-
South East Asia
Significant messages for Filipinos
As the year 2014 began, we celebrated the feast of the Three Kings also known as the Epiphany of Christ to commemorate the day when Christ manifested himself before the three wise men from the East. It may be worthwhile to cite a layman’s point of view of its message,…
Read More » -
South East Asia
Hasina wins election: political conflict persists
The Bangladesh Awami League (AL) president Sheikh Hasina has become the prime minister of the government again for the third time, as her party has achieved massive victory in the just-concluded parliament elections. The AL secured 232 seats in the 300-seat unicameral Jatiya Sangsad (parliament). Sheikh Hasina, who was sworn…
Read More » -
South East Asia
Thai protesters vow to annul Feb. 2 national election, step up rallies
Thai protesters vowed Monday to stage larger rallies in central Bangkok and push ahead their efforts to nullify the results of elections that were expected to prolong a national political crisis. Despite fears of violence, voting proceeded peacefully in 90 percent of polling stations. The protesters forced polling booths…
Read More » -
South East Asia
Haiyan, the agony you left and heroes you brought!
I have been to Tacloban City many times before, and have also visited other places in the provinces of Leyte and Samar. These are in the Eastern Visayas region of the Philippines. These places are exceptionally beautiful, especially Tacloban City, the major trading and commercial hub in the region. This…
Read More » -
South East Asia
[Photo Break] Rise and shine!
The photo taken on Dec. 20, 2012 shows the Borobudur stupas during sunrise in Central Java, Indonesia. Borobudur is a 9th-century Mahayana Buddhist Temple. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991 and confirmed as the largest temple in the world by the Guiness World Records in…
Read More » -
East Asia
[Books] Israel, living on the edge
[BOOKS] My Promised Land The Triumph and Tragedy of Israel By Ari Shavit | Spiegel & Grau | 2013 Winner of the Natan Book Award, My Promised Land, by esteemed Israeli journalist Ari Shavit presents an honest, balanced and comprehensive view of Israel. Shavit uses the past to shed…
Read More » -
South East Asia
Lessons from ASEAN engagement with Myanmar
In the mass media, Korea is mentioned more often than not as a wholesome personality. It is when the headlines turn to “Tension in the Korean Peninsula” that its split personality becomes evident. Then we begin to see Korea described in diverse terms such as North and South as well…
Read More » -
East Asia
Korean rage over Dokdo not helping their claim
In late October, Korean and international newspapers reported on the military exercises the South Korean army held at the tiny Korean island of Dokdo. The picture was impressive: the soldiers in full battle gears, choppers and warships were present in the footage. The footage looked good, and this is why…
Read More » -
South East Asia
Thai crisis deepens as protest leader urges PM to resign after violent clashes
The United Nations closed its main office in Bangkok, dozens of schools closed and many civil servants stayed away from work Monday as the Thai capital braced for more violence in a spiraling political crisis. After a weekend of chaos in pockets of Bangkok, protesters vowed to push ahead with…
Read More » -
East Asia
[Books] Meet Malala
I Am Malala The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban By Malala Yousafzai with Christina Lamb | Little, Brown and Company | 2013 Malala Yousafzai, the brave Pakistani girl who stood up for education and was shot in the head by the Taliban, writes…
Read More »