News Archives

Olympus and former executives plead guilty
Former Olympus chairman Tsuyoshi Kikukawa has pleaded guilty to charges of falsifying accounts, covering up losses of $1.7bn (£1.1bn), at the opening of his trial. Manufacturing growth slows in China
Manufacturing growth in China continued to slide in September, according to a key initial reading released Thursday. Indian shopkeepers protest government plan for retail reforms
Shops and markets were closed and traders stopped trains in parts of India on Thursday in protests against federal reforms to open the nation's $500 billion retail sector to global supermarket chains. Burmese editor and publisher charged with libel
The editor and publisher of an independent journal in Burma have been charged with defamation after publishing a story about alleged corruption in government. Philippines outlaws cybersex and 'cam girls'
The Philippines has outlawed cybersex and online sex video chat. Deported Sri Lankans arrive home from UK amid torture fears
A group of 25 Sri Lankans deported from the UK has arrived in Sri Lanka, amid warnings that Tamils among them may be tortured. US-Japan agree on new defense system to counter North Korea ballistic missiles
U.S. and Japanese officials have agreed to put a second defense system in Japan aimed at protecting the country from the threat of a missile attack from North Korea, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Monday. Congress party meets over India ally pullout
India's ruling Congress party has met to discuss a key ally's withdrawal from the government over plans to open the retail sector to global supermarket chains and other reforms. Sri Lankan Muslims protest anti-Islam film
Hundreds of Muslims in Sri Lanka have protested against an anti-Islam film produced in the United States, calling for its creators to be hanged. Myanmar frees hundreds of prisoners as it seeks to boost US ties
Myanmar pardoned more than 500 prisoners on Monday in an amnesty that included political detainees, according to the opposition party, a step that could strengthen the former military state's growing bonds with Washington. Japan finds another gap in its disaster readiness: Mount Fuji
When Toshitsugu Fujii became head of a Japanese task force on disaster response at Mount Fuji, he was confronted with a startling oversight. Japan had no plan in place to deal with a disaster in which an earthquake sparks a volcanic eruption at the country's most famous landmark. Emotional anniversary reignites anti-Japan protests in China
Anti-Japan protests reignited across China on Tuesday, the emotional anniversary marking Tokyo's occupation of its giant neighbor, escalating a dispute over East China Sea islands claimed by both countries. Mumbai attacker Qasab appeals for mercy to India president
Pakistani national Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab, on death row in India for his role in the 2008 Mumbai attacks, has appealed for mercy to the president. Philippines nears pact to end longtime insurgency
Philippine government and Muslim guerrilla negotiators are drafting a preliminary agreement to settle a decades-long rebellion in the country's south, but the insurgents said Tuesday their insurrection won't end until a final pact is concluded. Taiwan opposition wants premier sacked for economy
Taiwan's political opposition wants the island's premier out of office and is blaming the government for mismanaging the economy. Thai report blames both sides for escalating 2010 unrest
Both Thai security forces and "red-shirt" protesters were to blame for violence that left 92 people dead in 2010, an independent inquiry reports. 'No Indians, Asians' job ad sparks anger
One of Australia's largest supermarket chains has come under fire for an online job ad that specified that "no Indians or Asians" should apply. Much at stake for US as tensions rise in troubled China Seas
Tensions have been rising for several years and recently hit new heights with activists landing on disputed islands, angry diplomatic exchanges and even a threat to deploy troops, prompting fears of an armed conflict that could potentially involve the United States, China, Japan and other nations. Japan and North Korea to hold first talks in four years
Government officials from Japan and North Korea are to meet for their first direct talks in four years. Reports: North Korea's Kim Jong Un will travel to Iran
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is planning to travel to Tehran next week, in his first overseas visit since taking over after his father's death in December, South Korea’s Yonhap and Arirang news services reported on Wednesday.