2. Security

    2022-06-27

    Ineffective Chinese military equipment causing headaches in Pakistan

    The commissioning of a new Chinese-made frigate for Pakistan has defence analysts calling attention to the serious problems of other Chinese ships, drones and other military equipment.

  3. Economy

    2022-06-24

    'Blackmail': Russia threatens world famine with blockade of Ukraine

    Moscow is demanding sanctions be scrapped in exchange for re-opening Ukrainian seaports. At the same time, Russian forces are looting and selling Ukrainian grain, observers say.

  4. Religion

    2022-06-23

    Chinese copper mine threatens ancient city near Kabul

    There is rising concern that Mes Aynak, an ancient city carved out of immense peaks in Logar province, could disappear without oversight.

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Islamabad rejects Chinese bid for private security company in Pakistan

Allowing China to operate security companies in the country would undermine Pakistan's sovereignty and also raises the spectre of notorious outfits like Russia's Wagner Group.

Islamabad rejects Chinese bid for private security company in Pakistan
  1. Environment

    2022-06-22

    Aid organisations rally as earthquake kills at least 1,000 Afghans

    Foreign countries and international organisations hours after the powerful earthquake vowed to help those affected.

  2. Security

    2022-06-21

    Islamabad rejects Chinese bid for private security company in Pakistan

    Allowing China to operate security companies in the country would undermine Pakistan's sovereignty and also raises the spectre of notorious outfits like Russia's Wagner Group.

  3. Security

    2022-06-20

    Taiwan bristles over China's aggression, emboldened by Russia's invasion of Ukraine

    Russia's war in Ukraine has served as an ugly reminder of what could happen if China follows through on its threats against Taiwan, observers say.

  1. Society

    2022-06-16

    Poverty forces 70 Afghan couples to marry in mass wedding

    Historically, couples from families unable to foot the bill have sometimes opted to pool their resources in low-cost large scale marriages.

  2. Economy

    2022-06-15

    Chinese loans partly to blame for Pakistan's economic crisis

    Soaring inflation and heavy reliance on Beijing's predatory loans have enabled China to leverage 'debt trap diplomacy' in Pakistan, analysts say.

  3. Refugees

    2022-06-13

    Promising residence permits, Iran lures Afghans for deportation instead

    The Iranian regime's offer of six-month residence permits is merely a trick to arrest and expel refugees from Iran, recently deported Afghans say.

  4. Security

    2022-06-10

    China's drone carrier hints at aggressive territorial ambitions

    China's Zhu Hai Yun drone carrier is an imposing and provocative threat in the Pacific Ocean, where Beijing aims to cement territorial claims, analysts say.

  5. Politics

    2022-06-09

    China moves in on Iran as it seeks to extend its hegemony into Middle East

    The regime in China seeks economic influence and a slice of the region's energy resources, while Iran looks East for support as it faces Western sanctions.

  6. Human Rights

    2022-06-07

    Financier of Russian mercenary group fails to dodge culpability

    A top EU court rejected Yevgeny Prigozhin's bid to overturn sanctions amid growing evidence of war crimes committed by Russian mercenaries in conflicts around the world.

  7. Analysis

    2022-06-06

    'Salute, Commander!': Iran's musical effort to brainwash children

    The Iranian regime's latest attempt to indoctrinate children has struck a sour note with child psychologists, activists and many Iranians.

  8. Education

    2022-06-03

    Global aid organisations launch initiative to deter child labour in Afghanistan

    The UN, EU and German-funded Help Organisation have launched a joint initiative to enable more than 1,600 Afghan children to stop working and attend school.

  9. Economy

    2022-06-02

    China's hoarding exacerbates Russia-sparked world food crisis

    Beijing has made a series of massive grain purchases, sending the price of corn to historic highs amid a worsening global food crisis caused by Russia's seizure of Ukrainian wheat.

  10. Elections

    2022-06-01

    Rise of anti-China movement in Gwadar highlights failed promises

    Voters in Gwadar rejected Chinese efforts to court influence in their district after Chinese promises of prosperity and lucrative development failed to materialise.

  11. Diplomacy

    2022-05-31

    Pacific island nations rebuff China's 'good brother' offer

    The small island nations saw through Beijing's 'disingenuous' offer for a regional security pact, preferring instead to remain independent of Chinese influence in government and industries.

  12. Analysis

    2022-05-27

    China's indirect support to IRGC is undermining its own economic interests

    Iran-backed attacks on countries where China hopes to gain a foothold, and international sanctions, bode ill for Beijing's military and economic plans in the region.

  13. Human Rights

    2022-05-26

    Uighur abuse likely approved by Beijing at 'highest levels'

    New leaked documents show thousands of photographs from inside Xinjiang's system of mass incarceration, including many detained Uighurs and other Muslim minorities.

  14. Security

    2022-05-25

    Russia, China hold joint military exercise as Taiwan tensions spike

    Leaders of Japan, India, Australia and the United States warned China against attempts to 'change the status quo by force' in the Indo-Pacific region.

  15. Security

    2022-05-24

    Spider in the centre: Iran's web of drone manufacturing and regional chaos

    Like the strands of a spiderweb, threads of forensic evidence gleaned from drone attacks in the region all lead back to the Islamic Republic and its military.

  16. Security

    2022-05-23

    Pakistani militiamen involved in escalating drug war in Syria

    Tension has escalated among IRGC-affiliated militias in the Sayyida Zainab area over territorial claims for drug sales and profits.

  17. Security

    2022-05-20

    Ukraine debacle debunks myth of 'invincible' Russian weaponry

    Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly boasted about his country's new generation of 'invincible' weapons. The reality in Ukraine shows a very different story. 

  18. Security

    2022-05-19

    ISIS attacks worry residents of Afghanistan's northern provinces

    ISIS-K has carried out a recent string of fatal attacks throughout the country and is taking advantage of the prevailing poverty and uncertainty to recruit members, analysts say.

  19. Crime & Justice

    2022-05-18

    Iranian crew in custody after $39 million drug haul seized from fishing vessel

    Crew tried to discard drugs before their vessel was interdicted along a route used to smuggle people, weapons, narcotics and charcoal.

  20. Security

    2022-05-17

    Killing of ISIS-K mastermind in Peshawar undermines plans of ISIS central

    Hasan Shah masterminded a suicide attack on a Shia mosque in Peshawar in March that killed more than 64 worshippers. He was recently profiled in an ISIS publication as a key regional leader.

  21. Refugees

    2022-05-16

    Islamic scholars deem Iran's treatment of Afghans 'un-Islamic, inhumane'

    Iranian authorities have been accused of torturing and beating Afghan refugees, in acts that many scholars see as a violation of sharia law.