CORRUPTION-BRAZIL: More Heads Roll as Crisis Deepens

The crisis facing Brazil's ruling leftist Workers Party (PT) and President Luiz Inácio "Lula" da Silva has progressively deepened over the last seven weeks, as a growing number of government figures are toppled by the emergence of further evidence of large-scale corruption.

POLITICS: India, US Open Can of Nuclear Worms

More than 30 years after the United States walked out of a nuclear cooperation agreement with India, because it conducted an atomic test, the two countries have agreed to resume collaboration in civilian nuclear energy.

INDONESIA: Aceh Deal May Give Regional Parties a Chance

Devastating though it was, the Asian Tsunami brought the proverbial winds of change to Indonesia by focusing international attention on the festering conflict in Aceh province and creating conditions for a political settlement that may yet instruct other ethnic groups.

INDONESIA: Aceh Deal May Give Regional Parties a Chance

Devastating though it was, the Asian Tsunami brought the proverbial winds of change to Indonesia by focusing international attention on the festering conflict in Aceh province and creating conditions for a political settlement that may yet instruct other ethnic groups.

POLITICS: Joint-Defence against Terrorism Tops Indian PM’s Agenda in US

In the wake of the July bomb blasts in London, it is inevitable that terrorism will figure prominently in the agenda of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to the United States; yet the discussions have raised concerns on the sub-continent.

POLITICS: Joint-Defence against Terrorism Tops Indian PM’s Agenda in US

Coming as it does in the wake of the July bomb blasts in London, it is inevitable that containing terrorism will figure prominently in the agenda of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's state visit to the United States.

POLITICS-MALAYSIA: Mahathir Modifies Retirement Plan

After ruling the roost with an iron grip for 22 years, few Malaysians really believed that former prime minister, Dr. Mahathir Mohamad would call it a day, handover power to a successor and leave the political stage he so dominated.

ECONOMY: Thailand Reaps the Whirlwind of Populist Policies

From enjoying a status of near invincibility for almost four-and-a-half years, Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is waking up to a reality that makes him look like any other local politician - vulnerable and on the defensive.

G8 SUMMIT: Africa Is Offered a Little – At a Price

The G8 leaders offered Africa a little with one hand, but that offer cloaked intent to take back more - and with many more hands.

POLITICS: India May Pay Price for Security Council Club Class

Within striking distance of gaining permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council, India is now making moves to stay ahead of other countries in the Group of Four (G-4) that have called for expanding the council's permanent membership from the present five to 11, say observers.

G8 SUMMIT: What if They Disagree to Disagree?

Through the three days of talks little agreement is looking likely; and just as unlikely is any sweet agreement to agree to disagree. The stakes raised by all sides have been too high after the huge build-up to an expectation that the G8 summit will deliver on development of Africa and on action to contain climate change.

G8 SUMMIT: What if They Disagree to Disagree?

Through the three days of talks little agreement is looking likely; and just as unlikely is any sweet agreement to agree to disagree. The stakes raised by all sides have been too high after the huge build-up to an expectation that the G8 summit will deliver on development of Africa and on action to contain climate change.

G8 SUMMIT: What if They Disagree to Disagree?

Every now and then helicopters have been flying towards the Gleneagles Hotel, carrying one or another of the G8 leaders whose three-day summit begins Wednesday.

INDIA: Attack on Religious Site Helps Both Gov’t, Opposition

A suicide attempt to storm one of the world's most disputed religious sites, Ayodhya in northern Uttar Pradesh state, may be just what the doctor ordered for both India's secular, Congress party-led ruling coalition as well as the fractious, right-wing, Opposition groups led by the pro-Hindu, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

EGYPT: Gas Deal Cements Rapprochement With Israel

A recent deal to sell Egyptian natural gas to Israel, while unpopular with the general public here, marks steadily improving diplomatic relations between the historical antagonists.

POLITICS: Eyes Wide Shut, India Enters Military Alliance With U.S.

Once proudly non-aligned, India has turned its back on strategic policy independence through a military cooperation agreement with the United States that analysts say has taken the five-year-old "strategic partnership" to an unprecedented plane.

G8 SUMMIT: Live 8 Emotion Imperfect but an Impetus

The film clip played at the Live 8 concert at Hyde Park in London was meant, of course, only briefly to look like more of the same: the malnourished African child trying to feed off a more malnourished mother; the predictable end to the clip with a close-up of what appeared like a dying child.

MEKONG REGION: Summit Eve Sees Gulf Between Gov’t, Activists

When leaders of the six countries in the Mekong region meet in China on Monday, they will be out of the earshot of non-government groups and academics who say the area's development would put at risk the environment, local livelihoods and cultures.

CORRUPTION-BRAZIL: Fatal Contradictions

When Brazilian President Luiz Inácio "Lula" da Silva took office on Jan. 1, 2003, he had little manoeuvring room in economic terms, while facing similar constraints on the political front, and it is his emphasis on the former, to the detriment of the latter, that has given rise to the crisis now facing his government.

ECONOMY: China Planning Currency Moves

Despite repeated calls by the United States and other western powers for an upward revaluation of the Chinese currency, the yuan, Beijing has refused to budge on its stance that the currency is a matter of national sovereignty - meaning that increased pressure from abroad is likely to provoke greater resistance to change.

PHILIPPINES: Cheating Scandal Raises Questions about Noisy Democracy

When rumours of a coup and a popular revolt rise in the Philippines, protest rallies get underway, the local currency stumbles, and the distribution of political jokes through mobile phones reaches a peak, it can only mean one thing: a political crisis is brewing in this country - all over again.