PAK GENERAL, NAIPAUL’S BROTHER-IN-LAW, SHOT DEAD

Pakistani major general who was planning to blow the whistle on fellow generals’ dealings with the Taliban was shot dead by unknown assailants on November 19. Pakistani newspaper Dawn’s headline said Amir Faisal Alavi, brother-in-law...

AIII – Diwali Mela 2008 – Melbourne, Australia (Oct.19)

Massive crowd at the mela Click below for more pictures

Fiji public sector unions issue strike notice

Fiji’s public sector unions have now issued a 28-days notice to strike over the military regime’s decision to cut public servants’ pay by 5 percent and reduce the retirement age from 60 to 55 years. The strike by the Confederation of the Public...

Fiji ‘may hold elections in 2009

Fiji’s military ruler has indicated that he might hold elections a year earlier than planned, to restore parliamentary democracy. Commodore Frank Bainimarama said his Cabinet agreed “in principle” to hold elections by March 2009, revising...

N Zealand sanctions against Fiji soon

New Zealand says it has begun planning tough sanctions against Fiji, in response to the military government’s expulsion of its top diplomat. Prime Minister Helen Clark described the expulsion of High Commissioner Michael Green as a “provocative...

Howard backs NZ in diplomatic row with Fiji

Australian Prime Minister John Howard has called on Pacific nations to press for the removal of Fiji’s interim regime, following talks with New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark. The two leaders met in Sydney yesterday amid an escalating diplomatic...

Fiji expels New Zealand diplomat

Fiji’s post-coup leadership has expelled New Zealand’s top diplomat, accusing him of interfering in the country’s domestic affairs. The interim government said “provisions remain open” for New Zealand to replace Michael...