JAKARTA: Millions of Indonesians were stuck for up to 15 hours in traffic jams on Saturday as they traveled back to their hometowns to spend the Muslim holiday season of Eid Al-Fitr with their families. Indonesia, home to the world’s largest Muslim population, has allowed the annual homecoming tradition known as “mudik” for the first…
COLOMBO: Most Sri Lankan businesses and schools were closed, and public transport was interrupted on Thursday as workers joined a general strike calling for the president to step down over the island’s growing economic and political crisis. Angry over skyrocketing inflation, stalled imports of fuel, medicines and food, and hours of daily power cuts, people…
MANILA: More than 5,000 former fighters who fought for Filipino Muslim autonomy in the southern Philippines will join the country’s police force as part of government efforts to sustain peace in one of Southeast Asia’s most conflict-torn regions. The peace process in Bangsamoro, a region covering predominantly Muslim areas of Mindanao, has been underway for nearly…
Over 70 falcons seized by authorities die trapped in net of Pakistan’s legal system KARACHI: In October 2020, customs officials in Pakistan told local media they had seized 75 falcons and a houbara bustard from alleged smugglers during two separate raids in Karachi, putting the value of the birds in excess of $1 million. Sixteen…
World focused on Turkey as Ankara mediates in talks between warring Ukraine, Russia ANKARA: The world’s attention will on Thursday be focused on a meeting due to take place in Turkey’s southern resort town of Antalya at which the Turkish, Ukrainian, and Russian foreign ministers will discuss the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe and look…
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s ailing former dictator on Wednesday said the death sentence given to him by a court in a treason case is based on a “personnel vendettaâ€.It was Pervez Musharraf’s first reaction to Tuesday’s court verdict, which had already been denounced by the country’s powerful military.Musharraf’s supporters have held small rallies across the country in…
MANILA: A Philippine court has found key members of a powerful political clan guilty of the 2009 massacre in southern Maguindanao province that left 57 people, including 32 media workers, dead.They were sentenced to life imprisonment, which is 40 years in the Philippines, the maximum punishment allowed by law.The case involves more than 100 detained…
NEW DELHI: India’s Supreme Court on Wednesday postponed hearing pleas challenging the constitutionality of a new citizenship law that has sparked opposition and massive protests across the country. The court said it would consider the pleas on Jan. 22.Protests and widespread condemnation have been growing against the Citizenship Amendment Act, with demonstrations erupting in India…
BANGKOK: Thai police arrested a convicted serial killer Wednesday in connection with another murder after his early release from jail for good behavior, authorities confirmed.Somkid Pumpuang was sentenced to life in 2005 for the killing of five women believed to be involved in the sex and nightlife industry, leading the media to dub him Thailand’s…
ISLAMABAD: A special court in Pakistan on Tuesday sentenced the former military dictator Gen. Pervez Musharraf to death in a high treason case. Musharraf was charged for abrogating the constitution twice; by declaring martial law and imposing the state of emergency in November 2007. A special court was formed by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif…
