News Archives

Cybercrime Law is Suspended by Philippines Court
The Philippines' top court has suspended a controversial law targeting cybercrime, following protests by critics who say it stifles free speech. China slowdown hits Asian growth hopes
Slowing growth in China and India has hit prospects across the rest of Asia and led the Asian Development Bank to make the biggest cut in its regional economic growth forecast since 2008, according to its chief economist. India announces insurance and pension reforms
India's government has approved 49% foreign direct investment in insurance companies and opened the pension sector to foreign investors. Borneo bio-hunt turns up treasures
A Dutch-Malaysian expedition to the remote "Heart of Borneo" have turned up more than 160 species previously unknown to science — and perhaps more importantly, enough DNA samples to figure out how more than 1,400 species in one of the world's hottest hot spots for biodiversity are related. Pakistan struggles with smuggled Buddhist relics
Lacking the necessary cash and manpower, Pakistan is struggling to stem the flow of millions of dollars in ancient Buddhist artifacts that looters dig up in the country's northwest and smuggle to collectors around the world. Court orders 3rd arrest of ex-Philippine president
The Philippine anti-graft court on Thursday ordered the arrest of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in the third corruption investigation against her, this one accused her of misusing $8.8 million in state lottery funds during her last years in office. India landless begin long march to Delhi
Tens of thousands of landless poor have begun a march to the Indian capital, Delhi, demanding their right to land. Philippines takes on Catholic church to push birth control, sex education
Philippine President Benigno Aquino is squaring off against his country's powerful Catholic church in a bid to give people free access to the means to limit the size of their families. Bangladesh court: Why weren't Buddhists protected?
Bangladesh's High Court asked the government on Wednesday to explain why local officials failed to provide security to minority Buddhists whose homes, temples and businesses were attacked over a picture of a burned Quran posted on Facebook. Indonesia factory workers on strike for more pay
Tens of thousands of Indonesian factory workers have gone on a one-day strike to demand higher wages and better working conditions. Nepal Maoist leader Prachanda opens 'guerrilla trail'
Former Nepalese Maoist insurgency leader Prachanda has launched a new tourist trail and guide book, giving walkers the chance to see routes and hideouts used by the guerrillas. In cabinet revamp, Japan's Noda brings in woman with China ties
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda of Japan reorganized his cabinet ministers on Monday, bringing in a woman with strong links to China amid a smoldering dispute between the two nations over a group of remote islands. Telangana: Fresh strike over new India state
A strike in favour of a new state has hit businesses and public transport in the Telangana region of southern India's Andhra Pradesh state. Bangladesh rampage over Facebook Koran image
Muslim protesters have attacked Buddhist villages in Bangladesh, after an image said to show a burnt Koran was posted on social network site Facebook. Communist ideals still strong in China's Nanjie village
Nanjie village of Luohe city in China's central Henan province, with more than 3,100 residents, is touted to be one of the remaining models of communist China, where the principles of morality and collectivism of the late Chairman Mao still strictly guide the people's daily lives. Cambodia jails journalist Mam Sonando over 'plot'
A Cambodian court has jailed a prominent journalist and land rights campaigner for 20 years on charges of inciting rebellion. China brings its first aircraft carrier into service, joining 9-nation club
China brought its first aircraft carrier into service Tuesday, raising the country’s military capability amid heightened tensions with its regional neighbors. Taiwanese ships clash with Japanese coast guard over disputed islands
About 50 Taiwanese vessels on Tuesday entered waters near a group of uninhabited islands at the center of a bitter territorial dispute involving Japan, China and Taiwan. NKorea raises schooling period to 12 years from 11
North Korea's parliament passed a law Tuesday adding one more year to compulsory education in the socialist nation in the first policy change under leader Kim Jong Un made public by state media. Vietnam finds mass grave of communist soldiers
Farmers have found a grave containing the remains of at least 20 communist soldiers killed during the Vietnam War.