Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Afghanistan

UN Calls For 'Fast Reforms' In Afghan Judiciary, Police

(RFE/RL)

June 5, 2006 -- The head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has said that country must introduce "fast reforms" in its judiciary and police.

TEXT SIZE - +

June 05, 2006

The comment, by UNAMA head and UN Special Representative Tom Koenigs, comes a week after several people were killed and buildings were destroyed in violent demonstrations in the capital, Kabul, on May 29.

Those riots erupted after a U.S. military vehicle was involved in a fatal traffic accident.

Koenigs blamed much of the violence on criminals and looters, and said the police response was "very weak and disappointing."

Afghan police reported more than 200 arrests amid the rioting.

Koenigs said today that the violence caused "immense" damage to Afghanistan's reputation and could deter the investment it is seeking.

(Reuters, AFP)

RFE/RL Afghanistan Report

SUBSCRIBE For regular news and analysis on Afghanistan by e-mail, subscribe to "RFE/RL Afghanistan Report."

A vendor in the central Bosnian town of Zenica sells heart-shaped cushions with proclamations of love for 1 euro each.

Love It (Or Hate It), It's Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day, the Western holiday celebrating love, has become a global phenomenon over the past two decades. The fall of communism and the emergence of the Internet have helped February 14 become something of an unofficial international day of romance. However, not all the passions the holiday stirs are related to love. While some countries have openly embraced the holiday, others are attempting to ban it or replace it with local customs. More

Gasoline prices have risen dramatically in Pakistan in recent years

In Pakistan, Cleaner Fuel Powers Supply, Safety Issues

Rising fuel prices have pushed Pakistan to become a global leader in using compressed natural gas (CNG) to fuel vehicles. More

Family members of missing Baluchs, mostly political activists, rally in protest on the eve of international Human Rights Day in Quetta, Balochistan, on December 10, 2011.

U.S. Hearing On Balochistan Raises Hackles, Awareness In Pakistan

The U.S. Congressional hearing last week on Balochistan, the largest of Pakistan's four provinces, though it was firmly rejected by Islamabad, is being seen in Pakistan as any eye-opener for the state and its security agencies. More