U.N. highlights torture in Afghan jails but says progress is being made
Afghan security forces have inflicted less torture and mistreatment of prisoners detained in conflict in recent years but “horrendous” practices persist despite new laws, the United Nations said on Wednesday.
Pakistan’s PM Khan to visit China next week, sign new pacts
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan will visit China next week to meet its leaders and deliver a keynote speech at the vast Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, the South Asian nation’s foreign ministry said on Wednesday, as economic anxiety grows at home.
China’s Xi, in scandal-plagued Chongqing, praises city’s achievements
Chinese President Xi Jinping offered praise on Wednesday for what he called the achievements of the southwestern city of Chongqing, one of the country’s most important cities, hit by two major graft scandals in recent years.
Turkey looking at new trade mechanisms with Iran to avoid U.S. sanctions
Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Wednesday Turkey is looking into establishing new trade mechanisms with Iran, like the INSTEX system set up by European countries to avoid U.S. sanctions reimposed last year on exports of Iranian oil.
Iranian female boxer cancels return home after arrest warrant issued
Sadaf Khadem, who on Saturday became the first Iranian woman to contest an official boxing bout, has canceled her return to Tehran after an arrest warrant was issued for her there, her representative said on Wednesday.
Factbox: Indonesia presidential election unofficial results
Indonesian President Joko Widodo was leading in the race to run the world’s third-largest democracy, based on around 90 percent of samples of votes counted by independent pollsters.
Malaysia begins inquiry into 2015 discovery of mass graves, human trafficking camps
Malaysia began a public inquiry on Wednesday into the discovery of mass graves and suspected human trafficking camps in the jungles near its border with Thailand, which prompted a regional crisis in 2015, and accusations over obstruction of justice.
Indonesia president cites indications of election win, urges unity
Indonesian President Joko Widodo said on Wednesday that vote “quick counts” indicated he had regained the presidency, but called on his supporters to wait for the election commission to announce official results.
Indonesia’s Widodo on course for victory as election results roll in
Joko Widodo appeared to be heading for victory in Indonesia’s presidential election on Wednesday as “quick count” results from polling stations were posted, in line with opinion polls that had predicted a second five-year term for the low-key reformist…
Indonesia’s Prabowo says internal polls show he set for election win
Indonesian presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto said on Wednesday that he had won between 52 and 54 percent of the vote in Wednesday’s election.
