ASIA

Seoul says to suspend expiry of intel sharing pact with Japan

5:41 pm November 22, 2019

Seoul: South Korea will suspend the expiry of a critical military intelligence-sharing agreement with Japan, Seoul said Friday, just hours before the pact was due to expire as the two US allies row. Kim You-geun, a national security official at Seoul’s presidential Blue House, confirmed the accord, known as GSOMIA, would not be allowed to […]

US working with Taiwan to combat China election interference

5:38 pm November 22, 2019

Taipei (Taiwan): The top US representative in Taiwan says Washington is working with Taipei to combat efforts by Beijing to influence upcoming elections on the island. Brent Christensen told reporters Friday that the US was “aware that China is attempting to apply pressure through various means on Taiwan … to influence Taiwan’s democratic process.” He […]

‘Peace prayer’: Muslim choir from restive Thai south to sing for pope

10:11 am November 22, 2019

Bangkok: Gripped by nervous excitement, young Muslim singers from Thailand’s conflict-plagued south gather for choir practice ahead of a performance of a lifetime — for Pope Francis himself, who is in Bangkok as part of his whirlwind Asia tour. Wearing headscarves and school uniforms, students assembled in a university auditorium to practice ballads specially written […]

CMS holds Global Interfaith Convention to promote communal harmony

US concerned about status of minorities in Pakistan: Ambassador Brownback

10:07 am November 22, 2019

Washington: The United States is concerned about the status of minorities in Pakistan, particularly the harshness of its persecution atmosphere and the number of people getting killed, US Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom Samuel Brownback said on Thursday. “We are concerned about Pakistan because of the harshness of the persecution atmosphere and the […]

Myanmar town offers glimmer of hope for Muslims enduring ‘apartheid’

8:13 pm November 21, 2019

Kyaukphyu (Myanmar): Htoo Maung sits down to lunch, sharing a bowl of traditional noodle soup with old friends, an ordinary act that has become extraordinary in Myanmar’s Rakhine state — because he is Muslim, and they are Buddhist. They used to live side by side as neighbours. But now he can only visit them under […]