Featured

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  Central Asian countries sentence more Islamists to prison for longer terms

  2009-12-31

  Prisons becoming ‘universities’ of Islamic revolution

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  Singing for peace

  2009-12-31

  New generation’s music strikes chord of consciousness

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  Nightingales of Swat back in homes and singing

  2009-12-31

  Nightingales of Swat back in homes and singing

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  Kazakhstan promotes healthy lifestyles

  2009-12-31

  25 new healthy lifestyle centres for youth planned

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  Killing of Taliban commander called ‘significant’

  2009-12-30

  Abu Zar supervised IED attacks and was driving force behind terror campaign in Swat

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  Terrorism in Peshawar creates big business for coffin sales

  2009-12-30

  Coffin-makers say business is at an all-time high, but at a high cost for the nation

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  Iran reportedly seeks secret Kazakh uranium deal

  2009-12-30

  Astana, Tehran deny talks for 1,350 tonnes of yellow cake

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  Kyrgyzstan to raise heating and electricity rates

  2009-12-29

  Move is considered a step toward energy independence

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  Analysts believe Taliban on the run from South Waziristan

  2009-12-29

  They dispute claims of Taliban leaders

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  Kazakhstan considers ‘Doctrine of National Unity’

  2009-12-28

  Proposal has created rift between nationalists and ethnic minorities

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  Uzbek elections pass without significant controversy

  2009-12-28

  Election committee says nearly 90 percent of voters participated

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  Confusion favors militancy in Pakistan

  2009-12-28

  Ordinary people face struggles as public places come under attack

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  Pashtun poet believes the pen is mightier than the sword

  2009-12-26

  Roghani has long advocated peace; now, his writing has taken on a new purpose as Pakistan continues fighting the Taliban

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  Salafism in Kyrgystan: Armed jihad or Muslim schism?

  2009-12-26

  Other groups face restrictions, but Salafists face increasing government pressure

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  Uzbek cinema enjoys revival

  2009-12-26

  In Uzbekistan, filmgoers not only watch, but love films—especially Uzbek ones

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  Christmas in Peshawar

  2009-12-24

  Muslims are not the only inhabitants of Pakistan; many Christians, Hindus and Sikhs also live in this country of 170 million people.

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  Suicide attack kills five, wounds 25 in Peshawar

  2009-12-24

  North West Frontier Province [NWFP] governor says province will soon be declared a war-hit area.

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  Kazakh art is worth a thousand words

  2009-12-24

  Government-ordered work detracts from creativity, some say, leading them to wonder what direction arts will take

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  Tajik Islamist, Social-Democrat parties ready for elections

  2009-12-23

  Opposition parties hope to make parliamentary gains

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  Costs of Swat reconstruction run deep

  2009-12-23

  US$860 million in losses tell only part of the story; some who have lost homes can’t afford another

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  NGO leader criticizes World Bank environmental project in Eastern Kazakhstan

  2009-12-23

  He calls plan outdated; WB rep says parameters are flexible as time passes

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  Sabawoon: A new dawn for children in the Swat Valley

  2009-12-22

  A new school run by the Pakistani Army provides an alternative path for students

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  Suicide attack on Peshawar Press Club kills four

  2009-12-22

  Peshawar Press Club President Shamim Shahid said, “We have been receiving threats from unknown terrorists”

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  Many religions face uphill battle in Central Asia

  2009-12-22

  Many religions face uphill battle in Central Asia

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  CIS leaders meet to discuss security, regional cooperation

  2009-12-21

  Leaders 'synchronize watches' ahead of new customs union

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  Pakistan’s fight against militants poses threats to journalists

  2009-12-21

  Security is stepped up to protect reporters as they try to cover the offensive in the South Waziristan district

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  What does the future hold for Islam in Kazakhstan?

  2009-12-21

  Only a small number of Muslims practice, but as religion grows so, too, do instances of radicalism

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  Kazakh weightlifters worth their weight in gold

  2009-12-19

  Star weightlifter tells Central Asia Online about her dreams – and how she got into the sport

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  As Uzbek elections approach, will there be any choices?

  2009-12-19

  Government opponents say there is no difference between the candidates

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  School security affects youngsters emotionally

  2009-12-19

  Psychiatrist says extra security at schools and other places causes stress for schoolchildren

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  Rumour-mongering harasses Peshawarites

  2009-12-18

  Residents have almost restricted themselves to the indoors and have altered their daily routines because of hyped-up security and rumours about expected sabotage

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  Western Europe – Western China project brings hope and concerns

  2009-12-18

  Economic benefits are offset, some say, by harm to environment

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  World Bank details second phase of Uzbek rural support project

  2009-12-18

  First phase proved successful for farmers; this part hopes to build on that success

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  Terrorism takes a toll on survivors, too

  2009-12-17

  Young widow wants to send her daughter to school but cannot afford it

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  Helmand Taliban leader on the run; believed to be in Quetta, Pakistan

  2009-12-17

  Wanted man, Zakir, is believed to be behind surge in violence

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  Volunteerism struggles to develop foothold in Kazakhstan

  2009-12-17

  Conference on volunteers aims to develop interest by Kazakhs

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  Pakistani Supreme Court strikes down controversial amnesty law

  2009-12-16

  Zardari currently has no plans to resign willingly

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  The disappearance of Pashtun art and culture needs government attention

  2009-12-16

  TV star Arshad Hussain says, ‘I am a born actor and would like to die as an actor’

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  A step forward in Helmand

  2009-12-16

  Governor says Taliban driven out of Nowzad

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  Troubled Kazakh youth find purpose to life in ancient burial site

  2009-12-16

  Environmental group combines hard work with archeology and cultural awareness

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  Uzbeks show well at Grand Slam Tokyo

  2009-12-15

  Two men win bronze in judo tournament; Kazakh women shut out

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  Pashtun jirga needed to combat growing militancy

  2009-12-15

  Some Pashtun scholars believe the jirga is the only forum that can isolate militants and religious extremists in society

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  Iran criticizes Turkmen-based nuclear monitoring station

  2009-12-14

  Site is being used to monitor nuclear test ban compliance

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  Tashkent’s new look creates some concern

  2009-12-14

  After trees go, some buildings have been torn down and another is being renovated, along Amir Timur Avenue

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  Gen. Abbas says security forces have cleared most of Waziristan

  2009-12-14

  Army to stay in South Waziristan after it clears out militants

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  Central Asia’s ecologists report on climate change at Copenhagen summit

  2009-12-12

  Central Asian countries presented reports at the 15th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which opened in Copenhagen on Dec. 7.

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  Tajikistan, Russia step up efforts to combat drugs

  2009-12-12

  An agreement between the governments of Tajikistan and Russia on efforts to combat the illegal trade in drugs and psychotropic substances was signed in Dushanbe on Dec. 3.

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  Western diplomats increase pressure on Iran

  2009-12-12

  Western envoys upped the pressure on Iran on Dec. 10, threatening to push for new UN sanctions in early 2010 if the Islamic republic continues to defy demands to halt sensitive nuclear fuel work.

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  Sample Rogun power station shares on display

  2009-12-12

  Samples of shares in the Rogun hydroelectric power station are being displayed to the public in Tajikistan. They go on sale at the beginning of next year and incorporate four levels of security features to prevent forgery.

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  Kazakhstan has new head of National Security Committee

  2009-12-11

  On Dec. 7, Kazakh National Security Committee (NSC) President Amangeldy...

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  Taliban dynamites two schools in Pakistan

  2009-12-11

  TTP insurgents on Dec. 9 dynamited two schools in Pakistan's Khyber district, officials said, as they attempted to avenge military action taken against them.

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  Uzbekistan to repair helicopters

  2009-12-11

  Mi-8 and Mi-17 transport helicopters and Mi-24 assault helicopters will be repaired in the city of Chirchik, 110 km from Tashkent. Uzbekistan is also hoping to secure...

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  Power failure at Kyrgyzstan’s largest hydroelectric station

  2009-12-11

  An emergency shutdown of two units at the Toktogul hydroelectric..

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  Foreign militants fighting in Pakistan’s tribal belt

  2009-12-10

  Foreign militants, particularly Uzbeks associated with the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), are entrenched in Kaniguram, a stronghold of theirs, said Pakistan army...

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  Iran arrests more than 200 in student protests

  2009-12-10

  Iran threatened tougher action against protesters on Dec. 8 after more than 200 were arrested during marches by tens of thousands at universities across the country, the...

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  Tajik president calls for fair parliamentary elections

  2009-12-10

  The president of Tajikistan has asked that the government not interfere with the conduct of parliamentary elections in February and ensure that they take place in a democratic manner.

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  Kazakhstan passes law on refugees

  2009-12-10

  On Dec. 7, the president of Kazakhstan signed a law on refugees and ratified several amendments to other legislation intended to protect refugees and define their basic rights and obligations in Kazakhstan.

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  Iran arrests more than 200 in student protests

  2009-12-10

  Iran threatened tougher action against protesters on Dec. 8 after more than 200 were arrested during marches by tens of thousands at universities across the country, the largest anti-government rallies in months, on Dec. 7.

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  Militant killed in Russia carried Kyrgyz passport

  2009-12-10

  An armed extremist carrying a Kyrgyz passport was killed in the Russian autonomous republic of Dagestan on Dec. 1.

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  Victims of last spring’s floods and mudslides in Tajikistan still homeless

  2009-12-10

  More than a thousand inhabitants of the Khuroson district of Tajikistan’s Khatlon Province, whose homes were destroyed by flooding and mudslides last spring, are still homeless.

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  Toxic landfill in Tajikistan to be cleaned up

  2009-12-09

  The UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation has allocated US$1 million to decontaminate a landfill site full of toxic chemicals in the Vakhsh district of Tajikistan.

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  Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan successfully resolve hydro energy issues

  2009-12-09

  The Kazakh government will provide humanitarian aid to Kyrgyzstan for the purchase of coal and fuel, and is also prepared to invest US$100 million in the country’s economy.

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  Afghan militants lay down arms

  2009-12-09

  A group of armed anti-government militants have renounced fighting and handed over their arms to authorities on Dec. 9, in the northern Afghan province of Baghlan.

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  Iran cracks down on student protests

  2009-12-09

  Iranian security forces cracked down hard on students who came out in support of the opposition on Dec. 7, as the regime sought to limit media coverage of protests in Tehran and beyond.

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  Kazakhstan develops swine flu vaccine

  2009-12-09

  The Kazakh Minister of Education and Science announced on Dec. 7 that swine and bird flu vaccines developed in Kazakhstan have been sent to a WHO laboratory for testing.

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  UN approves Kazakh initiative to create new public holiday

  2009-12-09

  On Dec. 2, the UN Committee on Disarmament and International Security approved a draft resolution put forward by Kazakhstan proposing that Aug. 29 be declared International Day against Nuclear Testing.

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  Kazakh cousins convicted of violent extremism

  2009-12-08

  On Nov. 30, a Kazakh court sentenced cousins Zhasulan Suleimenov and Kuat Zhobolayev to eight years in prison for promoting violent extremism and creating and leading a terrorist group.

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  Distribution of earthquake recovery aid in Kyrgyzstan raises questions

  2009-12-08

  Many residents of the Kyrgyz village of Nura, destroyed by a powerful earthquake in October 2008, had to build new homes on their own, despite government promises to relocate them to new houses prior to the onset of winter.

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  Kyrgyzstan to regulate rates for social advertising in media

  2009-12-08

  A draft law on social advertising is being developed in Kyrgyzstan by members of parliament, the government, the ministry of health, NGOs, journalists and lawyers.

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  Iran to review ties with countries over IAEA vote

  2009-12-07

  Iran's parliament said on Dec. 3 it would review relations with countries that voted against its nuclear activities at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) meeting last week.

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  Kazakhstan, Russia and Belarus to form customs union

  2009-12-07

  On Nov. 27, the presidents of Kazakhstan, Belarus and Russia announced at a summit of the Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC) in Minsk that their three nations will form a customs union, which will remove trade barriers between their markets and stimulate their economies.

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  Eight cases of swine flu reported in Tajikistan

  2009-12-07

  On Dec. 3, the Tajik Ministry of Health officially confirmed that eight people in Tajikistan were infected with the H1N1 virus. Doctors, however, believe it likely that a number of other cases have not been diagnosed.

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  United Central Asian Energy System collapses

  2009-12-07

  With Uzbekistan’s withdrawal on Dec. 1 from the United Central Asian Energy System, which consisted of 83 thermal and hydroelectric power stations in five countries, the network has ceased to exist.

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  Kyrgyzstan publishes anti-drug trafficking statistics

  2009-12-07

  More than seven tonnes of illegal drugs, 66 percent of which comprised heroin and opium, were seized in Kyrgyzstan this year.

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  Bishkek schools reopen, other Kyrgyz schools closed

  2009-12-07

  Schools in Bishkek that were closed due to an outbreak of flu and respiratory infections among pupils and teachers, reopened on Nov. 30. However, more than 400 schools elsewhere in the country were closed.

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  Kazakh graffiti has acquired its own style

  2009-12-05

  On Dec. 2, Shymkent was the third city in the country to host the first national mobile graffiti festival.

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  Kyrgyzstan Development Fund commits to openness and transparency

  2009-12-05

  Kyrgyzstan Development Fund management is determined to ensure transparency of its activity. For this purpose, there has been a proposal to conduct live broadcasts of discussions of key decisions and have an external audit of fund activity.

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  Students can do more against terrorism

  2009-12-05

  Under the slogan “Terror-free Pakistan,” the government has established a country-wide Volunteer Student Task Force to increase the capacity to help victims of violent extremists.

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  Suicide attackers kill 40 at Pakistan mosque in Rawalpindi

  2009-12-05

  Militants stormed a mosque near Pakistan's army headquarters in Rawalpindi killing 40 (including 17 children) during Friday prayers as they sprayed gunfire and threw grenades before blowing themselves up.

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  Ahmadinejad asserts Iran will enrich uranium to higher levels

  2009-12-05

  Iran will adhere to its plans to enrich its uranium to 20 percent, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced on Dec. 2, rejecting international attempts to reach a deal to stop it amid fears Iran’s objective is to build a nuclear weapon.

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  Tajik president calls on nation to contribute to complete Rogun

  2009-12-05

  Takik president Rakhmon has called on every family to invest in the construction of the Rogun Hydroelectric Power Plant to secure the country's energy independence.

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  Barki Tochik accountant suspected of embezzling large sums of money

  2009-12-05

  The deputy chief accountant at the state energy holding company, Barki Tochik, has been arrested in Dushanbe, suspected of misappropriating state funds on a particularly massive scale.

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  NATO members to send more troops to Afghanistan

  2009-12-05

  More than 20 countries plan to send additional troops to Afghanistan following a U.S. decision to deploy 30,000 more there. The news comes as NATO alliance Foreign Ministers gathered in Brussels for two days of talks.

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  Uzbekistan withdraws from United Energy System

  2009-12-04

  On Dec. 1, Uzbekistan announced that it had withdrawn completely from the United Central Asian Energy System (UCAES) that once encompassed almost all generation facilities in the former Soviet republics of Central Asia.

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  UN chief welcomes Obama strategy; Afghan response mixed

  2009-12-04

  On Dec. 2, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the new U.S. strategy in the war in Afghanistan and vowed that the UN would help ensure that the responsibilities for national security are transferred to Afghan authorities. The reactions of ordinary citizens were mixed.

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  Tajikistan creates independent national electric grid

  2009-12-04

  On Nov. 29, the South-North power line that links north and central Tajikistan and allows the country’s national grid to be independent went into operation on the eve of Uzbekistan’s withdrawal from the United Central Asian Energy System.

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  Police to control weapons traffic in Kyrgyzstan

  2009-12-04

  The Ministry of Internal Affairs has proposed amendments to the law on weapons that will tighten controls on the circulation of award and all other types of weapons in the country.

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  Pakistani leaders commend new U.S. Afghanistan strategy

  2009-12-04

  Pakistan’s Foreign Office welcomed the new U.S. policy on Afghanistan, and said it would uproot terrorism from the region.

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  Kazakh weightlifters dominate World Championships

  2009-12-03

  On Nov. 29, closing ceremonies for the World Weightlifting Championships were held in Goyang, South Korea. Kazakhstan’s team swept the awards, winning four gold medals and a bronze.

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  Islamabad police thwart bomb-makers, suicide bombers

  2009-12-03

  The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leadership instructed operatives in Islamabad to prepare 25 autos and motorcycles for suicide bombing attacks on security forces and civilians in South Waziristan, according to police in Islamabad.

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  Shortfall in Tajikistan’s cotton harvest

  2009-12-03

  Projections of this year’s cotton harvest by Tajikistan's Ministry of Agriculture turned out to be overly optimistic, with only ten of the country's thirty-two cotton-growing regions meeting their targets.

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  Assembly of People of Kazakhstan proposes dissolving parliament

  2009-12-02

  The Coordinating Council of Russian and Cossack Associations in Kazakhstan requested that President Nazarbayev dissolve the lower house of parliament, allow candidates of ethnic groups in Kazakhstan to stand for election and hold a snap election so that they can compete for representation in parliament next year.

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  Government will not hold talks with Taliban

  2009-12-02

  Rejecting speculation of talks with the Taliban, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said on Nov. 28 that the government of Pakistan will continue the fight to defeat violent extremism.

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  Tajikistan increases number of small hydroelectric power stations

  2009-12-02

  Since the beginning of the year, Tajikistan has built 47 small hydroelectric power stations, which are particularly efficient in mountainous regions.

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  Human rights group urges Tajikistan to combat domestic violence

  2009-12-02

  A report issued by Amnesty International calls on the government of Tajikistan to treat violence against women as a crime and prosecute offenders.

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  Kyrgyz journalists remember deceased colleagues

  2009-12-01

  The social organisation Journalists held dinners in Bishkek and Osh in memory of deceased Kyrgyz journalists.

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  Uzbek rocket fuel to be made safe by NATO experts

  2009-12-01

  The largest joint Uzbek and NATO project in the past decade to destroy old rocket fuel was launched on Nov. 26, at the Aktash military base near Samarkand.

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  Tajik special forces excel in Channel 2009 operation

  2009-12-01

  Tajik special forces and law enforcement agencies seized approximately 390kg of drugs during the second stage of the Channel 2009 operation.

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  Joint policy on Afghanistan will benefit Central Asian nations

  2009-12-01

  Central Asian countries lack a coordinated policy on Afghanistan according to Sukhrob Sharipov, director of the Strategic Research Centre under the Tajik President. This effectively undermines efforts to establish stability in Afghanistan, he contends.