Genesis of gender discrimination

Addressing the constraints women face in the labour market requires gender-sensitive market regulations. It is a matter of common observation that women are doing various household jobs like babysitting, cooking, cleaning, etc, outside their homes, but such employment is not covered through labour legislation or social security laws A baby […]

Visa Delays Put Iraqis Who Aided U.S. in Fear

By TIM ARANGO BAGHDAD — Terrorism fears in the United States are all but halting visas for Iraqis, even those who risked their lives aiding the American war effort, making them especially vulnerable ahead of the planned American military withdrawal. The Obama administration has required new background checks for visa […]

Ahmedi community slams govt over killing of minority member

Staff Report LAHORE: Representatives of the Ahmedi community and human rights activists have slammed the government over religiously motivated killing of an Ahmedi advocate, Malik Mabroor Ahmad, while demanding immediate action against the culprits. Jama’at Ahmadiyya Pakistan spokesperson Saleem ud Din stated on Tuesday that the well-known Ahmedi lawyer was assassinated in a religiously motivated attack […]

In Indonesia, civil society is keeping tolerance alive

By Testriono, The Daily Star Recent cases of religious intolerance in Indonesia have led some observers to worry that U.S. President Barack Obama’s praise of religious tolerance in Indonesia during his visit in November 2010 was exaggerated. Public statements and decrees from Indonesian government officials have discredited religious minority groups […]

Obama v Bush: A tale of two state visits

From the archives:   Obama v Bush Entourage Obama‘s entourage was believed to consist of about 500 people – including 200 secret service agents. The Obamas, whose US security codenames are Renegade andRenaissance, were also reportedly joined by a team of medics, chefs and White House staff. The Bushes, whose alternate US identities […]

Obama urged to investigate Bush torture claims

A campaign group has said the US president should order a criminal investigation into alleged torture sanctioned by the Bush administration. Human Rights Watch (HRW) says there is “overwhelming evidence” of torture ordered by George W Bush. The former president has defended some of the techniques, saying they prevented attacks […]

Germany Is Missing Its Chance in Africa

During her 2007 trip to Liberia, Angela Merkel received a white chicken as a traditional welcoming gift. In Germany, most people think of wars, poverty and hunger when they think of Africa. Chancellor Angela Merkel’s stopover on the continent, where she will travel to three countries in just three days, is unlikely to […]

Tank Deal Reveals New Arms Exports Approach

A secretive plan to sell tanks to Saudia Arabia has caused a furor within Germany’s governing coalition, members of which are demanding an explanation. The deal, which violates a tradition of avoiding weapons sales in conflict areas, signals a fundamental shift in German arms trade. Is Chancellor Angela Merkel’s foreign […]

Veteran lawyer Raja Aziz Addruse dies at 75

KUALA LUMPUR (July 12, 2011): Raja Aziz Addruse, one of Malaysia’s most respected lawyers, passed away at about 1pm today at his residence in BukitTunku, here. He was 75. Raja Aziz who hailed from Chemor, Perak, had recently sought treatment in Singapore for cancer-related ailment and was reported to be […]

Pakistan ‘punished’ in Pipelineistan

Before the end of 2011, Pakistan will start working on its stretch of the IP (Iran-Pakistan) gas pipeline – according to Asim Hussain, Pakistan’s federal minister for petroleum and natural resources. The 1,092 kilometers of pipeline on the Iranian side are already in place. IP, also known as “the peace […]

PM’s UK visit to steer KL-London ties to new heights

LONDON:The official visit by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to the United Kingdom beginning Tuesday is an opportunity for both sides to take stock of the current state of bilateral ties with an eye towards steering them to new heights.Describing Kuala Lumpur-London ties as substantial and multi-faceted, Malaysian High Commissioner to the UK […]