Current Affairs
Below you will find a selection of current news stories, poignant to our destinations in Africa, the Middle East, South America, Europe, the Indian Subcontinent, Central Asia, China and Southeast Asia, that we have found either interesting, informative or just plain funny...
Iraq-Turkey railway link re-opens.
Iraq-Turkey railway link re-opens By Jonathan Head BBC News, Istanbul
'Pretty Woman' in temple upset
Villagers in India have accused the Hollywood superstar, Julia Roberts, of interrupting one of their most important religious festivals.
Pakistan to reform tribal areas
In what is being hailed as 'groundbreaking', Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has announced a series of reforms to integrate the country's war-torn tribal areas into mainstream Pakistan. BBC Reports
Pakistan-Turkey rail trial starts
Pakistan has begun its first international freight train service from Islamabad to Istanbul. BBC Reports
Afghan's scale Noshaq
First local team conquers Afghanistan's highest peak. Strait Times, Singapore Reports
Peter Fleming's 1935 journey into Xinjiang
News was received in London at the weekend that Mr Peter Fleming, who has been travelling on a mission for The Times in Manchuria, Mongolia, the interior of China, Northern Tibet and Sinkiang, has arrived safely at Kashgar
China mulls Afghan border request
Chinese and Afghan foreign ministry officials may open up a strategically important and scenic border area, officials say after a meeting. The BBC Reports
Fiennes climbs to Everest summit
Veteran British adventurer Sir Ranulph Fiennes has reached the summit of Mount Everest, succeeding after two previous attempts ended in failure. BBC Reports
Peace hopes grip Sri Lankans
Many jubilant Sri Lankans believe the conflict is all over. Charles Haviland reports for BBC News in Colombo
Superfast secret of northern lights revealed
Jonathan Leake reports in the Sunday Times
Ski respite for war weary Kashmiris
This winter, the attraction of the sun-washed snow slopes of Gulmarg in Indian Kashmir has led many middle class people into shedding their pherans (traditional woollen gowns) and kangri (earthen fire pot hand warmers) for the thrill of winter sports.
Underwear protest at India attack - BBC reports
Indians outraged at an attack on women for drinking in a bar have gathered together to send a provocative gift of underwear to right-wing activists.
Kashmir rivals reopen trade route
An old trade route has reopened after 60 years across the Line of Control (LoC) that divides disputed Kashmir.
Monkey man
India's Lucknow train station has employed a man dressed like a monkey to scare away real monkeys who have menaced passengers.
Dog in court for breaching peace
A dog has appeared in court in the eastern Indian state of Bihar accused of breaching the peace.
Bhutanese government bans computer games in parliament
Bhutan MPs in computer game ban By Subir Bhaumik BBC News, Calcutta
Tourists flock back to Kashmir
By Geeta Pandey BBC News, Srinagar
Nizam heirs claim London fortune
grandson of the last ruler of the Indian princely state of Hyderabad has joined the claims for a share of a fortune frozen in a London bank.
Chitral Relief Monument to be moved
A family who once ruled a princely state of the Raj want a neglected British monument to be moved 200 miles to their mountain kingdom for safekeeping. Isambard Wilkinson reports for the Telegraph
Ethiopian Super-Dad
An Ethiopian man with 11 wives and 77 children is urging people not to follow his example and is giving advice on family planning and contraception. The BBC Reports...
Afghan Pop Idol
Afghan Pop Idol winner declared - the BBC reporst from Kabul
Ethiopian Gold - the BBC reports
Ethiopia's national bank has been told to inspect all the gold in its vaults to determine its authenticity.
BBC Article - Monkey Wedding
Crowds flock to monkey 'wedding' By Sandeep Sahu
Hindu gods get summons from court
A judge in India has summoned two Hindu gods, Ram and Hanuman, to help resolve a property dispute. The BBC reports
Jet stuck in Bombay street
Residents of the Indian city of Mumbai (Bombay) are wondering how long it will take to remove a disused Boeing 737 that has been abandoned in a busy road.
