The economic crisis has finally reached South-Eat Asia and people are feeling its pinch. Governments are contemplating stimulus packages and layoffs have increased throughout the region.
The crisis is still in its early stages, but the number of layoffs is supposed to increase. Other countries suffering from this crisis in South-East Asia are China, Singapore, Malayasia, Indonesia and the Philippines. These countries are expected to sign free trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand.
Pakistan is passing the baton to India by blaming the 2007 Mumbai-Pakistan train blasts on India. These blasts were upon the “Samjhauta,” which is a train that runs between India and Pakistan. ”
“Qureshi told reporters in Multan that the Samjhauta Express incident and the Mumbai attacks were interconnected and that the probe could continue only if India responds to questions raised by Pakistan. If India wants the prosecution and conviction of persons responsible (for the Mumbai attacks), then they must answer our questions in a serious manner,” he said, referring to queries sent by Pakistan to India last week seeking more information about the November 26 terrorist incident.”
This comes at a time when the world is focusing its attention on Pakistan and its future actions. Passing the responsibility to India is a way of delaying a further probe into Pakistan’s involvement in the 2008 Mumbai blasts. It is a step back as Quereshi, Pakistan’s foregin minister, had earlier agreed to cooperate with India in persecuting Pakistani suspects.
Tamil pizza maker kidnapped four months ago was found dead in Afghanistan Monday, the Indian embassy confirmed. ” It is unclear if he was killed or left to die by his captors.” The unnamed militant group asked for a ransom of $200,000, but the Italian pizza company “Ciano International” could not negotiate a favorable ransom.
It is a little bizarre that an Afghanistani group would capture an unknown Indian. It is hard to figure out the motivation behind it. The only reasons I can figure out are those related to monetary issues and the obvious resentment of Indians. Still, the case is mind-boggling because the group cannot get any money, now that Simon is dead.
An American U.N. official has been kidnapped in Pakistan. I’m not sure whether I should be surprised or shocked because I’m not, not in the least. The victim this time is John Solecki, the head of the U.N High Commissioner for Refugees Office in Quetta. This comes right after Pakistan’s stance on terrorism is being contested by countries worldwide. The world witnessed the Mumbai attacks, which is being traced back to Pakistan. Even Obama says that Pakistan should improve its position on terrorism, in order to continue receiving aid from the U.S. This particular kidnapping is symbolic because it shows that Pakistan is still not ready or capable for humanitarian agencies to function safely.
A CNN article quoted a U.N. official. “We strongly condemn this attack on humanitarian workers in Pakistan who have been doing their utmost to deliver their humanitarian mission.” Hopefully, the Pakistani government comes through and is able to rescue Solecki. More importantly, will the government be able to curtail terrorist attacks? That is an important question.
I understand that using one’s Senate postion to get a better deal on a mortgage is against Senate ethics, but don’t we all abuse our status and our friends’ positions to a certain extent if we could? I have to agree with Roland Martin from CNN who said that on multiple occasions people use their friends.
“Do you remember when you were in high school and you found out that you had a buddy working at the movie theatre, your first thought had to be, Cool! I get to get in free! You could apply that same response to a girlfriend working at the fast food restaurant. Uh, oh, free burgers every Friday night! We are a nation that likes free stuff. And if we can bypass a line in order to feel privileged, we’ll do it.”
I’m surprised that a “scandal” that Senator Dodd has been charged for is coming out now. I find it hard to believe that not one Senator has ever used his/her position to gain some benefits. I’m sure if they have, they hide it better. Things come out sooner or later. Look at Spitzer. But I still stand by Dodd. Leave the man alone. Don’t movie stars cut their taxes because of their celebrity status? Maybe we should probe into that too.
This story is even hard to imagine. ” In a ritual that would terrify most mothers, Indian villagers have cheered as screaming babies were dropped from a 50-foot temple tower.” I have lived in India for 17 years, and yet I’ve never heard of it, but I’m niot surprised. People go through great lenghts to “bless” their babies. Villagers still hold onto tradtions that are “rooted in religion”, but clearly is ridiculous to anyone who is educated. However, that is the problem. Most of the people in villages are not educated and don’t have enough money or time to get one. They are more interested in earning money inb order to survive. This particular ritual is harlful to a child’s safety and it must be banned by the Indian governement. I’m surprised that I’ve never heard of it before. Maybe it’s one of those things the government does not want you to hear.
The Tamil tigers kill 100 Sri-Lankan troops. Thousands of Sri-Lankan troops have been killed so far. The Tigers are fighting for their own seperate state in the North-East portion of the country. The conflict started because the Tamils demanded equal rights as the Sri-Lankans. They were marginalized, and thus sought to violence in order to gain attention to their cause.
Since then, it has been a bloody affair. Violence is not the solution, but this contention will take more decades to reduce. I do not think the Tigers will stop at anything less than a new state, even though the Sri-Lankan government vows to eliminate them by 2009. I do not understand rebels who move to a new country and expect a new state. They should have stayed with their home country.
The Tamil tigers kill 100 Sri-Lankan troops. Thousands of Sri-Lankan troops have been killed so far. The Tigers are fighting for their own seperate state in the North-East portion of the country. The conflict started because the Tamils demanded equal rights as the Sri-Lankans. They were marginalized, and thus sought to violence in order to gain attention to their cause.
Since then, it has been a bloody affair. Violence is not the solution, but this contention will take more decades to reduce. I do not think the Tigers will stop at anything less than a new state, even though the Sri-Lankan government vows to eliminate them by 2009. I do not understand rebels who move to a new country and expect a new state. They should have stayed with their home country.
“More than 20,000 people have been killed on Mumbai’s notoriously overcrowded train system over the past five years — many of them crushed, run over, or electrocuted — according to official data.” This is a sad state of Indian transportation because the public cannot even expect basic safety. These large number of tragedies occur because the trains are over-crowded. People are hanging outside the compartments. The Indian government should establish a limit on the number of people allowed in each cart. However, this will take time because of the large number of people who are dependent on trains for their daily transportation. But, if China can do it, so can India.
The first direct train between Bangladesh and India in more than four decades has been resumed. “The inaugural train — decorated with garlands and festoons — started off Monday amid performances by traditional musicians from Dhaka’s Cantonment Railway Station”. This is a positive step in repairing the relations between Bangladesh and India. It also gives people from both countries to reunite with their relatives and friends. Hopefully, this train will continue without much interference by militant and activist groups. We will have to wait and see.
