News Archives

Russia, China press N. Korea to scuttle planned rocket launch
Russia and China urged North Korea on Monday not to go ahead with a plan for its second rocket launch of 2012, with Moscow saying the launch would violate restrictions imposed by the U.N. Security Council. Singapore Airlines in talks to sell Virgin stake
Singapore Airlines said Monday it is in talks to sell its stake in Virgin Atlantic, a move that could shake up air travel in Asia and Europe. Indian Olympic Association suspended by IOC
The International Olympic Committee has suspended India's Olympic Association over an election for planning to stage an election that was to be contested by just one official who had been accused of corruption. Burma camp for Rohingyas 'dire' - Valerie Amos
The UN's top humanitarian official has said conditions for displaced Burmese Muslim Rohingyas are "dire", and called on Burma to improve them. Nepal girls in mass Hindu Kanya Puja prayer ceremony
More than 11,000 girls have taken part in a mass Hindu prayer ceremony in western Nepal, which organisers say is one of the biggest of its kind ever to be held in the country. Asean chief Surin Pitsuwan warns on China's ship patrol plan
The head of Asean has said China's plan to board ships in disputed areas of the South China Sea could escalate tensions. Putin back trouble played down as Japan delays visit
The Kremlin has played down a decision by Japan's prime minister to put off a visit to Russia amid speculation about President Vladimir Putin's health. India's economic growth rate slows to 5.3%
India's growth rate slowed in the July to September quarter, putting pressure on the government to implement more reforms and ease monetary policy. 'People will die': Muslims face expulsion from western Myanmar
The Buddhist monastery on the edge of this seaside town is a picture of tranquillity, with novice monks in saffron robes finding shade under a towering tree and their teacher, U Nyarna, greeting a visitor in a sunlit prayer room... Manila says will not stamp new Chinese passport
The Philippines has become the latest country to say it will not stamp visas in a new Chinese passport because it includes a map of the South China Sea Manila says shows its territory. Tibetan protests against Chinese rule in new phase
Activist groups say two dozen Tibetans have set themselves on fire in western China this month in a marked acceleration of the protests against authoritarian Chinese rule. Philippine economy bucks global headwinds
The Philippine economy grew 7.1% last quarter -- the fastest growth in two years and the fastest pace in Asia next to China -- a strong sign that the Southeast Asian economy is building domestic-growth rather than relying on exports. India parliament to hold economic reforms vote
India's parliament will hold a vote on the government's controversial decision to open the retail sector to foreign competition. Tobacco industry uses trade pacts to try to snuff out anti-smoking laws
As countries around the world ramp up their campaigns against smoking with tough restrictions on tobacco advertising, the industry is fighting back by invoking international trade agreements to thwart the most stringent rules. Earthquake shakes eastern Indonesia
The U.S. Geological Survey says an earthquake measuring 5.5 magnitude has hit the eastern part of Indonesia. There are no immediate reports of damage. India activist Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party vows change
Leading anti-corruption campaigner, Arvind Kejriwal, says his new party will change India's politics. Photo shows more activity at N.Korean launch site
A new satellite image shows a marked increase in activity at a North Korean missile launch site, pointing to a possible long-range ballistic missile test by Pyongyang in the next three weeks, according to satellite operator DigitalGlobe Inc. Tibetan students protest, as four more self-immolations reported
A crowd of Tibetan students has protested in Qinghai province, activists say, as four more self-immolations were reported. Vietnam refuses to stamp new Chinese passports over map
Vietnamese officials are refusing to stamp new Chinese passports bearing a map that lays claim to disputed areas. Factory deaths highlight flaws in global supply chain
As Bangladesh mourns the death of more than 100 workers killed in a factory fire over the weekend, attention is turning to the labels found among the charred debris and what role they could have played in preventing the worst industrial disaster in the country's history.