Death toll in Afghan capital mosque bombing now 21: Police
The Islamic State group’s local affiliate has stepped up attacks targeting the Taliban and civilians since the former insurgents’ takeover last August as US and Nato troops were in the final stages of their withdrawal from the country.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa applies for Green Card to settle in US: Report
Former Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who fled the country last month amidst massive anti-government protests calling for his resignation, is awaiting to obtain a US Green Card to return to America and settle there with his wife and son, a media report said on Thursday. In 2019, Rajapaksa renounced his US citizenship to contest …
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Gotabaya Rajapaksa to return to Sri Lanka on August 24, says his cousin
Gotabaya Rajapaksa will return to Sri Lanka on August 24, his cousin Udayanga Weeratunga said on Wednesday, over a month after the former president fled the country amid mass anti-government protests over an unprecedented economic crisis. Sri Lanka, a country of 22 million people, is grappling with its worst economic turmoil in seven decades, leaving …
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Afghanistan marks one year since Taliban seizure as woes mount
Bearded Taliban fighters, some hoisting rifles or the white banners of their movement, staged victory parades on foot, bicycles and motorcycles in the streets of Kabul. Schoolyards stood empty Monday as the Taliban announced a public holiday to mark the day, which they refer to as “The Proud Day of August 15” and the “First …
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Huge explosion hits Kabul mosque, many casualties feared
Police said there were multiple casualties but did not say how many. One Taliban intelligence official told Reuters that as many as 35 people may have been wounded or killed, and the toll could rise further. Witnesses told Reuters the powerful explosion was heard in a northern Kabul neighbourhood, shattering windows in nearby buildings. Ambulances …
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Aung San Suu Kyi to be jailed for 6 more yrs in graft cases
The 77-year-old Nobel laureate and figurehead of Myanmar’s opposition to military rule has been charged with at least 18 offences ranging from graft to election violations, carrying combined maximum jail terms of nearly 190 years. Suu Kyi had called the accusations absurd and denies all charges.
Chinese spy ship’s docking in Sri Lankan port spells long-term concerns for India
China, which already has the world’s largest Navy with 355 warships and submarines, has been actively hunting for logistical bases in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) after establishing its first overseas base at Djibouti on the Horn of Africa in August 2017. China, of course, also has readily-available access to Karachi and Gwadar ports in …
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‘Day of conquest’ as Taliban mark turbulent first year in power
Taliban fighters chanted victory slogans next to the US embassy in Kabul Monday as they marked the first anniversary of their return to power in Afghanistan following a turbulent year that saw women’s rights crushed and a humanitarian crisis worsen. The fighters expressed happiness that their movement was now in power – even as aid …
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A year of Taliban rule gives Afghanistan security but little hope
The Taliban marked a year in power on Monday, but celebrations were muted as Afghanistan struggles with rising poverty, drought, malnutrition and fading hope among women that they will have a decisive role in the country’s future.
Afghanistan marks 1 year since Taliban seizure as woes mount
The Taliban on Monday marked a year since they seized the Afghan capital of Kabul, a rapid takeover that triggered a hasty escape of the nation’s Western-backed leaders, sent the economy into a tailspin and fundamentally transformed the country.
Sri Lankan Navy refutes media reports terming passage exercise with Pakistan Navy ‘war game’
Notably, PNS Taimur is scheduled to conduct a Passage Exercise with Sri Lanka Navy Ship (SLNS) Sindurala in the seas off Colombo as she departs the island on August 15, upon completion of her visit.
Taliban violently disperse rare women’s protest in Kabul
Taliban fighters fired into the air Saturday to disperse a rare women’s protest in the Afghan capital, days ahead of the first anniversary of the hardline Islamists’ return to power. About 40 women- chanting “Bread, work and freedom”- marched in front of the education ministry building in Kabul, before the fighters dispersed them by firing …
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Sri Lanka allows entry for controversial Chinese ship
Sri Lanka granted port access Saturday for a controversial Chinese research vessel despite neighbouring India’s concerns that it could spy on New Delhi’s military installations, officials said. The Yuan Wang 5 is described as a research and survey vessel by international shipping and analytics sites, but it is said to be a dual-use spy ship.
Afghan rights leader Sima Samar heartbroken after year of Taliban rule
A year after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, prominent Afghan rights activist Sima Samar is still heartbroken over what happened to her country. “I think it’s a sad anniversary for the majority of people of my country,” Samar said, particularly for the women “who don’t have enough food, who do not know what is the …
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Afghan girls face uncertain future after 1 year of no school
At a house in Kabul, dozens gathered on a recent day for classes in an informal school set up by Sodaba Nazhand. She and her sister teach English, science and math to girls who should be in secondary school. “When the Taliban wanted to take away the rights of education and the rights of work …
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Timeline of events in Afghanistan since Taliban takeover
After the world cut off funding, Afghanistan’s already ramshackle economy collapsed almost overnight, sending nearly the entire population into poverty and leaving millions unable to feed themselves. No country has yet recognized Taliban rule. After initially signaling they would be more moderate than in their previous time in power, the Taliban turned to a hard …
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Sri Lanka’s ousted president Rajapaksa to seek temporary stay in Thailand
Sri Lanka’s former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa is expected to arrive in Thailand from Singapore on Thursday and stay temporarily in a second Southeast Asian country since fleeing his island nation last month in the midst of mass protests. Thai authorities said Rajapaksa had no intention of seeking political asylum and would only stay temporarily.
Sri Lanka’s ousted president Gotabaya Rajapaksa arrives in Thailand for temporary stay
Rajapaksa arrived at Bangkok’s Don Muang airport on a chartered flight from Singapore after the city-state’s immigration authority said in a statement on Thursday he had left Singapore.