Analysis by Kalinga Seneviratne SYDNEY (IDN) — With the geo-political battle between China and the United States gathering momentum in Asia, whoever can define democracy better and demonstrate that it works for the betterment of the people, could win the battle in coming years. One may argue that there is no such battle for democracy […]
Colombo’s Cry for Help
By Neville de Silva Neville de Silva is a veteran Sri Lankan journalist who held senior roles in Hong Kong at The Standard and worked in London for Gemini News Service. He has been a correspondent for foreign media including the New York Times and Le Monde. He was also deputy chief-of mission in Bangkok […]
‘Secret plots’, sovereignty and Climate Change Challenges face Pacific in the New Year
Analysis by David Robie Dr David Robie is a retired professor of journalism and founding director of AUT University’s Pacific Media Centre. AUCKLAND (IDN) — In the South Pacific, the year 2021 has closed with mounting tensions over sovereignty and self-determination issues and growing stress over the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic in a region […]
Geo-Political Battle in The South Pacific Hots Up as China Prepares to Send Police Officers to Solomon Islands
By Kalinga Seneviratne SYDNEY (IDN) — China will be sending a number of police officers along with riot-control gear such as shields and helmets for the Solomon Islands police, to help train the local police to stem any more violence against Chinese interests and their citizens in the South Pacific nation. The announcement on Christmas […]
Weaponizing Human Rights—Swiss on The Frontlines
By Sugeeswara Senadhira COLOMBO (IDN) — Many Sri Lankans seeking visas to Switzerland end up filling forms listing out all their personnel information including details about Police records, if any. A vast majority of Sinhalese end up with a curt denial of visas despite their clean records.
The US Conceding Alone Would Lead to Successful Negotiations
Viewpoint by Jonathan Power LUND, Sweden (IDN) — The negotiations over Iran’s supposed nuclear bomb-building abilities seem to be stuck in a rut. On December 27, they re-started once again. Given the detailed undertakings by Iran made in the agreement negotiated by the administration of President Barack Obama before President Donald Trump sabotaged it, it […]
World’s Highest-Paid Rugby Player Delighted He Can Be Picked For Tonga
By Sri Krishnamurthi for Asia-Pacific Report WELLINGTON (IDN) — The world’s highest paid rugby player, Charles Piutau, is delighted he will be eligible to play for Tonga now that World Rugby has changed its eligibility rules. In one of his rare New Zealand interviews, he told Pacific Media Network’s Tongan programme with Tangata Pasifika’s John […]
New Laos-China Rail Link Opens Up Southeast Asia for Trade and Tourism
By Kalinga Seneviratne SINGAPORE (IDN) — A new 414 kilometres high-speed rail link between China and Laos has finally opened landlocked mountainous Laos to the region and made it possible for trade and tourism to expand across Southeast Asia. This link has technically facilitated rail travel from China to Singapore, and land-based trade that could […]
Korean Catholics Misrepresent Korea’s Buddhist Heritage
By Emi Hayakawa This article is the 48th in a series of joint productions of Lotus News Features and IDN-InDepthNews, flagship agency of the Non-profit International Press Syndicate. Click here for previous reports. Emi Hayakawa is Head of Global Operations, BTN (Buddhist Television Network) World, South Korea. SEOUL (IDN) — The celebrated “birthplace” of contemporary […]
New Caledonia Vote to Stay with France Is a Hollow Victory
It Will Only Ratchet Up Tensions Viewpoint by David Robie The writer Dr David Robie is editor of Asia Pacific Report, founding editor of Pacific Journalism Review and former director of the Pacific Media Centre. AUCKLAND (IDN) — “Loyalist” New Caledonians handed France the decisive victory in the third and final referendum on independence it […]