News Archives

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. North Korean defectors hold little hope for new Chinese leadership
Smoke rises from the marbled beef sizzling over the table grill. One man turns the meat, joining in with the animated conversation already underway, each barely allowing his friend to finish his sentence before offering his own opinion. Questions and answers on Myanmar's ethnic violence
An eruption of communal violence in Myanmar this past week is a reminder that the Southeast Asian country still faces serious problems even as it institutes major political and economic reforms after almost five decades of repressive military rule. Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung urged to resign
A member of the Communist-dominated parliament in Vietnam has in a rare show of dissent told PM Nguyen Tan Dung that he should resign for his mistakes in handling the economy. Sri Lanka: UN admits it failed to protect civilians
A UN report on its failure to protect civilians in Sri Lanka's civil war will have "profound implications" for the global body, UN chief Ban Ki-moon says. Eclipse turns into sea's biggest show
The dolphins didn't come out for today's total solar eclipse in the Coral Sea, but hundreds of tourists were on deck to catch our cruise ship's biggest show. And most importantly, the sun came out as well...That was the whole point behind seeing the eclipse from the Dawn Princess, which has been making stops along Australia's northeast coast for the past week. It may not be the steadiest viewing p Satellite Images Suggest North Korean Working on Missiles, Group Says
Undeterred by the embarrassment of a failed rocket launch earlier this year, North Korea appears to be pressing ahead with the development of long-range missiles, according to an analysis of satellite images by a U.S. academic website. China Warns Dalai Lama on Tibet Immolations Comments
China has criticised Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, over comments he reportedly made on a spate of self-immolations by ethnic Tibetans. Foreigners Taxed Out of Hong Kong Property?
Many of Hong Kong's foreign residents will have to think twice before buying a new home in this Asian financial hub. Thousands Gather for Australia Solar Eclipse
Tens of thousands have gathered in northern Australia in the hope of glimpsing a rare total solar eclipse.