Russia may be supplying Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan, the top US commander in Europe has said. Army General Curtis Scaparrotti, who is also Nato’s Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, told a senate hearing he had seen Russian influence on Afghan Taliban insurgents growing. “I’ve seen the influence of Russia of late — increased influence in terms of association and perhaps… Read more »
Pakistan’s parliament on Tuesday amended the constitution to reinstate secret military courts that try civilians charged with terrorism offences, something activists have warned will lead to human rights abuses. The government and Pakistan’s powerful military say the country’s civilian judicial infrastructure is ill-equipped to deal with such cases, partly as judges fear becoming victims of revenge attacks by militants. Military… Read more »
Taliban fighters have captured the strategic district of Sangin in the southern Afghan province of Helmand after security forces pulled out, leaving the district centre to the insurgents, officials said on Thursday. Helmand, which accounts for the bulk of Afghanistan’s billion dollar opium crop, is already largely in the hands of the Taliban but the capture of Sangin underlines their… Read more »
Nepal’s prime minister is set to throw his support behind Beijing’s initiative to build a modern-day Silk Road across Asia during a six day trip to China starting on Thursday, in a move that could upset traditional regional powerhouse India. Beijing is jostling to increase its influence in Nepal, which serves as a natural buffer between China and India. China,… Read more »
UN rights chief suggests Colombo’s persistent failure to investigate atrocities stems from fear of punishing soldiers. According to the UN, as many as 40,000 Tamil civilians may have died in the last few months of the fighting [AP: File] The United Nations has condemned Sri Lanka’s government for failing to investigate civil war-era atrocities, suggesting the government was afraid of… Read more »
India’s leader might make religion a focal point before his 2019 election 4 Hours Ago | 00:48 Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s controversial decision to install a rabble-rouser as leader of India’s most populous state may signal a new direction in his policy platform and potentially sow seeds of religious tension. Following an impressive victory in recent state elections, Modi’s ruling faction… Read more »
The crossings were at first closed in February following attacks in Pakistan which authorities claim have links to Afghanistan [EPA] Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has ordered the immediate reopening of border crossings with Afghanistan, more than a month after they were closed. Pakistan sealed the Torkham and Chaman crossings on February 16, after a string of suicide attacks killed more than 130 people… Read more »
Hundreds of thousands of Afghan children are expected to drop out of school this year, leaving them exposed to significant risks, an international aid group has warned. In a report published on Thursday, Save the Children said that more than 400,000 children in Afghanistan, more than 1,100 a day, might not attend classes, citing a growing instability in the country and… Read more »
After nearly 20 years, three aborted attempts and plenty of wrangling between politicians, feudal chiefs and government officials, Pakistan kicked off a national census Wednesday under tight security. Dressed in green vests proclaiming “Pakistan Census 2017”, census teams fanned out across 63 districts in the first phase of the count, accompanied by army and police officials. The heavy security presence… Read more »
Five-year plan merges restive tribal areas with key province, extending basic rights to citizens for first time ever. Islamabad, Pakistan – Pakistan’s cabinet has approved a plan to introduce widespread political and administrative reforms to its tribal areas on the border with Afghanistan, bringing landmark changes to an area that has long been a sanctuary for armed groups. The changes, which… Read more »