News Archives

World sea piracy falls in first 6 months of 2012
A maritime watchdog says sea piracy worldwide fell by 54 percent in the first half of 2012, led by a drop in Somali piracy. China economic growth slows to 7.6% in second quarter
China's economy has grown at its slowest pace in three years as investment slowed and demand fell in key markets such as the US and Europe. Asean nations fail to reach agreement on South China Sea
South-east Asian countries have failed to reach an agreement on how to deal with China's claims on disputed territory in the South China Sea. Thomas and Raymond Kwok charged in corruption scandal
Two billionaire property developers in Hong Kong have been charged with bribery-related offences in a high-profile corruption case. Thai court decision diffuses political crisis
Thailand's Constitutional Court has dismissed a controversial case that alleged ruling party lawmakers trying to amend the constitution were trying to overthrow the monarchy. American Samoa lawsuit seeks US citizenship
A group of five people have filed a federal lawsuit arguing they should be U.S. citizens by virtue of being born in American Samoa, the only U.S. territory that doesn't grant that birthright. Clinton says NKorea nuke pursuit threatens world
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says North Korea's pursuit of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles and "pattern of provocations" are a serious threat to Asian and world security. Asean talks: US and China pledge to co-operate on Asia
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi have said their countries will co-operate on Asia issues. Malaysia to repeal sedition law ahead of polls
Malaysia's leader has announced plans to repeal a colonial-era law curbing free speech in the latest political reform ahead of general elections, but critics warned Thursday that his reform efforts so far have not improved the country's human rights record. Tsunami debris adds to 'Great Pacific Garbage Patch'
The first wave has arrived. And now more and more tsunami debris is washing ashore on West Coast beaches seemingly every day. Japan's Ichiro Ozawa forms rival political party
Veteran Japanese politician Ichiro Ozawa, who resigned from the ruling party over plans to raise sales tax, has formed a new opposition party. Japan to Go Broke by October? Standoff Threatens to 'Collapse' Budget
Japan's government could run out of money by the end of October, halting all state spending including salaries, pensions and unemployment benefits, because of a standoff in parliament that has blocked a bill to finance the deficit. China Gives Family in Forced-Abortion Case $11K
The family of a woman forced to undergo an abortion because she ran afoul of China's one-child policy has accepted a cash settlement from the government. Thailand Pardons US Man Jailed for Royal Insult
A US citizen sentenced to two-and-half years in prison for defaming Thailand's royal family was pardoned and released from jail late Tuesday, US Embassy officials told NBC News. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Historic Laos Visit
Hillary Clinton has become the first US secretary of state to visit Laos in 57 years, on a trip focusing on economic ties and the legacy of the Vietnam War. US Ambassador Derek Mitchell Arrives in Burma
The first US ambassador to Burma in 22 years, Derek Mitchell, has arrived in the country and met President Thein Sein. Parents face anxious wait over Cambodia's mystery illness
Before dawn, the line of parents trying to comfort their sick children stretched around the Kantha Bopha Children's Hospital in Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh. Clinton chides Vietnam on protecting human rights
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says she supports Vietnam's work to help resolve issues in the disputed South China Sea, but believes the communist country needs to do more to protect human rights. Singapore plans changes to mandatory death penalty
Singapore is proposing changes to its mandatory death penalty for drug trafficking and murder in some cases. Asean seeks China agreement on South China Sea code
The Association of South East Asia Nations (Asean) is to seek China's agreement on rules governing maritime issues, after it adopted key elements of a code of conduct, officials say.