Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from October, 2012

'Alarming rise' of sexual abuse in Jaffna

Girls as young as seven have been sexually abused and sexual violence against women is on the increase in northern Sri Lanka, say health officials.    According to a senior health official in Jaffna peninsula 32 incidents of child abuse and sexual abuse have been reported during the last two months.  Dr S Sivaruban, the Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) of Jaffna Teaching hospital, told Sandeshaya: "nine out of those 32 incidents are serious and cruel sexual abuses."  "There were 102 cases of sexual abuse reported in Jaffna in 2010 and it has increased to 182 in 2011," said Dr Sivaruban. 'No deterrent mechanism' Adding that two underage girls are currently being treated in the hospital for sexual abuse, the medical officer said: “Girls as young as 7-8 years have been being sexually abused in Jaffna and abuse of girls before they reach puberty is ve

iPad Mini unveiled by Apple as it enters small tablet market

Apple has launched its widely-anticipated 7.9in (20.1cm) tablet, the iPad Mini. The device, which is 7.2mm thick and weighs 0.68lbs, was announced at an event in California. In the US it will cost $329 (£206) for the wi-fi-only 16GB model, and will be available on 2 November. The iPad Mini will compete directly with similar sized tablets from Google and Amazon. The firm also announced upgrades to its Macbook Pro, iMac and Mac Mini ranges of computers. The iPad Mini launch ends years of speculation that Apple was considering launching a new, smaller version of its bestselling iPad range. In 2010, late founder Steve Jobs described 7in tablets as being "too small". However, the company's apparent change of heart comes in the face of mounting pressure from its closest competitors, who are already offering smaller - and crucially, cheaper - products. Amazon's new 7in Kindle Fire HD costs $19