Full Coverage: Asia and the Pacific

30.06.2006 An open-ended hunger strike will be launched on the Fourth of July in front of the White House and around the country, demanding U.S. troops return home from Iraq immediately. Find out how you can be involved.

30.06.2006 Violence in Afghanistan is now at its worst level since the Taliban's ouster in 2001, and civilians have increasingly become caught in the the cross-fire between Taliban insurgents and coalition forces, reports a UN news service.

30.06.2006 Solar power does not require steep subsidies to be able to push aside environment-polluting fossil fuels, say proponents of large sun-powered projects in Laos and Bangladesh.

29.06.2006 While Turkish immigrants traditionally identify themselves primarily with their native country, rallying behind their adopted homeland during the World Cup has made many feel more "German."

28.06.2006 KATHMANDU, Jun 28 (IPS) - At least tens of thousands of Nepalis have fled their homes during a Maoist uprising and now that peace has come, many are pondering a return. But it is not easy: no government programmes pave their way, many of their homes need repairs while long-neglected fields require work before planting, and locals must first assuage Maoist gatekeepers.

28.06.2006 At least tens of thousands of Nepalese led their homes during the Maoist uprising and, now that peace has come, many are facing a difficult return due to a lack of government programs, long-neglected fields and homes, and local Maoist gatekeepers.

28.06.2006 "Youth take charge!" This was the clarion call given by the Indian government as Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat launched YUVA (Youth Unite for Victory on AIDS) in Delhi. The HIV/AIDS epidemic has been the "most serious public health problem faced by the country since independence."

28.06.2006 The Pakistan government has announced setting up of a joint Steering Committee to monitor and check the prevention and control of avian and pandemic influenza in the country.

28.06.2006 Chikungunya, a relatively rare form of mosquito-transmitted viral fever, has claimed two lives in Madhya Pradesh and hundreds are suffering from the disease, health officials said.

28.06.2006 Activists have criticised the Nepali government and army for continuing to billet soldiers and security force personnel in school premises around the country, despite the current ceasefire.
+ Maoist leaders meet Indian Ambassador

28.06.2006 Noi del gruppo romano Statunitensi per la pace e la giustizia scriviamo questa lettera per chiedere che il governo italiano ripensi alcuni "aiuti" che dà al nostro paese. Riteniamo questi "aiuti" contro gli interessi sia del popolo italiano sia di quello statunitense. Alcuni di questi "aiuti" sono il frutto di passate scelte di altri governi. Ci preme invitare il nuovo governo Prodi a un cambio di rotta. Cominciamo con il chiedere di ripensare la presenza in Italia di un certo numero di bombe nucleari di proprietà degli Stati Uniti, al momento 90, depositate nelle basi di Aviano (Pordenone) e Ghedi Torre (Brescia). Tale presenza comporta che sia gli Stati Uniti, "stato nucleare", sia l'Italia, "stato non-nucleare", finiscano per violare lo spirito del Trattato di non proliferazione nucleare del quale sono entrambi firmatari. Infine, il più noto "aiuto" è stato quello di mandare truppe in Afghanistan e in Iraq. È ora di ritirare tutte le truppe. Chiediamo al governo italiano di portare i suoi soldati a casa. Chiediamo di non sostenere le guerre statunitensi in alcun modo, e invece di sostenere i popoli dell'Iraq e dell'Afghanistan con programmi di cooperazione affidate alle ONG che operano da tempo in questi paesi.

28.06.2006 If President Bush wanted to deal with Iran by "bombing them back into the stone age" (as an American general put it during the Vietnam War), now would be the time. With everybody riveted to the World Cup, says Uri Avnery, who would notice?

28.06.2006 The United Progress Alliance (UPA) government that has completed two years of its term as the ruling party is still falling short of its targets that were set for itself under the Common Minimum Program (CMP).

28.06.2006 With the first phase of the AIDS vaccine human trial being kicked off in the city, scientists involved in the trial are looking at absorbing more volunteers for the second such vaccine trial in the country.

28.06.2006 Kambodzhan vaatetehtaissa uurastavilla naisilla on paremmat työolot kuin Aasian perinteisissä hikipajoissa. Syynä on Kansainvälisen työjärjestön ILO:n valvonta, johon ulkomaiset yritykset ovat suostuneet.

28.06.2006 The Center for Development and Population Activities was awarded nearly one million dollars to provide Egyptian youths with opportunities for positive civic engagement. The project will last two years and will reach 1200 young people, aged 20-24, through week-long leadership camps.

28.06.2006 Afghanistan, the center of gravity in the post-9/11 war on terrorism is unraveling. A massive opium trade, a dysfunctional central government, and rampant corruption at all levels of authority have led to a resurgence of organized Taliban militant forces, says the Asia America Initiative.

28.06.2006 Bangladesh is increasingly tornbetween economic progress and insecurity, law and impunity, Islamism and secular politics, violence and democracy. Liz Philipson portrays a troubled country approaching its next major electoral test.

27.06.2006 The US invasion of Iraq has moved Iraq from a secular to a more religious and violent society where women’s rights are being curtailed. Visit CODEPINK’s website to read their report Iraqi Women Under Siege and other recent articles about women in Iraq. You can also donate to support Iraqi women.

27.06.2006 As East Timor's Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri resigns, Britain is urged to address past atrocities to East Timorese people under Indonesian rule that are hampering the country's democracy.