Region

No Afghans Allowed: Iranian Store Owner Punished Over Racist Shop Sign

An Iranian store owner has received a suspended jail sentence after he displayed a discriminatory sign barring Afghans from his shop.

U.S., Persian Gulf Allies Step Up Pressure On Iran

The United States and key Middle East allies Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates stepped up pressure on Iran, warning against any attacks and taking measures to bolster cooperation to counter Tehran's regional activities.

Of Mosque And State In Central Asia

Rulers and leading Islamic clerics in Central Asia have lived in complicated symbiosis for more than 1,000 years. Both sides have often sought to increase their influence by using the other.

Modi Promises Inclusive India After Stunning Election Win

Data from the Election Commission showed Modi's Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead in 300 of the 542 seats being contested, up from the 282 it won in 2014 and more than the 272 seats needed for a majority in the lower house of parliament.

Curtain Comes Down On India’s Marathon Election

Tens of thousands of voters in eight states lined up at polling stations to cast ballots in the final round of voting that brings India’s marathon 39-day election to a close.

Iran Takes Step Toward Abolishing Discriminatory Citizenship Law

Iranian lawmakers have voted to abolish a longstanding law that denies citizenship to Iranian children born to foreign fathers. Leaving it up to a powerful clerical body to make it so.

U.S. Religion Report Assails China Over Abuses Of Muslims

Members of China's Uyghur Muslim population continue to be subject to "egregious abuses" but the government in Beijing has faced few, if any, consequences, a bipartisan U.S. federal commission says in its 2019 annual report on religious freedom worldwide.

U.S., Russia, China Call For 'Inclusive Afghan-Led' Peace Process

The United States, Russia, and China have agreed on the goal of withdrawing foreign forces from Afghanistan and to seek an "inclusive Afghan-led" peace process, the three countries declared in a joint statement.

Xi Seeks To Reassure Critics Over $1 Trillion Belt And Road Project

Chinese President Xi Jinping says his plan to recreate the old Silk Road is designed to increase and enhance international trade cooperation, as he bid to reassure critics of the $1 trillion infrastructure project.

Afghanistan Feels Impact Of Iran's Economic Isolation

Indian PM Modi Casts Vote In General Election's Third Round