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Asian Tribune is published by World Institute For Asian Studies|Powered by WIAS Vol. 9 No. 166

Latest Stories

Soft drinks to be banned in government schools in Bangkok

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) plans to ban carbonated drinks in schools under its umbrella, part of a four-measure strategy to strengthen the health of Thai youth and to prevent obesity among Thai children.

EU demands that Copenhagen Conference result in rapid action for rainforests

The EU wants a Copenhagen agreement to contain rapid action for adaptation measures and against deforestation. This was the message presented by Swedish Minister for the Environment Andreas Carlgren in a debate in the European Parliament on Tuesday.

Listening Vs. Reading - Which skill is more important for language learning?

By Antonio Graceffo

Someone who read my language acquisition articles recently wrote in to ask me if I believed reading was more important than speaking, and if I believed you could learn pronunciation from reading.

Mano Ganesan to skip today’s meeting with General (retd.) Fonseka

By K.T.Rajasingham

Mano Ganesan MP has decided to skip today’s meeting arranged with General (retd.) Saratah Fonseka.

Proclamation to hold fresh Presidential election gazetted

President Mahinda Rajapaksa proclaimed that he will seek a fresh mandate as per constitutional provision and this has been duly gazetted (Gazette Notification No. 1629/8/20091123), short while ago, said Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the President.

Sri Lanka Donates US$25,000 To Flood Victims in Tajikistan

The Government of Sri Lanka donated a sum of US $ 25,000/- as an emergency relief for the recent flood victims of the Republic of Tajikistan.

Cong gifts an old issue with a new wrapping to the BJP

By M Rama Rao, India Editor, Asian Tribune

The Indian government finds itself on back foot for the second time in Parliament in three days.

French court jails Tamil Tigers for extortion

The toughest sentence of seven years in was given to Nadaraja Matinthiran, whom the court heard was the leader of the LTTE.

House resumes after five months of obstruction

Kosh R. Koirala Reporting from Nepal

Normal proceedings of House resumed on Monday after five months of continuous disruption by the Maoists over the issue of ‘civilian supremacy’ vis a vis president’s move to reinstate then army chief.

Executive Presidency No More a Valid Slogan – Minister Senarathne

By Anjana Jayashan in Colombo

Abolition of the executive presidency is no more an election slogan and people will not be ready to listen to such old stories. Anyway, the main Opposition; United National Party (UNP) and the People’s Liberation Front (JVP) still talk on the topic as they have already politically bankrupted, said Construction & Engineering Services Minister Dr. Rajitha Senarathne.

Congress MPs lobby for lifting life ban on Azhar

From Gopal Ethiraj, Chennai

Mohammad Azharuddin batted for Congress in the last general elections, and made a massive win from the minority-dominated Moradabad constituency in Uttar Pradesh and became an MP.

UN Official Welcomes Accelerated Releases Of Displaced From Camps

The top United Nations humanitarian official, who just returned from a three-day visit to Sri Lanka, praised the swift discharge in recent weeks of many of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) who had been confined to makeshift camps for several months.

Manmohan Singh’s sojourn to USA

By Asif Haroon Raja

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will be on a visit to USA from 23 November onwards to hold wide ranging talks of mutual interest. The visit assumes significance since it is the first visit of any head of state to USA on the request of Obama Administration. The latter’s endeavor would be to give a message to the world in general and China in particular that India is its strategic partner and a bulwark against China and hence deserves special handling and concessions.

45 bodies of hostages killed by gunmen in S Philippines recovered

Philippine security forces have recovered 45 bodies of people that include politicians and journalists abducted Monday in a pre-election related incidence in restive southern Philippine province of Maguindanao, a local official said.

Karunanidhi protests move for a tough fishing law

From S Murari, Chennai

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on Monday asked the Government of India to reconsider its move to impose a heavy fine on fishermen who go beyond the permitted 12 nautical miles for fishing and said it would particularly affect Tamil Nadu fishermen.