Ramadan in China: Faithful dwindle under limits on religion

Tursunjan Mamat, a practicing Muslim in western China’s Xinjiang region, said he’s fasting for Ramadan but his daughters, ages 8 and 10, are not. Religious activity including fasting is not permitted for minors, he explained.
6 May 2021

Press Freedom Day: 200 violations of press freedom in Asia-Pacific

Over 200 press freedom violations linked to the pandemic were reported in the Asia-Pacific region, of which about half were from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Nepal, stated a press release by International Press Institute (IPI).
2 May 2021

3 Bangladeshis make it to Asian Scientist 100 list

Three Bangladeshi researchers have been included in the sixth edition of Asian Scientist 100 list.
29 April 2021

Beijing makes protest over Japan's diplomacy report on Chinese military

China's foreign ministry on Tuesday said it had lodged solemn representations to Japan over its annual diplomacy report which expressed grave concerns on China's military capabilities and maritime activities.
27 April 2021

Missing Indonesian Sub: All 53 crew killed

All 53 crew aboard an Indonesian submarine that disappeared last week were killed, the military said yesterday as it confirmed the vessel had been found in pieces on the seafloor.
25 April 2021

Indonesia searching for missing submarine with 53 on board

Indonesia’s navy is searching for a missing submarine with 53 people on board that went missing yesterday and is seeking help from neighbouring Australia and Singapore in the hunt, the Indonesian military chief told Reuters.
21 April 2021

Signs of progress at nuke talks

A new understanding is emerging at talks aimed at salvaging Iran’s nuclear deal with global powers, Tehran’s chief negotiator said yesterday according to Iranian state media, as China’s delegate also reported progress.
17 April 2021

Asia’s Covid cases surge

India and Thailand reported record daily coronavirus cases yesterday, as a new wave of infections, combined with a shortage of hospital beds and vaccines, threatens to slow Asia’s recovery from the pandemic.
15 April 2021

China’s Iranian oil buying spree crushes demand for Brazil, Angola crude

China’s record imports of Iranian crude in recent months has squeezed out supply from rival producers, forcing sellers of oil from countries such as Brazil, Angola and Russia to slash prices and divert shipments to India and Europe.
14 April 2021

Japan to release contaminated Fukushima water into sea

Japan plans to release into the sea more than 1 million tonnes of contaminated water from the destroyed Fukushima nuclear station, the government said on Tuesday, a decision that is likely to anger neighbours such as South Korea.
13 April 2021

21 miners trapped after coal mine accident in China’s Xinjiang

Eight miners have been rescued and 21 remain trapped in a coal mine that flooded in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, state-backed newspaper China Daily reported citing local authorities.
11 April 2021

China regulators fine Alibaba $2.75 billion for anti-monopoly violations

Chinese regulators have fined Alibaba Group Holding Ltd 18 billion yuan ($2.75 billion) for violating anti-monopoly rules and abusing its dominant market position, marking the highest ever antitrust fine to be imposed in the country.
10 April 2021

China sentences Uyghur ex-government officials to death for ‘separatism’

Two Uyghur former government officials in China's Xinjiang have been handed death sentences for carrying out "separatist activities", a court said, as Beijing comes under increasing fire for its actions towards minority groups in the region.
7 April 2021

Russia says in talks to make more military equipment in India

Russia and India are discussing “additional” production of Russian military equipment in India, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said yesterday, in a move that could irk the United States which frowns upon countries engaged in defence trade with Moscow.
6 April 2021

‘Create funds for reintegration of migrants who returned due to pandemic’

Parliamentarians of different Asian countries today suggested to create funds and launch financial instruments to ensure sustainable reintegration of migrant workers affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
6 April 2021

Hong Kong court finds leading democracy activists guilty of unauthorised assembly

A Hong Kong court found seven prominent democrats guilty of unauthorised assembly, including barrister Martin Lee and media tycoon Jimmy Lai, the latest blow to the city’s beleaguered democracy movement.
1 April 2021

Japanese health minister apologises for staff breaking Covid-19 protocols

Japan’s health minister has apologised after media reported ministry employees had gathered at a restaurant late at night in Tokyo in violation of the government’s Covid-19 contagion protocols.
30 March 2021

Hundreds evacuated after massive blaze at Indonesia oil refinery, 5 hurt

Indonesian state oil company Pertamina has said it was trying to control a massive fire at its Balongan oil refinery in West Java that injured five people and led to the evacuation of 950 nearby residents.
29 March 2021

Japan state-funded hotel deal pays rent to Myanmar defence ministry

A consortium of private Japanese firms and a Japanese state entity paid rent on a multi-million dollar hotel and office development that ultimately went to Myanmar’s defence ministry, six company and government officials told Reuters.
24 March 2021

Hong Kong, Macau suspend Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine over ‘flawed’ vials

Hong Kong and Macau said they were suspending the use of Pfizer/BioNTech's coronavirus vaccine after being informed of a packaging problem with a batch of vials.
24 March 2021