Author: Tusak Longi

Warsaw, Berlin (25/3 – 80) A diverse group of Pamiri and Ismaili interest groups gathered to discuss the terror attack in Moscow. “We reject the notion this were Pamiris or Ismailis representing us”, said one of the spokespeople, who want to remain anonymous out of fear of persecution by the Tajik authorities. “They are Takfiris”, he said. Non-believers, apostates to the cause. The majlis (meeting) was called after Moscow was quick to blame Tajik immigrants for the terror attacks. Previous warnings were ignored by Moscow. “We as a Pamiri community do not belief in the use of violence against the…

Palestinian Authority (PA) Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh resigned on February 26 in anticipation of postwar governance challenges. “I see that the next stage and its challenges will require new governmental and political arrangements,” Shtayyeh said, emphasizing “the emerging reality in the Gaza Strip, the national unity talks, and the urgent need for an inter-Palestinian consensus.” American and Palestinian officials expect that Abbas will nominate Mohammed Mustafa, the chairman of the Palestine Investment Fund, as Shtayyeh’s successor. Expert Analysis “Bringing in Palestine Investment Fund chief Mohammed Mustafa and pushing out the current prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh is the rearranging of the…

ISLAMABAD — Afghanistan’s Taliban government denounced the United States Saturday for imposing fresh sanctions against two of its leaders for human rights abuses, saying that pressure and restrictive measures do not help solve problems. The response came a day after the U.S. Treasury Department placed sanctions against 20 people in nine countries, including China, Iran and Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, to mark International Human Rights Day on December 10. Friday’s Afghan-related designations listed Mohammad Khalid Hanafi, head of the Taliban’s vice and virtue ministry, and Fariduddin Mahmood, a member of the group’s male-only cabinet and the head of the Afghanistan Academy of Sciences.…

India’s central bank again left interest rates unchanged on Friday, saying that easing inflation and a stable financial outlook had tempered economic headwinds. The benchmark repo rate — the level at which the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) lends to commercial banks — has stood at 6.50 percent since February, following a series of hikes to curb rising prices last year. The Indian economy “presents a picture of resilience”, RBI governor Shaktikanta Das said in a press conference. “Fundamentals remain strong.” Inflation spiked at 7.4 percent in July but was now five percent, Das said, adding that the bank had…

India’s parliament has expelled an opposition lawmaker who was accused of taking bribes in exchange for asking questions. Mahua Moitra, who has denied the allegations, said she was expelled “without proof”. She has the option to challenge the decision in court. Friday’s expulsion followed a resolution passed by lawmakers in the Lok Sabha – lower house of parliament – after a voice vote. Earlier in the day, an ethics panel report that recommended Ms Moitra’s expulsion was tabled in the house. Opposition lawmakers had asked for more time to study the almost-500-page report before debating it, but the speaker did…

JAKARTA, The Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia, in collaboration with 20 distinguished business delegates from Karachi, Pakistan, has embarked on a vital journey to the 38th “Trade Expo Indonesia” held in Jakarta Indonesia. The 38th Trade expo was inaugurated by the Coordinating Ministry of Economic Affairs of Indonesia, Airlangga Hartarto, marking a monumental stride in fostering Indonesia – Pakistan trade relations. A significant moment of the expo was the meeting between the Indonesian Consul General H.E Dr. June Kuncoro Hadiningrat and Abid Nisar, Chairman Pakistan Indonesia Business Council (PIBC), with the Honorable Vice Minister of Trade of the…

London (04/11 – 67) US district judge, Denise Cote yesterday granted Sri Lanka’s request for a six-month halt on a creditor lawsuit against the country. Hamilton Reserve Bank, an obscure and tiny St Kitt’s bank with interesting ties, says it has accumulated a big chunk of one of Sri Lanka’s now-defaulted bonds and had been suing it for immediate repayment. Sri Lanka had asked for a stay on these legal proceedings to let it restructure its overall pile of debt in some peace and quiet, and had gotten heavyweight support from the UK, France and the US government. Judge Cote ruled, “The Court recognizes that…

Parents, teachers, coaches and other adults shouting at, denigrating or verbally threatening children can be as damaging to their development as sexual or physical abuse, a new study finds. The study, published in the journal Child Abuse & Neglect, reviewed 166 earlier studies to produce a detailed analysis of the existing literature on the topic. The authors called for childhood verbal abuse to be ascribed its own category of maltreatment to facilitate prevention. Child maltreatment is currently classified into four categories — physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, of which verbal abuse is a part, and neglect — and this study can inform strategies for…

Japan’s Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori announced in August that Bangladesh was among four countries selected by the Japanese government to receive defense aid under the Official Security Assistance (OSA), which is aimed at providing equipment, supplies and infrastructure development assistance to partner countries in the form of grants, rather than loans, to “reinforce” the region’s “comprehensive defense architecture.” Aside from Bangladesh, Japan chose the Philippines, Fiji and Malaysia to receive OSA grants to improve the region’s defensive capabilities. A common thread running through the countries that Japan chose for OSA defense cooperation is the context under which these countries operate — all are concerned about…

The United States Embassy in Dhaka has said it notes the passage of the new Cyber Security Bill by the Bangladeshi Parliament. “We regret that the government of Bangladesh did not give stakeholders adequate opportunity to review and provide input on the new law to ensure it meets international standards,” it said in a statement on Thursday. “Unfortunately, the CSA retains many aspects of its predecessor, the Digital Security Act. The new legislation continues to criminalize freedom of expression, retains non-bailable offences, and too easily could be misused to arrest, detain and silence critics.” However, State Minister for Foreign Affairs…