Monday, October 27, 2008

KASHMIR PROTESTS "OCCUPATION"

Kashmir Shuts Down on Anniversary - KO, 27 October 2008.
India deploys to halt Kashmir protests - Reuters, 27 October 2008.

"The Kashmir Coordination Committee (KCC), spearheading the ongoing agitation against New Delhi’s rule, has called for strike to protest against the landing of Indian troops in Srinagar on this day in 1947. " (Emphasis added)

Thursday, October 23, 2008

BOYCOTT OF STATE ELECTIONS URGED

Kashmiris protest after leader held - AJ, 23 October 2008.

"Residents are demanding the release of Yasin Malik, arrested overnight after organising a rally urging people to boycott forthcoming elections...Multi-stage state elections are due to start on November 17 in Kashmir, where the past two months have witnessed some of the biggest anti-India protests since a separatist revolt against New Delhi's rule broke out in 1989."

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

INDIA LAUNCHES FIRST MOON MISSION

India launches first Moon mission - BBC, 22 October 2008.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

INDIA & PAKISTAN AGREE TO KASHMIR TRADE ROUTE

Cross LOC Traders Overcome Hurdles- KO, 16 October 2008.
Uri-M’abad Route to be Ready by Oct 15 - KO, 23 September 2008.
India, Pak agree to Kashmir route - Reuters, 22 September 2008.

An agreement between India and Pakistan toward a more permanent, overland trade route in Kashmir, the roadway linking Uri (IN) and Muzaffarbad (PAK), took a positive step in September, despite increasing tensions in the region, and between the two nations. The future of this link, vital to the small business traders of Jammu & Kashmir state, is largely out of their own hands. Cross-border trade is threatened by three looming issues:
1. India's introduction of troops to Afghanistan, on Pakistan's Western Front.
2. India's
construction of dams on rivers that flow into Pakistan from its Eastern Front.
3. Continued, and/or
increasing instability in Pakistan.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

GULMARG, KASHMIR: POWDER DESTINATION

"An informative and entertaining slide show by Brian Newman, snow safety officer contracted by the Kashmiri government to westernize Gulmarg in 2007. Join Brian for amazing ski photos from his adventures in the region of Kashmir. If you are thinking about a trip to Gulmarg, get the guidance to make the most of your adventure. Show starts at 8:00 PM." More information.

One likely topic of this presentation will be a discussion of avalanche danger and proper preparation. Find photographs of avalanche path and debris at Gulmarg here and there. More about Brian Newman, and avy danger at Gulmarg at these posts.

Highly recommended - This video from Rocky Mountain Sherpas:

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

OUR SECRET WAR IN PAKISTAN

Our secret war in Pakistan - MSNBC, 7 October 2008.
BACKSTORY: South Asia Awaits Another Secret War - TO, 19 July 2008.

Friday, October 3, 2008

Wednesday, October 1, 2008