FURY in India: Bishop Goes on Trial for Raping Nun; New Rape-Murder Case Surfaces

DESPARDES — A Roman Catholic bishop went on trial in Kerala state of southern India Saturday accused of repeatedly raping a nun. Franco Mulakkal is the first Indian clergy to go on trial in the country where rape is the fourth most common crime against women. Mulakkal arrived in court with a group of supportersContinue reading “FURY in India: Bishop Goes on Trial for Raping Nun; New Rape-Murder Case Surfaces”

LATEST NEWSMAKER: Pakistan Army’s Maj. Samia Rehman

DESPARDES — A snapshot of affirmative action for women (besides transgenders, physically-challenged, etc.) in Pakistan reveals an uptick amid traditional and cultural resistance– hallmark of the region’s history for decades. The trend had been like a Beethoven 5th Symphony though — in its resilience, while women performers with unlimited vitality continued during the decades despiteContinue reading “LATEST NEWSMAKER: Pakistan Army’s Maj. Samia Rehman”

This Startup Can Help Pakistanis in Mideast Get Paid in Pakistan For Freelance Online

Eventually, monies earned by these expats in the Middle East will add to remittances and to the household disposable income of their families back home. IRSHAD SALIM — Pakistan is the fourth fastest-growing freelance market. Also, nearly 10m Pakistanis are based overseas, and a substantial number of them live in GCC countries– the largest communityContinue reading “This Startup Can Help Pakistanis in Mideast Get Paid in Pakistan For Freelance Online”

2020: Dawn of Global Tax

The OECD aims to have agreement among its 36 member states on the unified approach by 2020. DESPARDES — Companies are studying a proposal by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) for a new global tax system that would mark a departure from current international tax rules. However, some corporate tax chiefs sayContinue reading “2020: Dawn of Global Tax”

Erdoğan in Doha: Turkey Set to Open a New Military Base

Turkey-Qatar military base serves regional ‘stability’; The visit came as local media reported Qatar intends to buy 100 Turkish tanks DESPARDES — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani, on Monday in Doha. The Turkish President will be attending the 5th meeting of Turkey-Qatar High Strategic Committee, state-runContinue reading “Erdoğan in Doha: Turkey Set to Open a New Military Base”

Petition Filed By Govt to Halt Nov 28 Musharraf Treason Case Verdict –On Legal Grounds

The government had denotified its prosecution team. Still the final hearing was held with the team making its final arguments to the special court. DESPARDES — The interior ministry on Monday filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC), requesting it to set aside a special court’s decision to reserve its judgement in theContinue reading “Petition Filed By Govt to Halt Nov 28 Musharraf Treason Case Verdict –On Legal Grounds”