By Jonathan Landay WASHINGTON (Reuters) -An executive order by U.S. President Donald Trump to suspend refugee admissions has magnified the fears of one Afghan American soldier who has long been worried about the fate of his sister in Kabul. The soldier is afraid his sister could be forced to marry a Taliban fighter or targeted …
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KABUL (Reuters) – A Chinese citizen was “murdered” in Afghanistan’s northern Takhar province, the Taliban provincial police said on Wednesday, adding that a preliminary investigation had been launched. An interpreter accompanying the victim was unharmed, police said. It was not clear who was behind the attack or whether it was carried out by militants. China was the …
Chinese citizen ‘murdered’ in northern Afghanistan Read More »
By Gopal Sharma KATHMANDU (Reuters) – Nepal will increase the permit fees for climbing Mount Everest by more than 35%, making the world’s tallest peak more expensive for mountaineers for the first time in nearly a decade, officials said on Wednesday. Income from permit fees and other spending by foreign climbers is a key source …
Nepal sharply hikes permit fee for Everest climbers Read More »
SINGAPORE (Reuters) – Singapore’s prime minister has formed a committee to review electoral boundaries, the poll body said on Wednesday, an indicator that a general election in the city-state could come soon. Singapore typically calls an election within two months of the committee publishing its report on the review. The review looks at boundaries of …
Singapore forms committee on election, signalling polls ahead Read More »
By Ananda Teresia JAKARTA (Reuters) – Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto is considering pardons for prisoners linked to armed organisations in the restive easternmost province of Papua, including separatists, providing they renounce violence and abandon secessionist agendas, a senior minister said on Wednesday. Prabowo plans to grant amnesty to those convicted and awaiting trial if they …
Indonesia plans pardons for Papua prisoners, including separatist rebels Read More »
BANGKOK (Reuters) – United Nations human rights experts have urged Thailand not to send 48 Uyghurs in its custody back to China, warning they are at risk of torture, ill-treatment and “irreparable harm” if returned. Human rights groups and some Thai lawmakers have raised concerns in the past week that the transfer to China of …
UN experts urge Thailand not to deport 48 Uyghurs to China Read More »
TAIPEI (Reuters) -Taiwan’s Ministry of Digital Affairs said on Wednesday that undersea cables to the Matsu Islands, which lie close to the coast of China, were disconnected due to “natural deterioration” and back-up communications were activated. Government officials said the two cables connecting Matsu with the main Taiwan island were completely disconnected earlier on Wednesday …
SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea’s state media on Wednesday reported U.S. President Donald Trump’s inauguration but without any commentary on his presidency, but did accuse the United States of committing atrocities during the 1950-53 Korean War. The Rodong Sinmun, the ruling Workers’ Party mouthpiece, published a brief article saying Trump was elected as the 47th …
North Korea state media reports Trump inauguration, accuses US of Korean War atrocities Read More »
By Jihoon Lee SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korea’s birthrate is set to show a rise in 2024 for the first time in nine years, following a rebound in marriages that were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Asian country has recorded the world’s lowest fertility rates, but the number of newborns between January 2024 …
South Korea’s birthrate set to rise for the first time in nine years Read More »
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Japan will continue to strengthen its defence capabilities given the security situation in East Asia, Japan’s foreign minister told his U.S. counterpart in a meeting on Tuesday, his spokesperson said. The return of U.S. President Donald Trump has prompted expectations that Washington may put more pressure on allies to further step up …
