News and information from the world of Interserve

Wednesday, March 31, 2004

Afghanistan: 'A world conference on development aid for Afghanistan has opened in Berlin with a call to end the impoverished state's "spiral of violence".
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, the host, urged the world to "stress its commitment to a secure, free and democratic Afghanistan". The UN, whose former Afghan envoy Lakhdar Brahimi is also at the talks, has warned Afghanistan is in danger of reverting to chaos unless it receives sufficient foreign aid, and could become entirely dependent on the illegal drugs trade. ' (BBC)

Cyprus: 'United Nations diplomats in Switzerland are on the point of giving birth to the European Union's strangest country after marathon talks aimed at resolving the future of Cyprus received the backing yesterday of all four sides - Greece, Turkey and the two Cypriot communities.' (Independent)

Tuesday, March 30, 2004

Libya: 'Shell, the Anglo-Dutch oil giant, has signed an agreement to re-enter Libya's oil and gas industry. For many years Libya was off-limits for UK companies because of UN and US sanctions, but it is now courting foreign investors.' (BBC)

Turkey: 'Rescuers and villagers sifting through rubble recovered the bodies of two more people on Friday, raising the death toll in a strong earthquake in eastern Turkey to nine, an official said. About 50 people were injured. The quake was centered in the town of Cat, 540 miles east of Ankara.' (Guardian)

Afghanistan: 'President Hamid Karzai postponed Afghanistan's first post-Taliban national elections until September because the United Nations urged more time was needed to disarm warlords that it called a leading threat to democracy.' (Independent)

Uzbekistan: 'A new blast, followed by a shootout between police and suspected extremists, has hit Uzbekistan - a third straight day of violence in the Central Asian nation.' (CNN)

Asia: 'Getting Out: Divorce was once all but unthinkable in Asia, but now it's become almost standard. And these days it's women who are doing most of the dumping.' (Time)

Tunisia: Human Rights Watch urged President Bush 'to tell President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali that Tunisia’s policies of repression were incompatible with his initiative for democracy in the region.' (Human Rights Watch)

Thursday, March 25, 2004

China: 'China's economic reforms have created new forms of poverty and are harming the environment, according to a wide-ranging United Nations report.' (BBC)

Libya: 'Tony Blair will shake the hand of the Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi today, after he hailed the dictator's "courageous" decision to give up weapons of mass destruction as a major victory in the war on international terrorism.' (Independent)

Wednesday, March 24, 2004

Cyprus: 'Four-way talks on the reunification of Cyprus are expected to begin later on Wednesday at the Swiss resort of Buergenstock near Lake Lucerne. The Greek and Turkish foreign ministers will join the leaders of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities.' (BBC)

World: 'Aids and fewer fertile women slow world population growth rates.' (Independent)

UAE: The US Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the US consulate general in Dubai have temporarily closed following a 'specific threat'. (CNN)

Tuesday, March 23, 2004

Lebanon: 'Guerrillas from the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah have fired rockets and mortars at Israeli troops in a disputed border area.' (BBC)

China: 'China has suspended its human rights dialogue with the United States, saying it had no alternative after Washington proposed a United Nations resolution condemning Beijing's record.' (ABC Australia)

Sudan: 'Peace talks between Sudan's government and southern rebels aimed at ending two decades of civil war in the oil producing country will be extended to try to resolve outstanding issues, mediators said on Monday.' (Reuters Alertnet)

Nepal: 'The Nepalese government has confirmed that over a 130 people were killed in fierce clashes on Sunday between the security forces and Maoist rebels.' (BBC)

Monday, March 22, 2004

India: 'Two days after the US ambushed India with the decision to upgrade its military relations with Pakistan, the Vajpayee government has come out with an official statement expressing "disappointment at not having been warned in advance by US secretary of state Colin Powell when he was in Delhi on March 16".' (Times of India)

Middle East: 'Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal criticized U.S.-led calls for reform in the Middle East on Sunday and said Arab countries could tackle their problems by themselves. ' (Reuters)

Algeria: 'Britain has closed its embassy in Algiers and moved its operations into the Hilton Hotel this weekend, in response to an ongoing security assessment following last November's bombings in Istanbul which ripped through the British Consulate, a British Foreign Office spokeswoman said Sunday.' (CNN)

Nepal: 'The army in Nepal says its troops have killed scores of Maoist rebels during clashes in the west of the country. The day-long battle took place in the town of Beni, 300km (190 miles) from the capital Kathmandu, officials said. Casualty estimates vary, with a BBC reporter in Nepal saying dozens were killed on both sides, while an army spokesman said 500 rebels had died.' (BBC)

Cyprus: 'As negotiators seek a deal on reunifying Cyprus, Daniel Howden reports on how UN efforts to restore two historic religious sites have come to symbolise the difficulties.' (Independent)

Friday, March 19, 2004

China: 'The United States has become the first country to bring action against China at the World Trade Organization, in a case challenging Chinese tax policies that Washington believes are an unfair barrier to semiconductor imports.' (CNN)

Bahrain: 'More than 100 Islamists have invaded a restaurant in Bahrain and threatened diners with knives, say witnesses. The youths stormed La Terrasse restaurant near the capital, Manama, on Wednesday night because it was serving alcohol, the owner said.' (BBC)

Pakistan: 'Pakistani forces today launched a massive attack against pinned-down al-Qa'ida fighters believed to include the deputy to Osama bin Laden.' (Independent)

Thursday, March 18, 2004

Nepal: an interesting weblog by a Christian family from America living in Nepal.

Pakistan: 'Secretary of State Colin Powell met President Pervez Musharraf and other senior Pakistan officials in Islamabad for talks on terrorism, nuclear-non-proliferation and India-Pakistan peace efforts. Underlining the increasingly-close bilateral relationship, Mr. Powell said Pakistan is being designated as a major non-NATO U.S. ally.' (Voice of America)

Saudi Arabia: 'Saudi Arabia has suspended 900 local religious officials "for negligence", according to press reports. "Various flaws and shortcomings were noted," the head of an advisory committee in the Ministry of Islamic Affairs was quoted as saying. Many commentators in the West have blamed religious discourse in the Kingdom and its educational system for laying the ground for extremism. Schoolbooks have already been purged of lessons inciting hatred to non-Muslims.' (BBC)

Wednesday, March 17, 2004

Saudi Arabia: 'Four "liberal reformists" have been arrested in Riyadh and Jeddah for making statements that do "not serve the unity of the country," the kingdom's Interior Ministry has said.' (CNN)

Iraq: a different survey, with a different perspective. 'An opinion poll suggests most Iraqis feel their lives have improved since the war in Iraq began about a year ago. The survey, carried out for the BBC and other broadcasters, also suggests many are optimistic about the next 12 months and opposed to violence.' (BBC)

Nepal: 'Prayer for Nepal' is a Nepal-based resource. Little on website, but can sign up for prayer emails; also promoting day of prayer for Nepal on 17/18 April.

Afghanistan: 'U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell arrived in Kabul today for a brief visit to discuss the war on terror and the hunt for Osama bin Laden with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and U.S. generals.' (Financial Times)

World: Interesting statistics from the Pew Research Center's survey of global attitudes. 'A year after the war in Iraq, discontent with America and its policies has intensified rather than diminished.' 70% of those surveyed in Jordan thought that suicide bombings against Americans and Westerners in Iraq were justifiable. 61% in Pakistan thought Iraqis would be worse off post-Saddam. (Pew Research Center)

Iraq: 'Four U.S. missionaries killed in Iraq: Attack is among several on civilians in a week.' (CNN)

Tuesday, March 16, 2004

India/Pakistan: A review of press coverage in India and Pakistan of the recent significant cricket match between the two countries. (The Guardian)

India: 'U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell has met with Indian leaders, where the touchy election year topic of outsourcing featured on the agenda.' Outsourcing is 'the practice of U.S. jobs moving to lower wage nations like India'. (CNN)

Pakistan: 'Pakistani troops have clashed with tribesmen close to the border with Afghanistan, in a drive to root out fugitive Taleban and al-Qaeda members. In recent weeks Pakistan has conducted several operations against al-Qaeda and Taleban suspects believed to be hiding in the area. The US military is conducting a similar operation in Afghanistan.' (BBC)

China: 'After 10 days of vowing to "put people first," Chinese lawmakers turned their attention Sunday to a landmark constitutional amendment promising to protect private property.' (CNN)

China: US astronaut says you CAN see the Great Wall from space. (Straits Times)

Monday, March 15, 2004

Kazakhstan: 'The death toll from a powerful mudslide in southeastern Kazakhstan rose to 28 on Monday and emergencies agency officials said 20 people were still missing.' (Reuters)

Jordan: 'Nearly half of Jordanian women suffer physical abuse in the home, a ground-breaking UN report has found. The report marks the first time that violence against women in Jordan has been statistically analysed.' (BBC)

Pakistan: 'Police in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi say they have defused a large bomb found in a stolen minivan parked outside the U.S. Consulate.' (CNN)

India: 're-election, re-conversion, re-engaging, re-courting' (World Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty News & Analysis)

China: One estimate says China will overtake USA in 2006 as country with most people online. 'That will unleash a world of opportunity' - well, that's one way to put it. (Business Week)

Syria: 'A fight between Arab and Kurdish supporters of rival Syrian football clubs has led to three days of rioting in the north-east of the country, which has left at least 15 people dead and more than 100 injured.' (Independent)

China: Chinese astronaut says you can't see the Great Wall from space. (BBC)

Friday, March 12, 2004

Turkmenistan: 'Despite a surprise 11 March decree from President Saparmurat Niyazov lifting the requirement that a religious community must have 500 adult citizen members before it can register, officials have insisted that unregistered religious activity remains illegal.' (Forum 18)

India: 'Pastor Ram Prakash, from the Sultanpur district of Uttar Pradesh, suffered beatings while in police custody in February, according to a report filed by Open Doors.' (Compass Direct)

India: 'Christian women from Orissa state, India, were attacked and humiliated for refusing to give up their faith.' (Compass Direct)

India: Christian leaders in India have responded with one voice to allegations made by the weekly newspaper Tehelka that Christians are carrying out “the conversion agenda of U.S. President George Bush,” and using the HIV/AIDS problem as “an opportunity for evangelism.” ' (Compass Direct)

China: 'House church movement rebounds from kidnapping incident.' (Compass Direct)

Turkey: 'Turkey's army has asked local authorities for information on individuals who could undermine the state, including ethnic minorities, magicians and people who practice meditation, local media said on Wednesday. In a rare statement to the press, the military General Staff confirmed it had asked authorities to "gather intelligence because it was necessary to makes plans to take effective measures against incidents that could arise." ' List also includes 'foreigners living in Turkey'. (Reuters)

Syria: 'The Bush administration will soon impose tough sanctions against Syria, U.S. officials said Wednesday.' (CNN)

India: 'India's two main political parties have sharpened their rhetoric ahead of next month's general elections. The main opposition Congress Party has released what it calls a charge sheet against the government, alleging that it has failed miserably on all fronts. But the Bharatiya Janata Party retaliated by accusing Congress of "ethnic discrimination" in Indian administered Kashmir.' (BBC)

Egypt: 'An Egyptian emergency court today acquitted antiwar activist and political dissident Ashraf Ibrahim of all charges, including sending “false information” about Egypt’s human rights violations to foreign organizations, Human Rights Watch said today. This judicial victory underscores the need for Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to repeal the country’s emergency legislation.' (Human Rights Watch)

Thursday, March 11, 2004

Libya: Springs in the Desert is 'a call to prayer for the nation and people of Libya'; some prayer material online, more available.

Middle East: 'Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom has described as "very promising" his talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo. Mr Shalom indicated that a proposed Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip was discussed but gave no details.' (BBC)

Pakistan: 'India's cricketers arrived in Pakistan amid heavy security yesterday for their first full tour of the country in more than 14 years - the latest sign of thawing relations between the two countries.' (Independent)

Wednesday, March 10, 2004

Turkey: 'Two suicide bombers have struck a crowded restaurant in an Istanbul building used by freemasons. They killed two people and wounded five more, according to the city's governor.' (ITV)

Afghanistan: 'Afghan women scarred by 'hidden' abuse.' (BBC)

India: 'One of the biggest security problems facing India during this general election year comes from deep in Andhra Pradesh, where the mysterious Naxalite army [Maoist rebels] has its hideouts.' (Independent)

Tuesday, March 09, 2004

Afghanistan: 'Afghan President Hamid Karzai offered Afghan men a trade today in an attempt to convince them to let their women vote in upcoming elections. "Please, my dear brothers, let your wives and sisters go to the voter registration process," Karzai told a gathering to mark International Women's Day. "Later, you can control who she votes for, but please, let her go." Karzai's plea set off a murmur in the crowd of about 500 women and illustrated the fragile grip the democratic process holds in Afghanistan.' (Toronto Star)

Sudan: 'Hundreds of Sudanese schoolchildren have marched to the presidential palace in the capital Khartoum to demand an end to the 21-year civil war.' (BBC)

Pakistan: 'Pakistan's defense ministry says it has conducted its first test of a new long-range nuclear-capable missile.' (CNN)

Monday, March 08, 2004

Nepal: 'A general strike called by a Nepali women's group that supports Maoist rebels brought much of the kingdom to a halt on Monday, the fifth closure in less than a month.' (Reuters)

Turkey: 'Up to 80,000 people have demonstrated in Ankara against government plans to reform Turkey's administration. A bill being considered by parliament would decentralise the administration and allow local government greater freedom in the hiring of staff.' (BBC)

Afghanistan: 'American forces in Afghanistan have been accused of flouting international law with arbitrary arrests, torture and killing of prisoners in a report by a civil rights watchdog.' (Independent)

Friday, March 05, 2004

Libya: 'Libya has destroyed 3,300 bombs capable of delivering chemical payloads and is set to give a full account of its stockpiles, the chief watchdog organization said Thursday.' (Guardian)

Iraq: 'Iraq's US-appointed governing council is set to sign an interim constitution agreed after long talks last weekend. It is one of the stages which will allow the occupying powers to hand sovereignty back to Iraqis by 30 June.' (BBC)

China: 'China's premier has vowed to rein in the country's booming economy and lift millions of farmers out of poverty at the opening of the nation's annual session of parliament.' (CNN)

Thursday, March 04, 2004

China: 'China has warned Washington against meddling in Hong Kong affairs as an outspoken democracy leader from the territory prepares to speak to a U.S. Senate hearing.' (CNN)

Iraq: An analysis article from The Economist. 'The day after Iraqi leaders agree on a temporary constitution that guarantees freedom of religion and provides special rights to women and Kurds, co-ordinated bomb attacks kill more than 170 Shias celebrating a religious festival in Karbala and Baghdad. The threat of civil war may be growing.'

Wednesday, March 03, 2004

Arab World: 'SAT-7, the Arabic Christian television service watched by over six million people across the Middle East and North Africa, has expanded its digital broadcasts to 24 hours a day, seven days a week.' (SAT-7)

Nepal: 'Hundreds of Maoist guerrillas stormed a telecom station in eastern Nepal, killing 28 police officers and soldiers in the biggest rebel attack since peace talks failed in August, an army official said on Wednesday.' (Reuters)

Iraq: 'Iraq has begun three days of mourning for the 182 people believed killed in bomb attacks in Baghdad and Karbala. The near-simultaneous blasts came at the climax of a Shia holy festival. It was Iraq's bloodiest day since the war.' (BBC)

Pakistan: 'Three gunmen opened fire and hurled grenades on a procession of Shiite Muslim worshippers in the southwest Pakistani city of Quetta Tuesday, killing more than 40 people and wounding scores more.' (CNN)

China: 'As Beijing reins in China's muckraking publications, reporters learn that not all the news is fit to print.' (Time)

China: 'Helping Hands: Social Workers of China, Unite!' (Time)

China: First of three Time articles on China posted today. 'Taking a Stand: A new breed of activists is emerging, eager to test the limits of what can - and cannot - be changed in today's China.'

Afghanistan: The UK government is more than doubling the money it gives to Afghanistan, increasing funding from £200m over five years to at least £500m. (UK government)

Tuesday, March 02, 2004

Arab World: 'The Arabic satellite TV channel MBC has suspended its version of the reality TV show, Big Brother. The series, which began on 22 February, caused a public outcry in Bahrain where it was being filmed.' (BBC)

Libya: 'Amnesty International, given its first access to Libya in 15 years, has detailed a number of human rights violations, including the disappearance of prisoners, use of the death penalty, torture and intolerance of political activity.' (Scotsman)

UK: Foreign workers are the lifeblood of the NHS, says BMA. Some fear that Britain is stripping the developing world of its skilled staff. (Independent)

Afghanistan: 'The United States is stepping up its efforts to curb poppy cultivation in Afghanistan, a nation that "has re-emerged as the world's leading supplier of illicit opium, morphine and heroin," the State Department's top counter-narcotics official said Monday.' (CNN)

Monday, March 01, 2004

World: 'U.S.: Bush Administration Abandons Landmine Ban - Reversal Means U.S. Can Use Mines Indefinitely, Anywhere. The Bush Administration’s reversal of a ten-year policy to eliminate all antipersonnel landmines puts the United States in near total isolation in the global effort to ban mines, Human Rights Watch said today.' (Human Rights Watch)

Saudi Arabia: 'Amid accusations that a Saudi-based Islamic charity has financed terrorist groups, including al Qaeda, Saudi Arabia's King Fahd said the kingdom is moving to change the way it raises charity funds abroad.' (CNN)

Nepal: 'Maoist rebels in Nepal have cut short a five-day strike after unprecedented defiance from students and the public. The strike, called by the Maoist's student wing in protest at college elections, was called off on Friday after two days. The BBC's Sushil Sharma in Kathmandu says the unprecedented defiance of the strike and the successful completion of the college union elections are a further setback to the rebels, who have been pushed on to the defensive in recent months.' (BBC)

UK: 'Sales of goods bearing the consumer label Fairtrade, the mark that guarantees farmers in poor countries haven't been exploited and will get a fair price for their produce, are now running at £100m a year in Britain.' (Independent)