Asia News

Japan PM says no US base deal before Obama visit

AFP - Saturday, November 7

TOKYO (AFP) - - Japan's Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama on Friday said he does not plan to make a decision on the relocation of a controversial US military base before President Barack Obama visits Tokyo next week. More »

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Mafia twins jailed for 17 years in China
AFP - Saturday, November 7
BEIJING (AFP) - - A court in southwest China on Friday sentenced a pair of 23-year-old twins to 17 years in prison in the latest rulings in a series of sensational organised crime trials that have gripped the nation.
Taliban turns screws on UN in Afghanistan
AFP - Friday, November 6
KABUL (AFP) - - The Taliban on Friday levelled a stinging verbal attack on the United Nations, which is relocating 600 foreign staff in Afghanistan after the militia attacked one of its guesthouses in Kabul.
New Taiwan law to help children of abusive parents
AFP - Friday, November 6
TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's government has proposed changing the law to release adult children of abusive parents from the legal obligation to support them in their dotage, the government said Friday.
Red Cross suspends work in Indonesia's Aceh
AFP - Friday, November 6
BANDA ACEH (Indonesia) (AFP) - - The Red Cross suspended its activities in the Indonesian province of Aceh for a day on Friday after one of its German workers was shot and wounded by gunmen on a motorbike.
China hosts meeting on Somalia piracy
AFP - Friday, November 6
BEIJING (AFP) - - China on Friday opened a two-day international conference on efforts to protect shipping in the Gulf of Aden from Somali pirates, the defence ministry said.
Indonesia extends Australia refugee boat's stay
AFP - Friday, November 6
JAKARTA (AFP) - - Indonesia extended by a week on Friday a deadline for an Australian customs ship loaded with 78 protesting Sri Lankan asylum seekers to leave its territory.
Nepal accuses UN chief of interfering
AFP - Friday, November 6
KATHMANDU (AFP) - - Nepal's ruling parties have angrily accused United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon of political interference after he called for the establishment of a national unity government.
China's Africa investments under harsh spotlight
AFP - Friday, November 6
BEIJING (AFP) - - As Chinese firms pour billions of dollars into mining, energy and infrastructure deals in Africa, Beijing is turning a blind eye to rogue regimes that stand to reap the benefits, observers say.
APEC to maintain stimulus till recovery in place: draft
AFP - Friday, November 6
SINGAPORE (AFP) - - APEC leaders will maintain hefty stimulus packages until they secure a "durable" recovery from the global economic slowdown, according to a draft communique obtained by AFP Friday.
Myanmar vote plan clouds new US dialogue
AFP - Friday, November 6
WASHINGTON (AFP) - - US envoys who paid a rare visit to Myanmar say the new dialogue will be slow and cautious, but the junta's plans to hold 2010 elections are casting a shadow that could disrupt the delicate process.
China PM heads to Egypt for Africa summit
AFP - Friday, November 6
BEIJING (AFP) - - Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao headed to Egypt on Friday for a summit with African leaders as Beijing bids to expand its diplomatic and economic influence on the resource-rich continent.
Indian Sikhs defy advice to pray in Pakistan
AFP - Friday, November 6
HASAN ABDAL, Pakistan (AFP) - - Roads were closed, shops shuttered and police on guard in Hasan Abdal, near Pakistan's capital, as about 2,000 Indian Sikh pilgrims defied advice to honour the founder of the faith.
Matsui's heroics join Asian golden age of US sport
AFP - Friday, November 6
NEW YORK (AFP) - - Hideki Matsui drew criticism in his homeland for not joining the Japanese team that won the World Baseball Classic eight months ago so he could focus on preparing for the 2009 New York Yankees season.
Australia beat India despite Tendulkar's 175
AFP - Friday, November 6
HYDERABAD, India (AFP) - - Australia defeated India by three runs despite a scintillating 175 off 141 balls by Sachin Tendulkar in the fifth one-day international here on Thursday.
Accused Philippine rebel kidnapper to remain hidden: MILF
AFP - Friday, November 6
COTABATO, Philippines (AFP) - - Philippine Muslim rebel leaders on Thursday refused a government demand to force one of their members accused of kidnapping an Irish priest to come out and personally deny the allegation.
France's Kouchner slams US, Germany and Karzai
AFP - Friday, November 6
PARIS (AFP) - - French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner hit out at the United States and Germany for failing to coordinate on NATO policy and branded Afghan President Hamid Karzai "corrupt", in remarks reported Thursday.
Top detective, prosecutor quit in Indonesia wiretap scandal
AFP - Friday, November 6
JAKARTA (AFP) - - Indonesia's top detective and deputy chief prosecutor quit Thursday after wiretap phone recordings implicated them in an alleged plot to falsely imprison anti-graft investigators.
Taiwan hit by 6.0-magnitude quake: govt
AFP - Friday, November 6
TAIPEI (AFP) - - A strong, 6.0-magnitude earthquake hit central Taiwan on Thursday, the government said, with initial reports stating that one person had suffered minor injuries.
Cambodia pulls ambassador from Thailand: deputy PM
AFP - Friday, November 6
PHNOM PENH (AFP) - - Cambodia recalled its ambassador to Thailand on Thursday, the deputy prime minister said just hours after Bangkok pulled its envoy in a row over Phnom Penh's job offer to former Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra.