Trump complains almost daily that U.S. troops are still in Afghanistan and are now vulnerable to the pandemic, officials said. ( read original story ...)
Afghanistan Sees Drop in Civilian Casualties, But Threat Remains Serious
The UN says more than 500 civilians were killed in the first three months of 2020 and urged a ceasefire so the country can focus on fighting COVID-19. ( read original story ...)
Afghanistan set to release 12,000 more prisoners amid coronavirus outbreak
Afghanistan plans to release over 12,000 more prisoners as it battles to contain the coronavirus outbreak, bringing the total number of inmates the government has pledged to release amid the pandemic ... ( read original story ...)
U.N. report: 1,300 civilian casualties in Afghanistan in first 3 months of 2020
Monday's U.N. report said the Taliban was responsible for 39 percent of civilian casualties in January, February and March, and the Islamic State another 13 percent, accounting for a majority of the ... ( read original story ...)
How the oil crash affects oil-dependent countries like Iraq
At a time of historic social unrest, the fall in oil prices is reverberating across the Middle East. In Iraq, where oil revenues fund 90% of the national budget, the government is considering cuts to ... ( read original story ...)
Former South Korea president denies helicopter attack in Gwangju
Former South Korean President Chun Doo-hwan denied armed helicopters were used to shoot down civilians amid a bloody crackdown in the city of Gwangju in 1980. ( read original story ...)
South Korea again downplays rumors about health of North’s Kim Jong Un
The delegation was said to include medical experts, but it wasn't clear if they were going to tend to Kim or help the North's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The rumors about Kim's health began to ... ( read original story ...)
South Korea beating cononavirus but anxiety grows over ‘new normal’
Many countries have postponed elections as a result of the COVID-19 epidemic, but South Korea has proved its resilience by not only flattening its curve of coronavirus infections, but also voting in ... ( read original story ...)
Iran’s borders reopen as government seeks to revive regional trade
Now, all our borders are open,” Ali Rabiei, the government spokesman, said on Monday. “Only the border with Turkmenistan — which has closed all its borders — remains closed.” Regional trade is vital ... ( read original story ...)
Erdogan says Turkey will send medical gear to United States
President Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey will send medical gear including protective suits and masks to the United States on Tuesday to help its efforts to contain the coronavirus outbreak. ( read original story ...)