Asia News

Pakistan graft amnesty expires

AFP - 59 minutes ago

ISLAMABAD (AFP) - - An amnesty on corruption cases protecting President Asif Ali Zardari, key allies and thousands of others formally expires on Saturday, threatening to fling Pakistan into fresh political crisis. More »

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Explosion heard in Kabul: witnesses
AFP - 1 hour 16 minutes ago
KABUL (AFP) - - A huge explosion was heard in Kabul Saturday, according to witnesses, but the immediate cause was not known.
10 dead in China mine accident: state media
AFP - 1 hour 54 minutes ago
BEIJING (AFP) - - Rescuers have recovered the body of the last victim a gas explosion in a southwestern China coal mine, bringing the death toll to 10, state-run media reported on Saturday.
Cadaver hunt in Philippines massacre ends: police
AFP - 2 hours 4 minutes ago
MANILA (AFP) - - Police have ended a grisly search for corpses and mass graves from an election-linked massacre in the southern Philippines, with the known death toll standing at 57, officials said Saturday.
World's lowest birth rate 'could hurt' Taiwan society
AFP - 2 hours 28 minutes ago
TAIPEI (AFP) - - The lowest birth rate in the world and a rapidly ageing society could lead to a spate of social problems in Taiwan, a report cited the Taiwanese health minister as saying on Saturday.
E.Timor should form anti-graft commission: president
AFP - 2 hours 35 minutes ago
DILI (AFP) - - East Timor should form its anti-corruption commission soon to support the economy and maintain people's trust in the half-island nation, President Jose Ramos-Horta said Saturday.
3 killed as cargo plane crashes in China: media
AFP - Saturday, November 28
BEIJING (AFP) - - A cargo plane carrying seven crew crashed during take off in Shanghai on Saturday, killing three, state media reported.
Front-runner registers for Philippine presidential election
AFP - Saturday, November 28
MANILA (AFP) - - Benigno Aquino, the front-runner in the race to succeed Philippines President Gloria Arroyo, formally registered his candidacy in the May 2010 election on Saturday with a pledge to fight corruption, witnesses said.
Australia PM plays down climate snap poll fears
AFP - Saturday, November 28
SYDNEY (AFP) - - Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd played down speculation of a snap poll over controversial carbon laws Saturday, but emphasised his commitment to their passage ahead of global climate talks.
Bok bashers France eye All Blacks scalp
AFP - Saturday, November 28
MARSEILLE, France (AFP) - - France play New Zealand here on Saturday with a fantastic chance to claim a second antipodean scalp after having already seen off world and Tri-Nations champions South Africa.
Stars gather in Taiwan for Chinese-language 'Oscars'
AFP - Saturday, November 28
TAIPEI (AFP) - - The cream of Asian cinema is set to gather in Taipei on Saturday for the Golden Horse Film Awards, considered the Chinese-language "Oscars".
At least 10 killed in Bangladesh ferry accident
AFP - Saturday, November 28
DHAKA (AFP) - - At least 10 people were killed and dozens are missing after a ferry packed with over 1,000 passengers going home to celebrate Eid-ul Adha listed and partly sank in southern Bangladesh, police said.
Venezuela to take delivery on Chinese planes next year
AFP - Saturday, November 28
CARACAS (AFP) - - Venezuela will take delivery in 2010 of the first six of 18 K-8 Karakorum trainer or light attack planes it bought from China, the Air Force's top commander said Friday.
Commonwealth gives impetus to climate talks
AFP - Saturday, November 28
PORT OF SPAIN (AFP) - - Commonwealth nations Friday joined forces with European and UN leaders Friday to push for a deal to tackle global warming and overcome last-minute haggling threatening to scupper climate talks.
S.Korea leader says ready to meet North's Kim
AFP - Saturday, November 28
SEOUL (AFP) - - South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak said he was open to any type of dialogue with his North Korean counterpart if it would help resolve the nuclear stand-off.
Japan PM asks China's defence chief for 'transparency': govt
AFP - Saturday, November 28
TOKYO (AFP) - - Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama called on China's defence chief Friday to enhance the "transparency" of the communist giant's military build-up, the foreign ministry said.
Signs emerge for progress in Myanmar: EU envoy
AFP - Saturday, November 28
ROME (AFP) - - Opportunities are emerging for a breakthrough in the political stalemate in military-ruled Myanmar, including the possibility of talks with the junta, and they must not be missed, an EU envoy said Friday.
Thailand, Cambodia say row won't lead to conflict
AFP - Saturday, November 28
BANGKOK (AFP) - - Thailand and Cambodia's diplomatic row over fugitive former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra will not cause further clashes between their armed forces, their defense ministers said after meeting Friday.
Philippine mayor ordered massacre
AFP - Saturday, November 28
MANILA (AFP) - - A Philippine politician was on Friday charged with murder after authorities accused him of ordering soldiers, police and other gunmen to kill at least 57 defenceless people in an organised slaughter.
Sri Lanka to hold presidential poll in January
AFP - Saturday, November 28
COLOMBO (AFP) - - Sri Lanka will hold presidential elections on January 26, the electoral office said Friday, with President Mahinda Rajapakse expected to face his former military chief Sarath Fonseka.