BISHKEK -- Jailed former Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambaev has started a hunger strike to protest his transfer to Bishkek's central detention center from the holding facility at the State Committee ... ( read original story ...)
Laos reopens some local border crossings to revive economy; world Bank provides loan due to Covid-19 woes
The lifting of certain restrictions would allow improved cross-border trade between four provinces in Laos and neighboring countries. The four border crossings included the Nongmar customary border ... ( read original story ...)
Israel locked down amid a surge in cases. Here’s how it’s doing now
New cases of coronavirus are down in Israel following the reimposition of restrictions six weeks ago. CNN's Oren Liebermann looks at the lessons from a small desert town that went into lockdown ahead ... ( read original story ...)
Lebanese president’s daughter ‘doesn’t mind’ conditional peace with Israel
"I defend the interests of my country Lebanon first. Are we required to remain in a state of war?" • Maronite leader: "Lebanon should be the last Arab country to normalize its relations with Israel." ... ( read original story ...)
Mladenov: PA at risk of economic collapse unless ties with Israel renewed
UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Nickolay Mladenov urged Israel to lift some of its restrictions on the movement of goods and people between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. ( read original story ...)
How Syria’s disinformation wars destroyed the co-founder of the White Helmets
In November 2019, James Le Mesurier, the British co-founder of the Syrian rescue group, fell to his death in Istanbul. What led an internationally celebrated humanitarian to take his own life? ( read original story ...)
Syria rebels retaliate after deadly Russia strike: monitor
Pro-Turkish Syrian rebels pounded Moscow-backed regime forces with rocket and artillery fire in northwest Syria Tuesday, a day after Russian aircraft killed dozens among their ranks, a monitor said. ( read original story ...)
Syria: Inside a refugee camp where Covid is spreading
Doctors say Covid-19 is now rampant in the refugee camps of Idlib, north-west Syria. The number of positive coronavirus cases rose tenfold in this region last month. Aid agencies say that due to a ... ( read original story ...)
Kazakhstan adopts Borat phrase for tourism campaign
Kazakhstan's tourism board has adopted the Borat catchphrase "very nice" in its new advertising campaign. The phrase is used by the film character Borat, a fictional journalist from Kazakhstan. The ... ( read original story ...)
North Korea crackdown: Kim Jong-un sends COVID inspection teams to ‘every road and alley’
UN'S feared regime has launched a nationwide crackdown on unauthorised mask manufacturers amid a surge in demand for face coverings due to COVID-19. ( read original story ...)