Asia Pacific News Blog

APU Person of the Year -- Aung Sun Suu Kyi

2010-12-31T19:27:00.000-08:00

SACRAMENTO -- Aung Sun Suu Kyi is AsiaPacificUniverse.com's Person of the Year for 2010. The activist was released from house arrest by the Myanmar government on 13 November 2010.

Suu Kyi was also this site's person of the year in 2003.

The November 2010 release was ordered by the Myanmar courts on August 2009. She was last arrested on May 30, 2003 and her captivity has been extended three times since then. Her release shortly after the ruling party scored a landslide in nationwide elections is seen by many analysts as a sign of confidence on the part of the government.

Burma opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi Photo: AFP/GETTY (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/burmamyanmar/8234451/Aung-San-Suu-Kyi-calls-for-Burma-national-reconciliation.html)

The Nobel Prize winner spoke to a jubilant crowd of supporters after her release. She has been under arrest for 15 of the least 20 years.

On Dec. 27 she vistied her mother's tomb on the latter's 22nd death anniversary.

In a statement released on Friday, Suu Kyi called on the people of Myanmar to pull together for the sake of the nation. She said that the time was right for "national reconciliation as well as a truly united spirit."

For more biographical information, see our write-up from 2003: http://asiapacificuniverse.com/features/person_year03.htm.

Aung Sun Suu Kyi is the second person to win this honor twice, and the first to win twice on her own. Kim Dae-jung and Kim Jong-il share the Person of the Year award in 2001 and Kim Jong-il again won on his own in 2006.

Barack Obama is APU Person of the Year in 2009

2009-12-31T20:39:00.000-08:00

Barack Obama claimed this year to be America's first "Pacific president." Born and raised mostly in Hawai'i and partly in Indonesia, Obama is celebrating his holidays in the islands with his family and his sister's family. AsiaPacificUniverse.com recognizes Barack Obama as a Pacific president and has chosen him as 2009's Person of the Year.

There were some other good contenders this year including Japan's new prime minister Yukio Hatoyama and his "New Age" wife Miyuki.

Miyuki made headlines this year as Japan's first wife of a Japanese prime minister to claim she had visited the planet Venus! The prime minister himself ushered in a new era in Japan when he defeated the old ruling party candidate -- something done only once before since World War II.

Obama's story is well-known by now but indeed he is the first American president raised in the Pacific islands and Asia. Except for four years spent on Java in the nation of Indonesia from ages six to 10, Obama was raised entirely in Hawai'i.

His parents met while both were attending the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. They divorced shortly after he was born, and Obama's mother -- the former Stanley Ann Dunham -- would eventually marry Lolo Soetoro, an Indonesian business man.

So indeed, Obama has a genuine Asia Pacific experience, which he proudly claims and still revisits on his regular vacations to Hawai'i. His sister, Maya, is half-Indonesian and she is married to a Canuck of Chinese extraction. Maya and her husband Konrad Ng have two children Suhaila and Savita.

Obama also has the distinction of being the nation's first African American president -- something many Americans did not think was possible yet. Indeed there were some who thought it would take 50 years or 100 years before America would be ready to elect a black president.

Maybe his electoral accomplishment alone would have been enough to earn him the distinction of this year's Person of the Year, however, the campaign was over before the year started.

In his first year in office, Obama faced what was probably the hardest start in the White House since the days of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The country had plunged into the greatest recession since the Great Depression of FDR's time.

He faced the problems of wrapping up one war in Iraq, while trying to solve and increasingly difficult conflict in Afghanistan. And the same time, he was determined to fulfill his promise of reforming America's healthcare system in his first year in office.

Should he succeed in this latter goal -- and things look good right now -- then he will have accomplished the most sweeping social reform since Social Security. Maybe the heathcare bill is not what some of his more progressive supporters were hoping for. However, the reform is still very significant and will greatly change the landscape as we know it today.

The president got a bit of surprise late in the year when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Ironically the announcement of his win came just shortly before Obama was to decide to increase America's troop presence in Afghanistan.

Obama also had to swallow a bit of a bitter pill at United Nations climate change conference in Copenhagen, Denmark. Due to the Senate''s busy schedule working on healthcare reform, they were not able to pass a climate change bill. Still, the president was able to reach a non-binding agreement at Copenhagen, that could be pushed through the legislature next year. That's not a bad turnaround for a nation that refused to participate at all at the last climate change conference in Kyoto. And the new agreement will also include emerging nations like China and India agreeing for the first time to set legally binding limits on their greenhouse gas emissions.

Yes, it was a whirlwind year for both the country and the president. Both had to get accustomed to something that America has not seen before -- a black first family in the White House.

While Barack Obama's popularity is not soaring like it did when he was first inaugurated, a recent poll showed that the president is still by far the most admired man in the country. He faces a challenge in 2010 making sure that his party does not lose anymore seats in Congress, especially in the Senate. So far, it has been extremely difficult for him to pass legislation due to the number of conservative Democrats in that legislative body. Many think that the tide is going against him, but Obama has shown before that he fights best when behind. He did not graduate magna cum laude from Harvard Law School for nothing. This is one smart cookie!

We congratulate President Barack Obama for his great accomplishments as the country's first black and Pacific president, and are we are proud to choose him as our Person of the Year for 2009.

Green economy and Copenhagen

2009-11-04T18:23:00.000-08:00

As the United Nations climate change conference in Copehagen approaches, we should examine all the reasons for a green economy rather than simply focusing on climate change.

Of course, climate change is what the conference is about, but there is so much disinformation about the "consequences" of climate change action that need to be cleared up.

So here's a list, probably not complete, of additional good reasons to establish a green economy that will help reduce carbon emissions:

Energy independence. President Barack Obama actually campaigned more on this issue than climate change in addressing environmental concerns. It is more of a nationalistic concern. For example, it would not make a good argument in Saudi Arabia.
Peak oil. Yes, many people have forgotten about this in the whole climate change debate. Petroleum is not a sustainable resource! At some point, most experts, even those in the oil industry, agree that oil reserves will no longer be able to keep up with demand. Which nations will fare well when oil prices start going through the roof? Obviously those that have made the adjustments toward renewable energy sources and conservation will be in the driver's seat.
Pollution. Let's not forget that among the the leading causes of cancer are the carcinogens contained in industrial waste and pollutants. These carcinogens are contaminating the food and water chain. Air pollution also contributes seriously to public health problems. The cost of cleaning up contaminated water and land continues to rise. Pollution directly impacts many industries. For example, fertilizers that runoff into the Gulf of Mexico have created vast dead zones where fisheries and other sea-based industries are impossible.
If you're a nature lover, a bird watcher, a hunter, a fisherman (or fisherwoman), or anyone else who likes the outdoors, then you need to think about the green economy. A lot of these people already know this even among people who are politically conservative. The old-timers especially have seen the changes that have occurred in the last few decades in many ecosystems.
Economy. The big deception out there is that a green economy will somehow translate to lost jobs, and that it will cost too much. The reality is that it will cost too much not to have a green economy. Ask any economic analyst where the world economy is heading in the future. It's not really a secret anymore. Those nations that do not make the adjusments now will be dependent on those nations that do.

Obama's Olympics setback

2009-10-02T19:33:00.000-07:00

Better to try and lose, than never to play the game. I don't really think Obama suffers anymore from having personally lobbied for Chicago, as compared to him not getting personally involved. Either way, his critics were going to chalk it up as a loss for the president. Actually, I see him gaining from making the effort.

As for Obama's accomplishments after less than three quarters in office, there is quite a list of them. For example, the first Latina Supreme Court Justice and more headway on universal healthcare than any previous president. Let's remember that the public option never got out of committee before.

Urban planning and the Metro Manila Floods

2009-10-02T16:51:00.000-07:00

Typhoon Ondoy dumped a record rainfall over the Philippine capital of Manila causing flooding beyond anything in memory, even for a city fairly used to high water.

A lot of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's enemies have been blaming her for the severity of the disaster, but this isn't really fair. Indeed, whatever failings the Macapagal government may have, it actually has done more than its predecessors in a number of key areas.

Probably highest on this list of accomplishments is cleaning out the Pasig River, and at least attempting to move back the shantytowns on its banks at least 3 meters from the water. There have also been pumping stations built to deal with waters that flood these areas.

Massive scale of flood

However, it would have been difficult to prepare for a disaster of this magnitude. Even developed countries like the United States have difficulties when record natural disasters of any type strike. The Hurricane Katrina example is just one of many. So, rather than spend time laying blame, it might be a better idea to look ahead and plan for such occurrences in the future. And given the forecasts of global warming and rising sea levels, we should expect serious events to become more normal than they were before.

The natural inclination is to build higher and stronger dikes and levees to keep the water within the banks of rivers, creeks, canals, etc.

However, there are problems to this unnatural solution. As we can see from what happened in New Orleans in the United States, water barriers are not really the ideal solution.

Flood plains like New Orleans and Manila depend on sediment deposits from flooding to replenish the soil. When the floodwaters are blocked, the deposits stop but the loss of earth continues due to drainage, wind, and other factors. This loss of earth causes the city to actually sink lower and lower as in the case of New Orleans.

Ecological solutions for flooding

Here are a few things that have been done or have been suggested to manage flooding in areas like Manila that is ecologically sustainable.

Reduce drainage by building more tree and green cover, and by building green roofs and architectures. Trees and plants hold water and they also help create ecosystems. The fallen fruit, leaves, twigs, and the dead insects, lizards and other varmints that live in these ecosystems decompose and become part of the soil. Pavement contributes nothing and does not completely stop rain from draining off soil. Promote urban gardening in abandoned lots and encourage the use of compost bins.
Do not let squatters rebuild their lost or destroyed homes near the rivers, creeks, estuaries, etc. The government needs to use some of its foreign reserves to build subsidized housing for these shantytown dwellers. Keep as much area as possible near the river banks clear from buildings.
Create a system that can charge the ground with composted, treated sewage instead of letting it run into the Manila Bay.
Create a high tech solution that can pump some of the silty flood water in an orderly way into parks, golf courses, even private lawns. Maybe a separate type of watering system can be created.
The government must enforce prohibitions on illegal activities on waterways that impede the natural flow of water. At the same time, it must provide those who depended on such illegal livelihoods with alternative methods of earning a living.

The government should implement these measures not only in Manila but in other urban areas of the country. No excuses about not having any money. If they need more money, then they should raise more money. That's their responsibility.

"Dr. Doom" and the "Black Swan" discuss economy's future

2009-02-09T20:26:00.000-08:00

Nouriel Roubini and Nassim Taleb talk about the economy on CNBC. They are known respectively as "Dr Doom" and the "Black Swan" for their gloomy forecasts that correctly predicted the current crisis.

During the recent Davos summit, top CEOs from around the world waited in line for hours to hear these two analysts speak.

Neither of them have much faith in President Barack Obama's economic team as it consists mainly of people whose economic philosophy they deem responsible for the current economic woes.

Comment: Recovery money is sitting in hedge funds

2009-01-19T13:02:00.001-08:00

Fareed Zakaria on CNN the other day said that outgoing US president's George W. Bush's worse mistake was cutting taxes on the rich.

Bush not only cut higher tier taxes he also restructured the tiers basically lumping together the super rich with the moderately rich and then lowering both of their taxes. It was the last phase in a process that began in the Reagan years.

While Republicans like to criticize "socialist" redistribution of wealth, what has happened over the last few decades is a redistribution of wealth from the middle class and the poor to the rich.

Money that used to be in the savings of ordinary Americans is now sitting in derivative markets, in which average players are locked out. These markets are designed to allow the super rich to win, but to protect them from losing, i.e., they're rigged.

When Japan's real estate market melted down, the Japanese government was able to borrow from its people, who had stockpiles of money, at almost no interest. Actually it would have been better off just taxing the people.

Because by borrowing the money, it just transferred the problem of the Japan's banks to the central government.

Now, corporate types like to criticize the central government, but many in the corporate world are looking to the central government for help. The fact is that a country's economy is closely tied to the performance of the central government and the central bank.

The Japanese people could have easily just given the government the money not obliging them, i.e., the taxpayer, to pay it back. You see how there is a wasteful cycling of money here. The Japanese had sufficient savings to absorb such higher taxes. As it was, they ended up straddling the central government with debt that it's still trying to pay back.

Now, the American people have very little savings to offer the government for bailout money. Much of the needed money again is sitting in the derivative funds of the wealthy.

These wealthy elites want to lend the government the money instead of paying it in taxes. But who pays for the loans?

Yes, the taxpayer will eventually pay for those loans. So again we see a wasteful cycling of money that benefits the wealthy and will leave the central government swimming in red ink.

And again the central government is important to the economy. Just look at all the people in Wall St. and elsewhere looking to the central government at this time of crisis.

So basically, big deficit spending is just transferring the problems of Wall St, the auto industry, etc. to the central government.

Holistically, a deficit spending plan will not work in actually repairing the economy because there actually must be a healthy redistribution of wealth, a reversal of the redistribution of wealth that has occurred over the last 25 years. Debt spending does not get that job done.

Coral Triangle faces massive bleaching event

2009-01-07T07:11:00.000-08:00

A hot summer could cause a massive bleaching event in the Coral Triangle, the world's most diverse marine area, environmentalists warn.

The Coral Triangle stretches from the Philippines and Sabah, on the island of Borneo, through Eastern Indonesia to Papua New Guinea.

Coastal marine resources could be impacted by the event, and similar bleaching episodes are predicted to happen more frequently int he future because of global warming.

Indonesia will hold the Coral Triangle Initiative Summit in May on the island of Sulawesi to address the problems facing the rich marine area.

Power Boat - World
Colourless corals spell doom
New Straits Times, Malaysia - Dec 19, 2008
The Coral Triangle, which stretches from the Philippines to Malaysia (Sabah) and Papua New Guinea, is home to 75 per cent of all known coral species, ...
Massive Coral Bleaching Could Decimate SE Asia’s Coral Triangle ... Earthtimes (press release)
Scientists predict coral destruction Sydney Morning Herald
Indigenous insights help save coral reefs ABC Online

Max Keiser: World in deep recession

2009-01-02T12:04:00.000-08:00

Economic analyst Max Keiser talks about a deep world recession on al-Jazeera television.

He talks about a "black hole" of American debt created by short-selling and other schemes that is greater than the combined American wealth.

Countries like South Korea and Taiwan have been turning a wary eye on American treasuries making it difficult for the U.S. to finance its recovery plans.

In the latest economic news from the United States, manufacturing fell to a 28-year low in December.

ABC News

Manufacturing falls to 28-year low
Bizjournals.com - 1 hour ago
Manufacturing activity fell to its lowest point in 28 years as factories are slashing capacity in the face of weakening demand, according to an analysis of December factory data released Friday by the Institute for Supply Management.
Manufacturing index drops to 28-year low The Associated Press
US Economy: Manufacturing Shrinks as Orders Hit 60-Year Low Bloomberg

The Dalai Lama is APU Person of the Year

2008-12-31T14:15:00.000-08:00

His Holiness the Dalai Lama is AsiaPacificUniverse.com's Person of the Year for 2008.

Among the other contenders were Bangladesh's new Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who was reelected after being ousted and briefly imprisoned on corruption charges in 2001. Hasina is the daughter of the country's founding leader Shiekh Mujibur Rehman. The charges against Hasina have been "frozen" but not dismissed.

Another in close contention was Thailand's ousted leader T haksin Shinawatra, who from exile abroad has managed to maintain influence in the country. Although Thaksin's party was recently booted from leadership by Thailand's courts, his supporters have turned the tables around the opposition. Using the same tactics as the latter, Thaksin supporters have taken to the streets attemtping to disrupt particularly the workings of the new parliamentary leadership.

The Dalai Lama though was judged as the person from the Asia Pacific region that most dominated the news headlines. The spiritual head of the Tibetan people, who fled Tibet in 1959, fell ill a few times this year causing worries among his people and other supporters. He was hospitalized for awhile and forced to cancel some engagements.

However, the Dalai Lama still had a year that most people would have considered very busy with his schedule taking him to a host of countries. The holding of the 2008 Beijing Olympics focused the spotlight a bit more than usual on the leader as Tibetans held many protests in the leadup to the games. China opened up a dialogue with Tibetan representatives as the event approached, but many viewed the overture as a propaganda tactic by Beijing.

The Dalai Lama reiterated his position repeatedly this year that he was seeking only autonomy and not independence for Tibet.

In December, the Dalai Lama met with French president and current European Union chief Nicolas Sarkozy, a move that sparked outrage in China. Beijing said the move could hurt trade relations between China and France. The Tibetan leader also addressed the European Parliament in Brussels, something that would have been unthinkable not too long ago.

"When China becomes more democratic, with freedom of speech, with rule of law and particularly with freedom of the press ... once China becomes an open, modern society, then the Tibet issue, I think within a few days, can be solved," the Dalai Lama said during the address.

He also said that Tibetan culture could help China solve some of its problems with corruption. Noting that modern Chinese are always thinking of "money, money, money," he said: "The best way to counter corruption is self discipline, so therefore Tibetan cultural heritage certainly can help immensely many Chinese -- already I think a few hundred thousand Chinese -- I think nearly a million already following Tibetan Buddhism."

The Dalai Lama was born Lhamo Thondup and was chosen for his office in 1937 after four years of searching in the traditional Tibetan manner. He has ruled the Central Tibetan Administration, a government in exile, since 1959 from the town of Dharamsala in northern India. He is closely associated with the Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism although the official leader of the group is the Ganden Tripa.

In his most recent official statement, the Dalai Lama praised actions within China on the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. He called for the release of prisoners of conscience like Hu Jia:

I am greatly encouraged by the launching of a Charter ’08 by academics, artists, farmers and lawyers in China on the occasion of the 60^th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Their call for political, legal and constitutional reform is admirable.

I personally believe that President Hu Jintao’s call for a harmonious society is a laudable initiative that can provide space to the viewpoints being expressed by a growing number of Chinese people. A harmonious society can only come into being when there is trust among the people, freedom from fear, freedom of expression, rule of law, justice and equality.

I would like to urge the Chinese leadership to consider making efforts to bring about unity and stability in a civilized way.

I would also like to take this opportunity to call upon the government of the People’s Republic of China to release prisoners of conscience, including Hu Jia, who have been detained for exercising their freedom of expression.

At age 73, the Dalai Lama continued to travel the world in 2008 despite health difficulties and captured headlines as he tirelessly campaigned for his people. He has long been a fixture on the world stage, and this year was one of his most prominent in recent memory.

Hasina returns to office in big win

2008-12-30T06:08:00.000-08:00

Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the first woman to lead this predominantly Muslim nation, will return to power after a stunning win by her party, officials said.

Her Awami League party took 255 of 300 seats in the Bangladesh Parliament. Hasina was stripped of office on corruption of charges in 2001 and temporarily arrested. Charges against her have been "frozen" but not dropped.

Hasina posts landslide Bangladesh win
United Press International - 1 hour ago
DHAKA, Bangladesh, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will return to power after her party posted a landslide win in national elections, officials said.
Secular Party Wins Landslide Vote in Bangladesh New York Times
Profile of Bangladesh's new leader International Herald Tribune

Pakistan deploys new troops near Indian border

2008-12-26T07:13:00.000-08:00

Pakistan is moving troops from Taliban-infested regions near the Afghanistan border to its border region with India escalating tensions with New Delhi.

Intelligence sources say that the Pakistan army's 14th Division was being redeployed to the towns of Kasur and Sialkot, close to the Indian border. They said some 20,000 troops were on the move. Earlier Friday, a security official said that all troop leave had been canceled. The troops are being moved from the Waziristan area, a hotbed of insurgent activity, an action likely to draw the ire of NATO forces in Afghanistan. Western countries have clamored for Pakistan to focus more attention in this region to prevent cross-border attacks into Afghanistan.

Canada.com

Pakistan moves troops toward Indian border
The Associated Press - 32 minutes ago
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) - Pakistan began moving thousands of troops to the Indian border Friday, intelligence officials said, sharply raising tensions triggered by the Mumbai terror attacks.
Pakistan moves troops to Indian border Sydney Morning Herald
Pakistan puts troops on alert CNN International

Canada.com

Pakistan scrambles jets on India's threat

2008-12-22T20:03:00.000-08:00

Just when it seemed things were quieting down between India and Pakistan following the Mumbai attacks, tensions have again erupted with Pakistan scrambling intercepters over its major cities on Monday.

Pakistan's action came as a response to a statement by India's Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee that his country was keeping all options open including possible "precision strikes" on terrorist training camps within Pakistan.

Pakistani Jets Scramble as India Hardens Tone
Washington Post - 1 hour ago
By Rama Lakshmi NEW DELHI, Dec. 22 -- In signs of growing regional tension since the Mumbai attacks last month, Pakistan scrambled fighter jets over several of its larger cities Monday, and India's foreign minister told a gathering of Indian diplomats ...
India Gives Pakistan Letter Said to Be Gunman’s New York Times
Mullen In Pakistan As Tension With India Escalates AHN
Video: Mumbai quick to reopen attacked hotels - 21 Dec 08 AlJazeeraEnglish
India threatens Pakistan as Mumbai hotels reopen Telegraph.co.uk

Terrorized Mumbai hotel reopens

2008-12-21T12:18:00.000-08:00

Mumbai is gradually returning to normal after the terrorist attacks last month. Parts of the Taj Mahal and Trident hotels have opened up for business again.

Some parts of these hotels though will take months to restore.

The Leopold Cafe, a favorite among foreigners, reopened weeks ago and is slowly recovering its old clientele.

USA Today

Return to Mumbai
Aljazeera.net - 36 minutes ago
By Todd Baer in Mumbai For nearly one month, Mumbai has been a city with a deep and painful wound, as people tried to recover from a series of brazen and particularly personal attacks on its most famous landmarks.
Video: Mumbai hotel reopens -21 Dec 08 AlJazeeraEnglish
Targeted Mumbai hotels open with tighter security The Associated Press

Mumbai terrorists more tech-savvy than police

2008-12-14T08:27:00.000-08:00

The attackers who terrorized Mumbai were more sophisticated than the city's police forces according to security experts.

Attackers had studied satellite maps and were equipped with global positioning devices, and both voice-over-internet and satellite phones.

Mumbai attackers more tech savvy than the police Sun Dec 14, 10:53 am ET

Indian police were unable to track either the satellite or internet communications of the attackers. Also, the Mumbai terrorists had night vision googles, which not only the police but even the National Security Guard commandos from Delhi lacked.

Video: Riz Khan - Mumbai's terror probe - Dec 10 - Part 1 AlJazeeraEnglish

TVNZ

Pakistan downplays ‘incursions’ by Indian aircraft
Taipei Times - 31 minutes ago
Pakistan downplayed alleged Indian violations of its airspace, suggesting yesterday that the breaches were “inadvertent” and “technical” in an apparent bid to avoid worsening tensions following the Mumbai attacks last month.
Pakistan downplays airspace breach by Indian jet fighters (Roundup) Monsters and Critics.com
Pakistan airspace violations 'inadvertant' United Press International

Jim Rogers on rise of China

2008-12-08T10:32:00.000-08:00

Economist and investor Jim Rogers speaks in the Netherlands about the economic rise of China.

He thinks it's possible that China's markets have bottomed, but whatever the case, he sees the Chinese as among the world's best capitalists, if not the best, despite being a communist country. Rogers is teaching his daughters Chinese and lives in Singapore.

Personally, while I think China may indeed be the most important single economic power in the future, we will see a trend were regions rather than nations set the trends. Thus blocks like the Asian Union, European Union, etc. will be important to watch.

Dalai Lama to meet Nicolas Sarkozy in EU

2008-12-06T09:00:00.000-08:00

The Dalai Lama will meet with France's President Nicolas Sarkozy in Poland amidst protests from China.

France holds the presidency of the European Union and Sarkozy is in Poland to meet with Eastern European members of the EU on climate change goals.

Beijing canceled an EU-China meeting last week and has threatened to cut multi-billion-dollar bilateral trade deals. Groups in China have also called for boycotts of French products. The Dalai Lama has called for "genuine autonomy" for Tibet and insists he is not a "separatist." He advocates "strictly non-violent methods" in his campaign.

Sarkozy would be the first leader to meet with the Dalai Lama while holding the EU's rotating six-month term as president.

BBCSerbian.com

Dalai Lama to meet Sarkozy in EU
BBC News - 1 hour ago
French President Nicolas Sarkozy is to meet the Dalai Lama in Poland, in a move that has angered Beijing. China has warned France that multi-billion-dollar bilateral trade deals could be harmed if the meeting with the Tibetan spiritual leader goes ...
Sarkozy set to meet Dalai Lama Aljazeera.net
France's Sarkozy meets Dalai Lama as China fumes Sydney Morning Herald

India and Russia ink nuclear deal

2008-12-05T20:55:00.000-08:00

After cementing an agreement with the United States for nuclear reactors earlier this year, India signed a nuclear pact with Russia for four new nuclear power plants.

Russia has built reactors for India in the past and is the main supplier of high tech weaponry for India's armed forces. The two signed a deal for 80 military helicopters and for more work on nuclear-powered submarines.

India is a massive country experiencing rapid growth but has few petroleum resources. However, India has major uranium and thorium reserves and is pursuing nuclear power to meet its energy needs.

Chandigarh Tribune

India: Nuclear Deal With Russia
New York Times - 2 hours ago
By REUTERS President Dmitri A. Medvedev signed agreements Friday to develop new nuclear plants in India. India had earlier signed a nuclear pact with the United States.
Video: Russia and India strike nuclear deal RussiaToday
India-Russia nuclear deal signed BBC News

China, India ask Obama for more on climate change

2008-12-04T10:22:00.000-08:00

Delegates from China and India at the Poznan forum on climate change have called on President-elect Barack Obama to pledge even deeper emissions cuts to tackle climate change.

“The current climate-change issue was caused by the excessive emissions by the industrialized nations in the process over 200 years of industrialization,” Su Wei, China's lead negotiator said. “They should bear the responsibility to address that problem.” Su said that Obama's promise to reduce U.S. greenhouse emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 is "not ambitious enough."

Obama's goals would fall under the limits set by the Kyoto Protocol for 2012, and well under the European Union pledge of a 20 percent cut by 2020.

Seattle Post Intelligencer

China, India Want More Commitment From Obama on Climate Change
Bloomberg - 5 hours ago
By Alex Morales Dec. 4 (Bloomberg) -- China and India, the developing nations with the highest carbon-dioxide emissions, want US President- elect Barack Obama to demonstrate more commitment in tackling climate change, delegates at United Nations talks ...
The young are the key to fighting climate change guardian.co.uk
US to leave door open on climate for Obama: officials AFP

An environmentalist from Oxfam protests in front of the buildings where the UN climate change conference is being held in Poznan December 4, 2008. Oxfam is demanding global action by rich countries to combat climate change. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel (POLAND)

India investigates attacks as Taj cleared of threats

2008-11-29T09:05:00.000-08:00

Indian security agencies began to unravel details of the Mumbai attacks on Saturday as commandos and police continued to sanitize the locations held by terrorists.

The death toll has risen to 183, not including 11 attackers, but could rise significantly as more bodies are discovered. According to reports, there was a stench in the Taj Mahal hotel apparently caused by decomposing bodies of those killed during the fighting.

Leaders of the security forces that battled the terrorists noted that the attackers were very well-trained and knew the locations well. Apparently some had come by sea while others had come earlier renting living quarters in Mumbai to prepare for the attack.

Intelligence officials are identifying clues that link the attack with al-Qaeda. For example, previous al-Qaeda attacks have also specifically requested the release of Muslim militants in Indian prisons.

Certain Indian and Pakistani terror groups linked closely with al-Qaeda have carried out frontal attacks with automatic weapons and grenades in India before although not on this scale. The specific targeting of Westerners and Israelis is a common al-Qaeda tactic but not seen in India before.

Also, the specific targeting of the orthodox Jewish Chabad House in Mumbai resembles an earlier plot by an Al-Qaeda affiliate group in Southeast Asia, Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) to attack the Chabad House in Bangkok, Thailand. There may even be a direct Southeast Asian connection as at least three of the militants pretending to be students carried Malaysian identity cards.

Mumbai attacks

Reaction to Mumbai attacks

Aljazeera.ne t
Mumbai attacks: Al-Qaeda methods & ideology
ABS CBN News, Philippines - 3 hours ago
These are tactics used by Al-Qaeda in past terror attacks, honed and passed along in its training camps; Lashkar-e-Toiba has long been linked to Al-Qaeda. ...
Al-Qaeda wants Pak to divert army to Indian border: journo IBNLive.com
Al Qaeda just one suspect in India terrorist attacks Los Angeles Times
Can al-Qaeda be Defeated? Times Online

Indian forces cleaning up terrorist pocket in Taj hotel

2008-11-28T17:22:00.000-08:00

Indian commandos apparently routed the last terrorist holdouts in the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai on Saturday morning.

The National Security Group said that three terrorists had died after a fierce battle that ignited a raging fire on the ground floor of the hotel.

There are still sanitizing operations that must be completed room-to-room to rescue people stranded in the hotel, clearing munitions and assuring that no terrorists are hiding in the building.

Indian forces fight last gunmen in hotel
International Herald Tribune - 1 hour ago
AP MUMBAI, India: Indian forces targeted the landmark Taj Mahal hotel with grenades and gunfire Saturday morning as suspected Muslim militants made a last stand, just hours after elite commandos stormed a Jewish center and found six hostages dead.

Gunfire and explosions rock Mumbai hotel Reuters UK

To watch live coverage on CNN-IBN, click on the link below:

http://www.cnn.com/video/flashLive/live.html?stream=stream2

Terrorists carry out coordinated attacks in Mumbai

2008-11-26T13:48:00.000-08:00

There is a live terrorist attack going on in Mumbai that is still out of control. Reportedly involves multiple gangs carrying out coordinated attacks throughout the city and taking foreign hostages at 5-star hotels.

You can watch live on CNN-IBN at the link below:

http://www.cnn.com/video/flashLive/live.html?stream=stream2

Thai protesters storm airport

2008-11-25T17:11:00.000-08:00

Tensions in Thailand escalated as protesters swarmned the Bangkok airport after a clash with government supporters.

Opponents of the Thai prime minister Somchai Wongsawat who is seen as an extension of ousted leader Thaksin Shinawatra shot at Somchai supporters in the capital. They are attempting to force the military to bring down the government in the same way they ousted Thaksin.

Military leaders in Thailand often act independently of the elected government, but Army commander Gen. Anupong Paochinda has vowed repeatedly not to stage a coup.

Thai protesters prepare for "final battle"

Anti government protesters in front of the departure terminal at Suvarnabhumi airport, Bangkok in the early hours of Wednesday Nov. 26, 2008. Outbound flights at Suvarnabhumi International Airport were temporarily suspended at 9 p.m. Tuesday, authorities said, shortly before hundreds of demonstrators _ some masked and armed with metal rods _ broke through police lines and spilled into the passenger terminal. (AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn)

WELT ONLINE

Protesters swarm Thai airport, takeoffs suspended
The Associated Press - 1 hour ago
BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) - Protesters swarmed Thailand's main international airport Tuesday, forcing the cancellation of departing flights just hours after their comrades opened fire on government supporters in a clash on the streets of the capital.
Thais Warn of Flight Chaos as Protesters Storm Bangkok Airport Bloomberg
Protesters besiege airport in bid to oust Thai govt Reuters India

APEC leaders vow to protect free trade

2008-11-23T15:14:00.000-08:00

Nations of the 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum meeting in Lima, Peru Saturday agreed to protect free trade and to work on fixing the world economy .

Although no specific measures were agreed upon, the grouping did pledge to cooperate on free trade issues. Some members are concerned about whether incoming president Barack Obama might review the current trade policy especially focusing on the NAFTA pact.

WELT ONLINE
APEC aims to restore confidence in world economy
Washington Post, United States - 28 minutes ago
On Saturday, APEC nations _ including those not represented at the Washington summit _ endorsed the conclusions of that meeting. Those included a pledge to ...

APEC Summit Wraps Up in Lima Voice of America
Apec leaders make free-trade vow BBC News

iPhone set for China launch?

2008-11-20T10:54:00.000-08:00

China Mobile is still in talks with Apple for the country's iPhone launch according to CEO Wang Jianzhou.

China, the world's largest mobile-services market with more than 600 million subscribers, still has not formally launched the iPhone.

3G (press release)
CEO says company still in talks with Apple for iPhone launch
MarketWatch - Nov 18, 2008
China, the world's largest mobile-services market with more than 600 million subscribers, is one of the few big markets in Asia where the iPhone is still ...
China Mobile Still in Talks With Apple Over IPhone PC World
Handset makers woo China MobileFierceWireless

iPhonesTalk
Apple job ad may signal Chinese iPhone launch coming
Ars Technica, MA - Nov 14, 2008
On the other hand, the job description is also vague enough that it could just be related to iPhone and iPod touch product development for Asian markets. ...
Apple Job Posting Hints to Near-Term Release of iPhone in China O'Grady's Power Page
Apple lists job posting for iPhone position in China MacNN
Apple: Getting Ready For iPhone China Launch? Barron's Blogs

Reuters

Google's anti iPhone
Report
Sep 23, 2008