In2Peace

Bangladesh fails Sidr victims

2008-11-22T07:19:00.000-08:00

Seen on: YouTube

Life after Cyclone Sidr, has been mixed for its survivors. After a year of promises by the mostly corrupt Bangladeshi administration, people are putting their lives back-together with assistance from non-governmental organizations.

The New Rulers of the World

2008-11-22T06:18:00.000-08:00

Seen on: YouTube

John Pilger's The New Rulers of the World tackles the double standards inherent in the politics of globalization. It sets out to explain something of the "new" order--the unholy alliance of business interests and imperial repression--and the importance of breaking the silence that protects great power and its manipulations.

Obama And The Presidency

2008-11-17T04:14:00.000-08:00

Seen on: CBS News - 60 Minutes

Since Barack Obama was elected the 44th president of the USA, he has largely remained out of sight, getting high-level government briefings and conferring with his transition team. But he eventually surfaced, alongside his wife Michelle to give 60 Minutes his first post-election interview.

Inside Kandahar

2008-11-16T09:39:00.000-08:00

Seen on: YouTube

Civilians in Afghanistan have paid the heavist price for the conflict in their country, caught up almost daily in both Taliban attacks and air raids by US force.

The Oxford Project

2008-11-16T09:21:00.000-08:00

Sarah Palin would call this place, and these people, the real America - Joe the Plumber country. But Oxford's plumber, Calvin Colony, keeps pet lions ("You can train 'em, but you can never tame 'em") and makes annual treks to a nudist resort in the Caribbean. The Oxford Project is full of such small, exquisite discoveries - personal stories that defy and debunk the stereotypes of smalltown America.

Via Philadelphia Inquirer

Image Day - Jabalia Camp

2008-11-16T05:43:00.000-08:00

Palestinians read a sign on the gate of the United Nations distribution center at the Jabalia refugee camp. The camp was established after the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict for 35,000 refugees who had fled from villages in southern Palestine.

>> Photo by AP

Dubya's Capitalism

2008-11-14T02:08:00.000-08:00

Seen on: YouTube

While advocating regulatory reform and new rules on accounting and fraud, President George W. Bush yesterday said world leaders should rely on capitalism and free markets to see them through the financial turmoil.

Obama and the Middle East

2008-11-12T06:27:00.000-08:00

Seen on: The Economist

A new approach to the Middle East is necessary, says Dr Claire Spencer of Chatham House. But first, Barack Obama must lower expectations.

Image Day - Manmohan Singh

2008-10-10T09:41:00.000-07:00

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh speaks during a press conference in Srinagar. After some years of relative calm in the Kashmir Valley, recent months have seen some of the most intense anti-India feeling for about 20 years.

> AP Photo by Mukhtar Khan

The tensions were sparked by a plan to grant land to a board that oversees the running of a Hindu shrine. The proposal led to serious friction between the Muslims of the valley and their neighbours in the Hindu-dominated Jammu region. More than 30 people have been killed by the police since the protests began.

> Kashmir on Talk-Desi

BBC News Says: Curfew in Kashmir comes to an end

The American Empire Project

2008-10-02T00:54:00.000-07:00

Seen on: Charlie Rose

A hour with linguist, political activist & writer Noam Chomsky. He talks about the crisis in the Middle East and the communicative power of Internet. Professor Chomsky also discusses his book, "America's Quest for Global Dominance".

Nigeria: A Man & His 86 Wives

2008-10-01T02:50:00.001-07:00

Seen on: YouTube

A eighty-four year old man in Northern Nigeria has prompted anger from Muslims, even receiving death threats, for having 86 wives. Al Jazeera's Yvonne Ndege, reports from Bida, where Mohammed Bello has caused huge controversy.

The 'Swazi' Pimp

2008-09-06T16:58:00.001-07:00

King Mswati III arrives for celebrations marking his 40th birthday. He arrived in the stadium in a new BMW - one of 20 bought for the occassion.

> Reuters Pictures

The Beatles Tapes

2008-09-02T16:38:00.000-07:00

Seen on: YouTube

Imagine if the US-Army stayed in bed for a week.., the tension would be released.

Life Is Beautiful

2008-09-01T20:43:00.001-07:00

Seen on: YouTube

Unforgettable-fable that proves love, family and imagination conquer all.

Big Fun With Global Warming

2008-07-27T00:07:00.000-07:00

In this Emmy-winning short, Stinky, puts global warming into perspective.

Spotlight: Held Hostage in Colombia (2008)

2008-07-01T18:22:00.000-07:00

From deep within the Colombian jungle, this documentary tells the story of three American defense contractors held hostage since their plane crashed in 2003.

Read a Chapter and Pass It On!

2008-05-16T17:58:00.000-07:00

Micro-Lending and the Battle Against World Poverty
“I don’t know … there must be a simple way. The borrower comes back with his or her deposit receipt, presents it to the cashier, and the cashier gives back the money. Whatever accounting the bank does is the bank’s business.”

The manager shook his head but did not answer. “It seems to me your banking system is designed to be anti-illiterate,” I countered.

About the Author
Muhammad Yunus was born in 1940 in Chittagong, a seaport in Bangladesh. The third of fourteen children, five of whom died in infancy, he was educated at Dhaka University and was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to study economics at Vanderbilt University. In 1972 he became the head of the economics department at Chittagong University. He is the founder of the Grameen Bank.

Innovator for the Poor

2008-05-13T17:53:00.000-07:00

Seen on: YouTube

In response to the overwhelming poverty in Bangladesh, Fazle H. Abed created the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee. His organization has helped lift millions out of poverty through comprehensive microfinance programs in Bangladesh.

Related Link > Image Day - Perfect Fit?

Coming to America

2008-05-13T17:43:00.000-07:00

Seen on: YouTube

Colombia extradited 14 paramilitary warlords to the United States to stand trial on drug trafficking charges in a surprise move applauded by the Bush administration.

"Palestine Is Still The Issue" - Five

2008-05-01T20:56:00.002-07:00

Seen on: YouTube

A nation - forced off their land & subjected to military-occupation by Israel.

> "Palestine Is Still The Issue": One - Two - Three - Four

Bangladesh: A Nuclear-Dream

2008-05-01T20:52:00.002-07:00

Bangladesh is heading towards the path of becoming the third nuclear nation in South Asia. The topic came in discussion during meetings between the Chinese minister Yang Jiechi and Bangladesh's foreign advisor Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury.
The Chinese minister was on a two-day tour to Bangladesh recently.

The foreign advisor of Bangladesh said, China is a partner and the visit of Chinese minister would further strengthen this relationship.

´Our friendship is rooted in history, but like all relationships, ties between nations also have to be renewed and reinvigorated from time to time, and this visit was an occasion to do just that,´ the foreign adviser stated.

The Chinese foreign minister said, military cooperation is an important part of the overall bilateral relation between Bangladesh and China. Jiechi, who also met the army chief, General Moeen U Ahmed, made the remarks to journalists.

Via American Chronicle

Image Day - Born Free

2008-04-10T12:09:00.010-07:00

Polar bear cub Flocke jumps in the water at the zoo in Nuremberg. Four-month old Flocke -- German for snowflake -- has until now been kept behind closed doors.

> Reuters Pictures

"Palestine Is Still The Issue" - Four

2008-04-04T09:41:00.004-07:00

Seen on: YouTube

A nation - forced off their land & subjected to military-occupation by Israel.

> "Palestine Is Still The Issue": One - Two - Three - Five

The Fifty-Million Dollar Note

2008-04-04T09:10:00.005-07:00

A Zimbabwean holds a newly issued fifty million dollar note. The country is in a severe economic and political crisis, with official inflation figures at over 100,000 percent. The new note is worth the equivalent of three loaves of bread.

> AP Images

Life and Death of Steve Biko - Part one

2008-03-29T12:03:00.007-07:00

Seen on: YouTube

This film examines the life and death of Steve Biko, following his death in custody.

"The most potent weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed." These words testify to the passion, courage, and keen insight that made him one of the most powerful figures in the struggle against apartheid.

Top 10 Political Websites

2008-03-18T01:13:00.004-07:00

This list features the websites for key political party websites based on US Internet usage. This ranking list has been customized to feature only select websites.
The Huffington Post

BarrackObama.com

CNN Political Ticker

Free Republic

RealClearPolitics

HilaryClinton.com

Politico

Elections: Fox News

Daily Kos

Election: MSN
Note: Hitwise data is based on US market share of visits, which is the percentage of online traffic to the Lifestyle - Politics category, from the Hitwise sample of 10 million US Internet users. Hitwise measures more than 1 million unique websites on a daily basis, including sub-domains of larger websites.

Hitwise categorizes websites into industries on the basis of subject matter and content, as well as market orientation and competitive context.

Source - Hitwise - week ending March 8, 2008 - based on market share of visits.

Image Day - Free Tibet

2008-03-17T21:28:00.008-07:00

Tibetan activists in-exile take part in a candle-light peace march in Mumbai. More than eighty people have so-far died after the Chinese crackdown on Tibetans.

> Getty Images

Selling-War to America

2008-03-14T14:03:00.007-07:00

What do the arch hawks of the Bush administration, such as Paul Wolfowitz, have in common with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard?

Answer: they both fêted Ahmad Chalabi, the former Iraqi banker who put “regime change” in Baghdad at the top of US agenda. Chalabi attracts adoration and enmity in equal measure and has courted controversy through his life.

Chalabi comes across here as a charismatic, Machiavellian individual, fascinated with the world of intelligence from the beginning. He moved the Washington establishment towards the invasion of Iraq but appears to have paid no thought about what to do afterwards, except that he wanted a central role.

There is much detail here about how he took tens of millions of dollars, first from the CIA, with whom he fell out; then from the State department, with whom he fell out; and then from the defence department, with whom he fell out. Government auditors struggled in vain to discover how this money was spent.

Chalabi often promised more than he delivered. He was to provide troops for the Free Iraqi Forces, which the Pentagon would train to enter Iraq.

A training centre was established, where 1,100 US soldiers and trainers waited, but Chalabi sent nobody. The programme cost an estimated $200m and the number of Iraqis trained was, in the words of a general, “teeny-tiny”.

Via FT

The Most-Wanted List

2008-03-09T14:28:00.028-07:00

On Feb. 13, Imad Mughniyeh, of Hizbollah, was assassinated in Damascus. "The world is a better place without this man in it," State Department spokesperson Sean McCormack said: "one way or the other he was brought to justice."

Joy was unconstrained in Israel too, as "one of the U.S. and Israel's most wanted men" was brought to justice, the London Financial Times reported.

Under the heading, "A militant wanted the world over," an accompanying story reported that he was "superseded on the most-wanted list by Osama bin Laden" after 9/11 and so ranked only second among "the most wanted."

The terminology is accurate enough, according to the rules of Anglo-American discourse, which defines "the world" as the political class in Washington and London (and whoever happens to agree with them on specific matters).

Following the Terror Trail
In the present case, if "the world" were extended to the world, we might find some other candidates for the honor of most hated arch-criminal.

The Financial Times reports that most of the charges against Moughniyeh are unsubstantiated, but "one of the very few times when his involvement can be ascertained with certainty [is in] the hijacking of a TWA plane in 1985."

Car Bomb
the 1985 Tunis bombing was a severe terrorist crime, or the crime for which Moughniyeh's "involvement can be ascertained with certainty". But even the Tunis bombing had competitors for the prize for worst terrorist atrocity.

One challenger was a car-bombing in Beirut right outside a mosque, timed to go off as worshippers were leaving Friday prayers. It killed 80 people and wounded 256. Most of the dead were girls and women, who had been leaving the mosque, though the ferocity of the blast "burned babies in their beds," and "blew away three children as they walked home from the mosque."

The intended target had been the Shi'ite cleric Sheikh Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah, who escaped. The bombing was carried out by Reagan's CIA and his Saudi allies, with Britain's help, and was specifically authorized by CIA Director William Casey, according to Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward's account in his book Veil: The Secret Wars of the CIA, 1981-1987.

Killing without Intent
Another allegation is that Moughniyeh "masterminded" the bombing of Israel's embassy in Buenos Aires on March 17, 1992, killing 29 people, in response to Israel's "assassination of former Hizbollah leader Abbas Al-Mussawi in an air attack in southern Lebanon." Israel proudly took credit for it.

The world might have some interest in the rest of the story. Al-Mussawi was murdered with a U.S.-supplied helicopter, well north of Israel's illegal "security zone" in southern Lebanon. He was on his way to Sidon from the village of Jibshit, where he had spoken at the memorial for another Imam murdered by Israeli forces. The helicopter attack also killed his wife and five-year old child.

This is only a small sample of facts that the world might find of interest in connection with the alleged responsibility of Moughniyeh for the retaliatory terrorist act in Buenos Aires. The more vulgar apologists for U.S. and Israeli crimes solemnly explain that, while Arabs purposely kill people, the U.S. and Israel, being democratic societies, do not intend to do so.

"Terrorist Villagers"
A third competitor for the Mideast terrorism prize was Prime Minister Peres' "Iron Fist" operations in southern Lebanese territories then occupied by Israel. The targets were what the Israeli high command called "terrorist villagers."

Peres's crimes in this case sank to new depths of "calculated brutality and arbitrary murder" in the words of a Western diplomat familiar with the area, an assessment amply supported by direct coverage.

To repeat once again, we can distinguish three categories of crimes: murder with intent, accidental killing, and murder with foreknowledge but without specific intent. Israeli and U.S. atrocities typically fall into the third category.

Thus, when Israel destroys Gaza's power supply or sets up barriers to travel in the West Bank, it does not specifically intend to murder the particular people who will die from polluted water or in ambulances that cannot reach hospitals.

If, for a moment, we can adopt the perspective of the world, we might ask which criminals are "wanted the world over."

Adapted via Chomsky.info

The New Arms-Race

2008-02-23T14:45:00.005-08:00

There are two distinct versions of the operation mounted by the US Navy to shoot down a crippled military satellite over the Pacific. The official version, expounded in mind-numbing detail by Pentagon officials yesterday, is that the US had no choice but to launch a missile to bring down the satellite.

It had been out of control since its launch 13 months ago.

A supplementary argument, not broached by the Pentagon, was that the military technology loaded on to the satellite was not anything that America wanted another country to find on its territory.

The other interpretation of the mission is not incompatible with the first but far more worrying. While acknowledging that the satellite was in trouble and a missile strike was one way of dealing with it, this version has it that the operation was in fact a covert test of a space weapon.

Such tests were outlawed by the US-Soviet Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty of 1972. By abrogating the treaty in one of his first acts as President, George Bush opened the way for tests of the "son" of Reagan's "Star Wars".

Since then, the US has conducted a series of experiments in which missiles have been launched to intercept other missiles, with varying degrees of success.

A year ago, China surprised America when it shot down a satellite at a very high altitude. It was the most glaring demonstration yet of China's steady rise as a military power. It is hard not to regard this week's show of missile prowess by the US as directed towards China. Beijing, for one, was in no doubt.

Via The-Independent

The Torture of Tasneem Khalil

2008-02-14T15:53:00.002-08:00

The torture of journalist Tasneem Khalil by Bangladesh's notorious military intelligence agency highlights abuses under the country's state of emergency and the government's failure, Human Rights Watch has said in a new report.

The 39-page report, "The Torture of Tasneem Khalil", graphically details Khalil's 22-hour ordeal in May 2007 in Bangladesh's clandestine detention and torture system -- a setup well known to the government & ordinary Bangladeshis.

"Rampant illegal detention and torture are clear evidence of Bangladesh's security forces running amok," said Brad Adams, of Human Rights Watch.

"Bangladesh's international friends need to make the eradication of torture a top priority in their relations with Bangladesh," said Adams.

Excerpts from Tasneem Khalil's statement:
"[A member of the arresting party] jumped up from the chair, pulled out a revolver, pushed it against my lips, and started shouting, 'You are under arrest.' I started shouting back, telling them that what they were doing was illegal."

"Then they asked me about my connections with Human Rights Watch. I told them I work as their consultant. When they inquired further, I told them I had worked with Human Rights Watch since 2006. I worked with Human Rights Watch on a report about extrajudicial killings by RAB. That suddenly infuriated them so much that all of them started hitting the table with hands and sticks and started shouting at me. 'How dare you write against our brothers in RAB?"

"They started beating me again mercilessly, from all possible directions with hands and batons and kicks. I said I would not do those things again. But one person said I had already 'made the blunder'."

Via Bangladesh-Blogger

Terror-Storm

2008-02-09T12:13:00.000-08:00

Seen on: YouTube

Alex-Jones provides evidence pointing towards the involvement of the British government in the 7/7 London Bombings in this extract from Terror-Storm.

Globalisation: New Rulers of the World

2008-02-08T12:13:00.000-08:00

Seen on: Google Video

The myths of globalisation have been incorporated into much of our everyday language. "Thinking globally" and "the global economy" are part of a jargon that assumes we are all part of one big global village. In 2001, John-Pilger made 'The New Rulers of the World', a film exploring the impact of globalisation.

It took Indonesia as the prime example, a country that the World-Bank described as a 'model pupil' until its 'globalised' economy collapsed in 1998.

Dr David Kelly - The Last Interview

2008-02-08T11:56:00.000-08:00

Seen on: Google Video

Interview with and overview of his work as AEA inspector in Iraq and Russia.

The Broken People - Part one

2008-02-06T16:26:00.001-08:00

Seen on: YouTube

Reporter Ramita-Navai travels through India exposing the horrific plight of the country's millions of Dalits: literally "the broken people".

Shakira's Bangladesh-Appeal

2008-02-04T17:06:00.000-08:00

Seen on: YouTube

Musician Shakira calls for action, after visiting Bangladeshi cyclone-victims in 07.

Once Upon a Time in Iran - One

2008-02-03T01:08:00.000-08:00

Seen on: YouTube

A steady drumbeat of leaks suggests that the US and/or Israel may attack Iran sometime over the coming months. Once Upon a Time in Iran is a road movie featuring pilgrims and presidents: a journey to the spiritual heartlands of the Iranian people and a tale of martyrdom that defines their view of aggressors.

The Price of 'Dignity'

2008-02-02T17:58:00.000-08:00

Bolivian President Evo-Morales has met regional governors to try to resolve deep differences over his plans for constitutional reform. President Morales struck a conciliatory note as he opened the meeting with the nine regional governors.

"When there are no sectarian-ambitions, it's possible to understand each other for the good of the country," he said.

"We all want peace and unity but in a dialogue there are some things that you cannot negotiate, which are principles and laws," Reuters quoted Ruben Costas, the governor of Santa-Cruz province as saying.

Revenues
Mr Morales, Bolivia's first indigenous president, made rewriting the constitution a key part of his reform agenda to give the indigenous majority greater political power. One of the biggest disputes is over the distribution of revenue from natural gas exports between the regions and the central government.

The lowland regions of Santa Cruz, Beni, Pando and Tarija include the country's vital natural gas reserves and are home to important agribusinesses.

Among the proposals are, two consecutive 5-year terms for presidents, greater state control of the economy and more autonomy for indigenous communities.

Via Money-Soft

Power of the mobile phone

2008-02-02T15:10:00.000-08:00

Why does poverty still exist despite decades of development aid?

In this talk, Iqbal-Quadir explains why "aid does damages: because it empowers authorities instead of people," and advocates a new approach to development from below, "by the people for the people." His own experience as a child in Bangladesh and later a banker in New York brought him to realize that "connectivity is productivity" -- and that a simple cell phone has enormous power.

Now his telecom company, Grameenphone, offers service to most of rural Bangladesh, creating new opportunities by connecting villages to the world.

Bangladesh-Corruption: Passport

2008-02-02T14:50:00.000-08:00

Corruption is a part of each and every Bangladeshi life, both rural & urban.

The presence of corruption has made us obtuse in recognizing corruption. We routinely take part in various forms of corruption, without realizing.

What do you do as a common-citizen trying to obtain a passport, which is your right as a citizen, but; cannot obtain without a bribe? A passport is not-issued until a favourable police verification-report is submitted with an application.

Therefore, a common-citizen must pay a bribe for that. However, if you have power and influence, you will not face these obstacles.

Many of us feel extremely bad when we have to compromise with corruption, unfortunately the only recourse maybe to seek solace with family. We must refuse to surrender to corruption and only a social-movement can liberate us.

Via Shahzaman-Mozumder, Bir-Protik

Bangladesh Blogger says:

I personally had to pay Taka-10,000 to get a passport in Feb, 2007. This unofficial-fee was paid to a a police-officer Called 'Babar', in Sylhet. His mobile-phone number at the time was (017-122-02417). However I resisted, I was told by an elder - this was the norm, "you must pay a fee to the DB-officer..,".

Will write more about-this, soon. God willing.

Image Day - Freedom for Kashmir?

2008-02-02T12:27:00.000-08:00

Mother of Ruhullah-Bhat, a militant commander, clings to her son's body as it is carried during the funeral procession at Frisal, 60 km south of Srinagar.

> AP Images

Iran jails Bahai 'propagandists'

2008-01-29T06:04:00.000-08:00

Iran has sentenced three members of the Bahai faith to four years for security offences and 51 others to suspended terms.

The authorities said they were proselytising in the southern city of Shiraz under the cover of helping the poor. They were convicted for propaganda against the system in the southern city of Shiraz, a judiciary spokesman said.

Via BBC

Kenya flashpoints

2008-01-29T05:45:00.000-08:00

Kenya's police are struggling to restore order as ethnic-gangs are rampaging across parts of the capital, Nairobi, Rift Valley and western Kenya attacking members of rival-communities.

The violence began following last month's disputed presidential-election but now has descended into a vicious-cycle of revenge attacks, leaving scores dead.

> In pictures: Fleeing mobs

Bangladesh Corruption: Titas Gas

2008-01-29T05:18:00.000-08:00

About 80 percent of the staff at Bangladesh's biggest state-owned gas distributor took bribes to the tune of millions, the head of a anti-graft body has said.

Employees of Titas-Gas Distribution Company pocketed bribes in return for undercharging thousands of factories and homes, said the chief probing the company. Colonel Hasan, who uses one name, said so far 127 workers at Titas Gas had agreed to return 58 million dollars worth of assets bought with the money.

"But it is a tiny fraction of the money these people have made by under-billing the amount of gas a company or an individual household has consumed," he said.

Bangladesh Blogger says: Above image courtesy of Titas-Gas, is to encourage its clients, not to waste this vital national-treasure. However, it seems the management of this mis-managed organization was not paying much-attention.

Via AFP

"Palestine Is Still The Issue" - Three

2008-01-26T21:29:00.002-08:00

Seen on: YouTube

A nation - forced off their land & subjected to military-occupation by Israel.

> "Palestine Is Still The Issue": One - Two - Four - Five

Saving the World

2008-01-26T21:25:00.000-08:00

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has announced a package of grants totalling US$306 million aimed at improving productivity of agriculture in the developing world.

Most of the money will go to the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, which intends to improve soils in more than 6.3 million hectares of land.

The rest of the Gates handout will be split between outfits that develop micro-irrigation technologies for small-holder farmers in India, boost high-quality coffee production or milk quality in Kenya and elsewhere, and improve dairy farmers’ access to markets in Bangladesh.

Via Money-Soft

Bangladesh bans talk-show

2008-01-26T20:54:00.000-08:00

Bangladesh's government has banned two popular live political talk shows, the private satellite television channel ETV has said.

"The information ministry handed us a written order saying that we cannot telecast out our live talk shows," a senior ETV official told AFP.

ETV, the country's first terrestrial television station, was banned by a court order during the previous Bangladesh Nationalist Party-led government in 2002.

It resumed operation last year after foregoing its terrestrial rights.

Via Bangladesh-Blogger

Impact of Israel's Gaza-intrusion

2008-01-21T19:00:00.000-08:00

Seen on: YouTube

The impact on Gaza's 1.5 million lives, due to the 'Lockdown' of Gaza by Israel.

Brown in India

2008-01-21T18:18:00.000-08:00

Britain and India should step up cooperation in the fight against terrorism and work together to isolate militants, prime-minister Gordon-Brown said on Sunday.

Brown, on his first visit to India as prime minister, said he would like to see India join an international body that fights money laundering and terrorist financing, the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force.

"What I would like to see is greater contact between our two countries in winning the battle of hearts and minds, isolating extremist ideologies who try to poison young people," Brown told a news conference.

Aid-Pledge
Brown arrived bearing promises of hundreds of millions of dollars of development aid to combat poverty in India, where 400 million people live on less than $1 a day despite the country's rapid economic-growth.

Britain said that over the next three years it will give India £825 million in development aid, with more than half spent on health and education.

Via Box-UK

UK Politics - Have Your Say

2008-01-21T14:58:00.000-08:00

Seen on: YouTube

Make your voice heard on the issues in UK politics that matter most to you.

Via Box-UK

Cash Back Bangladesh

2008-01-21T14:33:00.000-08:00

Independent film with a focus on British-Bangladeshi remittances and foreign-aid, and their impact on British and Bangladeshi society.
By far, the largest overseas Bangladeshi communities that have settled in the West are in the UK (and increasingly the US,) with well over a quarter of a million people of Bangladeshi origin living in Britain.

The total value of remittances sent by expatriates to the developing world was conservatively estimated to exceed $80 billion last year. As members of the largest overseas Bangladeshi community in the developed world, we have a particularly poignant interest in this topic.

Remittances are conservatively estimated to contribute at least 4% of Bangladesh's GDP and have directly helped Bangladesh's balance of payments by contributing around a third of its foreign exchange needs. In monetary terms, remittance income is larger as a net gain than the near $5 billion foreign exchange earnings earned by the ready-made garment (RMG) sector, because the latter figure is significantly reduced when adjusted for the cost of materials and tax breaks.

Excerpts from a Memorandum submitted by the British Bangladeshi International Development Group (BBIDG) to the Select-Committee.

Via Bangladesh Blogger

The Politics of Ethnicity in India - Part one

2008-01-21T14:27:00.000-08:00

India's linguistic, religious, ethnic, and cultural diversities are proverbial. So are the political mobilizations and the violent conflicts and antagonisms which have arisen from time to time among and between persons from its distinctive cultural groups.

However, it is important to note that neither political mobilization nor ethnic and cultural antagonisms flow naturally out of India's diversities.

The 1971 census of India enumerated 33 languages with speakers of more than one million, but only 15 of them have achieved any form of significant political recognition.

Source > The Politics of India since Independence

Via Talk-Desi

Patient-Musharraf

2008-01-21T13:37:00.000-08:00

Pervez-Musharraf has promised that Pakistan will hold fair elections next month and urged the West to be more patient.

He also sought to ease worries about Pakistan's nuclear arsenal as Islamic-extremists step up their fight with his government, insisting that tight security would prevent the weapons from falling into the wrong hands.

"We have a multilayer custodial and command system," Musharraf told the European Parliament as he began an eight-day European-trip.

European Union foreign-policy chief Javier-Solana said after meeting with Musharraf that Feb. 18 parliamentary elections must be "free, fair and secure" and that their conduct would determine the bloc's relations and engagement with Pakistan.

Via Time-Magazine

1984 - Part one

2008-01-20T13:59:00.000-08:00

Seen on: YouTube

1984 is the definitive dystopian-movie, set in a world beyond our imagination.

UK and China to lead the world - PM

2008-01-20T13:56:00.000-08:00

The Prime Minister has said that the UK and China will "lead the world" in the construction of eco-towns and sustainable urban development.

Speaking in Shanghai, the PM announced two agreements with China on environmental issues - the provision of £50 million from the Environmental Transformation Fund (ETF) and an extension to the EU-China Near Zero Emissions Coal Programme.

"Two countries will lead the world in the creation of eco-cities and eco-towns - that is China and Britain....over the next few years the development of this new higher level of environmental cooperation will have the support of the British government."

Via Box-UK

Dhaka-Burning

2008-01-20T13:36:00.000-08:00

Seen on: YouTube

Ron from Dhaka says >
August 20, 2007: Dhaka-University (DU) erupts in violence as army men beat students. The army-personnel mercilessly beat 3 DU-students & humiliated a teacher over a petty-dispute concerning comments passed by spectators watching a soccer match on the university ground.

August 30, 2007: General-Moeen imposes curfew in all major cities; warns tough action against trouble makers; all universities closed for indefinite period.

Background
The army sneaked into power on January 11, 2007, through a bloodless-coup.

Via Bangladesh-Blogger

Drug-Baron: Hugo Chavez

2008-01-20T09:26:00.000-08:00

A top US anti-drugs official has accused Venezuelan President Hugo-Chavez of being a "major facilitator" of the trade in cocaine.

The official, John Walters, said Venezuela had become "a haven" for shipments of cocaine manufactured in neighbouring Colombia.

Mr Walters, speaking on a visit to Colombia, said failure to deal with the problem amounted to complicity. Mr Walters, director of the US Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), was meeting Colombian President Alvaro-Uribe.

Via BBC

Israel plays with 'power' in Gaza

2008-01-20T09:05:00.000-08:00

Residents in the Gaza-Strip are facing the closure of the territory's only power plant as Israel continues a shutdown of its border crossings. "There is no fuel coming in and we have no reserves," Kanaan Abeid, deputy chairman of the Palestinian Energy Authority in the Gaza Strip, said.

However, Arye-Mekel, the Israeli foreign ministry spokesman, said that supplies of petrol used in cars, as well as diesel, had been halted but not essential-fuel.

The UN organisation supporting Palestinian refugees, warned that the shortages would drastically affect hospitals and water facilities. "The logic of this defies basic humanitarian standards," Christopher Gunness, UNRWA spokesman, said.

Via Al-Jazeera

Benazir Bhutto - Experts Reflect - Part one

2008-01-19T21:11:00.000-08:00

Seen on: YouTube

After a look at recent NewsHour interviews with Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan experts and former colleagues of the late prime minister reflect on her political career, including her election as the first female prime-minister in 1988.

Spain foils terror-threat

2008-01-19T17:21:00.000-08:00

Bomb-related material was found during raids in Barcelona which led to the arrest of 14 people suspected of links to terrorism.

Spanish Interior Minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba said, suspects included 12 from Pakistan and two from India. The Civil Guard detained the suspects in Barcelona as part of a joint operation with Spain's National Intelligence Centre (CNI).

Election issue
Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said that it was too early to arrive at any conclusions as to what the suspects might have been planning.

"Let's be as cautious as is advisable in these cases, with regard to the scope, intentions and what this group of radical activists represent," he said.

Via BBC

Khaleda-Zia: Out on parole

2008-01-19T17:16:00.000-08:00

Former Bangladesh prime-minister Khaleda Zia and her two sons were temporarily released from jail to attend the funeral service of her-mother, an official said.

"The authorities have released Khaleda-Zia and her two sons on parole for several hours to attend the funeral service of her mother," home ministry spokesman Shahnur Mia said.

Zia, the country's last elected prime minister and the leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), and her two sons were arrested last year by the country's military-backed emergency government.

Via AFP

Teen Arrested in Bhutto Plot

2008-01-19T16:34:00.000-08:00

A 15-year-old detained near the Afghan border has confessed to joining a team of assassins sent to kill Benazir-Bhutto, officials said on Saturday.

Police also announced they had foiled new suicide attacks against the country's Shiite-minority.

In the southern city of Karachi, meanwhile, the police chief said officers detained five men with explosives, detonators and a small quantity of cyanide intended for attacks on this week's Shiite Muslim festival of Ashura.

Via Time-Magazine

Osama bin-Laden: Son seeks peace

2008-01-19T15:13:00.000-08:00

Osama bin-Laden's son has said he wants to become an "ambassador for peace" between Muslims and the West.

Omar 'Osama bin-Laden', 26, said that he was planning a horse race across North-Africa to promote peace between nations.

"A lot of people think Arabs - especially the bin-Ladens - are all terrorists. This is not the truth," Omar told AP in the Egyptian capital, Cairo.

Via BBC

Kenya's bloody protests

2008-01-19T11:41:00.000-08:00

Seen on: YouTube

Protests across Kenya against Mwai-Kibaki, the Kenyan president, have seen over 20-people lose their lives. Al Jazeera's Andrew Simmons reports from Nairobi on the third-day of opposition-backed demonstrations.

Britain-Russia: Row escalates

2008-01-19T11:24:00.000-08:00

Seen on: YouTube

Russia has been accused of intimidation after the British Council reluctantly agreed to suspend operations in St. Petersburg and Ekaterinburg.

RIP - Bobby Fischer

2008-01-18T06:58:00.000-08:00

Former world chess champion Bobby-Fischer, considered by many to be the greatest player of all time, has died at the age of 64.

American-born Fischer was the US's first and only world chess champion, winning the title in the classic Cold War showdown against Russian Boris Spassky in 1972.

Fischer - the youngest international grandmaster ever at 15 - settled in Iceland in 2005 having been granted citizenship after eight months in detention in Japan.

Via ITN

Anti-Zionist group condems "Gaza-Massacre"

2008-01-18T06:26:00.000-08:00

The ultra-orthodox anti-Zionist group, Neturei Karta, on Thursday condemned "the recent Zionist terrorist massacre" in Gaza.

The statement read, "Anti-Zionist Jews condemn the Zionists in no uncertain terms for their violent and bloodthirsty behavior."

"We cannot understand why great world powers seem to give the Zionists a free hand to commit such crimes against the indigenous Palestinian people from the comfort of their F-16 fighter jets, helicopter gun ships and Merkava tanks."

It went on to call on "great world powers" to "restore the rights of the Palestinians throughout historic Palestine."

The statement concluded: "Zionism is doomed!

Via Jerusalem-Post

UN urges Israel to end "Gaza-Lockdown"

2008-01-18T06:16:00.000-08:00

The UN agency for Palestinian-refugees on Friday appealed to Israel to lift its lockdown of Gaza and open crossings into the impoverished territory where most of the residents depend on food aid.

"It is imperative that these crossings are opened so that the dire situation in Gaza does not deteriorate further, inflicting further misery on one and half million people" who live there, Christopher Gunness, the spokesman for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), told AFP.

Gaza violence escalates

2008-01-18T06:03:00.000-08:00

Seen on: YouTube

Two Palestinians, including a woman, were killed by Israeli strikes in Gaza on Thursday. More than two dozen people have now been killed in the three days of military action. Al Jazeera's David Chater reports from Jerusalem.

In Time: Iraqi scuds hit Israel

2008-01-18T02:16:00.000-08:00

1991: Iraqi Scud missiles hit Israel
Iraq has attacked two Israeli cities with Scud-missiles, prompting fears that Israel may be drawn into the Gulf-War.

Israel's largest city, Tel-Aviv, and Haifa, its main seaport, were hit in the attacks, which began at 0300 local time, when most residents were asleep.

In-Context
Iraq fired Scud missiles at Israeli cities again the next day and throughout the Gulf War, but failed to provoke Israel into unilateral retaliation.

After more than a month of intensive air attacks, the Allies launched a land offensive on 24 February. One day later, the Iraqis began retreating.

Via BBC

'Arellano-Felix cartel' executes victims

2008-01-18T01:53:00.000-08:00

Six executed kidnapping-victims have been found inside a house in the Mexican town of Tijuana, where armed men took refuge during a shootout with soldiers.

The firefight broke out when agents prepared to raid a house near the US border that police now say was a shelter for a cell of a drug cartel named Arellano-Felix.

According to Edgar Millan, a spokesman for the federal public safety department, the victims, all male, were blindfolded and gagged and shot in the head.

Via Al-Jazeera

Ahmadinejad Scorns US & Israel

2008-01-18T01:30:00.000-08:00

Iranian President Mahmoud-Ahmadinejad has accused US President George Bush of "sowing the seeds of division" during his recent Middle-East visit.

"The Zionist entity is not lacking new weapons in its arsenal, but I believe it will not save it from its doomed collapse," - Ahmadinejad

Mr Ahmadinejad said Mr Bush had brought a "message of confrontation" during his tour, during which he warned Arab allies that Iran posed a threat.

Israel says Tehran could have a nuclear bomb by 2010 and has warned an Iranian nuclear weapon would threaten its existence.

Prison Violence in Venezuela

2008-01-17T20:57:00.000-08:00

More than an inmate a day died violently in Venezuela's prisons last year, as riots and weapons trafficking ran rampant, a human rights group has said.

Some 498 Venezuelan prisoners were killed in riots and other violent acts in 2007, up from 412 in 2006, according to the Venezuelan Observatory of Prisons.

So far this year, at least 15 prisoners have died, the group's director, Humberto-Prado, told a news conference.

He blamed the killings largely on arms-trafficking.

Officials seized 3,825 weapons, including 3,000 knives and 200 pistols, in Venezuelan jails last year, he said.

Via AP

White-House Overwrote E-Mail

2008-01-17T19:51:00.000-08:00

E-mail messages sent and received by White-House personnel during the first three years of the Bush-administration were routinely "recycled,".

During the period in question, the Bush presidency faced some of its biggest controversies, including the Iraq-war.

Two federal statutes require presidential-communications, including e-mails involving senior White House aides, to be preserved for the nation's historical record.

Some historians responded to the court disclosure yesterday by urging that the White House's actions be thoroughly probed.

"There certainly could have been hugely important-materials there . . . and of course they're not owned by President Bush or anybody in the administration, they're owned by the public," said presidential historian Robert-Dallek.

White House spokesman Tony Fratto said he has no reason to believe any E-mails were deliberately destroyed.

The court filing said tapes were recycled before October 2003, and at that point, the White House "began preserving and storing all backup tapes."

Via Washington-Post

Britain-Russia: Rift grows

2008-01-17T19:31:00.000-08:00

Britain yesterday accused Russia of staining its international-reputation by using "blatant intimidation" against staff of the British Council.

In unusually blunt terms, David-Miliband, UK foreign secretary, said Moscow's "reprehensible" tactics against the British cultural body were reminiscent of the cold-war".

He spoke of "anger and dismay" at actions he said were directly linked to the bitter dispute over the 2006 murder of Alexander-Litvinenko, the former KGB officer.

Via Box-UK

New World Order - USA

2008-01-17T18:36:00.000-08:00

Seen on: YouTube

The USA secret-goverment and the NWO, only time will tell if it all comes true.

Pakistan's Shia-Sunni divide

2008-01-17T18:30:00.000-08:00

Differences between Pakistan's Sunni-majority and Shia-minority go back to the schism following the prophet's death. But in the past two decades those differences have been manifest in repeated-violence.

Related-Verse >
Those who split up their Religion, and become (mere) Sects,- each party rejoicing in that which is with itself! (The Romans - Verse 32)

Zia's legacy >
Most sectarian violence in Pakistan takes place in the province of Punjab and the country's commercial capital, Karachi.

There have also been outbreaks in Quetta.

Musharraf is not the only Pakistani leader to have such-problems. Most analysts agree it began in 1979, when Zia ul-Haq began Islamicising Pakistani politics.

Via In2Verses

Wanted: Water

2008-01-17T16:47:00.000-08:00

The waters of the Yangtze have fallen to their lowest levels since 1866, disrupting drinking supplies, and posing a threat to endangered-species.

The government also revealed yesterday that the country's most prosperous province, Guangdong, has just had its worst year since 1949.

But the immediate concern is the Yangtze, which supplies water to millions of people in a delta that accounts for more than 40% of China's economic output.

"Before 1996, we were short of water for three months of the year, but now there are only three months when we can use water as normal," Wu Chunping, the vice-manager of Jianli county's water utility, was quoted by Xinhua.

Via Guardian-Unlimited

Final-Days of the American-Empire

2008-01-17T14:02:00.000-08:00

Seen on: YouTube

Convincing cospiracy-theory from a film-maker who predicts the doom, for USA.

Next-Terror Threat

2008-01-17T13:48:00.000-08:00

Homeland Security Secretary Michael-Chertoff said yesterday that one of the biggest threats to American security may now come from Europe.

"One of the things we have become concerned about lately is the possibility of Europe becoming a platform for a threat against the United-States," Chertoff said.

In an interview with BBC, Chertoff said that American authorities were becoming increasingly aware of a real risk of Europe becoming a "platform for terrorists."

Via NY-Post

Allen Ginsberg's America

2008-01-16T20:09:00.000-08:00

Seen on: YouTube

America
America I've given you all and now I'm nothing.
America two dollars and twenty-seven cents January 17, 1956.
I can't stand my own mind.

America when will we end the human war?

- Allen Ginsberg

The Cold War

2008-01-16T20:05:00.000-08:00

The term "Cold War" was introduced in 1947 by Americans Bernard Baruch and Walter Lippmann to describe emerging tensions between two former-allies.

It was the period of conflict, tension and competition between the United States and Soviet-Union and their respective allies from the mid-40s till early-90s.

Link > CNN Special: Cold War

Face to Face with Allen Ginsberg

2008-01-16T19:34:00.000-08:00

Seen on: Google Video

Allen-Ginsberg talks about writing private-poetry. He saw his generation fade away in madness, and started writing unpublishable poems.

Explicit and vivid interview, by Jeremy Isaacs. Still some-how relevant today.

Apocalypse Now: Opening Scene

2008-01-16T19:23:00.000-08:00

Seen on: YouTube

"Apocalypse Now" remains an important artistic-statement. The title of the movie appears as graffiti late in the film, which reads, "Our motto: Apocalypse Now".

Student-protest continues in Bangladesh

2008-01-16T17:59:00.000-08:00

Students have continued their protests in Dhaka against the leakage of question-papers for exams under the National-University.

Students of Dhaka-College on Tuesday took to the streets and blocked traffic on Mirpur-Road. "The students should not pay for this kind of errors, which is a fault of the authorities." they demanded.

Via Bangladesh-Blogger

"Palestine Is Still The Issue" - Two

2008-01-16T16:22:00.002-08:00

Seen on: YouTube

A nation - forced off their land & subjected to military-occupation by Israel.

> "Palestine Is Still The Issue": One - Three - Four - Five

George-Bush Online

2008-01-16T14:40:00.000-08:00

President George W. Bush is to answer-questions submitted through the official White House Website about his week-long trip to the Middle-East.

Via AFP

Image Day - Sri Lanka bus bomb

2008-01-16T13:39:00.000-08:00

More than two dozen people have been killed in a bus-blast in the south-east of Sri-Lanka on the same day the government formally withdrew from a ceasefire.

Via BBC

Britain-Russia: Relations worsen

2008-01-16T13:20:00.000-08:00

Seen on: YouTube

Britain's relations with Russia worsened, after the director of the British Council office in St Petersburg was detained by the Russian-authorities.

The Truth About Iran

2008-01-16T11:03:00.000-08:00

Re > “Bush Urges Unity Against Iran”
President-Bush continues to beat a dead horse in his attempts to persuade the Arab world to take a hostile stance against Iran. The Arab states of the Gulf region are deeply tied to Iran by historical ethnic and economic ties.

The United Arab Emirates alone are the repository for hundreds of millions of dollars (and euros) of Iranian investment. Powerful bilingual trading families span the Gulf, with members in both Iran and Arab states.

The idea that a little jawboning by a United States president could change centuries-old patterns is patently absurd.

The United States would do well to first understand the culture of the regions in which it hopes to hold sway, and then work with the existing cultural-patterns, rather than trying to turn-nations against those with whom they have longstanding interdependent relations.

William O. Beeman

Minneapolis, Jan. 14, 2008

Chairman of the department of anthropology at the University of Minnesota.

Via NYT

Pope pulls out of Rome

2008-01-16T10:39:00.000-08:00

Pope Benedict XVI last night called off a visit to Rome's main university in face of hostility from academics and students, who accused-him of despising-science.

The Pope had been due to speak tomorrow during-ceremonies marking the start of the academic year at Rome's largest and oldest university, La-Sapienza.

The announcement followed a break-in and sit-in at the rector's office, and a row over a letter signed by more than 60 teachers.

Via Guardian-Unlimited

Image Day - Kenyan protests

2008-01-16T08:37:00.000-08:00

Opposition Orange Democratic Movement supporters in Kenya began three-days of protest at the allegedly rigged presidential-elections in December.

Via BBC

Islam & Democracy

2008-01-15T17:18:00.000-08:00

Seen on: YouTube

Abdur Rahim Green talks about Islam and Democracy.

Born in Dar-es-salaam in Tanzania to British parents, Green's father, Gavin-Green, was a colonial-administrator in the then extant British-Empire.

Whilst in Britain his father got a job in 1976 working for Barclays-Bank International and was subsequently sent to Cairo, Egypt, to set up a branch.

His study of the Qur'an attracted him to Islam, and he-embraced Islam in 1988.

Sarkozy & the Saudis

2008-01-15T16:20:00.000-08:00

The big-news is that Nicolas Sarkozy and Carla Bruni may be married now.

The second-biggest news is that, Nicolas-Sarkozy arrived in Saudi Arabia, one day before George-Bush himself arrived there.

“France wants to be Arabia’s friend, she wants to be the friend of the Arab world, a friend that does not preach-lessons, but that tells the truth.”

For the French president, “here in Saudi-Arabia the relationship of Islam to modernity is being tested.” This is why “France does not want to be just a strategic economic partner, but also a political partner for Saudi Arabia.”

Sakozy's remarks, Via Le Figaro
Post via The Brussels Journal

Bangladeshi child-rape-victim released

2008-01-15T15:31:00.000-08:00

A nine-year-old rape victim who has spent six-months in a Bangladeshi jail, has been released following a national-outcry over her-plight.

"She was kept in jail for the convenience of the investigation, because if she was given to her mother; she might not have been found for the court hearing," said Jesmin Ara Rosy, of the Bangladesh National Women Lawyers' Association.

"Whenever I went to the jail, she cried and begged me to take her out. I met the judge four times to ask for her release," Rosy told AFP.

The girl was finally sent to a shelter on Tuesday, she added, after the head of the army, General Moeen U. Ahmed, intervened.

Via Inquirer.net

"Palestine Is Still The Issue" - One

2008-01-15T13:13:00.002-08:00

Seen on: YouTube

A nation - forced off their land & subjected to military-occupation by Israel.

> "Palestine Is Still The Issue": Two - Three - Four - Five

Taleban storm luxury-hotel in Kabul

2008-01-15T11:28:00.000-08:00

Taleban militants stormed Kabul's leading luxury-hotel last night, killing seven people in a significant escalation of insurgent tactics against foreign civilians in Afghanistan.

UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, said Norway's foreign minister, Støre, was the target of the assault, where the Norwegian embassy was holding a meeting.

A Taleban spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, claimed responsibility shortly after the attack.

Via Guardian-Unlimited/AFP

India to boost China-relations

2008-01-14T14:22:00.000-08:00

Seen on: YouTube

The leaders of India and China are meeting in Beijing in an effort to boost friendlier relations. It's Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's first visit to China, which will discuss strengthening economic-ties, as well border disputes.

A Question-of-Honours

2008-01-14T13:42:00.000-08:00

The National-University of Bangladesh, has formed a committee to probe the leakege of question-papers for 2nd-Year Honours-English Compulsory-Exams.

The investigation-team is headed by NU-syndicate member Enamul Haque Shaheed, who has been asked to submit its report in seven working days.

At a meeting, chaired by its acting Vice-Chancellor Syed Rashidul Hasan, NU decided to form the probe-committee and announced that the postponed exams, would now be held on January 29/30, sources-said.

Student Protests
Students of Dhaka-College and Eden-College yesterday formed human-chains and demonstrated on the streets of Dhaka, after the revelations.

"We are suffering because of the frequent question-leaks, but the authorities are yet to take any steps," said a demonstrating-student.

Via Bangladesh-Blogger

Cutting crime in London

2008-01-14T13:38:00.000-08:00

The Liberal-Democrat Mayoral candidate Brian-Paddick has promised to cut crime in London by 20%.

He said: "I have a track record of performance against Londoners' number one concern; crime... It's time for someone who can stop the slaughter on our streets. Mr Paddick, who resigned from the Metropolitan Police in May 2007, will be competing with mayor Ken-Livingstone, and the Tory candidate Boris-Johnson.

As the Met-Police Commander for Lambeth, his approach to cannabis - which saw officers cautioning rather than arresting - brought him to prominence.

Via BBC