Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Asia

Officials say China to boycott Ukraine peace talks without Russia

China will boycott the negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict unless Moscow has a seat at the table, the Politico magazine has reported, citing officials familiar with the matter.

Afghanistan’s Taliban government accuses Pakistan of bombing civilians

Afghanistan’s Taliban government has accused Pakistan of killing eight civilians in an air raid on Monday. The group responded by opening fire on Pakistani targets, allegedly wounding seven people.

“Afghanistan has turned into major producer of methamphetamine”

An Iranian official says neighboring Afghanistan is now a major producer of methamphetamine in the region, voicing Tehran's readiness to tackle the problem.

Taliban denies US general’s claim over extremist groups

A Taliban spokesman has rejected a US military official's claim that the group's inability or unwillingness to contain extremist groups will destabilize central and southern Asia.

Asif Ali Zardari voted Pakistan’s president for second time

Asif Ali Zardari, the widower of Pakistan's slain first female leader Benazir Bhutto and the father of former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, was voted in as president for a second time Saturday.

China’s FM calls for permanent UN membership for Palestine

Beijing supports Palestine in becoming a full member of the United Nations (UN), Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Thursday.

Shehbaz Sharif elected Pakistan’s Prime Minister for second time

Pakistani legislators have elected Shehbaz Sharif as the country’s prime minister for a second time following a controversial election last month which was marred by allegations of large-scale rigging and delayed results.

Pakistan says US sanctions ‘may not apply’ to gas pipeline project with Iran

Pakistan’s caretaker energy minister has stated Washington’s anti-Tehran sanctions, imposed over its nuclear program, may not apply to the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline as Islamabad was going to start work on the project within its territory and connect to the neighboring country.

EU agrees on 13th package of sanctions against Russia, blacklisting companies in China for first time

The EU has approved its 13th package of sanctions against Moscow, the EU’s Belgian presidency announced on Wednesday on X (formerly Twitter).

China criticizes proposed US sanctions over Ukraine war

China responded to reports that Washington is planning to impose “broad” sanctions on the country, vowing to defend Chinese businesses from measures intended to target firms for allegedly helping Russia in its war on Ukraine.

Russia, Iran navies train in India alongside vessels from US, Europe

India has kick-started a nine-day mega naval exercise in Visakhapatnam with participation of around 50 navies that came amid the fractious geopolitical environment including growing global concerns over deteriorating situation in the Red Sea.

Taliban boycott UN-sponsored meeting in Qatar

The Taliban refused to attend a UN-sponsored conference in Qatar, insisting that their delegation should be recognized as the sole representative of Afghanistan.

Beijing raps EU plan to target Chinese companies with Russia sanctions

Beijing slams “illegal sanctions” and will defend the interests of its firms, the Chinese Foreign Ministry has announced following a report that the EU could blacklist some of the country’s firms for allegedly helping Russia evade the bloc’s restrictions.

Iran president wishes for further development of bilateral relations in New Year message to China

Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi has wished for further expansion of ties between Tehran and Beijing in a message issued on the occasion of the Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival.

Pakistan releases official results of election

Pakistan’s official election results were announced by the election commission on Sunday, with independent candidates affiliated with former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party securing the most seats in the parliament.

Pakistan shuts borders, suspends mobile services on voting day

Pakistan temporarily shut some of its land borders and suspended mobile phone services on Thursday as it beefed up security for voters in a general election that has seen a surge in militant violence in the Asian country.

Explosions near Pakistan candidates’ offices kill several on election eve

Two blasts near electoral candidates' offices in Pakistan's southwestern province of Balochistan killed 26 people and wounded dozens on Wednesday, officials confirmed, raising concerns over security on the eve of a general election.

Taiwan helping to arm Russia amid Ukraine war: Report

Companies based in Taiwan have sold Russia more than $20 million in advanced equipment that can be used for weapons production, the Washington Post daily has reported, citing “trade records and Russian tax documents”. The newspaper noted that Moscow’s defense sector has ramped up purchases in recent months.

Ex-Pakistan’s PM, wife get 7-year jail for marriage law violation

A court in Pakistan has jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi for seven years, ruling their 2018 marriage violated the Islamic law.

Russia says disrupts no intl. bonds in cooperating with Iran, North Korea

Moscow does not break any international commitments by interacting with Tehran and Pyongyang, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a news briefing.

Ex-Pakistani PM Imran Khan, wife jailed in corruption case

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife have been sentenced to 14 years in jail in a corruption case. This comes after another court ruling in which Khan was given ten years for leaking state secrets.

Ex-Pakistan PM Imran Khan, top aide get 10-year jail term for leaking state secrets

A Pakistan court has sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his close aide, former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, to 10 years in prison in a case related to the leaking of state secrets.

Pakistan and Iran create joint mechanism to fight terror

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and his Pakistani counterpart Jalil Abbas Jilani say Tehran and Islamabad have agreed to put in place an advisory mechanism and deploy officers on borders in order to fight terrorism.

Iran says Tehran, Beijing share same views on Red Sea tensions

Iran and China believe that the recent developments in the Red Sea are attributed to the spillover from the cruelty being inflicted on Gaza, Iranian Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson Nasser Kanaani has stated. He was responding to a recent report claiming that China had asked Iran to help rein in Yemeni strikes on ships or risk harming business ties with Beijing.

UN says Taliban enforcing restrictions on Afghan women

The United Nations has published a quarterly report detailing concerns about the human rights situation in Afghanistan, specifically focusing on the limited rights women are awarded under the Taliban rule.

Latest news