share of Central Province was flat at 9.8 percent. The North Central (4.7 percent), UVA 4.5 percent and Sabaragamuwa […]
‘s EAP Films and Theatres rated BBB+ by RAM
Sept 09, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s EAP Films and Theatres (Pvt) Ltd, a company which has a 60 percent share in local film exhibition market and owns and manages 45 theatres, has been rated BBB+ by RAM. The rating agency said the firm plans to sell 500 million rupees of listed senior secured debt. […]
Sri Lanka rubber exporter hit by falling prices
Sep 09, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Eastern Merchants, a rubber export firm said it lost 17 million rupees in the year to March 2013, from a profit of 105 million rupees a year earlier as world rubber prices dropped.Car sales in India had plunged 20 percent and listed Indian tyre companies had also performed […]
”s Avic
Sep 09, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Lee Hedges Plc is seeking shareholder nod to sell land worth 1.24 billion rupees to a Chinese led mixed development project. Lee Hedges said it is selling 181 perches of land (about 1.2 acres) to Avic International Hotels Lanka Ltd, promoted by Chinese defence contractor Avic. The firm […]
” hailed as cost of living goes up
TOKYO, September 9, 2013 (AFP) – Japan’s economy in the April-June quarter expanded more than initially estimated, revised data showed Monday, offering another boost for Tokyo’s bid to reverse years of tepid growth. The Cabinet Office put second-quarter growth at 0.9 percent from the previous quarter, up from a preliminary reading of a 0.6 percent […]
New India central bank chief may face short honeymoon
NEW DELHI, September 8, 2013 (AFP) – The euphoria which greeted new central bank governor Raghuram Rajan has been unprecedented in India’s normally sober financial world but the honeymoon may be shortlived.In fact, Rajan’s comments suggest he is likely to be “more hawkish”, said CLSA economist Rajeev Malik said. The former top finance ministry advisor […]