South Asia
Thousands affected by floods in Sri Lanka
By our correspondents, December 22, 2012
Most of those affected are poor farmers, fishermen and workers, who received no official forewarning.
Pakistan: Ethnic violence in Karachi deadliest since 1994
By Ali Ismail, December 20, 2012
Pakistan’s largest city is being ravaged by increasingly bloody ethnic and sectarian violence, as gangs associated with rival establishment political parties fight over turf and criminal rackets.
Ravi Shankar, acclaimed Indian musician, dies at 92
By Kapila Fernando, K. Ratnayake, Peter Symonds, December 20, 2012
What was unique about Ravi Shankar was the breadth of his interests, willingness to experiment and passion for making classical Indian music available to the world.
Sri Lankan SEP marks 25th anniversary of Keerthi Balasuriya’s death
By our correspondent, December 19, 2012
SEP members and supporters attended the memorial ceremony in the Colombo General Cemetery.
Australia boosts links with Sri Lankan regime
By Mike Head, December 19, 2012
The Australian foreign minister announced closer military cooperation in preventing refugees fleeing Sri Lanka and exercising their right to seek asylum.
The enduring significance of the life and work of Comrade Keerthi Balasuriya
By International Committee of the Fourth International, December 18, 2012
The International Committee of the Fourth International and the World Socialist Web Site today mark 25 years since the death of Comrade Keerthi Balasuriya, the general secretary of the Revolutionary Communist League, forerunner of the Socialist Equality Party of Sri Lanka.
Ten girls die in Afghanistan explosion as US pushes for permanent presence
By Bill Van Auken, December 18, 2012
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told a press conference in Kabul last week that “we are not departing Afghanistan.”
Instigator of 2002 Gujarat pogrom seeks new term as Chief Minister
By Kranti Kumara, December 17, 2012
Chief Minister Narendra Modi, an unabashed Hindu supremacist, is hoping he can use victory in the Gujarat state elections to catapult himself into the national political arena.
India: Thousands join convention and protest to defend victimised Maruti Suzuki workers
By Arun Kumar, December 15, 2012
The convention and march underscores growing militancy among auto workers in India who want to fight the slave labour conditions they are subjected to.
Indian establishment mourns founder-leader of fascist Shiv Sena
By Nanda Wickremasinghe, December 15, 2012
The fawning send-off the Indian ruling class accorded Bal Thackeray, the founder-leader of the fascist Shiv Sena (SS), following his death last month at the age of 86 constitutes both a lesson and warning to the working class.
Sri Lanka: Security forces continue arresting Tamil youth
By our correspondent, December 14, 2012
Jaffna University students have been targeted because they have opposed the suppression of democratic rights and the privatisation of university education.
After winning FDI vote, Indian government vows to push ahead with pro-investor measures
By Deepal Jayasekera, December 13, 2012
Last week’s debate and vote on opening India to Walmart and other giant retailers has underscored the support of all sections of India’s political establishment for big business’ economic agenda.
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