‘Right time’ to use huge bomb in Afghanistan: US General
The top US military commander in Afghanistan said on Friday that the decision to deploy one of the largest conventional bombs ever used in combat was purely tactical, and made as part of the campaign against Islamic State-linked fighters. As many as 36 suspected Islamic State militants were killed in the strike on Thursday evening [...]
The Dalai Lama factor in Sino-Indian relations
By Shashi Tharoor NEW DELHI – Relations between India and China haven’t been particularly warm in recent months. But they have lately taken on an icy chill, with Chinese leaders furious over the Dalai Lama’s visit to the north-eastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims as its own. On April 8, over loud [...]
EU-Turkey ties hang in referendum balance
The future of badly strained EU-Turkey relations hangs in the balance Sunday when President Recep Tayyip Erdogan asks voters to give him increased powers that opponents say will lead to authoritarian rule. Ties with the European Union are a key issue for Turks long-promised membership of the bloc and Erdogan has rounded savagely on Brussels [...]
India investigates ‘sexist’ textbook describing body shape
The Indian minister in charge of education has ordered an investigation into a textbook that described the “best” female figure as 36″-24″-36″. Prakash Javadekar told reporters he strongly condemned the “sexist” book and had asked for “appropriate action”. The book, printed by a private publisher, was taught in some schools which follow India’s Central Board [...]
N. Korea leader oversees special forces op as tensions soar
North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un has overseen a special forces commando operation, state media said Thursday, as tensions soar with Washington over Pyongyang’s nuclear programme. President Donald Trump has sent a naval “armada” to the Korean peninsula in a show of force, accompanied by a warning that Washington is ready to take on North Korea [...]
Knowledge without wisdom – or compassion
I was disillusioned to learn from a couple of my friends, both respected GPs in private practice, that earlier this month some medical students from the Colombo University were going round to visit family doctors in their private dispensaries and asking them to close their clinics for the day (to strike work, in other words) [...]