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Justice

Embattled Pakistani prime minister could be removed from office

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's last hope to get an exemption from a contempt of court case has been dashed as the apex court dismisses his appeal on Friday. What consequence could it have on the Pakistani politics?

International Relations

'Room for growth'

India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (center) shakes hands with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso (right) as European Council President Herman Van Rompuy watches

The EU-India summit kicks off amid the euro crisis and recent scandals in the Indian government.

Pakistan

Pakistan's engagement with Iran is likely to offend West

Pakistani officials have said that they will host a trilateral counter-terrorism summit involving Iran and Afghanistan next week, which experts believe is likely to offend Washington.

'Border talks alone will not ease tensions:' Pakistan experts

NATO, Afghan and Pakistani commanders have held border talks on Wednesday in a bid to improve ties two months after a NATO air strike killed Pakistani soldiers. Experts say Pakistan expects more than a mere apology.

Building collapse points to poor safety standards

Residents and rescue workers dig through the rubble of a collapsed building in Lahore

Workers' unions and activists have accused the Pakistani government and factory owners of criminal negligence after the collapse of a multi-story factory in Lahore that left at least 16 dead.

Biker Moin Khan redefines his Pakistani identity

A few crashes and considerable weight loss have done nothing to dampen the spirit of the young Pakistani biker, Moin Khan, who, after being on the road for nearly seven months, is back in Pakistan with his family.

Stakes high for the Gandhis in Uttar Pradesh polls

The high-decibel battle for the ballot in Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous and politically crucial state, has begun with the credibility of the Gandhi dynasty at stake.

China

Abducted Chinese workers freed safe and sound

29 Chinese workers abducted by rebels in Sudan in late January have been released safe and sound. They were kidnapped amid a dispute between Khartoum and rebels.

China stops airlines from paying EU carbon tax

The Chinese government claims that newly introduced EU's Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) contradicts UN's convention on climate change and international civil aviation regulations.

China's 'objective and fair' Syria veto

In a bid to soften its veto against the UN resolution in Syria, China says it wants to see an end to violence, but it has had to reject the proposal because a vote was 'forced' despite differences.

Chinese Year of Culture in Germany avoids touchy issues

As the Chinese Year of Culture gets underway in Germany, there is a conspicuous absence of critical voices on the program. Instead, plenty of politically neutral music is scheduled.

Justice

Cambodia verdict

The life sentence for the Khmer Rouge's chief executioner is of significant symbolic importance.

Culture

'The mountain of trash'

What do spirituality and garbage dumps have in common? Director Mohan Kumar connects the two by examining a garbage dump near Kolkata. His attempt has earned his film, "Panchabhuta," a nomination at the Berlinale.

Afghanistan

Record number of civilian deaths in Afghanistan, UN says

As foreign troops in Afghanistan prepare for their final exit by the end of 2014, they're increasingly faced with the challenge of preventing civilian deaths, which have been on a steady rise for the past five years.

Pakistan denies secret support for Afghan Taliban

Pakistan's foreign minister has denied assertions in a leaked NATO report that Islamabad was secretly aiding the Taliban in Afghanistan. She labeled the claims 'old wine in an even older bottle.'

NATO endgame in Afghanistan sparks clash of paranoid fears

As NATO troops prepare to withdraw from Afghanistan by 2014, speculation is rife over what awaits the war-torn country when the transition period comes to an end and the era of transformation begins.

Changing Myanmar

Aung San Suu Kyi can run

When Aung San Suu Kyi registered on February 6, 2012 to run in the April 1 by-elections for the National League for Democracy a crowd of supporters cheered her on.
Changing Myanmar

The beginning

November 12, 2010, the day when opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was released from house arrest, marks the beginning of Myanmar’s change. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who fought relentlessly for the democratization of her country, was under house arrest for nearly two decades collectively.
Changing Myanmar

New president

At the beginning of February, 2011, the Burmese parliament elected Thein Sein as the country’s new president. The former military officer, under whose command crimes against humanity were committed, introduced surprising reforms.
Changing Myanmar

Political advances

In mid August, Aung San Suu Kyi met with Thein Sein for the first time. Just a few months prior to the event, such a meeting would have been unthinkable. Myanmar’s government hopes to win international appreciation by getting closer to Suu Kyi.
Changing Myanmar

Dam stopped

The government put an end to the construction of the controversial, mainly Chinese-funded Irrawaddy dam in September. It was the first act by the Naypyidaw government which showed recognition of general sentiment of the population, despite tensions it could have created in ties with China.
Changing Myanmar

US visit

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited the country for the first time on December 1, 2011 and thus officially honored the country’s reform process. She also made clear that the road to reform must continue.
Changing Myanmar

Release of political detainees

At the beginning of January, 300 prisoners received an amnesty. Among them were prominent dissidents. Prior to that, 200 prisoners were released in October, 2011, among them, the cabaret artist Zarganar. Nonetheless, many political detainees are still behind bars.
Changing Myanmar

End to armed conflict

At the beginning of 2012, the government met further demands from the West and decided to end armed conflict with the Karen, an ethnic rebel group in the eastern Thai border areas, by signing a an armistice.
Changing Myanmar

A sign of hope

The past few months have brought about tremendous change. The opposition hopes that it may take part in shaping the country’s future. The upcoming elections will show whether or not Myanmar is on the road to democracy.