News Archives

Vietnamese soldiers held over deaths of rare monkeys
Vietnamese authorities have detained three soldiers suspected of torturing and killing two rare monkeys, state-run Voice of Vietnam newspaper reports. China pledges $20bn in credit for Africa at summit
China has pledged $20bn (£12.8bn) in credit for Africa over the next three years, in a push for closer ties and increased trade. Pranab Mukherjee tipped to win India presidential poll
Voting is under way in India to elect a new president. Cambodia shuts schools to stop EV71 virus spreading
Cambodia has closed schools weeks ahead of the summer holidays to prevent the spread of a virus that has killed dozens of children since April. Concern in Sri Lanka over rising number of child rapes
A 13-year-old girl in Sri Lanka has identified four men including a local government politician who she says were involved in gang-raping her in the south of the country last month. Afghanistan: Taliban bomb destroys 22 Nato fuel tankers
A bomb planted by the Taliban in northern Afghanistan has destroyed 22 Nato fuel tankers carrying supplies to coalition forces, local officials say. 'Mystery woman' stirs talk of changing times in North Korea
It was her third public appearance by the side of North Korea’s new leader Kim Jong Un. This time the “mystery woman” was wearing a striking yellow polka-dot dress, with a chic Chanel-style white tweed jacket and matching ivory toe-open high heels, in state television footage of a recent visit by Kim to a preschool in Pyongyang. Indonesia scrambles to end ASEAN rift over sea
Indonesia's top diplomat embarked on an emergency swing through Southeast Asia on Wednesday to try to end disagreements over territorial rifts in the South China Sea and push for a new pact aimed at avoiding future clashes. India investigates Chhattisgarh 'womb removal insurance scam'
India's Chhattisgarh state is investigating reports that thousands of women had unnecessary hysterectomies so hospitals could make insurance claims. Somali pirates free Taiwan fishing vessel, 26 crew
Taiwan's foreign ministry says a Taiwanese fishing vessel and its 26-member crew were freed after being held by Somali pirates for almost 19 months. Thai, Cambodian troops withdraw from disputed area
Cambodia and Thailand have withdrawn their troops from a disputed border area to comply with a ruling by the International Court of Justice. Oil hovers above $88 on stimulus hopes
Oil hovered above $88 a barrel Tuesday in Asia amid hopes China and the U.S. will take new steps to bolster their economies. Pakistan court rejects Mumbai attacks probe result
A Pakistani defense lawyer says that a court trying suspects accused of masterminding the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai has decided that the findings of a commission that visited India to gather evidence cannot be used in the case. India wants UAE to probe Gulf shooting incident
India says it has asked the United Arab Emirates to investigate an incident in which a U.S. Navy ship opened fire on a small boat near Dubai, killing an Indian fisherman and wounding three others. Thailand customs seizes $700,000 in ivory from Kenya
Nearly half a tonne of ivory worth more than $700,000 (£447,000) has been seized at the airport in Thailand's capital Bangkok, customs officials say. Tibetan monk dies after setting himself on fire
The self-declared Tibetan government-in-exile says an 18-year-old Tibetan monk has died after setting himself on fire, the latest in a string of dozens of self-immolations by Tibetans in the past 17 months. India critical of Barack Obama's comments on economy
India has criticised US President Barack Obama for saying that Delhi restricted foreign investment in "too many sectors". North Korea army chief relieved of posts after 'illness'
North Korea has relieved its army chief of all government posts because of an "illness," the state-run news agency said Monday, prompting speculation of a possible power struggle within the secretive regime. Detained ex-Philippine leader faces new graft case
Philippine prosecutors have filed a non-bailable corruption complaint against former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in a move she says is aimed at keeping her in detention as she fights to be released on bail in a separate vote-tampering case. Tens of thousands demonstrate against nuclear power in Japan
Tens of thousands of people crowded into a park in central Tokyo on Monday to protest the use of nuclear power in Japan, highlighting the growing opposition to atomic energy in the country since the crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant.