Health

2021-10-26

US donates COVID-19 vaccines to Uzbekistan, key equipment to Kyrgyzstan

The United States is donating 1.1 billion COVID-19 vaccines worldwide -- of which it has already delivered more than 200 million doses.

Refugees

2021-10-26

Tajikistan prepares for potential surge of Afghan refugees

Tajikistan is building several refugee camps in districts bordering Afghanistan in case refugees pour in from the neighbouring state as conditions worsen under the Taliban.

Crime & Justice

2021-10-25

Russian law banning cash payments to non-residents draws criticism

The case of a Kazakh cleaning woman has put Russian law and the Eurasian Economic Union under scrutiny.

Human Rights

2021-10-22

Termez becomes strategic hub for Afghan aid amid worsening crisis

The cargo centre in Uzbekistan is the only such terminal in Central Asia built next to the Afghan border, and has become a focal point for international aid as the humanitarian crisis escalates.

Religion

2021-10-22

China silences popular Koran app for millions of Muslims

The Quran Majeed app is 'trusted by over 25 million Muslims globally', according to the app's developer. But -- without evidence -- Beijing claimed it contains illegal religious texts.

Business

2021-10-21

Shift toward US markets helped Kazakh businesses weather pandemic: economists

US-funded projects not only helped Kazakh business owners to survive during the pandemic but also created opportunities to sell their products to new markets as China shut its borders.

Security

2021-10-20

Putin fear-mongering highlights true aims of Russia-dominated CSTO

Member states are becoming more aware that the security bloc was created to protect the geopolitical interests of Moscow, not their own countries from some mythical external threat.

Religion

2021-10-19

Beijing earns millions from assets seized from Muslims arrested in Xinjiang

In secret trials, Xinjiang courts have convicted wealthy and influential Muslims of 'terrorism' and ordered their assets be sold at auction, further filling Beijing's coffers.

Society

2021-10-18

Kazakh bill aims to end compulsory translation of signage into Russian

The move will provide necessary legislative support to the Kazakh language in areas where its influence is diminished, say observers.

Security

2021-10-15

Uighur IS suicide bomber spotlights Taliban's risky ties with China

Beijing is achieving its political, security and economic ambitions by using the Taliban to suppress Uighurs in Afghanistan -- a reckless move that threatens to ignite sectarian strife, analysts say.

Terrorism

2021-10-14

High social media use among Kyrgyz youth raises concerns over extremist recruitment

Forty-three percent of elementary school children and 95% of high school pupils have social media profiles -- making them potential targets for extremist recruiters, analysts warn.

Diplomacy

2021-10-13

Kazakhstan envisions Almaty as regional hub for Afghan aid

The UN has approved a proposal by the Kazakh president to create a humanitarian hub in Almaty to deliver international aid to Afghanistan.

Economy

2021-10-13

Chinese project set to displace a half-million residents in Pakistan

Chinese economic ventures frequently inflict high costs on impoverished dwellers living in the way of bulldozers.

Human Rights

2021-10-12

Migrants in Russia lose outspoken defender amid increasing lawlessness

Russian authorities last month banned Valentina Chupik from the country in apparent retaliation for her criticism of Russia's mistreatment of Central Asian migrants.

Crime & Justice

2021-10-11

China seen as new centre for Iran's money-laundering operations

China has been providing Iran cover for various money laundering and illegal activities as the ties between the two regimes deepen after the 25-year agreement was signed in March.

Analysis

2021-10-08

Tense ties: Isolated Iran acts out, tries to intimidate Azerbaijan

Increasingly isolated in the region, Tehran appears to be acting out, this time creating tensions with Baku over a military exercise on its border.

Security

2021-10-08

Concerns mount over link between Chinese phones and security risks

The Xiaomi -- the most popular smartphone in Europe -- was found to contain a built-in censorship tool, while national security risks continue to trouble world governments.

Security

2021-10-07

Uzbek authorities crack down on extremists radicalising youth online

Authorities in September detained nearly 70 suspects accused of recruiting for banned extremist groups.

Security

2021-10-07

US embassy donates 20 jeeps to Tajik special forces

The security aid comes in the wake of the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan and concerns about violence spilling over the border.

Politics

2021-10-06

International community demands answers from Russia on Navalny poisoning

Opposition leader Alexei Navalny was poisoned in Russia with the Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok in August last year, and the international community has given Russia 10 days to provide answers.

Diplomacy

2021-10-05

Taliban takeover puts relationship with Iran on the rocks

Iran appears to have preferred the Taliban, which Tehran supported militarily for years, as an opposition force in Afghanistan. Now with the Taliban in power, Iran is singing a different tune.

Politics

2021-10-04

Chinese economic retaliation causes heavy losses for Kazakh companies

A freeze on the movement of goods along a key trade route is linked to Kazakhstan's criticism of Beijing's Xinjiang policies, say analysts.

Human Rights

2021-10-01

China's 'sinicisation' plan does away with mosque domes, Islamic theology

Beijing's sinicisation policy includes removing mosques' minarets and domes, and replacing the adhan with the national anthem. Imams and worshippers say they are powerless to resist.