Conflict

Taliban success in Afghanistan seen as boost for extremists
Conflict, World

Taliban success in Afghanistan seen as boost for extremists

BEIRUT (AP) — A few days after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, a convoy of militants drove through the city of Idlib in northwestern Syria in cars bearing the group’s white-and-black flags, honking horns and firing their guns in the air. The celebrations by an al-Qaida affiliate in a remote corner of war-torn Syria were an expression of the triumph felt by radical Islamic groups from the Gaza Strip to Pakistan and West Africa who see America’s violence-marred exit from Afghanistan an opportunity to reassert their presence. For such groups, the chaotic U.S. departure following the collapse of security forces it had trained for two decades is a gift, underlining their message that Washington eventually abandons its allies, and that defeating powerful armies is possible with enough pat
7 minors among 29 dead on migrant boat to Canary Islands
Conflict, World

7 minors among 29 dead on migrant boat to Canary Islands

MRID (AP) — At least 29 Africans, including seven children, died last week while trying to reach Spain’s Canary Islands on a smuggling boat, according to information released Monday from a U.N. migration agency and a Spanish migrant charity in touch with victims’ relatives. Spanish maritime services on Friday rescued 27 migrants and recovered 4 bodies in the boat that was spotted by a fishing vessel 500 kilometers (300 miles) south of El Hierro, an island in the Canary archipelago off northwest Africa. But at least 24 more people were on the boat when it left Aug. 15 from Dakhla, a port city in the disputed Western Sahara, said Helena Maleno, founder of the Walking Borders non-profit group. Maleno’s organization came up with the figure after conducting extensive interviews with relative
Afghan leader rallies forces in besieged northern city
Conflict, World

Afghan leader rallies forces in besieged northern city

Afghan leader rallies forces in besieged northern city A Taliban fighter on a motorbike is surrounded by locals after the insurgents seized Pul-e-Khumri, capital of Baghlan province about 200 kilometres north of Kabul. MAZAR-I-SHARIF (AFGHANISTAN) - Afghan President Ashraf Ghani returned to the capital Wednesday after a flying visit to the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif to rally his beleaguered forces, with Taliban fighters having now taken more than a quarter of the country's provincial capitals in less than a week. His visit was overshadowed by the mass surrender of hundreds of Afghan soldiers in nearby Kunduz, along with the overnight capture of another provincial capital -- the ninth city to be overrun since Friday. One army officer in Kunduz, who asked not to be identified, said ...
Brutal benchmark: Arizona passes 1 million COVID-19 cases
Business, China, Conflict, World

Brutal benchmark: Arizona passes 1 million COVID-19 cases

PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona surpassed 1 million COVID-19 cases Friday, becoming the 13th state to reach the grim milestone while contending with yet another major spike in infections. The benchmark is the latest in a tumultuous year and a half where Arizona went from being touted as a pandemic success story to being “the hot spot of the world” and then being a model again when vaccinations became available. Now, the state, like the rest of the country, is coping with a surge — mostly of the unvaccinated — and ongoing conflicts over mask and vaccine mandates. It ranks 13th nationwide in the number of cases per 100,000 residents, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID Data Tracker. COVID-19 came early to Arizona. In January 2020, a person with ties to Arizona
‘What will happen to people left behind?’ Afghanistan’s future shaped by big questions
Asia, Business, China, Conflict, Politics, World

‘What will happen to people left behind?’ Afghanistan’s future shaped by big questions

WASHINGTON—The departure of the last U.S. military plane from Afghanistan left the region facing uncertainty, with the Taliban seeking to cement control of a nation shattered by two decades of war and an economy long dependent on foreign aid and opium sales. Now the U.S., its allies, and adversaries including Russia and China must all regroup and assess how they’ll approach the Taliban, which swept to power with stunning speed as American and NATO troops withdrew over the summer. The chaos of the American withdrawal following the collapse of Ashraf Ghani’s government only underscores the country’s fragility and the daunting challenges that await. After evacuating some 120,000 people, the U.S. says it will look to help any Americans who remain in the country. Less certain is the fate of t
To avoid another Afghanistan, Canada must leave NATO
China, Conflict, World

To avoid another Afghanistan, Canada must leave NATO

Wherever they go on the campaign trail, federal political leaders are asked about the Afghanistan crisis and Canada’s failure to evacuate all those who risked their lives to support our soldiers, diplomats, and aid workers. But reporters seem unwilling to press the party bosses on the broader implications of Canada’s military and moral defeat in Afghanistan. I am one of the 40,000 Canadians who served in Afghanistan under the auspices of NATO’s 2001-2014 International Security Assistance Force. Most of Canada’s Afghanistan veterans believed they were fighting for human rights and the protection of women and girls from oppression and violence. That was certainly my belief. But it now seems we were on a fool’s errand for geopolitical reasons we may never understand. Working at the multin
Police fire tear gas to break up Muslim gathering in Kashmir
Conflict, World

Police fire tear gas to break up Muslim gathering in Kashmir

SRINAGAR, India (AP) — Police in Indian-controlled Kashmir fired tear gas and warning shots Tuesday to disperse Shiite Muslims who attempted to participate in processions marking the Muslim month of Muharram. Dozens of people were detained. Hundreds of Muslims chanting religious and pro-freedom slogans took to the streets in the main city of Srinagar despite security restrictions banning the traditional procession. Government forces used batons to beat journalists covering the procession, according to a local reporter. Authorities erected steel barricades and barbed wire to block the crowds. “We respect the religious sentiments and practices of all, but at the same time, it is also our joint responsibility to defeat the ill designs of vested interests who try to disturb the peaceful atm
China to deploy military personnel on Bagram airbase
Asia, China, Conflict

China to deploy military personnel on Bagram airbase

The representation of US’s 20 years in Afghanistan can be dome by the Bagram airbase where China is considering to deploy the its military personnel and economic development officials. China is considering deploying military personnel and economic development officials to Bagram airfield, perhaps the single-most prominent symbol of the 20-year U.S. military presence in Afghanistan. The Chinese military is currently conducting a feasibility study about the effect of sending workers, soldiers and other staff related to its foreign economic investment program known as the Belt and Road Initiative in the coming years to Bagram, according to a source briefed on the study by Chinese military officials, who spoke to U.S. News on the condition of anonymity. A spokesman for the
Sudan signs deal with ICC to get justice for Darfur victims
Conflict, World

Sudan signs deal with ICC to get justice for Darfur victims

CAIRO (AP) — Sudan signed an agreement with the International Criminal Court on Thursday to move forward in the cases against those accused of atrocities in the Darfur region, including the country’s former President Omar al-Bashir, a top ICC prosecutor said. Prosecutor Karim Khan said at a press conference that he would also be deploying a full-time team from his office to Sudan. The developments come as Sudan’s government continues to hold al-Bashir in prison. The ICC issued a warrant for al-Bashir on war crimes charges more than a decade ago, while he was in office. The agreement further raises the possibility of al-Bashir being tried in The Hague, where the ICC is based, an issue that remains controversial in Sudan. Khan landed in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum earlier this week a
India locks down Kashmir after top separatist leader’s death
Conflict, World

India locks down Kashmir after top separatist leader’s death

SRINAGAR, India (AP) — Indian authorities cracked down on public movement and imposed a near-total communications blackout in disputed Kashmir on Thursday after the death of Syed Ali Geelani, a top separatist leader who became the emblem of the region’s defiance against New Delhi. Geelani, who died late Wednesday at age 91, was buried in a local graveyard in a quiet funeral organized by authorities under harsh restrictions, his son, Naseem Geelani, told The Associated Press. He said the family had planned to bury him at the main martyrs’ graveyard in Srinagar, the region’s main city, as specified in his will but were not allowed to do so by police. “They snatched his body and forcibly buried him. Nobody from the family was present for his burial. We tried to resist but they overpowered u