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Moscow faces energy challenge
29 07 2010 Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is pressing for the country to improve its energy efficiency. Yet with US$92 billion needed merely to upgrade the aging power grid, the cost will be high - and private investment likely to be scarce. - Sergei Blagov
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Higher pay no deterrent in China
29 07 2010 Chinese workers' demands for higher wages are not deterring Japanese companies from maintaining production facilities in China, although it was low labor costs that initially attracted them to the country. Now they see the increased spending power of consumers as an incentive to become more deeply involved in the economy. - Suvendrini Kakuchi
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SKS sale draws negative interest
29 07 2010 George Soros-backed SKS Finance, which makes money by lending small sums to India's poorest businesses, is raising US$347 million through an initial public offering. That offends critics who baulk at the profits created by the 30% interest rates that go with such loans. - Raja Murthy
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INTERVIEW : An ancient vision
29 07 2010 Pakistan has taken a lot of heat since thousands of classified United States military documents were leaked to the whistle-blower website WikiLeaks, with some Pakistani officials even accusing Washington of trying to smear the country. Julian Assange, the site's founder, puts the record straight. (Jul 29, '10)
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Niqab debate unveils Syria's secular past
29 07 2010 A possible ban on the niqab at Syrian universities has reawakened a long-running tussle between conservatives and moderates that began during the country's secular awakening early in the 20th century. Proponents of the ban point proudly to a modern history of female emancipation and say that the face veil is simply not Syrian, while opponents say it is the perfect form of Islamic dress. - Sami Moubayed (Jul 29, '10)
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Lee's chance to steer a new course
29 07 2010 Northeast Asia after the Cheonan affair is more volatile than it has been since the end of the Cold War. With North Korea off the hook, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak has lost the most. A reversal of his policy toward Pyongyang would stem the loss and, more importantly, could restore some sense of stability to the region. - Yong Kwon (Jul 29, '10)
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US accused of raising Afghan militias
29 07 2010 Village chiefs in the Shindand district of Afghanistan's Herat province say the "Village Stability Program" run by the United States is creating private militias, while the US says the scheme only provides limited training to volunteers. For the Taliban it's simple, anyone "collaborating" with the enemy will pay the price. (Jul 29, '10)
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China and Taiwan: In war we trust
29 07 2010 Trade ties may deepen, visitor numbers may enlarge, and calls may grow for both sides across the Taiwan Strait to formally end six decades of war. All recent signs show however that amid the buildup of firepower trained at each other, China's and Taiwan's militaries are still light-years away from establishing the mutual trust necessary to end hostilities. - Jens Kastner (Jul 29, '10)
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Vietnam hedges its China risk
29 07 2010 While Vietnam's Communist Party leadership is deeply ambivalent about getting too close to Washington, there is a growing realization that the United States is essential to counter-balancing China's rise. Vietnam is also using its influence as one of the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to create a united front, and for good measure also partnering with an old ally. - The Hanoist (Jul 29, '10)
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India slips Myanmar a nudge and a wink
29 07 2010 Myanmar's Senior General Than Shwe rounded off a five-day visit to India on Thursday after securing pacts that will boost security and economic cooperation between the countries, while also receiving US$70 million in grants. The red carpet laid out for the junta's leader is a sign of Delhi's decision to quietly nudge Myanmar on issues of concern, while playing down sensitive issues such as restoration of democracy. - Sudha Ramachandran (Jul 29, '10)
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