-
South East Asia
Cambodia’s opposition demands investigation of election irregularities
After nearly three decades of autocratic rule, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen may be facing his biggest political dilemma in years, with his party’s parliamentary majority vastly eroded in weekend elections by a burgeoning opposition that could block his forming a government. But the farmer’s son whose favorite pastime is…
Read More » -
South Asia
Over 250 inmates escape from central jail in Pakistan after armed Taliban’s attack
Prison guards said Tuesday that they were totally overwhelmed when around 150 heavily armed Taliban fighters staged a late-night attack on their jail in northwest Pakistan, freeing over 250 prisoners including over three dozen suspected militants. It was the second such attack by the Taliban on a prison in the…
Read More » -
The role of Provincial Women Development Councils in Afghanistan
Since 2001, integrating gender sensitivity into national policy making and implementation has taken the centre stage for most development initiatives in Afghanistan. A chain of developments focusing on enhancing the role and contribution of Afghan women towards national development has underscored the relevance of mainstreaming gender into the national development…
Read More » -
West Asia
Israel-Palestine negotiators shake hands as peace talks resume in Washington
Why does it matter? Resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would remove a major source of instability in the Middle East, reduce the risk of war there and improve U.S. ties with the Arab and Muslim world. A peace deal, to be endorsed by 57 Muslim and Arab nations, would end Israel’s…
Read More » -
“Distance makes the heart grow fonder”
Interview with the Philippine Ambassador to Korea Luis Cruz Going back and forth between Korea and Singapore has become routine for Ambassador Luis and Minda Cruz. They joined the Foreign Service together in 1983 and have been on joint and separate missions from London, Beijing, Malaysia, and Singapore to Korea.…
Read More » -
tobechecked
-
South Asia
Nepal’s mountaineer Serchan tries to regain Mt. Everest Record at 83
Kathmandu: An octogenarian Nepali mountaineer, whose Guinness World Record as the oldest man to conquer Mt. Everest, the highest peak of the world, was breached by a Japanese octogenarian in May this year, is planning to climb the peak again in Spring next year. Onetime Guinness World Record holder octogenarian…
Read More » -
South Asia
Sri Lankans urges Indian gov’t not to interfere with their internal affairs
A protestor holds a placard with a photograph of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during a protest by Federation of National Organizations, a collective of nationalistic groups, outside the Indian High Commission in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Monday, July 29, 2013. The protestors urged India not to interfere in Sri Lanka’s…
Read More » -
West Asia
Tunisian PM rejects demands to step down and promises to hold election in December
In a defiant speech, Tunisia’s prime minister rejected opposition demands that his government step down and promised on Monday to complete the country’s democratic transition with a new constitution by August and elections in December. The assassination of two opposition legislators over the last six months has plunged Tunisia –…
Read More » -
South East Asia
Indonesian activists protest against Sumatran tiger trade on Global Tiger Day
A Muslim activist with face painted to resemble a tiger, takes part in a protest against Sumatran tiger trade that marks the Global Tiger Day, in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, July 29, 2013. Sumatran tiger is the world’s most critically endangered tiger subspecies with fewer than 400 remain in the wild…
Read More »