Asia | The Daily Star

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
‘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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Aramco discusses cooperation at forum

Ensuring the continuing security of China's energy needs remains Saudi Aramco's highest priority, not just for the next five years but the next 50 and beyond, said Aramco CEO Amin Nasser during the China Development Forum held in Beijing on Sunday.
A transgender Islamic school in Pakistan breaks barriers

Pakistan’s 2017 census recorded about 10,000 transgender people, though trans rights groups say the number could now be well over 300,000 in the country of 220 million.
China steps up Covid-19 vaccination, considers differentiated visa policies

China has accelerated its vaccinations against Covid-19, administering 10 million doses in around a week, and is considering varied visa policies based on vaccination and virus conditions in different countries, officials said today.
Japan to invest more in Bangladesh after pandemic ends: envoy

Japan will make more investments in Bangladesh when situation returns to normal after the Covid-19 pandemic ends.
Magnitude 7.2 quake hits northern Japan, 1 metre tsunami expected: NHK

An earthquake struck northeastern Japan on Saturday, hitting areas devastated by the 2011 disaster and generating a tsunami of 1 metre, public broadcaster NHK said.
Japan announces $10m emergency aid for Rohingyas

Japan government has decided to extend emergency grant aid of USD 10 million for displaced Rohingyas and host communities in Bangladesh.
North Korea to sever ties with Malaysia over extradition of citizen to US

North Korea said it would sever diplomatic relations with Malaysia after a court there ruled that a North Korean man could be extradited to the United States to face money-laundering charges, state media KCNA reported.
3 killed, 11 wounded in bombing of Afghan government bus in Kabul

Three people were killed and 11 wounded when a roadside bomb hit a bus carrying Afghan government employees in Kabul today, officials said.
Bangabandhu was a champion of human rights: Ban-ki Moon

Former UN secretary-general Ban-ki Moon has said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was a champion of human rights not only within Bangladesh but across the globe.
China says Hong Kong needs electoral reform for 'brighter future'

The Chinese government’s top diplomat State Councillor Wang Yi today said the electoral system in Hong Kong must be improved for long-term stability, saying reform would bring about a “brighter future” for the city.
Hong Kong reforms prevent 'dictatorship of the majority', pro-Beijing lawmaker says

China’s proposal for Hong Kong electoral reforms could prevent a “dictatorship of the majority”, pro-Beijing Hong Kong lawmaker Martin Liao told Reuters today.
Body of woman missing in Japan 2011 tsunami identified after a decade

The remains of a woman who went missing in the devastating 2011 Japan tsunami have been found and identified, police said today, days before the 10th anniversary of the disaster.
China sets modest GDP growth target as economy improves

China on Friday set a modest annual economic growth target, at above 6%, and pledged to create more jobs in cities than last year, as the world's second-biggest economy emerged from a year disrupted by the effects of COVID-19.
Thai protesters, police clash near base of army unit king controls

Thai police used tear gas and water cannon against protesters marching on a military base in Bangkok to call for King Maha Vajiralongkorn to give up direct command of the army unit housed there.
Forbidden fruit: Taiwan urges people to eat more pineapples after China ban

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen called on people to eat more pineapples to help farmers, saying Taiwan had been “ambushed” by a ban on the fruit by neighbouring long-time rival China which claims the island as its own.
Japan interested in developing southern Ctg centring Matarbari projects

Japan has suggested partnering with Bangladesh in further developing the southern Chattogram area, centring the Matarbari projects, as the two countries agree to build a strategic relationship by intensifying the current excellent bilateral ties.
Nepal’s top court orders reinstatement of parliament in blow to PM

Nepal’s top court has ordered the reinstatement of parliament, dealing a blow to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli two months after he dissolved the house and called for an early election amid squabbling within the ruling Communist party.