Asia

With fascism on the rise, Indian women are organizing trainings and campaigns to foster communal harmony and safeguard constitutional rights. Yamuna Matheswaran August 14, 2019 After the Indian government’s decision to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, people across… »

By Jonathan Power In her famous decree in 1767 Empress Catherine the Great proclaimed Russia to be a European power. She wanted Russia to be a major player in European politics. She compelled the Europeans to accept Russia as a great power as a condition for doing business. In… »

Ayesha Ray, King’s College for the Conversation In a stunningly dangerous, undemocratic and secretive move, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government repealed Articles 370 and 35a of the Indian Constitution using a presidential order. The government failed to involve all stakeholders in the restive state… »

In Hong Kong, hundreds of pro-democracy activists are occupying the city’s main airport as they kick off a weekend of direct action protests. They’re demanding the resignation of Hong Kong’s Beijing-backed leader Carrie Lam, an investigation into violence against demonstrators, and pro-independence reforms. »

Greetings from the Atheist Centre, Vijayawada, India: We are happy to share that 2020 will mark yet another historic year in the efforts of the Atheist Centre. It is the 80th year of the Atheist Centre, which was founded in 1940. We cordially invite you to the 11th World Atheist… »

The following is the full text of the Peace Declaration read on Aug. 6 by Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui at a ceremony to mark the 74rd anniversary of the atomic bombing of the city. Around the world today, we see self-centered nationalism in ascendance, tensions heightened by international exclusivity… »

By Mahboob A. Khawaja Has civilization taught us to be more friendly towards one another? Asked Bertrand Russell, the British philosopher and intellectual and explains further: …Within the herd we are more friendly to each other than are many species of animals, but in our attitude towards those outside the… »

Editor’s Note: Negros Oriental is a province located in Central Visayas, Philippines. At least 15 persons, including 4 policemen and a school principal, were killed in separate shooting incidents in a span of just one week in this province. July 25 was the bloodiest with 7 dead in just one day. … »

By Mahboob A. Khawaja, PhD. Reflections on Today’s World of Politics President Trump and young looking Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan met this week at the White House. Trump is master to transform rhetoric into reality as he did to North Korean leader. Both were trying to overcome the historic… »

In my town in the United States — as is not especially unusual — we have big memorials in prominent public places marking some of the most catastrophically immoral actions of the past. Unfortunately, all five of these major monuments celebrate and glorify these past horrors, rather than reminding us… »