South & Central Asia

Pakistan has shut its border with Iran where authorities have recorded 8 deaths from COVID-19 and new cases are on the rise

US officials, experts say hopes for ending America's longest war hinge on maintaining weeklong fragile truce that will be difficult to assess and fraught with pitfalls

The UN blames militants for most of the deaths, followed by the US-led coalition

Agreement is to be signed on February 29, paving the way to ending the longest American war in history

The 14th Dalai Lama was enthroned at the age of 4

Deal calls on both sides to stop offensive battles against each other

List consists of nations with inadequate mechanisms to curb funding sources to terrorist groups; group cites 'recent and notable improvements' by Islamabad

President departs Sunday on 36-hour trip, having acknowledged he will not be returning home with an anticipated big trade deal

The National Disaster Management Authority says 19 people have died from the extreme cold in January, and more are at risk

The reduction in violence will start Friday night, and the signing will take place Feb 29 in Doha, according to a senior State Department official

Confusion, sorrow and outrage are rippling across some immigrant communities after the announcement of a Trump administration policy that is expected to all but shut down family-based immigration from four countries

Multiple officials tell VOA the start date for a 'reduction in violence' agreement between the US and the Afghan Taliban is planned for Saturday

US and Taliban officials have recently agreed to a seven-day period of reduced violence in Afghanistan; if the temporary truce is successful, the two sides could sign a long-awaited peace agreement later this month

Each year in Pakistan, drivers throw down a challenge to meet in the desert for sun-scorched immortality. They ride custom-built four-by-fours in an off-road race that draws hundreds of thousands of spectators. VOA’s Arash Arabasadi reports a living legend once again stepped on the gas and tore through the sand.

Each year in Pakistan, drivers throw down a challenge to meet in the desert for sun-scorched immortality. They ride custom-built four-by-fours in an off-road race that draws hundreds of thousands of spectators. VOA’s Arash Arabasadi reports a living legend once again stepped on the gas and tore through the sand.