China’s far west region of Xinjiang is seeking closer ties and cross-border cooperation with Pakistan and Central Asian countries in a bid to counter US sanctions and consolidate its role as a gateway under the Belt and Road Initiative. Khunjerab port – the sole border crossing connecting China and Pakistan – in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous … Read more
A Siberian man has converted to Islam at the hands of Sheikh Dr Salah Al-Budair, Imam and Preacher of the Prophet’s Mosque, during his recent visit to the Islamic University in Kyrgyzstan’s capital, Bishkek. The announcement was made by the Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque (PRAGOVSA) on X … Read more
It said Xinjiang should also improve “the legal and work routines for counterterrorism and maintaining stability”, along with public security and stability on the border. The Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region shares borders with countries including Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. China has been accused of human rights abuses in Xinjiang, including that at least 1 … Read more
Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull volcano gained worldwide attention when it erupted in the spring of 2010. Aircraft were grounded and newsreaders struggled with a collection of letters that would score highly in a game of Scrabble. Smoke and ash billow from Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull volcano on April 21, 2010. Photo: AFP The BBC suggested that “AY-uh-fyat-luh-YOE-kuutl-uh” was a … Read more
Both enthusiasts and novices realised that there were gloriously scenic routes in their own back garden, rides of up to 200km (125 miles) that could be completed between dawn and dusk. Beijing residents Brendan Mason and Sean Gallagher (right) are keen cyclists and often head out of the city on their bikes. Brendan Mason, 61, … Read more
The rules as they stand would negatively impact “open, informed public debate, pluralism and democracy,” the panel of four international jurists found. The ruling Georgian Dream party says the bill is necessary to protect against foreign influence. It would require organizations that receive more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad to declare they … Read more
Maladaeva said people have been receiving threats online, urging them to “go back to [their] place.” Some Russians of Asian origin, along with indigenous Russians, are now considering migrating to Central Asia, according to messages that Indigenous of Russia Foundation has received from its subscribers. Two-faced Putin Putin — as always — has distanced himself … Read more
Addressing the Boao Forum for Asia in the Chinese island province of Hainan, Russian deputy prime minister Alexey Overchuk said the Kremlin and Beijing had discussed the possibility of “improving connectivity” between the initiative and the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), a Russian-led effort to create an EU-like common market. China-Russia ties set to deepen with … Read more
WASHINGTON — Climate change and water scarcity are harsh realities facing Central Asia. Glaciers in the east, in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, are rapidly melting, while in the west, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, the Aral Sea has turned into a desert. According to the World Bank, almost a third of the region’s 80 million … Read more
