Breffni O'Rourke

Also by Breffni O'Rourke

• March 29, 2007

  China: Defiant Owners Defend Home, At Any Price

  China's rural population has often found itself pushed aside by rapid development (file photo) (AFP) March 28, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- The international media has flashed the pictures around the world. Chinese media and websites have ensured that the Chinese themselves have heard the story. It's about an ordinary married couple, Wu Yang and his wife, Ping, in the city of Chongqing.

• March 27, 2007

  Central Asia: Rights Groups Highlight Region's Problems

  (RFE/RL) March 27, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- Human rights in Central Asia are coming under fresh scrutiny this week, with a major report by Amnesty International expressing concern with the continued rights abuses as the International Helsinki Federation (IHF) also has some critical things to say about Central Asia.

• March 26, 2007

  Naval Incident Heightens Tensions In Gulf

  The seizure by Iran of what Britain says were 15 sailors on a routine patrol is threatening to turn into a diplomatic incident.

• March 21, 2007

  Controversy | Hollywood film angers Iran

  March 21, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- A Hollywood film with the simple title "300" is arousing anger in Iran. Directed by up-and-coming filmmaker Zack Snyder, the film portrays the ancient battle of Thermopylae, where 300 Greek Spartans barred the way to the grand army of Persian King Xerxes I.

• March 13, 2007

  Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Aid Bodies Work To Save Major Lake

  A satellite image of Lake Balkhash in 2000 (Courtesy Photo) March 13, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- Officials from the European Union and key international organizations are to meet in Kazakhstan to discuss funding efforts to save one of the world's biggest freshwater lakes from possible ecological disaster.

• March 07, 2007

  Women Journalists Subject To Increasing Violence

  Reporters Without Borders marks International Women's Day by drawing attention to increasing violence against female journalists.

• March 06, 2007

  Killing Of Civilians Stirs Controversy

  The deaths of some 20 civilians as a result of attacks from U.S. and NATO forces recently has provoked angry protests.

• March 05, 2007

  China: Government Outlines Its Priorities To Parliament

  Opening session of National People's Congress on March 5 (epa) March 5, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- The annual two-week session of the Chinese National People's Congress is under way in Beijing, with some 3,000 delegates in attendance. The parliament session is used by the government to present its latest priorities, but it is not a democratic event, with the congress merely acting as a rubber stamp for Communist Party policies.

• March 01, 2007

  'Rapid Deterioration' As Afghan Drugs Spread

  The international body that monitors UN antidrug efforts has warned that things are getting worse.

• February 28, 2007

  World: Chinese Market Precipitates Dramatic Falls In World Stock Prices

  The scene in Shanghai on February 28 (AFP) February 28, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- The sharp declines on world stock markets triggered by a brief fall in the Shanghai stock exchange highlight the integration that China has achieved in the global economy.

• February 28, 2007

  Medieval Islamic Designers Knew Their Math

  Two U.S. scientists say some designs in ancient mosques and other Islamic buildings are based on mathematical concepts not established in the West until modern times.

• February 26, 2007

  What Comes Next?

  Six leading world powers are discussing imposing tougher sanctions on Iran as Tehran continues to insist on its right to pursue its nuclear program.

• February 16, 2007

  North Korea: Pyongyang Seen As Seeking Diplomatic Gains From Nuclear Agreement

  Kim Jong-il (center, in file photo) (epa) February 16, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- The international community has won from North Korea a pledge to dismantle its controversial nuclear program. That has brought with it encouraging signs of a relaxation of tensions in Northeast Asia. But some analysts say they doubt whether North Korea will really quit nuclear work completely, and they say Pyongyang is looking for more advantages.

• February 14, 2007

  Shell Faces 'Dilemma' In South Pars Gas Project

  Politics and business are inextricably intertwined as Western oil majors try to develop energy projects in Iran.

• February 13, 2007

  Combating Nuclear Terrorism

  The international community is stepping up efforts to secure supplies of nuclear materials and is discussing the proliferation of medium-range missiles.

• February 07, 2007

  Kidnapping Heightens U.S./Iran Tensions

  Iranian officials say Washington is responsible for the abduction in Baghdad of an Iranian Embassy official, while the United States denies any knowledge of the incident.

• February 05, 2007

  Pakistani President Seeks Support To Curb Conflicts

  Pervez Musharraf met with Iran's president and other officials on how to break the cycle of violence in the Middle East region.

• January 30, 2007

  Kazakhstan: Nazarbaev, Germany's Merkel Discuss Energy, Bilateral Ties

  Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev (file photo) (official site) January 30, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev is holding talks in Berlin today with Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, the current holder of the EU Presidency. The two leaders are likely to discuss the German-driven EU initiative to deepen ties with Central Asia.

• January 29, 2007

  Tehran Thinking About 'Time-Out'

  Iran says it is considering a UN offer to suspend sanctions against Iran if it stops its sensitive nuclear work.

• January 25, 2007

  Putin Seeks To Revive Special Relationship

  President Vladimir Putin is in India for talks aimed at improving the bilateral relationship with Moscow's old Cold War friend.

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