Salafist MP Younis Makhioun, of Egypt’s religious and conservative al-Nour party, yesterday requested a debate on banning pornographic websites. In 2009, a court ordered such material banned, but the Ministry of Communications declined, citing individual responsibility. If a majority of the Islamist-dominated parliament supported a ban the ministry would then be able to enforce one. […]
COLOMBO, 21 February 2012 (IRIN) – As the government of Sri Lanka comes under increasing international pressure to implement recommendations submitted by a presidentially appointed war commission, IRIN asked national analysts which recommendations were most easily achievable. International human rights groups and, until recently, several governments, including the UK, US and Australia, widely criticized the […]
Experts say there is a high likelihood of a big earthquake hitting the huge metropolis of Tokyo in the next few years. Authorities are trying to ensure the city is as prepared as possible for another large quake. Earthquake alarms ring at Tokyo’s Metropolitan Government headquarters, sending workers running for cover. Across the city, workers […]
British Foreign Secretary William Hague has described a possibility of a new cold war in the Middle East due to the Iranian nuclear programme. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon suggests negotiating with Iran by asking it to disprove the allegations of developing nuclear weapons. “If [the Iranians] obtain nuclear weapons capability, then I think other […]
The Buddhist holy sites of Bodh Gaya in India and Lumbini in Nepal – two of the religion’s most sacred pilgrimage locales, are becoming the dual epicenters of a Great Game between India and China. Bodh Gaya is considered the undisputed heartland of the Buddhist world. However, Bodh Gaya’s eminence is being challenged by the […]
Singapore – A gambler who thought his luck had changed with a windfall at a Singapore casino collapsed in the excitement and died in hospital, local media reported Friday. Ong Seng Kee, 56, had lost all his money at the Resorts World Sentosa casino, where he had gone Sunday night with friends, but one of […]
BANGKOK, 14 February 2012 (IRIN) – With 60 percent of the world’s population, Asia has one of the largest concentrations globally of aging persons, creating a host of potential challenges, experts warn. “Asian countries, besides Japan perhaps, need to plan now. These countries have grown older before they have grown rich,” said Somnath Chatterji with […]
What has been a popular exotic experience in Japan, the capsule hotel is finally arriving in Hong Kong soon. Galaxy Stars Ltd is bringing the tiny sleeping box to the city not just for that claustrophobic experience but more importantly, for no-frills affordability. If there is any place that capsule rooms fit most appropriately, it […]
