Pakistani women buried alive for choosing husbands

A Pakistani politician has defended a decision to bury five women alive because they wanted to choose their own husbands.Israr Ullah Zehri, who represents Baluchistan province, told a stunned parliament that northwestern tribesman had done nothing wrong in first shooting the women and then dumping them in a ditch.“These are centuries-old traditions, and I will [...] continue reading the breaking news

EU, Dependent on Russian Energy, Balks at Georgia War Sanctions

Sept. 2 (Bloomberg) — European Union leaders refused to impose sanctions on Russia over the invasion of Georgia, acknowledging their reliance on Russian oil and gas at a time of faltering economic growth.EU leaders took the symbolic step yesterday of suspending talks over expanded trade ties with Russia, fearing that tougher measures would expose the [...] continue reading the breaking news

Joe Biden: Israel should accept ‘nuclear’ Iran

Senator Joe BidenThe US Democratic vice-presidential candidate Joe Biden has advised senior Israeli officials to come to terms with a ‘nuclear’ Iran. In a clandestine meeting with unnamed Israeli officials, which was partially covered by the US Jewish Army Radio, Barack Obama’s vice-presidential nominee said, “Israel will have to reconcile itself with the nuclearization of [...] continue reading the breaking news

Thailand Declares State of Emergency

Thai protesters face riot police inside the Government House compound in Bangkok on Aug. 29, 2008. Photographer: Udo Weitz/Bloomberg NewsSept. 2 (Bloomberg) — Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej declared a state of emergency in Bangkok after street clashes early today left one dead and 43 injured, authorizing the army to help end four months of [...] continue reading the breaking news

South Africa: 500,000 people die of HIV/AIDS each year now…

A friend who had been in military intelligence many years ago told me that he heard the following on the news yesterday:According to the IEC (Independent Electoral Commission), 1 million voters “disappeared” from the voters rolls in the period 2004-2006.Then he saw a news item about new statistics released from Stats SA. (NB: Stats SA [...] continue reading the breaking news

EU, Dependent on Russian Energy, Balks at Georgia War Sanctions

Sept. 2 (Bloomberg) — European Union leaders refused to impose sanctions on Russia over the invasion of Georgia, acknowledging their reliance on Russian oil and gas at a time of faltering economic growth.EU leaders took the symbolic step yesterday of suspending talks over expanded trade ties with Russia, fearing that tougher measures would expose the [...] continue reading the breaking news

UK: Housing sales sink to worst for 30 years

· Estate agents average one deal a week as prices fall· Rics calls for tax-free cash help for first-time buyersThe government is being urged to act swiftly to help drag the ailing property industry up off its knees as housing sales slow to their worst level in three decades and prices continue to decline.According to [...] continue reading the breaking news