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☆ INDIA STOCKS Indian shares set to open lower ahead of US inflation data
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BENGALURU, Nov 10 (Reuters) - Indian shares are expected to open a tad lower on Thursday, with investors bracing for crucial U.S. inflation data that will provide clues about the severity of Federal Reserve's future interest rate hikes. Foreign institutional investors bought net of 3.87 billion Indian rupees ($47.51 million) equities on Wednesday, while domestic investors sold 10.60 billion rupees of shares, as per provisional data available with the National Stock Exchange. ** Indian port operator Adani Ports (APSE.NS) acquired a 49.38% stake in petroleum logistics service provider Oiltanking for 10.5 billion rupees. ** Indian sugar mills are aggressively signing export deals, contracting for about 1 million tonnes just four days after New Delhi approved exports. read more($1 = 81.4650 Indian rupees)Reporting by Nallur Sethuraman in Bengaluru; Editing by Dhanya Ann ThoppilOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ IMF agrees $4.5 billion Bangladesh support programme
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, Nov 9 (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) provisionally agreed a $4.5 billion support programme for Bangladesh on Wednesday as global inflation and the prospect of lower demand for its garment exports raised risks for its macroeconomic stability. The IMF said a "staff-level agreement" had been reached for a 42-month arrangement, including about $3.2 billion from its Extended Credit Facility (ECF) and Extended Fund Facility (EFF), plus about $1.3 billion from its new Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). Bangladesh has become the third country in South Asia to reach a staff-level agreement for loans with the IMF this year after Pakistan and Sri Lanka. A staff-level agreement is typically subject to approval by IMF management and consideration by its Executive Board. "The objectives of Bangladesh's new Fund-supported program are to preserve macroeconomic stability and support strong, inclusive, and green growth, while protecting the vulnerable," the IMF said in a statement.

☆ COP27: What they are saying at the climate summit
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Sri Lanka Zimbabwe Adds Quotes Leaders Of Poland | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 8 (Reuters) - World leaders, policymakers and delegates from nearly 200 countries are at the COP27 U.N. climate summit in Egypt, where they hope to keep alive a goal to avert the worst impacts of climate change. Profligate producers of fossil fuels have benefited from extortionate profits at the expense of human civilization. EMMERSON DAMBUDZO MNANGAGWA, PRESIDENT OF ZIMBABWE"Those mostly responsible for the climate crisis must listen and prioritize climate finance to help prevent disasters and climate victims recover. Developed nations should be giving leadership to work on climate challenges rather than abdicating their responsibilities. It is no secret that climate financing has missed the target….

[1/2] European Council President Charles Michel speaks with European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the Chinese President Xi Jinping via video conference during an EU-China summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Belgium April 1, 2022. Olivier Matthys/Pool via REUTERSBEIJING/BRUSSELS, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Chinese authorities behind a major trade expo in Shanghai pulled an opening ceremony address by the European Council president that was set to criticise Russia's "illegal war" in Ukraine and call for reduced trade dependency on China, diplomats said. "President Michel was invited to address 5th Hongqiao Forum/CIIE in Shanghai," Barend Leyts, a spokesman for Michel told Reuters. Europe has been over-dependent on Russia for fossil fuels, leading to a trade imbalance, Michel was to say. Michel was also set to call for China to do more do put an end to the bloodshed in Ukraine.

☆ Sri Lanka suspend Gunathilaka after arrest over alleged sexual assault
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

COLOMBO, Nov 7 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said on Monday it has suspended Danushka Gunathilaka from all forms of cricket following his arrest in Sydney over an alleged sexual assault and will not consider him for any selections. The 31-year-old was charged with sexual assault while in Australia to play in the T20 World Cup and was denied bail by a court in Sydney on Monday. "The Executive Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket decided to suspend national player Danushka Gunathilaka from all forms of cricket with immediate effect and will not consider him for any selections..." the SLC said in a statement. Gunathilaka played a first round World Cup match against Namibia but was ruled out of the remainder of the T20 tournament with a hamstring injury. The Sri Lankan team were eliminated in the group stage of the World Cup, losing to England on Saturday in their final match of the tournament.

☆ Asian Americans have some of the highest levels of support for abortion rights — and it's driving them to vote
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-05 | by ( Sakshi Venkatraman | Sakshi Venkatraman Is A Reporter For Nbc Asian America. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +9 min

With studies finding that Asian American and Pacific Islanders show some of the highest levels of support for abortion rights, community leaders are expecting this issue to drive Asian Americans to the polls — many for the first time ever. “AAPIs view abortion not as the singular act of abortion, but as health care,” said Varun Nikore, executive director of the nonprofit AAPI Victory Alliance. While some researchers point to flaws in the polling (most notably that Pew only surveyed English speakers), they say there’s no doubt that Asians show the highest level of support when it comes to abortion rights. “That tells me that abortion rights and reproductive rights are likely what’s driving that prioritization,” said Karthick Ramakrishnan, founder and director of demographic data and policy research at AAPI Data. A younger crop of Asian voters newly engaged by the Dobbs ruling are initiating these conversations with their elders, too.

☆ Smith, Green in for injured skipper Finch and David for Australia
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MELBOURNE, Nov 4 (Reuters) - Steve Smith and Cameron Green will play their first matches of the Twenty20 World Cup in place of captain Aaron Finch and Tim David when Australia battle to stay in the tournament against Afghanistan on Friday. Opener Finch and middle order batsman David both suffered hamstring strains in Monday's victory over Ireland and were unable to prove their fitness in time for the Adelaide Oval clash. In Finch's absence, Matt Wade will captain Australia, who lost the toss and will bat first. Green, who came into the squad as an injury replacement for Josh Inglis, will open with David Warner, while Smith will bat at number four. Reporting by Nick Mulvenney; Editing by Kenneth MaxwellOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ We've benefited from pent-up travel demand despite global headwinds, says SriLankan Airlines
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( Monica Pitrelli | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailWe've benefited from pent-up travel demand despite global headwinds, says SriLankan AirlinesRichard Nuttall of SriLankan Airlines says despite Sri Lanka's economic fallout, the Covid-19 pandemic, and Russia's war in Ukraine affecting oil supply, the airline had "the best first six months of the year, in the last 15 years."

☆ Sri Lanka holds debt restructuring talks with bilateral creditors
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( Uditha Jayasinghe | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"The IMF programme and economic reform agenda will reconstitute Sri Lanka's financial buffers," Weerasinghe said in the emailed statement. "I thank the official creditors for joining this productive meeting where we were able to discuss Sri Lanka's current financial position and progress on reforms." Sri Lanka defaulted on its foreign debt for the first time in May. Japan, India and China are Sri Lanka's largest bilateral creditors, while China's EximBank accounts for about $3.8 billion in loans extended to Colombo to fund large scale infrastructure projects. Earlier on Thursday, S&P Global Ratings lowered ratings on multiple Sri Lanka bonds to its lowest rating "D", from "CC", following missed interest payments on Sept. 14 and 28.

☆ Hundreds march in crisis-hit Sri Lanka protesting tax hikes, crackdowns
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Uditha Jayasinghe | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] Demonstrators shout at Sri Lankan police officers during an anti-government protest by trade unions, student movements, and civil organisations, including the main opposition parties, amid the country's economic crisis, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, November 2, 2022. We need solutions and we will keep fighting for them," Ceylon Teacher's Union Secretary Joseph Stalin said. Widespread protests in July resulted in former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fleeing the country and resigning after protesters stormed his office and residence. read moreProtesters carrying national and black flags shouted slogans of "Ranil go home," during the march and called for new elections. They also accused the government of using draconian anti-terrorism legislation to crack down on protest leaders and jail two of them.

☆ India inch closer to semis after nervy win vs. Bangladesh
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Story Reuters | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

India moved to top of Group 2 with six points, one ahead of South Africa who have played one game fewer. Litton gave Bangladesh a rollicking start scoring 56 of his team’s 60 runs in the first six powerplay overs. He raced to a 21-ball fifty before rain halted play with Bangladesh on 66 for no loss after seven overs. “It’s been the story when we play India. “It was a great game, the crowd enjoyed and both teams enjoyed.

☆ Sri Lanka knock out Afghanistan after Hasaranga, de Silva shine
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MELBOURNE, Nov 1 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka knocked Afghanistan out of the semi-final race at the T20 World Cup with a six-wicket victory in Brisbane on Tuesday, boosting their own chances of making the last four in the tournament. Spinner Wanindu Hasaranga (3-13) led Sri Lanka's disciplined bowling as the Asia champions restricted Afghanistan to a modest 144-8 in the Group 1 contest at Gabba. Sri Lanka now have four points from as many matches, while Afghanistan stay rooted at the bottom with two. Electing to bat, Afghanistan were subdued in the powerplay and were 68-1 at the halfway stage of their innings. Rashid, who left the field with a knee injury just before de Silva sealed Sri Lanka's victory, claimed 2-31 but Afghanistan remained winless in the Super 12 stage.

☆ University of Kentucky student among at least 153 dead in Seoul crowd crush
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-30 | by ( Julianne Mcshane | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

A University of Kentucky student is among at least 153 people, and one of two Americans, who died in a crowd crush in Seoul, South Korea this weekend, the school announced Sunday afternoon. Anne Gieske, a third-year nursing student from northern Kentucky, was among the victims who perished in the crowd crush, the university's President, Eli Capilouto, announced to the school on Sunday. Gieske was from northern Kentucky, and was studying abroad in South Korea this semester, Capilouto said. Two other University of Kentucky students and a faculty member who are also abroad in South Korea are safe, the president wrote. Capilouto said school officials "have been in contact with Anne’s family and will provide whatever support we can — now and in the days ahead — as they cope with this indescribable loss."

SEOUL, South Korea — As morning arrived in Seoul's Itaewon neighborhood, quiet prevailed at the scene of the tragedy where at least 153 people died on what should have been a night of Halloween revelry. What we know about the deadly incident in Seoul At least 153 people were killed and 103 injured, officials said. While Halloween is not a traditional holiday in South Korea, Itaewon is known for its costume parties at bars and clubs, which have soared in popularity in recent years. The last major tragedy in South Korea also hit young people. Stella Kim and Thomas Maresca reported from South Korea.

CNN —South Korean authorities are investigating the crowd surge that killed at least 154 partygoers in Seoul, as the rattled nation attempts to come to terms with one of its worst-ever disasters. Nearly all of the victims – at least 150 – have been identified; police told CNN. Three South Korean military personnel were also among those killed, a Korean defense ministry official told CNN. The South Korean government has set a national mourning period starting until the end of November 5, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said in a briefing. Civil servants and employees of public institutions will wear ribbons to express their condolences during the mourning period, Han said.

☆ International leaders offer condolences over deadly South Korea Halloween crush
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SEOUL, Oct 30 (Reuters) - International leaders expressed condolences after at least 22 foreign nationals from 13 countries were among those killed in a deadly crowd surge in Seoul's Itaewon district, a popular nightlife spot for South Koreans and expatriates alike. South Korea's President Yoon Suk-yeol declared a period of national mourning on Sunday after a Halloween crush killed some 153 people in the packed nightlife area. At least four Chinese nationals were among those killed, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the Chinese embassy in Seoul. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tweeted: "All our thoughts are with those currently responding and all South Koreans at this very distressing time." "I am devastated by news of the terrible incident in connection with Halloween celebrations in Seoul," Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt said in a statement.

☆ Sri Lankans yearn for answers on relatives who disappeared in civil war
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( Jeevan Ravindran | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/7] A woman holds up a photo of her missing relative during a protest in Kilinochchi, Northern Province, Sri Lanka, August 12, 2022. Thousands of people, mostly Tamils, went missing duringthe civil war in what were known as "enforced disappearances". The instances of enforced disappearances in Sri Lanka rank among the world's highest, with human rights group Amnesty International estimating them to number between 60,000 and 100,000 since the late 1980s. Sri Lanka says it remains committed to pursuing tangible progress on human rights through domestic institutions. Mahesh Katundala, chairman of the Office on Missing Persons, defended the institution against criticism that it was not doing enough.

☆ Sri Lanka passes constitutional amendment aimed at trimming presidential powers
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( Uditha Jayasinghe | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

COLOMBO, Oct 21 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka's parliament on Friday passed a constitutional amendment aimed at trimming presidential powers, beefing up anti-corruption safeguards and helping to find a way out of the country's worst financial crisis since independence. Sri Lanka has struggled for months to find enough dollars to pay for essential imports such as fuel, food, cooking gas and medicine. Opposition parties and civil society representatives, however, have slammed the amendment as not far-reaching enough in promoting accountability and reducing government powers. "This is just tinkering with presidential powers and the amendment does not implement significant change," said Bhavani Fonseka, a senior researcher at the Centre for Policy Alternatives, a Colombo-based think tank. "The president still retains the power to prorogue parliament, to hold ministries and the constitutional council will still have mostly government appointees."

☆ Sri Lanka consumer inflation hits record 73.7% in September
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( Uditha Jayasinghe | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Annual food price inflation picked up to 85.8% from 84.6% in August, while prices of non-food items rose 62.8%. Sri Lanka's Central Bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe predicted earlier on Thursday that inflation in the island nation is peaking, with price rises likely to ease this month. read moreThe NCPI captures broader retail price inflation and isreleased with a lag of 21 days every month. The more closely monitored Colombo Consumer Price Index(CCPI) (LKCCPI=ECI), released at the end of each month, rose69.8% in August. It acts as a leading indicator for nationalprices and shows how inflation is evolving in Sri Lanka'sbiggest city.

☆ The Gandhis: from 'Kennedys of India' to the political wilderness
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( Rhea Mogul | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

“The Gandhis today are completely dwarfed and overshadowed by Narendra Modi,” said New Delhi-based political commentator Arati R. Jerath. Bettmann Archive/Getty imagesShe was elected prime minister from 1966 to 1977, and again in 1980. But with the ascendance of a new wave of right-wing politics, their party now lurks in the political wilderness, analysts say. Prime Minister Narendra Modi gives a victory speech after winning India's general election, in New Delhi on May 23, 2019. But it seems unlikely he will ever become prime minister of the country, like his father, grandmother and great-grandfather before him.

☆ UN wants India to mobilise G20 to help debt-stressed countries
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NEW DELHI, Oct 19 (Reuters) - U.N. chief Antonio Guterres on Wednesday sought India's support in mobilising G20 nations to help out developing countries saddled with debt, with three of India's neighbours already seeking IMF loans as their economies struggle. India takes over the G20 presidency from Indonesia for a year from Dec 1. "I count on India’s support in mobilising G20 countries around debt relief," Guterres told the students and faculty of the Indian Institute of Technology in Mumbai. "Many developing countries are at or near debt distress and require multilateral action, including the expansion and extension of the G20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative." He said G20 countries were responsible for 80% of global emissions and must take the lead in cutting those.

☆ Sri Lanka approves law to liberalize petroleum imports
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( Uditha Jayasinghe | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

COLOMBO, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka approved legislation on Tuesday to let companies from oil-producing nations import and sell fuel as it attempts to cope with a steep oil bill that deepened its worst financial crisis in decades. "Due to the country's financial situation we cannot afford to purchase the fuel that we need. Sri Lanka is in the middle of a serious energy crisis." State-run banks have also struggled to repay about $751 million it owes to suppliers, the minister said. The new legislation will liberalize the petroleum industry allowing international companies to directly import and sell fuel in Sri Lanka and reduce reliance on the country's meagre dollar supplies.

☆ Sri Lankan author Shehan Karunatilaka wins 2022 Booker Prize
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-17 | by ( Marie-Louise Gumuchian | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Sri Lankan writer Shehan Karunatilaka won the Booker Prize on Monday for his second novel "The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida," about a dead war photographer on a mission in the afterlife. Set in 1990 Sri Lanka during the country's civil war, Karunatilaka's story follows gay war photographer and gambler Maali Almeida, who wakes up dead. This year's shortlist of Booker Prize contenders included British author Alan Garner's "Treacle Walker", Zimbabwean author NoViolet Bulawayo's "Glory", "Small Things Like These" by Irish writer Claire Keegan, U.S. author Percival Everett's "The Trees" and "Oh William!" "It is an entirely serious philosophical romp that takes the reader to 'the world's dark heart' - the murderous horrors of civil war Sri Lanka," MacGregor added. Past winners of the Booker Prize, which was first awarded in 1969, include Margaret Atwood, Salman Rushdie and Yann Martel.

But she said a more effective debt restructuring process was also needed, and China had a big role to play. The Paris Club creditor nations last month reached out to China and India seeking to coordinate closely on Sri Lanka's debt talks, but are still awaiting a reply. German Finance Minister Christian Lindner also joined the growing criticism of China's lack of timely participation in debt restructuring for lower-income countries. China has argued it would not take part in some cases unless the IMF and World Bank also took a haircut. Lindner told reporters he regretted that China had not accepted his invitation to participate in the G7 roundtable with African countries.

☆ A Weeknight-Friendly Curry That Brings Sri Lanka to Your Table
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-14 | by ( Lauren Joseph | Photographs Carlotta Cardana For The Wall Street Journal | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Ms. Shanmugalingam’s recipes are full of easy-to-love flavors like coconut and tamarind and sway mostly Tamil in keeping with her family’s heritage. But she doesn’t shy away from Sri Lanka’s troubled political past—and present—either. Dishes like a Sinhalese black pork curry, adopted by her grandparents while weathering decades of civil war in a southern stronghold, speak to the need to flee, adapt and integrate. “Food is political,” she said. “And it’s important to recognize that.”

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