India, Pakistan trade fire over Kashmir
India and Pakistan exchanged fire across the de facto border of the disputed Kashmir region while blaming the other for instigating the shelling that killed at least nine people.
Pakistan
Asia Bibi gives first newspaper interview, says she is only one among many victims of blasphemy law
Asia Bibi, the Christian mother held on death row for 8 years in Pakistan under blasphemy charges, recently gave her first-ever newspaper interview with the Sunday Telegraph.
Christian mother Asia Bibi demands justice for blasphemy law victims: ‘The world should listen’
Christian mother Asia Bibi condemned Pakistan’s harsh blasphemy laws and issued an urgent call for reform in her first interview since being released from prison after spending eight years on death row on a false blasphemy charge.
Final Touches Being Put on Deal As Taliban Reviews Proposal On U.S. Withdrawal
As U.S. and Taliban officials look to apparently seal a historic deal to end the 18-year Afghan conflict, leaders of the extremist militant group are reviewing the proposed agreement at an undisclosed location along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.
Pakistan asks U.N. Security Council to meet on Kashmir crisis
Pakistan has called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, saying India’s revoking of autonomous status to its section of disputed Kashmir poses a threat to the peace and security of South Asia.
Pakistan Downgrades Ties With India as Tensions Rise Over Kashmir
Pakistan says it is expelling India’s high commissioner to Islamabad, just hours after downgrading diplomatic and trade ties with New Dehli for stripping the disputed Kashmir region of its special status, as bilateral relations continue to deteriorate.
500 Arrests Made During Clampdown in Indian-Ruled Kashmir, Report Says
A petition was filed Thursday in India’s top court challenging the communications blackout and security clampdown in Indian-controlled Kashmir, where people remained holed up in their homes for a fourth day.
Kashmir tensions intensify amid India-Pakistan skirmishes
Tensions have soared along the volatile, highly militarized frontier between India and Pakistan in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir, as India has deployed more troops and ordered thousands of visitors out of the region.
UN resolutions name Israel as only country violating women’s rights
Two UN Economic and Social Council resolutions passed last week accused and singled out Israel as the only country violating women’s rights, according to UN Watch, a non-governmental organization.
Christian Imprisoned for 5 years for Blasphemy in Pakistan Granted Release
A Christian accused of blasphemy in Pakistan, who spent 5 years in prison for allegedly insulting the prophet Lut, was released and acquitted of charges June 6th.
U.K. Report: Christian Persecution ‘Overlooked in the West’
The final version of a UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office report was released at the beginning of July, detailing Christian persecution worldwide and citing a failure of Western governments to even recognize it.
Christian Pakistani Girls Continue to Face Kidnappings, Abuse at the Hands of Muslim Men
A Christian Pakistani girl was kidnapped and raped by five Muslims before being returned to her father a day later in a traumatized condition, ucanews.com reports.
Blasphemy Charges against Pakistani Christians Continue Despite Asia Bibi Release
The date of an appeal hearing for a Pakistani Christian man accused of blaspheming the prophet Muhammad in 2013 has reportedly been set.
German intel: Iran buying illegal technology for weapons of mass destruction
The Islamic Republic of Iran is involved in the illicit procurement of technology for weapons of mass destruction, the German intelligence agency for the northern state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern wrote in its May report.
Asia Bibi Finally Leaves Pakistan a Free Woman
Asia Bibi, a Christian woman who was held on death row for eight years in Pakistan, is a free woman.
Pakistani Christian girls targeted by Chinese as brides
Muqadas Ashraf was just 16 when her parents married her off to a Chinese man who had come to Pakistan looking for a bride. Less than five months later, Muqadas is back in her home country, pregnant and seeking a divorce from a husband she says was abusive.
Pentagon says China plans to build military bases around the world to protect Belt & Road project
The US Defense Department expects China to add military bases around the world to protect its investments in its ambitious One Belt One Road global infrastructure program, according to an official report released Thursday.
Asia Bibi Leaving Pakistan ‘Very Soon’ According to Prime Minister
Pakistan’s Prime Minister has assured media that Asia Bibi, the Christian woman holed up in solitary confinement for ten years after being charged with blasphemy, “will be leaving in weeks,” according to the BBC.
U.K. Home Office Takes a Second Look at Iranian Christian Man’s Application for Asylum After Tweets Expose Anti-Christian Bias
The U.K. Home Office has decided to take another look at an Iranian Christian man’s application for asylum, which it initially rejected based on his claim that Christianity was a “peaceful” religion.
Christian Mother and Wife Kidnapped and Married to Muslim Man Without Her Consent as Disturbing Trend Continues in Pakistan
A Pakistani Christian mother and wife was abducted on February 25th and forced into marriage with a Muslim and was only restored to her family after her husband called the police and threatened to light himself on fire.