News Archives

Philippine death toll from typhoon rises to 39
Philippine officials say the bodies of 13 more drowning victims have been recovered, raising the death toll from a typhoon that left the country days ago to 39. Global slowdown bites across Asia
Asia's biggest economies posted disappointing export and manufacturing figures on Wednesday in the latest sign that the region is following the US and Europe into an economic slowdown. India lifts ban on investment from Pakistan
India's government says it has lifted its ban on foreign investment by citizens and companies from neighbor and rival Pakistan. UN: NKorea needs immediate food aid due to flood
U.N. agencies say North Korea needs immediate food assistance in the wake of heavy rains that killed scores and left vast swaths of farmland submerged in water. China responds to US criticism on religious rights: Don't 'meddle' in our policies
China has blasted a State Department report that criticized its controls on religion, saying Thursday that the document was prejudiced and an attempt to meddle in domestic affairs. Philippines and Cambodia in South China Sea row
The Philippines has summoned Cambodia's ambassador over comments linked to Manila's territorial row with Beijing. Fears grow for rise in food prices
The increase in grain prices is already being felt around the world. In Indonesia, the tofu industry has threatened to strike over rising soyabean prices; in Mexico, the cost of corn tortillas is on the rise; and Iran last week witnessed a rare protest over the cost of chicken. Full power restored after India hit by second huge outage
Crews restored full power to northern India on Wednesday as officials continued to search for the cause of the country's worst blackout in at least a decade. Planned reforms send North Korea rice prices soaring
Talk that North Korea's young leader plans to reform the broken economy is already having an impact. It is helping send rice prices even further out of the reach of most families in one of the world's most under-fed societies. 'Campaign of violence' in Burma state - rights group
Government forces are continuing to persecute Muslims in Burma's Rakhine state after failing to protect them during deadly clashes in June, Human Rights Watch has said in a report. Vietnam nabs 2.4 tons of smuggled elephant tusks
State-controlled media say authorities in Vietnam have seized 2.4 tons of elephant tusks illegally imported from Africa. Japanese industrial output in unexpected fall
Industrial production in Japan unexpectedly fell for the third straight month, prompting renewed fears the economy is losing steam. 'National education' raises furor in Hong Kong
Plans to adopt Chinese civic education into the Hong Kong public school curriculum have sparked protests among residents, who claim it amounts to "brainwashing" impressionable young minds with pro-mainland propaganda. Power cut causes major disruption in northern India
A massive power cut has caused disruption across northern India, including in the capital, Delhi. Election year is big business for Philippine gunsmiths
In the Philippines, they vote with their trigger fingers. Elections mean big business for illegal gunsmiths, who are looking forward to 2013 mid-term polls. Burma: UN calls for inquiry over Rakhine violence
UN human rights chief Navi Pillay has called for an independent investigation following claims of abuses by security forces in Burma's Rakhine state. Assam Chief Minister Gogoi says state violence easing
The chief minister of India's Assam state has said violence there has lessened, even though the death toll in fighting has risen to 44. Japanese women fall behind Hong Kong in longevity
Japanese women have fallen behind Hong Kong in global life expectancy rankings for the first time in 25 years. China's best Olympic hopes in London
When the Olympic torch lights up in London on Friday, hundreds of millions of TV screens, laptops and mobile phones will likewise be turned on in China. Indonesia train power lines lowered to end roof surfing
Indonesian state railway officials have announced that they are lowering the electrical lines that power commuter trains to prevent people from riding on carriage roofs.