In his New Year message to the Roman Catholics of Burma, Monsignor Charles Bo called for unity between the “different souls” of “this wonderful nation” and pointed particularly towards the Rohingya Muslims of western Burma, saying those born in the…
Category: Femina
Is meditation the best medicine?
Millions of people in ‘the developed world’ visit therapists for all sorts of emotional and psychological problems they find difficulty in coping with by themselves.
2014 to bring more social collapse
2014 is upon us. For a person who graduated from Georgia Tech in 1961, a year in which the class ring showed the same date right side up or upside down, the 21st century was a science fiction concept associated…
A year-end security review of Southern Asia
The year gone by saw both China and Pakistan become militarily more assertive on India’s borders than ever before in the last decade.
Nepal: The CA must be ultimate authority, President must resign
In Nepalese politics, the term of office of the president and vice-president has become a matter of major dispute among the political parties following the November 19 Constituent Assembly (CA) election.
Less than one third of Americans believe in evolution
I am not a militant atheist.
Palestinians should quit ‘peace negotiations’
The Palestinian negotiation team won’t listen to reason. There can’t be any just and permanent peace agreement between a Zionists dominated Israeli government and the original owners of the “Land of Palestine” as long as Zionist ideology determines Israeli policy.
Press freedom comes under threat in Southeast Asia
Two weeks after a Myanmar newspaper ran a story headlined “When bags of money replace judges in court” — highlighting corruption in the judicial system — one of its reporters was thrown in jail in a conviction the daily suggested…
Airpocalypse: China’s 4-year pollution plan
The plan for dealing with the overwhelming smog problem stifling China’s cities seems to be adaptation followed by clean up.
Oligarchs, demagogues, and mass revolts against democracy
In ancient Rome, especially during the late Republic, oligarchs resorted to mob violence to block, intimidate, assassinate or drive from power the dominant faction in the Senate.
Do we really want to share so much info?
The revelations this year by former CIA employee Edward Snowden that the US National Security Agency has been spying on the phone calls and e-mails of Americans, foreigners and their leaders were astounding and disturbing.
Financing of India’s Maoists
The raising of finances by terrorist/extremist groups has been a major source of concern for different world governments, as well as the United Nations, since the past many years.
Afghan Mujahideen and J&K: How real is the threat?
There has been a serious concern, at times even a threat perception, that after the American withdrawal in 2014, the Afghan mujahideen would enter into J&K, as they did after the Soviet withdrawal in 1989.
The Law or mayhem of The Sea Convention?
At the recently concluded Japan-ASEAN summit meeting in Tokyo, Dec 14, in a surprise move, Japan and the South East Asian nations reaffirmed their commitment to ensure “freedom of over flight” in the region, given the growing apprehensions and uneasiness…
The US-Iran compromise on Afghanistan
Over the last three decades the U.S. and Iran have identified each other as enemies and positioned themselves in opposition to each other on the international political stage.
Democracy Pays
In relatively large communities, individuals do not always obey the rules and often exploit the willingness of others to cooperate.
Remembering The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami
On 26 December 2004, the world witnessed a devastating natural disaster with an impact that still reverberates nine years later.
Nelson Mandela’s choice of a peaceful path
It was the manner of Nelson Mandela’s stubborn and steely resolve to stick to his goal of a peaceful political settlement in South Africa that sets him apart from other leaders.
The execution of Jang Sung-taek of North Korea
THE SUMMARY execution of North Korea’s second most powerful leader Jang Sung-taek, after a hurried trial by a military court for anti-state activities, has turned the spotlight on a likely power struggle among the leadership of the Pyongyang regime.
Guinness World Record for heart transplant patient
A British man has entered the record books as the worlds longest-surviving heart transplant patient.
Violence victim women, adolescents start new life journey
Twenty adolescents and young women, victims of violence, child marriage, dowry, torture, sexual abuse, trafficking and repression, began a new journey for construction their life again after ceremonial rehabilitation.
Congress finally helps Obama to release Guantánamo prisoners
I wrote the following article for the “Close Guantánamo” website, which I established in January 2012 with US attorney Tom Wilner.
The strip search of Devyani Khobragade
The servant or home helper is the fodder of gossip, a point of permanent distraction for their hirers.
Mandela is dead, so why hide the truth about apartheid?
Maybe the empire thought that we would not honor our word when, during days of uncertainty in the past century, we affirmed that even if the USSR were to disappear Cuba would continue struggling.
Developing economies’ myths and realities
The South Centre, an intergovernmental organization of developing countries, has good news about developing economies.
Senators to override Obama’s Iran veto
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has indicated he would bring a new Iran sanctions bill for a vote.
Global arms smuggler used fast, furious strategy against US
An international arms dealer is set to serve a 15-year sentence in federal prison for illegally obtaining and selling military hardware in a conspiracy that violated the Arms Export Control Act and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, as well…
China denounces Japanese military strategy
China has denounced Japan’s new national security strategy, accusing it of military expansion.
Syria crisis: ‘No deal’ on Iran presence at peace talks
International negotiators have failed to agree on whether to invite Iran to peace talks over the Syrian conflict, the UN-Arab League envoy on Syria said.
Astronauts step outside space station for holiday spacewalks
Two NASA astronauts have begun the first of three quickly planned spacewalks to fix a problem with the International Space Station’s vital cooling system.