Category: Other
Refugee Law
GENEVA, August 13, 2014 (AFP) – The UN refugee agency on Tuesday accused Sri Lanka of breaking international law in its growing campaign to kick out Pakistani asylum seekers without a fair hearing.“Fundamentally, this is a breach of the principle of no forced returns. That’s a clear violation of international law,” said Adrian Edwards, spokesman […]
India lashes WTO, defends decision on failed trade deal
NEW DELHI, August 5, 2014 (AFP) – India on Tuesday defended its decision to scuttle a landmark worldwide trade deal, saying it needed to take a tough stand at the WTO to ensure the survival of its impoverished farmers.Trade Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also lashed out at the World Trade Organization, accusing it of foot-dragging on […]
Economic Migrants
SYDNEY, August 4, 2014 (AFP) – Asylum-seekers held on an Australian customs vessel at sea for weeks were given lifeboats and told to make their own way back to India, a lawyer for the group said Monday.The boatload of 157, who lawyer Hugh de Kretser said were mostly Christian Tamils fleeing persecution in Sri Lanka, […]
China-India energy rivalry in spotlight as Modi visits Nepal
KATHMANDU, August 2, 2014 (AFP) – Energy will be high on the agenda when India’s new Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Nepal on Sunday, eager to claw back lost ground in the race for resources with China. “It makes more sense for Delhi and Beijing to work together — whether it’s a case of using […]
Nationalist Move
SYDNEY, August 2, 2014 (AFP) – Some 157 asylum-seekers who were detained at sea for weeks by Australia have been sent to the Pacific island of Nauru after rejecting a return to India, officials said Saturday.The group, thought to be mostly ethnic Tamils from Sri Lanka and including 50 children, left the Indian port of […]
Economic Claim
SYDNEY, July 28, 2014 (AFP) – A group of 157 asylum-seekers held for weeks on the high seas on an Australian customs vessel were likely economic migrants from India, Immigration Minister Scott Morrison said Monday.“The indications are… that there are a very large number of people on this ship that had been resident in India […]
‘s far north sparks mystery
MOSCOW, July 26, 2014 (AFP) – A vast crater discovered in a remote region of Siberia known to locals as “the end of the world” is causing a sensation in Russia, with a group of scientists being sent to investigate. The giant hole in the remote energy-rich Yamalo-Nenetsky region first came to light in a […]
Stand Off
SYDNEY, July 25, 2014 (AFP) – A group of 157 asylum-seekers in custody on the high seas for weeks will be taken to Australia and held until consular officials confirm their nationalities, ending a long stand-off, authorities said Friday.The development follows lawyers acting for about one-third of those on board — thought to be mostly […]
Rape Probe
COLOMBO, July 22, 2014 (AFP) – Sri Lankan police were Tuesday investigating the gang-rape of an 11-year-old girl allegedly by seven sailors in the island’s former war zone, a spokesman said. The victim, who cannot be identified according to Sri Lankan laws, had been repeatedly raped by more than one man, police spokesman Ajith Rohana […]
Sentenced
COLOMBO, July 18, 2014 (AFP) – A Sri Lankan ruling party politician and three accomplices were Friday sentenced to 20 years in jai for murdering a British holidaymaker on Christmas Eve and raping his Russian partner. The case was initially heard in the southern town of Tangalle, the hometown of the main accused, but shifted […]
”’ budget reform
NEW DELHI, July 13, 2014 (AFP) – The maiden budget from India’s new right-wing government has promised a return to high growth — but disappointed some who hoped premier Narendra Modi might use his thumping mandate to unleash radical change. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government opted for small steps in last week’s budget, in […]
Australian Nationalism
SYDNEY, July 8, 2014 (AFP) – Australian government lawyers said Tuesday 153 Sri Lankan asylum-seekers were in custody on the high seas and agreed to give three days’ notice before handing any back to Colombo, as criticism mounted. A late-night interim injunction Monday temporarily halted the transfer of the would-be refugees from the boat, whose […]