We have updated our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use for Eurasia Group and its affiliates, including GZERO Media, to clarify the types of data we collect, how we collect it, how we use data and with whom we share data. By using our website you consent to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy, including the transfer of your personal data to the United States from your country of residence, and our use of cookies described in our Cookie Policy.
{{ subpage.title }}
Hard Numbers: Pakistan’s mosque mandate, Morrison banned from WeChat, Thai PM visits Saudi, Bitcoin tumbles
46: Facing an omicron wave, Pakistani authorities have announced that only fully vaccinated people will be allowed to enter mosques. In Karachi, Pakistan’s most populous city, almost half of people tested for COVID (46 percent) are returning positive results.
76,000: Amid a deepening diplomatic row between Beijing and Canberra, Australian PM Scott Morrison has lost access to his account on the Chinese messaging app WeChat and is unable to communicate with his 76,000 followers. Beijing denies claims of interference, but appeals to restore Morrison’s account have fallen on deaf ears.
30: Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha will visit Saudi Arabia this week, marking the first visit of a Thai leader to Riyadh in 30 years. Diplomatic ties between the two states broke down in 1989 after a Thai janitor stole $20 million worth of gems from a Saudi prince. Riyadh accused Bangkok of bungling the criminal investigation.
50: The price of Bitcoin has fallen 50 percent since it peaked last November. Cryptocurrencies have fallen across the board, in part because geopolitical tensions have sparked a global flight from riskier investments and in part because many governments have tried to crack down on digital assets.
Suspected gas pipeline blast kills 17 at Bangladesh mosque
DHAKA • A suspected gas pipeline explosion at a mosque in Bangladesh killed 17 people and injured dozens as worshippers were about to end their prayers, officials said yesterday.
12 killed in Bangladesh mosque gas explosion, suspected to have been triggered by air-con spark
DHAKA (AFP) - A suspected gas explosion tore through a Bangladesh mosque killing at least 12 people while dozens suffered life-threatening burns, police said on Saturday (Sept 5).
Johor ruler ticks off Pakatan MP for mosque speech
JOHOR BARU • The Sultan of Johor has ticked off an MP from Pakatan Harapan (PH) for making a speech at a mosque in Labis, stressing that political activities are not allowed in any mosque or surau in the southern Malaysian state.
Sultan of Johor slams Pakatan Harapan MP for making speech in mosque
JOHOR BARU - The Sultan of Johor has ticked off a Pakatan Harapan MP for making a speech at a mosque in Labis, stressing that political activities are not allowed in any mosque or surau in the state.
Shootout in Sri Lanka at house where suicide vests were made
COLOMBO • A gun battle broke out between Sri Lankan police and a group of men during a raid on a house in an eastern Sri Lankan town yesterday, with the premises believed to have been used to make suicide vests for the Easter Sunday serial bombings in the country.
'Scared' Muslims avoid Christchurch mosques a month after attacks
CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND (AFP) - Four weeks on from the New Zealand mosques massacre, the Christchurch Muslim community was struggling to get worshippers to overcome their fears and return to Friday prayers.
New Zealand PM Ardern orders inquiry into Christchurch massacre
WELLINGTON (AFP) - New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Monday (March 25) ordered an independent judicial inquiry into the Christchurch mosque attacks, saying she wanted to know how a gunman shot dead 50 people on March 15.