POLITICS-US: Kurdish “Thank You” a Republican Stunt?

Kurdish officials toured the United States last week to launch a massive advertising and public relations campaign thanking the United States for overthrowing Saddam Hussein and urging U.S. companies to invest in the region.

MEDIA-MALDIVES: Island Paradise, Hell for Dissidents

Maldives, in the Indian Ocean, is known as an island paradise for those who want to get away from it all. But, not so well known is the fact that it is a hell for journalists and dissidents who dare criticise the 28-year-old regime of President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

MEDIA-SOUTH ASIA: Gov’ts Play Gag the Press Games

Across South Asia, ruling establishments have introduced or are attempting to introduce laws that curb the working of independent media, while claiming to uphold democratic values.

MEDIA-SOMALIA: “Any Person Can Kill You…”

Martin Adler, 2006; Kate Peyton, 2005; Duniya Muhyadin Nur, 2005; Abdullahi Madkeer, 2003; Ahmed Kafi Awale, 2000; Marcello Palmisano, 1995; Miran Krovatin, 1994; Ilaria Alpi, 1994; Pierre Anceaux, 1994; Jean-Claude Jumel, 1993; Hansi Krauss, 1993; Hosea Maina, 1993; Dan Eldon, 1993; Anthony Macharia, 1993*.

RIGHTS-IRAN: Scholar’s Long Detention, Warning to Dissidents

Nearly three months after Iranian scholar Ramin Jahanbegloo was arrested, academics and civil society activists here are protesting that he has not yet been formally charged and that he is being used as a scapegoat to frighten other intellectuals.

MEDIA-INDIA: Bloggers Blocked After Mumbai Blasts

India's fast-growing community of ‘bloggers' and Internet users was in for a rude shock when it found favourite sites blocked out in the wake of the serial blasts in crowded trains that killed 200 commuters in the western port city of Mumbai, last week.

INDIA: Mulling Tough Responses to Mumbai Bombings

After securing sympathy and support for fighting terrorism from the G8 grouping of the world's wealthiest countries in St. Petersburg, the Indian government is coming under pressure to harden its response to last week's Mumbai serial bombings, which killed 200 people.

MIDEAST: In U.S., Not All Casualties Are Equal

Numerous U.S. groups, intellectuals, politicians and media outlets are mobilising in the United States to back Israel in its ongoing assault on neighbouring Lebanon with one main idea to promote - that Israel is always the victim.

MEDIA-IRAQ: A Voice From the Most Dangerous Place on Earth

For IPS and those closely associated with slain reporter Alaa Hassan, Jun. 28 was a day unlike any other - for the first time since the beginning of the war in Iraq, IPS lost a reporter in the line of duty.

MIDEAST: In U.S., Not All Casualties Are Equal

Numerous U.S. groups, intellectuals, politicians and media outlets are mobilising in the United States to back Israel in its ongoing assault on neighbouring Lebanon with one main idea to promote - that Israel is always the victim.

EAST TIMOR: Doubts Linger on New PM’s Ability

East Timor's new Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta has been warmly welcomed by Australia's foreign minister Alexander Downer as a leader who could help solve the country's political crisis. But analysts in the region doubt if Horta can deliver the goods, where his own country is concerned.

IRAN: Poll Suggests Strong Nationalism, Anti-U.S. Sentiment

While only one in four Iranians believe that developing nuclear weapons should be their government's most important long-term goal, more than half say that economic hardship should not deter the country from pursuing its nuclear programme, according to a new survey released here Thursday.

EGYPT: Journalists Challenge New Press Law

Many journalists and opposition leaders are opposing a new law approved by parliament this week. They say the law fails to protect editors and reporters from imprisonment for so-called press violations.

MEDIA-SINGAPORE: Crackdown on Satirical Blogging

Among the popular T-shirts that a tourist can buy on a visit to Singapore is one that, tongue-in-cheek, describes that affluent island country as a 'Fine City'.

MEDIA-IRAQ: Independence Carries a Heavy Price

On Jun. 28, IPS reporter Alaa Hassan was ambushed and shot six times as he drove to work in Baghdad, bringing to 75 the number of reporters who have been killed while working in the country since the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003.

PAKISTAN: Reporter’s Death Rouses Calls for Media Freedom

Three weeks after Hayatullah Khan Dawar's body was found, handcuffed and shot, his apparent death in custody has become a rallying call for those demanding an end to attacks on journalists in Pakistan's sensitive tribal areas along the Afghanistan border.

IRAQ: A Story IPS Never Wanted to Tell

IPS contributor Alaa Hassan was killed on his way to work last Wednesday. He was 35 years old. He is survived by his mother, five brothers, five sisters and his wife who is pregnant with their first child.

IRAQ: IPS Reporter Shot and Killed in Baghdad

Iraqi journalist Alaa Hassan, who reported for the international news agency IPS (Inter Press Service), was shot and killed in Baghdad.

SPORTS: Mercosur Loses World Cup Hegemony

"Shameful", "a team with no soul", "at least the Argentines landed on their feet," said indignant fans and perplexed sports commentators here in reaction to Brazil's defeat Saturday, which sealed the loss of the Mercosur countries' longstanding hegemony in the final stages of football World Cups.

POLITICS-US: Lou Dobbs’ Dubious Guest List

On the May 23 edition of CNN's "Lou Dobbs Tonight", the generally affable talk-show host, who has become the network's go-to-guy on immigration issues, used a graphic provided by the white nationalist Council of Conservative Citizens to pound home his point about a racist anti-immigrant conspiracy theory.

BALKANS: Hate Speech Deepens Old Divisions

Hate speech has returned to the Balkans, bringing back memories of the 1990s when such talk against the ethnicity of others was routine.