ASIA: Rock Star's Expulsion Says No to Child Sex Tourists
By Marwaan Macan-Markar
BANGKOK - When a British rock star, convicted on paedophilia charges, was turned away at two Asian airports, this week, it was seen by child rights activists as a sign that this region will no longer tolerate sex tourism that exploits minors.
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CHINA: Agony Turns Ecstasy as Gold Medals Pile Up
By Antoaneta Bezlova
BEIJING - As China piles up gold medals, even the host nation has been watching in bewilderment. Despite popular expectations that China’s athletes would shine on home turf, the medal bonanza has surprised usually skeptical Chinese people.
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MIDDLE EAST: In the Race for Renewable Energy Sources
By Meena Janardhan
DUBAI - As the world scrambles to develop renewable energy resources (RES), the oil-rich Gulf countries that benefit from high prices on fossil fuels are making sure that they do not get left behind.
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SOUTH ASIA: Musharraf's Exit Leaves India Confused
Analysis by Praful Bidwai
NEW DELHI - India's Pakistan policy is in disarray following the resignation of Pervez Musharraf as president, to avoid impeachment, after almost nine years of authoritarian rule.
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AFGHANISTAN: Taliban Fill Power Void in Kabul?
Analysis by Anand Gopal
KABUL - The ambush that killed 10 NATO soldiers outside of Kabul on Tuesday, the worst battlefield loss for western forces since the war began, was the capstone in a week of high-profile insurgent activities in Afghanistan.
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US/PAKISTAN: Mystery Behind Aafia Siddiqi's 'Arrest' Deepens
By Zofeen Ebrahim
KARACHI - ‘’For you it’s just another story. If you want the truth go to Ghazni where you will get more than I can ever tell you about my sister," said a distraught Fouzia Siddiqi, speaking with IPS, in a voice breaking with helpless desperation.
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POLITICS: Bush Covered up Musharraf Ties with Qaeda, Khan
Analysis by Gareth Porter*
WASHINGTON - Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf's resignation Monday brings to an end an extraordinarily close relationship between Musharraf and the George W. Bush administration, in which Musharraf was lavished with political and economic benefits from the United States despite policies that were in sharp conflict with U.S. security interests.
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MALAYSIA: Crackdown on Civil Rights, Media Feared
By Baradan Kuppusamy
KUALA LUMPUR - A series of tough measures in recent weeks has raised fears of a major crackdown against tolerance and dissent as rival political forces battle for state power in a society made fragile by economic uncertainties and decades of autocratic rule.
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CULTURE-CHINA: Love a Peking Duck
By Antoaneta Bezlova
BEIJING - Is the Peking duck winning the contest? The jury is out on which Chinese specialty is going to be crowned as the Beijing Olympics’ most favorite local product.
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SOUTH-EAST ASIA: Mekong Flood Warning System Fails
By Marwaan Macan-Markar
BANGKOK - As communities along the Mekong River face some of the worst floods in decades, a flood warning network that combines scientific and local knowledge is under scrutiny. Activists say it has failed its first major test.
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