Latest news with #South Asia
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Was government cover-up of Afghan evacuation mission completely pointless? Taliban say they have had full list of 25,000 names all along - and been hunting them for three years
The Taliban claims it has had the so-called 'kill list' of Afghans who worked with Britain since 2022 and has spent the last three years tracking them down. The list includes around 25,000 names of interpreters, soldiers and family members who applied for asylum through British evacuation schemes. It was accidentally leaked online in 2022, triggering one of the most expensive and secretive operations in modern British history - but now critics are asking whether it was all pointless. Taliban officials now say they downloaded the list within days of its appearance online and have used it to hunt those named ever since. A senior Taliban source told The Telegraph, 'We got the list from the internet during the very first days when it was leaked.' The official confirmed that many people fled Afghanistan or went into hiding, but said surveillance teams had been hired to watch homes of the individuals and their relatives around the clock. 'A special unit has been launched to find them and make sure they do not work with Britain,' the official said. He also said authorities in the Taliban government had visited relatives of people on the list to 'track them down' and added that they 'must be dealt with'. Another Taliban official revealed to The Telegraph that the search had ramped up in recent months. He said the list was distributed to border agents, who have been instructed to block anyone listed from leaving the country. He called the people on the list 'traitors' and added that the plan was to find 'as many of them as possible'. He also asserted that the leaked list worked in their favour. The British government responded to the leak by launching Operation Rubific, a covert mission to secretly relocate as many people as possible to safety. Nearly 24,000 Afghans have either already been flown to the UK or will be in the coming months, according to newly released government data. The scale of the operation and the danger it posed to those left behind led to an unprecedented super-injunction being imposed in early 2023. It banned all media, Parliament and the public from discussing the leak, the evacuation plans, or even the fact that a super-injunction existed. Ministers argued that any publicity would further endanger lives by confirming to the Taliban that the leak was real. But a High Court judge who lifted the gag this week said the injunction may have made the situation worse. Mr Justice Chamberlain said there was 'a significant chance that it was in fact endangering' some of the Afghans being relocated. He said the effect on those not brought to the UK was 'likely to be adverse overall.' The judge warned that the government may have 'added more value' to the leak by acting so aggressively to conceal it. A government source confirmed that £7 billion of taxpayer money was spent on Operation Rubific, which has been described by defence officials as the largest covert peacetime relocation effort in British history. According to reporting by The Times, much of the operation was coordinated by MI6, the Ministry of Defence and the Cabinet Office, with emergency teams working for more than two years to process applications, issue visas and arrange flights in secret. Despite these efforts, many Afghans remain trapped. A former British Army interpreter fled to Iran two years ago after hearing his name was on the list, according to the report. His family has since been targeted by Taliban fighters who repeatedly raid their homes. The family member told The Telegraph that they had arrested him and even beaten him for a day. He added that being related to someone on the 'kill list' is a 'death sentence' as the Taliban has threatened they would kill a family member if they can't find who they are searching for. Though the UK government has insisted it acted to save lives, critics argue that the Taliban may have already had access to the data and that the secrecy surrounding the operation may have done more harm than good. Justice Chamberlain concluded in court filings that the decision to suppress public knowledge of the breach may have inadvertently endangered the very people the government claimed it was trying to protect. If Taliban officials are to be believed, the cover-up did little to stop the targeting.
The Guardian
4 days ago
- Lifestyle
- The Guardian
From crunchy chaat and yoghurt to spicy peanut butter: Ravinder Bhogal's recipes for alternative potato salads
We are a family of potato lovers, so a summer salad made of tender spuds bound together with something creamy, something acidic and a handful of herbs is a perennial favourite. While I would never throw a classic out of bed, every now andd then I like to swerve the mayonnaise and do something a little more exuberant. Today's potato salads are a riot of texture and flavour, and pack a serious punch. They are satisfying enough on their own, but serve them at your next barbecue and you are bound to please the potato pleasure-seekers in your life. You can find nylon sev in good Indian supermarkets or online, but if you can't get hold of any, fistfuls of your favourite bombay mix will do just fine. Prep 10 min Cook 30 min Serves 4 For the date and tamarind chutney5 tbsp tamarind paste 4 medjool dates, pitted1 heaped tbsp soft brown sugar½ tsp ground cinnamon½ tsp chilli powder, or to taste1 tsp cumin, toasted and coarsely ground1 tsp chaat masalaBlack salt (kala namak), to taste (optional) For the salad500g jersey royals Sea salt and black pepper400g tin chickpeas, drained and rinsed 200g natural yoghurt1 handful nylon sev, or good-quality bombay mix or sev mamra1 small red onion, peeled and cut into very thin rings1 handful finely chopped corianderSeeds from ½ pomegranate First make the quick chutney. Put the tamarind paste, dates and 300ml water in a saucepan, bring to a boil, then turn down to a simmer and cook until the dates are tender. Take off the heat, leave to cool, then puree. Stir in the sugar, cinnamon, chilli, cumin, chaat masala and kala namak, if using. The chutney should have a thick, pouring consistency a bit like ketchup, so add more water if required. Cover and refrigerate until needed. Chop the potatoes into bite-sized pieces, then boil in salted water until tender. Drain, leave to cool completely, then arrange the potatoes on a platter. Scatter over the drained chickpeas, season with sea salt and pepper, and mix. Drizzle over the date and tamarind chutney, dollop on the yoghurt here and there and top with the sev, onion rings, coriander and pomegranate seeds. Serve at once. The spicy peanut sauce is very adaptable. If you prefer, use any nut or seed butter, such as cashew, almond, sunflower or even tahini instead. It also works poured over noodles and crunchy vegetables for a tasty lunch. Prep 15 min Cook 15 min Serves 4 For the peanut dressing1 garlic clove, peeled and finely chopped 100g smooth peanut butter30g palm sugar, or light brown sugar1-2 red chilliesJuice of 2 limes 2 tbsp fish sauce 2 tbsp tamarind paste For the salad1 tbsp sesame oil 500g new potatoes, halved and boiled until tender1 handful picked coriander leaves 100g radishes, trimmed and thinly sliced 1 banana shallot, peeled and sliced into very fine rings2 tbsp pickled jalapeños40g salted peanuts, roughly crushed Put all the dressing ingredients in a blender and blitz smooth. Taste and adjust the seasoning, making sure the acidity of the lime sings through, then set aside until needed; before serving, add a little water to loosen, if need be, especially if you've kept it in the fridge. Now for the salad. Heat the sesame oil in a large frying pan and, once it's hot, put in the potatoes cut side down in a single layer and cook for about five minutes, until crisp and dark golden brown. Spread the peanut butter dressing on a platter, then top with the hot potatoes. Scatter over the picked coriander, sliced radishes, shallots, chillies and peanuts, and serve immediately. Golden chips straight out of the oven, cool whipped tofu and tongue-tingling homemade chilli oil all get along famously in this tasty ménage à trois. Prep 10 minDrain 30 min Cook 1 hr Serves 4-6 300g silken tofu A few drops of sesame oilJuice of ½ lime Sea salt 900g oven fries For the chilli oil5 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped3 tbsp crispy shallots (optional)80g gochugaru, or other mild chilli flakes1 tbsp sesame seeds 2 tsp roughly crushed Sichuan peppercorns5cm piece fresh ginger, peeled and roughly sliced1 cinnamon stick 1 star anise 125ml avocado oil, or other neutral oil 2 tbsp light soy sauce 1 tbsp Chinese black vinegar 1 tsp sugar To garnish6 spring onions, trimmed, whites and greens sliced thinly on the diagonal Put the tofu on a rack, cover with kitchen paper and place a weight on it for half an hour to extract some of the excess liquid. Break up the tofu, put in a food processor with the sesame oil, lime juice and some sea salt, and blend smooth. Bake the oven fries according to the packet instructions. Meanwhile, make the chilli oil. Combine the garlic, shallots, if using, chilli flakes, sesame seeds and peppercorns in a heatproof bowl. Put the ginger, cinnamon stick and star anise in a small saucepan, pour over the oil, then set over a medium heat and cook until the oil has almost reached smoking point and the spices and ginger are sizzling. Carefully pour the oil through a sieve into the heatproof bowl (discard the aromatic solids) and stir well. Once the chilli oil has cooled a little, stir in the soy, vinegar and sugar, until the latter dissolves. Spread the tofu on a platter, scatter the hot chips on top, then spoon over chilli oil to taste. Scatter over spring onions and serve straight away.
Al Arabiya
5 days ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Bangladesh Struggles to Contain the Fallout of an Uprising That Toppled Its Leader Last Year
DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) – Bangladesh was on the cusp of charting a new beginning last year after its former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was removed from power in a student-led uprising, ending her 15-year rule and forcing her to flee to India. As the head of a new interim government, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus promised to hold a credible election to return to democracy, initiate electoral and constitutional reforms, and restore peace on the streets after hundreds were killed in weeks of violence that began on July 15, 2024. A year later, the Yunus-led administration has struggled to contain the fallout of the uprising. Bangladesh finds itself mired in a growing political uncertainty, religious polarization, and a challenging law-and-order situation. Here's what to know about Bangladesh a year after the protests that toppled Hasina. Uncertainty about the future of democracy looms large in Bangladesh. The student protesters who toppled Hasina formed a new political party promising to break the overwhelming influence of two major dynastic political parties – the Bangladesh Nationalists Party or BNP, and Hasina's Awami League. But the party's opponents have accused it of being close to the Yunus-led administration and creating chaos for political mileage by using state institutions. Meanwhile, Bangladesh's political landscape has further fragmented after the country's largest extremist party, the Jamaat-e-Islami, returned to politics more than a decade after it was suppressed by Hasina's government. Aligned with the student-led party, it's trying to fill the vacuum left by the Awami League, which was banned in May. Its leader, Hasina, is facing trial for crimes against humanity. The strength of Jamaat-e-Islami, which opposed Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan in 1971, is unknown. Both BNP and the Jamaat-e-Islami party are now at loggerheads over establishing supremacy within the administration and judiciary, and even university campuses. They are also differing over the timing of a new parliamentary election. Yunus has announced that the polls would be held in April next year, but poor law and order situation and a lack of clear-cut political consensus over it have created confusion. The chief of Bangladesh's military also wanted an election in December this year – a stance Yunus didn't like. 'Post-revolution honeymoons often don't last long, and Bangladesh is no exception,' says Michael Kugelman, a Washington-based South Asia analyst and senior fellow of Asia Pacific Foundation. The interim government faced massive expectations to restore democracy and prosperity. But this is especially difficult to do as an unelected government without a public mandate. Yunus has delayed an election because he wants reforms – from changes to the constitution and elections to the judiciary and police. Discussions with political parties, except Hasina's Awami League, are ongoing. Some of the reforms include putting a limit on how many times a person can become the prime minister, introduction of a two-tier parliament, and appointment of a chief justice. There appears to be little consensus over some basic reforms. While both the BNP and the Jamaat-e-Islami parties have agreed to some of them with conditions, other proposals for basic constitutional reforms have become a sticking point. The Jamaat-e-Islami also wants to give the interim government more time to complete reforms before heading into polls, while BNP has been calling for an early election. The student-led party mostly follows the pattern of the Jamaat-e-Islami party. Kugelman says the issue of reforms was meant to unite the country but has instead become a flashpoint. 'There's a divide between those that want to see through reforms and give them more time, and those that feel it's time to wrap things up and focus on elections,' he says. Human rights in Bangladesh have remained a serious concern under Yunus. Minority groups, especially Hindus, have blamed his administration for failing to protect them adequately. The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council says minority Hindus and others have been targeted in hundreds of attacks over the last year. Hasina's party has also blamed the interim government for arresting tens of thousands of its supporters. The Yunus-led administration denies these allegations. Meenakshi Ganguly, deputy Asia director for Human Rights Watch, says while the interim government has stopped enforced disappearances and extrajudicial executions that had occurred under the Hasina government, there has been little progress on lasting security sector reforms or to deliver on the pledge to create robust independent institutions. Meanwhile extremist factions – some of whom have proposed changes to women's rights and demanded introduction of Sharia law – are vying for power. Many of them are planning to build alliances with bigger parties like the BNP or the Jamaat-e-Islami. Such factions have historically struggled to gain significant electoral support despite Bangladesh being a Muslim majority, and their rise is expected to further fragment the country's political landscape. During Hasina's 15-year rule, Bangladesh was India's closest partner in South Asia. After her ouster, the Yunus-led administration has moved closer to China, which is India's main rival in the region. Yunus' first state visit was to China in March, a trip that saw him secure investments, loans, and grants. On the other hand, India is angered by the ousting of its old ally Hasina and hasn't responded to Dhaka's requests to extradite her. India stopped issuing visas to Bangladeshis following Hasina's fall. Globally, Yunus seems to have strong backing from the West and the United Nations, and it appears Bangladesh will continue its foreign policy, which has long tried to find a balance between multiple foreign powers. But Kugelman says the country's biggest challenge may be the Trump factor. 'In January, the Trump administration suspended USAID funds to Bangladesh, which had sought significant levels of US support during a critical rebuild period post Hasina's ouster. Dhaka must now reframe its relations with an unconventional US administration that will largely view Bangladesh through a commercial lens,' Kugelman says.
Bloomberg
6 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
India's Eased Pollution Norms Favor Consumers, Power Lobby Says
India's relaxed norms on sulfur dioxide emissions from power plants will favor consumers, avoiding higher electricity prices due to increased equipment costs, according to the Association of Power Producers. The environment ministry eased its decade-old guidelines for the installation of filters that would remove sulfur from coal-fired plants' emissions, exempting nearly 167 gigawatts of coal-fired capacity, or 78% of the total fleet.
Arab News
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan calls militant presence in Afghanistan a ‘challenge' amid renewed diplomatic engagement
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan described the presence of militant outfits in Afghanistan as a 'challenge' on Friday, calling it a critical hurdle in improving bilateral ties and advancing regional cooperation, even as both countries have tried to re-engage diplomatically in recent months. Ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan have remained strained since 2023, when Islamabad launched a crackdown on undocumented migrants, mostly Afghans, citing security concerns. Pakistan has long said militant groups staging attacks in its western border provinces operate from Afghan territory, a claim denied by Taliban officials. However, the two sides have sought to reset relations recently, agreeing to appoint ambassadors following a tripartite meeting with China and holding additional secretary-level talks in Islamabad earlier this month. 'About the question of sanctuaries in Afghanistan, as I mentioned it remains a challenge, and we are trying to address it in the context of bilateral relations with Afghanistan,' foreign office spokesperson, Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan, said during his weekly news briefing. 'This remains a critical impediment in preventing the relations to reach their full potential, and further impeding the full development of regional cooperation, particularly when other regions are moving toward greater regional integration involving businesses, investment, road and rail network,' he added. Khan said the 'issue of sanctuaries' was also discussed by the Afghan authorities in the recent talks. 'We stay engaged with the Afghan authorities and approach the dialogue with good faith,' he continued. 'In terms of the commonalities between the two countries, two cultures, it should be the best of relationships. But the core point which you flagged remains sanctuaries enjoyed by the terrorists inside the Afghan territory.' Islamabad has repeatedly urged Kabul to take action against groups such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which it says uses Afghan soil to plan and launch attacks. The Afghan Taliban, however, have always denied allowing any armed outfits to use their territory to target other countries.
