Laos approves new Specific Economic Zone
21 May, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Lao government has agreed to develop an area close to the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge in Khammuan province as the Thakhek Specific Economic Zone (SEZ), in a bid to attract foreign investment and boost .....
S. Korea seeks to boost military ties with China
21 May, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
South Korea recently approached China on signing an agreement regarding military supplies as part of broadening defence cooperation between the two countries, officials said Monday. China, however, i .....
Nepali PM tells security chiefs to 'stay alert'
21 May, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Nepali Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai has directed the security officials to stay on high alert to deal with any situation that may befall the country before May 27, the deadline day of the Constitu .....
Nepal's tourism industry wails amid political unrest
21 May, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
The recent spate of bandas in Nepal have hurt the country’s booming tourism industry with hotels reporting a flurry of cancellations. They said that they had not received any inquiries for reservat .....
Napal ethnic group strike: 6 injured in clash
21 May, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Six people were injured when a clash ensued at Imadol in Lalitpur district when the locals resorted to retaliation against the strike called by various ethnic groups demanding ethnicity-based federali .....
Chinese Premier urges more support for growth
21 May, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao called for greater efforts to support growth, through more monetary fine-tuning and fiscal incentives, amid signs of the economy further cooling. While economic growth is s .....
McDonald's recruiting in China for major expansion
21 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
McDonald's started its biggest ever recruitment plan in China yesterday, hoping to meet its ambitious expansion goals in the company's third-largest market. The US-based fast-food giant plans to open .....
6 Japanese banks offer $253m to buy wind power firm
21 May, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Six Japanese banks will extend a syndicated loan of about 20 billion yen (US$253 million) to two companies to purchase Seajacks, a British company that builds wind power generators, according to indus .....
Accidents cost Malaysia $2.87b per year
21 May, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
The Malaysian government pays almost 9 billion ringgit (US$2.87 billion) for damages and medical expenses that were incurred from road accidents every year, the country's transport minister said yeste .....
Indonesia concludes Russian jet victims identification
21 May, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) concluded its search for victims of the Sukhoi Super Jet 100 that crashed at Mount Salak in Bogor, West Java, on May 9. The National Police said tha .....
Asean nations set sights on reg'l weaving, craft-making traditions
21 May, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Inabel and binakol, the weaving traditions of the Ilocos in north Philippines, served as take-off points of discussion in a forum tackling the plight of weavers and craftsmen in Southeast Asia and C .....
ADB recommends mortgage insurance for Thailand
21 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
A recent Asia Development Bank (ADB) report said that Mortgage Insurance will be a useful, but not an essential, feature of the Thai mortgage market. Alan Taylor, the ADB consultant who prepared th .....
US warships visit to cost Indonesian businessmen US$3.15m
21 May, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Indonesian business players whose activities are dependent on the Tanjung Perak seaport in Surabaya in the northeast are protesting the scheduled arrival of three US warships, which will be docking at .....
Pharma sales rise 20% in Bangladesh domestic market
21 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Pharmaceutical sales in the domestic market rose 20 per cent to 2,293 crore taka (US$280.23 million) in the three months through March, compared to the same period last year. Increased life expectanc .....
Access to Twitter blocked in Pakistan for 8 hours
21 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Following strong criticism within the country, the government yesterday restored the social networking website Twitter after keeping it blocked for more than eight hours. The announcement regarding t .....
New strategy expected to eradicate militancy from Pakistan
21 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Moving beyond the vague and clichéd 3-D strategy, Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has come up with a plan which officials and cabinet ministers say could well serve as the first comprehensive .....
Cambodia on track on MDG maternal health target
21 May, 2012
By Rasmei Kampuchea Daily
Source: ANN
Things are looking up for Cambodian mothers. According to the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA), Cambodia's maternal mortality rate plunged 70 per cent between 1990 and 2010, the .....
India anti-corruption bill's fate uncertain
21 May, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Signalling that it could still bring the Lokpal Bill in the current Parliament session in the Rajya Sabha, the Indian government yesterday circulated among members of the Upper House a notice for an a .....
Angry Birds get active offline in China
21 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Finland-based Rovio Entertainment Ltd, the maker of the popular game Angry Birds, said it would expand its value-added chain to capture more business opportunities in China. Peter Vesterbacka, the co .....
Quest for compromise: Zardari meets Clinton, Karzai
21 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari held two key meetings yesterday — with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton — as the United States and its Nato allies began .....
Beijing, Manila can find amicable solution to island dispute: envoy
21 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
As Manila softened its attitude over the Huangyan Island incident while displaying gamesmanship under the table, analysts called for a more substantial demonstration of goodwill from the Southeast Asi .....
Afghan occupation illegal under international law: Mullah Omar
21 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
The head of Afghan Taliban, Mullah Mohammad Omar declared the withdrawal of French forces as a "realistic decision". In a statement released, Omar also said the decision is as a reflection of the Fre .....
Twitter ban lifted in Pakistan
21 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
After blocking for many hours, Pakistani authorities have lifted a ban on twitter, the social networking website. Earlier yesterday, Pakistan had blocked Twitter because it refused to remove materia .....
Bangladesh central bank not interested in India's swap funds
21 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Bangladesh's balance of payments (BOP) is in stress, but the country's central bank is not interested at the moment in "swap funds" offered by India due to relatively high interest rates. Swap loans .....
Trapped miner rescued in China 17 days after flooding
21 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
A miner who was trapped underground after flooding in a coal mine in Hegang, Heilongjiang province, was rescued on Saturday after 17 days. Si Li, 39, was carried out of Junyuan No 2 Coal Mine in Hega .....
Taiwan chip-makers expand capacity even as IC slowdown expected
21 May, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) and United Microelectronics Corp. (UMC), the nation's two major contract chip-makers, are both actively expanding capacity, data from the companies reveal .....
Bangkok seeing strong post-flood recovery
21 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The Bangkok property market has seen a significant recovery from the effects of the floods, according to CBRE Thailand, a leading international real-estate service provider. Even the worst-hit market .....
Red rally in Malaysia city for Chinese school
21 May, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Thousands of people, mostly clad in red T-shirts, yesterday turned up at a rally in Malaysia's Pahang state capital, Kuantan, to push for the setting up of a Chinese independent school. Despite the s .....
Tougher economic reality in Ma Ying-jeou's 2nd term, say experts
21 May, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou, who was inaugurated for a second term yesterday, will face an even tougher economic environment over the next four years due to various internal and external factors, ex .....
Indonesian airports under strain as more take to the skies
21 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Marketing executive Shendy Winoto once had to jump onto an ojek, or motorcycle taxi, with her luggage to catch a flight after being caught in traffic for nearly an hour 1km away from Jakarta's Soekarn .....
Too early to revise Malaysia's economic outlook
21 May, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Although the global economy has been put on red alert again over the eurozone debt crisis, experts think it is still too early to revise their outlook for Malaysias economy this year. "We are on a wa .....
Taiwan vows to improve ties with mainland
21 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The inaugural speech by re-elected Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou yesterday showed his will to continue strengthening cross-Straits relations in his second four-year term, experts said. Recapping his pas .....
Thai premier refuses to talk about Cabinet reshuffle
21 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has kept everyone guessing her next move despite the changing political developments. Although her brother and former Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shina .....
Bangladesh's main opposition offers dialogue to end crisis
21 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Amidst fear of growing confrontation, Bangladesh's main opposition political party - Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) - yesterday offered to sit for a dialogue with the government if the latter assu .....
S. Korea warned of export dependency on China
21 May, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
South Korea, celebrating the 20th anniversary of its official ties with China, needs to be cautious about its growing export dependency on the world’s second-largest economy, a report warned Sunday. .....
Indonesia's reform back to square one
21 May, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Fourteen years after the late Indonesian president Soeharto stepped down, which marked the ushering in of democracy and reform, former student activists who took to the streets on the days leading up .....
Japan, S. Korea, Australia to aid in Philippines' defence capability
21 May, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Aside from the United States, at least three other countries – Japan, South Korea and Australia – are helping the Philippines establish a minimum credible defence posture to complement its diploma .....
Sri Lankan president orders rival to be freed from jail
21 May, 2012
By The Island
Source: ANN
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa had signed an unconditional pardon for the release of his political rival Sarath Fonseka, Attorney General Eva Wanasundera said yesterday. Wanasundera told The .....
North Korea releases Chinese fishermen
21 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
All detained Chinese fishermen and their vessels have been freed, the Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea said on Sunday. Counselor Jiang Yaxian of the Chinese embassy in Py .....
Taiwan president pledges to continue engaging China
21 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou pledged to continue with a policy of active cross-strait engagement which has improved ties with Beijing dramatically as he was sworn in for his second term in office. B .....
Int'l community fears violent confrontation in Bangladesh
20 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
With the sharp deterioration in Bangladesh's political situation, the international community fears the country is again heading into confrontational politics. The dispute over how the forthcoming ge .....
First Bangladeshi woman on Everest
20 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
A 31-year-old accountant has become the first Bangladeshi woman to scale Mount Everest, the world's highest mountain. Nishat Majumder reached the summit at 9:39 a.m. Bangladesh time yesterday, Enam U .....
China on high alert over Philippine 'patriotic' trip
20 May, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The planned “patriotic voyage” by former Philippine Marine Capt. Nicanor Faeldon to the disputed Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc) has prompted China to go on “high alert” .....
Red shirts call for justice in Thailand
20 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thaksin Shinawatra, the Thai fugitive ex-premier, last night phoned in to the red-shirt rally in Bangkok's Ratchaprasong area and suggested that the country should head towards the path of reconciliat .....
China seeks export recovery
20 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China is now losing an increasing number of export orders to other emerging countries because of rising costs at home. That's driving the government to consider supportive measures including tax rebat .....
Taiwan president admits to failures as thousands take to streets
20 May, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou yesterday summed up four major failures over his past four years in office, as thousands of people took to the streets in Taipei protesting some of the government's recen .....
Beijing on 'high alert' over Huangyan
19 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Beijing has vowed to remain on "high alert" over Huangyan Island in case of any provocations, after Manila yesterday postponed a protest trip to the island. Analysts said Manila's last-minute cance .....
Confusion persists over EU package for Pakistan
18 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Confusion prevails over the fate of European Union preferential package for import of 75 items from Pakistan after the lapse of three-and-a-half months and officials in the commerce ministry are still .....
Chinese nuclear projects ready to power ahead
18 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China is expected to resume the expansion of its nuclear power sector next month, with many plans reaching the final approval stage, according to Xu Yuming, deputy secretary-general of the China Nucle .....
Nato tanker operators await green signal
18 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Drivers of Nato oil tankers are eagerly awaiting official announcement for resumption of supplies to Afghanistan for Nato forces, but some of them are not hopeful after government’s twisting stateme .....
No decision yet on Nato supply lines: Gilani
18 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
The Pakistani prime minister said yesterday the country has yet to decide on the issue of restoring ground supply lines to Nato troops in Afghanistan; however, a ecision would be announced after talks .....
Pakistan president ready to leave for Nato summit
18 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
As Thursday inched towards midnight, President Asif Ali Zardari prepared to leave for his much anticipated US trip to participate in the Nato summit only with an agreement in principle on reopening th .....
Philippines 'willing to share' Spratlys bounty
18 May, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Philippine President Benigno Aquino III is willing to share with other countries in the region the benefits of the natural gas deposits in the disputed territories in the West Philippine Sea. But he s .....
Laos' 2011 visitor numbers slip below target
18 May, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
The year 2011 was not a remarkable year for Lao tourism because the total number of tourists increased by only 8 per cent over 2010, according to the latest report from the Ministry of Information, Cu .....
China launches earthquake warning service
18 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Scientists in China's Sichuan province successfully managed to send an early earthquake warning in Wenchuan county, site of a disastrous earthquake four years ago. Though the warning was only for an .....
Pakistan signs regional power supply agreement
18 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic yesterday signed a protocol for the early completion of a regional electricity transmission project for which Russia has offered a financing f .....
Australia won’t sell uranium to Pakistan, says envoy
18 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Australia believes Pakistan is not eligible to buy uranium from it. “India has an exemption from Nuclear Suppliers Group, which does not apply to Pakistan,” outgoing Australian High Commissioner .....
Malaysia to scrap disembarkation card for foreigners
18 May, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Beginning June 1, foreign visitors to Malaysia are no longer required to fill in the immigration disembarkation card, commonly known as the IMM.26 Form. They only need to produce their passports upon .....
Controversial Thailand dam to be ready by 2016
18 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The Mae Wong Dam project in Nakhon Sawan, western Thailand will be completed in 2016, Agriculture minister Theera Wongsamut told a House meeting yesterday. When Nakhon Sawan MP Prasart Tanprasert ask .....
Main Bangladesh airport set for upgrade in 2 months
18 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Work for upgrading Bangladesh's main airport - Shahjalal International Airport - will start in a couple of months with Danish funds, but it will leave out some vital parts of the original project due .....
Cambodian parties hold parades as election campaign begins
18 May, 2012
By Rasmei Kampuchea Daily
Source: ANN
The ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) as well as the opposition Sam Rainsy and Human Rights parties launched their campaigns for next month's commune elections with parades today. About 10,000 .....
Drought hits 50,000 hectares of crop in Viet Nam
18 May, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
A drought has affected nearly 50,000 ha of crops across Viet Nam, says Dang Duy Hien of the country's General Department of Irrigation under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Low wat .....
Bangladesh finds oil in two old gas fields
18 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Bangladesh authorities have determined, through a seismic survey, presence of around 150 million barrels of oil in old gas fields in its northeastern district Sylhet. No less than 40 per cent of this .....
Euro crisis poses threat to S'pore
18 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
A 'disorderly' default in Europe is now a possibility and holds grave dangers for the Singapore economy, the government warned yesterday. The increased risk that the European crisis will spin out of .....
Contrasting fortunes for Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia
18 May, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
It is going to be another quarter of losses for Malaysia Airlines (MAS) when it releases its first quarter 2012 results by month-end but its rival AirAsia will continue to grow its earnings amid risin .....
Bhutan economy to improve with Saarc currency swap
18 May, 2012
By Kuensel
Source: ANN
The supply of Indian Rupee in the Bhutanese economy could improve slightly in the next few weeks. The Indian central bank, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is setting aside US$2 billion for a currency .....
Another maid falls to her death in S'pore - the 9th reported this year
18 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Another maid fell to her death yesterday, apparently while cleaning the windows of a high-rise flat. This after eight similar cases involving maids from Indonesia were reported since the beginning of .....
Philippines urged to implement real estate investment system
18 May, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The Philippine property scene may experience the inflow of as much as US$500 million in fresh foreign capital within one year if the real estate investment trust (REIT) system is implemented in the lo .....
Manila set to dispatch envoys to Beijing
18 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Manila will dispatch two special envoys to Beijing amid a tense standoff in the South China Sea following the harassment of Chinese fishermen in territorial waters. Beijing issued an immediate respon .....
Muzzling media: Malaysia's ruling, opposition coalitions come under fire
18 May, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Both the ruling coalition and opposition alliance of Malaysia have come under fire from the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) for continuing to muzzle the media. The centre, in its 2011 report .....
China's consumer optimism flying high
18 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Consumer confidence in the first quarter of this year rose to its highest level since 2005, amid easing inflation and a cooling property market, according to a Nielson survey released yesterday. The .....
Court dismisses plea of Air India pilots on strike
18 May, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Directing striking Air India pilots to call off their agitation immediately or face contempt action, the Delhi High Court yesterday dismissed their plea, saying they cannot seek remedy by “wilfull .....
Bangladesh's top business body against amnesty for black money
18 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Bangladesh's apex trade body - Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) - yesterday opposed amnesty for black money that is legalised with a flat tax. “Scope for whitening .....
Emerging market equities in Asia 'a good bet'
18 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Equities, government bonds and investment-grade corporate bonds in emerging markets are attractive for long-term investment amid the crisis in the euro zone and low growth in developed economies, Phil .....
Japan eyes maritime aid for Philippine defence
18 May, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Japan is planning to provide maritime vessels, including 1,000-tonne patrol ships, to the Philippines to “support the island country in its territorial dispute against China,” a Japanese newspaper .....
Malaysia in top 10 most visited countries again
18 May, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Thousands of international tourists have experienced Malaysia’s wonders through Tourism Malaysia’s successful Mega Familiarisation (Mega Fam) programme since 2000, said officials of the programme. .....
Workers abroad pounce on weak rupee
18 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
The weak rupee may be bad news in India but it is good news for Mohit Rajpal. The assistant vice-president at Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank is among thousands of overseas Indians who are depositing more .....
Indonesia expands export tax to 65 mineral categories
18 May, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Indonesia's Finance Ministry has expanded a 20 per cent export tax to 65 mineral categories from only 14 proposed earlier this month, but coal is exempt from the new tax policy. "Today, the governmen .....
Canada closes visa office in Malaysia, 5 other countries
18 May, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Canada has closed its visa and immigration section in Kuala Lumpur and such services are now being handled by its Singapore office. Malaysia is among six countries – the others being Germany, Japan .....
Taiwan president vows trade liberalisation in second term
18 May, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou vowed to further enhance Taiwan's trade liberalisation in the upcoming four years by signing various international trade pacts. He made the remarks at the 2012 Europe Day .....
India to amend constitution for enclaves exchange with Bangladesh
18 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
The Indian authorities are drafting an amendment to the country's constitution to enable the long-awaited exchange of 111 Indian enclaves in Bangladesh and 51 Bangladeshi enclaves in the Indian territ .....
29 Chinese fishermen held hostage by N. Koreans
18 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
China has been striving to rescue 29 Chinese fishermen kidnapped by an unidentified North Korean gunboat, as the hostages faced death threats in a rare public spat between the two communist neighbours .....
HRW urges Zardari not to sign Human Rights Commission bill
17 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
The Human Rights Watch today urged the President of Pakistan not to sign a bill to authorise a newly formed national human rights commission until it is revised to “authorise investigations of the m .....
AirAsia surprises investors
17 May, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
AirAsia Bhd surprised its shareholders and analysts when it announced its intention to pay a significantly higher dividend for the financial year ended December 31, 2011 (fiscal year 2011). “Increa .....
Bangladesh govt to review Nobel-winning microlender's activities
17 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
The government of Bangladesh yesterday formed a commission to review the activities of the country's Nobel Peace Prize-winning microlender Grameen Bank and its associated organisations, and make recom .....
China still diversifying reserves
17 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China remains the largest foreign holder of US Treasury securities, a "safe haven" amid the eurozone crisis, but an ongoing decline in these holdings reflects the country's determination to diversify .....
Philippine president appoints special envoys to China
17 May, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Philippine President Benigno Aquino III has appointed two special envoys to China at a time when the Philippines is in the middle of a dispute with Beijing over territories in the West Philippine Se .....
Money for politicians: Ex-ISI head retorts back at former army chief
17 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Former director general of ISI Lt-Gen (retd) Asad Durrani spilled the beans yesterday claiming before the Supreme Court that his then boss, the army chief, Gen (retd) Mirza Aslam Beg, was on board fro .....
Nepali ethnic groups to launch national protest
17 May, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Various ethnic groups in Nepal including Tamang, Gurung, Rai, Sherpa, Tharu and Newar have decided to protest throughout the country against the latest agreement reached among the political parties to .....
Nepali Maoist hardliner to split the party
17 May, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Condemning Tuesday's agreement struck by major political parties on contentious issues of the new constitution for Nepal, the hardline faction of the Maoist party led by Vice-chairman Mohan Baidya is .....
Pakistan yet to sign route deal: US
17 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
The US State Department said yesterday that Pakistan has “endorsed the conclusion” but has not yet signed a deal to reopen Nato supply routes to Afghanistan. Also the same day, the US media repor .....
Money-laundering grey list yet to hurt Thailand
17 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Money is still transferable as usual, veterans in tourism and other businesses say. They spoke after the Anti-Money -Laundering Office (AMLO) aired concerns that Thailand faces a high risk of being ' .....
Bhutan extends rupee issuance to vendors
17 May, 2012
By Kuensel
Source: ANN
Following directives from the cabinet and, in consultation with the finance ministry, Bhutan's Royal Monetary Authority yesterday agreed to extend the issue of rupee to vegetable vendors until June fi .....
White House smothers Pakistan bill limiting payment
17 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
The White House has rejected a House bill which places limitation on reimbursements to the government of Pakistan and imposes new restrictions on US assistance to that country. The bill requires the .....
Philippines building 'modest deterrent capability' in West Sea
17 May, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The Armed Forces ofthe Philippines (AFP) is speeding up the deployment of surveillance equipment which it hopes would, in tandem with newly acquired ships and helicopters, help it build a “modest d .....
33 top opposition leaders of Bangladesh sent to jail
17 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Opposition political activists clashed with police in Bangladesh's capital, Dhaka, yesterday after 33 senior opposition leaders were arrested and sent to jail custody in connection with anti-governmen .....
Garuda offers special rates for Indonesian students
17 May, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
National carrier Garuda Indonesia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with 17 universities and schools in Indonesia, offering benefits to their students and others. The agreement, signed by Ga .....
Viet Nam objects to China East Sea fishing ban
17 May, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
The Viet Nam Fishing Association yesterday formally objected to China's fishing ban in the East Sea from May 16 to August 1, 2012, which it said includes areas in Vietnamese waters. The association s .....
Philippine investments up 255% in April
17 May, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Investments registered with the Philippine Board of Investments (BoI) in April surged by 255 per cent to 133.18 billion pesos (US$3.1 billion) from only 37.56 billion pesos ($874 million) a year ago. .....
HSBC suggets Malaysia to invest more in human capital
17 May, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Malaysia should strengthen its human capital if it wants to compete with China, said HSBC Global Asset Management head of macro and investment strategy, Phillip Poole. He reckons Malaysia's long term .....
China-Japan-S. Korea FTA puts pressure on Taiwan
17 May, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou said yesterday that the country can't afford to be absent from a free-trade bloc that could be formed in upcoming trade talks among mainland China, Japan and South Korea. .....
Apple readies iPhone with bigger screen
17 May, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Apple Inc plans to use a larger screen on the next-generation iPhone and has begun to place orders for the new displays from suppliers in South Korea and Japan, people familiar with the situation said .....
Boeing, Airbus seek Chinese buyers for new plane models
17 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The two main international makers of aircraft, France-based Airbus SAS and US-based Boeing Co, plan to bring improved versions of their single-aisle aircraft to the Chinese market. The two manufactur .....
Jiang Zemin's little hints ahead of leadership change
17 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Former Chinese president Jiang Zemin has not appeared in public since last October, but he has found creative ways to remind the world that he still plans to have a say in China's leadership reshuffle .....
China, Japan vow to put sea disputes 'under control'
17 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China and Japan yesterday vowed to further put maritime incidents and disputes in the East China Sea "under control", as both sides are committed to boosting maritime cooperation. During the first ro .....
India to resort to 'unpopular steps' to address economic crisis
17 May, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
During yesterday's Parliament session, India's Union finance minister Pranab Mukherjee attributed the market slide to the Eurozone crisis and other international difficulties and said the government w .....
Khmer Rouge tribunal Japanese judge resigns
17 May, 2012
By Rasmei Kampuchea Daily
Source: ANN
The Khmer Rouge tribunal yesterday announced the resignation of Judge Motoo Noguchi, a Japanese judge of the tribunal's Supreme Court Chamber, saying his resignation would take effect on July 15. In .....
Japan claims cyberdefence right
17 May, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Japan's Foreign Ministry believes the country has the right of self-defence against cyber-attacks through existing international laws including the UN Charter, it has been learned. Foreign Minister K .....
Former Thai executives return to politics, reaffirm loyalty to ruling party
17 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thailand's ruling party yesterday re-embraced its banned political big guns, gladly receiving them to its fold and welcomed their encouraging show of unwavering loyalty, which is a boost to its ambi .....
AirAsia X to fly direct to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur
17 May, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Air travel from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing just got easier as AirAsia X, the long haul affiliate of low-cost carrier AirAsia, will fly directly to the Chinese capital from June 22. AirAsia X will be off .....
US sub visit has nothing to do with China, says Philippine official
17 May, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The arrival of a US submarine in Subic Bay in Zambales (north of Manila) is a “regular port call” and not related to a territorial dispute between the Philippines and China, the Department of Na .....
Asian markets plunge as Greeks head for polls
17 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Asian markets tumbled yesterday, as Greece headed to the polls again to try to sort out the political stalemate threatening the country's future in the euro zone. Investors dumped riskier assets for .....
Tokyo's bid for new economic zone dismissed
17 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Tokyo's bid to upgrade the status of a Pacific atoll into an island, and claim an outer continental shelf with an exclusive economic zone, was dismissed by an international body. China welcomed the d .....
Pakistan's Imran to launch campaign against resumption of Nato supplies
17 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan yesterday said he was contacting other political parties for the opposition campaign against expected re-opening of the Nato supply routes to Afghani .....
Indonesia seeks 2m skilled workers in 3 years
17 May, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Indonesia’s private sector will need about two million skilled workers within the next three years to support growing business activities, according to the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Indus .....
Malaysia, Bangladesh agree on state handling of workers' job
17 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Dhaka and Kuala Lumpur have agreed on state arrangements for recruitment of Bangladeshi workers by Malaysia eliminating middlemen from the process to reduce the cost of sending workers and end their p .....
Morgan Stanley downgrades Taiwan indexes
17 May, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
The benchmark Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) index provider yesterday announced it has lowered Taiwan's weighting in two of its key indexes as part of a half-yearly review. Review resul .....
With Bo gone, rival grabs the limelight
17 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
When Bo Xilai was purged, many observers believed it was the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leadership sending a clear signal to its cadres - no open campaigning for a promotion. The former Chongqing .....
India on track to be top investor in Afghanistan
17 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
India is on its way to becoming one of Afghanistan's largest foreign investors, quietly stepping up investments to play a greater role in the country after 2014, when most Nato combat troops are poise .....
Pakistan's Haqqani boycotts memo probe
16 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Counsel of former Pakistan Ambassador to the US, Husain Haqqani, said yesterday that his client had withdrawn the attorney and decided to boycott proceedings of the commission investigating the memoga .....
S. Korea seeks bigger role in Arctic
16 May, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
South Korea is stepping up its foray into the Arctic as melting ice caps are opening up a treasure trove of untapped resources, new sea routes and potential for scientific discovery. Despite its lat .....
Malaysia's Felda expected to be next world player
16 May, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Malaysian copmany Felda has made its first steps in establishing a global presence in conjunction with its initial public offering (IPO), seen as South-East Asia's third largest so far. FGVH is prepa .....
Viet Nam's second satellite launched into orbit
16 May, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Viet Nam's second satellite, VINASAT-2, was successfully launched into orbit at 5:49 am this morning from the Guiana Space Centre at the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. Vietnamese Prime .....
Viet Nam gives death sentence to cross-border heroin trafficker
16 May, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
A woman in the southern province of Tay Ninh has been sentenced to death due to trafficking of heroin from Cambodia to Viet Nam. According to an indictment made by the provincial People's Procuracy, .....
Pakistani scientist returns from India after 20 years
16 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
After spending 20 years in an Indian jail in a murder case, Pakistani scientist Dr Khalil Chishti returned to Pakistan yesterday. Dr Chishti was sentenced for life on January 31 last year by a trial .....
Bangladesh extends time for black money invetsment in stocks
16 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Investments of black money in Bangladesh's stock market will continue through the next fiscal year which ends in June 2013, finance minister of the country said yesterday. “I always oppose black mo .....
Pakistan chief justice concerned over smuggling of ecstasy to Iran
16 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Pakistan Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry yesterday expressed deep concern about the large amount of the drug ecstasy that might have slipped into Iran and beyond. “The issue now involves P .....
Thai auto firms zoom down the eco road
16 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The entry of the Mitsubishi Mirage and Suzuki Swift has created a hot new trend in the Thai auto market. Add that to the popularity of the previously launched Nissan March and total sales in the eco- .....
8 kids killed in Laos after gunfire brings down electricity cable
16 May, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
Ten people died in Xamneua district, Huaphan province of Laos last week, after attending a ceremony to relocate the spirits of their former village to their new dwelling place. The incident occurred .....
Bangladesh railway sector limps for want of manpower
16 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
With a staggering shortage of nearly 17,000 staff, Bangladesh Railway is in a shambles, often hiring retired railway employees on a temporary basis to fill up the gap. Such an acute manpower crisis p .....
Fashion sellers trail today's savvy buyers
16 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Today's average consumer is not only tech-savvy but well-informed, opinionated and not loyal to any particular brand - and the fashion retailer is only now scrambling to keep her interested. "The con .....
Malaysia warns of zoo licence revocation for mistreatmeant of animals
16 May, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Zoos and wildlife sanctuaries of Malaysia which mistreat animals will not be allowed to operate under new guidelines which will come into effect from August. Dislocing the informaiton yesterday, the .....
Ruling party blocks opposition call to impeach Taiwan president
16 May, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Legislators from Taiwan's ruling Kuomintang (KMT) blocked the opposition parties' long-shot pass to impeach President Ma Ying-jeou yesterday. On Monday, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus whi .....
Nepal finalises national unity govt, agrees to have 11 states
16 May, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
In a major breakthrough on constitution writing, three major parties of Nepal yesterday struck accord on forms of governance and state restructuring. They also committed to bring out the constitution .....
Invitation to Pakistan not linked to route deal: US
16 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
The US State Department has delinked Nato’s decision to invite Pakistan to the Chicago summit from an expected deal on reopening Nato supply lines to Afghanistan. At a regular briefing at the State .....
Defector welcome to return, face consequences, says Taiwan military
16 May, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Taiwan welcomes World Bank senior vice president Justin Linto return to the country on humanitarian grounds, but the economist will have to face the legal consequences for his defection three decades .....
Indonesian authorities retrieve 31 body bags of Russian jet victims
16 May, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
A total of 31 body bags containing the remains of the ill-fated Sukhoi Superjet 100 have been evacuated from the plane’s crash site in the hills of Mt. Salak in Bogor, West Java as of yesterday, an .....
Pakistan set to reopen Nato routes
16 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
The main decision-making body on Pakistan's security policy yesterday gave its nod for the conclusion of an agreement for opening of ground supply routes, used for sustaining needs of coalition forces .....
Chinese search engine debuts new smartphone
16 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The Chinese search engine Baidu Inc on Tuesday introduced an entry-level smartphone model running on Baidu Cloud, the latest mobile phone operating system developed by the company. The Changhong H501 .....
Malaysia aims to reduce low-skilled foreign workers
16 May, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Malaysia aims to slash the number of low-skilled foreign workers in the country by around 10 per cent to 20 per cent over the medium term as it moves towards becoming a high-income economy by 2020. R .....
Bangladesh asks Malaysia to recruit only thru' govt
16 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Dhaka has proposed to Kuala Lumpur to recruit Bangladeshi workers under government arrangements to cut involvement of middlemen to reduce the cost of their going abroad for jobs and to put an end to t .....
Indonesia mulls preferential import treatment for favoured nations
16 May, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The Indonesian government is considering exempting imports of horticulture produce from Australia, Canada and the US from the obligation to enter the Indonesian market through specific ports as demand .....
LG’s new quad-core smartphone to debut in Europe next month
16 May, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
LG Electronics announced Tuesday it will roll out its new quad-core smartphone named Optimus 4X HD in Europe next month to compete with its rival Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy S3. Beginning its launc .....
Opportunities await Malaysia in sensor technology sector
16 May, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Malaysia should tap on its experience in the electronics industry to move into the growing sector of sensor technology. Clean technology adviser for the government of China and Taiwan Dr William Kao .....
Eurozone crisis spurs export-credit insurance sales in Thailand
16 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Companies have rushed to buy export-credit insurance from the Export-Import Bank of Thailand (Exim Bank) as they try to protect themselves against the persisting crisis in the eurozone, figures show. .....
China urges Dalai Lama to abandon separatism
16 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The Chinese government will not involve the Dalai Lama group in talks if it continues to promote separatism and incite monks and young Tibetans to carry out self-immolations, a visiting leader of Chin .....
Norwegian govt boosts Bhutan's energy sector
16 May, 2012
By Kuensel
Source: ANN
The Norwegian government committed 288 million ngultrum (US$5.3 million) to strengthen the energy sector, in an agreement that was signed yesterday between the ambassador of Norway to Bhutan, Ann Ol .....
Thailand ranks 41st in university ranking
16 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thailand is in 41st place in a recent ranking of universities in 48 countries. While Thailand is ahead of seven other countries, including India and Indonesia, it lags behind China and Malaysia when .....
India's railway budgetary system found faulty
16 May, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Finding fault with the railway budgetary mechanism, India's comptroller and auditor general (CAG) has observed the national transporter is continuously incurring expenditure over and above the budgeta .....
S. Korea may have to stop Iran oil imports
16 May, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
The Seoul government is bracing for a possible halt in imports of Iranian crude oil following tightened sanctions by the European Union. The EU enacted rules in March to stop insurance coverage on al .....
KL and Beijing close to resolving bird’s nest export issue
16 May, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
There are no more major outstanding issues for the resumption of Malaysian bird's nest exports to China, except for some technical matters that should be resolved in the coming days. Malaysia's Veter .....
Taiwan's ex-intelligence agent indicted for recruiting spies for China
16 May, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
A former military intelligence agent surnamed Cheng was indicted by Taipei prosecutors yesterday for allegedly recruiting ex-Taiwanese agents like himself to serve as spies for China. Cheng, who use .....
Malaysian trader freed after 380-day ordeal in Philippines
16 May, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
A Malaysian businessman abducted in the Philippines was returned home Monday after 380 days in captivity. Nazaruddin Saidin, 39, was in Jolo Islands to search for tokay geckos and was kidnapped on Ma .....
Philippines to take up China row in Asean
16 May, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The Philippines plans to raise anew its territorial dispute with China at an upcoming meeting among senior officials of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and the United States. This .....
Bangladesh asks Malaysia to recruit only thru' govt
16 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Dhaka has proposed to Kuala Lumpur to recruit Bangladeshi workers under government arrangements to cut involvement of middlemen to reduce the cost of their going abroad for jobs and to put an end to t .....
Plea in Japan to restart nuclear plants
16 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Town councillors in Oi, a community in Fukui prefecture, have given the go-ahead for two nuclear reactors that the town hosts to be restarted so as to protect local jobs. But Oi Mayor Shinobu Tokioka .....
Thailand enforces 4-month freeze on retail price increase
16 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The Commerce Ministry of Thailand yesterday successfully pushed for 200 manufacturers to maintain retail prices on goods for another four months - but without any supporting measures when this period .....
Indonesian president plays safe on N. Korean issue
16 May, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono played the part of a good listener when he met North Korea’s second most powerful man, Kim Yong-nam, at the Merdeka Palace yesterday, disappointing acti .....
Island dispute between China, Philippine may soon be resolved: Aquino
16 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Philippine President Benigno Aquino said that the Huangyan Island dispute might soon be resolved as he gave assurances that discussions with China had taken a clearer direction. "Our discussions with .....
Sony, Panasonic in talks to create next-generation TV sets
16 May, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Sony Corp. and Panasonic Corp. are in talks to form an alliance for developing organic electroluminescence televisions, it has been learned. The two electronics giants are considering whether to acce .....
Pakistan leaders approve face-saving deal
15 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
A day before the government enters a decision mode on ties with the United States, key civil and military leaders at a meeting at the Presidency yesterday approved, in principle, a face-saving deal th .....
US confirms progress in talks with Pakistan
15 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
The United States and Pakistan have made considerable progress towards reopening Nato supply lines, the US State Department said yesterday, but warned that it would be premature to say they have reach .....
Bangladesh to set up special textile village
15 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
The Bangladesh government has decided to set up a "textile village" on 33 acres land of a state owned cotton mill, which has been closed for 15 years. A cabinet committee on economic affairs yesterda .....
Anti-graft court finds US$12m in Philippine justice's bank accounts
15 May, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Philippine Chief Justice Renato Corona kept more than US$12 million in "fresh deposits" in five banks where he maintained 82-dollar accounts between April 2003 and early this year, Ombudsman Conchita .....
Chinese farmers cater to taste for foreign foods
15 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Patricia Kontur was surprised when the blueberry export business to China was hit by a sudden slump last year, after five years of consecutive gains. The slump was not caused by shrinking demand but .....
Bangladesh sees fall in exports for EU debt crisis
15 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Exports from Bangladesh fell by 4.60 per cent to US$1.90 billion in April compared to a month ago due to the ongoing debt crisis in the EU and readjustment of prices of finished goods by international .....
Nepali Big 3 close to consensus on knotty issues
15 May, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Nepal's three major parties yesterday came closer to an agreement on promulgating the new constitution within the stipulated deadline by leaving complicated issues of state restructuring to the parlia .....
Axiata faces headwinds from weaker regional currencies
15 May, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
In line with concerns over telecom giant Axiata Group's exposure to regulatory risks in certain markets in south Asia, a Bangladeshi daily has reported that Axiata's unit Robi Axiata Ltd was liable to .....
Asia-Pacific to stabilise world economy: UN
15 May, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
In a recently released report, the UN points out that Asia and the Pacific face a year of slow growth as demand for exports declines and capital costs rise. At the same time, the UN asserts that it wi .....
Myanmar gives up on nuke aspirations
15 May, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Myanmarese President Thein Sein said Monday the country had given up its plan to develop nuclear programs in cooperation with Russia in the mid-2000s. He told visiting Korean President Lee Myung-bak .....
N. Korean defectors may be allowed into military in the South
15 May, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
South Korea's Defence Ministry is studying a proposal to allow young North Korean defectors here do military service, officials said on Monday. About 3,600 North Koreans under the age of 20 have come .....
India's inflation rises to 7.23% in April
15 May, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Fuelled by a seasonal surge in the prices of vegetables, meat, milk and pulses, India's headline inflation moved up a few percentage points to 7.23 per cent in April from 6.89 per cent in March. Infla .....
Woes mount for Air India
15 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Angry passengers tried to block roads outside the Mumbai international airport yesterday morning to vent their frustration as Air India cancelled another 16 flights amid a pilots' strike. Security fo .....
Thai premier silent on pressure to reshuffle Cabinet
15 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday declined to comment on whether she was under pressure from the banned 111 Thai Rak Thai executives to reshuffle the Cabinet. The banned politic .....
Nepali family in tears as only son dies in plane crash
15 May, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
As soon as he saw the vehicle approaching near the mortal remains of the Agni airplane crash victims, Ram Prasad Dangol Maharjan desperately ran towards it, looking for his 27-year-old son Suman Dango .....
Malaysian firms secure $7.2b oil, gas deals in Houston
15 May, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Malaysian oil and gas firms secured US$7.2 billion in new business opportunities in the recently-concluded Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston. The business opportunities ranged from oil .....
India inflation rises to 7.23% in April
15 May, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Fuelled by a seasonal surge in the prices of vegetables, meat, milk and pulses, India's headline inflation moved up a few percentage points to 7.23 per cent in April from 6.89 per cent in March. Infla .....
South Korea cautions against deployment of US tactical nukes
15 May, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Seoul officials and experts cautioned against the redeployment of tactical nuclear weapons on the Korean Peninsula proposed by some in the United States, which they fear could refuel an atomic arms ra .....
Indian authorities vow action after IPL spot-fixing claims
15 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
The Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) vowed yesterday to take stringent action against any players found guilty of being involved in spot-fixing, after a private Indian television channel c .....
Thailand unionists 'laid off in wake of wage increase'
15 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Since the 300 baht (US$9.5) daily minimum wage was launched in Thailand on April 1, many businesses have been trying to lay off union activists or limit their roles to prevent them from fighting for w .....
Nepal to hike electricity tariff by mid-July
15 May, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
The Electricity Tariff Fixing Commission (ETFC) of Nepal is prepared to hike the retail electricity tariff by an average of 20 per cent by mid-July with some conditions for the Nepal Electricity Autho .....
China plans to enlarge talent pool to 180m by 2020
15 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China is witnessing an increase in better-educated labourers and a booming talent pool, official figures show. The country was home to 120 million managerial, professional and skilled workers at the .....
Heavy downpours kill 7 in south China, thousands evacuated
15 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Torrential downpours have ravaged parts of southern China this month, triggering floods, damaging buildings and farmland and claiming tens of lives so far. The heavy rainfall is expected to subside i .....
Philippines welcomes China's fishing ban in disputed shoal
15 May, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Saying Scarborough Shoal has already suffered ecological damage, Philippine President Benigno Aquino III on Monday welcomed China’s declaration of a fishing ban in the disputed waters. That does no .....
Philippines to check on stranded banana shipment in China
15 May, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Officials of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in the Philippines will go to China this week to check on stranded banana shipments in response to China’s claim that Philippine bananas have been a .....
Jakarta police deny permit for Lady Gaga
15 May, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The Jakarta Police say they will not issue a recommendation to the National Police to issue a permit for Lady Gaga’s concert on June 3 at Bung Karno Stadium in Senayan, Central Jakarta. "Although w .....
Key Malaysian politician quits party following rally criticism
15 May, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim, vice Chairman of Malaysia's opposition party Democratic Action Party (DAP), yesterday announced his resignation from his party citing “irreconcilable differences” w .....
Top N. Korean leader eyes Indonesian investments
15 May, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Kim Yong-nam, the second-most powerful man in North Korea, will receive a state reception at Merdeka Palace today before a meeting with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono over what could le .....
S'pore best in Asia for higher education
15 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Singapore has come out tops in Asia, according to a new ranking that rates countries on how good they are at providing higher education. The country took the 11th spot in the ranking of 48 countries .....
Hakimullah Mehsud’s close aide arrested in Peshawar
15 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
A close associate of Hakimullah Mehsud, chief of banned outfit Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and six others were arrested from Peshawar, DawnNews reported on Monday. Mehsud’s close associate, .....
Indonesia reaches out to its diaspora
15 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
For decades, Indonesians who settled abroad were seen as having turned their backs on their homeland. Now, the government wants to woo these talented citizens to get them to do their part for the cou .....
Samsung won’t resume auto business
15 May, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Samsung Electronics chief operating officer Lee Jay-yong dismissed market rumours that Samsung Group may have big new plans for the automotive industry. “(Samsung Group) will not carry out automobi .....
Malaysia starts probe into illegal immigrants' fake IDs
15 May, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Malaysia's Federal Special Task Force (FSTF), set up more than 10 years ago with the aim of rounding up illegal immigrants in Sabah state, has started an in-depth probe to find the source of various k .....
Nepal airplane crash kills 15
15 May, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
At least 15 people were killed when an aircraft belonging to Agni Air crashed on a hilltop in Marfa VDC-5 near Jomsom of Mustang district, Nepal at around 9:30 yesterday morning. Seven people were re .....
Foreign investors resume buying Thai stocks
15 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
.....
No change at the top on security in China
15 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Despite renewed talk that China's top security chief Zhou Yongkang has been sidelined amid the country's most serious political scandal in years, indications suggest the speculation is off the mark, s .....
China's slowing growth rate 'not unexpected'
15 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China's economic growth may be slowing, as recent data indicated, but fears of a hard landing are not justified as the slowdown was "within expectations" and will help recalibrate the economy, economi .....
S. Korea, China to cooperate on Pyongyang GPS jamming
15 May, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
South President Lee Myung-bak and his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao agreed to cooperate on devising measures to address North Korea’s jamming of satellite traffic navigation signals during their tal .....
Beijing protests Uygur separatist gathering in Tokyo
15 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Beijing yesterday lodged strong protest over Tokyo's permission for the separatist World Uygur Congress meeting to be held in Japan, and slammed Uygur separatist Rebiya Kadeer's visit to the Yasukuni .....
Opposition party moves to impeach Taiwan president
15 May, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
The opposition Democratic Progressive Party and the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) yesterday submitted a legislative motion to impeach Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou, even as DPP caucus whip Ker Chien-m .....
S. Korea's reluctance clouds FTA with Japan
15 May, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Despite an agreement to launch talks on a three-way free trade agreement this year, Japan, China and South Korea have different priorities, leaving the prospects for their trilateral trade initiative .....
South Korean president makes historic trip to Myanmar
15 May, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak arrived in Myanmar on Monday in a historic visit that showed Seoul’s commitment to enhancing ties with the resource-rich, rapidly reforming country. It was the .....
Plane crashes in northern Nepal, 15 killed
14 May, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
At least 15 persons were killed when an aircraft belonging to Agni Air crashed at a hill in Marfa VDC-5 near Jomsom of Mustang district at around 9:30 Monday morning. Seven people were rescued alive .....
Pakistan and Afghan army, Isaf chiefs meet in Rawalpindi
14 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Top military commanders of Pakistan, Afghanistan and the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) yesterday met in Rawalpindi and shared ideas to establish a credible communication and coordinat .....
UN highlights impacts of climate change in Asia
14 May, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) gathered local officials from various sectors in the Lao capital of Vientiane on May 11 to discuss various issues posed by climate change. The meeting .....
Pakistan faces risk of missing Nato events
14 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Pakistan may have to miss future Nato consultations as well if it failed to attend the organisation’s May 20-21 summit in Chicago, US and Nato officials said. In a statement issued by the summit he .....
Western views of China increasingly positive
14 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
An increasing number of people in Western countries view China's influence in a favourable light, according to a BBC World Service poll published on Friday. The percentage of people in the United Kin .....
Rapid progress ahead in Malaysia's Johor
14 May, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Southern Johor of Malaysia is poised to be become a major oil and gas hub with the development of refineries not just by Petronas but also by a Taiwan-based petrochemical company. Prime Minister Naji .....
Making Japanese technology a global market leader again
14 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Koichi Hori laments the loss of Japan's once cast-iron grip on the world of electronics technology. He sighs as he notes that his home country has been overtaken by South Korea, Taiwan and recently, .....
Electrical rates may rise 5-10% in Viet Nam
14 May, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Electricity prices may rise by between 5 and 10 per cent, if a proposal by the country's power provider Electricity of Viet Nam (EVN) is approved. Head of the Ministry of Finance's Price Management D .....
Bangladesh private banks' farm credit rises 42%
14 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Regulatory bindings have forced private commercial banks of Bangladesh to roll out more money to the farm sector in the current fiscal year, according to data from the country's central bank. Agricul .....
Spotlight on growth of Malaysia’s multinationals
14 May, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
In the lead-up to the 8th annual Invest Malaysia conference (IMKL 2012) slated for May 29-30, the organisers have briefed corporate participants on the event, which will showcase Malaysia’s role as .....
Nepal launches 2.1b rupees loan to boost petroleum import
14 May, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Nepal has agreed to release a loan of 2.10 billion rupees (US$24.5 million) to the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) to finance petroleum import. As the NOC is struggling to make payments to Indian Oil Cor .....
Slower growth, euro debt crisis may lift corporate default rate in Malaysia
14 May, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
The credit outlook for this year does not look too promising going by the economic growth figures amid the tough global economic environment and the unresolved eurozone sovereign debt crisis. This ma .....
Workers want ban on risky chores for S'pore maids
14 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Ban foreign domestic workers here from dangerous practices such as the cleaning of exterior window panes - that was the rallying cry of about 1,000 such workers who gathered yesterday at Kallang Theat .....
Bhutan vehicles at core of rupee shortage
14 May, 2012
By Kuensel
Source: ANN
The Increasing number of vehicles complementing an increase in fuel consumption have been recognised as a major contributor to the rupee shortage Bhutan has been facing in recent times. The task fo .....
Commercial property loans in Malaysia 22.7% higher
14 May, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Credit for the purchase of commercial properties in March grew by 22.7 per cent raising concerns in some quarters of a potential asset bubble. This loan growth in the non-residential sector, which in .....
Indian premier urges against parliament disruptions
14 May, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesteray called for serious introspection on the way the parliament functions, as daily disruptions can only lead to public disenchantment. Addressing the Lok Sa .....
Embattled Bangladesh minister cleared of corruption charge
14 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
A departmental probe has given a clean chit to Bangladesh's former railways minister Suranjit Sengupta in the US$85,642 scandal that involved Suranjit's aide Omar Faruq Talukder and two railway high-u .....
Soeharto’s grandson faces new charges
14 May, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
In the latest legal quagmire to envelop a member of the former first family, the Jakarta Police revealed over the weekend that they had charged former president Soeharto’s grandson, Ari Haryo Wibo .....
Violent weather kills dozens in northwest China
14 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
At least 49 people were killed and 23 others were missing as of Saturday after hail and torrential rain hit northwest China's Gansu province on May 10. The storms affected 412,200 people in Minxian, .....
Obama praises Asian, Filipino contributions
14 May, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
US President Barack Obama recently cited the achievements of the more than 17.3 million Asian-Americans in all facets of American life, including 3.2 million Filipinos “whose talents and contribut .....
TM first among Malaysian telcos to announce capital repayment
14 May, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) is the first among the pack of telcos to announce a capital repayment exercise this year and analysts expect others to follow suit as telcos are expected to maintain their ge .....
Data show Taiwan's luxury tax more a failure than success
14 May, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
The luxury tax, which seeks to add tax revenue to the national coffers and drive down home prices, has failed to achieve those purposes as it has added only NT$3.26 billion (US$110 million) to the tre .....
Chinese temple worker survives 3 gunshots in Malaysia
14 May, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
A Chinese temple committee chairman was shot at least three times on Saturday by a lone gunman in Jalan Raja Uda area in Penang state of Malaysia but managed to survive the attack. The 49-year-old wa .....
Alien species a growing menace in China: experts
14 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Alien species of plants and animals will become an increasing menace over the next decade due to the rapid development of the world economy and a lack of awareness of proper prevention measures, exper .....
UN rapporteur urges transparency in Cambodia's land concessions
14 May, 2012
By Rasmei Kampuchea Daily
Source: ANN
A senior United Nations official welcomed Friday Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's temporary halt to economic land concessions and said that greater transparency was needed. The statement by Surya S .....
Boracay resorts hit by cancellations from Chinese tourists
14 May, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Resorts and hotels on Boracay Island in central Philippines have been hit by booking cancellations by tourists from China amid the ongoing standoff over the Scarborough Shoal. The Department of Touri .....
China's stealth jet tests a subtle message to Philippines?
14 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
China has showcased its cutting-edge military hardware amid a tense stand-off with the Philippines by staging another test flight of its new stealth fighter jet. Photographs of the J-20 aircraft were .....
Thai economy faces fallout with eurozone slump
14 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
With Europe sliding into its second slump, the fallout on Thailand's exports, stock market, gold price and baht is inescapable, a banker and an economist said last week. "The worst of the eurozone .....
Human rights concerns cloud N. Korea leader's visit to Indonesia
14 May, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
North Korea’s second highest leader, Kim Yong-nam, arrived in Jakarta yesterday afternoon for a four-day visit, prompting activists to call on President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to help push for d .....
Missing Malaysian runner found after 4 days
14 May, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
After four days of being forced to live only on river water, an injured runner was found yesterday in the jungle of Malayasia's Templer’s Park. An injured Hardip Singh, 51, was found around noon ab .....
Korea's top cyber shops sanctioned for deceptive labelling
14 May, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
South Korea's Fair Trade Commission said Sunday that it has sanctioned some conglomerate-based online shopping malls for fabricating product labels in violation of laws on electronic commerce. They i .....
Japanese biz ramp up efforts to lure Chinese tourists
14 May, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Clothing stores, electronics retailers and izakaya pub chains in Tokyo are stepping up efforts to attract middle-class Chinese tourists, offering products and menus at reasonable prices. Previously, .....
Bangladesh Islamist leader indicted for war crimes
14 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
A special tribunal of Bangladesh yesterday charged Bangladeshi Islamist leader Ghulam Azam with war crimes allegedly carried out during the country's 1971 independence struggle against Pakistan. Azam .....
Lee Myung-bak reiterates Japan should face history
14 May, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak reiterated the need for Japan to face up to history to help enhance bilateral ties with Tokyo during his talks here with his Japanese counterpart, Cheong Wa Dae sa .....
China 'notices' Philippines' diplomatic gesture in maritime dispute
14 May, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The Chinese foreign ministry has confirmed the “restoration of diplomatic contact” between Manila and Beijing as the two sides try to work out a solution to their dispute over Scarborough Shoal in .....
Earthquake-resistance checks lag on Tokyo buildings
14 May, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Earthquake-resistance checks have been conducted on only about 10 per cent of the buildings the Tokyo metropolitan government ordered inspected to prevent vital roads from being blocked after a major .....
S. Korea and Japan discuss security cooperation
14 May, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
The leaders of South Korea and Japan yesterday discussed security cooperation, which has recently gained momentum as the two neighbours seek to sign two military pacts on sharing information and logis .....
Thousands of believers mark Buddha's birthday in Taiwan
14 May, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou, thousands of believers and many guests from abroad attended a celebration of the Buddha's birthday held in front of the Presidential Office by the Fo Guang Shan Monas .....
Thai AirAsia wants to 'stay small'
14 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
At Thai AirAsia, staying small and maintaining flexibility in business operations is a mantra that has produced a solid track record for the low-cost airline over the past nine years. But, according .....
China, Japan and S.Korea sign investment pact
14 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
A "milestone" investment agreement between China, Japan and the Republic of Korea was signed in Beijing yesterday, after years of negotiations, while the leaders of the three nations announced that ta .....
Talks on federalism fail to resolve rift in Nepal
13 May, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Top leaders of major political parties of Nepal have started finalising questionnaires to be referred to voting in the Constituent Assembly (CA) after high-level talks yesterday failed to resolve diff .....
Prolonged shutdown hits life in Nepal, adds to hardship
13 May, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
The Far Western region saw no respite from banda on Saturday as well. As the indefinite strike entered its 16th consecutive day on Saturday, normal life was thrown out of gear in the nine districts of .....
Democrats slam Thai govt failure on rising prices
13 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Democrat Party spokesman Chavanont Intarakomalyasut yesterday called for the removal of the commerce minister and the Commerce Ministry permanent secretary for their failure to contain rising prices. .....
Thai PM heads to Bahrain, Qatar
13 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will officially visit Bahrain from today until May 15, and Qatar from May 15-16, to boost relations, cooperation in trade and medical services, and other aspect .....
China, Japan, S.Korea trade talks to start soon
13 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Free-trade agreement negotiation between China, Japan and the Republic of Korea will probably begin within this year, officials from the three countries said yesterday. "We agreed to recommend to the .....
Indonesia to revise import regulation amid protests
13 May, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The Indonesian government will revise the newly-launched regulation on the restriction of imports of finished goods amidst complaints from several business associations, a senior trade official said i .....
New bishop for Anglicans in Singapore
13 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
The Anglican church has chosen a new Bishop of Singapore. He is the Right Reverend Rennis Ponniah, 56, who becomes the ninth bishop after having served as assistant bishop. Concurrently the vicar of .....
Philippines, China talking again
13 May, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The Philippines and China are talking again, and they are trying to work out a temporary solution to their dispute over Scarbourough Shoal, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said on Friday. In a t .....
Dip in number of teenage mums
13 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
In a sign that sexuality education may be getting part of its message through, the number of teenage mothers fell to its lowest in a decade last year. According to provisional figures from the Immigr .....
Thailand breaks up drug gangs in four provinces
13 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Police in Thailand have arrested alleged drug dealers and smugglers in several provinces and seized narcotics worth hundreds of millions of baht. A major drug-dealing gang was broken up in southern C .....
China cuts reserve ratio again
13 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China's central bank announced yesterday it would lower the reserve requirement for commercial lenders by 50 basis points, the second time it has taken such action this year to inject more market liqu .....
Bus crash in Malaysia ruins Thai vacation
12 May, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
A group of 28 friends, mostly retirees, had their plans for a five-day holiday in Thailand dashed when their bus crashed while on the way to Sepang early yesterday. The 52-year-old bus driver K. Guna .....
Chinese wombs for hire
12 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Surrogacy is illegal in the country, but try telling that to the increasingly wealthy Chinese who are getting others to carry and give birth to their babies. More than 25,000 children were born to su .....
India pressed to scrap Internet rules
12 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
A year after India issued new Internet rules that critics slammed as curtailing freedom of speech, some lawmakers are moving to get them annulled as civil society groups keep up the pressure on the go .....
Pakistan releases 23b rupees to end loadshedding
12 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Strong protests in parliament and on the street against frequent and prolonged power outages forced the government on Friday to release 23 billion rupees to clear a part of circular debt to end at lea .....
S.Korean Expo expects 100,000 visitors on first day
12 May, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Visitors began to swarm in from 8 a.m. on the first day of Expo 2012 Yeosu today at the waterfront expo site in the southern coastal town. The expo organising committee expected about 100,000 visito .....
2 journos among 15 killed in Bangladesh road crashes
12 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Fifteen people including two journalists and a leader of ruling Awami League (AL) were killed in road accidents in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka and two districts yesterday. Bibhas Chandra Saha, 46, chi .....
Philippine bananas rotting in Chinese ports
12 May, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Chinese authorities yesterday continued to refuse entry to some 1,500 containers containing Cavendish banana because of an alleged finding that fruits earlier sent by Mindanao banana growers there sho .....
Taiwan pushes stock gains tax bill forward
12 May, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
The ruling Kuomintang (KMT) of Taiwan yesterday successfully maintained the upper hand in the Legislative Yuan and pushed the Executive Yuan's draft of stock gains tax amendment through for the first .....
Bangladeshi workers in UAE getting much less than promised pay
12 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Before leaving for the United Arab Emirates in early 2008, Bangladeshi plumber Shakil Hossain signed a job contract that offered him a monthly wage of 1,200 dirham (US$326.70). It was quite lucrative .....
Thai research team tests HIV vaccine
12 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
A Thai research team is working on two new studies to see how a vaccine can boost people's immunity against HIV. "These studies will help us determine if a vaccine can strengthen immunity against the .....
Fewer Taiwan firms see good sales in April
12 May, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Only 25 publicly traded companies in Taiwan reported record-breaking sales in April, the lowest number since March last year, according to data provided by Taiwan Stock Exchange as of noon yesterday. .....
Mandarin-teaching campaign kicks off in Thailand
12 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thailand yesterday inaugurated a scheme to boost the teaching of Mandarin to Thai students, under which 1,200 volunteers from China will soon begin providing free or low-cost tutorials, initially at t .....
IMF sees strong Thai recovery, urges timely stimulus roll-back
12 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The Thai economy is expected to rebound sharply this year, thanks partly to monetary easing and a large government fiscal package, said the International Monetary Fund. Positive signs of a recovery a .....
Bangkok's Chinatown protests hotel project near temple
12 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Residents of Bangkok's Chinatown will gather on May 21 to show their opposition to a plan to develop a hotel and shopping complex right next to the area's most famous Chinese temple, Wat Leng Noei Yi. .....
China urges Philippines to ease tensions on the sea
12 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China yesterday urged the Philippines to take "tangible" actions to ease tensions in the dispute over Huangyan Island, as hundreds of Filipinos protested outside the Chinese embassy in Manila. Foreig .....
China's economy continues slowing in April
12 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Newly released economic indicators show that China's economy continued to slow in April, raising expectations that the government will resort to greater policy easing to help stimulate the GDP. Quick .....
Water-sharing deal with Bangladesh not now: India
11 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
New Delhi will not sign the much-awaited deal on sharing the water of Teesta River soon. The Indian government had conveyed this message to Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dipu Moni during her latest Del .....
Malaysian medical tourism hits record 30% growth
11 May, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Malaysia's medical tourism industry has hit record levels with a more than 30 per cent growth recorded every year for the past few years. Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said revenue collec .....
Malaysian tourism frontliners urged to boost skills
11 May, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
The Malaysian government yesterday urged tourism Ministry officers and industry players to increase their skills and knowledge to better serve the billion-ringgit industry. Tourism Minister Dr Ng Yen .....
Indonesian newsmen were not arrested: Malaysian police
11 May, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
The Indonesian embassy confirmed yesterday that three journalists brought to the Port Dickson police headquarters were not arrested and were treated well by the police. Acting Indonesian ambassador M .....
UN body sees slower growth, troubled exports in Bangladesh
11 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Bangladesh faces a year of slowing growth, partly caused by contraction in exports due to the eurozone crisis, an annual United Nations report warned yesterday. Economic growth may slow slightly to 6 .....
Samsung handset sales in Bangladesh up by 10%
11 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Sales of handsets by South Korean electronics giant Samsung rose 10 per cent to 120,000 in Bangladesh in the first quarter, compared to the previous three months. An aggressive marketing campaign and .....
UN report sees slower growth, troubled exports in Bangladesh
11 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Bangladesh faces a year of slowing growth, partly caused by contraction in exports due to the eurozone crisis, an annual United Nations report warned yesterday. Economic growth may slow slightly to 6 .....
Laos, China nab infamous drug lord
11 May, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
Myanmar drug lord Norkham, 44, was deported to China from Vientiane's Wattay International Airport yesterday, where he faces prosecution for murder and drug-related crimes. The Shan drug baron was ar .....
Vietnam plans rice branding initiative
11 May, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Viet Nam Food Association want to develop an internationally recognised brand for Vietnamese rice by choosing and cultivating several high quality vari .....
Nepali ministers unpaid for two months
11 May, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Ministers in Nepal have not received money for allowances for the last two months, while funds have been managed by the District Treasury Controller Office to pay their salaries. The Prime minister .....
India sees slowdown in export growth
11 May, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Hit by a slowdown in the Western markets, India's export growth dropped to 3.2 per cent in April, but a sharp deceleration in import expansion resulted in trade deficit narrowing to US$13.2 billion, t .....
Corruption allegation: Dhaka finds World Bank proof hard to accept
11 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Bangladesh's Finance Minister A.M.A. Muhith yesterday said there are problems in the World Bank's proof of corruption in a key river bridge project due to its complicated investigation procedure. "Th .....
Taiwan donates US$380m to developing nations in 2011
11 May, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Taiwan contributed US$380 million in official development assistance (ODA) last year, accounting for 0.093 per cent of the country's gross national income (GNI) for 2011, the Ministry of Foreign Affai .....
Thailand better to play 'good child' in border dispute, advisers say
11 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thailand's legal advisers in a boundary dispute with Cambodia have advised the Kingdom to "act as a good child" to convince the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that the country is cooperative, a .....
Thailand inks 400,000 tablets deal with Chinese company
11 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
After a delay of nearly two months, the Information and Communications Technology Ministry of Thailand yesterday inked a tablet-computer supply contract with the Chinese manufacturer, with the first 2 .....
Indonesia to go ahead with Russian jet purchase despite mishap
11 May, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
A top lawmaker says the crash of Russian airliner Sukhoi Superjet 100 will not affect plans to procure six Sukhoi Su-30 MKK jetfighters, worth US$470 million, to complete the Air Force’s Sukhoi squa .....
Malaysian chief minister sued for 'seditious' statement
11 May, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
An assemblyman yesterday lodged a police report against Malaysia state Penang's Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, for what he said uttering a statement that could create enmity among the races. Penaga ass .....
Cyberspace ills blamed for crimes in S. Korea
11 May, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
A recent string of heinous juvenile crimes has sparked public concern over increasingly violent teenagers who spend most of their time in the seemingly lawless cyberspace. Experts say the unrestraine .....
Asia's rise does not mean West's decline, says minister
11 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Asia is rising, but it does not mean the West is declining. While the spectacular growth of China, India and other Asian economies is the main catalyst of change in today's international system, it d .....
Thai police crackdown on use of phones, TV by drivers
11 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
People in Thailand who watch movies or talk on their mobile phones while driving may face negligence charges, Thai police said yesterday. Metropolitan Police deputy chief Pol Maj-General Worasak Nopp .....
Toyota plans aggressive recovery
11 May, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Toyota Motor Corp. is aiming to cement its recent recovery by aggressively pushing new models, hybrids and low-priced cars in domestic and foreign markets. The auto giant is also rehabilitating its d .....
Foxconn plans renewed shift into distribution
11 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Hon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd, also known as Foxconn, plans a renewed push into distribution with a new headquarters in Shanghai, construction of which started yesterday. Terry Gou, chief of Foxc .....
Pakistan not 'complicit' of sheltering bin Laden: Gilani
11 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has rejected claims that Pakistan had secretly known Osama bin Laden was living in the garrison city of Abbottabad. "There is no complicity," the P .....
Minister denies Malaysia unsafe for Indonesian workers
11 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
A Malaysian minister has dismissed claims by human rights activists that his country is unsafe for Indonesian migrant workers. Information, Communications and Culture minister Rais Yatim noted that .....
22 more nations recognised for support in Korean War
11 May, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
The number of countries recognised as having supported South Korea or expressing intent to do so during the Korean War was officially revised to 63 from the previous 41 on Thursday. According to the .....
Mekong suspect transferred
11 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
A suspected drug kingpin who allegedly masterminded the murder of 13 Chinese fishermen on the Mekong River in October was handed over to Chinese police by Laos yesterday. Naw Kham arrived in Beijing .....
US committee bill places conditions upon aid to Pakistan
11 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
The US House Armed Services Committee has placed strict conditions on the financial and military assistance being given out to Pakistan. The committee, in the defence budget bill, asked Pakistan to o .....
Malaysia worries haj pilgrims may be affected
11 May, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Malaysian government is very worried that the Saudi government might bar Malaysians from performing the haj and umrah following reports that some groups of Malaysians had taken part in Bersih 3.0 prot .....
Economist backs mining investment freeze in Laos
11 May, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
The Lao economy will not see a downturn over the next few years if the government decides to stop granting permission for new mining investments, according to a senior economist. "There will be no im .....
Water share deal with Bangladesh not now: India
11 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
New Delhi will not sign the much-awaited deal on sharing the water of Teesta River soon. The Indian government had conveyed this message to Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dipu Moni during her latest Del .....
China exec tells Philippine media to ease tensions over shoal dispute
11 May, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The Philippine press has a role to play in helping ease tensions between Manila and Beijing over their territorial dispute in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea), a top Chinese official said yes .....
Speculation over another N. Korea rocket launch
11 May, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Experts and informed sources raised the possibility that North Korea may conduct another rocket launch to perfect its long-range missile capabilities and use them to negotiate with the US, possibly .....
Kin of Russian plane crash victims keep their hopes up
11 May, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Hope still burns dimly among the relatives and friends of passengers on the ill-fated Russian Sukhoi Superjet 100 in West Java, after two days of anxiety and exhaustion waiting for news of their loved .....
Taiwan body OKs proposed Ma Ying-jeou visit to disputed sea
10 May, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
A legislative committee yesterday passed a proposal in asking Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou to consider embarking on inspection tours to two Taiwan-controlled islands in the disputed South China Se .....
Escap projects 4.5 per cent GDP growth for Malaysia
10 May, 2012
By Sin Chew Daily
Source: ANN
Malaysia's economy is expected to grow by a slower 4.5 per cent this year due to weaker external demand, according to the United Nations Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific (Escap) 2012 .....
'No sign of survivors' at Russian jet crash site
10 May, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The debris of the Russian Sukhoi SuperJet-100, which dropped off radar screens during a demonstration flight yesterday has been found on a cliff of Mt. Salak in West Java, say Indonesian Air Force off .....
Asiatravel.com rolls out first tailor-made flight-hotel-tour packages
10 May, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Asiatravel.com Holdings Ltd, a pan-Asia online travel reservation platform, suits up its online travel reservation service with the introduction of a wide selection of 3-in-1 packages (flight-hotel-to .....
Korean govt to probe entertainment agencies
10 May, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
South Korea's Culture Ministry said on Wednesday it will conduct an investigation to root out criminal entertainment agencies as crimes against trainees becomes a growing concern. The government, in .....
Asiatravel.com rolls out tailor-made flight-hotel-tour packages
10 May, 2012
By Asia News Network
Source: ANN
Asiatravel.com Holdings Ltd, a pan-Asia online travel reservation platform, suits up its online travel reservation service with the introduction of a wide selection of 3-in-1 packages (flight-hotel-to .....
Car sales in China stay on road to recovery
10 May, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
China's passenger vehicle sales in April maintained the recovery pattern of the previous two months, easing industry worries about this year's outlook. A total of 1,150,850 cars, sport utility vehicl .....
Dark skies for SIA and other airlines
10 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
If the outlook is dim for Singapore Airlines (SIA), its rivals are not being spared either. High fuel prices and weak yields, especially in first and business classes, have hit not just SIA, but othe .....
US-made cars still unpopular under FTA w/ S. Korea
10 May, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
US automakers are still posting sagging car sales in Korea despite the free trade agreement between the two countries that took effect two months ago. Three US companies ― General Motors, Chrysler .....
Bangladeshi firm generating own power from waste
10 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Paragon Agro Ltd, a leading agro-based company of Bangladesh, has started producing electricity from poultry waste. The firm that mainly does business in poultry, tea and horticulture, set up three p .....
Jakarta university takes heat from banning Canadian 'Islam reformist'
10 May, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Indonesia's Gadjah Mada University (UGM) is taking the heat for its decision to ban Canadian liberal Muslim activist Irshad Manji from speaking at a discussion organised by the university’s Centre f .....
Laos to propose stone forest as World Heritage Site
10 May, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
The Lao government plans to submit the biodiversity-rich Phou Hin Nam Nor (Stone Pillar Mountain) to the United Nations' cultural body, Unesco, this year for possible listing as a World Heritage Site. .....
UK envoy warns Bangladesh of security risks
10 May, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Visiting UK Climate Security Envoy Rear Admiral Neil Morisetti yesterday said Bangladesh, one of the most vulnerable countries to natural disasters, is also exposed to potential security risks. Such .....
World Bank asks Bangladesh again to probe bridge project scam
10 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
The World Bank (WB) has asked Bangladesh government to thoroughly probe the allegations of corruption in a major river bridge project, and take action against those involved. The WB made the call in .....
Philippine chief judge on trial ready to tell all
10 May, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
"He has reached a point of no return. If he gets convicted, he would gladly accept it. If he gets acquitted, that will be a blessing from God." Asked if the chief justice was prepared to bare all an .....
Bangladesh navy adds special war unit to fight terror
10 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Bangladesh Navy has commissioned a Special Warfare Diving and Salvage (Swads) unit to strengthen anti-terrorism and anti-piracy drive in the Bay of Bengal during peace time and to go for drastic measu .....
Indonesian judges to strike over pay
10 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Nearly 1,000 judges in Indonesia have registered to go on strike for higher pay, threatening to paralyse the judiciary. The government has responded by forming a team hand-picked from the judicial co .....
Taiwanese couple stonewalls Bhutan embassy over maid issue
10 May, 2012
By Kuensel
Source: ANN
The representative of the Taiwanese couple in Bangkok that employed a Bhutanese maid, who was alleged being mistreated, has not yet shown up at the Bhutanese embassy in Bangkok to resolve the issue. .....
Vietnamese businesses cut costs, restructure to survive global economic recession
10 May, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Many enterprises have had to restructure debt, consider mergers and cut down on costs and product prices to improve their competitiveness in the economic downturn. The economic recession has caused b .....
China bolsters maritime monitoring, adding 36 inspection ships
10 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
In order to better protect the country's maritime rights, another 36 inspection ships are expected to join the surveillance fleet by 2013, authorities said. According to China Marine Surveillance, th .....
China Red Cross to expand mission
10 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
To cope with the challenges of the modern age, the Red Cross Society of China must adapt and look beyond traditional humanitarian issues, its executive vice-president said on Tuesday. In an exclusive .....
Nepal asked to enact anti-money laundering laws to avoid blacklisting
10 May, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Nepal has been asked to enact necessary laws against money laundering within June to avoid being blacklisted by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a global anti-money laundering body. Nepal rece .....
Govts must 'act fast to stop online rumours'
10 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Governments need to act fast to snuff out falsehoods on the Internet, said leaders from Singapore and China as they exchanged notes at a forum on leadership in the age of new media. Otherwise, the sp .....
Brunei could export own hybrid rice tech, says minister
10 May, 2012
By The Brunei Times
Source: ANN
The Brunei government has expressed hope that it will be able to export Made-in-Brunei hybrid rice technology in the future. The Minister of Industry and Primary Resources said yesterday that the ins .....
Govt, recruitment agencies protecting Cambodian workers in Thailand
10 May, 2012
By Rasmei Kampuchea Daily
Source: ANN
The Association of Cambodia Recruitment Agencies (ACRA) says it's working with the Cambodian Embassy in Bangkok to protect 1,050 workers at a seafood plant in southern Thailand. ACRA president An Hunh .....
Thailand pushed to revise money-laundering laws
10 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The Joint Private Standing Committee of Thailand, which groups together three key business associations, will discuss with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra at the Joint Public-Private Committee .....
SIA shocker: US$30m loss in fourth quarter
10 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Singapore Airlines (SIA) incurred an unexpected S$38 million (US$30 million) loss in the three months from January to March. It brought earnings for the full financial year to S$336 million, a dip of .....
Chinese deep-sea rig starts drilling in South China Sea
10 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China vows to boost oil and gas exploration in the South China Sea, as the country launches its first domestically manufactured deepwater drilling rig. The semi-submersible Haiyangshiyou 981, with an .....
Thailand's foreign debt rises to record high
10 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thailand's foreign debt rose to a record high of US$119 billion or 3.6 trillion baht in March, but the Bank of Thailand insists the country's external exposure is balanced by asset holdings. The cent .....
Missing Russian plane found in West Java
10 May, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
An official this morning said that the Russian Sukhoi Super Jet 100 airplane that went missing yesterday afternoon had been spotted by one of the rescue helicopters. Atang Sanjaya Airbase spokesman M .....
Indonesian gov't to give incentives to hybrid car makers
10 May, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The government says it will give incentives to companies that are willing to develop hybrid cars in Indonesia. "The government will push for hybrid cars to be produced domestically by giving tax ince .....
Leaders of S. Korea, Japan, China to hold annual trilateral summit
10 May, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
The leaders of South Korea, Japan and China will hold their annual trilateral summit in Beijing on Sunday to enhance their cooperation in a variety of areas including security, business and trade, Che .....
Zardari stresses need to uphold constitution’s supremacy
10 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari yesterday stressed on the need of upholding the supremacy of the constitution and maintaining political stability in his country. The comment came during his meeti .....
Filipino titans clash over oil deal with Chinese firm
10 May, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Philippine ports tycoon Enrique Razon is opposing a plan by Philex Mining Corp. chair Manuel Pangilinan to bring in a Chinese company as a partner in tapping natural gas deposits in Recto Bank off the .....
High court restrains Air India pilots on strike
10 May, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
As the strike by a section of Air India pilots continued for a second day, forcing the cancellation of six international flights, Delhi High Court stepped in, directing the pilots to stop their “ill .....
Pakistan's ex-army chief blames former-ISI head for illegal funds
10 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Former chief of Pakistan Army, Gen. (retd) Mirza Aslam Baig has denied any involvement in or knowledge of dishing out money to politicians in the 90s, laying the blame of the illegal distribution on t .....
Throw unsafe Chinese food out of window
10 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
According to the story, US president Theodore Roosevelt threw his breakfast sausages out of the window after reading about conditions in Chicago's meatpacking industry. His reaction to Upton Sinclair .....
World Bank asks Bangladesh to tackle energy challenges
10 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Bangladesh must show mastery in dealing with energy-sector challenges and bringing long-term investment to energy solutions to become a middle income country by 2021, the World Bank's country director .....
Japanese retailers ramp up delivery biz
10 May, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Major food retailers are ramping up their home-delivery services to meet growing demand from people who find it difficult to shop in person or simply enjoy the convenience of ordering their groceries .....
EU presses Bangladesh political parties for talks
10 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Bangladesh's image abroad faces a serious crisis because of the ongoing political violence, shutdowns, corruption and disappearances, European Union envoys said yesterday. They said incidents of stre .....
India watches China, Pakistan moves
10 May, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
The Indian government is closely watching all activities of China and Pakistan in the neighbourhood and reviews the threat perception regularly, the Rajya Sabha (Upper House Parliament) was informed y .....
New Russian jet missing in Indonesia
10 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
A Sukhoi Superjet 100 - the first new Russian passenger plane in more than two decades - went missing during a demonstration flight in Indonesia yesterday with 50 people aboard. The Superjet is spear .....
Philippines' provocations will worsen impasse, says China
10 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China yesterday warned the Philippines not to "further harm bilateral relations" in response to repeated provocations, which have worsened the month-long Huangyan Island impasse. Analysts said upcomi .....
Philippines to make new ‘diplomatic’ moves on shoal feud with China
10 May, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in the Philippines is set to undertake what it calls a “new diplomatic initiative” aimed at defusing tensions between the Philippines and China over the Sca .....
Pakistan reminds US of its sacrifices
9 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
As US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wrapped up her visit to India, the war of words between her and Pakistan’s Foreign Office over Islamabad's commitment to fighting terrorism continued. Offen .....
Growing Internet use puts Lao trade online
9 May, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
As the number of people in Laos with Internet access has doubled in recent years, it has spurred business opportunities for online media and advertising. According to a recent report from the World B .....
Small Vietnamese firms yet to tap Internet sales
9 May, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) should use social media sites to advertise products and trademarks, according to a recent conference of information and technology journalists on the role of .....
Japanese firms more confident of recovery, poll finds
9 May, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
There are growing signs Japanese businesses are becoming more confident about recovering from the impact of last year's Great East Japan Earthquake, mainly because of rises in demand due to reconstruc .....
Growing internet use puts Lao trade online
9 May, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
As the number of people in Laos with internet access has doubled in recent years, it has spurred business opportunities for online media and advertising. According to a recent report from the World B .....
Yudhoyono's absence from public creates reshuffle speculation
9 May, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
For the past few days, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has been off the media’s radar, leaving the public guessing on what the head of state was thinking. The president’s absence f .....
Lenovo takes on Apple, Samsung with smart TV
9 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Lenovo Group Ltd, the largest PC maker in China by sales, launched its first smart TV on Tuesday in Beijing, hoping to take market share away from traditional heavyweights in the sector such as Apple .....
Pakistan court issues detailed judgment in Gilani contempt case
9 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
The much-awaited Supreme Court verdict which explained the reasons behind Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's contempt charge left much to be desired after it failed to answer the most impor .....
Bhutan launches business, technology innovation hub
9 May, 2012
By Kuensel
Source: ANN
The Bhutan Innovation and Technology centre (BITC), accommodated within the country’s IT park in Thimphu, was launched Monday. It will serve as a hub for entrepreneurship, innovation, and enterpris .....
Gilani attorney to challenge Supreme Court order
9 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani’s counsel Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan said on Tuesday that he would file an appeal in the Supreme Court against the conviction of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in th .....
Japan's banks expand overseas
9 May, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Japan's commercial banks have steadily increased their presence in overseas markets, with the outstanding balance of their loans in the Asian region hitting an all-time high at US$211.9 billion dollar .....
Nepal flood death toll rises to 26
9 May, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Security personnel in Nepal recovered four more bodies of Seti flood victims yesterday, bringing the death toll of the May 5 natural disaster to 26. According to the police in Kaski district, of the .....
Air India sacks 10 'rebellious' pilots
9 May, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
In a swift crackdown, the Air India management yesterday terminated the services of ten agitating pilots responsible for the cancellation of four international flights since late Monday night. Appar .....
2/3 families in Thailand are in debt, survey shows
9 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
As many as 10.5 million out of 15 million Thai families are in debt, while 1.2 million of them are unable to pay back, according to a survey by the Thai Family Studies Association. Panpimol Wipulakor .....
Germany sees more opportunities in Asia
9 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Germany is increasingly turning to Asia to cash in on China's rise and the region's integration, which opens up a new window of opportunity for investment. Of total capital stock of 100 billion euros .....
Asean forms anti-crisis unit to monitor economies
9 May, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The Asean+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (Amro) established by the Philippines and its neighbours is expected to help the countries improve their crisis-prevention ability amid a backdrop of global e .....
Delhi assures Dhaka of fulfilling pledges
9 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday stressed his government's commitment to the initiatives he and his Bangladesh counterpart had agreed on for mutual benefits as well as the entire region' .....
Samsung, IT firms to make wireless charger
9 May, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Samsung Electronics said Tuesday it has joined forces with other IT giants like Qualcomm and SK Telecom to develop a different wireless charger from the current device-on-pad method. The world’s la .....
Challenging time for Asian growth, says IMF
9 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Asia has been a source of hope for a world economic recovery, but policymakers in the region face thorny challenges, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said yesterday. What happens in Asia in the .....
New platform in China gives iron ore traders muscle
9 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
An iron ore trading platform made its China debut yesterday as the world's biggest buyer of the commodity sought to enhance its price-setting influence. Trading volume is expected to reach approximat .....
Indonesia likely to lower export target
9 May, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The Indonesian government says it will likely revise its export target downward following deteriorating demand from traditional export destinations and impending commodity price corrections. The nati .....
Indonesia's human rights body reveals evidence of killings in '60s
9 May, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) says it has evidence that government officials were involved in the systematic prosecution of members of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) fol .....
Lee Myung-bak's chief of staff declares presidential bid
9 May, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Yim Tae-hee, a self-professed moderate and former chief of staff for President Lee Myung-bak, announced his bid for the presidency on Tuesday, pledging to vanguard a move to “demolish outdated polit .....
Cyber attacks affect 'both China and US'
9 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The US defence secretary said on Monday that China is also a victim of cyber attacks, after years of accusations of alleged Chinese attacks on the US. Based on this understanding, the defence ministe .....
Bangladesh main opposition party pushes for dialogue
9 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Reiterating its stance on holding a dialogue to resolve Bangladesh's political crisis, the country's main opposition party, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), yesterday urged the government to create .....
Thailand to check 65 plants after blast
9 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The massive explosion at the factory of a Bangkok Synthetics subsidiary that killed 11 and injured another 129 people on Saturday has prompted the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) to exa .....
GPS jamming highlights N. Korea's cyber war threat
9 May, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
A recent bout of electronic jamming signals from North Korea highlighted the growing risks of cyber warfare, which experts fear could be among its pledged “special actions” against South Korea. .....
2 S'poreans die of altitude sickness in Tibet
9 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Two Singaporeans have died of altitude sickness while visiting a sacred mountain in the Tibetan autonomous region in China, Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) confirmed yesterday. They wer .....
China gets tough with foreign media
9 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
China has expelled the sole correspondent of Al-Jazeera English, in the first such action since 1998, forcing the Qatar-based international news channel to close its Beijing bureau. Al-Jazeera's Meli .....
Taiwanese drivers to face fines for using electronic devices while driving
9 May, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Car drivers in Taiwan who use hand-held mobile phones or tablet computers while driving will be fined NT$3,000 (US$102), and motorcyclists NT$1,000 (US$34) in the near future, according to an amendmen .....
Punjab CM stresses importance of Pak-India trade
9 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Chief Minister of Pakistan's Punjab province Shahbaz Sharif yesterday said that the promotion of trade between India and Pakistan is a need of the moment, DawnNews reported. Addressing Pakistan-India .....
Japan, S. Korea near defence pact
9 May, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Japanese Defence Minister Naoki Tanaka said Tuesday that Japan and South Korea were making final adjustments ahead of signing a pact on the protection of defence secrets. The government is believed t .....
World Bank may soon cancel funding of key Bangladesh bridge project
9 May, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
The World Bank (WB) may soon cancel its funding for Bangladesh's Padma bridge project, as the government took no effective steps in response to the donor agency's reports on corruption allegations inv .....
S. Korean IAEA inspector killed in auto accident in Iran
9 May, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
A South Korean inspector of the International Atomic Energy Agency was killed in a rollover accident in central Iran on Tuesday morning, the Islamic Republic’s state media reported. The Islamic .....
China to start issuing e-passports
9 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China's e-passports will better protect citizens' personal data and national security, said customs officials yesterday, as authorities nationwide geared up for the introduction of the new high-tech s .....
No. of damaged buildings rises due to Japan tornado
9 May, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Severe winds damaged 212 buildings Sunday over an area stretching from Chikusei to Sakuragawa, both in Ibaraki Prefecture, according to local governments and the Japan Meteorological Agency. The 20-k .....
Bangladesh to launch e-payment of taxes this month
9 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
The revenue authorities of Bangladesh are likely to launch an e-payment system by the end of the month to ease hassles of taxpayers by gradually replacing the manual tax payment system. Taxpayers inc .....
World Bank may soon cancel funding key Bangladesh bridge project
9 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
The World Bank (WB) may soon cancel its funding for Bangladesh's Padma bridge project, as the government took no effective steps in response to the donor agency's reports on corruption allegations inv .....
US urges India to impose sanctions on Iran
9 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wants India to help impose sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme even as Iranian businessmen are in Delhi seeking to improve trade ties. Clinton, who held .....
32 Chinese ships bar Filipino fishers in disputed shoal
9 May, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Chinese maritime ships are denying Filipino fishermen access to their traditional fishing grounds in the lagoon of Panatag Shoal, a chain of reefs and rocks off Zambales province whose ownership is be .....
China warns Philippines over island dispute
9 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Beijing warned Manila that it is "hard to be optimistic" about the impasse over Huangyan Island, and authorities say they are prepared for any escalation of the situation by Manila. Vice minister o .....
Clinton calls for amicable solution to Indo-Bangla water-sharing
8 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton yesterday said the water sharing issue between India and Bangladesh should be solved amicably as the issue will become contentious across the globe. "This is cer .....
Islamabad terms allegation about Zawahiri as conjecture
8 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
The Foreign Office of Pakistan yesterday dismissed US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's allegations about Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri's presence in Pakistan as "conjectures" and asked Washing .....
Nepal leaves flood victims in the lurch
8 May, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Flood victims in Nepal's Seti areas have been left in the lurch, as they are yet to receive relief as announced by the government. There was no government presence in flood-hit Kharapani village, whe .....
Nepal starts expelling the landless, using tear gas
8 May, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
The government of Nepal initiated a plan this morning to vacate landless squatters who have been residing on the bank of Bagmati River by force. Large numbers of police personnel from Armed Police Fo .....
Clinton hits out at Pakistan in India
8 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton accused Pakistan yesterday of not doing enough to bring key terror suspects to justice and hinted that Al Qaeda fugitive Ayman al Zawahiri could be hiding in Paki .....
Laos maps out plans to preserve culture
8 May, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
The Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism of Laos opened a nationwide meeting yesterday in Vientiane to map out a plan for this year and plan towards 2015. Minister Bosengkham Vongdara opened .....
Islamic group ready to disperse Lady Gaga’s '60,000 fans' in Indonesia
8 May, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The hardline Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) says it will send six members to shoo away fans flocking Lady Gaga’s concert if the US singer-songwriter goes ahead with plans for the concert in Indonesia .....
Everything with Pakistan not at a standstill: US
8 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Everything between the United States and Pakistan was not at "a standstill", the US State Department said yesterday as the two countries continued intense in-camera consultations to save their relatio .....
Thai PM begs reporters: stop asking about Cabinet reshuffle
8 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has pleaded with reporters to stop posing questions on the Cabinet reshuffle, saying she wants to devote time to solving the people's grievances. "Please .....
India seeks trade with Iran on items outside UN sanctions
8 May, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Amidst US pressure to cut oil imports from Iran, India today asked a visiting Iranian business delegation to focus on trade items which do not attract sanctions. In a meeting with commerce secretary .....
N. Korea continues GPS jamming
8 May, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Eletronic jamming signals emitting from North Korea have disrupted more than 250 commercial flights in and out of South Korea for more than a week, stoking concerns over public safety and further prov .....
3-party talks with India, China essential, says Clinton
8 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
A three-party dialogue involving India, China and the United States will be essential in the future, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said, in a sign that ties between the world's two largest .....
Polls revolt in Europe spooks Asian markets
8 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Shares across the region had their worst session in months after investors took fright at weekend election results in Greece and France. A few Asian markets fell almost 3 per cent yesterday in the wa .....
South Asian energy talks begins in Dhaka tomorrow
8 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
A two-day regional seminar on energy security aimed at fostering cooperation among South Asian countries will begin in Bangladesh capital Dhaka tomorrow, organisers said. Bangladesh Energy Regulatory .....
Hong Kong 'bolstering tie' with emerging economies
8 May, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Hong Kong is continuing to foster trade relationships with emerging economies including Thailand as global economic power shifts from the West to the East, and is seeking membership in the Asean-China .....
Indonesian gov't blamed for rash of vigilante attacks
8 May, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The involvement of the hard-line group, the Islam Defenders Front (FPI), in multiple violent vigilante actions shows how the Inbdonesian government cannot run the country, a top criminologist says. " .....
3-party talks with India, China essential, says Clinton
8 May, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
A three-party dialogue involving India, China and the United States will be essential in the future, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said, in a sign that ties between the world's two largest .....
Beijing may host OTC market
8 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China will allow small and medium-sized non-public companies to have their securities traded on a national over-the-counter (OTC) market, with individuals allowed to invest, an official with the count .....
Cambodian PM orders temporary halt to land concessions
8 May, 2012
By Rasmei Kampuchea Daily
Source: ANN
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday ordered a temporary halt to economic land concessions and the confiscation of land from any companies that have broken the law. "The government has decided .....
Japanese market heats up for cooling goods
8 May, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Pharmaceutical and cosmetic firms are increasing production of cooling goods, as people will likely be required to reduce electricity usage this summer due to expected power shortages. These firms ar .....
N. Korea may have aborted rocket launch, says expert
8 May, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
The flight of North Korea’s long-range rocket that failed on April 13 may have been terminated intentionally by the command centre, a US rocket expert said. According to David Wright, co-director o .....
Taiwan firm Want Want has no Chinese backing, says chairman
8 May, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Want Want Group chairman Tsai Eng-meng attended a public hearing on the group's acquisition bid of China Network Systems Co. (CNS) in the Legislative Yuan, yesterday, during which he voiced his love f .....
Tsukuba residents describe havoc of storm hitting city
8 May, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Recovery work began in Tsukuba in Japan's Ibaraki prefecture on Monday after a tornado ripped through the city leaving a path of destruction in its wake. On Sunday, the final day of the Golden Week h .....
US, S. Korea begin largest-ever joint air defence drill
8 May, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
South Korea and the US launched their largest joint air defence exercise against North Korean attacks on Monday amid tension over its possible nuclear test. Based on the US-led multinational air exe .....
Philippines, UN agree on resolving disputes peacefully
8 May, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon have emphasised the importance of peacefully resolving disputes between countries. Del Rosar .....
Economy, jobs grow on strong investment in Indonesia
8 May, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Indonesia’s overall economy and employment rate remain in positive growth territory thanks to increasing investment and household consumption amid the lingering global crisis that has weakened expor .....
China plans to give all NGOs equal treatment
8 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
All social organisations in China including those involved with human rights and politics will have equal status for registration and face the same supervisory review process, the minister of civil af .....
3-party talks with India, China essential: Clinton
8 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
A three-party dialogue involving India, China and the United States will be essential in the future, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said, in a sign that ties between the world's two largest .....
Bangladeshi receives Oslo Business for Peace Award
8 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
A Bangladeshi bsuinessman, Latifur Rahman, the chairman and CEO of Transcom Group, yesterday received Business for Peace Award 2012 in the Norwegian capital Oslo. The award is the highest distinction .....
US commits to invest in Bengal
8 May, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
In what can be described as the best possible gift to Indian Chief minister Mamata Banerjee and her a year-old government, the USA today declared West Bengal as a “partner state for investment” si .....
Dhaka, Delhi agree to sign extradition treaty
8 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Bangladesh and India have agreed to conclude an extradition treaty at the earliest and vowed not to allow domestic or foreign militants and insurgents in each other's territories. A joint statement i .....
'New' name for island sparks fury from Beijing
8 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Beijing yesterday slammed Manila's attempt to "rename" Huangyan Island as China is set to launch its first deepwater oil rig in the South China Sea. Manila declared on Thursday that it would "rename" .....
Hong Kong bolsters ties with emerging economies
8 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Hong Kong is continuing to foster trade relationships with emerging economies including Thailand as global economic power shifts from the West to the East, and is seeking membership in the Asean-China .....
Thai electrical, electronics firms hope to return to 80-per-cent capacity
7 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Electric appliance and electronics industries of Thailand are hopeful that they can operate their plants at 80 per cent of full utilisation to match last year's sales. "We're hopeful that the industr .....
Beggars to be covered by Bangladesh safety net programmes
7 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
The government of Bangladesh will rehabilitate 2,000 beggars of the capital city, Dhaka, under a pilot project to be implemented by June. This is the first time such an initiative has been taken up b .....
Nepal's ailing herbal products firm unable to replenish supplies
7 May, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Despite a huge demand for herbal products, Nepal's Herbs Production and Processing Company Limited has not been able to replenish market supplies. A more worrisome factor is the closure of an HPPCL .....
Key Nepal tourism initiative faces teething trouble
7 May, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
The Nepalese government declared Visit Lumbini Year 2012 in November last year to make the birthplace of Buddha a centre of global attraction. Six months later, the much-hyped programme has not sailed .....
Indo-Bangla land deal to take time
7 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Exchange of adversely possessed lands and 162 enclaves, and demarcation of boundary between India and Bangladesh will be delayed indefinitely, as the Congress-led Indian ruling coalition lacks the req .....
US sides with Bangladesh's Grameen Bank
7 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said her country does not endorse any action of the Bangladesh government to undermine the achievements of Grameen Bank, the country's Nobel Peace Prize winni .....
Greeks offer financial gifts to China
7 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
As Greeks went to the polls yesterday debating the best way to tackle their economic crisis, politicians across the spectrum agreed that international investment will play a key role. While images of .....
Major Nepal party to stay out of govt for now
7 May, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Backtracking from its earlier commitment to join incumbent Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai-led unity government, the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), third largest party in the Co .....
New era dawns for Thai retail industry
7 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Buffeted by many winds of change, the retail industry will enter an era of transformation, which will lead to a totally new "ball game" with new rules and roles. Chatchai Tuangrattanapan, director .....
Philippines seen to draw investors with open wallets
7 May, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The Philippine growth story has attracted the attention of the global community and soon fresh investments in key sectors like power, infrastructure, tourism and business process outsourcing may go .....
Retail reforms on Clinton's agenda in India trip
7 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, on a three-day visit to India, will meet West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who blocked the entry of foreign chains like Walmart to protect the nation's .....
Ephedrine from Pakistan to Iran alarms Europe
7 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) has informed Pakistan's Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) that ephedrine is being smuggled from Pakistan into Iran, an official associated with the case told .....
Chinese defence minister in crucial tour of US
7 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
A landmark visit to the United States by the defence minister will help defuse the tense situation in the South China Sea, analysts said, as the standoff between China and the Philippines continues in .....
Nepal flood toll rises to 17; 47 missing
7 May, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
The death toll in Saturday's flashflood on the Seti river in Kaski district in western Nepal has gone up to 17, while the number of those missing has risen to 47. Authorities on Sunday identified 1 .....
Hardline Myanmar vice president resigns
7 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Myanmar Vice president Tin Aung Myint Oo, 61, has submitted his resignation for health reasons, the Myanmar language service of Voice of America reported yesterday. The hardline former top general di .....
Indonesia's freedom at risk from intolerance, say groups
7 May, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Activists have once again blamed the government of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono for not doing enough to rein in radical groups in the country that have graduated from harassing minori .....
N. Korea, China discuss Kim Jong-un’s travel to Beijing
7 May, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
North Korea has reportedly discussed with China the possibility of its fledgling leader Kim Jong-un visiting Beijing within this year in an apparent move to gain more economic and political support fr .....
Thai red shirts call for reform, seek end to military coups
6 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thai red shirts chair Thida Thavornseth said the red shirt movement will double within five years and will facilitate a legal revamp as well as media reform. Thida said that if a new Constitution i .....
Joint venture firm to make energy-saving bulbs in Bangladesh
6 May, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
A Japan-Bangladesh joint venture plant will be set up in Munshiganj district of Bangladesh to make environment-friendly and energy saving bulbs. Brig Gen (retd) Enamul Haq, state minister for power, .....
ADB advises growth via knowledge
6 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The president of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) yesterday urged the transformation of the region through inclusive, green and knowledge-led growth. Addressing the opening of the 45th annual meeting .....
Killing on Indo-Bangla border goes unabated
6 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Indian Border Security Force (BSF) has killed two Bangladeshis and injured 10 others on average per month this year despite repeated pledges by their home minister not to open fire along the border. .....
Taiwan's rising bird populations threaten airports
6 May, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Flight safety authorities should heighten their vigilance as the populations of birds of prey and large birds around Taiwan airports swell, an aviation safety advocacy group warned yesterday. A tota .....
13 Asian nations sign key agreements in ADB meet
6 May, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) ended the 45th meeting of its board of governors in Manila yesterday with key agreements among 13 Asian member-countries to boost their emergency protection against fi .....
13 die in Nepal flash flood
6 May, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Thirteen people died and at least nine others went missing after a landslide near Machhapuchhre mountain region in Nepal triggered a catastrophic flash flood, sweeping settlements and breaching the ri .....
12 ministers inducted in Nepalese cabinet
6 May, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Nepalese Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai yesterday reformed his Cabinet as agreed in Thursday’s power-sharing deal, inducting 12 Cabinet ministers from his party Unified Communist Party of Nepal (M .....
US, China turn page on 'blind activist' saga
6 May, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Despite lingering questions, analysts here say they expect a new agreement, which United States and Chinese officials struck to resolve a diplomatic crisis over blind legal activist Chen Guangcheng, t .....
Hold talks for credible polls, Hillary tells Bangladesh politicians
6 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton yesterday urged all political actors in Bangladesh to settle their differences through dialogue and plan for holding the next general election in a free, fair and .....
Opposition moves to oust Pakistan PM
6 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
The nation should get ready for a "long march" to force the Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP)-led coalition out of office, Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif said yesterday at t .....
New Delhi to reassure Dhaka on key water-sharing deal
5 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Indian Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who is due in Bangladesh capital Dhaka tonight, will reassure the Bangladeshi political leadership that efforts are on towards a consensus within his country .....
Bangladeshi NGO official killed in 'Taliban attack' in Afghanistan
5 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
An official of Bangladesh's non-government organisation Brac was shot dead during an attack on a Brac provincial office in Ghor of Afghanistan yesterday. Deceased Mohammad Mohiuddin, 41, hailed from .....
Can Malaysia Airlines make it on its own?
5 May, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
The deal that was designed to save Malaysia Airlines (MAS) ended with more bitter than sweet memories for all those involved. The fractious relationship, almost from the get go when the share swap ag .....
'Philippines not sick man of Asia anymore'
5 May, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The Philippines, which has lately seen new record highs in stock market trading, is making good progress in creating a more favourable image in the international community, according to the Filipino c .....
Indonesian Muslims rethink sex in new book
5 May, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The Indonesian Family Planning Association (PKBI) has taken an unusual step to promote population control by releasing a book exploring the Koran’s position on sexual issues. The book, launched y .....
Indonesia formally challenges US palm oil policy
5 May, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Indonesia has formally challenged the recent greenhouse gas analysis of palm oil issued by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), saying that palm oil-based biofuel is qualified to join the ren .....
Thai gov't urged for new money-laundering laws
5 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Key business organisations are pressuring the government to promulgate new anti-money-laundering laws by next February so Thailand can be quickly removed from an international "Dark Grey List", whic .....
Bangladesh-US friendship sees new era
5 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Bangladesh hopes Hillary Clinton's visit will take Dhaka's political, economic and security cooperation with Washington to a new height and clear the clouds that recently shrouded the ties over Nobel .....
Teenage suicide bomber leaves 26 dead; Taliban claims responsibility
5 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
At least 26 people, among them two security officers, were killed and 75 others injured on Friday when a teenage suicide bomber blew himself up in a crowded bazaar in Khar, the main town of Bajaur tr .....
Asean seen as economic growth force by 2015
5 May, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The Southeast Asian region, with an estimated population of 600 million, is anticipated to join the ranks of China and India as a major economic growth force in Asia should its constituent countries s .....
'Significant' results gained in China-US dialogue
5 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The United States will quicken its examination and approval for Chinese financial institutions that apply to invest in the US, as part of the achievements in the fourth round of the China-US Strateg .....
Freight forwarding business booming in Bangladesh
4 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Freight forwarding business is booming in Bangladesh, riding on a significant increase in international trade. Nearly 1,500 freight forwarding companies, including foreign and joint ventures, are ope .....
India lifts curbs on onion export price
4 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
India has scrapped the minimum export prices on onions and decided to remove the quantitative restrictions on sugar exports. These decisions were taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minist .....
Bangladesh businessmen demand law to ban shutdowns
4 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Bangladesh's apex trade body, Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), yesterday demanded introduction of a law to ban shutdowns, considering the loss it inflicts on the cou .....
Pakistan handling contempt crisis legitimately: US
4 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Pakistan is tackling the crisis generated by the Supreme Court’s verdict against the prime minister in a "legitimate and democratic fashion" and within its judicial system, the US State Department s .....
Pakistan plans to export 400,000 tonnes of sugar
4 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
The Pakistan government intends to export 400,000 tonnes of surplus sugar and believes that the performance of the agricultural sector is improving despite natural calamities. "The good news about su .....
Pakistan plans to export 400,000 tons of sugar
4 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
The Pakistan government intends to export 400,000 tonnes of surplus sugar and believes that the performance of the agricultural sector is improving despite natural calamities. "The good news about su .....
Nepal parties sign deal for unity govt
4 May, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Major political parties of Nepal on Thursday night signed a new power-sharing deal to form a consensus government under Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai within two days and hand over the leadership of .....
Air China launches nonstop flights to Gatwick
4 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Air China Ltd launched new nonstop flights between Beijing and London Gatwick Airport on Wednesday, increasing its capacity on the route by more than 50 per cent. The Chinese flag carrier already run .....
Tourist arrivals swell in Nepal
4 May, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Despite sluggish growth in arrivals from Europe and Oceania, healthy inbound from India, East Asia and the US has led tourist arrivals to swell 14.3 per cent in April. According to Tribhuvan Internat .....
Conscript shoots self at Taiwan's Presidential Office
4 May, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
A military police conscript committed suicide while standing guard at the Presidential Office in the early hours of yesterday morning in Taipei, according to the Ministry of National Defence (MND). .....
Shutdown in Nepal triggers food shortage
4 May, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
The Far-Western districts of Nepal are reeling under an acute shortage of foodstuff and other daily essentials due to a shutdown that has hit the area since Friday. As the banda (shutdown) entered it .....
Experts see demise of dollar as world currency
4 May, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
It may only be a matter of time before the US dollar gets replaced as the main currency in international trade, according to economists attending the meeting of the board of governors of the Asian Dev .....
Nepal paries sign deal for unity govt
4 May, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Major political parties of Nepal on Thursday night signed a new power-sharing deal to form a consensus government under Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai within two days and hand over the leadership of .....
Pakistan's Gilani vows to continue as lawful PM
4 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Pakistan's Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has once again made his intentions clear that he would neither acquiesce to the opposition protests nor to the short order of the Supreme Court and would c .....
Bangladesh faces hurdle in importing power from India
4 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Bangladesh's import of 250 megawatts of power from India at a competitive price by the middle of next year faces a hitch as the Power Grid Company of India (PGCI) is not getting clearance from the Wes .....
Japan keen to invest in Bangladesh
4 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Japan has recommended infrastructure development and smooth supply of electricity and gas in Bangladesh assuring it of a huge investment. The assurance came yesterday from Japanese Deputy Prime Minis .....
Cambodia's Internet penetration more than doubles
4 May, 2012
By Rasmei Kampuchea Daily
Source: ANN
Cambodia's Internet penetration more than doubled to 3.1 per cent of the population in 2011, up from 1.3 per cent a year earlier, according to the Internet World Stats website. The country had 449, .....
Expert says water scarcity is Asia's urgent issue
4 May, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Water scarcity is acute in Asia and is likely to worsen at an accelerating speed as the region develops. Yet, the level of public awareness and political commitment is too low in the region to bring .....
Thailand, Japan target US$100b trade by 2017
4 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thailand and Japan have agreed to boost bilateral trade to US$100 billion by 2017, thanks to closer trade and investment cooperation under the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (Jtepa). C .....
Pakistan lawmakers repose trust in Gilani
4 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
.....
Last tiger sanctuary in SE Asia at risk
4 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Thailand's pledge to double the number of endangered wild tigers in the country's jungles by 2022 will be in jeopardy if a new dam at a national park is built, environmental organisations have warned. .....
Laos seeks approval of Mekong countries for Xayaburi dam
4 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Laos yesterday said it would not make a final decision on construction of the controversial Xayaburi dam in the mainstream body of the Mekong River until it gets the approval of the international comm .....
Asean infra fund set to aid member nations
4 May, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The Asean Infrastructure Fund (AIF) financing initiative is set to aid member nations with their infrastructure needs with an individual project lending cap of US$75 million. The money committed to t .....
Iran and trade top agenda of US-China talks
4 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
The United States and China made no direct mention of blind activist Chen Guangcheng as they opened high-level talks yesterday, sticking to the agenda of strategic and economic issues ranging from cur .....
China vows to resolve fishing boat clash with S. Korea
4 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Beijing on Thursday said it has remained in contact with the Republic of Korea and is willing to work with Seoul to properly handle the recent clash between a Chinese fishing boat and the ROK's Coast .....
Knives are out for Rahul Gandhi's inner circle
4 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Congress party lawmaker Meenakshi Natarajan is known for her simplicity, her occasional use of public transport to the Madhya Pradesh state legislature, and her observance of a day of silence once a w .....
Philippines, neighbours come together to protect Coral Triangle
4 May, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Against the backdrop of territorial disputes roiling the region, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, East Timor and the island states of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands on Thursday presented be .....
S. Korea explores new fronts in Myanmar ties
4 May, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
South Korea is seeking to carve out its presence in Myanmar as sweeping reforms of the former pariah state entice global powers to tap its huge resource reserves and growth potential. Despite diploma .....
Asean+3 ministers double emergency reserve fund to US$24b
4 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Asean and East Asian finance ministers yesterday agreed to double their emergency reserve pool to US$240 billion to better prepare for any economic crisis. "The credit line has been expanded to $240 .....
Asylum wish puts US, China in bind
4 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Blind legal activist Chen Guangcheng has now confirmed that he wants to seek political asylum in the United States, in a dramatic change of heart that is embroiling Washington and Beijing as they bega .....
Knives are out for Rahul's inner circle
4 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Congress party lawmaker Meenakshi Natarajan is known for her simplicity, her occasional use of public transport to the Madhya Pradesh state legislature, and her observance of a day of silence once a w .....
China bonds a hit with London investors
4 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Private investors can now trade renminbi bonds in London as the first yuan-denominated bond released outside China was listed on the London Stock Exchange this week. The bond, issued by HSBC Holdings .....
Malaysia launches its very own Lamborghini
4 May, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Malaysia now has its own Lamborghini with the unveiling of a “supercar” exclusively built for the local market. The high-end sports car, the new Lamborghini Gallardo MLE (Malaysia Limited Edition .....
Yudhoyono wants mass production of green cars by 2014
4 May, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
As part of the Indonesian government’s efforts to curb ballooning fuel consumption, the government has set 2014 as the initial year to begin mass production of electric vehicles, according to a high .....
Chinese president stresses partnership with US
4 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Chinese President Hu Jintao on Thursday called on China and the United States to escape from the outdated thinking that major powers are predestined to engage in conflict. Hu also said that the two c .....
Four shot dead in southern Thailand
4 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Four local officials were killed yesterday in a gunfight in Pattani's Sai Buri by suspected insurgents, while a man was shot dead in Narathiwat's Sungai Kolok district. At about noon yesterday, a pic .....
Scarborough dispute may derail Asian economic plan
4 May, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The conflict between China and the Philippines over the resource-rich Scarborough Shoal is likely to derail plans of selected Asian countries to integrate their economies by 2015, a chief economist an .....
Bangladesh business leaders call for end to political unrest
3 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Bangladesh’s top business leaders on Wednesday planned to meet political leaders soon to urge them to shun destructive political programmes, as frequent shutdowns are hurting the economy. The busin .....
China, S. Korea launch FTA negotiations
3 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China and South Korea jointly announced the start of bilateral free trade agreement negotiations yesterday, aiming to expand trade in goods and services and investment cooperation. "The first round o .....
Pakistan leaders discuss US ties
3 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
The top political and military leadership of Pakistan once again put their heads together yesterday to search for the way ahead in stalled negotiations with the US for resetting relations, but made li .....
Brunei's construction industry facing labour shortage
3 May, 2012
By The Brunei Times
Source: ANN
Lack of skilled labour and the fluctuating costs of imported construction materials continue to remain challenges for the industry, which is experiencing a "big change" with the implementation of larg .....
‘NK has HEU to make up to 6 bombs’
3 May, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
North Korea is presumed to have sufficient stockpiles of weapons-grade highly enriched uranium to build three to six atomic bombs, a local nuclear expert said Wednesday. The communist state is though .....
Asean firms easier to raise funds
3 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thai and Asean companies will find it much easier to raise money in the region as a newly established fund begins offering credit guarantees in the next few months. "Now the fund is ready to guarante .....
Pakistan fourth in premature births, says report
3 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Registering about 750,000 preterm births in 2010, Pakistan has ranked fourth in the latest global listing in terms of the number of preterm births, with India on the top, followed by China and Nigeria .....
Political shutdowns across Nepal affect life
3 May, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Daily life in various parts of Nepal was affected yesterday due to shutdowns called by different political and ethnic groups. In the Far-Western Region, the banda, a form of protest to close the mark .....
Pakistan political party disrupts parliament session over PM’s eligibility
3 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Members of the Pakistan's Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) party disrupted session of the National Assembly and staged a walkout from the Senate when they were resumed yesterday, DawnNews reported. T .....
Political shutdowns across Nepal affects life
3 May, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Daily life in various parts of Nepal was affected yesterday due to shutdowns called by different political and ethnic groups. In the Far-Western Region, the banda, a form of protest to close the mark .....
WB to invest US$200m in Indonesia
3 May, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The World Bank Group’s International Finance Corporation (IFC) is allocating about US$200 million of investment in Indonesia’s infrastructure projects this fiscal year, one of the agency’s off .....
Chinese activist leaves US embassy
3 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng has left the United States Embassy here amid conflicting accounts of safety assurances and death threats from the Chinese authorities, extending a six-day diplomatic c .....
Nepal's first draft of constitution almost ready
3 May, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Nepal's Constituent Assembly (CA) Secretariat has given top priority to giving finishing touches to the first draft of the constitution within the fast looming May 27 deadline. A skeleton of the firs .....
Bhutan issues more import restrictions
3 May, 2012
By Kuensel
Source: ANN
The import of all kinds of motor vehicles, furniture, juice and energy drinks, alcohol, chips, wafers, waffles, snacks and cakes will not be permitted from third countries, according to a notification .....
Pakistan political, military leaders discuss US ties
3 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
The top political and military leadership of Pakistan once again put their heads together yesterday to search for the way ahead in stalled negotiations with the US for resetting relations, but made li .....
Washington urged to loosen curbs on exports to China
3 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The trade imbalance between China and the United States should be attributed to US industrial structural problems and international trade transfers, rather than China and its currency policy, said Zho .....
Loyalty does not pay when it comes to flying
3 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Signing up for a frequent flier card seems like an attractive proposition. The more you fly, the more miles you earn and when you have enough, redeem them for free flights. How nice. But as frequent .....
China OKs expanded sanctions list on N. Korea
3 May, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
China notified the UN Security Council's North Korea sanctions committee on Tuesday night that it will agree to freeze the assets of three additional entities related to Pyongyang in connection with i .....
China, S.Korea launch FTA negotiations
3 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China and South Korea jointly announced the start of bilateral free trade agreement negotiations yesterday, aiming to expand trade in goods and services and investment cooperation. "The first round o .....
Obama signs deal on secret Kabul trip
3 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Taliban militants vowed to press ahead with the start today of their spring offensive, hours after US President Barack Obama made a dramatic appearance in Afghanistan to tell the world the war was win .....
Bengali women most prone to trafficking in India
3 May, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
The city of joy that was once considered to be the safest city for women has now emerged as one of the places that are the most hostile to women in India. As if this was not enough, West Bengal to .....
Philippine economy to grow by 5-6%, say officials
3 May, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Administration officials are optimistic that the Philippine economy will expand by 5 to 6 per cent in 2012, higher than the 3.7-per cent growth posted in 2011. Socioeconomic Planning secretary Cayeta .....
Bangladesh business leaders call for ending political unrest
3 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Bangladesh’s top business leaders on Wednesday planned to meet political leaders soon to urge them to shun destructive political programmes, as frequent shutdowns are hurting the economy. The busin .....
Korea's ramen makers to sue antitrust regulator
3 May, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Korean noodle makers are considering legal action against the Fair Trade Commission over sanctions it imposed on them. The companies producing ramen include Nongshim, which holds the dominant positio .....
Asia-Pacific vulnerable due to EU export dependency
3 May, 2012
By Rasmei Kampuchea Daily
Source: ANN
International rating agency Standard & Poor's yesterday said the Asia-Pacific region is vulnerable to any flare-up in the European debt crisis due to its strong export dependency. "If debt woes .....
14 Chinese vessels now at disputed shoal
3 May, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
There are now 14 Chinese ships in Scarborough Shoal—four big maritime ships and 10 fishing boats, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said yesterday, Only a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic R .....
Indonesians told to 'think twice’ before going nuclear
3 May, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Japanese experts have warned the Indonesian government to be very careful when deciding whether to generate power from nuclear energy, arguing that the archipelago is prone to natural disasters. Ja .....
Myanmar set to overhaul peace teams
3 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
An overhaul of the Myanmar government's teams charged with negotiating peace deals with ethnic armies is imminent, and may see key negotiator Aung Thaung removed, sources said. Aung Thaung - former i .....
Total earnings of top Taiwan firms decline
2 May, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Taiwan's top 1,000 companies posted total earnings of NT$705.8 billion (US$24 billion) last year, down NT$567 billion (US$19 billion) from 2010, a survey by CommonWealth Magazine revealed yesterday. .....
Ma Ying-jeou announces 3-step changes to power rates
2 May, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou announced the new adjustment plan of the electricity rates at 22:00 yesterday after a meeting of high-ranking government officials in the Presidential Office. According .....
Indonesia's Mt. Merapi may be preparing to erupt: expert
2 May, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
A team of researchers has detected high volcanic activity on Mount Merapi, which is located on the border of Central Java and Yogyakarta provinces in Indonesia. Following months of observation, the .....
All work, little play is the norm in China
2 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Every three in 10 employees on the Chinese mainland work 10 hours or longer per workday, according to a new survey. But even the average worker on the mainland toils eight hours and 40 minutes a day, .....
S'poreans willing to spend, not splurge, poll shows
2 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Fitness trainer Chua Ping Wei, 29, spent S$21,000 (US$17,000) last week on air tickets for two, hotel room bookings, an armchair and a bed set - an amount that she would have been unwilling to part wi .....
Thai cinemas see growth in ads
2 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
A leading cinema operator predicts an increase of at least 15 per cent in advertising earnings at theatres across Thailand this year, after a positive first-quarter performance. According to a Nielse .....
Asean, EU urged to sustain economic growth
2 May, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Asean and EU nations who are members of the G20 grouping should jointly enforce agreements endorsed at the previous G20 Summit, including the reform of financial institutions and other development iss .....
Foreign investors eye vehicle, real estate sectors in China
2 May, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
China's vehicle, real estate and non-ferrous metal sectors are being wooed by foreign investors, according to the latest financial reports of the listed companies. Of the 1,156 Shanghai and Shenzhen- .....
Vietnam urged to boost trade with China, Laos
2 May, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Vietnam's Minister of Industry and Trade urged authorities in the north-western province of Dien Bien to work on strengthening exports to nearby markets of China and Laos. Minister Vu Huy Hoang mad .....
Brunei urged to diversify economy to avoid 'Dutch Disease'
2 May, 2012
By The Brunei Times
Source: ANN
Petro-states like Brunei have to look at ways of diversifying their economies, a study conducted by the World Economic Forum (WEF) states. In the paper "New Energy Architecture: Enabling an effective .....
Thai PM vows to meet minimum wage deadline
2 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thai government insisted yesterday it would roll out the 300 baht (US$9.7) daily minimum wage to the remaining 70 provinces as scheduled following its launch in seven provinces including Bangkok on Ap .....
Asean+3 to increase currency swap
2 May, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Korea, China and Japan and 10 Southeast Asian countries are poised to become more aggressive in their joint action in response to possible currency volatility. The Asean Plus Three group plans to end .....
Dams in Thailand 'fail to meet irrigation needs'
2 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
An environmental watchdog agency yesterday revealed that a major dam in Uthai Thani province has been unable to deliver sufficient water to farmers during the 10 years it has been in operation. The a .....
Rupee crisis hurts Bhutan's remote areas
2 May, 2012
By Kuensel
Source: ANN
While some have not heard of it, others are experiencing rising food prices and, in some cases the rupee shortage, in the remote villages of the western district of Haa in Bhutan. For instance, it i .....
Samsung chairman says he will not get involved in inheritance suit
2 May, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Samsung Electronics chairman Lee Kun-hee said Wednesday he will no longer get involved in the inheritance suit with his siblings, apologizing for publicly expressing his anger on the case. While meet .....
Brunei remains on piracy watch list
2 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Brunei remains on a "watch list" of countries identified as violators of intellectual property rights (IPR), according to a report by the the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). .....
China launches two navigation satellites
2 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China launched two satellites for its Beidou global navigation and positioning system into space atop a carrier rocket on Monday, and will see similar launches in the future to reduce costs and save t .....
Divorce even more of a mess for foreigners
2 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
As more foreigners come to Beijing to work, more of them are getting married - and divorced. And that's leading to long delays in the courtroom. Aoyuncun court, which has handled most legal disputes .....
Japan, India reach rare earth deal
2 May, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Japan and India reached a basic agreement Monday to jointly develop rare earths, which are indispensable for many high-tech products, and supply Japan with about 14 per cent of its rare earth needs. .....
EU calls for independent probe on Cambodia fatal shootings
2 May, 2012
By Rasmei Kampuchea Daily
Source: ANN
The European Union (EU) has called for an independent probe into shootings in a remote area of Koh Kong, south Cambodia last week in when an environmental activist and a military policeman died. In a .....
Moody's warns Bangladesh on political tension
2 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Political instability in Bangladesh may cause the country's credit rating to be negative, credit-rating business firm Moody's said in a weekly report on Monday. Mentioning the recent political tro .....
China's factory activity indicator expands
2 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
A key manufacturing gauge rose to a 13-month high in April but clouds still hover over the economy as smaller businesses struggle due to weak demand. The Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), an indicato .....
Thai journalists’ book sheds light on North Korea
2 May, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Kim Jong-il conducted several purges of high-ranking government officials before his death to aid the power transfer to his son Kim Jong-un, senior Thai journalists claimed in a book on North Korea. .....
US neutral in Philippines-China shoal standoff
2 May, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The United States says it will help build the Philippines’ sea patrol capability but will not take sides in that nation’s standoff with China at a disputed shoal in the South China Sea. The top d .....
Pakistan deploys troops in Karachi to fight mounting insurgency
2 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Fighting continued into the night yesterday as more police contingents were called in to defuse the mounting insurgency by the criminals at the end of fifth consecutive day of the “Grand Operation .....
3 Chinese warships sail through Kagoshima strait
2 May, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Three Chinese Navy warships sailed through the Osumi Strait off Kagoshima Prefecture and into the Pacific, the Defence Ministry said Monday. The warships--two frigates and an intelligence-gathering s .....
US firms wary of Indonesia's new trade policy on imports
2 May, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Eight American company executives, accompanied by US Ambassador to Indonesia Scot Marciel, paid a courtesy visit to Indonesia's Industry Ministry yesterday and expressed their concern over the Trade .....
Philippines rolls out red carpet for ADB meet
2 May, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The Philippines rolls out the red carpet today for the movers and shakers of the international financial community as it plays host to the 45th annual meetings of the board of governors of the Asian D .....
Experts give poor rating to Thailand's economic solutions
2 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Economists at Thailand's leading organisations give poor scores to the government's performance in dealing with the country's economic problems, a survey has found. They gave an average score of 3.83 .....
Indonesia's unemployment increases by 1.3m every year
2 May, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) says that the number of unemployed Indonesians increases by 1.3 million every year due to the gap between available jobs and new workers. "Ther .....
Indian parties gear up to pick next president
2 May, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
A scandal-weakened Congress party is facing its biggest political test - getting its own candidate elected in presidential elections in July. While the president's post is ceremonial, it is crucial i .....
Taiwanese demand protection of labour rights
2 May, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Representatives from labour organisations from around Taiwan as well as students and foreign workers jointly held a massive labour Day demonstration in Taipei yesterday to call on the government to be .....
Taiwan legislators visit disputed island as South China Sea simmers
1 May, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
A group of lawmakers yesterday made an unannounced visit to a Taiwan-controlled island in the South China Sea for a brief inspection tour while asserting the country's claim to the region amid escalat .....
Higher living costs eat up hike in daily wage
1 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The Labour Ministry of Thailand will monitor the cost of living over the next three months to determine if any additional adjustment is needed to the minimum daily wage. From April 1, workers in seve .....
Taiwan expects inflation to rise to 1.94%
1 May, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
The Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting, and Statistics (DGBAS) of Taiwan yesterday forecast that the consumer price index (CPI) in 2012 will rise to 1.94 per cent, which is milder than expected .....
Thai PM wants Bangkok to speed up flood barriers
1 May, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has asked Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to accelerate its work to repair flood protection systems including dykes along the Chao Phraya River, accor .....
Thailand's fugitive ex-PM free to travel around the world
1 May, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was free to travel to many countries because they were aware court cases against him were politically motivated, the country's Foreign Minister Surapong T .....
Bangladesh PM for duty-free access to US market
1 May, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged the United States to allow duty and quota free access of Bangladeshi products to boost trade relations between the two countries. "Bangladeshi .....
360,777 local, overseas jobs up for grabs in Philippines
1 May, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Thousands of jobless Filipinos might get lucky today as the Department of labour and Employment (DOLE) stages job and livelihood fairs across the country. A total of 360,777 employment opportunities, .....
US urge to press Philippines on rights violations
1 May, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The Philippines’ biggest defence ally, the United States, should press Philippine officials to hold abusive military personnel accountable for rights violations, the New York-based Human Rights Watc .....
Dhaka in turmoil: Arrests, raids during mass protests
1 May, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Amid raids and arrests, senior Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leaders have gone into hiding, as the government's sudden tough stance against the opposition's continuous agitation yesterday sent pa .....
Pakistan PM told to quit or face protests
1 May, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) announced on Monday that it would launch a "protest movement" against the government, but gave no plan or a roadmap for its execution. “Comply with the Supr .....
Philippine bourse urged to go nationwide
1 May, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (Cenral Bank of the Philippines or BSP) has suggested that the Philippine Stock Exchange take the lead in putting up technological infra .....
Calculating the power of your hard-earned yuan
1 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
What's the average wage in China and how does it compare with that in other countries? It seems a straightforward question, and the answer is always officially presented as such. But the answers will .....
China to boost imports from Hungary
1 May, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China will invest more in Hungary and import more high-tech goods from the country, Vice-Premier Li Keqiang said yesterday, at the beginning of his two-day visit to the Central European country. With .....
Anwar Ibrahim denies instigating supporters
30 April, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim denied Monday that he had instigated his supporters to break through the police barriers at Dataran Merdeka on Saturday. Instead, he claimed he was trying to .....
Samsung-Apple settlement talks set for May 21-22
30 April, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Samsung Electronics confirmed Sunday that the planned CEO-level meeting between the company and Apple will take place in a San Francisco court house on May 21-22. A Samsung spokesperson contacted by .....
The North Face fined for abusing Korean retailers
30 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
South Korea's antitrust watchdog said Sunday that it has fined The North Face Korea 5.2 billion won (US$4.6 million) for pushing its sales outlets to maintain prices high with an aim to continue its p .....
Pledging scheme drives out Thai businesses
30 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The distortion of prices in the rice business in Thailand has driven a number of leading exporters to set up not only plantations but also mills and trading companies outside the Kingdom to ensure the .....
S. Korea, US to form nuke attack contingency plan
30 April, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
The South Korean and US militaries will develop operational scenarios for possible nuclear attacks by North Korea as part of their efforts to improve the ability to respond to weapons of mass destruct .....
Little cheer for workers on Labour Day
30 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Tomorrow brings Labour Day, but for 18-year-old waitress "Nok" and many of her fellow labourers in Thailand, neither the holiday nor the recent introduction of the 300 baht (US$9.7) minimum wage promi .....
Al-Qaeda 'subletting' to small groups
30 April, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
A year ago, a team of US Seals barged into Pakistan, killed Osama bin Laden and flew his body away, changing forever the reputation of Abbottabad as a nice, quiet hill resort in Pakistan. Earlier thi .....
Indonesian firms work to keep secrets safe
30 April, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Despite financial trouble, state-owned firms in the strategic industry are putting extra effort into human resource management with one objective in mind: Keeping the country’s trade and military .....
Lao authorities asked to rescue fallen holy tree
30 April, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
Laos' provincial authorities have been bombarded with requests from concerned locals to rescue a sacred manikhoth tree - a holy tree in Buddhist tradition - from being swept away by the Mekong River a .....
China-Russia trade remains robust
30 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Despite enduring a tough trade situation with developed economies such as Japan and Europe, China's trade with Russia has enjoyed robust growth, data shows. In the first quarter of this year, trade b .....
Bangladesh prepares draft of trade deal with US
30 April, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Ahead of the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's visit to Bangladesh, the government has prepared the draft of the Trade and Investment Cooperation Framework Agreement (Ticfa) that the two count .....
Pakistan provided initial lead in hunt for Osama: US
30 April, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Days before the first anniversary of Osama bin Laden’s elimination, US and Pakistani officials are saying that Pakistan, perhaps, had a greater role in helping the Americans reach the Al Qaeda chief .....
Bulgaria seeks Brunei investment in tourism
30 April, 2012
By The Brunei Times
Source: ANN
Bulgaria is seeking to lure Bruneian investment into its fast expanding tourism sector amid efforts by the European Union (EU) to establish greater trade and investment ties with the Sultanate. In an .....
Film festreels in contracts for China
30 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The second Beijing International Film Festival, which featured Hollywood director James Cameron and a week of films from 54 countries and regions, ended on the weekend with a gala concert by London's .....
Allies to form nuke attack contingency plan
30 April, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
The South Korean and US militaries will develop operational scenarios for possible nuclear attacks by North Korea as part of their efforts to improve the ability to respond to weapons of mass destruct .....
Britain goes all out to charm Asia
30 April, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
British Foreign Secretary William Hague was in town last week to deliver the second International Institute for Strategic Studies-Fullerton Lecture. His visit comes on the heels of British Prime Minis .....
Philippine president sees no war with China
30 April, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Philippine President Benigno Aquino III is not about to be flustered by the fiery language of Chinese officials. The president said Sunday he did not think China would go to war with the Philippine .....
Disney spreading its magic to Shanghai
30 April, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
The Shanghai Disney Resort at Chuansha in the eastern part of the city is scheduled to open at the end of 2015. The world-famous theme park, the third in Asia after Tokyo and Hong Kong, is one of the .....
Teachers over 40 'a problem' for Thailand's tablet plan
30 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
A major concern over the use of tablet computers in the coming school semester is the high average age of first-grade teachers in Thailand. Some 70 per cent of the 450,000 teachers in primary and seco .....
Indonesia to issue bonds in renminbi, won in 2013
30 April, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Following the success of its yen-denominated “Samurai Bonds”, the Indonesia government says it will issue bonds denominated in the currencies of China and South Korea next year. Representatives o .....
Japan-US statement to include energy ties
30 April, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
A Japan-US joint statement to be released at the close of the forthcoming summit meeting between Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and US President Barack Obama will include an accord on bilateral coopera .....
Experts see bright outlook for Chinese yuan
30 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Experts are upbeat on the outlook for the yuan in the years to come in terms of volume of transactions in global foreign-exchange markets and the unit's prospects as a reserve currency after the Chine .....
Two million Malaysians unaware they are diabetic
30 April, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
More than two million Malaysians are unaware that they are diabetic, said Deputy Health Minister Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin. This is because they have not had regular medical check-ups. “A study .....
Thailand plans to restore peace in South, PM says
30 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said during her trip to the restive South yesterday the government would integrate all strategic plans to restore peace in accordance with His Majesty the King' .....
4 Korean civil servants injured by Chinese fishermen
30 April, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Four South Korean civil servants were injured in an attack by Chinese fishermen illegally operating off the coast of South Jeolla Province on Monday. According to the local authorities, four civil se .....
Car-makers play on nostalgia
30 April, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Automakers are catering to the nostalgia of drivers by reviving old models or releasing new cars with names similar to those of famous old models, but with greater fuel efficiency and comfort. Nissan .....
Carmakers play on nostalgia
30 April, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Automakers are catering to the nostalgia of drivers by reviving old models or releasing new cars with names similar to those of famous old models, but with greater fuel efficiency and comfort. Nissan .....
Thousands of Indonesians to stage May Day rallies
30 April, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Labour unions in different cities across Indonesia have pledged to stage massive rallies in different places on May Day, which falls on Tuesday. Bekasi-based labour activist Obon Tabroni confirmed ye .....
Chinese, Russian governments to deepen ties
30 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Chinese Vice-Premier Li Keqiang yesterday called for Chinese and Russian local governments to increase cooperation and investments, an important step to deepen ties in key areas. Li made the remark w .....
4 vehicles torched as violence spreads in Dhaka
29 April, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Four vehicles were torched in different parts of the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka yesterday on the eve of two back-to-back shutdowns called by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-led 18-party allia .....
Mekong Delta targets annual 12% growth over next decade
29 April, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
The Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta region targets annual economic growth of 12 per cent through 2020, hoping to raise per capita income to 70 million dong (US$3,350) per year, according to the Southwest Regi .....
National exams’ Butterfly effect
29 April, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Schools nowadays absorb much of students’ time. With national exams waiting for them in their senior years, they have to sit longer hours at school and undertake extra classes. Some schools give .....
Tycoons urge Taiwan to reconsider stock gains tax
29 April, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Taiwan's business heavyweights yesterday called on the government to think more about how and when to impose the stock gains tax. Terry Guo, chairman of Hon Hai and Foxconn Groups, said that it's re .....
US may sell Taiwan new fighter jets
29 April, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
A lawmaker yesterday suggested the government look into reports that the United States is considering selling new fighter aircraft to Taiwan. The military might as well explore the possibility of su .....
Former Thai PM Thaksin back in UK, eyeing US
29 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Fugitive former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra arrived in the United Kingdom on Friday night and would stay in that country for about a week, his spokesman said yesterday. Noppadon Pattama, f .....
Outlet centres buoyant in China
29 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Buoyed by China's growing middle class and people's desire for a modern lifestyle, property developers are leaving no stone unturned to cash in on the outlet industry. According to media reports, mor .....
Chinese school bans campus romance
29 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
A middle school in East China has issued a controversial list of rules aimed at preventing puppy love among its students. In a recent notice, Yueqing Yucai School banned youngsters of the opposite se .....
Activist's escape may prove tricky for US-China talks
29 April, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
China and the United States look set for their most awkward talks during an annual top-level meeting this week, now that a famous blind legal activist is believed to be under American protection here. .....
388 arrested as Kuala Lumpur protest turns ugly
29 April, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Tear-gas clouded downtown Kuala Lumpur yesterday as protesters stormed police barricades during a massive rally. Riot police fired tear gas canisters and turned chemical-laced water on crowds estimat .....
Samsung Electronics posts record profits
28 April, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Samsung Electronics saw its first-quarter earnings hit an all-time high thanks to brisk global sales of smartphones, the company said yesterday. The Korean tech manufacturing giant said that its oper .....
Food from parts of Japan still banned
28 April, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Singapore continues to ban food imports from eight Japanese prefectures more than a year after a tsunami and earthquake caused a nuclear disaster, even as Japan has placed stricter safety limits on fo .....
Chinese firm sold 8 military vehicles to N. Korea: report
28 April, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
A Chinese firm reportedly sold eight military vehicles to North Korea last May in an apparent violation of a UN Security Council resolution banning arms transactions with the impoverished state. Citi .....
Philippine President rating dips in new poll
28 April, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Public satisfaction with the performance of the Philippine President Benigno Aquino III has slipped from a “very good” net score of plus-56 in December to a “good” net score of plus 46 in Marc .....
Philippine Airlines eyes 100 new planes to beef up fleet
28 April, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Philippine Airlines (PAL) plans to acquire up to 100 new aircraft over the next five years, marking its most aggressive refleeting effort since the mid-1990s, according to the flag carrier’s new pre .....
UN approves Philippine territorial claim to Benham Rise
28 April, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The United Nations has approved the Philippines’ territorial claim to Benham Rise, an undersea landmass in the Pacific Ocean potentially rich in mineral and natural gas deposits, Environment Secreta .....
Food from parts of Japan still banned
28 April, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Singapore continues to ban food imports from eight Japanese prefectures more than a year after a tsunami and earthquake caused a nuclear disaster, even as Japan has placed stricter safety limits on fo .....
Govt optimistic about Sino-S'pore food zone
28 April, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
The Singapore government is optimistic about a massive food zone to be built here with local authorities, said visiting Minister of State for National Development Lee Yi Shyan. But the project, which .....
Taiwan blocks US beef ban
28 April, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Taiwan's legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng cast a key vote against the opposing parties' proposal to block off US beef imports altogether, after the opposing parties won the first round of voting by m .....
China attracts more talents back home
28 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
More than 2,000 professionals have returned to China in the past three years through the Thousand Talent Programme, Chinese Central government's initiative to attract experts from overseas. At a meet .....
China-Russia relations reach new heights
28 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Cooperation between China and Russia has huge potential, Vice-Premier Li Keqiang said in Moscow yesterday. "The China-Russia all-around strategic partnership is unprecedented at the moment, and I bel .....
Laos wilts as temperatures soar
27 April, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
The mercury hit 39°C in Vientiane yesterday, recorded as the hottest day this year, according to the Meteorology and Hydrology Department. The department forecasts that temperatures in the capital c .....
Ex-president from EU nation to attend Ma Ying-jeou's inauguration
27 April, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
A former president of a European country will attend Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou's second-term inauguration next month, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said yesterday. But James Lee, directo .....
Philippine president's kin back ruling on land dispute
27 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Philippine President Benigno Aquino III’s family yesterday said it would cooperate with the government in the immediate distribution of its sprawling Hacienda Luisita to its workers as a “glowin .....
Glimpse into governing organs in North Korea
27 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
As Kim Jong-un takes power in North Korea, the world gets a glimpse of the kind of structure that the hermit kingdom has. Here are the different bodies that rule it out in the North. Workers’ Party .....
More workers laid off last year, but job market grew
27 April, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Although more workers were laid off last year, the job market also grew, bringing the proportion of employees who lost their jobs to an all-time low. Some 9,990 workers were given the pink slip, up s .....
Cambodia garment sector fears competition from Myanmar
27 April, 2012
By Rasmei Kampuchea Daily
Source: ANN
The lifting of EU sanctions against Myanmar is bound to have an impact on the Cambodian garment sector, Cambodia Sin Chew Daily reported yestereday. The European Union announced earlier this week th .....
Thai parents worry about school costs
27 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Parents are having to pay more for their children’s student uniforms, meals, transportation and textbooks, while some also have to pay "tea money" of as much as 400,000 baht (US$12,970), according t .....
Bofors gun scam rocks Indian parliament
27 April, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
The nearly 25-year-old Bofors gun scam yesterday again rocked the Indian parliament as, armed with fresh ammunition, an aggressive opposition disrupted both Houses, alleging a “cover-up” and dem .....
Thai workers 'unable to pay bills' despite pay rise
27 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Despite the increase in the daily minimum wage to 300 baht (US$9.7), blue-collar workers' debts have risen this year due to the effects of last year's floods and the rising cost of living, according t .....
EU's lifting of sanctions in Myanmar hailed
27 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
The recent announcement of the European Union to suspend part of the sanctions against Myanmar was hoped to augur well in transforming the country. In an interview with The Brunei Times yesterday, v .....
India to simplify visa for Bangladeshi businessmen
27 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Indian High Commissioner Pankaj Saran yesterday assured Bangladeshi businesspeople of simplifying multiple visas. Saran also said India would take steps to remove barriers to minimise the trade gap b .....
Thaksin flying to England for soccer
27 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is scheduled to return to England for the first time since 2008 to watch Monday's crucial soccer game between Manchester United and Manchester City, his l .....
Asean+3, ADB launch guide on cross-border bond market
27 April, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The Asean+3 Bond Market Forum (ABMF), in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), has published the first bond-market guide, which aims to encourage more cross-border bond issuance and inv .....
Chinese Vice-Premier starts European mission
27 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Business opportunities will emerge from the economic development of China and Russia and both countries will benefit from increasing prosperity and global influence, Chinese Vice-Premier Li Keqiang sa .....
Vietnam approves Asean+3 emergency rice reserve agreement
27 April, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Vietnam Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh approved the Asean+3 Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR) agreement yesterday, which the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will implement. Under the A .....
Taiwan's quick switch to energy-saving products
27 April, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
It's lights off when not in use or a NT$10 fine in Wu Chia-pei's household, in anticipation of higher electricity fees next month. The stay-at-home mother has also traded in her old refrigerator and .....
Osama’s family to leave Pakistan tonight
27 April, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Osama bin Laden’s family is expected to be deported from Pakistan on Thursday, 11 months after the US raid that killed the al Qaeda chief in Abbottabad, official sources told DawnNews. A special ch .....
China to promote traditional medicine overseas
27 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China will build 10 traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) trading centers worldwide by 2015 to develop TCM services in Southeast Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North America. The State Council Inform .....
Top Philippine firm invests in infrastructure in Vietnam
27 April, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The Philippines' Ayala group has strengthened its foothold in Vietnam, one of Southeast Asia’s rising stars, with the acquisition of a significant minority interest in a leading infrastructure compa .....
Pakistan's PM convicted of contempt of court
27 April, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Pakistan's Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday was convicted of contempt of court and sentenced until the rising of the court, DawnNews reported. A seven-judge bench of the court, headed by .....
Court finds Ichiro Ozawa not guilty
27 April, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
The Tokyo District Court found former Democratic Party of Japan President Ichiro Ozawa not guilty on Thursday over his alleged involvement in irregularities concerning his political funds management g .....
Indonesia's competitiveness on the decline
27 April, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The 2012 National Development Planning Conference (Musrenbangnas) held in Jakarta yesterday revealed that the government still had a lot of homework to do to achieve its economic goals. National D .....
China vows to double trade in Europe
27 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China vowed yesterday to double its trade with Central and Eastern European countries to US$100 billion by 2015, as Premier Wen Jiabao reassured leaders in the region that Beijing would deepen relatio .....
China's military vows to protect territory
27 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China's armed forces have vowed to "fulfill their duty" to safeguard the country's territory in the South China Sea, a Defence Ministry spokesman said on Thursday. "China's military forces will colla .....
16th day: 2 Philippine vessels, 2 China ships still at shoal
27 April, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Two Philippine vessels and two Chinese maritime surveillance ships were in the cluster of reefs and islands 220 kilometres west of Zambales on the 16th day of a standoff between Manila and Beijing ove .....
Thaksin flying to England for Manchester derby
27 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is scheduled to return to England for the first time since 2008 to watch Monday's crucial soccer game between Manchester United and Manchester City, his l .....
India launches 'eye in the sky' satellite
27 April, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
A week after launching a long-range missile capable of hitting much of Europe and Asia, India successfully put into space a spy satellite that can keep a close watch on Indian soil even during cloudy .....
Bali to host Miss World pageant next year
26 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Indonesia will host Miss World pageant, one of the oldest major international beauty pageants in the world, next year. Bali Governor I Made Mangku Pastika says Denpasar will be the host for the event .....
Emergency status to continue for Mt Lokon
26 April, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Indonesian authorities will not lift the emergency status of volcano that erupted in Tomohon, North Sulawesi, on Tuesday in the next month, a local official says. Tomohon’s acting mayor, Jimmy Eman .....
Face of India's Congress party falls from grace
26 April, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Abhishek Manu Singhvi, 53, was once the most visible face of the ruling Congress party. He would hold media briefings for his party at 4pm and then proceed to television studios to debate the topic o .....
Japan set for more energy-saving efforts
26 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
The famously buttoned-up Japanese office worker may be back to wearing polo shirts and shorts this summer. With the last of Japan's 50 nuclear reactors due to close for maintenance on May 5, and none .....
Philippines to push for Asean integration plans in ADB meet
26 April, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The Philippines will push for the speedy implementation of plans to integrate the financial systems of and strengthen ties among Southeast Asian countries during the annual meeting of the Asian Develo .....
Air travel soars on back of budget airlines’ growth
26 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Low-cost carriers (LCCs) were behind nearly all of the growth in the Philippine air travel sector over the last five years, Gokongwei-led Cebu Pacific said on Thursday. At the Brunei Darussalam-Indon .....
Japan's ruling party ex-chief not guilty over shady land deal
26 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
The Tokyo District Court found former Democratic Party of Japan President Ichiro Ozawa not guilty Thursday over his alleged involvement in a shady land deal by his political funds management group, Ri .....
Philippine govt to replace autonomous region
26 April, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have agreed to create a new autonomous political entity to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), moving closer .....
Pakistan stops flag carrier's faulty planes from flying
26 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has prevented three PIA aircraft — two Boeing 77s and one 737-300 — from operating after finding faults in them during checks. According to CAA’s Public Relat .....
HK gives green light to Chinese mainland wives
26 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The controversy surrounding "double negative" babies took a new twist yesterday, with the Hong Kong government agreeing to allow mainland women married to Hong Kong people to give birth at some local .....
Seoul asks UN to add N. Korea entities to sanctions list
26 April, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
South Korea has asked the UN Security Council to add more than 10 North Korean entities to its sanctions list, a senior government official said. The move comes after the 15-member Security Council o .....
High temperatures in Thailand set off fires underground
26 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thai officials yesterday rushed to examine a spot in northern Thailand where fire has reportedly been raging underground. The fire in Phitsanulok's Nakhon Thai district has also reportedly burned four .....
Changi pulls in 4.3 million travellers
26 April, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Singapore's Changi Airport handled 4.28 million passengers last month, making it the busiest March it has had in 31 years. That number of passengers was 15.3 per cent higher than that for March last .....
Bo Xilai's son defends lifestyle and grades
26 April, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
He did not drive a Ferrari, his academic grades were not poor and his expensive overseas education was not funded by illicit money. Bo Guagua, son of deposed Chinese leader Bo Xilai, put up an unexpe .....
At disputed shoal, Filipinos fish, laugh, eat, drink with foreign fisherfolks
26 April, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
In a place 12 hours away by motorised outrigger from this town’s coastline, which locals call “Karburo”, fishermen from the Philippines, China, Vietnam and Taiwan peacefully coexist and share th .....
Social media a big opportunity in China
26 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China has the largest and most active population of social media users, and that has created unique opportunities for companies hoping to engage with a vast and increasingly affluent market, a new McK .....
China to offer more 'green cards'
26 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
More permanent residency permits, often referred to as "green cards", easier visa-free entry and greater incentives to attract foreign expertise, are some of the measures that China will adopted to ma .....
China's new credit card users drowning in debt
26 April, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Wei Kai, a bartender, racked up a total of 30,000 yuan (US$4,700) on six different credit cards in the space of two months last year. "It's the first time I am in debt. I did not know there was such .....
Toshiba drops plans to bid on Elpida
26 April, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Toshiba Corp. will not join the second round of bidding that will decide which company will support the corporate rehabilitation of chipmaker Elpida Memory Inc., it has been learned. This leaves only .....
N. Korea’s new power structure takes shape
26 April, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
For North Korea’s Kim Jong-un, this month was the toughest, yet most rewarding on his path to power. The fledgling leader officially took the helm of the Workers’ Party and the National Defence C .....
Vietnam leader receives Singapore president
25 April, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Vietnam's Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong said Singaporean President Tony Keng Yam's decision to choose Vietnam as his first foreign visit after taking office was a vivid manifestation of the .....
Vietnam leader receives Singapore President
25 April, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Vietnam's Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong said Singaporean President Tony Keng Yam's decision to choose Vietnam as his first foreign visit after taking office was a vivid manifestation of the .....
Call to establish flood risk zone in Pakistan
25 April, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Given that drastic climate change is inevitable, the only way to lessen its impact is to prepare ourselves and adapt to it in the best possible manner. In this regard, a city-specific roadmap was dis .....
Philippine gov’t urges calm amid Scarborough-related hack attacks
25 April, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The Philippine government has warned Filipino techies against defacing Chinese websites amid tensions over the disputed Scarborough Shoal off the coast of Zambales, which both Manila and Beijing are c .....
Forest fires raging across Nepal
25 April, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Nepal yesterday saw the highest incidents of forest fires so far this year. The satellite images released by the US-based National Aeron-autics and Space Administration (NASA) showed today active fir .....
Vietnam may cut value added tax by 50%
25 April, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Vietnam's Ministry of Finance will likely recommend a proposal to slash the value added tax (VAT) by 50 per cent in a move to support businesses during the economic slowdown, said finance minister Vuo .....
Vietnam Party leader receives Singapore President
25 April, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Vietnam's Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong said Singaporean President Tony Keng Yam's decision to choose Vietnam as his first foreign visit after taking office was a vivid manifestation of the .....
Carmakers strive to increase sales in China
25 April, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Global carmakers including Korean players are competing to increase their market share in China, the world’s largest automobile market. In the past several years, China has overtaken the Untied Sta .....
Chinese industry sees marketable opportunities
25 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Leading Chinese industrial firms see this year's Hannover Messe as a great opportunity to showcase their innovations and new technologies, and are seeking chances to find overseas cooperation in susta .....
Volkswagen inks China deal
25 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Auto giant Volkswagen yesterday sealed a deal to build a new factory in China - where it plans to invest 14 billion euros (US$18 billion) in five years - as visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Ger .....
Malaysia's Maybank looks to Thailand
25 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Maybank, the largest bank in Malaysia, expects to tap into Thailand's banking sector by 2015, which is in line with its target to become a regional leader in the financial sector in three years. "We .....
Asia's wealth managers optimistic about region
25 April, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Leading fund managers from the region are optimistic about the months ahead but say the changing regulatory environment looms as their biggest challenge, according to a new survey. As well as new rul .....
Vietnam's inflation rises 0.05%, lowest in 5 years
25 April, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Vietnam's consumer price index (CPI) this month showed the lowest April increase in five years, the General Statistics Office said yesterday. In April, the CPI had a month-on-month increase of 0.05 p .....
Trade deficit up, export share in GDP down in Nepal
25 April, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Eight years after Nepal’s accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the country’s trade deficit has increased four folds and the share of export in GDP decreased to 5 per cent from 10 per c .....
Samsung chief hits back at siblings over inheritance suit
25 April, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Samsung Electronics chairman Lee Kun-hee counter-attacked his siblings who had described him as a greedy man ahead of a court duel over inheritance. Meeting reporters at the company’s office in sou .....
Time 'ripe' for talks on China-Japan-Korea free trade
25 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The time is ripe for establishing a Free Trade Area among China, Japan and South Korea but various uncertainties have delayed talks about that possibility from starting, officials and experts said yes .....
Asia needs income equality strategies
25 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Asian governments should invest more in human capital, end inefficient general subsidies and reform their tax bases as urgent steps to tackle rising income inequality, the Income equality strategiesn .....
Malaria still endemic to Philippines, 9 other countries
25 April, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The World Health Organisation urged member-countries on Tuesday to beef up “proven and cost-effective” measures to fight malaria, noting that the disease was still endemic to the Philippines and n .....
Lawmakers' sex video rocks Indonesian parliament
25 April, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Indonesia's House of Representatives has again been rocked by scandal after a video appeared on the Internet reportedly showing two Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) lawmakers having sex .....
China newspaper warns of 'small-scale war' with Philippines
25 April, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
One of China’s most popular newspapers has warned of a potential “small-scale war” between Beijing and Manila as a result of their standoff at Panatag Shoal, or Scarborough Shoal as the area is .....
Killers of Binus student sentenced to life imprisonment
25 April, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Yusni Chandra burst into tears yesterday as judges at the West Jakarta District Court handed out life sentences to the four men who raped and murdered her only child on a public minivan. Yusni said t .....
Top Chinese official probed over Bo Xilai links
25 April, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
The Chinese Communist Party's discipline committee has launched an investigation into its ninth-highest official over his relationship with the former chief of the party's Chongqing branch, Bo Xilai, .....
Top Chinese official probed over Bo links
25 April, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
The Chinese Communist Party's discipline committee has launched an investigation into its ninth-highest official over his relationship with the former chief of the party's Chongqing branch, Bo Xilai, .....
Seoul on alert over Pyongyang's threat of attacks
25 April, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
South Korea is on high alert over Pyongyang’s latest threat of “special military actions” against the presidential office and media organizations which experts believe may not be empty words. .....
Tablets 'could take nearly 3 years' to reach Thai students
25 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thai students will likely have to wait longer than expected for their promised computer tablets, as the China-based provider can only produce around 1,000 per day, not 20,000 as it told Thai authoriti .....
Beijing won’t go to court over shoal, says Chinese embassy
25 April, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
China’s decision not to join the Philippines in bringing the Scarborough Shoal dispute to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Seas (Itlos) is final, according to the Chinese Embassy in Mani .....
Sino-Russian drills enter live-fire stage
25 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
A fleet of Chinese and Russian navies, with three warships from each side, arrived at a joint drill area yesterday to conduct live-fire exercises, a move to ensure both sides' maritime interests by ta .....
China considers work visa proposals
25 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
A new visa category has been proposed in China, in a draft law by the top legislature, to streamline the hiring procedures for international talent and to centralise records of foreigners. The second .....
Indonesia summons Malaysia envoy over killing of 3 workers
25 April, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Indonesia yesterday summoned the Malaysian ambassador over the killing of three of its citizens in Port Dickson a month ago. The Malaysian police said the men were shot after they had attacked them, .....
Asean-US ties 'benefit the most from Myanmar reforms'
25 April, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Asean's relations with America stand to benefit the most from Myanmar's opening up, Singapore ambassador to the United States Chan Heng Chee said. Referring to the historic by-elections in Myanmar on .....
Thai MPs 'voted for absent colleagues'
25 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
A new scandal broke in Thailand's parliament yesterday as MPs from a large political party were accused of using their colleagues' electronic ID cards to vote during the charter amendment debate. "It .....
Chinese president urges negotiations to end border clashes in Sudan
25 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Chinese President Hu Jintao on Tuesday called for calm and restraint between Sudan and South Sudan during a meeting in Beijing with South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit. Beijing is unlikely to t .....
S. China Sea - the next big power playground
25 April, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Despite strenuous efforts by China to keep other global powers out of the South China Sea, recent movements suggest that Beijing has failed. The United States, whom China is most keen to block, has b .....
Chinese hackers attack Philippine presidential websites
24 April, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Chinese hackers were at it again, and this time they attacked the Philippines' presidential websites. Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda on Monday said that at 4pm on Sunday, the Presidential C .....
Asian countries address lasting bird flu threat
24 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Experts from countries hit hardest with the H5N1 virus have arrived in Ho Chi Minh City to discuss ways to prevent and control avian influenza amid continuing outbreaks. The three-day conference tha .....
Metro Manila now an ‘urban heat island’
24 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Temperatures in Metro Manila are hitting the mid-30s, and if you find that too hot for you, blame it on the fast urbanisation of the metropolis. Urbanisation has distorted the heat balance in Metro M .....
Nepali police detains 7 lawmakers, including former ministers
24 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Nepali police today detained seven lawmakers including former State Minister for Home Affairs Rijwan Ansari and former State Minister Hakimullah Khan for picketing District Administration Office in Ka .....
Indonesia to phase in subsidised-fuel limits
24 April, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The Indonesian government will gradually ban subsidised fuel use for cars with engines larger than 1,500 cubic centimetres starting later this year, a top official says. The ban would cover governmen .....
Thai ruling party shrugs off poll defeat
24 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
The Pheu Thai Party is playing down its defeat to the Democrats in the weekend by-election in Pathum Thani, saying the loss doesn't mean the ruling party's popularity is fading. Voter turnout was jus .....
Bangladesh violence leaves 2 dead
24 April, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Two people were killed and at least 50 including 10 policemen injured in fierce clashes between pro-hartal pickets and law enforcers at Bishwanath upazila headquarters in Sylhet, a major city in north .....
Philippine president slams media for inaccurate, negative reporting
24 April, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Philippine President Benigno Aquino III on Monday slammed the media for inaccurate and negative news reports, saying that these affected the image of the country before the global community. Speaking .....
Laos-Vietnam road link fails to meet schedule
24 April, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
Construction of the 212 km road linking Laos' Xekong province to the Vietnamese border has been delayed and will not be finished by the 2013 schedule, according to a project official. Work on the pro .....
Laos appreciates Mekong-Japan cooperation
24 April, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
Laos attaches great importance to Mekong-Japan cooperation, particularly in the area of infrastructure and human resource development, which contribute to the socio-economic development of Laos. Lao .....
Pakistani president for targeted action against criminals in Karachi
24 April, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari ordered indiscriminate targeted action against criminals on Monday and said that the menace of lawlessness and target killings in Karachi could be eradicated only .....
Indians' love for gold puts govt in a spot
24 April, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
From the way Indian policymakers are reacting to the increasingly important role that gold is beginning to play in the economy, it appears that they are starting to view 'the barbaric metal' - as econ .....
Chinese most popular foreign language for Thai students
24 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Chinese has become the most popular foreign language among Thai students, according to a top education official. Almost 300,000 students at 700 schools administered by the Office of the Basic Educati .....
Tablet deal fails, Thai ministry prepares textbooks
24 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The Education Ministry of Thailand is now preparing for what could be called Plan B - to hand out textbooks to Prathom 1 (Grade 1) students, because it has become apparent computer tablets will not re .....
N. Korean military warns of ‘special actions soon’
24 April, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
North Korea’s military on Monday threatened to take “special actions soon” against the Seoul government and conservative media in response of President Lee Myung-bak’s criticism of the communi .....
Philippine president insists jurisdiction over disputed waters
24 April, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
On the 13th day of a standoff with Chinese vessels off Zambales province, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) sent a craft to join a Philippine Coast Guard search and rescue ship at .....
No-show by Suu Kyi's party at oath-taking
24 April, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Myanmar President Thein Sein yesterday appeared to rule out any change to an oath that Members of Parliament have to take before assuming their seats, deepening a deadlock with newly elected members o .....
Taiwan to relax foreign worker restrictions
24 April, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Jeremy Lin, the first American-born NBA player of Taiwanese descent, can return to Taiwan any time to engage in basketball-related work in his capacity as an “excellent basketball player”, under t .....
EU shelves Myanmar sanctions for a year
24 April, 2012
By Asia News Network
Source: ANN
The European Union has suspended its sanctions against Myanmar for a year but embargo on arms sales will remain, reports quoting officials say, The lifting of sanctions follow April 1's by-elections .....
Guns, explosives seized in China crackdown
24 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Police across South China's Guangdong province have seized more than 700 guns, 20,000 replica weapons, 500,000 bullets, and 6,000 knives in a campaign from March 1 to April 15 targeting gun-related cr .....
Clean air on the horizon for Vientiane
23 April, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
Clean air is a prerequisite for a good quality of life for humans, animals and plants, and helps to prevent damage to the soil and buildings. With this in mind, Vientiane Public Works and Transport D .....
Parties poles apart on judiciary, citizenship in Nepal
23 April, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Nepal's four major political forces failed to reach an agreement on less disputed constitutional issues like judiciary and citizenship provisions, triggering a blame game ahead of the expiry of the de .....
Chinese PM visits Germany
23 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao started his sixth trip to Germany yesterday, a visit that will enhance the strategic partnership with Europe's largest economy and reaffirm China's contribution to measures .....
Indonesia urged to deal with sectarian assaults
23 April, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Indonesian police are currently investigating violent acts in two separate areas motivated by different views of practicing Islam, the country’s predominant religion, with religious observers blamin .....
Japan plays crucial role in Mekong
23 April, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has confirmed Vietnam's support for Mekong-Japan Cooperation and the role it played in the prosperity, stability and development of the Mekong region and East .....
Soaring gasoline prices make drivers reconsider
23 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
With a heart for racing, Chinese resident Yang Liguang enjoys the moment when he overtakes other cars on the road. But after the fuel prices rose again in March, he has begun having second thoughts ev .....
Black money 'too tough to control' in Bangladesh
23 April, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Bangladesh's Finance minister and the Finance secretary yesterday blamed the democratic system of government for the compromise over whitening black money (untaxed money) that is too tough to contro .....
Thailand seeks more cash to fight smog
23 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry of Thailand will today request Cabinet approval for 20 million baht (US$647,249) to hire 1,000 more workers to bring the raging northern smog under contr .....
Private petrol kiosks in China 'dying out'
23 April, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Even as China pledges anew to rein in state capitalism, private enterprises in a key sector are said to be collapsing under the weight of the mighty state monopoly. Private petrol kiosks, which one G .....
Hackers bring Philippines-China dispute to cyberspace
23 April, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Outnumbered in terms of warships, warplanes and ground troops, the Philippines wants no war with China even in cyberspace. After hackers from both sides defaced each other’s websites, dramatising t .....
UN approves Syria monitors
23 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on Saturday that authorises an initial deployment of up to 300 unarmed military observers to Syria for three months to monitor a fragile week-o .....
India tells G-20 to work out economic recovery plan
23 April, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
India has called upon G-20 nations, the world's top economies, to work out a "credible and ambitious" action plan to put the global economy firmly on the path of recovery as also promote strong, susta .....
Sea dispute heats up in cyberspace
23 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Chinese and Filipino hackers "exchanged fire" in cyberspace over the weekend, adding to the two countries' recent tensions over disputes in the South China Sea. GMA News Online reported that Filipino .....
Pakistan grounds private planes pending inspection
23 April, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Pakistani defence minister Ahmed Mukhtar has ordered all private airline planes to be grounded, saying that they can only fly after technical inspection. The government has also decided to ground all .....
N. Korea nuke test hinges on politics, says Seoul
23 April, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
North Korea would consider political ramifications rather than technical issues should it decide to conduct another nuclear test, a senior Cheong Wa Dae official said Sunday. “Whether to conduct a .....
Scarborough belongs to Philippines, old maps show
23 April, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Old maps dating back to Spanish colonial times may hold the key to the claim of the Philippines to Scarborough Shoal. Known as “Bajo Scarburo”, the shoal now called Panatag by the Department of F .....
Growing anger over toll fees in India
23 April, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Young tollbooth attendant Umesh Kant Pandey was only doing his job when he asked motorist Vijay Veer Yadav to pay a toll of 27 rupees (about 50 US cents) in September last year. Minutes later, he was .....
Jetstar to intensify aviation battle
23 April, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
With Jetstar Japan launching services this summer, competition among it and the nation's two other low-cost carriers and major airlines is likely to be intense. Jetstar Japan, backed by Japan Airline .....
Pakistan orders probe on plane crash
22 April, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
The Pakistani government constituted a three-member judicial commission on Saturday to probe the plane crash that killed 127 people the previous day. The Karachi-Islamabad flight of the Bhoja Air had .....
Floods force evacuations in Krabi
22 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Twenty families fled their homes in Krabi's Muang district in Thailand yesterday as two tambon were hit by forest run-off water after a night of heavy downpours. Some 20 rescue workers and police off .....
Panel predicts 35-metre tsunami may hit Hokkaido
22 April, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Hokkaido's Pacific coast may be hit by tsunami as high as 35 metres if a massive earthquake strikes near Hokkaido, according to an interim report by an expert panel at the Hokkaido Disaster Management .....
Take a stand on territorial claims, Philippines tells Asean
22 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
The Philippines has asked the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to take a stand on its dispute with China over territorial claims to Scarborough Shoal (Panatag Shoal) and on other Chinese .....
Reconciliation meant to 'absolve Thaksin'
21 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The Thai government is preaching reconciliation, but that is just a smokescreen for whitewashing fugitive ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra and it will lead to deeper divisions, Democrat Party leader Abhisit V .....
Samsung pushes ahead with Apple patent suits
21 April, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Samsung Electronics said Friday it filed another suit against its rival Apple Inc. at a Californian court this week, requesting that the US firm stop selling the new iPad, Mac laptop and Apple TV. Th .....
Chinese ex-tycoon sidesteps death sentence
21 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China's Supreme People's Court on Friday rejected the death sentence for millionaire Wu Ying, in what experts described as a possible turnaround in the Chinese justice system's attitude toward private .....
No survivors from Pakistan plane crash
21 April, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
The calm of Friday evening in Pakistan's capital was shattered by a plane crash and the news of 127 deaths, less than two years after a similar tragedy in the city. The weather once again was seen as .....
N. Korea vows to continue ‘space programme’
21 April, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Despite UN Security Council condemnations, North Korea said it will continue launching satellites under its space programme that outsiders see as a pretext to test long-range missiles. The North Kore .....
Ma Ying-jeou's stopover in India 'a diplomatic breakthrough'
21 April, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou challenged leaders in Africa to sit-up duels and other sporting contests during his first visit to the continent as Taiwan's leader but it was a two-hour refuelling stop .....
Japan's trade deficit likely to grow
21 April, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Japan's trade deficit, which hit a record 4.41 trillion yen (US$54 billion) in fiscal 2011, is expected to grow if idled nuclear power plants are not restarted, as liquefied natural gas imports for th .....
Plane crash near Islamabad kills 127
21 April, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
A Bhoja Airline passenger plane crashed Friday near the Chaklala airbase near Islamabad due to bad weather, killing all 127 people on-board, Pakistan's Defence Ministry announced. Private television .....
Philippines not intimidated by China
21 April, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The Philippines will not be cowed by China’s deploying a large patrol vessel to Panatag Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, Malacañang said on Friday. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) sees th .....
Asean, China to become top trade partners
20 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
The members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will together become China's top trading partners within the next three years, a trade organisation predicted on April 18. During that time, .....
Thai PM ends China tour, leaves for Japan
20 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday wrapped up her visit to China with a lesson from the country's flood-management centre on how to handle inundations and droughts, followed by a trip o .....
Sri Lanka warns of possible landslides
20 April, 2012
By The Island
Source: ANN
Sri Lanka's National Buildings Research Organisation has alerted the public living in landslide-prone areas of the Southern and Central regions to be vigilant in view of the inclement weather being ex .....
Sri Lanka warns possibility of landslides
20 April, 2012
By The Island
Source: ANN
Sri Lanka's National Buildings Research Organisation has alerted the public living in landslide-prone areas of the Southern and Central regions to be vigilant in view of the inclement weather being ex .....
Thailand's prize-winning teacher admits to plagiarism
20 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
A teacher from Suphan Buri, a central province of Thailand, has been stripped of a Thailand Innovative Teachers Leadership Award after confessing that his prizewinning software project was stolen from .....
Wave of quake concern spreads across Thailand
20 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
The recent quakes in the southern Thai island Phuket sparked concerns across Thailand over potential future disasters. Discussions on earthquake emergencyresponse and disaster-prevention plans have s .....
Vietnam business confidence dips
20 April, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Vietnam's business confidence slumped in the first quarter despite a sharp reduction in the trade deficit, according to a report by auditing and consulting firm Grant Thornton. The confidence rate fe .....
Medical reform faces challenges in China
20 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
China's new medical reform plan re-emphasises encouragement of private investment in the medical care industry, though insiders and experts doubt whether the policies can be thoroughly implemented. T .....
Campus turns into battlefield in Nepal
20 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
A minor debate between the student unions affiliated to Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal turned violent at Pashupati Campus in Kathmandu yesterday. Around a half dozen student leaders .....
Software firm sees record sales in China
20 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software Pte Ltd said it had a record amount of sales in China last year, as Chinese manufacturing companies are on their way to becoming more innovative and effic .....
Korean military unveils strategic missiles
20 April, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
The South Korean military on Thursday unveiled two indigenous strategic missiles in a show of force against North Korea, which has increased its military threats through its ongoing pursuit of long- .....
Pakistan, US explore joint ownership of drone attacks
20 April, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Pakistan and the United States have begun exploring various options for joint ownership of drone attacks against militant targets in the tribal belt after the US flatly refused to stop the predator st .....
Memorial service held for slain students
20 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Students at the University of Southern California wept with the parents of Wu Ying and Qu Ming when photographs of the two - showing them standing with friends in front of the Golden Gate Bridge, and .....
Chinese captain gets 30 years for murder of Korean Coast Guard
20 April, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
The captain of an illegal Chinese fishing boat was sentenced to 30 years in prison and fined 20 million won (about US$18,000) on Thursday for murdering a Korean Coast Guard. Incheon District Court ha .....
Sharia bylaws in Indonesia could spark conflict
20 April, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Sharia bylaws drafted and implemented by several local administrations in Indoneisa could be a "time bomb" with the potential to trigger social conflicts in mixed communities, according to scholars. .....
Terrorism has no borders, Asean told
20 April, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Asean must realise that acts of terrorism are borderless and terror networks cover several countries, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said. He said the grouping also faced a host of .....
Trade deficit raises concern for Indian economy
20 April, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
India’s exports grew by 21 per cent to US$303.7 billion in 2011-12, while imports jumped by 32.1 per cent to $488.6 billion, leaving a trade deficit of $184.9 billion, the “highest” so far. "T .....
Thailand's auto output back in top gear
20 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Five months after the disruption from severe floods that hit Thailand in October, automotive production is gaining strength, hitting a record monthly output of 190,936 units in March. "The production .....
N. Korea threatens ‘retaliation war’ against South
20 April, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
North Korea on Thursday threatened to wage a “retaliation war” against South Korea if Seoul does not apologise for allegedly “defaming” the North’s recent celebrations of the birth of founde .....
Sea level near Korea's Jeju Island rises sharply
20 April, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
The sea level near Jeju Island has risen at a pace faster than the global average, data showed on Thursday. The Korea Hydrographic and Oceanographic Administration said the mean sea level surroundin .....
Thailand's ambitious tablet project in jeopardy
20 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The Pheu Thai government's ambitious but troubled plan to hand out computer tablets to nearly a million schoolchildren is in danger of collapsing because the Chinese suppliers are reportedly putting o .....
Bhutan urged to seek crossborder aid to curb drug smuggling
20 April, 2012
By Kuensel
Source: ANN
The abuse of pharmaceutical drugs in Bhutan cannot be tackled unless measures are in place in the bordering Indian towns, where drugs are sourced from and smuggled in, former abusers said. In South .....
Chinese cities 'get a sinking feeling'
20 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
A diminishing water table, combined with a growing number of skyscrapers, is causing large areas of China to sink, increasing flood risk and endangering the rail network, according to a survey release .....
South Sudan leader's Beijing trip goes on amid tensions
20 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The visit by South Sudan's president to China was not rescheduled despite escalating tension between Sudan and South Sudan. South Sudan broke away from Sudan in July after decades of civil war, but t .....
Financial access widens for Bangladesh's poor
20 April, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Bangladesh stands second after Sri Lanka in financial inclusion indicators among the South Asian countries, according to a World Bank report released yesterday. The report -- Global Financial Inclusi .....
Cambodians among most unbanked people in world
20 April, 2012
By Rasmei Kampuchea Daily
Source: ANN
Cambodians are among the world's most unbanked people and are also among the most reliant on private informal lenders, according to a World Bank survey released yesterday. The 2011 survey of about 1 .....
N. Korea threatens ‘retaliation war’ against South
20 April, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
North Korea on Thursday threatened to wage a “retaliation war” against South Korea if Seoul does not apologise for allegedly “defaming” the North’s recent celebrations of the birth of founde .....
Japan's trade deficit hits record $54b
20 April, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Japan posted a record trade deficit of 4.41 trillion yen (US$54 billion) in fiscal 2011, exceeding the 3.13 trillion yen recorded in fiscal 1979 during the second oil crisis, according to figures rele .....
Indonesia has big hopes for Asean financing
20 April, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Indonesia will push for more intensive cooperation among the Asean member states to ensure sufficient provision of financing for infrastructure development in the region, the Finance Ministry said. " .....
Tokyo quake could kill about 9,700
20 April, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
About 9,700 people could die and about 300,000 buildings could be destroyed or burn down in Tokyo if a magnitude-7.3 earthquake with its focus in northern Tokyo Bay directly hits the metropolitan area .....
India hails milestone after missile launch
20 April, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
India has successfully test-fired a nuclear-capable missile that can accurately hit targets as far away as Beijing and cities in eastern Europe, joining an elite group of nations with such capabilitie .....
China deploys gunboat to disputed shoal
20 April, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
China has dispatched a powerful military vessel in the South China Sea after rejecting a Philippine proposal to submit the Panatag Shoal dispute, now on its 10th day, to international arbitration, Chi .....
Cuban sugar sweetens education for Lao children
19 April, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
More than 150,000 pre-primary and primary school students will get a daily energy boost to help them concentrate better on their studies thanks to a contribution from Cuba. Over 180 metric tonnes of .....
Singapore docs upset peers in Indonesia
19 April, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Last Saturday, well-known Singaporean oncologist Ang Peng Tiam held court before 800 attendees in a ballroom of a hotel in the Indonesian capital. For about two hours, Dr Ang talked about how cancer .....
320 killed in road accidents during Thai new year
19 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
A total of 3,129 road accidents occurred during the seven "dangerous days" of Songkran, killing 320 people, Thailand's Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit said yesterday. Songkran is Thailand's trad .....
Talks could 'bring peace' to S. China Sea: Thai PM
19 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Positive results from negotiations on regulations regarding the conduct of parties in the South China Sea could bring more peace and stability to the region, visiting Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shin .....
Plan to buy Senkaku Islands hatched months ago in secret
19 April, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Tokyo governor Shintaro Ishihara spent six months on secret negotiations with a man owning three islets of the Senkaku Islands before making a surprise announcement Monday during a visit to Washington .....
Sluggish exports dim prospects in Bangladesh
19 April, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Bangladesh's economic growth will slow down to 5.9 per cent in the current fiscal year, largely due to falling exports and sluggish investment, the International Monetary Fund said on Tuesday. The gr .....
Pakistan president visits avalanche-hit site
19 April, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari finally made it to Siachen in the Himalaya mountains even though his trip was overshadowed by Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani’s statement yesterday. .....
In investors' eyes, Asia still attracts: IMF
19 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Developing Asian economies will still attract a large chunk of capital inflows in 2012 and 2013, though the net flows by value are expected to be of smaller amount from the previous year due to the eu .....
Thai workers flock to provinces paying higher wage
19 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) is concerned about labour shortage in many provinces that have not yet increased the daily minimum wage to 300 baht (US$9.7) as labourers are flocking to the se .....
Traditional Chinese medicine OK'd for EU market
19 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
A Chinese traditional medicine has been authorised for sale in a European market for the first time, the Chinese Academy of Sciences announced yesterday. Industry experts said the approval would lead .....
Rupee crunch boosts Bhutan's agri sector
19 April, 2012
By Kuensel
Source: ANN
The rupee crunch in Bhutan has given the agriculture sector an "opportunity" to boost its food production, and shift gears towards self-sufficiency, a goal set decades ago. Bhutan today is self su .....
Vietnam urged to 'carefully evaluate' foreign investments
19 April, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Vietnam needs to develop a set of standards to evaluate the effectiveness of foreign direct investment (FDI) to help policymakers improve the activities, a seminar held in the capital heard yesterda .....
S. Korea tightens surveillance on online racist comments
19 April, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
The Korea Communications Standards Commission said Tuesday that it will tighten its online surveillance on Internet posts that contain comments related to racism, xenophobia and other forms of intoler .....
Taiwanese envoy found stabbed to death in Dominican Republic
19 April, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
A Taiwanese diplomat was found slain in her apartment in the Dominican Republic, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said yesterday. The victim was identified as 55-year-old Julia Ou, a secre .....
Jakartans divided over smoke-room ruling
19 April, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Jakartans are divided over whether nonsmokers will lose out after the Constitutional Court ruled that building owners are required to provide smoking rooms. The court finalised a judicial review of .....
Web giants face off in court in China
19 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
A high-profile dispute over online monopoly between China's Internet giants hit the off-line world during a court hearing in Guangzhou, China's southern Guangdong province, yesterday. Tencent Holding .....
Brunei-made boats set sail for Australia
19 April, 2012
By The Brunei Times
Source: ANN
Four fibreglass boats made by Bruneian company Ken And Tan Sdn Bhd yesterday set sail for Darwin, Australia in containers, marking a breakthrough in its trade with the capital city of the Northern Ter .....
78 Taiwanese arrested in Philippines for large-scale fraud
19 April, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Seventy-eight Taiwanese nationals, most of them young males and females, were arrested by Philippine and Taiwan police in a series of raids in Davao City, southern Philippines yesterday afternoon. Se .....
Beijing promises thorough investigation on Bo Xilai case
19 April, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
The Chinese government has promised that it will conduct a thorough investigation into the alleged murder of Briton Neil Heywood and release timely information. This pledge followed fresh pressure fr .....
Cambodian market attracts foreign investors
19 April, 2012
By Rasmei Kampuchea Daily
Source: ANN
Cambodia's first securities issue, an offering of shares in Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority, has attracted considerable interest among foreign investors, market sources said. Svay Hay, director of .....
Sony in talks with Taiwan's AUO
19 April, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Sony Corp. is in talks with Taiwan liquid crystal display panel maker AU Optronics Corp. aimed at forming a business alliance to mass-produce organic electroluminescence TVs, considered to be the next .....
China sets focus on electric, hybrid cars
19 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China is making the industrialisation of pure electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid automobiles the focus of its new plan to develop energy-saving and alternative-energy vehicles by 2020. The measure, .....
Swine flu hits north Bangladesh
19 April, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
At least 31 students of Bangladesh's Kurigram Nursing Training Institute have been diagnosed with swine flu or Influenza A (H1N1) virus since Tuesday, said the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Contr .....
Japan's population falls 259,000 in 2011
19 April, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Japan's population plunged more than 250,000 in the year until October 1, with the number of children declining precipitously during this period, according to the government. The Internal Affairs and .....
US giant loses to S'pore snack chain
19 April, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
The American owner of sandwich giant Subway has lost its trademark infringement suit against local snack chain Subway Niche. In a 46-page written judgment yesterday, High Court judge Judith Prakash r .....
IMF cuts Indonesia's growth estimates as uncertainty prevails
19 April, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has cut its estimates on Indonesia’s economic growth this year as potential spillovers from global risk aversion and uncertainty will likely continue. The coun .....
China rejects Philippines' attempt to internationalise shoal dispute
19 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China rejected a request by the Philippines yesterday to take a maritime dispute to an international court, as Beijing sent a major ship to beef up patrols in the South China Sea. The moves underscor .....
Philippines ignores China demand to quit shoal
19 April, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Philippine officials yesterday ignored China’s demand to withdraw Filipino vessels from Panatag Shoal, declaring “that’s our territory” and warning Chinese vessels to back off. The officials .....
US Pacific commander says allies looking at ‘all options’ on N. Korea
18 April, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
A senior US military officer said Tuesday that Washington and Seoul will keep close tabs on North Korea’s military movements while looking at “all options” amid growing speculation that the comm .....
Environment activists boycott Thailand's dam project
18 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The Stop Global Warming Association (SGWA) yesterday called on people in Thailand to join its campaign against the construction of the Mae Wong Dam. The group aims to find 13,280 co-complainants for .....
Textbook shortage looms large in Nepal
18 April, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
The Nepali government’s plan to enroll students with books in their hands could not materialise in many districts due to failure on the part of Janak Shikshya Samagri Kendra (JSSK) to supply textboo .....
China, Russia prepare for naval exercises
18 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China will send 16 naval ships and two submarines to its first joint naval exercise with Russia, slated to start this weekend in the Yellow Sea, the Ministry of National Defence said yesterday. The d .....
Sri Lanka criticised for being soft on Indian nuclear plant danger
18 April, 2012
By The Island
Source: ANN
Though the government would go along with the assurance given by the Indian Government, on the Kudankulam nuclear plant that is under construction, the Atomic Energy Authority of Sri Lanka should take .....
For luxury timepieces, S'pore is the one to watch
18 April, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
It has no luxury watch brands and is not known for making high-end jewellery. Yet Singapore has managed to become the top global destination for Chinese shoppers keen to buy such items. They spent a .....
Indonesia, New Zealand talks focus on geothermal energy
18 April, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Visiting New Zealand Prime Minister John Key and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono held a bilateral meeting and witnessed the signing of four agreements between the two countries’ high o .....
Two potential earthquake triggers found in North Thailand
18 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Two new active geological faultlines have been found - Mae Ing in Chiang Rai and Phayao, and Phetchabun in the province of the same name - bringing the total in Thailand to 14, with another still unde .....
Journey we’d started from Delhi has ended: Nepali Maoist
18 April, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Nepal's UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said the political journey began from New Delhi based on the 12-point understanding has reached its conclusion with the handover of PLA command to .....
Vietnam, China aim for stronger defence ties
18 April, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
High-ranking army officers of Vietnam and China have affirmed the importance of defence ties in the comprehensive cooperative strategic partnership between the two parties and states. The statement w .....
Joint Philippines-China exploration proposed to settle Spratly dispute
18 April, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
A joint gas and natural resources exploration with China of the whole Spratly Islands is the “only practical solution” left for the Philippines to settle the dispute, a senator allied with the pre .....
Laos celebrates traditional new year
18 April, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
The streets of Laos were awash with water over the long holiday weekend as everyone took it upon themselves to drench as many people as possible, in nationwide Pi Mai Lao celebrations. Many people he .....
'Economic terrorism' new threat to nations
18 April, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Nations of the world are now facing a new threat of terrorism from groups or corporations trying to destabilise economies. Defence Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said with rising costs and interdepen .....
Pakistan keen on importing gas from Brunei
18 April, 2012
By The Brunei Times
Source: ANN
Pakistan is looking into the possibility of energy exchanges, particularly importing Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from Brunei. This was said by Pakistan's new High Commissioner Designate to Brunei Hi .....
Taiwan protests Tokyo's plan to buy disputed islands
18 April, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Taiwan's foreign ministry yesterday issued a protest in the wake of a recent statement by a Japanese politician indicating his intention to buy several uninhabited islands in the East China Sea that .....
Pakistan resets negotiations with US
18 April, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Pakistan's Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC) yesterday gave a go-ahead for starting negotiations with the US for resetting ties in the light of parliamentary review. The negotiations are expec .....
Shanghai job fair offers expats a foot in the door
18 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
To get a job in Shanghai, 26-year-old Elyse Stone from the United States depicted herself on her name card as "an ambitious global marketer". She was prepared to start her career on the bottom rung o .....
Malaysia's lower house OKs new security bill
18 April, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
History was made when the Security Offences (Special Measures) Bill 2012, which seeks to repeal the Internal Security Act 1960, was passed in the Dewan Rakyat (lower house). The bill will now have to .....
Automakers battle over Indian market
18 April, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Competition among automakers has been heating up in India, where annual car sales have topped 3 million units. Suzuki Motor Corp, which currently holds the highest share in the Indian auto market, is .....
Falling prices hit Nepali ginger farmers hard
18 April, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Farmers expecting to make high earnings from gingerin Nepal have been disappointed as traders have not been visiting villages to collect the spicy roots as prices have been falling in India. This has .....
China, Thailand to boost 'strategic relationship'
18 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China and Thailand signed a series of deals yesterday, covering, among other sectors, agriculture and transport and elevated relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership. Calling Thailand "a tr .....
Tokyo officials, residents caught off guard with Senkaku purchase plan
18 April, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Tokyo governor Shintaro Ishihara's statement that his government intends to buy part of the Senkaku Islands has surprised even his own officials. Before leaving for the United States, Ishihara report .....
Bangladesh exports to EU reach record high
18 April, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Bangladesh's exports to the EU rose to a record high in 2011, with earnings of 8.5 billion euros or about US$11 billion, EU Ambassador William Hanna said on Monday. The number far exceeded the prev .....
Tokyo chief bares plan to buy disputed Senkaku islets
18 April, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
The Tokyo metropolitan government plans to buy three of the Senkaku Islands to "protect them", Tokyo governor Shintaro Ishihara said in Washington on Monday. The Senkaku Islands, which are administer .....
China sees fifth FDI fall amid EU woes
18 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China's foreign direct investment (FDI) fell for a fifth straight month in March as the European debt crisis worsened and the world's second-largest economy registered weaker growth. The Ministry of .....
Indian gov't takes steps to boost growth
18 April, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
India's Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee yesterday said in addition to Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) decision to cut lending rate by 0.50 per cent, the government would also take steps to boo .....
N. Korea refuses entry of nuclear agency inspectors
18 April, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
North Korea has defiantly said it will not allow International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors to monitor its uranium enrichment activities in response to the United States' statement that it will cal .....
Tokyo plans to buy disputed Senkaku islets
18 April, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
The Tokyo metropolitan government plans to buy three of the Senkaku Islands to "protect them", Tokyo governor Shintaro Ishihara said in Washington on Monday. The Senkaku Islands, which are administer .....
G20 urged to 'retain relevance to developing countries'
18 April, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The draft agenda for the upcoming G20 trade ministers meeting that is being circulated internally among members is too focused on the interests of big industrialised countries and not enough on what .....
India to test long-range ballistic missile
18 April, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
India will shortly test fire its locally developed Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), capable of striking targets deep inside China, all of the Middle East and parts of Europe. A successful .....
China to Philippines: Quit Scarborough Shoal
18 April, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
China has asked all Philippine vessels to leave immediately Scarborough Shoal and sent a second aircraft buzzing over the area to scare away Filipino fishermen, officials said yesterday. On Monday n .....
N.Korea refuses entry of nuclear agency inspectors
18 April, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
North Korea has defiantly said it will not allow International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors to monitor its uranium enrichment activities in response to the United States' statement that it will cal .....
North Korean leader relies on grandfather's legacy
17 April, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
An aura of strong leadership was hardly sensed when North Korea’s young head of state Kim Jong-un delivered his first public speech on Sunday to mark the centennial of the birth of the communist sta .....
UN strongly condemns North Korea test
17 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The United Nations Security Council yesterday strongly condemned the satellite launch by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, saying the move raised "grave security concerns". The council also .....
Chinese PM to visit Europe and boost ties
17 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Substantial environmental and economic cooperation will highlight Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's upcoming visit to Germany and three other European countries, Chinese senior officials said on Monday. W .....
US appears firm on repairing ties with Pakistan
17 April, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Although the world’s sceptical eye is once again turning to Pakistan in the aftermath of Sunday’s attacks in Afghanistan, Washington appears to be firm on repairing ties with Islamabad as it avo .....
Death threat to former Thai PM remains
17 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Defence Minister of Thailand General Sukampol Suwannathat re-confirmed yesterday that the country's fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra is being targeted for assassination. Because of security .....
Tourists flee Thailand's beach after Phuket quake
17 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
People on the famous Thai tourist island of Phuket got another scare yesterday when a 4.3-magnitude earthquake struck at 4.44pm in Thalang district, Phuket province. "The shaking lasted for about a m .....
Market economy best for Vietnam, says poll
17 April, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
The majority of Vietnamese people prefer a market economy to an alternative economic system, according a survey released on April 15 in Ha Noi. The poll was conducted from August to October last year .....
China gives yuan more latitude
17 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Chinese yuan dipped against the US dollar yesterday after the central bank doubled the currency's daily trading band but analysts predict an appreciating trend for 2012. It was the first time since M .....
Indian gov't ready to tackle terror
17 April, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Reaching out to states complaining of the national government's unilateralism over the proposed National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday favoured join .....
Indonesia, China LNG renegotiation deal on the rocks
17 April, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
After more than six years of almost no progress, the plan to renegotiate LNG contracts with China has raised a great deal of concern over the Indonesian government’s commitment to reap maximum benef .....
Study suggests Japan may become insignificant without strong economic reforms
17 April, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Japan may drop out of the ranks of leading countries, as it is expected to see negative growth in its gross domestic product from the 2030s if it does not implement an effective growth strategy, accor .....
Malaysia eyes changes to two more laws
17 April, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
The Sedition Act 1984 will be reviewed and a new law formulated to replace the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 as part of the Government's political transformation efforts. Announcing the .....
University libraries in Beijing will open to public
17 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
University libraries in Beijing, the Chinese capital, will no longer serve only those in ivory towers, but will gradually open to the public. Thirty-four university libraries in Beijing will accept v .....
Proton unveils latest car model — the Preve
17 April, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Proton has unveiled its sleek new Preve and describes the turbo-charged car as its most technologically advanced vehicle. The Preve pronounced pray-vay which means “to prove”, was launched by Pri .....
North Korea shows off new long-range missile
17 April, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
As widely expected, North Korea unveiled an advanced long-range ballistic missile on Sunday, confirming that it has continued developing its warhead delivery capabilities at the expense of its starvin .....
Foxconn says it will cooperate in Apple environment probe if asked
17 April, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Foxconn Technology Group yesterday promised to cooperate if one day Apple Inc. decides to inspect the environmental control situation of its supplier factories in mainland China. According to reports .....
Bangladesh's duty-free exports to US hinge on trade deal
17 April, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
US Ambassador Dan W Mozena yesterday linked Bangladesh's demand for duty-free access for garment exports to the Trade and Investment Cooperation Framework Agreement (TICFA) that both countries may sig .....
UN condemns N. Korea rocket launch
17 April, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
The UN Security Council strongly condemned North Korea's rocket launch Monday, announcing it will impose new sanctions and warning of further action if Pyongyang conducts another launch or a new nucle .....
Indonesian banks’ profits up 40% on booming credit
17 April, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Indonesia’s commercial banks booked 15.5 trillion rupiah (US$1.68 billion) in net profits in the first two months of this year, a 40.6 per cent increase from a year earlier as the nation’s low int .....
Inquiry into Pakistan jail attack ordered
17 April, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Embarrassed by the biggest jailbreak in Pakistan's history, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government in the northwest yesterday removed four senior officials and ordered a high-level inquiry into the inciden .....
Pakistan envoy sees boost in ties with Brunei
17 April, 2012
By The Brunei Times
Source: ANN
Pakistan's High Commissioner Designate to Brunei yesterday said their Head of State's visit to the Sultanate is overdue, and is looking forward to the visit materialising next year prior to or after .....
Indonesin banks’ profits up 40% on booming credit
17 April, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Indonesia’s commercial banks booked 15.5 trillion rupiah (US$1.68 billion) in net profits in the first two months of this year, a 40.6 per cent increase from a year earlier as the nation’s low int .....
Philippines, US hold war games amid row with China
17 April, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Philippine and United States forces have begun nearly two weeks of major military exercises here, amid an ongoing stand-off between Philippine and Chinese vessels in the politically choppy waters of t .....
China's Asean role wins praise from Thai PM
17 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Thailand is keen to play a coordinating role between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said. Calling China "a responsible and constructive .....
Philippines not going to war with China
17 April, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Stressing that he did not intend to go to war against China, Philippine President Benigno Aquino III yesterday said he was attempting to ease tensions at Scarborough Shoal by deploying a Coast Guard c .....
More US, China trade friction predicted
16 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China and the United States will experience more trade friction in the high-end manufacturing sector, as Washington protects its domestic industries, officials said yesterday. Friction will "surely .....
Dangerous militants among 384 jail escapees in Pakistan
16 April, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
In what is being described as the biggest jail-break in the country’s history, over 100 militants stormed the central prison here after Saturday midnight and freed 384 prisoners, among them a man se .....
Japan gov't to subsidise debris tours in disaster-hit areas
16 April, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Japan's Environment Ministry will subsidise tours of disaster-hit Iwate and Miyagi prefectures to encourage residents of other parts of the nation to accept debris from the prefectures, according to m .....
S.Korea opens market to Philippine poultry
16 April, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The Philippines' Bureau of Animal Industry Director Efren Nuestro said South Korea has agreed to open its market to Philippine poultry products after declaring them safe. "Chicken from triple-A slaug .....
Tap Asean vs Chinese intrusion, Philippine gov’t urged
16 April, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Senator Joker Arroyo on Sunday urged the Philippine administration to mobilise support of its Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) allies against Chinese intrusion, saying US silence on the .....
Indonesia a growing target for economic espionage
16 April, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
State weapons manufacturer PT Pindad has to take extra steps to keep company secrets from being extracted to foreign nationals wanting a peek into Indonesia's defence industry. "During an intervie .....
N. Korean leaders plan visit to Indonesia
16 April, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
North Korea’s second highest leader is slated to travel to Jakarta to meet with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono amid global concerns over the country’s nuclear programme and recent failed rocke .....
Taiwan, Africa kick off talks with 'sport diplomacy'
16 April, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou has successfully added a new dimension to his state visit to African allies with “sport diplomacy” that will further cement bilateral relationships. On arrival in .....
'Time not ripe for homecoming', says Thai ex-PM Thaksin
16 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday reiterated his wish to end his life in exile and make a longed-for comeback to Thailand this year, which he said was marked by auspicious .....
Japan seeks to strengthen sanctions on North Korea
16 April, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
The Japanese government has begun considering how to intensify sanctions against North Korea in the wake of the country's missile launch last week. The government is reviewing tougher economic sancti .....
N.Korean leader Kim vows to enhance army-first policy
16 April, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
North Korea’s new leader Kim Jong-un spoke publicly for the first time in Pyongyang Sunday, vowing to enhance his father’s “military first” policy during celebrations to mark the centenary of .....
Vietnam gov't raises minimum wage
15 April, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Another 220,000 vietnam dong (US$10) will be added to the monthly minimum wage from May 1 in Vietnam, according to a new government decree issued on Thursday. Accordingly, the increase will be applie .....
Indonesia pushes for real green deal
15 April, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Early this year, the customs office seized 113 containers of scrap metal, each weighing 28 tonnes that were allegedly contaminated with hazardous waste, at Tanjung Priok Port in North Jakarta. The co .....
Taiwan sees trade necessary for prosperity
15 April, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
President Ma Ying-jeou said yesterday Taiwan could be transformed into an economic powerhouse if it succeeds in signing trade agreements with the United States, China and its other major neighbours. .....
Underperforming M'sian civil servants to undergo 'buddy system'
15 April, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Underperforming civil servants in Malaysia will be assigned specially trained "buddies" from next month to guide and motivate them. The “buddy system” to make the civil service “more dynamic an .....
US unlikely to meet Pakistan's every demand
15 April, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
The Pentagon has said that a ‘clear willingness’ to restore ties with Pakistan does not mean that the United States is willing to accept all their demands. Earlier this week, the Pakistani parlia .....
Philippines urged to enlist help of US, Asean to stop Sino incursions
15 April, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The Chinese fishing vessels may have left the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, but Senator Gregorio Honasan does not consider it a victory for the Philippines. Instead, Honasan .....
Cambodian PM hit for being 'generous' to Thai red shirts
15 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has been criticised for being overly generous to red-shirt supporters of former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who is in Cambodia this weekend. Many Cambodians we .....
Japan lags behind S. Korea, US in missile notification
15 April, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
North Korea's failed missile launch Friday has once again exposed various problems in the government's system of relaying vital information. Shortly after 10 a.m. Friday, Japan Prime Minister Yoshihi .....
Emotions run high for Kim Il-sung's 100th birthday
15 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
On Friday, we watched 200,000 people rally to mark the unveiling of huge bronze statues of the two late leaders Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il as centerpieces in Pyongyang, the capital. On Saturday, we w .....
China, UN unite on Syria resolution
15 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The United Nations Security Council yesterday voted unanimously a resolution which authorises the deployment of 30 unarmed military observers to monitor the ceasefire in Syria. It was the first resol .....
British PM calls for boom in economic ties with M'sia
14 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
British Prime Minister David Cameron ended his whirlwind visit to Malaysia by brainstorming with key corporate leaders on the way forward for both countries. Attended by a who's who in business, the .....
India, China discuss disarmament, non-proliferation
14 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Indian External Affairs Minister S M Krishna yesterday met with Chinese Foreign Minister, Mr. Yang Jiechi in Moscow. The two sides exchanged views on strengthening bilateral cooperation and internatio .....
Former Thai PM vows to be back for birthday
14 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra told his red-shirt supporters yesterday that he would return to Thailand in the next three or four months. Thaksin, who has been in self-exile overse .....
Indonesian gov't set to restrict imports of finished goods
14 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
The Indonesian government will soon issue a new regulation to restrict imports of finished goods by general importers (traders) in a move to protect local investors in the manufacturing industry, a mi .....
India allows direct investment from Pakistan
14 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Business ties between India and Pakistan looked set to deepen on Friday after their commerce ministers indicated that India was open to inviting foreign direct investments (FDI) from Pakistan. "As pa .....
Philippines, China ease tensions over shoal
14 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
The Philippines and China agreed on Friday to set aside their diplomatic protests in order to ease tensions over a naval standoff at the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (South Ch .....
China urges restraint after failed rocket launch
14 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
China has expressed concerns over the launch and will continue communication with all sides, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin, adding that ambassadors from Tokyo and Seoul were at the minist .....
World condemns N.Korea's failed rocket launch
14 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
The South Korean government strongly condemned Pyongyang’s rocket launch as it scrambled to put in place emergency measures on Friday. "North Korea’s launch is a clear violation of the UN Securit .....
North Korea admits failure
14 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
North Korea admitted Friday that its Kwangmyongsong-3 satellite failed to enter orbit. "Scientists, technicians and experts are now looking into the cause of the failure,” the North’s official Ko .....
Thaksin's two-fold mission to Laos
13 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra visited Laos with two purposes: to ward off bad luck and to discuss business as the brother of the prime minister of Thailand. His activities yesterday started .....
More travellers from mainland going overseas
13 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
The Chinese mainland is on its way to becoming the largest source of cross-border tourists in the world, according to a report released by the national tourism authority on Wednesday. Experts urged o .....
Britain may seek easing of sanctions on Myanmar
13 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
British Prime Minister David Cameron has hinted that he might push for a relaxation of European Union (EU) sanctions on Myanmar, if he is able to see 'real change' when he visits the country today. S .....
China's movie sector becomes second-largest in the world
13 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
China overtook Japan as the world's second-biggest cinema market in the first quarter of the year thanks to the breakneck growth of the nation's film industry, but its overwhelming reliance on the box .....
China continues crackdown on Internet rumours
13 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Chinese authorities will continue to take a hard line on Internet-based rumours and punish those creating fake information, a senior official said on Thursday. Authorities have removed more than 210, .....
Abolishing security law was 'hard’, says Malaysian PM
13 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
The Malaysian government did not find it easy to give up its powers under the Internal Security Act, says PM Najib Razak. But the Prime Minister added that the government considered the expectations .....
Toyota making 'world's most efficient hybrid'
13 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Toyota Motor Corp. is developing a small hybrid car that can travel 60 kilometres per litre of gasoline, which would make it the world's most fuel-efficient hybrid, it has been learned. The next-gene .....
Sales of trekking gear on uphill trend in Nepal
12 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
With the peak tourist season on, stores in Kathmandu offering adventure gear are witnessing a significant upturn in sales. Traders said that their sales had risen 15-20 per cent compared to normal tim .....
Thailand falls 5 places in investment risk rankings
12 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Thailand is ranked the 47th-safest investment destination in Euromoney magazine's latest survey of country risk. This marks a fall of five places as the Kingdom received deteriorating scores for poli .....
LG’s Google TV sets global war over next-generation smart TV
12 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
LG Electronics is set to launch the world’s first Google TV version 2.0 in the United States this weekend amid rising expectations about Apple’s smart TV debut. According to a report by Shinhan .....
Cambodia sees robust economic outlook
12 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
The Asian Development Bank yesterday said new manufacturing industries in Cambodia were contributing to the country's robust economic outlook over the next two years. In its annual Asian Development .....
Economic growth to remain strong in Laos
12 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
The economy of Laos is forecast to expand by 7.8 per cent to 8 per cent in 2012, as resource-based industries, manufacturing and services continue to generate robust growth, according to a key Asian .....
Bangladesh economy to take hit from global headwinds
12 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Bangladesh's economic growth may slow in two back-to-back years due to falling exports and a hike in interest rates, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said yesterday. The ADB projected the country's G .....
Lenovo to launch first smartphone with Intel chip
12 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
The world's first Intel-chip smartphone will be debuted next month by Lenovo Group Ltd, China's largest PC maker and the second-largest globally by sales, Intel announced on Wednesday. Speaking at th .....
Bangladesh urged to cash in on China, India
11 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Bangladesh's future depends on a world-class seaport and a technology savvy young generation who would drive the country into a new global order in less than two decades, said Nobel Laureate Muhammad .....
S.Arabia offers to bail Pakistan out of energy crisis
11 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Saudi Arabia looks askance at Pakistan’s commitment to pursue energy cooperation with Iran and is nudging the government to reconsider its decision. This was the essence of a message from the Saudi .....
Manufacturers in Japan still gloomy
11 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Even good news, it seems, cannot chase away the gloom that is now engulfing Japanese business. Last month, when the Finance Ministry reported that Japan's trade balance for February had posted its fi .....
Brunei, Bangladesh to strengthen economic ties
11 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
A workforce to meet the needs of the Brunei economy can be met by Bangladesh, said the Bangladesh Minister of Labour and Employment and Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment yesterday. In an .....
North Korean launch will have limited market impact, say analysts
11 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
North Korea’s planned long-range missile launch between Thursday and Monday is expected to have no more than a day’s impact on the South Korean bourse, but if followed by a nuclear test, it could .....
Philippine gov't eyes levy fund to revitalise coco trade
11 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Impoverished Filipino coconut farmers cannot wait forever for the Supreme Court to ease their plight. Secretary Joel Rocamora of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) yesterday said the adminis .....
Thailand delays tablet deal-signing with Chinese company
6 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
The Information and Communications Technology Ministry of Thailand has delayed the signing of a contract to purchase Chinese tablet computers for Grade 1 students after Shenzhen Scope Scientific Devel .....
Health Ministry, WHO work to combat TB in Laos
6 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
The Ministry of Health of Laos and the World Health Organisation (WHO) marked World Tuberculosis (TB) Day on April 4 at the National University of Laos to support the Global Fund and Lao students' “ .....
Taiwan stock tumbles US$30b
6 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
The aggregate market value of all the shares listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange shrank by NT$700 billion (US$30 billion) as a result of the weighted share price index plunging in the past three conse .....
Taiwan ranks 46th happiest country in the world
6 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
The happiest region in the world is Northern Europe, with Denmark in the lead, and the least happy region — according to the recently released World Happiness Report conducted by the Earth Institute .....
US asks Nepal to start registering Tibetan refugees
6 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Thanking Nepal for hosting a large number of Tibetan refugees, honouring the gentlemen's agreement and providing safe passage to them, visiting US Department of State Under Secretary for Political Aff .....
US eases investment, travel bans on Myanmar
6 April, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
The Obama administration has taken major steps towards bettering ties with Myanmar, announcing new initiatives including lifting of travel and financial restrictions in recognition of recent reforms i .....
Pandas fail to mate at UK zoo
6 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Despite being set up on a romantic date by zookeepers, a pair of Chinese pandas at Edinburgh Zoo failed to mate, the zoo said yesterday. "Tian Tian (meaning Sweetie) and Yang Guang (sunshine) will no .....
Pakistan seeks access to Australian markets
6 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Pakistan has requested the Australian government for grant of tariff concessions under Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) which will ensure better market access to Pakistani products. The reques .....
Two strikes on police in Karachi; 7 die
6 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
A suicide bomber targeted a senior police officer yesterday said to be a leading name in the crackdown on militants, killing four passers-by and injuring 17 others in the city’s Malir area. Earlier .....
Pyongyang's invitation for satellite launch gets cold response
6 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
North Korea has invited the European Space Agency and space agencies from eight countries including the US, Japan, China, Russia and India to observe its planned satellite launch some time next week, .....
China's copyright draft triggers controversy
6 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
China's newly released draft amendment to the Copyright Law has aroused great controversy among famous local songwriters as it allows sound recordings to be used by others without the owner's permissi .....
Thailand to set up top-security zones
6 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Safety zones with intensified security measures will be enforced for the first time in urban areas in the deep South of Thailand, including Hat Yai, in the wake of the deadly car bomb attacks in Yala .....
Japan approves US$1.1 trillion budget
6 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Japan's record 90.3 trillion yen (US$1.1 trillion) national budget was belatedly approved yesterday after it had been voted down by the opposition-controlled Upper House of Parliament. The amount is .....
Suu Kyi has the president to thank
5 April, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Myanmar's historic by-elections that sent democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi into Parliament for the first time would not have been possible without President Thein Sein, observers say. Quiet and unchar .....
Children with heart disease at risk in Sri Lanka
5 April, 2012
By The Island
Source: ANN
Around 3,000 to 5,000 children in Sri Lanka, who are scheduled to undergo heart surgery at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital (in capital Colombo), the Teaching Hospital Kandy (in central city Kandy), and the .....
Poacher kills endangered rhino in Nepal
5 April, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
At a time when the conservationists are riding high on their recent success of celebrating the zero-poaching year-2011, an endangered rhino has been gunned down by the poachers in the morning of April .....
Thais plan to travel during Songkran festival
5 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Most Thais have travel plans for the Songkran Festival, the country's traditional new year, but whether or not they stay at home, they plan to live it up now that the Kingdom has mostly recovered from .....
Nepal to build first forest park in west
5 April, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Nepal has initiated a plan for construction of the World Peace Biodiversity Park in Pokhara, the second largest city of Nepal which is situated 198 km west of the capital Kathmandu. Following its app .....
Hyundai, Samsung, LG among Korea's heavy debtors
5 April, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
South Korea's Financial Supervisory Service classified 34 of the country’s business groups as heavily indebted for this year. The groups, including Hyundai Motor Group and Samsung Group, will be pu .....
Nepal International Trade Fair kicks off
5 April, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Nepal’s largest trade fair is all set to kick off in Kathmandu today. Organised by the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) in association with other business organisati .....
Gun crimes decline in China, but threats remain
5 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The number of gun-related crimes is dropping rapidly across China, despite a recent spate of armed robberies, police say. In 2000, police dealt with about 5,000 gun-related crimes across the country. .....
Thailand to hike gas, oil prices soon
5 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Consumers in Thailand will soon have to pay 30 satang (0.3 baht) per unit more for electricity after the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) responds to increases in fuel tariff (Ft) costs. The Electr .....
China seen flinching on N.K. defectors
5 April, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
The recent secret arrival of four North Korean defectors in South Korea from China indicated that international pressure not to repatriate North Koreans may be having an effect. However, it is still .....
Thai villages hit by drought
5 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
More than 20,000 villages across Thailand have been hit by drought as water levels in many large dams are at half capacity. Wiboon Sanguanpong, director-general of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigat .....
Thai chicken back on EU import list
5 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The European Union will lift its marathon ban against fresh chicken imports from Thailand on July 1. Thailand's Agricultural Affairs Office in Belgium sent a letter to the Agriculture Ministry in Ban .....
Investors urge new market reforms in Vietnam
5 April, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
The Vietnam Association of Financial Investors (VAFI) has proposed a number of drastic measures to help stablise and develop the nation's ailing stock market. In a recent letter to the Prime Minister .....
Submarine cable linking Brunei to Japan ready by 2013
5 April, 2012
By The Brunei Times
Source: ANN
A third major submarine cable which will connect Brunei to Southeast Asia and Japan will be ready for service in 2013, according to the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB). This was disclosed du .....
Indonesia eyes financing from US$4b Asean fund
5 April, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Funding for development projects in Indonesia is expected from the newly pledged Asean Infrastructure Fund under the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT GT) cooperation, according to th .....
Gun smuggling via 'express delivery' on the rise
5 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Gun smugglers are using the Internet and express delivery networks for trafficking arms into China, a Chinese police officer said. Police broke up 69 gun-smuggling rings nationally last year, and sma .....
Asean to draw up sea rules
5 April, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Asean has agreed to formulate the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea before engaging China on the matter. Leaders of the regional grouping attending the 20th Asean Summit also stressed on the nee .....
China targets banking monopoly by State
5 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
A consensus has been reached among Beijing's top leadership to reduce, if not break, the State sector's banking monopoly, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said. This was the first time that Beijing acknowl .....
Japanese drink, ice-cream makers bracing for summer power shortage
5 April, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
When the summer heat arrives, you will still be able to reach for an ice cream or a chilled beverage to stay cool. Although this summer could bring an even more severe power shortage than the one tha .....
Indian PM dismisses military coup reports
5 April, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Defence minister A K Antony yesterday dismissed a sensational news report about “curious, non-notified and unusual” movement of two key Army units towards .....
Suu Kyi has the President to thank
5 April, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Myanmar's historic by-elections that sent democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi into Parliament for the first time would not have been possible without President Thein Sein, observers say. Quiet and unchar .....
US-Pakistan security pact should benefit both sides: US
5 April, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
In a message directed at the parliamentarians engaged in a long drawn-out debate on new terms of engagement with the United States, a visiting senior US diplomat, while advocating continued bilateral .....
Bangladesh launches renewable energy platform
5 April, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
A platform for renewable energy products businesses, Bangladesh Solar and Renewable Energy Association (BSREA), was launched in Dhaka yesterday. Tawfiq-E-Elahi Chowdhury, energy adviser to the prime .....
Another big protest looms over KL's electoral reforms
5 April, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
A group that is demanding electoral reforms is calling on Malaysians across the country to pour onto the streets in protest later this month. Bersih, Malay for "clean", is a loose coalition of 84 non .....
Engaging Myanmar 'the right move'
5 April, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong believes that Asean took the right approach with Myanmar when it chose to engage rather than isolate it, as some in the West tried to do with sanctions. Such .....
Indonesia's poor left in limbo
5 April, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Opponents of the postponed plan to raise fuel prices said they were simply defending the interests of the poor, but a week after the hike was put off, the poor are reeling from the delay. Food supplie .....
Malaysian PM wants an end to maids issue as soon as possible
5 April, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has asked Indonesia for a quick solution to the domestic maids issue. Najib said he had conveyed this to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono through his vice-presi .....
Asean adopts Phnom Penh accord
5 April, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The leaders of Asean’s member nations concluded the association’s 21st summit yesterday, adopting the so-called Phnom Penh agenda and claiming progress on settling maritime disputes with China. C .....
Japan, UK to develop defence equipment
5 April, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
The Japanese government has decided to start the joint development of defence equipment with Britain, government sources said Wednesday. It will be the first time that Japan makes an agreement for de .....
WB commits US$8m for Mekong river management
5 April, 2012
Source: ANN
The World Bank yesterday committed more than 63.7 billion kip (US$8 million) to the Mekong River Commission (MRC) to promote trans-boundary management of regional river resources. MRC's Chief Executi .....
Thai police arrest three over blasts
5 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Police in Thailand have arrested three men over the past three days for their alleged links to the recent car bombs in southern provinces Yala, Songkhla and Pattani, which killed 14 and injured many o .....
Myanmar 'needs to be rewarded for reforms'
5 April, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Expressing optimism and appreciation for the new path of democratic reform that Myanmar has taken, Philippine President Benigno Aquino III yesterday joined other leaders of the Association of Southeas .....
Asean to intensify efforts on disputed seas
5 April, 2012
By Rasmei Kampuchea Daily
Source: ANN
Asean leaders have stressed the need to intensify efforts to implement a 10-year-old declaration on the conduct of parties in the disputed South China Sea, the Asean body said yesterday. China and A .....
N. Korea threatens more nuclear tests if UN imposes new sanctions
5 April, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
North Korea hinted yesterday that it could conduct a third nuclear test if the US and its allies put additional sanctions on the North over its planned rocket launch in mid-April. The Chosun Shinbo .....
South Thailand under close watch for bombs
4 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
In the wake of the weekend's car-bomb attacks in Hat Yai and Yala, security will remain tight in all at-risk areas for the next three months, while extra measures will be adopted during the April 12-1 .....
China seizes 3,200 tonnes of illegal cooking oil made from rotting meat
4 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Chinese police have seized more than 3,200 tonnes of a new type of "gutter oil" made from decomposing animal fat and internal organs, said the Ministry of Public Security. More than 100 people suspec .....
Germany cuts solar subsidy, upsets Chinese
4 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Chinese and European solar industry insiders have expressed disappointment after Germany's parliament finalised a cut in subsidies, saying the move has "shaken the sector". From April 1, subsidies to .....
Journalist murdered in east Nepal
4 April, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Unidentified men murdered a journalist mid night yesterday in Jhapa district, Mechi Zone of eastern Nepal. The deceased has been identified as Yadav Poudel, 40, Jhapa correspondent of Avenues Televis .....
China urges US to consider effects of policies
4 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The governor of China's central bank, Zhou Xiaochuan, urged the United States to take greater responsibility for the global effects of its monetary-easing policies, given the dollar's position as the .....
Russia likely to seek greater influence on Koreas
4 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
In his phone conversation with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak days after being reelected Russian president on March 4, Vladimir Putin pledged to help improve inter-Korean ties and discussed a de .....
Thailand's pay hike could force Japan firms out
4 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thailand's minimum wage hike may force Japanese companies to relocate to neighbouring countries if they operate at a loss, while labour disputes in the country are expected to increase, Japanese inves .....
China's 'Phoenix' brand to rise from ashes
4 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The brand Fenghuang, which means "phoenix" in Chinese, was synonymous with luxury automobiles until it went out of production 21 years ago, but now it is poised to rise again like its namesake bird th .....
Asean to speed up reg'l integration
4 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Discussions on ways to speed up regional integration and maintain Asean as the centrepiece of regional political and trade architecture are on top of the agenda at the 20th Asean Summit. The two-da .....
China likely to become Laos' largest foreign investor
4 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
China looks set to become the largest foreign investor in Laos in the near future as Chinese businesses make further inroads into the country. This was the opinion expressed by Lao National Chamber o .....
Nepal criticises 'Indian bureaucracy'
4 April, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Nepali Congress leader and former minister Prakash Saran Mahat has accused the Indian bureaucracy, ultra rightists and leftist forces in Nepal of hindering Nepal-India relations. He accused the Indi .....
Philippines to declare no-fly zone for rocket launch
4 April, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
A no-fly and no-seafaring zone will be declared over a wide area off northern Luzon in the Philippines from April 12 to 16 when North Korea is scheduled to launch a long-range missile. Between 5 a. .....
Thai employers warned on wage hike
4 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Employers in Thailand who have not raised their workers' minimum daily wage to 300 baht (US$9.7) after the April 1 deadline will be facing legal action, the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare .....
Bhutan's personnel divisions tagged most corrupt
4 April, 2012
By Kuensel
Source: ANN
Human resource is the second most corrupt area in Bhutan with 12 per cent of about 3,000 complaints that the Anti-Corruption Commission received this year being related to human resource due to embezz .....
Pharmacies, clinics in Thailand face 30-day deadline
4 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Pharmacies and clinics across Thailand will have just 30 days to clear their inventories of all pseudoephedrine-containing medicines once a regulation signed by the public health minister yesterday ap .....
Singapore implements changes to Indonesian maid policies
4 April, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
A slew of changes to be implemented next month could make hiring an Indonesian maid more costly, but an altogether less risky affair. The good news is that employers will no longer need to make a hef .....
Samsung certain to overtake Apple in Q1 smartphone sales
4 April, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Expectations for record quarterly earnings are rising for Samsung Electronics with a recent report indicating that the firm has beaten its rival Apple Inc. in global smartphone sales for the first qua .....
Asean may issue statement on N. Korean rocket
4 April, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Leaders of Southeast Asian countries may release a statement during the Asean summit this week highlighting concerns about North Korea’s planned rocket launch, news reports said Tuesday. The Associ .....
India welcomes US bounty on bomber
4 April, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
India yesterday welcomed the USA’’s move to put a US$10 million bounty for the capture of the Pakistan-based Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief and Lashkar-e-Taiyyaba (LeT) founder, Hafiz Saeed, hoping th .....
Brunei 'the least attractive" for investments in region
4 April, 2012
By The Brunei Times
Source: ANN
Brunei offers the least attractive prospects amongst Asean countries for companies in the region to make offshore direct investments over the next three years, according to a survey. Asean overall .....
Bangladesh may allow new banks to open
4 April, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
In the face of pressure from the government high-ups, the Bangladesh Bank (BB) may allow five new private banks to come on the scene against its will. The board of the central bank may also give its .....
China's economy likely to slow down in Q1
4 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China's GDP growth may have slowed to about 8.4 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter, still boding well for the economy in 2012, said Zhang Xiaoqiang, deputy director of the National Development .....
Heavy mix of crime and politics in India
4 April, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
In February, Indian anti-corruption activist Arvind Kejriwal stirred up a hornet's nest by calling the country's parliamentarians criminals. Politicians erupted with fury, with one MP, Mulayam Singh .....
Chinese tomb-sweeping tradition continues in US
4 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Once a year, Chinese families gather at the graves of deceased relatives, bearing food, wine, joss sticks and paper replicas of worldly delights that their loved ones left behind. The celebration of Q .....
Japan extends sanctions on N. Korea over missile launch
4 April, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
The Japanese government will extend its sanctions against North Korea for one year, mainly because the reclusive country plans to launch a missile later this month in the guise of a "satellite" launch .....
Asean to draft rules of engagement with China
4 April, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
As soon as it has a firm position on the issue, Asean expects to begin talks with China on the disputed South China Sea territory. "We are now moving to identify elements of the [regional] code of .....
Asean wants sanctions on Myanmar lifted
4 April, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Southeast Asian leaders yesterday called for the lifting of international sanctions on Myanmar after the country’s historic by-elections, a senior Cambodian official said at a regional summit in P .....
Asean to 'enhance' US$120b reserve pool
4 April, 2012
By Rasmei Kampuchea Daily
Source: ANN
Southeast Asian leaders agreed Tuesday to "enhance" a US$120 billion currency swap facility established by Asean and its northeast Asian neighbours China, Japan and Korea in 2010. "We shall continue .....
Japan extends sanctions on N.Korea over missile launch
4 April, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
The Japanese government will extend its sanctions against North Korea for one year, mainly because the reclusive country plans to launch a missile later this month in the guise of a "satellite" launch .....
Bo Xilai's tycoon friend missing since March 15
3 April, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
The plot surrounding beleaguered Chinese leader Bo Xilai is taking a fresh twist as confirmation came of the disappearance of a close ally. Chinese conglomerate Shide Group said it has not been able .....
Indian tax plan sparks panic among investors
3 April, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
The Indian government, already struggling to restore investor confidence after it cancelled a slate of telecom licences, is spooking foreign investors anew with a proposal to allow the government to r .....
US seeks 30 missing persons in Sri Lanka
3 April, 2012
By The Island
Source: ANN
The Sri Lankan government has directed the police to ascertain the whereabouts of 30 persons following a request made by the US Embassy in Colombo on behalf of some NGOs. Authoritative sources told T .....
Thailand calls on the public to cut power use
3 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The Thai Energy Ministry will air a television campaign about saving electricity on April 10, from 2pm to 3pm. In the programme, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will turn off one bulb at Governmen .....
China to spur spending in domestic sector
3 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
A month-long consumption stimulus programme was launched by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce on April 2 in a bid to boost domestic demand and offset the impact of declining exports. Stimulating domes .....
Euro debt crisis affecting Asia
3 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The effects of the eurozone's debt crisis have been spreading at an obvious pace to Asian countries, a former senior banking official warned on April 2. And the region's economic growth is not expect .....
Tourism revenue falls in Nepal
3 April, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Nepal Tourism Year (NTY) may have brought a record number of tourists in 2011, but their average per day spending has dropped to a 10-year low. Arrivals reached an all-time high of 735,965 in 2011, u .....
Beijing wants in on S. China Sea talks
3 April, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
China has expressed interest in getting involved in Asean's drafting of a code of conduct governing activities in the hotly disputed South China Sea, but this has raised some debate within the regiona .....
Suspected bombers identified in South Thailand
3 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Many suspects have been identified in relation to car-bomb attacks at three locations in the deep South Thailand on March 31, while another man was arrested yesterday for his alleged role in blasts in .....
Beijing eager to speak foreign
3 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
More than 700 foreign language training institutions have been set up in Beijing to encourage people to learn another language, according to the Organising Committee of Beijing Speaks Foreign Language .....
Wage rise will sink 10% of SMEs: Thailand
3 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
At least 10 per cent of the 2.2 million SMEs in Thailand - about 200,000 - would be forced to shut down or move out to other countries within half a year after the minimum wage was bumped up to 300 ba .....
Chinese elements of writing enter Western world
3 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China will be the focus at the Earls Court Exhibition Centre in London from April 15 to 18, when the Chinese pavilion will take centre stage as the market focus of the 2012 London Book Fair. Zhang Fu .....
Asean on track for single community
3 April, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
A joint assessment of the score cards evaluating the progress of each Asean member toward the creation of a single economic community in the region shows that all countries are on track with their com .....
Widows, daughters of Osama jailed
3 April, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
A local court in Pakistan convicted on Monday three widows and two grown-up daughters of the slain Al Qaeda chief of illegal residency and impersonation and sentenced them to 45 days imprisonment, to .....
Japan's SDF prepares for N. Korean missile launch
3 April, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
The Self-Defence Forces have begun deploying units after receiving an order from Defence Minister Naoki Tanaka to intercept a North Korean ballistic missile if necessary, with the aim of preventing th .....
Bombings not a long-term threat: Thailand
3 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
March 31's bomb blasts in Hat Yai and Yala, which killed 14 people and injured more than 500 others, will damage tourists' sentiment in the short term, but the country is expected to maintain its stat .....
Nepali lawmakers end sit-in after PM’s assurance
3 April, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
The agitating lawmakers of Nepal, who have been organising a pressure campaign for peace and constitution, ended their sit-in outside the meeting of Army Integration Special Committee following assura .....
Fuel price hike pulls down Philippine leader's ratings
3 April, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Sharp increases in fuel prices that inevitably push up the cost of living may have pulled down public satisfaction with the performance of Philippine President Benigno Aquino III from “very good” .....
'No passion' for Asean single currency
3 April, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Indonesian Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan yesterday affirmed that Asean had yet to embrace the so-called “spirit” of adopting a single currency policy, a move already carried out by the European U .....
Asean thumbs-up for Myanmar polls
3 April, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Asean foreign ministers yesterday welcomed Myanmar's recent landmark by-elections, which the regional grouping's secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan described as orderly with high participation. Having .....
US suggests N. Korea rely on China or Russia for satellite launch
3 April, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
The US suggested in an informal meeting in Berlin that North Korea ask China or Russia to launch its satellite Kwangmyongsong-3, but the North refused, a news report said. Japan’s TV Asahi reported .....
Thai PM vows to 'return happiness' to Hat Yai
3 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra flew into Hat Yai yesterday morning - two days after a tremendous blast ripped through a major hotel - to inspect the scene, console the victims and spur on inv .....
Asia-Pacific chambers oppose trade protectionism
3 April, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Asia-Pacific chambers have opposed trade protectionism and pledged to keep up the spirit of free trade advocated by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). The need to create a sound environment .....
N. Korea set to affirm Kim’s power before rocket launch
3 April, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
North Korea said Monday its ruling Workers’ Party will hold a special conference on April 11 in Pyongyang where it is expected to name its new leader Kim Jong-un as General Secretary of the Workers .....
Japanese firms remain pessimistic
3 April, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Business sentiment among Japan's large manufacturers remained in negative territory for the second consecutive quarter in March, according to the Bank of Japan's quarterly Tankan economic outlook surv .....
Thailand and Cambodia to discuss border security
3 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thailand's Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul yesterday briefed his Indonesian counterpart Marty Natalegawa about compliance with the International Court of Justice (ICJ)'s order for all troops .....
Chinese supermarkets check out new business models
3 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Liu Bin, a 33-year-old Beijing housewife, usually does her grocery shopping in hypermarkets such as Wal-Mart and Carrefour two or three times a week. Now, she can do her shopping right in the neighbo .....
India's export growth falls
3 April, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Persistent sluggish demands in the US and European markets have pushed India’s export growth down in February when it grew by 4.28 per cent to $24.62 billion, the slowest pace in three months. The .....
Starbucks wide awake to China market prospects
3 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Starbucks Corp expects China to become its second-biggest retail market measured by the number of its stores by 2014, following just behind the United States in that regard, said a company executive. .....
Asean ready to discuss disputed seas with China
3 April, 2012
By Rasmei Kampuchea Daily
Source: ANN
Southeast Asian foreign ministers indicated Monday that Asean was ready to discuss with China a code of conduct for the disputed South China Sea, a source said. "When China agrees to discuss the co .....
Seven dead, dozens injured in south Pakistan
3 April, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
In a showdown between Pakistani police and protestors yesterday, at least seven people were killed, while over two dozen others sustained bullet injuries. Violence revisited Lyari as agitated residen .....
Laos, China's Yunnan target US$300m in trade
3 April, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
Laos and China's Yunnan province have agreed to encourage trade and investment in the region, aiming for a two-way trade value of US$300 million this year. Governor of Yunnan province Li Jiheng spoke .....
Leaders vow to commit to freer trade
3 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Leaders at a regional conference in Boao, China yesterday expressed cautious optimism over Asia's ability to overcome the impact of the global financial crisis and Europe's sovereign debt crisis. T .....
Suu Kyi heralds 'new era'
3 April, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
With a sweeping election victory behind her party, democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi heralded a "new era" for Burma calling it a triumph for those who wanted to be involved in the political process in t .....
India scales down Army chief's Nepal visit
2 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
The controversy around the Army Chief VK Singh and Defence Ministry of India has turned uglier with the former’s visit to Nepal scheduled for this week being ordered to be scaled down, the media in .....
India scales down Army Chief's Nepal visit
2 April, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
The controversy around the Army Chief VK Singh and Defence Ministry of India has turned uglier with the former’s visit to Nepal scheduled for this week being ordered to be scaled down, the media in .....
Jet crash kills 29 in Russia
2 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
At least 29 people have been killed today after a two-engine ATR-72 aircraft with 43 people on board crashed in Russia's Siberia area, according to RIA Novosti, the state news agency of Russia, citing .....
Thailand to clean air-conditioners nationwide
2 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Vocational students will help Thailand save electricity by helping to clean 8,000 air conditioners at government agencies in 76 provinces. The Vocational Education Commission and the Electricity Gene .....
5 million kids underprivileged in Thailand
2 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thailand has more than 5 million underprivileged children facing problems in bettering their quality of life and who lack opportunities to develop themselves, researchers said at a seminar last week. .....
Thailand's manufacturers to raise productivity
2 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Manufacturers are closely monitoring the impact of the rise in the minimum wage that took effect in seven provinces, including Bangkok yesterday, anticipating the need for further mechanisation to inc .....
China needs to reduce wealth inequality
2 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
A great number of billionaires have emerged from China, but fostering the country's middle class should be a top priority in order to increase consumer spending, said Xiang Bing, founder and dean of t .....
Burma by-elections expected to dominate Asean summit talks
2 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
The official theme for Asean this year is "One Community, One Destiny", and on the table for its 20th summit starting tomorrow is how it can push ahead on integration and fulfil the promise of the hea .....
Chinese business leaders eye ventures in Laos
2 April, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
The number of Chinese investment projects and their value is expected to surge over the next few years in Laos, as more Chinese business operators are discovering that their neighbouring country is an .....
Indonesia's fuel 'flub' fouls future plans
2 April, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The Indonesian government is losing credibility due to its failure to raise fuel prices and might lose out on accelerating infrastructure development as energy subsidies continue to strain the state .....
Passenger jet crashes in Russia, 43 on board
2 April, 2012
By Asia News Network
Source: ANN
An ATR-72 aircraft with 43 people on board crashed this morning in Russia's Siberia area, according to RIA Novosti, the state news agency of Russia. The aircraft fell on takeoff at 5:50 am near Tyume .....
Indian gov't cuts short army chief’s Nepal trip
2 April, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Amid the controversy surrounding Army chief Gen. V K Singh, India's defence ministry has cut short the duration of his stay and the size of a delegation supposed to accompany him for a visit to Nepal .....
China's manufacturing activities rebounds in March
2 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China's manufacturing activities rebounded to a year high in March, signalling a steady economic expansion aided by warming market demand, according to the official Purchasing Managers' Index released .....
Vietnam eyes EU trade deal
2 April, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
The European Union and Vietnam are poised to launch negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) after agreeing upon a list of topics to be covered during the Asean-EU Businesss Summit in Ph .....
Pakistan PM renews commitment to Iran pipeline
2 April, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Pakistan and Iran reiterated yesterday their commitment to complete their trans-border gas pipeline project despite US opposition and pressure. According to sources, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani .....
Outlook bright for Thai film, TV industry
2 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
As technology continues to improve and the arts of story telling become more universal, not only western countries, but also those in Asia - including Thailand - have more opportunities to expand thei .....
China uses enlarged health warnings on cigarette packs
2 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Cigarette packages will now be displaying larger health warnings, part of government efforts to discourage smoking. A casual visit by China Daily reporters to two tobacco stores in Beijing discovered .....
Peach may ignite airline price war
2 April, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Korea’s low-cost airlines are girding for fierce competition in the skies as Japan's Peach Aviation is racing to launch a new route to Seoul, seeking a slice of a budget travel boom in Asia’s four .....
Eurozone crisis may hit Bangladesh exports: WTO
2 April, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
An economic slowdown in Europe may affect Bangladesh as it is highly dependent on exports to the Eurozone, said World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director General Pascal Lamy yesterday. "Macroeconomic d .....
Japan warns of 'massive' tsunami if triple quake occurs
2 April, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
A tsunami of 10 metres or higher could strike 11 prefectures, including Tokyo, and an earthquake with an intensity of 7--the highest level on the Japanese seismic scale--could devastate an area 20 tim .....
Asean foreign, trade ministers meet ahead of summit
2 April, 2012
By Rasmei Kampuchea Daily
Source: ANN
Asean ministers responsible for foreign affairs and trade held separate meetings in Phnom Penh today ahead of a two-day summit of leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The meeting .....
Fears hamper tourism after Thailand bomb attacks
2 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Car bomb attacks in Yala and Hat Yai district in Songkhla, one of the southern provinces of Thailand, have badly affected tourism and local businesses, and a quick recovery is important in salvaging p .....
Taiwan adds more China cities to individual traveller scheme
2 April, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
More Chinese travellers will come to Taiwan soon, after Taipei and Beijing hammered out a deal to allow mainland residents from 10 more Chinese cities to conduct individual tours ton the island beginn .....
Asean urged to work with EU to bolster economy
2 April, 2012
By The Brunei Times
Source: ANN
Asean member countries need to work closely with the European Union (EU) to protect their economies as the region is still vulnerable to problems in more advanced economies, the bloc's secretary gener .....
S. Korea to ‘take steps’ if N.K. launches rocket
2 April, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
The South Korean government will take countermeasures in cooperation with the international community should North Korea go ahead with its plan to launch a rocket, Seoul’s Unification Minister Yu Wo .....
N. Korea ramps up Lee bashing ahead of vote
2 April, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
North Korea ratcheted up its rhetoric against South Korean President Lee Myung-bak Saturday, in an apparent bid to impact the April 11 general election. The Lee government has been seen as tough on N .....
Asean, EU stress importance of reg'l ties
2 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
The second joint business summit between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and the European Union (EU) kicked off in Phnom Penh, Cambodia yesterday, with both organisations underlinin .....
Sense of hope prevails in Burma
2 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Burma's eligible voters yesterday cast their ballots, many for the first time in decades, with happiness, excitement and in the hope that the poll would steer their country towards democracy - and lar .....
Filipino netizens join hunt for fugitive ex-governor
2 April, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Netizens are typing away at their computers, pledging financial and other help as the manhunt for the former governor of Palawan (west Philippines) spread to cyberspace. In scores of postings that ha .....
Sino-Asean ties key to peace in S. China Sea
2 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations should work hard to boost practical cooperation and maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, said a joint statement due to be issued to .....
Suu Kyi's party claims polls victory
2 April, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
The opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) claimed victory after yesterday's landmark by-elections that passed without major incident, raising Burma's chances of getting international endorsem .....
Bangladesh a role model in battling poverty
1 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Bangladesh is a role model for the least developing countries (LDCs) in reducing poverty through increased global trade under the rules of the multilateral forum, World Trade Organisation, its Direc .....
Former Thai PM vows to make Thailand Asean hub
1 April, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Opposition Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday affirmed his party would lead Thailand to become the No 1 country in Asean by restructuring the country's social, economic and political se .....
Tokyo quake 'could be stronger than thought'
1 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Coastal areas in eastern Tokyo and northeastern Kanagawa Prefecture could be shaken to the maximum level of 7 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale if a magnitude-7.3 earthquake strikes under northe .....
Suu Kyi's party 'may not win landslide'
1 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), may not win as many seats as they expect in by-elections in Burma today, local politicians said yesterday. .....
China pledges US$70m aid to Cambodia
1 April, 2012
By Rasmei Kampuchea Daily
Source: ANN
Chinese President Hu Jintao met with Prime Minister Hun Sen Saturday, pledging more than US$70 million in aid and agreeing to have Cambodia mediate over the South China Sea. Srey Thamrong, minister a .....
South China Sea issue can be resolved 'properly'
1 April, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Vice Premier Li Keqiang on Saturday reaffirmed China's commitment to properly resolve the South China Sea issue with Vietnam, as he urged healthy and steady growth of bilateral ties. "The two countri .....
Philippine navy, coast guard rush to stricken cruise ship
1 April, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
A Philippine Navy (PN) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) contingent was expected to catch up Saturday night with the luxury cruise ship Azamara Quest, which had been drifting off southwestern Philippin .....
Indonesian solons accused of duplicity in deciding fuel policy
1 April, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Members of the House of Representatives have been heavily criticised for their behaviour during the prolonged plenary session on Friday evening to determine whether the country would increase fuel p .....
High hopes for Burma polls
1 April, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Burma heads into a historic by-election today heavy with the weight of expectation, but filled with the hope that it will mark another step towards a bright future. Observers are looking for signs of .....
Malaysian killed in Thai blast; hundreds injured
1 April, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
As coordinated bomb blasts rocked the towns of Yala and Pattani in the southern Thai province, an attack occurred at a hotel in this city, killing five people including a Malaysian. The Malaysian h .....
Vietnam, Sri Lanka to set up oil exploration block
31 March, 2012
By The Island
Source: ANN
Sri Lanka has offered Vietnam a block on the Mannar Basin to carryout oil exploration and the latter has officially accepted the offer. Discussions are now on between the two countries to formulate an .....
China to cut import duties
31 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China, the world's second-biggest importer, will cut import duties on selected energy products and raw materials as well as consumer goods to boost purchases, the State Council said in a statement yes .....
Jakarta backs off from fuel subsidy cut
31 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Indonesian lawmakers yesterday backed away from plans to cut fuel subsidies by tomorrow as demonstrators opposed to the move rioted outside Parliament House, ripping down a gate, and throwing rocks an .....
Nepal should bridge India and China--PM
31 March, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Nepal Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai reiterated his belief that Nepal should become a bridge between India and China. Addressing a program organised to mark the 14th anniversary of Reporters Club .....
US to rely on India if talks with Pakistan fail
31 March, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
The delay in finalising parliamentary recommendations for US-Pakistan relations is causing confusion in Washington where the Obama administration seems unable to decide how to proceed with rebuilding .....
Singaporean convicted for trafficking Filipinos to M'sia
31 March, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
A Kuala Lumpur court on Friday found a Singaporean guilty of trafficking two Filipino domestic helpers to Malaysia and sentenced him to three years in jail, Philippine ambassador Eduardo Malaya said i .....
Japan sends F-15s to guard missile destroyers
31 March, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
The Japan Defence Ministry has decided to send F-15 fighters to guard Aegis destroyers to be deployed in preparation for the scheduled launch of a North Korean missile, government sources have said. .....
Burma's men in green hold the reins of reform
31 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
On the surface, democratic change is sweeping through Burma. But visitors arriving in Naypyidaw, the surreal administrative capital located more than 300km from Yangon, are quickly reminded of who is .....
Thai democrats unveil strategy to regain power
31 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The Democrat Party of Thailand yesterday unveiled a 15-point strategy at its annual convention to grab power by 2015. The strategy, to be implemented over four years until 2015, spelled out action .....
Nepal sees 86 forest fires in 24 hours
30 March, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
With the rise in temperature, Nepal, on March 28, saw the highest incidents of forest fires so far this year. The satellite-based images released by the US-based National Aeronautical and Space Admin .....
Bear hug continues to embrace Nepal stock
30 March, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Maintaining its downward drift, the Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) Index yesterday plunged below the 300-point mark - for the first time this fiscal year - closing the day at 298.79 points. The bearish .....
Thailand drops probe against Yingluck
30 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The Department of Special Investigation has dropped its investigations against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who was accused of helping her brother Thaksin conceal his true wealth, citing lack o .....
Labour woes, slow insurance pay-outs hit Japan investors
30 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Japanese companies doing business in Thailand are hampered by manpower shortages and difficulty in receiving insurance pay-outs after the flood disaster. "The flooding drove employees away from many .....
Thailand may give kids book coupons for free
30 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thai Education Minister Suchart Thadathamrongvej yesterday floated the idea of giving children coupons to buy books that interested them. He said he would consider if some of the ministry's budget co .....
Environmentalists urge Thailand to relocate 2m people
30 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Forestry experts and environmental activists yesterday called on the government to move more than 2 million people out of mountainous areas, especially those in headwater forests, to protect forests f .....
Thailand's rising living cost forces people into debt
30 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The rising cost of living will force consumers whose income is lower than 10,000 baht (US$324) per month to borrow more from loan sharks, while the Kingdom's public debt will also go up, says the Thai .....
China finds excessive lead in spirulina products
30 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The producers of spirulina products are facing a credibility crisis after a report claimed excessive lead was found in the popular dietary supplement sold in China. Samples of eight popular brands of .....
Laos urged for law to combat human trafficking
30 March, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
Human trafficking and violence against women is a problem throughout the region, and while there is some legislation designed to combat the issue, protection under Lao law is inadequate. President of .....
China OKs school bus safety draft
30 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
A long-awaited draft regulation on Chinese school bus safety management was passed in principle on March 28 at a State Council executive meeting chaired by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, according to a s .....
Indonesia braces for anti-fuel price hike protests
30 March, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The National Police and the Indonesian Military (TNI) are preparing for their final face-off with protesters as intense bickering between the government and the House of Representatives over the propo .....
Eight die in sectarian attack in southwest Pakistan
30 March, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
At least eight people, a woman and a policeman among them, were killed and 13 others injured in what appeared to be a sectarian attack on a group of Hazara people and in ensuing clashes between polic .....
Internet-aided sex offences in Brunei criminalised
30 March, 2012
By The Brunei Times
Source: ANN
With the rise of Internet-related sex crimes, Brunei's Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) yesterday announced several new amendments to the Penal Code aimed at curbing sexual predators and strengthenin .....
China sees more autistic children
30 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China is in dire need of professionals to diagnose and train an increasing number of autistic children, experts said. "Autistic children who receive early treatment tend to relate better to others .....
Vietnam, S. Korea strengthen ties
30 March, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) have reached a consensus on a number of measures to deepen the two countries' strategic partnership during talks between Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and Sout .....
Indonesia to protest all territorial incursions
30 March, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
All foreign aircraft flying into Indonesian territory must report to local air-traffic authorities, otherwise the government will file a protest of border infringement, a top security officer has said .....
Philippines worried over N. Korea rocket debris
30 March, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Fearing debris could fall in the Philippines, President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday urged North Korea to forego a planned launch of a long range missile next month. Aquino said it was “probable .....
China may spread investment policy
30 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
An experiment allowing Wenzhou residents to make investments overseas could be extended to Shanghai and Tianjin, said a city government official. Chen Jian, deputy director of the Wenzhou Bureau of C .....
China driving US exports
30 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The United States exported more than US$100 billion in goods and services to China in 2011 and 30 states now count the country as one of their top three export markets. That's according to a report r .....
Bangladesh to launch satellite by 2015
30 March, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Bangladesh will launch its first satellite into space by 2015 in a landmark move towards opening a new era in communication and broadcasting and creating new businesses. Bangladesh Telecommunicatio .....
Brics sign 2 currency pacts
30 March, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, the five emerging economic powers forming the Brics grouping, yesterday signed two pacts to stimulate trade in their local currencies and agreed on a joi .....
China reaffirms commitment to stability on Korean Peninsula
30 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China on Thursday reiterated that it serves the common interests of all parties involved in safeguarding the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia, and in maintaining momentum .....
Malaysia mulls Burmese maids
30 March, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Malaysia is willing to consider providing opportunity to Burmese nationals registered under the 6P programme to work as maids. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said during his meeting with Burma .....
Thai police in Malaysia for custody of Iranian
30 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thai police investigators and public prosecutors have travelled to Malaysia to take custody of Iranian suspect Masoud Sedaghatzadeh, who faces prosecution over his alleged involvement in the February .....
N. Korea 'told US about plan on Dec 15'
30 March, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
A senior North Korean government official informed the United States before the death of Kim Jong Il was announced in December of its plan to launch a satellite, according to a former senior US govern .....
N. Korea readies rocket fuel as US halts aid
30 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
The US and North Korea appear to be heading toward another stalemate as Pyongyang quickens preparations for a long-range rocket launch in breach of their recent agreement on nuclear and missile tests. .....
U-turn on Burma
30 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
In a year, the United States, one of Burma's staunchest critics, has gone from isolating the regime to encouraging political reforms in the country with a pledge to "meet action with action". As Burm .....
Fake call centre gang busted in Thailand
29 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
A gang that operated a fake call centre and lured foreigners into transferring money into its bank accounts was busted yesterday. The gang was based in Thailand's central Nonthaburi province. All 22 .....
China inks 11-year rubber contract with 4 neighbours
29 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
China, Laos, Cambodia, Burma and Thailand yesterday agreed to increase trade among them through contract farming, with China set to buy 500,000 tonnes of smoked rubber and rubber sheets worth 56.8 bil .....
China warns of strong winds over weekend
29 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China's top meteorologist has asked city governments to reinforce outdoor advertising and secure construction site materials as another round of strong winds is predicted to sweep through most parts o .....
Beijing risks losing its symbolic style
29 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
There are few tourists taking the rickshaws in the soon-to-be renovated area surrounding Beijing's Drum and Bell towers in the cold months, even though they stock blankets. Drivers roam the square to .....
Emergency care excludes 1 million Thais
29 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
More than 1 million people will not be able to access Thai government's new healthcare scheme that provides unlimited emergency medical treatment, health experts said. "They cannot avail of the emerg .....
Malaysian PM's grand plan under scrutiny
29 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
The first report card on Malaysia's ambitious programme to kickstart its economy will be out next week, and the government hopes it will blunt criticisms that the plan is no more than a series of gove .....
End of SIA's business-class flights to New York, LA?
29 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Three years after a controversial launch, Singapore Airlines is reviewing its options to stem losses on its non-stop, all-business-class flights to New York and Los Angeles. Company sources say that .....
Philippines slams door on coconut farmers
29 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Coconut farmers can kiss goodbye their hopes of recovering nearly 60 billion pesos (US$1.4 billion) worth of shares in San Miguel Corp (SMC), a food, beverage and packaging company in the Philippines .....
Activists calls for powerful human rights body in Nepal
29 March, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Nepali civil society members and human rights activists have called on the Constituent Assembly members to form an autonomous and powerful human rights commission. At a programme organised in Kathman .....
AirAsia zooming in on two more Asean countries
29 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
After yesterday's first flight out of the Philippines and later this year out of Tokyo, AirAsia is now zooming on South Korea and two other Asean countries to set up new operations as it widens its re .....
Nepal's future depends on May 27, court rules
29 March, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Nepal's Supreme Court yesterday refused to review its earlier decision to put a cap on the extension of the Constituent Assembly term. Which means, if the parties fail to deliver the new constitution .....
Pakistan PM did not seek civil nuclear deal with US
29 March, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani did not ask for a civil nuclear agreement with the United States when he met US President Barack Obama in Seoul, a senior White House official said. “No, .....
China warns strong winds over weekend
29 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China's top meteorologist has asked city governments to reinforce outdoor advertising and secure construction site materials as another round of strong winds is predicted to sweep through most parts o .....
India's defence equipment 'obsolete'
29 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Army chief V. K. Singh has dropped another bombshell in his public spat with the Indian government, one likely to produce even more damaging fallout. Following earlier claims that he was offered a br .....
Indonesia cautious over US spy base
29 March, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
After last year’s jitters over Australia’s decision to allow the United States to use Darwin as a base for the US Marines, Indonesia is due to question another similar move by its neighbour. T .....
China opens economic zone to Taiwan
29 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
There are no political motives behind the setting up of a special economic zone in China's southern Fujian province that is open to Taiwan investment, a mainland official said. The Pingtan Experiment .....
Lao net cafes told to revoke links with Thai operators
29 March, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
The Lao Ministry of Post and Telecommunications has urged internet cafes that purchase bandwidth from companies in Thailand to revoke their purchase agreements as the use of these services is illegal. .....
Brunei offers 'soft' military solutions to prevent conflict
29 March, 2012
By The Brunei Times
Source: ANN
Military Operations Other Than War (MOOTW) can prevent conflict in itself, and that collaboration in those areas represented the best form of preventive diplomacy the region could offer. This was sa .....
Traffic pile-ups kill 10 in Thailand
29 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
In a black day on Thai roads yesterday, 10 people died and 52 were hurt, many seriously, in just two multi-car pile-ups. The first accident involved 18 cars on Mittaparb Road in central Saraburi prov .....
Vietnam PM calls for nuclear safety, security
29 March, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Vietnam wants to promote the central role of the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency to ensure nuclear security and safety in the world, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said Tuesd .....
Thai cosmetics firm eyes foreign markets
29 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Better Way (Thailand), the country's leading single-level direct-sales cosmetics company, is increasing its efforts to penetrate further into Asean with Indonesia in its sights, but might not use its .....
Philippine economy entering 'sweet spot'
29 March, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP or Central Bank of the Philippines) yesterday wooed foreign investors to do business in the Philippines, claiming that the country .....
Brics nations urge better economic policy coordination
29 March, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
A day ahead of the second Brics summit beginning here tomorrow, trade and economic ministers in the grouping -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- yesterday reviewed the global economic .....
Bangladesh, India renew trade deals
29 March, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Bangladesh and India yesterday agreed to renew the bilateral trade agreement, which expires on March 31 this year, for three years without any amendment, said sources. The two countries are also expe .....
Violence and arson kill 10 in Karachi
29 March, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Karachi, the main seaport and financial centre of Pakistan, descended into violence on March 27 as gunmen and arsonists went on the rampage, killing at least 10 people and setting on fire over 40 ve .....
Asia-Pacific nations 'need to work together'
29 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China recognises that peace, development and cooperation are common aspirations and trends in the Asia-Pacific region, and all related countries should work together to achieve regional security, the .....
Indonesian police 'used excessive force' in fuel hike rallies
29 March, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The Indonesian Legal Aid Institute Foundation (YLBHI) yesterday claimed the police used excessive force in handling the fuel price hike rallies staged in several parts of the country on Tuesday. "At .....
Chinese firms look more and more to Europe
29 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Chinese companies are moving to take over more and more European companies, according to research by Ernst & Young Global Ltd released on Wednesday. Ernst & Young reported that Japan and Chin .....
More incentives for Thailand's flood-hit provinces
29 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thailand's Board of Investment has approved new incentives to boost projects in industrial estates in Ayutthaya and Pathum Thani provinces, which were hit hard by last year's floods. Submissions for B .....
Chinese footprint in Japan gets bigger
29 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Sharp, the once mighty Japanese electronics giant, has received a new lease of life after Taiwan's Foxconn Technology agreed to take a 10 per cent stake to save its money-losing liquid crystal display .....
Power rates up across Philippines
29 March, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Power consumers should brace themselves for higher electricity rates starting May as the Energy Regulatory Commission allowed state-run National Power Corp (Napocor) to jack up its generation charges .....
Taiwan won't lift order to arrest defector
29 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Taiwan's military yesterday reiterated its long-held stance that it would not lift the arrest order on Justin Lin, a Taiwanese national who defected to China more than 30 years ago, after Chinese auth .....
Sharp to make int'l alliance
29 March, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Sharp Corp has reached an agreement to enter into a capital and business alliance with Taiwan's electronic manufacturing service giant Hon Hai group, the Osaka-based company said. Sharp will issue 66 .....
Pyongyang criticises Tokyo for covering up past with rights issues
29 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
‘It is an outrageous double standard that they ignored other serious human rights issues and mentioned our human rights.’ North Korea on Wednesday strongly denounced Japan, which jointly proposed .....
2 killed in factory blast in central China
28 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
An explosion killed two workers and injured 26 others at a food dye factory in Wuhan, capital of Central China's Hubei province, yesterday. A three-story workshop collapsed following the blast at 1:2 .....
Internet penetration doubles in Nepal
28 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
The internet penetration rate in Nepal has nearly doubled to 15.75 per cent in the last one year. The growth is supported mainly by the increased number of subscribers of the general packet radio se .....
Japan set for summer energy deficits with all nuclear plants offline
28 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Japan is bracing for a 10 per cent energy deficit this summer, with all its 54 nuclear power stations possibly set to be offline from May. Speaking on the sidelines of the Seoul Nuclear Security Sum .....
Reconciliation report sparks House turmoil in Thailand
28 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Turmoil rocked the House of Representatives in Thailand yesterday as the opposition Democrats put up tough resistance to the controversial reconciliation report, which had been tabled for deliberation .....
Chinese manufacturing sees 3-year low
28 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
The first two months of 2012 saw China's industrial businesses suffer their biggest decrease in profits in three years. To many, that signalled the country's economy was worsening under the pressure .....
5.2 quake strikes Nepal-India border
28 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
A 5.2-magnitude earthquake jolted Nepal’s eastern Indian border this morning. The epicentre was recorded between Nepal's eastern Saptari and Sunsari district at 5:27 am, Technical officer at Nation .....
China, Ireland sign trade deals
28 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
China and Ireland yesterday signed a number of deals to promote cooperation in science, trade and investments, and elevated their bilateral relationship onto the level of mutual beneficial strategic p .....
Obama wants US-Pakistan security concerns addressed
28 March, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
US President Barack Obama yesterday called for a balanced approach in ties, one which respected Pakistan’s sovereignty and also addressed American national security concerns. "That we can achieve t .....
Scoot plays 'cool' as it takes off to China
28 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Singapore Airlines' (SIA) fledgeling carrier Scoot will be 'cool' in China. The new budget carrier unveiled its Chinese name, Ku Hang (cool airlines), yesterday along with its first destination in Ch .....
Bangkok motor show kicks off, record orders expected
28 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
A record number of orders are expected to be placed at this year's Bangkok International Motor Show, which officially kicks off today at the Challenger Hall, Muang Thong Thani. The event is one of th .....
Hu goes on trip, scotching rumours of instability
28 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Chinese President Hu Jintao is proceeding with a visit to three countries this week, a sign that the domestic political situation is under control, despite rumours of instability after the sacking of .....
Thai economy to out-grow Asean peers: IMF
28 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) confirmed yesterday that Thailand's economy is set to stage a sharp recovery from last year's devastating floods, with growth of 5.5 per cent this year and 7.5 pe .....
Thailand to give 7th graders free tablets in November
28 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
In November, when the second semester of the next school years begins, around 700,000 computer tablets will be distributed to seventh-graders across Thailand, with cash being be provided to parents wh .....
Vietnam car imports unlikely to slow down
28 March, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
The country will have to spend up to US$12 billion yearly on imported cars until 2025 if the automobile industry's meagre development continues its current state, according to the Vietnam Business Ann .....
Thailand to give 7thgraders free tablets in November
28 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
In November, when the second semester of the next school years begins, around 700,000 computer tablets will be distributed to seventh-graders across Thailand, with cash being be provided to parents wh .....
Blasts, fire at Thai fireworks factory
28 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Explosions erupted late yesterday evening at a fireworks factory in Saraburi province's Kaeng Khoi district in central Thailand, causing no casualties but prompting an evacuation of residents within a .....
More than 30 executed in N. Korea last year: Amnesty Int'l
28 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
More than 30 people in North Korea were executed last year, international human rights watchdog, Amnesty International, reported Tuesday. According to its annual report on capital punishment executi .....
Benefits of nuclear energy must be harnessed: Indian PM
28 March, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday said India’s growing energy demands make nuclear energy an “essential component of our energy mix”. Singh pointed out that nuclear energy and its .....
GMG Airlines to suspend all flights
28 March, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
GMG Airlines Ltd will suspend its last remaining flights from March 30 for an indefinite period due to technical problems in aircraft, said an official of the private carrier yesterday. The airline .....
New CEO of Jetstar Asia an old hand
28 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Eight years after he helped get the airline off the ground, Barathan Pasupathi is back to helm Jetstar Asia. He will join the low-cost carrier as its chief executive officer in July, replacing Chong .....
China sentences Xinjiang terrorist to death
28 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The ringleader of a terrorist group was sentenced to death on March 26 by the Intermediate People's Court of Kashgar prefecture in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. Abdukerim Mamut was found guil .....
Laos plans for direct int'l internet link
28 March, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
Laos plans to have a direct internet connection with the international gateway by the end of this year, as the demand for high speed internet access increases. The Ministry of Post and Telecommunicat .....
Loving and caring till the end
28 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
After learning his wife had terminal cancer, Xu Jianguo didn't check her into a hospital. Instead, he checked her out and took her to the countryside for the final year of her life. "I felt my whole .....
Indonesian parties bicker as anti-fuel price hike rallies spread
28 March, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
With protesters violently clashing with riot police at rallies in several parts of the country yesterday, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) has been accused of fomenting unrest over .....
Philippines, Vietnam eye 'war games’ in disputed seas
28 March, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The Philippines and Vietnam plan to hold joint naval exercises and patrols along common maritime borders in the West Philippine Sea where the two nations have staked claims to some of the Spratly isla .....
13 killed in Maoist attack in India
28 March, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
At least 13 Central Reserve Police Force personnel were killed and 17 others were injured when a bus ferrying them was blown up in a high intensity landmine blast triggered by Maoists near Pushtola v .....
Burma is flavour of the year
28 March, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Shunned by the West for its human rights abuses and long considered a thorn in the flesh for Asean countries for having to defend its recalcitrant member, Burma has suddenly become the flavour of the .....
Rich get richer in China
28 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The number of Chinese billionaires and millionaires is reaching a new peak, and their mode of consumption is evolving, new research has found.The Chinese Luxury Consumer White Paper 2012, released yes .....
Seoul rebukes Tokyo over textbooks' claim on Dokdo
28 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
The Japanese government on Wednesday approved three new high school textbooks that claim Dokdo as Japanese territory, sparking protests from the Korean government. The Japanese education ministry ann .....
Seoul summit brings global community step closer to nuclear free world
28 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
The Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul has apparently brought the international community one step closer to the goal of a safer world by drawing up more concrete steps backed by stronger political mome .....
Burma says media free to cover polls
28 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Bowing to pressure from the international community, Burma's government will allow journalists unprecedented freedom to cover this Sunday's by-elections. The polls are significant as they mark the re .....
No end in sight to Indonesian protests over fuel prices
28 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Police fired tear gas and sprayed water cannon at defiant demonstrators who threw Molotov cocktails in the capital city during a march to protest against government plans to raise the price of fuel. .....
Three new Japanese textbooks claim Liancourt Rocks
27 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
The Japanese government on Wednesday approved three new high school textbooks in the latest round of screenings that claim Liancourt Rocks as Japanese territory, a move likely to spark a strong protes .....
Secondhand cars deals soar in Bhutan
27 March, 2012
By Kuensel
Source: ANN
While the shortage of Indian rupee in the country caused some concerns among the government and businesses alike, dealers of used cars are making the best of the situation. Ever since car loans have .....
Beijing considers anti-smoking measures
27 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Beijing is considering banning cigarette sales on World No Tobacco Day each year, and it proposes adding to the list of no-smoking areas, under a draft regulation to be published this month to solicit .....
Middle income group grows in China
27 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Expanding China's middle-income families is supposed to be the core to boosting domestic consumption and speeding up the transformation of the growth model of the national economy which mainly depends .....
15% Nepali husbands 'sexually violent'
27 March, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
At a time when cases of marital rape and sexual violence from partners are gradually coming to the fore, the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2011 reports that around 15 per cent married wom .....
33% of drinking water unsafe in Sri Lanka
27 March, 2012
By The Island
Source: ANN
A staggering 33 per cent of the water samples of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board collected by Public Health Inspectors in all districts of Sri Lanka, including Colombo, were unsatisfactor .....
Pakistan PM seeks joint efforts for nuclear security
27 March, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani yesterday emphasised "national responsibility" for strengthening nuclear security as he renewed demand for access to civilian nuclear energy and made a stron .....
Campaign for Tibet gets momentum in India
27 March, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Addressing a conference yesterday in Guwahati (east India), Gyari Dolma, the home minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile, argued that Tibet is closer to India than China. She urged people of In .....
Nepal hikes fuel price again
27 March, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has jacked up fuel prices again by 4 rupees more effective from today. With the revision, petrol now cost 120 rupees, diesel and kerosene 89 rupees. The fuel prices have .....
China to boost rates of cremation
27 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The downward trend for cremations in China may begin to reverse following a plan to cut or waive funeral expenses for poor households that choose cremation. Li Bo, deputy director of the Ministry of .....
New foreign currency policy expected to stabilise rupiah
27 March, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Bank Indonesia (BI) expects the rupiah to be less volatile after issuing new rules that ease requirements for foreign currency buying for productive purposes and limit purchases for speculative means. .....
China urges solidarity for major emerging economies
27 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Boosting solidarity and cooperation in major emerging economies, which are facing common challenges, is the most important and urgent need, President Hu Jintao told his South African counterpart in a .....
Asean steps up financial systems integration talks
27 March, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries have intensified talks on the integration of their financial systems, believing that this will complement the development objectives of the region a .....
Anti-Vietnam gov't agitator jailed for 11 years
27 March, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Nguyen Cong Chinh, arrested last April, was sentenced yesterday to 11 years in prison for sabotaging the great national unity policies. According to the People's Court of the Central Highlands provin .....
That's no wolf, that's my Lady
27 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
A suspected killer wolf caught by police is to be given a DNA test after a man said it was his pet dog, a husky. The white-coated animal was caught on March 23 at Nanshahe town in Tengzhou, Shandong .....
Lao-Thai border trade booms
27 March, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
The Lao-Thai border trade at the Vientiane-Nong Khai Friendship Bridge has seen a major surge thanks to robust economic growth in Laos. According to a report from the Thai News Agency MCOT, Lao-Thai .....
Thailand's reconciliation plan in the balance
27 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Badly-splintered reconciliation efforts were in disarray yesterday after nine Democrats resigned from the House special committee that is poised to submit to Parliament its report on how to find polit .....
Khmer Rouge trial judge welcomes resignation of Swiss judge
27 March, 2012
By Rasmei Kampuchea Daily
Source: ANN
Cambodian Judge You Bunleng, the national co-investigating judge of the Khmer Rouge tribunal, welcomed Monday the resignation of his Swiss counterpart Judge Laurent Kasper-Ansermet. A statement by th .....
Police tighten security in Aceh as election nears
27 March, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
As the situation in Aceh becomes more volatile ahead of the local election, the Indonesian National Police are stepping up security measures in the country’s westernmost province. "We have 8,776 pe .....
Thailand ripe for investment, says PM in Seoul
27 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has assured South Korean businessmen of Thailand's bright economic prospects, citing the government's business-friendly policies, flood-management measures and .....
Bangladesh vows to speed up war trial
27 March, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Bangladesh's 41st independence day was observed yesterday with the nation taking a vow to expedite the war crimes trial, and consolidate democracy in line with the spirit of the War of Liberation. As .....
Police tigten security in Aceh as election nears
27 March, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
As the situation in Aceh becomes more volatile ahead of the local election, the Indonesian National Police are stepping up security measures in the country’s westernmost province. "We have 8,776 pe .....
Pakistan opposition to put up united front for US ties debate
27 March, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
In a significant development, major opposition parties announced on Saturday that they would adopt a "unified stance" at the joint sitting of parliament which is deliberating on new terms of engagemen .....
Obama urges Pyongyang to choose peace
27 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
US President Barack Obama on Monday repeated his stern message to North Korea: “There will be no rewards for provocations.” Speaking to hundreds of students and dignitaries at the Hankuk Univers .....
S. Korea, China, Russia show rare unity over NK rocket launch plan
27 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
In a rare show of unity, South Korea, China and Russia on Monday urged Pyongyang to scrap its plan to launch a long-range rocket and focus instead on improving the livelihoods of its people. Chines .....
Corruption is crucial threat, says Chinese PM
27 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The Chinese government will mull over the possibility of publicising assets of officials to a limited circle as an effort to fight corruption, Premier Wen Jiabao said on Monday. "Corruption is the mo .....
Philippines readies evacuation of Filipinos in South Korea
27 March, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The Philippines on Monday said it was ready with a contingency plan to protect the safety of more than 50,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in South Korea if tensions with North Korea over its plan .....
Japan's missile shoot-down order likely Friday
27 March, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
A government order from Japan to shoot down a North Korean missile scheduled to be launched next month could come as soon as Friday, government sources said, as Japan ramps up its preparations to deal .....
Nepali Maoist central committee meet put off
26 March, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
The Central Committee (CC) meeting of the UCPN (Maoist) scheduled today has been put-off. Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal deferred the meeting for tomorrow morning citing lack of homework. The me .....
Sri Lanka's economy grows 8.3% in 2011
26 March, 2012
By The Island
Source: ANN
Sri Lanka's economy grew 8.3 per cent in 2011 to 6,542.7 billion rupees (US$127.6 billion) with the per capita income increasing by 15.5 per cent to 313,511 rupees ($6,113), provisional data released .....
Women on the rise in Thailand
26 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Leading independent economist Sethaput Suthiwart-Narueput is less certain about how the economy will develop but is sure about one future trend: "more women will be bosses". One of the structural cha .....
Indonesia's terror network remains intact
26 March, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The country’s counterterrorism agency has detected continuing activity by terrorist organisations despite the fact that many terrorist suspects have either been jailed or killed since the first Ba .....
N. Korea set to boost Kim Jong-un’s power in April meetings
26 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
North Korea is speeding up preparations for two significant meetings in mid-April intended to strengthen the leadership of young dictator Kim Jong-un. The two meetings are the Workers’ Party Confer .....
India seeks S. Korea help in joining nuclear group
26 March, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
India has sought South Korea’s help in joining the Nuclear Suppliers Group as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held talks with the South Korean President Lee Myung-bak. Singh is in South Korea on a fou .....
Autism groups in China lack support
26 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The country's fledgling autism organisations are short of professional staff and government support, a survey released yesterday shows. More than half of the autism organisations, or rehabilitation c .....
Korean, foreign carmakers slash prices amid sluggish demand
26 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Korean and foreign carmakers are battling to lower vehicle prices amid lackluster domestic consumption. Their drive for lower prices is also sparked by the nation’s free trade agreements with Europ .....
US seeks opportunities in Lower Mekong
26 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The US is keen to participate in the development of the Lower Mekong sub-region and plans to familiarise American companies with the area to pave the way for participation in future projects, said Rob .....
Thailand probes drug-theft case, govt offcials involved
26 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
An ongoing probe has suggested that seven government officials, most of them pharmacists, have committed grave disciplinary offences in embezzling a huge amount of pseudoephedrine-containing tablets o .....
China signals approval on Leung's election
26 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
China congratulated Leung Chun Ying within hours of his election as Hong Kong's new leader, making public its swift approval of the incoming Chief Executive. It is a clear sign, say analysts in Beiji .....
Sabah issues red tide warning
26 March, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
A red tide warning has been issued for the west coast of Sabah. Sabah Fisheries Department director Rayner Stuel Galid said the Red Tide Monitoring Programme conducted by his department and the State .....
China vows to boost food safety
26 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Tough penalties will be used to end entrenched abuses in the catering industry, such as the use of poppy capsules, a major source of many opiates, and industrial colouring agents, according to China's .....
Electricity crisis worsens in Pakistan
26 March, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
With hydroelectric generation at an alarmingly low level because of serious water shortage in Pakistan, the electricity shortfall increased on Sunday to 5,500MW, about 40 per cent of the estimated pea .....
Prices, not politics, worry Thais: polls
26 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The public is worried about the rising cost of living, getting tired of dithering politicians and is increasingly turned off by the political divide, two leading pollsters said in surveys released yes .....
Philippines to press N. Korea to stop missile test
26 March, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The Philippines would continue to press North Korea to abandon its plan to launch a long-range rocket next month, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said Sunday. Del Rosario told the Inquirer that .....
Nepali Maoists struggle to dwell on peace
26 March, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
The establishment faction of the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) is holding the party's Central Committee (CC) today to chalk out a future policy on peace and constitution, amid the boycott .....
Vietnam seeks buyers for 7.3m tonnes of export rice
26 March, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Vietnam has sufficient supplies to export 7.3 million tonnes of rice in 2012, officials said at a meeting held in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Dong Thap on Friday. The meeting aimed to rev .....
Brunei to enforce strict steps vs poaching
26 March, 2012
By The Brunei Times
Source: ANN
The government is strengthening its wildlife enforcement measures to curb poaching and illegal logging that take place in the deep Brunei forests, said the Deputy Director of Forestry Department. In .....
Pakistan PM seeks access to nuclear technology
26 March, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Unfazed by Indian concerns about its atomic programme, Pakistan would apprise the nuclear summit being held in Seoul of its "safety and security" procedures and expertise in secure management of its n .....
Lao gov't to create 49 protected areas
26 March, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
The Lao government has agreed to establish 49 forest protected areas in all 16 provinces, at its monthly meeting held in Vientiane on March 22-23. The move aims to preserve the country's forests as a .....
'Lonely deaths' among elderly, disabled rising in Japan
26 March, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
The number of multiple unnoticed deaths in households in which an adult cares for an elderly parent or a family member takes care of a disabled relative has been increasing recently. Such cases are b .....
Burma urges Thailand to tighten border security
26 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Burma has asked Thailand to look into a possible link between a motorcycle accident in the border town of Mae Sai, Thailand, and two explosions the border town of Tachileik, Burma. Burma said it was .....
Over 100 hurt in Bangladesh wage hike protest
26 March, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Over a hundred people were injured as police and garment workers fought for around five hours at Ishwardi Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in Pabna, northwest Bangladesh yesterday. The EPZ erupted into .....
Aichi prefecture build facilities to dispose Tohoku waste
26 March, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
The Aichi prefectural government will build storage and incineration facilities on an artificial island to dispose of 500,000 tonnes of debris from the Great East Japan Earthquake, prefectural officia .....
NK readies rocket’s main body to launch site: report
26 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
North Korea has transported the main body of a long-range rocket to a launch site in the northwestern part of the reclusive state, a news report said Sunday. The move indicates that Pyongyang is taki .....
Malaysian cops believe JI terrorist survived Philippine air strike
26 March, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Malaysian police are convinced that notorious Jemaah Islamiyah leader Zulkifli Abdul Hir aka Marwan is still alive. It has been almost two months since the Philippines army carried out an air strike .....
Maoists free one Italian hostage in India
26 March, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Italian national Claudio Colangelo, held captive by Maoists since March 14 was freed yesterday as a "gesture of goodwill" to facilitate resumption of talks with the Indian government. Maoist leader .....
More Chinese live in cities
26 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China's urbanisation rate has rocketed over the past three decades, but statistics don't tell the whole story, and the country faces a challenge in improving the quality of urbanisation, senior offici .....
Korea welcomes US pick of Kim as new World Bank chief
26 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Korea’s presidential office and Finance Ministry welcomed US President Barack Obama’s decision to nominate Jim Yong Kim, the Korean-born president of Dartmouth College, as the new chief of the Wor .....
Key nuclear meeting starts in Seoul
26 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
President Hu Jintao arrived in the capital of the Republic of Korea yesterday for the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit, a key meeting that will tackle the threat of global nuclear terror. The summit wil .....
Indonesian ex-president to be probed for fighter jets deal
26 March, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Feeling pressured over mounting calls for an investigation into the alleged irregularities surrounding the 2011 procurement of six Russian-made Sukhoi fighter jets, Indonesian President Susilo Bamba .....
Reds plan across border Songkran celebrations w/ Thaksin
26 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thousands of red shirts will celebrate Songkran with former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in Laos and Cambodia, Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan said yesterday. "Thaksin is not coming back to Thail .....
New HK chief faces many challenges
26 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Former government adviser Leung Chun Ying will become Hong Kong's next Chief Executive, after he defeated his nearest rival Henry Tang in a highly controversial election that threatened to drag the Ch .....
Exporting Japan's pop culture abroad
26 March, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Japan's economy ministry plans to open overseas shopping areas named after famous Japanese shopping districts such as Harajuku, Shibuya and Ginza as part of the ministry-led Cool Japan programme to pr .....
Allies increase pressure on N. Korea to scrap rocket launch plan
26 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
The leaders of South Korea and the US raised pressure on North Korea on Sunday to withdraw its plan to launch a satellite on a long-range rocket next month, stressing that the communist state would ac .....
What ails China? It's antibiotics abuse
26 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
It is not often the head of a top Chinese hospital draws a parallel between a medical threat and nuclear weapons. But the dangers of the gross overuse of antibiotics in China have grown to the point .....
Leung wins HK election
26 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Leung Chun-ying will be Hong Kong's next chief executive, after crushing his two opponents on Sunday. Leung's victory came at the end of a bitter campaign. The other contestants were former chief se .....
Taiwan's struggle with English
26 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Chen Hui-wen feels her 14-year-old son's pain when it comes to learning English. "One time, he had to memorise 100 words for a test, and he got 80 of them wrong," said Chen, who lives in the southern .....
Filipinos 2nd largest Asian group in US, census shows
26 March, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Filipinos are now the second largest Asian group in the United States, according to the latest census bureau report. The number of Americans who have identified themselves as Filipino, either alone o .....
China picks two female astronauts for space mission
26 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China has selected two female astronauts among seven candidates for its next manned space mission that will be launched between June and August. Three Chinese astronauts, also known as taikonauts, wi .....
Tohoku sees major changes in land prices
26 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Posted land prices--land values as appraised by Japan's Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry--as of January 1 this year clearly reflect the impact of the Great East Japan earthquake an .....
Malaysian PM hints polls drawing close
26 March, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Malaysian PM Najib Razak has dropped another strong hint that the general election is drawing close. “I feel that when there is plenty of talk about it, then it looks like the election is near,” .....
Is Tokyo ready for the Big One?
26 March, 2012
By Asia News Network
Source: ANN
When the magnitude-9 undersea Great East Japan earthquake occurred on March 11 last year, professor Hirata Naoshi was on the 16th floor of a building in Tokyo’s government district, Kasumigaseki, at .....
North Korea moves missile body to launch site, reports say
26 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
South Korean and US military officials confirmed Sunday that North Korea had moved the main part of a long-range rocket to a launch site north of Pyongyang. “We understand that North Korea has mov .....
'1 ROC, 2 areas' is more accurate, says Taiwan
24 March, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Taiwan's Presidential Office said yesterday that “one ROC, two areas” is the more precise formulation of the “one country, two areas” concept. Late Thursday, Kuomintang (KMT) Honorary Chairm .....
Japan ready to shoot down Nokor rocket, Philippine military on alert
24 March, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The Philippine military on Friday said it had “intensified” its monitoring of North Korea’s plan to launch a long-range rocket next month, as Japan readied its missile defense systems to shoot d .....
Security measures in place for nuke summit
24 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Seoul has been stepping up security ahead of the Nuclear Security Summit, and enhanced measures are now in place at the summit venue and across the country. The Nuclear Security Summit will be the la .....
Iran crisis, other factors send cost to highest level in over 3 years
24 March, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
The national average price of regular gasoline was 155.6 yen per litre as of Monday, up 3 yen from March 12 and the highest level in three years and five months, according to the Oil Information Centr .....
N. Korea to hold Supreme People’s Assembly on April 13, says report
24 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
North Korea will hold a meeting of its primary legislative body on April 13, the communist state’s news agency said Saturday. The Korea Central News Agency said the Standing Committee of the Suprem .....
Thaksin's Italy detention just a 'rumour'
24 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul said yesterday that he was not aware of Thaksin Shinawatra being detained in Italy as reported by the Democrat Party, adding that the opposition party wa .....
Taiwan aims for US$400m in cross-strait investment
24 March, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
The Taiwanese government is looking to attract US$400 million worth of investment from China this year, an increase from the original target of US$200 million, said Shih Yen-shiang, head of the Minist .....
Rumours of Chinese security czar's arrest dispelled by TV appearance
24 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
China's security czar Zhou Yongkang appeared on state television yesterday evening, quelling rampant but unsubstantiated rumours that he was under arrest following a failed coup on Monday. His meetin .....
Nepal appoints new labour minister
23 March, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Nepali Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai has appointed Mathabir Singh Thapa, Chairman of Rastriya Janamukti Party, as the new Minister for Labour and Transport Management after sacking Sarita Giri from .....
Nepali PM sacks Labour Minister Giri
23 March, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Nepali Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai sacked Minister for Labour and Transport Management Sarita Giri from the Cabinet for working hand-in-glove with controversial manpower agencies. The Cabinet me .....
Translation errors cause disputes over contract terms
23 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Translation errors in key contract terms have been responsible for igniting disputes between Chinese and foreign companies, the Shanghai Maritime Court said yesterday after reviewing archives in the p .....
Five die, 17 missing in Chinese mine blast
23 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
At least five miners have been killed and another 17 are missing following a gas explosion at a coal mine in Northeast China's Liaoning province yesterday. The blast occurred at around 11:40 am in a .....
Fake notes a problem in Sri Lanka
23 March, 2012
By The Island
Source: ANN
Currency notes to the value of over 136.5 million rupees (US$2.66 million) had been withdrawn from circulation in 2010 and 2011, Sri Lanka's Parliament was told on March 21. In 2010, 136.6 million ru .....
Lanka fails to beat the odds
23 March, 2012
By The Island
Source: ANN
The US resolution on Sri Lanka was adopted by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) yesterday in Geneva with a majority of nine votes––24 for, 15 against and 8 abstaining. Although Indi .....
Bhutan parties all for state funding
23 March, 2012
By Kuensel
Source: ANN
Aspiring Bhutan political and political candidates discuss accountability with election officials in the capital yesterday. This time, it was those looking to form political parties for the upcoming 2 .....
Bangkok's skytrain guard attacks Irish passenger
23 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS), the operator of the Skytrain, yesterday apologised to a foreign passenger who claimed he was attacked by a security guard for breaching a rule banning gas-filled bal .....
Woman in Nepal blinded for ‘witchcraft’
23 March, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Siblings assaulted a 40-year-old woman, Sunita Pudasaini, at Jorpati on yesterday for allegedly practicing witchcraft, blinding her by stabbing her in the eyes with a sickle. The siblings—brother D .....
Thai parents brace for higher uniform costs
23 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Parents will face higher expenses for student uniforms, one of the 41 products on the government's price-control list. The retail price of uniforms will soon rise in line with the coming hike in the m .....
Bangkok's skytrain guard attackes Irish passenger
23 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS), the operator of the Skytrain, yesterday apologised to a foreign passenger who claimed he was attacked by a security guard for breaching a rule banning gas-filled bal .....
Three wounded in tanker explosion in Bangkok
23 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Traffic around Pattanakarn 20 Road in east Bangkok, where a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker crashed into a bridge railing and exploded, is still closed and people are suggested to evacuate from t .....
Illicit opium production in southeast Asia on the rise
23 March, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
llicit opium production is again on the rise in the southeast Asian region, including Laos. Chairman of the Lao National Commission for Drug Control and Supervision (LCDC) Soubanh Srithirath made the .....
Civil defence volunteers wanted in Thailand's deep South
23 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Civil defence volunteers in Thailand are being recruited and mobilised in the deep South to take over for soldiers and marines who will soon return home. Civil defence volunteers are being recruited .....
Off-peak travel: Trial shows rewards work
23 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
A trial that offers commuters a chance to win up to S$100 if they travel during morning off-peak hours has yielded positive results so far. On average, nearly 10 per cent of daily morning trips by th .....
Philippine general denies recruiting soldiers for coup
23 March, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
One of the retired generals closely identified with the administration of former Philippine President Gloria Arroyo on Thursday dispelled rumours he was behind the recruitment of active military perso .....
Brunei to play crucial role in Asean
23 March, 2012
By The Brunei Times
Source: ANN
The latest released by Oxford Business Group Report on Brunei for 2011 shows that Brunei is in a strong position to play "a crucial strategic role" in Asean's international fortunes. However, "a lot m .....
Spring tea price higher than gold
23 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
As the season for new teas approaches, famed Chinese brews are being sold at ever-rising prices and turning into a new "luxury" good. Although the picking has not yet started, a pre-sale of the first .....
India mulls incentives to woo industrialists
23 March, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
The Indian state government plans to offer incentives to encourage industrialists to set up their units in the state, Commerce and Industries Minister Partha Chatterjee said yesterday during the Con .....
UN chief to raise N. Korea rocket launch at Seoul summit
23 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Thursday he would raise North Korea’s planned rocket launch at the upcoming Seoul Nuclear Security Summit on March 26-27, expressing “deep concern” about th .....
‘S. Korea, US to agree to extend missile range’
23 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
South Korea and the US are expected to reach a compromise soon to allow Seoul to develop longer-range ballistic missiles, President Lee Myung-bak was quoted Thursday as saying. The allies’ talks ov .....
Taiwan's defence chief to quit if defected economist returns
23 March, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Taiwan's defence minister yesterday pledged that he will resign if the government ultimately decides to lift the arrest order on Justin Lin, a Taiwanese national who defected to China more than 30 yea .....
Vietnam demands China to free 21 fishermen
23 March, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Vietnam asked China to immediately and unconditionally set free the 21 Vietnamese fishermen and two fishing vessels seized on March 3, said Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Luong Thanh Nghi Wednesda .....
Battle over Iran oil sanctions
23 March, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
The US State Department's announcement it would exempt Japan from US sanctions on importers of Iranian crude oil averted the worst-case scenario in which Japanese banks would have been unable to do bu .....
Laos, Burma deepen ties
23 March, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
Laos and Burma have agreed to deepen cooperation in a broad range of fields and build the first Mekong Friendship Bridge between the two countries to spur trade at both the bilateral and regional leve .....
Obama-Pakistan PM meeting likely
23 March, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani is expected to meet US President Barack Obama in Seoul next week on the sidelines of a nuclear safety summit. The meeting will take place at a time when the .....
Japan, China, S. Korea agree on investment pact
23 March, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
The Japanese government said Thursday it has concluded negotiations with China and South Korea for a trilateral investment accord, a prerequisite for a broader free trade agreement among the three Asi .....
Bangladesh exports to Thailand rise 73%
23 March, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Bangladesh's exports to Thailand increased 73.66 per cent in 2011 from a year ago, as demand for fertiliser and pesticide, garments, yarn and fibre, fresh aquatic animals, chilled frozen foods and t .....
Philippines lifts deployment ban to Africa
23 March, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The Philippine government has lifted the ban on the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to Nigeria, Libya and South Sudan. Labour Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said Thursday that the govern .....
China, Taiwan welcome closer relations
23 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Top officials from the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Taiwan's ruling Kuomintang (KMT) met in Beijing for the first time since the KMT's victory in the island's leadership election in January. Hu .....
China issues donor aid guidelines
23 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Guidelines covering aid and financial assistance to struggling families of deceased organ donors are set to be issued, said Hao Linna, vice-president of the Red Cross Society of China. Designed to al .....
Increasing trade frictions between China, US
22 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Chinese trade experts are warning of increasing trade frictions between China and the United States, saying that US trade protection measures are unlikely to ease in the short term. Their warnings ca .....
China's cabinet meets on transport safety, quality
22 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Safety and quality are the top priorities for China's transport infrastructure construction, the State Council, China's cabinet said yesterday. A strict mechanism for transport safety supervision and .....
Chinese taxis get subsidy to soften fuel hike blow
22 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Taxi drivers nationwide will receive a subsidy of around 300 yuan (US$47.50) a month to offset the second hike in fuel prices this year, according to the National Development and Reform Commission. T .....
Nepali PM asks minister to quit
22 March, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Nepaili Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai yesterday asked Minister for Labour and Transport Management Sarita Giri to resign. Giri has been accused of working hand-in-glove with controversial manpower .....
Costa Rica invites India investment
22 March, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
The Latin American country of Costa Rica has invited Indian businessmen to invest in areas such as electronics and electronic components, life sciences, medical devices, agri-products, etc. The countr .....
Threat of terrorism persists in Sri Lanka
22 March, 2012
By The Island
Source: ANN
The threat of terrorism persisted to some extent in Sri Lanka, as there were thousands of separatist cadres still at large with caches of arms and explosives dumps hidden in the former war zone, Sri L .....
Japan garment buyers keen on Bangladesh
22 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Apparel makers yesterday received export orders worth US$2.5 million from Japanese companies, in growing signs of buyers sourcing more from Bangladesh. A total of 16 small and medium Japanese compani .....
Thai stocks rise to 16-year high
22 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
The Thai bourse continues to defy a storm of negative factors, showing no let-up in the inflow of foreign funds that have now pushed the main index to a near 16-year high. The Stock Exchange of Thail .....
Lebanese suspect swears innocence
22 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
A Lebanese man with suspected ties to Hezbollah, a Shi'a Muslim militant group and political party based in Lebanon, appeared at a Thai court yesterday and denied charges of possessing bomb-making mat .....
Pakistan PM claims support of ‘160m people’
22 March, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani continues to strike defiant notes. Yesterday he changed his law secretary who had refused to stand by the prime minister in the Supreme Court, where he is .....
Vietnam public debt remains safe
22 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Vietnam's public debt index currently stands at a moderate and safe level, made up of mainly long-term debt and debt with preferential interest rates, according to government reports. The Ministry .....
Bhutan urged to better protect children
22 March, 2012
By Kuensel
Source: ANN
Despite efforts, there is still no significant impact in improving the protection and rights of children, particularly, violence against children in the region including Bhutan, according to the South .....
Stanford centre opens in Beijing
22 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Following the University of Chicago, Columbia University and other top-tier international universities, Stanford University of the United States launched a research centre in China yesterday at Peking .....
BBC TV teaches children yi, er, san
22 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
A new TV cartoon show in Britain is teaching toddlers how to speak Mandarin - a sign, experts say, of the language's growing popularity around the world. The Lingo Show is broadcast weekdays on the B .....
US congressmen submit resolution on N. Korean defectors in China
22 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
The US Congress has proposed a resolution aimed at stopping China from forcibly repatriating North Korean defectors who face harsh punishment in their home country, Radio Free Asia reported. Rep. Chr .....
Thai-made Mirage to go global
22 March, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Mitsubishi Motors Corp President Osamu Masuko said Tuesday that the firm would soon start manufacturing the Mitsubishi Mirage at a Thai factory to meet both local and global demand. Calling the Mirag .....
Brunei moves towards green economy
22 March, 2012
By The Brunei Times
Source: ANN
Brunei is moving towards creating a green economy to reflect its commitment to the environment. "Through (environmental) protection, we can create activities that can generate our economy (green eco .....
Laos, Thailand to resume trade, border talks
22 March, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
Laos and Thailand have reached a deal to boost investment, border trade and resume talks to complete border demarcation, while vowing to take steps to legalise undocumented Lao workers in Thailand. T .....
No new duty-free shop licenses for Korean conglomerates
22 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Conglomerates will be refused business licenses for new duty-free shops catering to foreign tourists, the government said Wednesday. The duty-free shop license policy and other related measures we .....
N. Korea warns against discussing its nukes in summit
22 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
North Korea on Wednesday strongly warned against the upcoming Seoul Nuclear Security Summit, saying any attempt to raise the issue of North Korean nuclear programmes during the summit will be deemed .....
Taiwan noodlemaker reports record-breaking US$7.87b sales
22 March, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Master Kong, a renowned instant noodles maker, yesterday reported 2011 sales of US$7.87 billion, a new high and a 17.74 per cent increase from 2010. Fluctuations in raw material prices and an errati .....
Bangladesh records 440 vessel mishaps in a decade
22 March, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Gross negligence on the part of the authorities in ensuring safety measures, coupled with a lack of awareness among passengers, caused more than 440 passenger launch accidents in the last one decade .....
US sanctions on Iran oil exempt Japan, 10 others
22 March, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
The US State Department announced Tuesday that Japan and 10 European countries will be exempt from US sanctions on crude oil imports from Iran, which have been imposed to prevent the Middle East natio .....
Philippines to host Asia's first multimillion gas hub
22 March, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Energy World Corp. Ltd. (EWC) of Hong Kong is investing some US$210 million, or roughly 9 billion pesos, to put up a liquefied natural gas terminal and regasification facility (LNG hub terminal), whic .....
No injuries in explosion near Indonesia embassy in Paris
22 March, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
A bomb exploded outside the Indonesian Embassy in Paris on early yesterday, causing minor damage but no injuries. The authorities were looking for three people in connection to the blast. A Paris pol .....
Election fever in Malaysia
22 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Election talk has gripped Malaysia amid frenzied speculation in the media over possible dates for the next parliamentary polls. Late May and early June have been bandied about most, because of the sc .....
Apple's legal troubles open opportunities to competitors
22 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Chinese and South Korean companies are moving to take advantage of Apple Inc's struggle over copyright and trademark disputes in the largest market for mobile devices in the world. The South Korean c .....
Thai PM needs boy band singer to approach South Koreans
22 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Nichkhun Horvejkul, the Thai member of the South Korean boy band 2PM, has been approached to join Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's upcoming "roadshow" to South Korea, a source said yesterday. .....
Sri Lanka bus owners threaten strike
21 March, 2012
By The Island
Source: ANN
Sri Lanka's private bus operators yesterday threatened to go on strike in protest against the sudden log sheet charge hike. The Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) President Gemunu Wijera .....
Sri Lanka wants to turn Indian Ocean into 'peace zone'
21 March, 2012
By The Island
Source: ANN
Sri Lanka is planning to explore new approaches to revive the concept of converting the Indian Ocean into a zone of peace despite the heavy opposition from major power players in the UN, Parliament wa .....
Thailand calls for stability for homebound Thaksin
21 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The ruling Pheu Thai Party should try to block a red-shirt leader from mobilising the crowds in the Northeast to act as a shield for the homecoming of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra .....
'Euro zone unlikely to break up': German ambassador
21 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
In spite of the current gloomy economic prospects in the European Union, the German ambassador to Thailand has said the euro zone is unlikely to break up because its leaders are committed to saving th .....
Once bitten, twice shy
21 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
When Xin Wei, a postgraduate student at the China University of Geosciences in Beijing, was given the last of four rabies shots, she finally felt a sense of relief. The 25-year-old had been scratched .....
Data discrepancy blamed for India's low poverty line
21 March, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
As it faced flak over the latest poverty numbers, India's Planning Commission yesterday admitted that there is serious discrepancy between the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) data and nat .....
UN human rights watchdog bids goodbye to Nepal
21 March, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
After seven years of its operation in Nepal, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) bade a formal farewell yesterday amid a gathering of rights activists, civil society activists .....
Half of cooked meat tested in China substandard
21 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Only 48 per cent of the cooked meat at nine supermarkets and stores in Guangzhou, China's southern Guangdong province, passed a quality test earlier this year, the city's administration of industry an .....
Thailand approves 15-day paternity leave
21 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thai Cabinet has approved paid leave of up to 15 days for state officials or employees whose wives have given birth to take care of the new mothers and babies, acting government spokesman Anusorn Eium .....
Pakistan parliament sets out to reorder US ties
21 March, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
On a dusty day, parliament set out on an unfamiliar road to guide foreign policy on Tuesday, with a key committee demanding that the United States “review its footprints” in Pakistan at the cost o .....
Burma, Vietnam strengthen ties
21 March, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Burma President Thein Sein arrived in Ha Noi yesterday for a two-day official visit. He was given a red-carpet welcome by his Vietnamese counterpart Truong Tan Sang. This is Thein Sein's first visit .....
LG’s new products expand to China market
21 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
LG Electronics on Tuesday rolled out some 50 products for the Chinese market this year, as part of moves to build up its presence in the country. About 500 industry people and local reporters attend .....
Seoul secures subway stations for nuke summit
21 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Seoul City is stepping up subway station security by closing up lockers and removing waste bins to ensure public safety and the smooth operation of the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit, officials said Tu .....
Indonesia pledges more UN troops
21 March, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Indonesia will continue sending troops to serve under the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping forces worldwide and aims to deploy 4,000 soldiers in conflict regions, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono sa .....
A setback for Thailand's social healthcare, reform expected
21 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
State-run hospitals in Thailand are starting to refuse transfers of acute patients from private hospitals due to the Social Security Office (SSO)'s new financial management system. "All beds in medic .....
Terrorism ruled out in Philippine river blast
21 March, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Philippine police authorities on Tuesday ruled out terrorism as the cause of Monday’s blast near the Underground River and said there never was a threat to the more than 200 US soldiers participat .....
900,000 tablets for kids to reach Thailand in April
21 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The Chinese supplier in Thailand's "One Tablet Per Child" project is expected to deliver the first batch of the 900,000 devices by the middle of next month. Representatives of Shenzhen Scope Scientif .....
Brunei 5th most forested nation
21 March, 2012
By The Brunei Times
Source: ANN
Brunei will join many countries today in ushering in World Forestry Day, with an emphasis on "Forest Biodiversity: Towards a Green Economy". Speaking to The Brunei Times yesterday, Deputy Director .....
Bali terror plot raises security fears on island
21 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
The foiling of the latest terror plot in Bali has raised renewed concerns about security on the island, with Australia telling its citizens they may want to reconsider plans to travel to Indonesia, in .....
4 Bangladesh cities at high climate risk
21 March, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Dhaka and other large cities in Bangladesh face high risks from climate change, warned a leading climate analyst of the country yesterday. Prof Ainun Nishat said major cities including Comilla, Chitt .....
Dirty acts at a Beijing outlet of McDonald's seen as not a big deal
21 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
China's annual March 15 World Consumers Rights Day show has nabbed big names this year - McDonald's and Carrefour. A Beijing outlet of the American fast-food giant was found to have served expired pi .....
Kingfisher to stop overseas flights from March 25
21 March, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
The beleaguered Kingfisher Airlines today decided to suspend all its international operations from March 25 and further reduce domestic flights even as the government warned that its flying licence ca .....
Laos faces pressure with Thai inflation impact
21 March, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
Laos expects to face stronger pressure in managing inflation amid rising food prices in neighbouring Thailand, a senior economist cautioned yesterday. Lao National Economic Research Institute Directo .....
Bali safe from terror threats
21 March, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Following the recent killing of five suspected terrorists in police raids in Bali, Indonesia, the province’s governor, Made Mangku Pastika, reminded the public to remain cautious of the looming thre .....
Next HK leader a Communist Party man?
21 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
The identity of the next Hong Kong Chief Executive might not be known till as late as May. But the buzz now is that whoever becomes the new leader on July 1 could be - for the first time - a member of .....
Bo Xilai's downfall a blow for China's leftists
21 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Their spiritual godfather Bo Xilai has fallen from favour, their websites blocked and some microblog accounts have even been unplugged. All is not well for China's leftists - a neo-conservative group .....
Dire job situation still plagues Japan's grads
21 March, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Half the 2010 graduates from Japan's universities and technical colleges, and two-thirds of high school graduates, are either unemployed, working as temporary staff, or have quit or are expected to qu .....
Air in northern Thailand thick with dust
21 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Chiang Rai's Mae Sai district, which is located in northern Thailand, was blanketed by 441.6 micrograms/cubic metres (ug/m3) of fine particle dust for a second day in a row yesterday, while six other .....
Japanese govt eyes up to 30% future ratio of N-power
21 March, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
The Japanese government is likely to set nuclear power contributions to the nation's energy supply in 2030 at a maximum of 30 per cent under a new basic plan on energy, according to sources. It will .....
Seoul considering ‘all options’ to stop N.K. rocket launch
21 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
South Korea's foreign ministry said the government is considering “all possible options” to pressure North Korea to abandon its plan to launch a satellite using a long-range missile in April. The .....
China unlikely to join WTO agreement: official
21 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China will probably not take part in an international agreement on government procurement this year because of increased standards set by developed nations, said an official from the Ministry of Finan .....
Apple Inc's Taiwan suppliers set to give out generous cash dividends too
21 March, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
With the cash-abundant Apple set to distribute cash dividends this year, its Taiwan suppliers are also expected to do the same, and generously too. Among them, TPK Holding is expected to issue cash .....
Chinese gang boss sentenced to death
21 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
A gang boss was sentenced to death yesterday in Qingdao, East China's Shandong province, for 10 charges including intentional injury, gun trade and organised crimes. Another 30 gang members received .....
China raises fuel prices by 6.5-7%
20 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China raised fuel prices for the second time this year, hiking gasoline and diesel by 6.5 per cent to 7 per cent effective today, amid rising world crude oil prices and falling domestic inflation. Pr .....
528,257 students take nat'l exams in Nepal
20 March, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
A total of 528,257 students in Nepal write their Compulsory English paper on the first day of this year’s School Leaving Certificate (SLC) examinations that kicks off across the country today. A t .....
Public transport fares go up in Nepal
20 March, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Bus and taxi rides will be dearer from today as the government agreed to meet transport entrepreneurs’ demand to increase the public transport fares, ranging between 4.54 per cent to over 8 per cent .....
528,257 students sit national exams in Nepal
20 March, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
A total of 528,257 students in Nepal write their Compulsory English paper on the first day of this year’s School Leaving Certificate (SLC) examinations that kicks off across the country today. A t .....
Six enter Jakarta election ring
20 March, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The race for Jakarta’s top executive seat is finally on as more gubernatorial hopefuls have entered the arena. After back and forth haggling between local political parties, three pairs signed up in .....
Experts urge countries to take serious water policies
20 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Governments that have not taken water management seriously should address the issue as a critical concern and set concrete policies to tackle the problems and relieve the impact from climate change an .....
Audit shows fraud on China's high-speed rail project
20 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
A report released by the National Audit Office yesterday showed more evidence of fraud, waste, mismanagement and irregular procurement totalling billions of yuan connected to the Beijing-Shanghai High .....
Obama to answer questions from S. Korean netizens
20 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
US President Barack will take questions from South Korean internet users online, during his visit to Seoul for the March 26-27 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit, officials at the US Embassy in Seoul said. .....
Bhutan to extend overseas voting to US
20 March, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Unlike in the past, more than a thousand or so Bhutanese, living and working in the United States, will take part in the country’s electoral process, starting with sending in votes for the second pa .....
Vietnam farmers lose out to urban dev't
20 March, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Massive evictions from suburban area farmland for urbanisation and industrialisation since the 1980s had forced a large proportion of Vietnam farmers to seek new livelihoods without proper preparation .....
Thailand works to preserve 'sustainable tourism'
20 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA) is working against time to promote its cause across the country before implementation of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) in 2015. .....
Pakistan parliament jointly discuss US ties
20 March, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
The Pakistan Parliament will break new ground when it meets today to frame guidelines about the future of Pakistan’s strategic ties with the United States. A joint sitting of the National Assembl .....
S'pore among big arms importers
20 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Singapore has emerged as the world's fifth-biggest weapons importer in the last five years, says the latest report of a Swedish security and military think-tank. With its imports accounting for 4 per .....
Russia, Laos to bolster ties
20 March, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
Russia is looking to strengthen economic cooperation with Laos by pursuing relations to match the level of political ties enjoyed by the two countries. Russian ambassador to Laos Oleg Kabanov reveale .....
M’sia, Indonesia stick to MoU on hiring of maids
20 March, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Malaysia will stick to the agreement made with Indonesia regarding the hiring of maids, and the “one maid, one task” is certainly not part of the deal, said Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Dr .....
Ramos-Horta concedes defeat in Timor Leste polls
20 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Timor Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta yesterday conceded defeat in a re-election campaign that many predicted he had little chance of winning. The unofficial vote count from last Saturday's polls sh .....
A third of coastal reefs destroyed by sediment in Thailand
20 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
More than a third of all coral reefs near coastal areas around the country have been destroyed by sediment from land developments to build hotels, resorts and private homes. The area of destroyed ree .....
Manhunt in Bali for terrorists
20 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Security has been tightened on the Indonesian island of Bali after police shot dead five suspected terrorists late on Sunday. All five had resisted arrest. Police are now hunting several of their acc .....
Khmer Rouge tribunal judge resigns
20 March, 2012
By Rasmei Kampuchea Daily
Source: ANN
The Khmer Rouge tribunal announced yesterday the resignation of Judge Laurent Kasper-Ansermet, the international reserve co-investigating judge whose appointment Cambodia has declined to confirm. A s .....
New Zealand focuses on Eastern promise
20 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
New Zealand is shifting the focus of its economy away from Europe and the US to the emerging markets led by China, its trade minister said. "Absolutely, we strongly welcome Chinese investment. We hav .....
Cyber threat from abroad on the rise: China
20 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Cyber attacks on China launched from bases overseas surged in 2011, rising to 8.9 million computers affected from 5 million the previous year, according to a network security report. Japan was the so .....
India airline Kingfisher's permit may be cancelled
20 March, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Cash-strapped Kingfisher Airlines of India now faces the risk of cancellation of its flying permit. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)hinted at cancellation of Kingfisher's flying per .....
54% Japanese favour revising Constitution
20 March, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Fifty-four per cent of respondents to a Yomiuri Shimbun survey conducted last month said they favoured revising the Constitution, up 11 percentage points from the previous survey in September. This i .....
Indonesia sets tough rules for migrant workers to M'sia
20 March, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Indonesia will resume sending its migrant workers to Malaysia in April if both countries agree on standards of competence and monthly payments. "We will resume the labour supply after we receive assu .....
Seoul condemns N. Korea rocket plan as ‘provocation’
20 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
The South Korean government on Monday condemned North Korea’s planned satellite launch as a “grave provocation” aimed at developing a long-range ballistic missile to deliver nuclear weapons. Pr .....
Philippines urged to speed up reforms
20 March, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
High power rates and limited access to financing for small enterprises are among the structural problems that the Philippine government should address so that economic growth can translate into povert .....
Bangladesh navy patrol new sea boundary
20 March, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Following the last week's victory at a UN court in Bangladesh's maritime boundary claims to Burma, Bangladesh Navy has made its first patrol across the settled boundary in the Bay of Bengal. A compet .....
Six die as freighter capsizes off Taiwan
20 March, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Six seamen died, seven sustained injuries, and a further two went missing after a freighter carrying 4,000 tons of gravel en route to the eastern coastal county of Hualien capsized and sank into the c .....
Thailand may give more students free tablets
20 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thailand's Office of Basic Education Commission (Obec) has proposed the Education Ministry set a 4 billion baht budget for tablet distribution to Matthayom 1 students (Grade 7), an Obec top official s .....
As queues grow, Bangkok airport debate rages
19 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Bangkok's "single" airport controversy has returned to haunt all participants in the travel sector, especially air passengers who are most likely to suffer from rising congestion at Suvarnabhumi Airpo .....
Sri Lanka condemns Norway over human rights issues
19 March, 2012
By The Island
Source: ANN
Sri Lanka's government strongly protested to Norway for having discussions with the Global Tamil Forum (GTF) in the run-up to the forthcoming vote on a resolution moved by the US, targeting Sri Lanka .....
Japan seeks to open more foreign embassies
19 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba said on March 17 that Japan would seek a massive expansion of its embassies to enhance its diplomatic influence. In remarks made in the Japanese city of Nagoy .....
Bhutan reptiles, mammals top road kill victims
19 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
From people to strays like dogs, cats, cattle and horses, the increasing number of vehicles that zoom on the roads in Bhutan are also sending wildlife to an early grave. Reptiles and mammals are am .....
Maoists abduct 2 Italian tourists in east India
19 March, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Maoists abducted two Italian tourists, Bosusco Paolo and Claudio Colangelo, in the forests of Kandhamal district in Orissa (east India) sending the government into crisis mode yesterday with the ext .....
Dog killer wanted in Sri Lanka
19 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
A man calling himself a hunter of wild animals had a roaring business of meat in Mailapitiya, Matale, a town in the hill country of Sri Lanka, 142 kilometres from Colombo. But what his buyers don't k .....
Sri Lanka condemns Norway over human right issues
19 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Sri Lanka's government strongly protested to Norway for having discussions with the Global Tamil Forum (GTF) in the run-up to the forthcoming vote on a resolution moved by the US, targeting Sri Lanka .....
I’ll quit if that helps resolve issue: Pakistan PM
19 March, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said here on Sunday that he would be ready to resign if that would help resolve the issue of writing a letter to Swiss authorities to reopen cases against Pr .....
Nepal issues directives on minister transfer
19 March, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Nepali Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai yesterday issued a seven-point directive to his ministers and secretaries to be practised while transferring bureaucrats. The move comes in the wake of disput .....
Philippine foreign investment pledges surge 249%
19 March, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Thailand ranked highest among the Philippines’ top investors for February 2012 with Thailand’s Charoen Pokphand Foods Phils. Corp.’s (CP Foods) aqua feed production project, according to the Boa .....
Smog covers north Thailand
19 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Artificial rainmaking flights resumed yesterday after being suspended on March 17 in Chiang Mai, the largest city in northern Thailand as haze returned to cover the area, Thai news agencies reported y .....
Red tape leaves Indonesian graft convicts free
19 March, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Several Indonesian government officials convicted of graft remain free despite their jail sentences, raising concerns that they could evade justice by traveling overseas. Poor bureaucracy and powerle .....
AirAsia scrapping long-haul flights
19 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
London, Paris, Mumbai and New Delhi were the first to go. Now Asia's biggest budget airline, AirAsia, is scrapping its flights to Christchurch too, in a drastic retreat that shows how deeply high fue .....
US backs Lao bid for WTO membership
19 March, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
Laos has gained the vote of the United States in support of its bid for membership in the World Trade Organisation, which represents a milestone in the country's plans for regional integration. Lao a .....
India's railway minister quits over fare hike
19 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
India's railway minister Dinesh Trivedi resigned yesterday evening, after a fare hike he proposed was rejected by his own party, sparking a political crisis within the Congress-led coalition governmen .....
New products emerge to meet demands for disaster prevention
19 March, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
The Great East Japan Earthquake has dramatically changed people's awareness of earthquakes, natural disasters, energy conservation and a host of other issues. Companies have begun offering new types .....
Home prices fall in a third of Chinese cities
19 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
More than a third of major Chinese cities saw property prices fall in February, on a yearly basis, and analysts said the trend will continue amid government curbs. Of the 70 large and mid-sized citie .....
Vietnam merger deals tipped to increase
19 March, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Merger and acquisition activity in Vietnam is expected to further increase this year, following high-profile deals last year such as food products company Masan Consumer's acquisition of coffee proces .....
Bangladesh not keen on settling sea dispute bilaterally
19 March, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Bangladesh is not interested in resolving the maritime boundary issue with India through bilateral talks as it believes the UN's Permanent Court of Arbitration would deliver a verdict giving it prop .....
Reforms are at 'a key stage': China
19 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China has entered a crucial stage in reforming the economy and will continue to strive to achieve breakthroughs in key areas, Vice-Premier Li Keqiang said yesterday. Reforms will be given added bite .....
Scandals, sniping spur push for democracy in HK
19 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Retired teacher Yip Siu Chau, 65, has never joined a street protest. But the scandals surrounding two pro-Beijing candidates running for the chief executive election got too much for him. Yesterday, .....
'Taiwanese businesses face increasing difficulties in China'
19 March, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Taiwan businesspeople are facing increasing difficulty in China, where Chinese enterprises are on the rise, said Winston Wong, chief executive of the Grace T.H.W. Group, during an interview with Singa .....
Philippine gov't to save over 80 Filipinos from death row worldwide
19 March, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
On orders of Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is exerting its “best efforts” for the commutation of over 80 death-penalty cases invo .....
5 suspected terrorists reported killed in Bali raids
19 March, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Five suspected terrorists were reportedly killed during police raids at two different locations in Bali, Indonesia late on Sunday. Police have yet to issue an official statement on the nature of the .....
World pressures N. Korea to drop rocket launch plan
19 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
The international community has mounted pressure on North Korea to drop its plan to launch a satellite next month to celebrate the 100th year since the birth of late founder Kim Il-sung. Not only t .....
HIV/AIDS cases in Laos jump to almost 5,000
18 March, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
Almost 5,000 people in total have tested positive for HIV/AIDS in Laos, according to the National Centre for HIV/AIDS/STIs. The centre's Deputy Director, Dr Chanthone Khamsibounheuang, was quoted as .....
Thailand's third richest man passes away at 90
18 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Red Bull founder Chaleo Yoovidhya, who grew from humble origins to become one of Thailand's wealthiest men, passed away from natural causes at a Bangkok hospital yesterday at the age of 90. Chaleo wi .....
Osama's family members remanded in custody
18 March, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
A Pakistani court yesterday remanded members of the family of slain Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in judicial custody for nine days. Senior Civil Judge Sharukh Arjumand conducted hearings in the tri .....
Thailand to mull tablet plan
18 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Details of the tablet-computer distribution project will be put to the mobile Cabinet meeting in Phuket for consideration on Tuesday, the Thai prime minister's personal spokesman Suranand Vejjajiva to .....
Taiwan's ex-president would welcome pardon
18 March, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Former Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian is eager to get out of jail and would welcome a presidential pardon if it is possible, an opposition heavyweight said yesterday. The ex-president does not t .....
Pakistan trade with Iran hits rock bottom
18 March, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Pakistan’s trade with Iran has been hit hard, as it fell sharply during the last 20 months, indicating country’s weak approach towards regional trade. Pakistan still depends largely on Western pa .....
Business shutdown costs Pakistan billions
18 March, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Production activities in almost all the industrial estates came to a halt yesterday as the city observed complete shutdown on the call of business community to protest alarming rise in street crimes, .....
Osama’s family members remanded in custody
18 March, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
A Pakistani court yesterday remanded members of the family of slain Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in judicial custody for nine days. Senior Civil Judge Sharukh Arjumand conducted hearings in the tri .....
Uproar over tourism plan for Buddha's birthplace
18 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
The Buddha evokes feelings of peace and harmony, but a plan to boost the profile of his birthplace as an international tourist site has outraged followers and prompted protests. The reason? Buddhist .....
Chinese cities called key to growth
18 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Urbanization will be a major feature of China's economic growth and continue to gain momentum, Liu He, Party chief of the Development Research Centre of the State Council, said yesterday. At the Chin .....
Hello, kitty cafes, China is calling
18 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
China is saying “hello kitty” in more ways than one. In fact, it seems to be raining cats here, but not dogs. The country welcomed the first theme restaurant based on the famous Japanese cartoon .....
Japan may shoot down N. Korean rocket
18 March, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Believing that North Korea is highly likely to launch a "satellite" as previously announced, the government has started considering intercepting the rocket if it flies toward Japan, according to gover .....
Japan revises nuclear guidelines
18 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
A Japanese Nuclear Safety Commission panel has decided on a draft to revise nuclear disaster management guidelines that would greatly A Japanese Nuclear Safety Commission panel has decided on a draf .....
Japan urges 6 million yen for nuclear evacuees
18 March, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Residents who will be unable to return to areas around the crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant for at least five years should be paid 6 million yen (US$72,000) each as compensation for their .....
English a draw for young job-seekers to go Singapore
18 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Over the past five years, a growing number of South Korean graduates have come to Singapore, seeking jobs to brush up their English. Some even take a pay cut and come against their parents' wishes. T .....
Taxi hijack ends in crash tragedy
18 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
With only 10 minutes to go before his night shift was to end, Budget Terminal cleaner Chandra Mogan was looking forward to going home yesterday morning. He never made it alive. The 34-year-old .....
Samsung Electronics approves LCD spin-off
17 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Shareholders of Samsung Electronics yesterday approved the spin-off of the company’s liquid-crystal display business, which will launch as a new entity tentatively called Samsung Display Co. on Apri .....
Taiwan plans round of beef, pork and fowl inspections
17 March, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Taiwan's Department of Health said it is planning a fresh round of ractopamine testing on beef, pork, duck, and geese products on the Taiwan market. Starting March 20, the DOH starts up inspection o .....
New iPads reach HK market
17 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Like victors in a sporting event, each person who managed to get a new iPad was cheered and applauded by Hong Kong Apple Store workers yesterday, the first day the tablet was available to consumers. .....
Fair gives pets a chance to find the other half
17 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Pet owners are flocking to the 2012 Shanghai Pet Fair in hopes of finding a partner for their animals. With photos of cute pets posted on a huge whiteboard, this year's fair, which began yesterday an .....
McDonald's restaurant closed in China for rule violations
17 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
A McDonald's restaurant in Beijing saw its business suspended and itself placed on rectification yesterday after a China Central Television (CCTV) programme reported the day before that it had sold ex .....
Taxi driver returns gold worth US$423,800 to forgetful owner
17 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
An honest taxi driver yesterday returned some eight kg of gold left in his cab to the rightful owner. As a reward for his honesty, taxi driver Saksee Kesseekaew was immediately given gold necklaces w .....
Thai govt acts to soothe price fears
17 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
The Thai government yesterday acknowledged growing anxiety over the rising cost of living and the imminent increase in the minimum wage, but expressed confidence that Thailand's economic situation rem .....
More people buy homes in Taiwan's Taoyuan-Hsinchu area
17 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
With skyrocketing home prices in Taipei, many people are buying homes in the Taoyuan-Hsinchu area (counties in northwestern Taiwan contiguous with New Taipei City ) where prices are cheaper, a recent .....
South Korea to announce nuclear reduction plan
17 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak is expected to announce a nuclear material reduction plan at a special press conference after compiling some participating countries’ pledges during the Nuclear .....
More young Filipinos smoking, says report
17 March, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
It is not just “noynoying” that young Filipinos are adopting from President Benigno Aquino III’s known habit. More and more of the country’s youth are lighting up, with 2 out of every 5 Filip .....
Shoppers flock Japan's Apple stores for new iPads
17 March, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Throngs of people lined up in Tokyo's Ginza shopping district yesterday morning, eager to be the first to enter a new store or get their hands on a new gadget. About 1,000 people had lined up in fron .....
Singapore's exports up 30% last month
17 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Exports from Singapore soared by 30.5 per cent last month, double what experts were expecting, bolstering talk that the local economy is rebounding. The figures come amid rising confidence in some qu .....
N. Korea to launch satellite on occasion of founding father’s 100th birthday
16 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
North Korea said Friday that it would launch a satellite in mid-April to mark the centennial birthday of its late founder Kim Il-sung, a move that experts say is a cover for another long-range missile .....
China to build two more weather stations for Tibet Plateau
16 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China will set up two more comprehensive weather- monitoring stations on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, another step toward the goal of establishing 23 stations on the plateau, said Yao Tandong, director .....
China's FDI falls for fourth straight month
16 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China's foreign direct investment (FDI) shrank in February from a year earlier, the fourth straight fall, while investment from Europe witnessed a sharp decline, according to the Chinese Ministry of C .....
S.Korean minister urges exporters to act, as Korea-US trade pact takes effect
16 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
South Korea's Knowledge Economy Minister Hong Suk-woo called for aggressive marketing from Korean exporters, in addition to price cuts to maximise the effect of the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA) .....
Timor Leste expects non-violent polls
16 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
While some foreigners have left Timor Leste over fears that tomorrow's election will be marred by violence, some Singaporeans who work in the country are staying put. The run-up to this year's polls .....
US town learns from Japan tsunami
16 March, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
After the Great East Japan Earthquake hit Japan on March 11 last year, a tsunami reached the western coast of the United States, causing serious damage to the coastal area of Crescent City in northern .....
Reactor blackout fans nuclear safety concerns in South Korea
16 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
The government came under pressure as a soaring number of Koreans are casting doubt on atomic energy after plant operators were found to have attempted to conceal power loss at a nuclear reactor in Bu .....
Use of social media to get Filipinos out of Syria urged
16 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
A nonprofit organisation that handles labour and migration concerns yesterday urged Philippine government agencies involved in the repatriation of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) from Syria to make .....
Bhutan copper, software exports face shutdown
16 March, 2012
By Kuensel
Source: ANN
Bhtuan's enigmatic software and copper export business that had the government looking askance for years could be headed for a complete meltdown. The trade department has issued a notification to i .....
Nepali leaders forced to cancel Swiss trip
16 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Sponsoring foreign trips for Nepali politicians when the country is struggling to end a deadlock over the peace processes raises serious questions on the accountability of donors, analysts said. Key .....
Swiss couple ‘escape’ from Taliban captivity
16 March, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
A Swiss couple kidnapped from Balochistan in July last year escaped from Taliban captivity in north Waziristan (northwest Pakistan), officials said on Thursday. Olivier David Och and Daniela Widmer w .....
Food security a priority, says Vietnam PM
16 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has urged a regional food and agricultural conference to come up with more aggressive solutions to food security and poverty reduction, especially in rural areas .....
'Prison better than going to the gallows' - Pakistan PM
16 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Maintaining his defiant stance on the issue of writing a letter to Swiss authorities to reopen corruption cases also involving Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani .....
Nepali PM likely to send formal invite to UN's Ban Ki-moon
16 March, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
A high-level invitation, most likely at the Prime Ministerial level, will be extended to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon within the next couple of days, according to sources at the Ministry of Foreig .....
Thaksin invites fans to join him in Laos
16 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Fugitive former PM Thaksin Shinawatra is inviting his Thai fans to join him in neighbouring Laos to celebrate Songkran next month. "Thaksin has conveyed his message that anyone who misses and wants t .....
Thai permanent secretary threatens to sue minister
16 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Panita Kambhu na Ayutthaya, Thailand's permanent secretary of the Social Development and Human Security Ministry who was recently shunted to an inactive post by the minister, Santi Promphat, yesterday .....
Thai man leaves US$423,800 worth of gold in taxi
16 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The owner of a gold shop in Ubon Ratchathani in north-eastern Thailand told police yesterday that he had left gold ornaments worth 13 million baht (US$423,800) in a taxi on March 14. Akekarat Kanokwa .....
'Prison better than going to the gallows’' - Pakistan PM
16 March, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Maintaining his defiant stance on the issue of writing a letter to Swiss authorities to reopen corruption cases also involving Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani .....
Thai firms go to court against govt wage order
16 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
About 42 companies from various industries have lodged a complaint with the Central Administrative Court over an official order requiring employers to raise their daily minimum wages. The move is a l .....
Brunei to settle 'halal investment'
16 March, 2012
By The Brunei Times
Source: ANN
Questions were raised over halal investments during the Eighth Legislative Council (LegCo) session with the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) yesterday. "My question is whether the Brunei Islamic .....
Vietnam asks China to respect sovereignty
16 March, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Vietnam has asked the Chinese side to respect the country's sovereignty and end all practices violating its control over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Archipelago in order to maintain peace and stability on .....
China unable to fund Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline
16 March, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
In a surprising move, Pakistan Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr Asim Hussain confirmed on Thursday that the consortium led by the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China had expressed i .....
Thai power firm ramps up job creation in Laos
16 March, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
Ratch-Lao Service Company Limited, a Thai power company operating in Laos, is training Lao staff to work in many skilled positions at its power plants, according to a company executive. Managing Dire .....
Bangladesh claims victory in Bay of Bengal dispute
16 March, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday termed the triumph over Burma in the maritime boundary dispute case at Hamburg a victory of the whole nation. She credited her government with gettin .....
Poor industrial expansion blamed for India slow growth
16 March, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Agreeing with informed estimates in recent weeks, the Economic Survey 2011-12 today said the country’s economy is estimated to grow only by 6.9 per cent in the current fiscal ending March 31 and bla .....
China will not use force in Spratlys, says new envoy
16 March, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
China does not intend to invade or use its military might to interfere in the affairs of any of its neighbours, including the Philippines and four other countries claiming ownership of the Spratlys in .....
Bangladesh basks in winning boundary dispute
16 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday termed the triumph over Burma in the maritime boundary dispute case at Hamburg a victory of the whole nation. She credited her government with gettin .....
China plans mission to bring back lunar soil
16 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Preparations are well advanced to launch a moon mission and bring about 2 kilograms of lunar soil samples to Earth, a leading space program official said. The mission is part of the third phase of the .....
Intrigues, rallies mar Indonesia fuel policy
16 March, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Rallies protesting a government plan to increase fuel prices have increasingly turned violent as Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono seems to be unable to keep his political coalition intact .....
Singapore eyes on freezing eggs to reverse falling birth rate
16 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Healthy young women should be allowed to freeze their eggs for future use in a move that could help to reverse Singapore's falling birth rate, say several fertility experts. When it comes to getting .....
Democracy+hydropower equals to New Nepal: PM
15 March, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
According top priority to the development of hydropower sector in the country, Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai on March 14 coined a new slogan, “Democracy plus Hydropower equals to New Nepal.” .....
Nepal peace process on UN agenda
15 March, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
When UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon visits Kathmandu on April 28, Nepal’s sluggish peace process, among other issues, will be the key agenda of his trip. The UN has been keenly following developm .....
Consider investing in Burma, M'sian firms told
15 March, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
The government wants more Malaysian companies and businessmen to look at Burma as their next foreign investment destination. International trade and industry minister Mustapa Mohamed said the changes .....
Philippines to launch digital classrooms
15 March, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Can you imagine a classroom without chalk and blackboard, manila paper, cartolinas, one-fourth sheets of paper, pencils, erasers, and attendance sheets? The leading Philippine educational materials p .....
Indonesia gov't vows to save economy
15 March, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said his government would focus its attention on providing social security for the people who would suffer from the impact of the fuel-price hike slated f .....
Korea-US free trade agreement goes into effect
15 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
The Korea-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA) went into effect today, making Korea the first Asian country to have FTAs in effect with the world’s largest economy and the European Union. Tariffs were im .....
Thailand coy on naming supplier of tablets
15 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
\The Thai government is facing a possible deadline crisis over its One Tablet Per Child (OTPC) project after its committee yesterday failed to disclose the name of the chosen supplier. The government .....
Thail MP demands probe into drilling
15 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
A Democrat MP yesterday lodged a complaint with environment-protection police, demanding immediate investigation into the ongoing oil exploration project in Bangkok's Thawee Watthana district. Akanat .....
EU court lifts sanctions on Burma magnate's son
15 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
The European Union's highest court has reversed a decision by the European Commission and two other bodies that placed sanctions on the Singapore-educated son of a Burma magnate linked to the military .....
Thailand central bank says inflation under control
15 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The Bank of Thailand has sent a strong message that inflation is under control despite oil price spikes, amid high inflation expectation which is feared to give birth to a vicious cycle of endless pri .....
Bangladesh war trial to go on
15 March, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday reiterated that the trial of the country's war criminals would surely be held no matter how desperately the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Par .....
Thailand central bank says inflation is under control
15 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The Bank of Thailand has sent a strong message that inflation is under control despite oil price spikes, amid high inflation expectation which is feared to give birth to a vicious cycle of endless pri .....
Privacy becomes core healthcare issue in China
15 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Meng Fei was confirmed HIV-positive in August, but decided to hold off telling his parents for fear of upsetting them. This month, that choice was taken out of his hands by the local centre for diseas .....
Premier Wen Jiabao takes his final bow
15 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, at his final National People's Congress (NPC) news conference yesterday, called for reforms and set a path of both opportunity and challenge for his successor. The Fifth S .....
Cambodia, Vietnam review border demarcation
15 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Cambodia and Vietnam have reviewed the implementation of last year's agreement on land border area adjustment, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported Wednesday. The report said the review took place dur .....
Vietnam auto sales leap 43% in February
15 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Seventeen members of the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturing Association (VAMA) last month sold a total of nearly 6,120 vehicles, down 25 per cent over the same period last year, but up a significant 43 .....
Japan seeks restart of Fukui Prefecture reactors
15 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
The Japanese Cabinet Office's Nuclear Safety Commission is expected to approve documents on the first-stage stress tests on the safety of nuclear reactors at the Oi nuclear power plant as early as n .....
Gov't urged to allow foreign investors to reside in Brunei
15 March, 2012
By The Brunei Times
Source: ANN
To develop Brunei's economy, there should be a revision of the criteria for permanent residents, said a Legislative Council representative during yesterday's session. Yang Berhormat Pehin Kapitan Lel .....
89 Buddha images missing in Laos
15 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
A total of 89 Buddha images from the World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang remain missing after being stolen over the past seven years and sold to undiscerning buyers in Laos and Thailand. Deputy Dire .....
Stock markets across the world on a roll
15 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Upbeat economic news across the world yesterday prompted investors globally to shake off the blues and send share markets surging. Reports of successful stress tests carried out on major US lenders .....
Japan local communities await decision on reactors
15 March, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Local governments and residents in Japan who rely on income tied to the operation of Kansai Electric Power Co.'s Oi nuclear power plant are hoping that the central government will formally request tha .....
Bhutan FIs freeze on lending
15 March, 2012
By Kuensel
Source: ANN
As the Bhutan government tries to rein in demand for INR (Indian rupee) in the economy, several financial institutions have also decided to stop sanctioning loans that relate to payments in INR for an .....
High level of lead in blood sparks fears in Thailand
15 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
About 90 per cent of Karen villagers in Tambon Mae Chan of Tak's Umphang district in north Thailand have high levels of lead in their blood, Umphang Hospital director Dr Worawit Tantithanasap reported .....
Singapore's golden goal
15 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Only about 2 per cent of the world's gold trade is carried out in Singapore, but an ambitious plan aims to lift that to at least 10 per cent by 2020. Trade agency IE Singapore wants to bolster the co .....
Six die in Bali landslides
15 March, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Landslides and mud flooding in remote villages in Kintamani, Bangli regency, 60 kilometres northeast of Denpasar, took six lives and injured two people yesterday. The landslides and mud floods were .....
Malaysia's civil society increases clout
15 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
The influence of Malaysia's civil society and non-governmental sector has grown tremendously in recent years as such groups mushroom to fill a vacuum in the democratic space that had been heavily part .....
AUO to appeal decisions in US price-fixing trial
15 March, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
AU Optronics Corp. (AUO), the world's fourth largest LCD panel maker, yesterday vowed to appeal guilty verdicts handed down by a US federal jury in a price-fixing trial. AUO said it was deeply disap .....
Chinese yuan to face downward pressure in 2012
15 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The yuan will be under increasing downward pressure in 2012, and the increase in yuan holdings for foreign exchange purchases and the investment growth rate will both decline by more than half, a seni .....
Beijing aims for healthier, cleaner growth
14 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Last year's bottom ranking in economic growth in China has not blunted Beijing's determination to bid farewell to GDP-oriented policies. The capital city will continue to pursue sustainable economic .....
Sri Lankan gov't comes under fire over human rights issues
14 March, 2012
By The Island
Source: ANN
The Sri Lankan government has come under heavy NGO flak on the sidelines of the 19th sessions of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, with President Mahinda Rajapaksa strongly cr .....
Rupee falls on importer demand
14 March, 2012
By The Island
Source: ANN
The rupee fell to a new low yesterday closing at 123.60/80 against the dollar fuelled by importer demand and Central Bank prescriptions, currency dealers and market analysts said. The rupee opened th .....
Dry season, inadequate firefighters raise concerns in Nepal
14 March, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
With the dry season approaching, fire-related incidents are on the rise across the country. And Pokhara is not an exception, where some 124 cases of fire on an average are reported each year, accordin .....
Taiwan legislator alleges long list of drug-containing pork products
14 March, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
In addition to ractopamine, various other kinds of more toxic leanness enhancers have been circulating in the market in various pork products such as sausages, ground pork, and pig livers, according t .....
India grants amnesty to 40 convicts
14 March, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Indian Chief minister Mamata Banerjee today announced the release of 40 prisoners who had been sentenced to life imprisonment and has already served for more than 18 years. However, the announcemen .....
Indonesia loses trillions in taxes from corruption
14 March, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
A survey found that Indonesia could lose half of its tax revenues from the rampant corruption plaguing the tax-collecting agency. Jakarta-based think tank Perkumpulan Prakarsa said that for 2012, the .....
Korean politician compromises as party rift deepens
14 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Escalating moves to divide the country’s political conservatives have apparently been reined in as a key legislator of the ruling Saenuri Party on March 12 decided not to quit the party despite bein .....
Asian govts face climate refugees challenges
14 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Ningxia Hui autonomous region is more than 1,000km from Beijing and China's booming coastal cities. Near Inner Mongolia, it is one of China's poorest regions, and in recent years has seen both less ra .....
Pakistan becomes Vietnam's top tea importer
14 March, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Pakistan is Vietnam's largest tea importer, according to a representative of the Ministry of Industry and Trade. About 3,100 tonnes of tea had been exported to Pakistan, accounting for nearly 16 per .....
Cambodia cashes in on software dev't outsourcing
14 March, 2012
By Rasmei Kampuchea Daily
Source: ANN
Software development outsourcing is emerging as a new growth sector for business and human resource development in Cambodia, Kens Group chairman Ken Chanthan said. "Information communication techn .....
Taiwan requires farmers to guarantee 'no leanness enhancers in pigs'
14 March, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Beginning today, all hog farmers in Taiwan are required to sign guarantees that their pigs have not been fed any leanness enhancers, prior to selling them, as part of a self-management program to ensu .....
Seoul mayor's comments on dolphins spark political debate
14 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Seoul Metropolitan Government’s decision to release one of the three illegally obtained dolphins at the city-run zoo has sparked a political debate. On March 12, Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon announce .....
Pheu Thai's Jirayu to meet Thaksin in Hong Kong
14 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Pheu Thai Party deputy spokesman Jirayu Huangsap revealed yesterday he was in Hong Kong to meet former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. My talks with Thaksin will focus on seeking his advice about .....
Asian govts lag in spending on social services
14 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thailand and other Asian countries have been urged to impose higher taxes on wealth to collect enough revenue to finance universal social welfare. "Asia has underperformed its potential for social st .....
India under pressure over Sri Lanka censure
14 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Tamil politicians are putting intense pressure on the Indian government to back a move by the United States to have the UN Human Rights Council censure Sri Lanka over alleged war crimes in the final s .....
Thailand welcomes national elephant day amid gloom
14 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
To mark National Thai Elephant Day yesterday, the owner of an elephant kraal in Ayutthaya urged the government to seriously tackle elephantrelated issues, while Lampang and Chiang Rai hosted meritmaki .....
Philippine ex-president ordered arrested over Chinese deal
14 March, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
For the second time since stepping down from office, former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Arroyo was ordered arrested Tuesday, this time for a graft case over the canceled US$329- .....
Chinese bank ditches Pakistan-Iran gas project
14 March, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
A consortium led by the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) has "run away" from providing financial advisory services for the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project apparently because of the US .....
Thailand to announce school tablet bid winner, ruling out Huawei
14 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The government will make a "final" decision today on which company gets to supply tablet computers to school students nationwide, following confusion over a remark made initially by the information an .....
Japan to buy US$10.3b in Chinese govt bonds
14 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Japan announced yesterday that it has won Chinese authorities' approval to buy 65 billion yuan (US$10.3 billion) in Chinese government bonds. The move will help Japan diversify its reserves away from .....
Indonesia, S’pore agree to treaty renegotiation
14 March, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has shown his persistence to his Singaporean counterpart, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, by bringing up tal .....
China high-speed rail line subsides
14 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Sections of a high-speed railway set to open in May have suffered subsidence, it has been reported. The 291-kilometre Wuhan-Yichang railway will be an important link in the Shanghai-Chengdu trunk lin .....
China rare earths policy 'in line with WTO'
14 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Beijing defends export curbs after US files case at world trade bodyProtecting the environment and the efficient management of resources were the factors that shaped China's rare earths policy in acco .....
Singapore 3rd most competitive city globally
14 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Singapore is the world's third most competitive city and the most competitive in Asia, thanks to its clean environment, first-rate infrastructure and sound economy, according to a newly established ra .....
36 dead in Bangladesh ferry mishap
14 March, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
At least 36 people died and more than 200 others went missing when a packed passenger launch capsized in the river Meghna after colliding with a cargo vessel at Gazaria in Munshiganj (central Banglad .....
Thailand to send teachers abroad to brush up English skills
13 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
A 100 million baht budget has been set aside for about 1,100 teachers to take part in English language training in English-speaking countries during the upcoming summer vacation. Deputy Education Min .....
Nepali Maoists want congress to be more flexible
13 March, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
The UCPN (Maoist) has demanded that for the integration process to kick-start Nepali Congress (NC) should be flexible on “moving one step forward” from its current stand on “traditional” parli .....
South Korea to support multicultural children
13 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
The Education Ministry announced yesterday that it would establish more preparatory schools to help children from multicultural families learn the Korean language and culture before they enter regular .....
Taiwan finds illegal addictive in Australian beef
13 March, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
In the latest round of inspections, two samples of Australian beef and two samples of New Zealand beef tested positive for ractopamine, said the Department of Health yesterday. In addition, one sample .....
Women occupy 'stronger' positions in Vietnam
13 March, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Aside from assuming greater responsibility for building a happy home life, Vietnamese women had made progress in the political field, said Vice president of the Vietnam Women's Union Nguyen Thi Kim Th .....
India president assures 'all will be well'
13 March, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
With its image in tatters owing to scams and doubts over its stability in the wake of recent poll reverses, the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government today sought to assure a despo .....
Thailand urges more public participation in making laws
13 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thailand's laws do not uphold human rights, and fail to bridge the country's socio-economic and political divides, according to participants in a symposium organised by the government's Legal Reform C .....
Leodo not part of territorial dispute with China: Seoul
13 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said yesterday that Ieodo, a submerged rock south of Jeju Island, is within South Korea’s jurisdiction, dismissing China’s renewed claim to the economically im .....
Nepal national team coach’ reign ends in a bitter note
13 March, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Nepal national team coach Graham Paul Roberts’ contract with the Nepal national team ended yesterday following Nepal’s shameful exit from the AFC Challenge Cup in Kathmandu. The Englishman was .....
Noda apologises to Taiwan for March 11 ceremony snub
13 March, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda yesterday told Japanese lawmakers that he was sorry Taiwan's representative was not called upon to present bouquets at the Japanese government-hosted ceremony co .....
Beefing up sales as diets change
13 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Beijing college student He Rongxi goes to the Jade Palace Hotel in Haidian district at least twice a month with her parents because she likes the beefsteaks the buffet serves in the hotel's cafe. The .....
Philippines, Japan firm sign airline deal
13 March, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
More than three years since it first opened to the public, Philippines' Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 is now well on its way to being completed and becoming fully operational .....
Illegally exported PCs possibly used in N.Korea cyber attacks
13 March, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
A Tokyo-based secondhand computer dealer illegally exported 1,800 personal computers and liquid-crystal displays to a Pyongyang organisation which may have been involved in cyber attacks against South .....
Boom amid gloom for Bank of S'pore
13 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
For anyone with enough money to need the services of a private bank, one Singapore outfit is making quite a splash. Bank of Singapore (BOS) has piled on new elite banking staff to keep up with demand .....
Brunei warned against 'get rich quick' scams
13 March, 2012
By The Brunei Times
Source: ANN
Brunei's second minister of Finance urged the public to avoid the trap of various "get rich quick" schemes and invest on existing products that are managed by financial institutions approved by the go .....
Pakistan to propose wheat export, gas pipeline funding
13 March, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Pakistan's Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet is likely to approve on Tuesday a proposal to export over two million tonnes of wheat, impose 16 per cent general sales tax on hydropowe .....
US, China vow to hike investment in Thailand
13 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Leading American and Chinese investors told Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday they will increase their investment in Thailand, and urged Bangkok to eliminate trade barriers to promote more .....
Debt woes mount for Indian airlines
13 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
India's aviation industry is in distress, with the trouble spreading from debt-ridden Kingfisher Airlines to private airline Jet Airways and government carrier Air India. At least 30 Kingfisher fligh .....
China confident in European bonds
13 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China is confident that Europe will overcome its problems and will continue to invest part of its foreign exchange reserves in European bonds, a senior central bank official said yesterday. "We belie .....
Micro blog a big way to do a little business
12 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
With the micro blog becoming a frequently used everyday tool for many people, smart business minds in East China's Zhejiang province have started to take advantage of the busy platform. An ordinary s .....
China's inflation pressures continue to ease
12 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
'Real interest rates' likely to persist over longer term, says NBS chief"Real interest rates" are likely to persist over the longer term as inflationary pressure continues to ease this year, China's t .....
Main Thai parties locked in legal combat
12 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The Pheu Thai and Democrat parties have spun legal webs designed to destroy one another. The ruling party seeks to have the main Opposition party disbanded, while the Democrats are trying to force an .....
Agricultural price-pledging policy has failed in Thailand
12 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Six months since the implementation of the price-pledging scheme for farm goods, it is time the Yingluck government reviewed the policy, which has cost Thailand more than 300 billion baht and left far .....
Reluctant, priest attends Dalit marriage
12 March, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
A Hindu priest, who refused to solemnise the marriage of a Dalit couple in Kailali, on Sunday reluctantly performed a ceremony to exchange nuptial vows and rings bowing down to intense pressure from p .....
New Pakistan senate rules put journos under pressure
12 March, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Journalists covering the opening session of the Pakistan Senate on Monday can expect a tough time because under the new rules of business, they run the risk of breaching the privilege of senators if t .....
Nepal teachers' protests affects 7.5m students
12 March, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Agitating school teachers have decided to put on hold their indefinite educational strike for five days. The decision followed a four-point agreement they signed with the government on Sunday. Variou .....
Sri Lanka doctors decide unanimously to strike
12 March, 2012
By The Island
Source: ANN
Sri Lanka's Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) General Committee yesterday unanimously decided to launch a country-wide strike after March 13 to protest against the non-payment of their .....
Businessmen lament political unrest in Bangladesh
12 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Businessmen yesterday termed the current confrontational situation in the political arena in Bangladesh unfortunate for the nation and said creating panic among the people by muscle flexing will not d .....
Taiwan minister proposes minimum wage raise
12 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Wang Ju-hsuan, minister of the Council of Labour Affairs (CLA), yesterday proposed to raise both the minimum hourly and monthly wages for next year. During an event in southern Pingtung County yeste .....
FDIs create most jobs in Vietnam
12 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Foreign-invested enterprises are more likely to contribute to capital formation, tax revenues and job creation when compared to state-owned enterprises and the domestic private sector, according to a .....
Dasi is the most popular small town in Taiwan
12 March, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Popular voting for Taiwan's top 10 small town contest closed, with Taoyuan County's Dasi, which is home to two late presidents' mausoleums, in the lead, the activity's organiser said. Closely behind .....
Taliban claims responsibility for Pakistan suicide blast; 16 dead
12 March, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
A suicide bomber blew himself up at a funeral in the suburban Badbher area (northwest Pakistan), killing 16 people and injuring 33 others on Sunday. A senior police official said Advocate Khushdil .....
South Korean parties gear up for legislative election campaigns
12 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
With just one month to go before the legislative election, rival political parties have nearly completed selecting their candidates, a process marred by controversies on both ruling and opposition sid .....
Charges vs Philippine president to be probed
12 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
The House or Representatives minority will look into allegations by Philippine Chief Justice Renato Corona that President Benigno Aquino III attempted to influence the Supreme Court in its rulings o .....
Friendship bridge boosts Thai-Lao trade ties
12 March, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
Tourism and trade between Laos and Thailand have seen a lot of positive changes since the opening of the third Friendship Bridge in November last year. The approach to the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridg .....
Gasoline tax cut debate resurfaces in South Korea
12 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Sky-high oil prices are reawakening the debate for a fuel tax break, pushing policymakers toward a tricky decision in a pivotal election year. With petrol prices across the country setting new record .....
China's increasing intellectual property cases 'a result of awareness'
12 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The push for an innovation-based economy and growing public awareness has resulted in a soaring number of lawsuits involving intellectual property rights (IPR), the top court has said. Last year saw .....
17 days of living anxiously
12 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
One way or another, the uncertainties of farmers and residents living near an oil exploration site in Bangkok's Thawi Watthana district should be resolved in 17 days, when it becomes clear whether oil .....
Fukushima evacuees left in limbo
12 March, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
An increasing number of evacuees from Fukushima Prefecture have given up hope of returning to their hometowns, according to a Yomiuri Shimbun survey. The survey, carried out prior to the one-year a .....
Bangladesh braces for protests over war crimes trial
12 March, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
The Awami League (AL)-led 14-party combine will resist any bid by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to create chaos in the capital today in the name of holding a grand rally. Leaders of the ru .....
Indonesia to allow foreigners to own property
12 March, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
A new government regulation scheduled for implementation in May has promised a legal breakthrough that would allow foreigners to own property in Indonesia, albeit restricted to condominiums only. I .....
Japan remembers its day of sorrow
12 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Time may be the great healer but for the people of Japan a year is too short a span to ease the pain and suffering. Japan yesterday solemnly marked one year since the 9.0- magnitude earthquake rocked .....
India frets over dated defence forces
12 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
As China reinforces its military capabilities with another spending boost, military men and defence analysts here fret that India is lagging in its own efforts to modernise its forces, opening a gap i .....
Japan marks one year since earthquake
12 March, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
The nation on Sunday marked the first anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake, Japan's worst disaster since World War II, which triggered massive tsunami and led to the release of radioactive s .....
Thais face challenges getting Asean jobs
12 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Seven professions in the labour market will be freed up in 2015 by Asean nations under mutual recognition agreements (MRAs). But it will not be easy for Thai workers in these jobs to gain accreditat .....
South Asia experts stress urgent action on reg'l cooperation
12 March, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
With kaleidoscopic changes happening in the global scenario, experts across South Asia have strongly underscored the need for urgent action on effective regional cooperation to catapult this "least in .....
Taiwan tracks source of beef with ractopamine
11 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Taiwan tracks source of beef with ractopamine Health authorities were yesterday tracking the source of beef products in restaurants and supermarkets in Taoyuan County found to contain the leanness-en .....
UN body approves Philippine proposal on int’l disputes
11 March, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The Special Committee on the United Nations Charter has approved a Philippine proposal calling on all UN member-states to “observe and promote in good faith the Manila Declaration in the peaceful se .....
Acehnese students commemorate Japan tsunami
11 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Wearing a Japanese kimono, Anisa Febrianti, a student of junior high school SMP 1 Peukan in Banda Aceh, Aceh province, writes a message on paper with colorful flower motifs, which says: “I hope Japa .....
Nepal poised to become illegal drugs hub
11 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
After the decades of 1970s and early 1980s, Nepal is again on the verge of becoming a major transit point for illegal drugs trade between Asian nations and rest of the world, police have warned. Besi .....
Haze in north Thailand reaches dangerous level
11 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Air pollution in the northern province of Chiang Rai in Thailand has worsened to a dangerous level, prompting authorities to consider evacuating children and elderly people over the next few days. PM .....
Cloud computing to create over 2m jobs in India
11 March, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Cloud computing is expected to create over two million jobs by 2015 in India, which is 15 per cent of total jobs created by cloud computing across the world followed by manufacturing and banking secto .....
China posts record trade deficit in 20 years
11 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China posted its largest trade deficit in the past two decades last month, while the nation's imports surged by 40 per cent. Exports grew at half the rate of imports. Economists say the spike in impo .....
A year on: Mementos awaiting their owners in Japan
11 March, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
The owners of at least 2.2 million mementos recovered from debris in areas devastated by the Great East Japan Earthquake have still not been identified, according to municipal governments in Iwate, Mi .....
A year after: Recovery continues in disaster-hit Japan
11 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
From graduation ceremonies to the removal of a bus that had been stranded on top of a two-story building by the March 11 tsunami, many people in disaster-hit areas spent Saturday at events that marked .....
Philippines home to more women managers
10 March, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
It’s more fun in the Philippines for women climbing the corporate ladder than in most other places on the planet. The ratio of Filipinas taking on leadership positions in business increased to 39 p .....
Hyundai, Kia named most fuel-efficient carmakers
10 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motors Corp. were named the most fuel efficient and environmentally-friendly carmakers by the US Environmental Protection Agency, outperforming rivals such as Toyota Motor Co .....
Vietnam, Cambodia boost border ties
10 March, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
The seventh meeting on co-operation and development between the border provinces of Cambodia and Vietnam began yesterday in HCM City, co-chaired by Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Min .....
Emergency law extended in south Thailand
10 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
In the wake of frequent insurgent attacks in Thailand, the emergency decree will be extended for the 27th time in the deep South by another three months from March 20 to June 19. Meanwhile, insurgent .....
Big power deal gives Chinese foothold in Nepal
10 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
The power play between China and India for influence in the strategic Himalayan state of Nepal has just got electric. China has signed a US$1.6 billion ) agreement to develop the 760MW West Seti Proj .....
Japan gov't knew nuclear meltdown was probable
10 March, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
The Japan government's Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters was aware that the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant would likely suffer a meltdown just hours after the nuclear crisis began, accordin .....
231 strong aftershocks recorded after Japan 2011 disaster
10 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
As of Wednesday, 231 aftershocks measuring 4 or higher on the Japanese seismic scale of 7 had occurred since the Great East Japan Earthquake, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. According to the ag .....
Indonesia, Singapore to take up contentious bilateral issues
10 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Indonesia is set to kick off another round of high-ranking diplomatic talks with Singapore on issues deemed contentious in the bilateral ties of the two neighbouring countries. Indonesia President Su .....
231 strong aftershocks recorded after Japan 2011 disaster
10 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
As of Wednesday, 231 aftershocks measuring 4 or higher on the Japanese seismic scale of 7 had occurred since the Great East Japan Earthquake, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. According to the ag .....
Bars should be lowered for boys in exams, Chinese lawmaker says
9 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
A lawmaker's proposal to give male students gender-specific education and easier access to college has sparked controversy. Wang Ronghua, who is also director of the Shanghai Education Development Fo .....
Malaysia to re-evaluate flood prevention system
9 March, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
The flood prevention system for the Klang Valley will be re-evaluated following widespread flash floods that caused chaos in many places. Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin sa .....
Big Indonesian names gone AWOL on Forbes global list
9 March, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The latest international Forbes’ rich list has presented its own set of surprises for Indonesian business magnates. The names of several crème de la crème tycoons, which had previously perched in .....
Japan investors 'still sceptical' of Thailand
9 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Despite Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's visit to their country this week, Japanese investors remain doubtful whether Thailand can prevent a repeat of last year's severe floods as the governm .....
Vietnam slams ‘inaccurate' human rights report
9 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Vietnam decried the US's Vietnam Human Rights Act yesterday, saying it provided completely inaccurate and biased information about the country's execution of human rights. Luong Thanh Nghi, Foreign M .....
Women 'feel ignored' by Thailand's govt
9 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The Friends of Women Foundation said yesterday that 27,000 victims of violence had been admitted to the Public Health Ministry's One Stop Crisis Centre (OSCC), while some 500 others have sought help i .....
Exotic wildlife found in Thailand
9 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thai police yesterday searched a former Chatuchak Market animal vender's house in Sara Buri's Kaeng Khoi district and found 300400 wildlife animals in cages, worth 200 million baht totally. Pol Maj G .....
Singapore growth model in spotlight
9 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
A debate over Singapore's economic growth strategy erupted at a World Bank event yesterday, held to mark the launch of a book holding the city-state up as a model in this area. The book, "Some Small .....
Suspected bird flu in villages in Gorkha, Nepal
9 March, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
The local administration in Gorkha has banned import of poultry in the district after more than 200 chickens died in Jaubari and Gokhu VDCs recently. Authorities suspect that bird flu may have killed .....
Bangladesh central bank gives in to political pressure
9 March, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
In the face of pressure from the government high-ups, the Bangladesh Bank (BB) is going to approve about a dozen new private banks against its will. The central bank has sent a list of 16 proposed ba .....
iPad2 sales may rise on high price of new device
9 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Liu Bijie, a student in Fujian province, managed to drag himself out of bed at 2 am to read the latest information about the new iPad, at the same time when Apple Inc was introducing it in the United .....
S.Korea: foreign financial firms require social responsibility
9 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
South Korea’s chief financial regulator said the foreign investment community needed to have a deeper engagement with charities and causes for their own business interests. “Corporate social resp .....
Taiwan intentionally delays action on H5N2
9 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
“Let's think about this issue for a little longer ... we will hold another meeting ... and it will be better after my boss steps down,” said Hsu Tien-lai, director-general of the Bureau of Animal .....
Computer gaming 'harming' children's eyesight
9 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
More students wear glasses - that was the first thing fourth-grade teacher Qu Tingting noticed when she entered the classroom at the beginning of the new semester at Tairi School in Shanghai's Fengxia .....
Pro-Lee faction leader blasts nominations in South Korea
9 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
The ruling Saenuri Party’s feud over election nominations escalated further as leading members of the pro-Lee Myung-bak faction took aim at the party leadership. Rep. Lee Jae-oh, the most influenti .....
Baidu's Robin Li richest in China
9 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Li Yanhong, chairman and founder of the search engine giant Baidu Inc, topped Forbes' latest list of the richest people on the Chinese mainland. In the World's Billionaires list released by Forbes.co .....
Vietnam banks move to cut deposit interest rates
9 March, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
A State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) announcement about a possible cut in deposit interest rates has spurred many banks into action even before an official decision is taken. At a monthly government meeting .....
Journalist arrested for Delhi bomb attack
9 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
A bomb plot targeting Israeli diplomats in New Delhi and elsewhere that Israel has linked to Iran was hatched in January last year, Indian police said, calling it "a case of international terrorism". .....
10,000 Taiwan farmers protest US meat imports in the rain
9 March, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Agriculture Deputy Minister Wang Cheng-teng signed limited concessions to swine farmers, after their large-scale protest broke a security cordon at the Council of Agriculture (COA). After a peaceful .....
Malaysia's childcare in crisis
9 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
A recent spate of reports on child abuse and deaths in Malaysian childcare centres has provoked outrage, with stakeholders pointing fingers at one another for the glut of illegal centres. The latest .....
Philippines still on US watch list for pirated, fake goods
9 March, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The Philippines remains on the United States Trade Representative’s (USTR) “watch list” of nations where pirated and counterfeit goods are readily available, according to the US Department of St .....
China revises law to ensure human rights
9 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Controversial clauses that permit detention, arrest or surveillance of suspects at specific places, without informing their families, have been partially revised in response to an outcry to curb possi .....
Bird flu in 6 Dhaka markets
9 March, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Bird flu has hit six poultry markets in the capital. In the last 15 days, three workers from one of the markets came down with the flu; however, they have recovered. The Institute of Epidemiology, D .....
Japan gov't to decide on restarting nuclear reactors
9 March, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
The Japan government will decide whether idled nuclear reactors are safe and should be restarted before seeking the approval of local governments and residents concerned, Economy, Trade and Industry M .....
Indonesia set to ratify Asean anti-terror pact
9 March, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The Indonesian government and the House of Representatives on Thursday agreed to ratify the Asean Convention on Counterterrorism (ACCT), which will allow for a greater cooperation among member countri .....
Floods ravage Malaysian capital
8 March, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Flash floods caused by a heavy downpour created havoc in certain parts of Kuala Lumpur's Klang Valley, damaging houses, creating bumper-to-bumper crawls and even landslides which resulted in the death .....
AirAsia Philippines launches local flights to tourist destinations
8 March, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The Philippine unit of Malaysia’s AirAsia unveiled yesterday its initial foray into the fiercely competitive budget airline market in the Philippines, launching two scheduled services to popular dom .....
Indonesian industries brace for tough times as energy price hikes loom
8 March, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
As the Indonesian government plans to pass on rising energy prices to the public through energy subsidy cuts, industrial leaders say they will be forced to recalculate performance targets. Indonesian .....
Women’s rights still denied in Indonesia
8 March, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
With this year’s International Women’s Day around the corner, women in Indonesia continue to struggle in a male-dominated world and efforts to protect their rights have been met with opposition fr .....
China's 'homegrown' airliner ready for export in 2016
8 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China's own C919 commercial airliner, domestically produced, will be ready for export to overseas markets starting in 2016, after two years of test flights, said Wu Guanghui, the chief designer. Wu, .....
Crucial UN report on Nepal conflict shelved
8 March, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
A crucial “conflict mapping report” on Nepal’s 10-year civil conflict that archives over 20,000 documents related to war-era human rights violations remains shelved for over a year. While the O .....
Ma Ying-jeou apologises for autocratic history of Kuomintang, ROC
8 March, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou expressed gratitude and apologised to the historical figures that fought for Taiwan's democracy, yesterday, at the launching of a memorial museum for a Taiwanese democrat .....
Taiwan's tourism chief accused of taking massive bribes
8 March, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
The tourism department chief of the Hualien County Government was allegedly caught in a scandal of taking bribes of over NT$1 million (US$34,000) from contractors during the past two years, forcing th .....
China to resume building nuclear plants
8 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China will soon resume the approval and construction of nuclear power plants, senior officials said during the plenary session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Nationa .....
Journey to the centre of the Wenchuan earthquake
8 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
To put the scattered pieces of her life back together, Cai Zhongyu had to go back to the epicentre of the earthquake that blew it apart. "All of a sudden we lost everything, and I had no idea how to .....
India PM seeks review of cotton export ban
8 March, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
With Indian chief ministers of some states terribly upset over the commerce ministry’s decision to ban cotton exports, citing low output and increased domestic demands, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh .....
Politicians woo women voters as females outnumber males in Thailand
8 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Recognising the fact that females outnumber males in Thailand, and that more and more roles are being taken up by women nowadays, the Pheu Thai and Democrat parties are now competing in promoting poli .....
Thailand's inflation could surge 8% in 2012
8 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thailand's inflation could spike by 8 per cent in 2012, should oil prices spike to above US$200 (6,000 baht) to US$250 per barrel if there is a military confrontation in the Middle East and bring this .....
Bhutan reins in rupee spending
8 March, 2012
By Kuensel
Source: ANN
The central bank of Bhutan has stopped replenishing commercial banks with Indian Rupee (INR) needed to pay for imports from India, as a radical measure to curb rupee spending that threatens to balloon .....
Japan disaster claimed 1,046 minors
8 March, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
A total of 1,046 people aged 19 or younger died or went missing in the three prefectures hit hardest by the Great East Japan Earthquake, and nearly two-thirds of the victims were aged 60 or older, acc .....
I won't quit or take leave during probe, says HK chief
8 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Chief Executive Donald Tsang has said he would not resign nor take leave during a corruption probe as his constitutional duties required him to remain in office until the day he steps down, reported t .....
Poll commission slaps 2-year ban on Pakistan politician
8 March, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
The Election Commission of Pakistan disqualified yesterday Sindh politician Waheeda Shah from contesting election for two years for slapping EC staff at a polling station in her constituency during re .....
Beijing to switch from coal to gas to go green
8 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Beijing is to take action to make its coal-fired power plants and heating facilities go green amid public concern over the city's poor air quality, said a government official. Zhang Gong, director of .....
US$5.9b budget proposed for Brunei
8 March, 2012
By The Brunei Times
Source: ANN
A national budget of US$5.9 billion for Brunei has been proposed for the 2012/2013 fiscal year, while the domestic economy has been projected to grow by 2.6 per cent this year amidst economic proble .....
Affordable homes 'a good investment' in China
8 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Local governments should view affordable housing projects as long-term investments that can create revenue, rather than a financial burden, said a leading economist who is also a member of the country .....
Indonesian women’s rights still denied
8 March, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
With this year’s International Women’s Day around the corner, women in this country continue to struggle in a male-dominated world and efforts to protect their rights have been met with opposition .....
Bangladesh PM challenges party leader over poll fund
8 March, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Bangladesh Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina yesterday asked her arch rival Khaleda Zia to respond to the allegation that Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence paid five crore .....
Philippine-US military exercises to include Asean nations
8 March, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
For the first time since it started, this year’s Balikatan exercises will include multilateral engagement that includes humanitarian assistance, disaster response and civic action projects, among ot .....
China slams Tibetans who set themselves on fire
8 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Tibetans who set themselves on fire are outcasts and criminals who have crossed a moral bottom line, officials said of a spate of self-immolations, which have spread beyond monks and nuns to include t .....
It's not over yet for Rahul Gandhi
8 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Does the young emperor have no votes? Indians are pondering the question after the lacklustre performance of the Congress party in provincial elections, particularly in the heartland state of Uttar P .....
Taiwan's ex-president prescribed week in hospital
8 March, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
The state-run Taoyuan General Hospital said former Taiwan president Chen Shui-bian was yesterday diagnosed with coronary heart disease and prescribed one week of medical leave from Taipei Prison. Th .....
S. Korean official visits China on N. Korean defector issue
8 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
A South Korean government official visited Beijing on Wednesday for a two-day consultation with Chinese authorities over North Korean defectors. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said Kim Soo .....
Thai PM reassures Japanese on flood control measures
8 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday showcased Thailand as an unbeatable investment destination in a bid to rally Japanese business confidence in the wake of last year's flooding disaster. On .....
'US trade bill breaks WTO rules'
8 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Trade measures passed by the US Congress violated both US laws and World Trade Organization rules, Chen Deming, minister of commerce, said on Wednesday. The US House of Representatives passed a measu .....
Japan puts 23 remote isles under state ownership
8 March, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
The Japanese government has placed 23 remote islands under state ownership after finishing necessary legal procedures last August, Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura said Wednesday. The 23 island .....
'Control number of mainland births in HK'
7 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Hong Kong should take measures to curb the rapidly rising number of mainland women delivering babies in the special administrative region, political advisers said. "Mainland women having babies in em .....
Putin's foreign policies likely to tilt toward Asia
7 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The new Russian administration under the leadership of Vladimir Putin is likely to continue its current foreign policies while tilting toward economically robust Asia and strengthening the country's p .....
Xinjiang's stability important for China
7 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Maintaining stability in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region is extremely important not only for the area but for all of China, an official from Kashgar said on Tuesday. "Several violent incidents h .....
Chinese shun blue-collar posts
7 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
The high pay of a Chinese plumber has sparked a heated debate over the growing disparity between the incomes of blue-collar and white-collar workers here. Qu Dexue earns 10,000 yuan (US$1,600) a mont .....
Cheap tablets may rise as threat to Samsung and LG
7 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Korea's tablet PC market is being challenged by online shopping malls selling low-priced tablet PCs to consumers here by joining hands with smaller manufacturers. Samsung Electronics, the country’s .....
Thai Cabinet reshuffle likely in May
7 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
A Cabinet reshuffle is expected in May in order to make room for party executives who've completed their five-year ban on holding office, Thai Culture Minister Sukumol Kunplome said yesterday. "I bel .....
US 'must respect our regional interests', says Chinese FM
7 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The United States must respect China's interests in the Asia-Pacific region, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said as Washington tries to assert more influence in the area. China and the US "have more co .....
7 Thai agencies named in flood-wall suit
7 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Seven state agencies have been named in a lawsuit filed by the Stop Global Warming Association over their approval of the construction of flood barriers around industrial parks in Ayutthaya, Pathum Th .....
Putin unlikely to concede on territorial issue w/ Japan
7 March, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Russian President-elect Vladimir Putin is unlikely to make a major concession on the long-standing territorial dispute with Japan, observers said. Putin told the foreign media before his election vic .....
Japan's opposition party hints at backing consumption tax hike
6 March, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
A senior official of the opposition Liberal Democratic Party hinted at the possibility the party may support bills related to the consumption tax rate hike, while Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda indicat .....
Ma Ying-jeou embarks on a charm offensive
6 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
The battle for votes may be over, but the fight for the hearts and minds is heating up. Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou, who won a second term in January, is asking members of his new Cabinet to fan ou .....
'Hello Gov't' hotline addresses public grievances in Nepal
6 March, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
More than 30 per cent of the public complaints lodged at the Hello Sarkar (Hello Government) in Nepal - one of Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai's brainchild to address public grievances - have been so .....
Taiwan prosecutors probe handling of H5N2 case
6 March, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Huang Li-wei, prosecutor in Taipei District Prosecutors Office, went to Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine (BAPHIQ) to investigate whether Hsu Tien-lai, former director-genera .....
Thailand may choose Chinese company to produce tablets for kids
6 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The Cabinet is expected to name the Chinese supplier for the One Tablet Per Child (OTPC) project today, with Shenzhen Scope Scientific Development Co tipped to win the order of up to 900,000 devices a .....
Indonesian maids to arrive in M'sia next month
6 March, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
The first batch of Indonesian maids will arrive by next month despite reports that Jakarta may extend its ban on domestic helpers here. Deputy Human Resources Minister Maznah Mazlan said there would .....
Bangladesh PM warns against anti-gov't plot
6 March, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday directed ministers and the administration to stay alert to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party's (BNP) March 12 grand rally in the capital, saying the opposition .....
China's growth target faces cut
6 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The economic growth target could be lowered further in the coming years after it was set at 7.5 per cent for 2012. The target, the lowest in eight years and down from last year's 8 per cent, signaled .....
Philippines got US$193m in US dev't aid
6 March, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The United States last year provided nearly US$193 million (about 8.26 billion pesos) in development aid to the Philippines, according to the US Department of State. In a report posted on the website .....
Thailand charges vendors new market rent
6 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Around 100 vendors upset at the takeover of Chatuchak Market, one of the world's largest weekend markets in Bangkok, gathered outside Government House yesterday to call for cheaper rent than new rates .....
China seeks measures to aid elderly population
6 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Officials are calling for measures to cope with the rapid growth of the country's elderly population. By the end of 2011, the number of Chinese who were 60 or older had hit 185 million, and that grou .....
Indonesia ICT to reach US$4.5b in 2016
6 March, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The quadrupling of Internet users in Indonesia by 2016 will translate into a US$4.5 billion business opportunity for not only mobile operators, but also other companies providing Internet-based servic .....
Indonesia braces for massive protests
6 March, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Top security officials in Indonesia discussed yesterday plans to deal with possible security problems that may result from a planned massive rally against the government’s plan to hike fuel prices. .....
Shanghai residents enjoy Military's free service
6 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Lines of senior citizens waited in the rain over the past two mornings on Shanghai's Nanjing Road for the army to arrive and provide a range of free services. It's a routine that has been happening t .....
Students banned from writing 13 topics on Cambodia
6 March, 2012
By Rasmei Kampuchea Daily
Source: ANN
The Research Department at the Royal University of Law and Economics in Cambodia has banned fourth-year students from writing theses on the new Cambodian Securities Exchange and 13 other topics consid .....
India bans cotton export
6 March, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Taking the agriculture minister, Sharad Pawar, and textile industry by surprise, India's commerce ministry today banned cotton exports apprehending shortfall in the domestic market and hoarding in war .....
Smog in North Thailand to get worse
6 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
A researcher warned residents in the North Thailand yesterday to brace for worse air pollution, saying the smog problem was set to deteriorate. "Local farmers will light more fires to clear land in f .....
Plan to give MPs iPads and smart phones comes under fire in Thailand
6 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
A government plan to give MPs and senators Tablet PCs and smart phones have been heavily criticised by social media users and some parliamentarians. Senator Rosana Tositrakul, was one who opposes the .....
Brunei extends anti-drugs drive to cyber cafes
6 March, 2012
By The Brunei Times
Source: ANN
Brunei's Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) will soon include cyber cafes as one of the venues where it will be increasing its effort to raise awareness among the public on the dangers of drugs and drug t .....
"Hello Gov't" hotline addresses public grievances in Nepal
6 March, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
More than 30 per cent of the public complaints lodged at the Hello Sarkar (Hello Government) in Nepal - one of Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai's brainchild to address public grievances - have been so .....
Nepal defence ministry rues army move on integration plan
6 March, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
As the Nepal Army’s proposal on integration of Maoist combatants hogged the headlines in the pat one month, the Ministry of Defence was left in the dark, thus, also leaving it a little disgruntled. .....
Malaysia eyes further investment in Laos
6 March, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
Lao Deputy Prime Minister Asang Laoly met with the Director of I.Z.A. Construction Co. of Malaysia, Farouk Anwar, and the Ambassador of Malaysia to Laos, Dato Than Tai Hing, on Friday to discuss Malay .....
China's coastal provinces get largest concentration of FDI
6 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
For China's provincial leaders eager to woo overseas investors, a report released yesterday may provide some timely guidance. Using the FDI Performance Index adopted by the United Nations Conferenc .....
Pakistan to tap energy sources from India, Iran
6 March, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said yesterday that the country would avail itself of all available opportunities, including the Iran gas pipeline project, to overcome its energy crisis. .....
Children more vulnerable to Internet addiction than adults, says Korean study
6 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
More children are addicted to the Internet than adults, and teenagers are the most likely age group to suffer Internet addiction, a Korean government study found Monday. Children aged 5-9 are more ad .....
Vietnam steel firms face dumping threat
6 March, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Vietnamese steel exporters have been urged to improve their understanding of trade regulations in import countries to avoid the possibility of anti-dumping cases this year. Last year, steel exports r .....
Philippines urges responsible use of power by China
6 March, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Philippines' Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario yesterday shrugged off reports that China was boosting its military spending by more than 11 percent this year, calling this a “sovereign right” o .....
Malaysia plans to set minimum wage
6 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Malaysia looks set to introduce a minimum wage of between 800 ringgit (US$265) and 1,000 ringgit ($332) a month, as pressure mounts on the government to ensure that private-sector workers earn salarie .....
Indonesian book bomb plotter gets 18 years
6 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
The ringleader of a plot involving explosives hidden in books will be spending the next 18 years in jail, one of the longest sentences in recent years for an act of terrorism. Pepi Fernando, 32, a fo .....
Beijing to lead China in trash burning
6 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Asia's largest household refuse incineration plant, which is under construction in Beijing, will become operational in October and have a daily processing capacity of 3,000 tonnes. The plant is exp .....
Indonesia denies irregularities in Russian jets purchase
6 March, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The Indonesian government has denied allegations of irregularities in the procurement of six Russian-made Sukhoi Su-30MKK fighter jets that are slated for delivery in July. Members of the House of .....
Indian tourists killed in crash after driver loses control of bus near Genting
6 March, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
A holiday for 22 tourists from India turned tragic when the bus they were travelling in slammed into a road divider and was flung into the opposite lane, leaving two dead and many others seriously inj .....
‘Summit could signal N. Korea to give up nuclear ambitions’
6 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
South Korean Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan said the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit slated for March 26-27 could signal North Korea to give up its nuclear armament ambitions. “The Seoul Nuclear Secu .....
Smog in north Thailand 'to get worse'
6 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
A researcher warned residents in north Thailand yesterday to brace for worse air pollution, saying the smog problem was set to deteriorate. "Local farmers will light more fires to clear land in fores .....
High oil prices threat to world economy
6 March, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Concern is looming over the adverse effect high crude oil prices will have on the economies of Japan, the United States and Europe, as well as those of emerging countries. Given the increasingly tens .....
Businesses warned over Internet security in China
5 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
When 32-year-old public relations specialist Wang Ning heard that China Software Developer Network, the country's largest programmers' website, had 6 million pieces of its users' personal information .....
Giving kids a feel of the workplace
5 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Children everywhere love playing grownups and have fun while they are roleplaying. Such fun can have its constructive side too, helping adults discover which professions their children would prefer an .....
Putin set for poll triumph
5 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Millions of Russians, from Kaliningrad in the west to Vladivostok in the Far East, voted yesterday to elect a new president, with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, a former president, the strong favour .....
500-kg bull gores Japanese man shielding grandkids
5 March, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
A 56-year-old farmer was gored and seriously injured while he tried to protect his grandchildren from a 500-kilogram bull that had escaped from its owner on Tokunoshima island in Kagoshima Prefecture, .....
Nepal veg market fire kills 6, including teens
5 March, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
An inferno that broke out on March 3 at Kalimati fruit and vegetables market in Kathmandu, the Capital of Nepal, charred six individuals to death, resulting in the loss of property worth 80 million ru .....
Malaysia oil spill disrupts water supply
5 March, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
A massive oil spill forced a major water treatment plant near Miri to shut down yesterday, interrupting the supply of 125 million litres of water daily to a population of 300,000 people in the city. .....
Three priceless gold Buddha statues recovered in Sri Lanka
5 March, 2012
By The Island
Source: ANN
Three stolen priceless gold Buddha statues were recovered by the Galewela police on March 3 when a suspicious van was searched in the Diggala area in northwestern Sri Lanka. The statues weigh 15, 11 .....
Thai PM urges kids to stay off drugs
5 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The government has upgraded its efforts to fight drug abuse and trafficking into a national priority, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said yesterday. She urged members of society to cooperate wi .....
Drug use up in Philippines, says UN
5 March, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Illegal drug abuse, specifically of “shabu", is on the rise in the Philippines, according to an international drug monitoring body. The Philippines is on a list of countries in Southeast Asia and E .....
Pakistan politicians' apology for supporting dictators sought
5 March, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Nawaz Sharif has said his party is ready to shake hands with the Chaudhrys of Gujrat if they apologise to the nation for having supported dictatorship an .....
New heavy-duty launch carrier will help China put men on the moon
5 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Scientists have finished preliminary research into a heavy-thrust carrier rocket that could help China send men to the moon and fly to deep space in the future, said Liang Xiaohong, vice-president o .....
Thais concerned about Constitution amendment
5 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thais are concerned about the Constitution amendment, according to Abac and Dusit polls which revealed their results yesterday. Abac poll showed that the happiness index of Thais has dropped from J .....
Changing habits on China's retail front
5 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Xiao Le, a 25-year-old administrative assistant at an advertising agency, spent 430 yuan (US$68.25) on 10 items of clothing at a wholesale market in Beijing. She says she enjoys finding the "occasiona .....
Charges loom over falsified AIJ reports
5 March, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
The Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission is considering filing criminal charges against executives of scandal-ridden AIJ Investment Advisors Co. on suspicion of falsifying pension asset m .....
Brunei gov't plans to cut reliance on expat workers
5 March, 2012
By The Brunei Times
Source: ANN
The Brunei government plans to reduce reliance on foreign workers in trade, wholesale and retail sector long dominated by expatriate workforce to make way for unemployed locals, the Minister of Home .....
Vietnam nationwide access to digital TV by 2020
5 March, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
All households in Vietnam will have access to digital television by 2020 under a programme recently approved by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung. Under the digital-television transition project, all .....
Kingfisher Airlines refutes plans to shut down
5 March, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Beleaguered Kingfisher Airlines, the only five-star domestic Indian airline, today refuted speculation that it planned to shut down its operations following the latest threat by a section of pilots to .....
Tycoon sells power assets to KL govt fund
5 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Tycoon Ananda Krishnan has sold his international power generation assets for 8.5 billion ringgit (US$2.81 billion) to Malaysia's sovereign wealth fund 1Malaysia Development (1MDB), a deal that financ .....
More Japanese retailers look to S.E. Asia
5 March, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Domestic demand-oriented companies, such as supermarket chains, convenience store chains and food makers, are accelerating their moves into the markets of other Asian countries. Aeon Co. on Friday of .....
Philippines to auction idle mining assets
5 March, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau says it will bid out 1,400 idle mining areas throughout the Philippines. Mining assets with canceled applications and permits will go on auction after President Beni .....
Lion Air rules market share despite pilot cases
5 March, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Despite several cases of alleged narcotics use by its pilots, privately owned airline Lion Air was able to grab the largest market share of airline passengers throughout 2011. Based on recent Indones .....
Lao dry season rice crop falls short of target
5 March, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
Delays in repairing irrigation systems damaged by tropical storms Haima and Nock-Ten have meant that this season's rice crop is likely to be 20 per cent below the planned target. Laos' Ministry of Ag .....
India shoots for the (foreign film) stars to boost tourism
5 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
As Pakistan demolished Osama bin Laden's Abbottabad compound last month, its replica was taking shape across the border in the northern Indian city of Chandigarh as part of a Hollywood production. Th .....
Apple, Samsung lose patent cases against each other in Germany
4 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Apple Inc and Samsung Electronics Co. both lost patent cases against each other in a court in Germany on Friday in the latest twist in the long-running battle between the two electronics powerhouses o .....
Start of budget air travel in Japan?
4 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
With the Thursday launch of a new low-cost carrier, Peach Aviation, and the planned launches of two other low-cost carriers this summer, this year is expected to mark the beginning of an era of budget .....
Cost of traditional Chinese medicine shoots up as herb sources dry up
2 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
It was too much for housewife Xie Xiaolan. For once, the fish head soup she often made for her family would have to do without the tianma. The cost of the herbal medicine, made from the starchy roots .....
Rapist given death penalty in India
2 March, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Ten months after the rape and murder of a schoolgirl in Burdwan in eastern India, a court today prescribed the death sentence for her attacker. The last death sentence of a similar crime was the o .....
Pakistan province wants federal to probe Bugti assassination case
2 March, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Balochistan, the largest province of Pakistan, is reported to have asked the federal government to transfer the investigation of Nawab Akbar Bugti’s murder to the Federal Investigation Agency. Ac .....
Taiwan ex-president suspects he has colon cancer, seeks treatment outside prison
2 March, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Taiwan's former President Chen Shui-bian suspects that he has colon cancer, and plans to apply to receive medication outside prison boundaries, his lawyer said yesterday. Meanwhile, the former first l .....
AIDS fight in China set to get new boost
2 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Organisations involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS will get greater government support, a health official said. "The government will beef up investment and support for social groups" and cooperate .....
US-NK deal brightens nuke talks hopes
2 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
The agreement between the US and North Korea on temporarily halting the communist state’s uranium enrichment program in return for food aid was a positive step for the resumption of the multilateral .....
3 major parties of Nepal to accelerate integration despite disputes
2 March, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
The three major political parties of Nepal - the UCPN (Maoist), NC and the UML - have agreed to take forward the integration process following the seven-point deal, except for a decision on offering .....
Thailand's plan to give rice-growers high subsidy arouses doubt
2 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thailand's Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) plans to provide 120 billion baht to support the government's rice-pledging scheme for the second crop running from this month un .....
Expats fuel demand for home helpers in China
2 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The demand for home services from expats in China is rising as an increasing number have come to work and live in the country, mainly in big cities. Around 600,000 expats were living on the Chinese .....
China's state-owned giants are here to stay
2 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Depending on whom you talk to in China, the world's No. 2 economy either loathes or loves the model of state capitalism which made it what it is today. Noted economists like Beijing Institute of Tech .....
Pakistan to go ahead with Iran pipeline
2 March, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Pakistan's national leadership vowed yesterday to press ahead with the Iran gas pipeline project, sending a defiant message to the US which is pressurising Pakistan to abandon it. “We are a sover .....
Taiwan ex-president seeks treatment outside prison
2 March, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Taiwan's former President Chen Shui-bian suspects that he has colon cancer, and plans to apply to receive medication outside prison boundaries, his lawyer said yesterday. Meanwhile, the former first l .....
Fuel price hike triggers criticism in Indonesia
2 March, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The Islamic Students’ Association (HMI) has criticised the Indonesian government’s inability to keep fuel prices stable in the regions one month away from the plan to increase the price of fuel. .....
Seoul bolsters efforts for N. Korean defectors
2 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
South Korean politicians and the government are adding their weight to calls for China to stop repatriating North Korean defectors. The movement sparked by Rep. Park Sun-young of the conservative Li .....
US to boost Philippine defence with $145m aid
2 March, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The United States will provide the Philippines at least $144.66 million in defence-related assistance this year, according to Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario. Speaking before the Manila Overseas .....
Big shake-up in India telecoms
2 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
India's telecommunications sector, once the country's most dynamic, is going through a serious shake-up, after the Supreme Court cancelled licences of many companies following a corruption scandal. A .....
China outlaws forced labour for people in detention
2 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
A regulation outlawing forced labour and protecting the rights of the detained was published by the Chinese State Council yesterday.The regulation forbids detention houses from forcing those in custod .....
Air quality in Chiang Rai district hits dangerous levels
2 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Smog in Chiang Rai's Mae Sai district worsened yesterday, with small dust particles jumping to 305.6 micrograms per cubic metre of air - the highest in the country. Chiang Rai Governor Thanin Supasea .....
China's manufacturing continues to expand
2 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China's manufacturing bounced back to a five-month peak in February, supported by stronger exports, easing concerns about a possible contraction. The purchasing managers' index, an indicator of manuf .....
China wooing Taiwan talent for pioneer project
2 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
China has announced an unprecedented proposal to attract professionals from Taiwan to help turn a fledgling economic zone in Fujian province into a pioneer of cross-strait cooperation. The zone is in .....
US official cancels trip to Taiwan amid ongoing beef row
2 March, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
As the beef row rages on, the de facto United States embassy in Taiwan yesterday announced the postponement of a planned visit by a senior US official, originally set for later this month. Citing .....
Japan's first full-scale budget airline takes off
2 March, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Japan's first full-scale low-cost carrier, Peach Aviation, based at Kansai International Airport, started operations on Thursday. The airline, in which All Nippon Airways has invested, currently opera .....
North Korea nuke deal: Trust but verify
2 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Any North Korea watcher following the long history of the Korean Peninsula would be encouraged by recent events. On Wednesday, Pyongyang said it had agreed to suspend nuclear weapons and missile test .....
20% of businesses still closed a year after Japan disaster
2 March, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Of about 27,000 commercial and industrial businesses in Miyagi, Iwate and Fukushima prefectures affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake, more than 20 per cent have not resumed operations, accordin .....
Imperial family talks begin in Japan
2 March, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Should female members of the Imperial family be allowed to create their own branches of the family and retain their royal status after marriage? If so, should the number of female members who receive .....
China tells Japan to stop unilateral surveys
1 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China yesterday demanded that Japan "immediately stop" unilateral marine surveys in the waters of the East China Sea, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.Ministry spokesman Hong Lei delivered the messag .....
High crude prices could raise inflation
1 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The rate of inflation could rise if recent higher-than-expected crude prices were to persist, the Bank of Thailand warned yesterday. "Inflation could be affected if crude prices are persistently high .....
Thaksin's old buddy is back
1 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Suranand Vejjajiva, who served as a Prime Minister's Office minister in Thaksin Shinawatra's government, has started playing a prominent role in the Yingluck administration even though there are still .....
Critical time for ethnic minorities in Burma
1 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Burma's armed ethnic groups are divided in the face of the government's new conciliatory approach to ending 60 years of conflict. But analysts said they have to overcome their own vested interests an .....
Bangladesh migratory birds vanishing
1 March, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
The number of migratory birds visiting the Pashua haor in Sunamganj (northeast Bangladesh) has drastically fallen from four lakh to four thousand a year over the last eight years as the haor is losing .....
Singapore-based retailer to enter Vietnamese market
1 March, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Singapore-based retailer Takashimaya has signed an agreement with Singapore-invested Keppel Land Co to lease 15,000sq.m of retail space in the Sai Gon Centre in HCM City. The event marks Takashimaya's .....
Philippine judge urged to testify in impeachment trial
1 March, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
With the prosecution resting its case, Philippine Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile on Wednesday said Chief Justice Renato Corona’s best defence was to take the witness stand and personally rebut c .....
US trade body 'targets' China
1 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China will be alert to threats posed by the trade task force in the United States to investigate and crack down on what it claims are unfair practices by Washington's trading partners, officials from .....
US trade body 'targets' China
1 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China will be alert to threats posed by the trade task force in the United States to investigate and crack down on what it claims are unfair practices by Washington's trading partners, officials from .....
Foreign vessels dominate Indonesia's coal exports
1 March, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Indonesia needs 285 Panamax dry bulk vessels to handle the shipment of the nation’s coal exports, which are expected to top 240 million tonnes in 2012, according to the Indonesian National Shipowner .....
Chinese court ends hearing without ruling over iPad name
1 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
A court in Guangdong province of South China did not make a final ruling on a lengthy iPad trademark dispute between a Chinese company and tech giant Apple after a public hearing yesterday. The lates .....
Bhutan MPs seek clarification on charter poll provision
1 March, 2012
By Kuensel
Source: ANN
A single sentence and within that a few words in the Constitution on provisions relating to election, has many National Council members in Bhutan interpreting it in as many different ways. That elect .....
Pakistan lifts trade restrictions with India
1 March, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
The Pakistan federal cabinet on Wednesday flung open the doors for trade with India by raising the number of items that can be imported from the country from 1,946 to almost 5,600. The decision overr .....
EU may join pressure on China over N. Korean refugees
1 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
The European Union may join the international pressure on China to stop the repatriation of North Korean refugees at the UN Human Rights Council’s meeting on Thursday, a source said. At a meeting w .....
Arab spring inspires Burma's pro-democracy group
1 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Two prominent Burmese dissidents of the pro-democracy movement 88 Generation Group say they plan to continue campaigning for democracy either through civil society or by forming a political party. .....
China to support tech sectors
1 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China will move to develop new competitive advantages in the mechanical, electronics and high-technology industries, said Deputy Minister of Commerce Jiang Yaopin yesterday. The government "will spee .....
Nepal shuts down 13 more Maoist camps
1 March, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
The prime minister-led Special Committee on Wednesday decided to shut down 13 cantonments in Nepal and relocate Maoist combatants opting for integration to the remaining 15 cantonments within the next .....
Beijing blames exiled Uighur group for riots
1 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
The Chinese government yesterday accused an overseas Uighur group of instigating Tuesday's riots in far western Xinjiang region, and promised to strike hard against such terrorists. Attackers killed .....
China committed to peaceful development
1 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The peaceful development path China is committed to taking combines its own interests and the common interests of humankind, while safeguarding the nation's core interests, a Chinese official said yes .....
China opens charities to religious groups
1 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Chinese authorities have given the green light for religious groups to engage in more charitable work, according to an announcement by the State Administration for Religious Affairs and five other dep .....
Outcome unclear as HK kicks off polls
1 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
The race to choose a new chief executive for Hong Kong is under way but while the final slate of candidates has become clear, the outcome remains murky. Analysts said this is because Beijing has not .....
India criticised for unilateral approach on dams
1 March, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Over the years India has been assuring Bangladesh of not making any unilateral decisions on its National River Linking Project but it is building around 700 dams on its rivers and many of them are f .....
US to keep 2 marine units in Okinawa
1 March, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
The United States is set to maintain the command element of the US Marine Corps' III Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) in Okinawa Prefecture as part of a review of a 2006 Japan-U.S. agreement on the re .....
China opens charities to religious groups
1 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
.....
Biofuels a growing industry in Laos
1 March, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
Laos' biofuel production will be about 4 million litres by 2015 and biofuels will make up about 10 per cent of total fuel use in the country by 2025, according to the government's renewable energy dev .....
Philippines yet to confirm if Malaysian terrorist is dead
1 March, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
It's been a month since the air raid by the Philippines army on Jolo Island but the body of Malaysian-born terrorist Zulkifli Hir aka Marwan has not been found fuelling speculation that he may still b .....
N. Korea offers temporary halt of nuclear programme
1 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
North Korea has offered a temporary way to halt its uranium enrichment programme in exchange for more food in addition to the previously proposed nutritional assistance, news reports said yesterday. .....
Philippines sits on US$840b worth of mine
1 March, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
With untapped mineral wealth worth more than US$840 billion, the Philippines is “one of the world’s most highly mineralised countries”, according to a US Department of State report on the Philip .....
EU ‘boycott’ of Indonesian palm oil a lie, says envoy
1 March, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Debunking media reports and statements made by spin doctors, European Union (EU) Ambassador to Indonesia and Brunei Julian Wilson says Indonesian palm oil enjoys unrestricted access to the European ma .....
China issues new rules to combat pollution
1 March, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Stricter air quality standards will be adopted in cities, the Chinese State Council announced yesterday. Readings for ozone and concentrations of PM 2.5, particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrometr .....
China adopts new rules to combat pollution
1 March, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Stricter air quality standards will be adopted in cities, China's State Council announced on Wednesday. Readings for ozone and concentrations of PM 2.5, particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrometre .....
Critical time for ethnic minorities in Burma
1 March, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Burma's armed ethnic groups are divided in the face of the government's new conciliatory approach to ending 60 years of conflict. But analysts said they have to overcome their own vested interests an .....
N.Korea offers temporary halt of nuclear program
1 March, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
North Korea has offered a temporary way to halt its uranium enrichment program in exchange for more food in addition to the previously proposed nutritional assistance, news reports said yesterday. Th .....
Thai floods turned hundreds into street dwellers
1 March, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The number of street people in Bangkok's 50 districts increased by 4.2 per cent from 2,451 in 2010 to 2,561 (931 females and 1,630 females) in 2011, many of whom had to sleep in public areas for up to .....
N.Korean air carrier shunned by Europeans
29 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Officials from the European Union have been advised to avoid using North Korea’s only airline Air Koryo due to safety concerns, according to the British Foreign Office’s website. Normally, Europe .....
Corruption batters Korean sports
29 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
South Korea's top baseball league has become the latest victim of a snowballing match-fixing scandal that came to light earlier last month. Kim Sung-hyun, a pitcher for the LG Twins in the Korea Base .....
ST journalist recounts ordeal in China prison
29 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Over the past year, veteran correspondent Ching Cheong, 62, would get eerie flashbacks of his harrowing time in dark, solitary confinement, not knowing if he would ever see the light of day again. He .....
Donald Tsang faces stormy last months in office
29 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang's final three months in office are turning turbulent. The popularity of Hong Kong's top leader has plummeted since he admitted taking trips on luxury yachts and .....
Drug addicts getting their fix online
29 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Drug addicts are now getting their fix where a lot of crime is increasingly taking place: online. Peddlers are targeting the young, and using Internet forums and social media to promote their wares, .....
Acts of terrorism can’t be ignored, Pakistan intel says
29 February, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Military Intelligence (MI) explained before the Supreme Court on Tuesday that they treated court orders with great sanctity, but could not shut t .....
Indonesia unveils new investment road map
29 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The Indonesian Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) revealed on Tuesday a scheme to sustain robust levels of investment until 2025. The scheme, which includes supporting quick-return investments and .....
Brunei airport modernisation to boost business
29 February, 2012
By The Brunei Times
Source: ANN
More business opportunities will be available at Brunei International Airport once upgrade works are completed in November 2014, according to officials involved with the project. Agencies involved .....
Cambodia should safeguard stability - IMF
29 February, 2012
By Rasmei Kampuchea Daily
Source: ANN
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said the main challenge facing the booming Cambodian economy is to deepen the country's financial system while safeguarding financial stability. The assessment f .....
India project to cause ecological disaster in Bangladesh
29 February, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Salinity will creep into Manikganj, Kushtia, Goalanda, Bhairab and beyond if India implements its controversial river-linking project. And the biodiversity of almost half of Bangladesh, even of the S .....
Portrayal of Philippines as ‘corrupt’ unfair - group
29 February, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The Philippines’ biggest umbrella organisation of small- and medium-sized businesses took umbrage Tuesday at a US-based casino giant’s portrayal of the country as corrupt, saying the country was b .....
Reform in Burma irreversible - aide
29 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Burmese President Thein Sein's chief political adviser, Ko Ko Hlaing, says Burma's political reform is "irreversible" because of the president's strong will, the specific constitutional stipulation to .....
Nepal on high alert till May 27 - premier
29 February, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Nepal Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai said that the Monday’s bombing in the Capital was carried out by the forces against peace and constitution. He added that the government has sounded high alert .....
Indian, Chinese handsets bigger market share in Nepal
29 February, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Nokia, Samsung and LG mobile handsets may be the top sellers with their higher brand value, but Indian and Chinese cell phones have been enlarging their market share. With features ranging from dual .....
Better grain storage key to Laos food security
29 February, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
Policy makers, academics, experts from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and other stakeholders are meeting in Vientiane this week to discuss best practices in grain storage systems, .....
Prayer rally ‘a strong message’ to Philippine president
29 February, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
In a show of force amid perceived tension with their once staunch ally President Benigno Aquino III, some 600,000 members of the politically influential Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) gathered for a prayer r .....
Indonesia, S. Korea boost investment ties
29 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The Indonesian and South Korean governments launched a joint secretariat on Tuesday to facilitate economic partnership programs and investment between the nations. The secretariat, to be located at t .....
Indonesian judge gets four years for accepting bribes
29 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The Jakarta Corruption Court sentenced bankruptcy judge Syarifuddin to four years in prison on Tuesday for accepting 250 million (US$27,700) in bribes while handling a case. The jail term was far li .....
'Some Pakistani officers knew about Osama safe house'
29 February, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Mid-ranking Pakistan Army officials may have known that Osama bin Laden had a safe house in the country, leaked material appears to indicate. According to the BBC World, the claim was made in email .....
Bangladesh needs 1.5m new jobs a year
29 February, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Bangladesh needs up to 1.5 million new jobs each year for the next 20 years to accelerate economic growth, says the World Bank. Bangladesh along with other South Asian nations has seen steady job gro .....
Cultural diversity to challenge Asean-based investors
29 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Winning the support of local staff and adapting to cultural diversity are the challenges for Southeast Asian investors in Asean as they strive to compete with rivals from outside the region that swa .....
Taiwan ranks 21st on list of richest nations beating Japan, UK, France, S. Korea
29 February, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Taiwan was ranked as the 21st richest nation in the world, ahead of both Japan and South Korea, although trailing behind Singapore in Asia, according to a survey by the Forbes magazine. Employing th .....
Pressure mounts on China over N.Korea defectors
29 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
The international community is expected to continue pressuring China over the human rights of North Korean defectors who are at the risk of repatriations by Chinese authorities. The US congressional- .....
SEC investigates Tokyo firm
29 February, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
A Chinese company is suspected of listing its shares on the Jasdaq market by using a "backdoor listing" scheme under the pretence that it was acquired by Tokyo-based software developer Celartem Techno .....
Opium production rises in the region
29 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thailand and Southeast Asia face increasing drug problems following a boost in methamphetamine abuse and the expansion of poppy plantations in Burma and Laos, according to the 2011 report released yes .....
Business lawsuits in China increase sharply
29 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Lawsuits involving non-mainland companies rose last year as domestic opportunities lured an increasing number of firms battling the global economic slowdown, according to a top court. The last 12 mon .....
Vietnam's ageing population needs more nursing care
28 February, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
At 70, Nguyen Thi Chung has spent the last 10 years at a private care centre in Dong Ngac Village, Tu Liem District. Her husband died years ago and her only daughter became married. Using a wheelchai .....
Big day-care plans for elderly in Beijing
28 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
China's capital has the fastest greying rate in the country, a fact borne out by the 5,300 day-care centres for the elderly in the city. Not surprisingly, there is little public opposition to such ce .....
Three killed in Nepal bomb blast
28 February, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Three persons were killed and seven others injured yesterday when a powerful bomb went off some 300 metres away from Singha Durbar, Nepal's administrative hub. The explosion outside the Nepal Oil Co .....
Thousands of Thai jobs at risk as firms stay closed
28 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
About 164,500 employees of flood-affected enterprises are at risk of losing their jobs this year as 284 firms have not yet reopened after last year's inundation, while the upcoming increase in the dai .....
Thailand facing up to problem of boozed MPs
28 February, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Parliamentarians from both the ruling party Pheu Thai and opposition Democrat parties in Thailand continue to work on the problem of parliamentarians who turn up drunk for work, following claims Deput .....
Free Wi-Fi in Bangkok expressways
28 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Expressway Authority of Thailand (Exat) Governor Aiyarat Thinapai yesterday promised that people using Bangkok's expressways would be able to connect to the Internet for free via Wi-Fi within three mo .....
Lao Airlines postpones flight due to haze
28 February, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
Lao Airlines postponed its Monday morning flight from Vientiane to Houayxai in Bokeo province due to haze in the northern region, and is planning to reschedule the flight for the same time today. The .....
Taiwan denies suspension of military exchanges w/ S'pore
28 February, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) yesterday refuted a local media report that Singapore has suspended bilateral military exchanges with Taiwan. The ministry's spokesman Major Gen. Luo Sho .....
Interpol aid sought for Pakistan ex-president's arrest
28 February, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Pakistan's interior ministry has been asked to formally request Interpol to issue red notices for the arrest of former army ruler Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf. According to sources, the Federal Inve .....
Mining making big comeback in Malaysia
28 February, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
After the collapse of the tin market in the 1980s, the local mining operation has been carried out in a rather ambiguous manner. But, mining is now making a big comeback. Over the past three to four .....
Thailand urged to counter rampant trafficking of Burmese
28 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Labour exploitation, human trafficking and bondage of migrant workers from Burma continues in Samut Sakhon's shrimp-processing factories and onboard trawlers despite the passing of an anti-human-traff .....
M’sia, Pakistan to boost trade
28 February, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Malaysia and Pakistan have pledged to increase their bilateral economic relations and trades which have vast potential for growth after a joint-business council meeting yesterday. Malaysia-Pakistan .....
India to study rail modernisation
28 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
The expert group for modernisation of railways, headed by Sam Pitroda, submitted its report yesterday making 15 sets of recommendations including modernisation of 19,000 km of existing track, streng .....
EU, Indonesia negotiate partnership
28 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Indonesia and the European Union (EU) began negotiations on Monday on a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) that seeks to eliminate over 95 per cent of import tariffs on goods and impr .....
Photos from jet show devastated N-plant
28 February, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
The heavily damaged upper framework of the buildings housing the Nos. 3 and 4 reactors at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant were photographed from a Yomiuri Shimbun jet Sunday, one day after the .....
Trans-pacific pact to boost Brunei economy
28 February, 2012
By The Brunei Times
Source: ANN
The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement will significantly boost foreign direct investment to Brunei by increasing investor confidence in the Sultanate compliance with high trade standards, said .....
S. Korean capital looks to ban foreign goods in Insa-dong
28 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Seoul City is looking to ban the sale of foreign-made products in Insa-dong, officials announced Monday. Officials at the Seoul Metropolitan Government are concerned about the overflow of low-quality .....
S. Korea, US begin drills amid N. Korea threat
28 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
North Korea is once again upping the tension on the peninsula with threats of war as a series of military exercises kicked off with the Key Resolve exercise in South Korea on Monday. Key Resolve, whi .....
Battle looms over Parco
28 February, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
J. Front Retailing Co.'s recently announced plan to purchase a major stake in shopping centre operator Parco Co. is expected to attract much attention, especially concerning whether it is planning to .....
More Chinese, Thais visiting Laos
28 February, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
Tourism authorities said more and more Chinese and Thai tourists are heading to Laos mainly to experience the natural wonders and cultural attractions in the north of the country. Tourist arrivals ar .....
World Bank urges China to revamp financial system
28 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The World Bank on Monday urged China to revamp its financial system in a decisive, comprehensive and coordinated manner to counter risks facing the nation over the next 20 years. Reforms should follo .....
Thai gov't to name flood catchment zones
28 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The Thai government is expected to identify specific areas to be included in the two million rai marked as water-catchments before the end of this week, according to a source at the Royal Irrigation D .....
Obscure pact may bring US forces back to Philippines
28 February, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The obscure 2002 Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA) between the Philippines and the United States may be the key to an increased US military presence in the country, according to the militant B .....
Indonesia-Malaysia power trade to begin 2014
28 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
State power company PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) aims to begin large-scale electricity trading in 2014 after the construction of a transmission network connecting West Kalimantan and Sarawak in .....
India's nuclear plans losing steam
28 February, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
India, where 40 per cent of its people do not have access to electricity, wants to ramp up nuclear power generation by five times in the next eight years. But anti-nuclear protests at two sites in th .....
China-Europe see more trade disputes
28 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Arnoud Willems, a partner at US law firm Sidley Austin LLP, is filled with excitement these days after successfully helping Chinese shoemakers win an anti-dumping case. His clients will be compensated .....
Tension rises on peninsula as S. Korean and US forces begin drills
27 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
North Korea is once again upping the tension on the peninsula with threats of war as a series of military exercises kicked off with the Key Resolve exercise in South Korea on Monday. Key Resolve, whi .....
Seoul revs up diplomatic efforts to stop repatriation of N. Korean defectors
27 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
The Seoul government is revving up diplomatic efforts, both officially and unofficially, to persuade China to stop the “inhumane” repatriation of North Korean defectors. On Sunday, Chun Young-wo .....
Strikes ravage Korea’s two biggest broadcasters
27 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
TV viewers may be stuck with repeats and news programmes cut in half as workers at the country’s two biggest terrestrial broadcasters plan strikes to demanding their presidents step down. It is .....
Indonesia to sign land ownership law
27 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
A presidential regulation that will serve as a legal basis for the implementation of the newly deliberated land acquisition law in Indonesia is expected to be signed as early as next month, a minister .....
Row over IP claim on 'kopitiam'
27 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
People from Sumatra, Singapore or Malaysia may raise their eyebrows after hearing that an Indonesian restaurateur has the intellectual rights to the word kopitiam. Kopitiam, a generic word for a coff .....
Bangladesh to earn US$44m from India transit link
27 February, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Bangladesh could earn about US$44 million a year by providing transit to India and its neighbours over the first five years while developing infrastructure for the facility, a transport expert said ye .....
Pakistan to finalise 'negative list' for India trade
27 February, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
The Pakistan government has promised to complete the negative list for trade with India by the end of this month but differences between two key ministries concerned on certain points are making it di .....
Thai official predicts euro zone breakup
27 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Bank of Thailand Governor Prasarn Trairatvorakul envisions the eventual break-up of the euro zone. Much depends on the euro economies' commitment to the handling of their structural problems and agre .....
Philippines refuses joint Spratlys dev't with China
27 February, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The joint development of areas in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) that “are clearly ours is not a viable solution” to our problem with China, according to Philippine Foreign Secretary Al .....
Bangladesh to launch 20,000 websites by 2015
27 February, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
The government will launch 20,000 websites by 2015 to take e-service to the masses in efforts to materialise its vision of Digital Bangladesh. The websites will be developed under the National Portal .....
Japanese firms move to secure fish at home, abroad
27 February, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Amid growing global demand for marine products, major Japanese trading companies are accelerating investments at home and abroad to secure a stable supply of such fish as salmon and tuna. Economic gr .....
Taiwan media's fixation on trio raises questions
27 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
For most of this month, it seemed as if only three people existed for the media in Taiwan. There was Kawashima Makiyo, the celebrity who beat up a taxi driver in a drunken rage; Fong Fei-fei, the 197 .....
Thailand charter changes 'not justified'
27 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The Campaign for Popular Democracy in Thailand issued a statement yesterday opposing the charter rewrite on grounds that change would serve vested and partisan interests rather than the public. "The .....
Panel to review code of conduct for HK officials
27 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
An independent panel has been set up to identify gaps in rules governing the conduct of senior public officials and to make any necessary improvements, Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang wrote in .....
Inequality must be corrected--Suu Kyi
27 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi says there is no real "economic equality" between Burma and Thailand and the situation must be corrected. "Real cooperation needs equality. At the moment, ec .....
Strongest quake since 2010 rattles south Taiwan
27 February, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
The strongest earthquake that hit Taiwan in almost two years rocked the southern parts of the island yesterday morning. No casualties related to the powerful 6.1 magnitude quake were reported except t .....
N.Korea issues may derail Seoul’s ties with Beijing
27 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
As Seoul has raised pressure on Beijing to stop repatriating North Korean defectors, concerns are growing that the conflict could damage ties between the two countries and hamper efforts to enhance ec .....
Japan experts find parasites in Mekong fish species
26 February, 2012
By Rasmei Kampuchea Daily
Source: ANN
Japanese experts have found the cancer-causing liver fluke parasite (Opisthorchis viverrini) in seven species of fish commonly eaten by Cambodians, newspapers reported Sunday. The reports quoted Chor .....
Nepal to draft law for political party funding
26 February, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
The Election Commission (EC) has drafted a new electoral law with a provision to grant state funds to political parties annually to aid their operations in Nepal. The proposed Political Party Bill, .....
Travel boom spurred by doomsday hype
26 February, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
"Doomsday tourism” is set to boom this year as curiosity about the Mayan prophecy draws people by the thousands (the Mexican Government is hoping for millions) to the ruins of ancient Maya cities. .....
Bangladesh to boost efforts for connectivity
26 February, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Bangladesh's existing infrastructure cannot take the load that will come with transit to its neighbours, Finance Minister AMA Muhith said yesterday. "Transit is extremely important, but mind that d .....
Drug fiasco looms large in Pakistan
26 February, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
In the absence of rules for the newly established Drug Regulatory Agency of Pakistan (DRAP), hundreds of tons of raw material for life-saving drugs and medicine are piling up at major airports and sea .....
China's domestic solar market to expand
26 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China is aiming to reduce the cost of domestic solar power and expand the domestic market to better develop the photovoltaic (PV) industry during the 12th Five-Year-Plan period (2011-15), said the Min .....
Philippine president urges action against judiciary
26 February, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Twenty-six years after millions flocked to Edsa to overthrow a dictator, President Benigno Aquino III on Saturday rallied Filipinos to take action against the judiciary that, he said, like martial l .....
Chinese carmakers to win Indonesian buyers’ hearts
26 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Chinese automakers are struggling to gain a bigger share in the Indonesian automotive market and are placing their faith in new models and a promise of better after-sale-service to offset poor sales d .....
Taiwan to file bill protecting 1947 massacre victims
26 February, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Comparing President Ma Ying-jeou's remarks on the victims of the 228 Incident of 1947 to those of Nazi supporters and holocaust deniers, a legislator from the opposition Democratic Progressive Party ( .....
Singapore 3rd-richest country: Forbes
26 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Singapore is the third-richest country in the world, ranking behind only Qatar and Luxembourg, according to Forbes magazine. Using the most recent International Monetary Fund data available, Forbes s .....
Dangerous haze in six Thai provinces
26 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Six provinces in the upper north of Thailand were covered by unsafe levels of haze, the Pollution Control Department reported yesterday. Air in the provinces contained fine particles beyond the accep .....
Nepal police detain over 150 lawyers
25 February, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
With the May 27 deadline for promulgating a new constitution fast approaching amid protracted political stalemate, the civil society in Nepal has woken up to mount pressure on the parties to buck up .....
S. Korean leader enters final year with mixed record
25 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak enters the final year of his five-year term on Saturday with mixed evaluations on his state management ― positive for his economic and diplomatic feats, but nega .....
China issues green-credit guideline for banks
25 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The Chinese government introduced a "green credit" guideline for commercial lenders on Friday to facilitate economic restructuring in a manner that's environmentally friendly and saves energy. The Ch .....
Pakistan, Iran trade deal in the offing
25 February, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Sitting over a huge surplus wheat stock and having increased support price to encourage more production and votes, Pakistan has found an opportunity to export one million tonnes of wheat to Iran, and .....
Warden chief sacked after Bali prison riot
25 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Kerobokan prison warden Bowo Nariwono and his security chief Anang Khuzaini were relieved from their posts on Friday following the massive riot on Tuesday night in Bali, during which inmates torched m .....
Pakistan PM urges Afghan Taliban to join peace talks
25 February, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Pakistan publicly appealed to Taliban and other Afghan groups on Thursday to join an "intra-Afghan process" for advancing the cause of reconciliation and peace in the country. The appeal, the first .....
Thailand gets a pat on back from IMF
25 February, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
The International Monetary Fund has praised Thailand for its strong macroeconomic fundamentals, but warned that the prosperity could be mired by downside risks, which include the euro-zone crisis an .....
Thailand approves charter amendment bills
25 February, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
After two days of heated and emotion-charged debate, a joint parliamentary sitting late on Friday night voted in support of the three bills seeking to amendment the Constitution of Thailand. MPs a .....
Malaysia earns IMF praise
25 February, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has commended Malaysia for its prudent economic management, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. He said such a recognition was welcomed because not m .....
Business as usual for Kodak Asia-Pacific
25 February, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Eastman Kodak's move to file for bankruptcy protection in the United States will not impact the operations of Kodak Asia-Pacific. "Only the US subsidiaries are under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. .....
Forbes ranks Brunei 5th richest nation
25 February, 2012
By The Brunei Times
Source: ANN
Forbes has ranked Brunei Darussalam as the fifth richest country out of 182 nations due to its extensive petroleum and natural gas fields giving the Sultanate just over US$48,000 per capita. In its o .....
Asean urged to pursue reforms ahead of 2015
25 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Asean countries will be required to reform laws and regulations to facilitate trade and investment growth within the region under the Asean Economic Community (AEC), which will come into effect in 201 .....
Filipinos urged to work for 'unfinished revolution'
25 February, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
As a divided nation on Saturday marks the 26th anniversary of the 1986 “people power” uprising, Philippine President Benigno Aquino III and human rights groups on Friday appeared agreed on one t .....
Terror group offshoot may be latest regional threat
25 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Once thought to be on the wane, Jemaah Islamiah (JI) seems to have taken on a new guise as a leading terror network that is threatening the region. The designation of Jemaah Ansharut Tauhid (JAT) as .....
US to freeze assets of Japan's largest crime syndicate
25 February, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
The United States has placed Japan's largest crime syndicate, the Yamaguchi-gumi, and two of its leaders, on a sanctions list, which will freeze their assets in the United States. The two are Yamaguc .....
Manila hazing death sparks outrage
24 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
The death of a law school freshman in an out-of-control fraternity house initiation ritual has intensified calls on the authorities to stamp out a tradition of violent hazing in some Philippine univer .....
Indonesia aims to be a major fashion hub
24 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Five ministries, alongside the Indonesian Fashion Designers Association (APPMI), inaugurated the Indonesian Fashion Week 2012 yesterday, as part of a fashion road map intended to turn Indonesia into a .....
Global crisis a wake-up call to fix accounting flaws
24 February, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
The global economic crisis can work as a wake-up call for public sector entities around the world for introducing better accounting, auditing and financial management, an expert said yesterday. "Fail .....
Bangladesh journalists destroy murder evidence
24 February, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
All evidence of the killing of Bangladesh journalist couple Sagar and Runi got destroyed due to the crowding by newsmen at the crime scene, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said yesterday. As a result, t .....
Philippine ex-president arraigned; pleads not guilty
24 February, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Former Philippine President Gloria Arroyo yesterday entered a plea of not guilty to charges of electoral sabotage. Arroyo, now Pampanga representative who is under hospital arrest, personally enter .....
No safe haven for Indonesian criminals in HK
24 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Indonesian corruptors may have seen Hong Kong as a potential safe haven for hiding stolen state assets. But their ventures to the island may end soon as legislators have signed a bill that will rati .....
Police find clues on 6th Bangkok bombing suspect
24 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Trying to solve the mysterious "Sejeal" stickers’ link to the February 14 bombs’ Iranian suspects, Thai police investigation found a suspicious man, captured by a security camera while posing the .....
Samsung sells up to 20m units of Galaxy S2 worldwide
24 February, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Samsung Electronics said Thursday that it sold up to 20 million units of its flagship smartphone Galaxy S2 since releasing it in the global market last April. Together with its previous model Galaxy .....
Nepal, China to enforce anti-wildlife trade deal
24 February, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
The visiting Chinese team led by Minister of State for Forestry Administration Jia Zhibang has stressed effective implementation of the bilateral transboundary agreement to curb illegal wildlife tra .....
Seoul considers citizenship for N. Korea defectors in China
24 February, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
The government and ruling Saenuri Party on Thursday decided to consider issuing a certificate of South Korean citizenship to North Korean defectors as part of efforts to stop China from forcibly repat .....
Indonesia to increase fuel price subsidy
24 February, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Indonesian Finance Minister Agus Martowardojo said on Thursday the government would increase subsidised fuel prices, which will take effect in April, pending approval from the House of Representativ .....
Shanghai court postpones iPad decision
24 February, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
The Shanghai Pudong New Area People's Court on Thursday rejected a request by Shenzhen Proview Technology to stop Apple from selling iPads in the city. The court said it could not support Proview's a .....
Singapore worries over low-income gamblers
24 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
The opening of the two integrated resorts in 2010 has not, as feared, led to a higher gambling participation rate in Singapore, a survey has found. In fact, the proportion of Singapore residents gamb .....
Brunei eyes Chinese investments
24 February, 2012
By The Brunei Times
Source: ANN
Heralding the Sultanate's 28th National Day, representatives of Brunei's business community yesterday voiced their support towards furthering the country's economic development through courting fore .....
Bali prison back under control
24 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
The Indonesian authorities yesterday regained control of an overcrowded prison on Bali following two days of riots by inmates, and began evacuating foreign and female prisoners as a precaution. Last .....
Plane crashes in Pakistan; pilots killed
24 February, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
A two-seater light plane on a training flight crashed into the lawn of a house in Model Town in Lahore on Thursday, killing a woman pilot and her trainee. Witnesses and police said the plane had circ .....
HK abuzz over Tsang's Shenzhen penthouse
24 February, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
While Hong Kong chief executive hopeful Henry Tang is about to demolish an illegal mansion basement that has dented his reputation, his former boss Donald Tsang finds his planned retirement home the n .....
Cambodia's GDP growth on track
24 February, 2012
By Rasmei Kampuchea Daily
Source: ANN
Economic experts say Cambodia's gross domestic product (GDP) is on track to reach US$1,000 a head next year, up from an estimated $900 at the end of 2011 and echoing remarks made by Prime Minister Hun .....
Indian gov't goofs up over gay rights issue
24 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
The Indian government yesterday tied itself in knots in the Supreme Court, first disapproving decriminalisation of gay sex, terming it as "highly immoral”, and later taking a different line, drawing .....
Bangladesh-India border firing to go on
24 February, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Indian Border Security Force (BSF) chief UK Bansal yesterday reaffirmed his view that his soldiers at the border with Bangladesh would fire on criminals who dared them, a statement that has already cr .....
Philippines told to keep US out of Spratlys
24 February, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Former Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Wang Yingfan warned that dragging the United States in the disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) would be unacceptable to China and Beijing "cer .....
Cuba denies entry to Taiwanese mayor
24 February, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu, who was recently denied entry to Cuba, has decided to cut short a visit to the United States and return to Taiwan from Los Angeles, a city government spokesman said Thursday. .....
Food poison scare at Seoul’s five-star hotel
24 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Food poisoning claims have been made against a top hotel in Seoul after it served a large luncheon. Three people among about 770 members of the Korean Bar Association who ate lunch at a banquet at a .....
Countries unite to tackle EU flight tax
24 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
A 32-nation conference agreed that Europe should drop its unilateral decision to impose a green tax on airlines flying into the European Union, and a majority of countries signed a declaration opposin .....
Exporters welcome yen's fall
24 February, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Exporting firms and other Japanese companies have welcomed the unexpected fall Wednesday in the yen's value, which hit a six-month low at the 80 yen mark against the US dollar. But the yen's value is .....
Thai premier sues rivals for defamation
24 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has issued an emotional response to what she called a "nonsense" attack against her recent controversial presence at the Four Seasons Hotel, and has filed a .....
Viet Nam joins war on child sex tourism
23 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Child sex tourism is not mentioned specifically in Vietnamese legislation, but there are fears that it could be growing as the nation makes big advances in attracting holiday makers - and as Vietnames .....
Chief editor of Malaysia's The Star elected as ANN chair
23 February, 2012
By Asia News Network
Source: ANN
Wong Chun Wai, executive director and group chief editor of Malaysian English daily The Star, has been elected Asia News Network (ANN) chairman. He takes over from India’s The Statesman editor and .....
VN Airlines makes new plans for Jetstar
23 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Vietnam Airlines and Australia's Qantas Group announced a new partnership arrangement on Tuesday for Viet Nam-based budget carrier Jetstar Pacific Airlines, which they jointly own. The Vietnamese air .....
Alibaba buyout bid 'adds flexibility'
23 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd's bid to privatize its Hong Kong-listed business-to-business arm, Alibaba.com Ltd, could help the company retune its operating strategy and add flexibility to ongoing negotia .....
Italy-India diplomatic row over killing continues
23 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
The diplomatic row over the killing of two Indian fishermen at sea continued to rage today after Italy failed to convince India to allow the case in which two of its marines were charged with murder t .....
Website editors apologise to S'pore PM Lee
23 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Sociopolitical website TR Emeritus (TRE) has apologised unreservedly to Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong for a post that alleged cronyism in the appointment of Madam Ho Ching as head of Temase .....
US suit tags Philippine gaming firm execs
23 February, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The chairman of state-owned Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) on Wednesday denied allegations made by an owner of US-based casino giant Wynn Resorts that he had received undue perks and f .....
AirAsia earnings down on fuel, deferred tax
23 February, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
AirAsia Bhd’s net profit for the fourth quarter ended Dec 31, 2011, plunged by more than half to 135.7 million ringgit (US$45 million) from 311.1 million ringgit ($103 million)a year earlier due to .....
Korea, Boeing to develop aircraft parts together
23 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Korean companies, think tanks and universities will team up with Boeing to jointly develop advanced materials and parts for aircraft as part of a government programme to boost their competitiveness in .....
Duty-free craze in Hainan
23 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
To end her relaxing vacation in Hainan, Cherry Wang, 29, decided to take a leisurely stroll at one of the island's hottest tourist attractions - a sprawling 7,000 sq m duty-free store in the city of S .....
Laos to offer online trading soon
23 February, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
The Lao Securities Exchange (LSX) and Enterprise of Telecommunications Lao (ETL) Public Company have signed an agreement to introduce a Home Trade System, which will allow investors to trade stocks el .....
Chief judge wanted to help Philippine ex-president escape
23 February, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Should Philippine Chief Justice Renato Corona be removed from office in connection with a “collegial” Supreme Court resolution allowing former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Arro .....
Nepal trade unions rise to 86
23 February, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Industrialists may be complaining about them, but the number of trade unions in Nepal has kept on increasing. A total of 86 new trade unions were added in the last six years, that is, after People .....
Indonesia geothermal projects to get full protection
23 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Geothermal electricity project developers in Indonesia will enjoy full protection of their investments as the government agrees to expand its guarantee to cover risks during exploration and constructi .....
Bangladesh media protest over journalists' murder
23 February, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
The journalist community in Bangladesh yesterday announced one-hour work abstention for Monday to press home their demand for immediate arrest and trial of the killers of journalist couple Sagar and R .....
More clues on Iranian bomb plot in Bangkok
23 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
More signs possibly relating to planned bomb attacks and prepared by a group of Iran nationals have been identified on Bangkok streets, apart from the stickers reading "SEJEAL" which police discovered .....
Laos, China sign 6 bilateral deals
23 February, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
Laos and China signed six agreements in Vientiane yesterday following the fifth meeting of the joint commission on economic, trade and technical cooperation between the two countries. The first agree .....
Indonesia seeks to bolster economic diplomacy
23 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The Foreign Ministry is having its biggest annual gathering in Jakarta, where over the course of a week, a total of 85 ambassadors will hear directives from Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudho .....
Italian marines' shooting of Indian fishermen sparks crisis
23 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
A diplomatic row is escalating between India and Italy over the possible trial of two Italian marines who shot two Indian fishermen after mistaking them for pirates. New Delhi says the marines must b .....
Prison mayhem on idyllic Bali
23 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Indonesian security forces stormed a prison on Bali island early yesterday after inmates rioted overnight, burning offices in a rampage that lasted several hours and injured several cops and prisoners .....
Korean makers beat Japanese rivals in global TV market
23 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
A recent research said Wednesday that Korean TV makers sold more units of flat-screen televisions sets compared to its Japanese rivals for the first time globally. According to market research firm D .....
India sees 8% economic growth
23 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Hoping for a favourable global environment, the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council (PMEAC) has projected 7.5-8 per cent growth rate for India's next fiscal year 2012-13. "We might be able .....
The Star's chief editor elected as ANN chair
23 February, 2012
By Asia News Network
Source: ANN
The Star executive director and group chief editor Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai has been elected Asia News Network (ANN) chairman. He takes over from India’s The Statesman editor and managing director .....
Cambodia to benefit from Asian Community in 2015
23 February, 2012
By Rasmei Kampuchea Daily
Source: ANN
Government advisor Sok Siphana says that Cambodia's participation in the Asian Community in 2015 will bring more economic advantages than disadvantages. "The forecast over the past 10 years that Cam .....
Nepal to finalise peace, charter process
23 February, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Nepal Minister for Local Development Top Bahadur Rayamajhi has claimed that the peace process and constitution drafting process would be concluded within the deadline. Saying that the government has .....
Anomalies found in Bangladesh state-owned telcos
23 February, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
A government probe committee discovered anomalies in international call management at the two state-owned telecom companies, Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Ltd (BTCL) and Teletalk, which could .....
South Korean president presses China over North Korean defectors
23 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak on Wednesday said China should handle the issue of North Korean defectors in accordance with international humanitarian norms, raising pressure on Beijing not to r .....
Philippine ex-president pleads not guilty
23 February, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Former Philippine President Gloria Arroyo yesterday entered a plea of not guilty to charges of electoral sabotage. Arroyo, now Pampanga representative who is under hospital arrest, personally entered .....
Thai court approves flood-prevention decrees
23 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The Thai court verdict yesterday validating the government's emergency decrees restores confidence but the government's success in preventing future flood disasters will depend on the quality of their .....
Japanese researchers find stem cells reduce monkeys' Parkinson's symptoms
23 February, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Japanese researchers have been able to improve the symptoms of Parkinson's disease in monkeys by transplanting nerve cells derived from embryonic stem cells into their brains, the team has announced. .....
Foxconn raises base wages, reduces overtime hours
23 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Foxconn announced on Monday it is raising the base wages of its workers on the Chinese mainland by 16 to 25 per cent as of February 1 and will reduce the number of extra hours they may work. Liu Kun, .....
N. Korea develops rocket that can reach 200km
23 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
North Korea has developed a multiple launch rocket system with a maximum range of 200km, which can reach US bases slated to be moved to Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, from Yongsang, Seoul when they ar .....
Taiwan groups threaten to protest during US official's visit
23 February, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Under Secretary for International Trade at the US Department of Commerce Francisco Sanchez will be visiting Taiwan from March 4 through 6, according to the AIT yesterday. Upon hearing about Sanchez' v .....
China targets developed countries for FDI
23 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The "grim outlook" for foreign direct investment has prompted the government to consider measures to boost investment from developed countries, a trade official said. "The outlook for inflows of fore .....
Korean actress axed from Japanese commercial over Dokdo campaign
22 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
A cosmetics company cancelled a February 21 preview of a Japanese commercial featuring actress Kim Tae-hee, as Japanese netizens criticised her for advocating Korea’s sovereignty over Dokdo. Dokdo .....
Pakistan, India extend nuclear accord
22 February, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Pakistan and India yesterday announced that they were extending by five years their pact on reducing the risk of nuclear accidents. "The two sides have agreed to extend the validity of the Agreemen .....
Optical fibre project to link Nepal with Asian countries
22 February, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
The Nepal government is working to establish an optical fibre link between Nepal and India, Bangladesh and Bhutan under an information highway project supported by the Asian Development Bank (ABD). .....
Asean-China Centre to attract tourists to Cambodia
22 February, 2012
By Rasmei Kampuchea Daily
Source: ANN
The Asean-China Centre (ACC) has pledged to make efforts to make China the largest or second-largest source of visitors to Cambodia, positions occupied by Vietnam and South Korea last year. ACC secr .....
Philippine president keeps up war vs graft
22 February, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Saying the justice system was a “major battleground for reform”, Philippine President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday gave another speech that could be seen as pushing for the removal of impeached .....
Vietnam MoF lifts import tax on petrol
22 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
The Vietnamese Ministry of Finance decided to exempt the import tax on all kinds of petrol starting on Tuesday to avoid petrol dealers from raising their retail prices, according to a Ministry of Fina .....
Philippines contributed US$125m to IMF in 2011
22 February, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The Philippines contributed more than US$125 million as of end-2011 to the pool of money disbursed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help address the financial crisis confronting economies i .....
No water beyond treaty for Bangladesh
22 February, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
There is little scope of Bangladesh's getting excess water through the Farakka barrage in the Indian state of west Bengal as the Ganges water treaty provides for adjusting the additional volume, exper .....
Volkswagen rolls out in Nepal
22 February, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
There’s good news for those looking for a big family car. Pooja International, the sole authorised distributor of Volkswagen of Germany, has introduced Touran, a multi-utility vehicle (MUV) in the N .....
Supermarkets gain hold in Vietnam
22 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Convenience, stable prices and consecutive promotion campaigns have helped modern retail channels attract more customers, with year-on-year turnover growth of 20-25 per cent in HCM City. Meanwhile, .....
Central Vietnamese province struggles with unxploded ordnance clearance
22 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Central Nghe An Province of Vietnam, in co-operation with the Ministry of Defence, is prioritising the clearance of unexploded ordnance. 18 per cent of its land is affected by unexploded ordnance, acc .....
Former Pakistan president to face murder trial
22 February, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik yesterday informed members of the Sindh Assembly that soon former president Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf would be brought back to the country to face trial in .....
New models flood Indonesia's premium car market
22 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The competition in Indonesia's luxury car market is getting tighter this year with the entry of several new models from expensive international car brands such as Audi and BMW. PT Garuda Mataram Moto .....
Special team set up for 2013 Bali Summit
22 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The Indonesian government has officially established a special committee to prepare for the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, which will be held in Bali in 2013. Coordinating .....
Bhutan enters cyber age
22 February, 2012
By Kuensel
Source: ANN
Bhutan took its first few concrete steps in what should eventually be its big leap into the information age, and the creation of an information technology-literate and enabled society, last year. One .....
Financial 'risk' status may deter Thai investment
22 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thailand stands to lose not only international trade opportunities, but also foreign direct investment from other Asean countries, particularly Singapore and Malaysia, after being named as a "high r .....
On border, children prefer to study in Malaysia
22 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Puring Kencana, located at the farthest end of Kapuas Hulu, West Kalimantan of Indonesia, is only a stone’s throw from East Malaysia. From the district capital of Sungai Antu, it is just a one-and-a .....
Nepal urged to allow safe passage for Tibetans
22 February, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Nepal government has remained non-committal to a call by a US congressmen to allow Tibetans to resettle in the US and to adhere to "the Gentleman's Agreement" to allow Tibetans a safe passage to Ind .....
KL govt agency spots 10,000 dubious voters
22 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
A federal government agency has found over 10,000 dubious voters on Malaysia's electoral rolls - including scores of cases where more than 100 voters were registered to one address - confirming longst .....
Nuclear safety improvement a priority in China
22 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China is seeking to improve safety at its nuclear power plants to pave the way for the industry's renewed expansion, as shown by recent statements and decisions by regulators. The National Energy Adm .....
Indonesian banks rush on housing loan deals
22 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
In an attempt to boost lending from this particular business line, several major banks in Indonesia have cut lending rates for mortgage loans to tap the rising demand for housing against the backdrop .....
Japanese cyclist back in saddle for world tour
22 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
A Japanese man cycling around the world had a longer-than-expected stop in Central China when his bike was stolen. "My bicycle is my sweet, my girlfriend and my best friend. I really want to get it .....
Four die in extreme martial arts tests in Indonesia
22 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Four martial arts students have died while attempting to achieve invulnerability in extreme tests in separate incidents in Greater Jakarta, and East Nusa Tenggara. Two men in Kupang, East Nusa Tengga .....
Asean among top US export markets
22 February, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
For the US, Asean has been one of the fastest growing export markets. From 1990 to 1994, US exports grew at an average annual rate of 14.1 per cent. At present, more than half of Asean's exports to t .....
'Investment in sanitation as vital as in Defence'
22 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
India's rural development minister Jairam Ramesh pushed vigorously the agenda of clean drinking water and sanitation. “Investment in (drinking) water supply and sanitation is a matter of urgent p .....
US military not an 'aggressive' presence in region
22 February, 2012
By The Brunei Times
Source: ANN
The United States' regional military presence should not be seen as "aggressive", said a defence expert yesterday at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) where he delivered a speech as part of the unive .....
RIL JV with Russian firm for rubber unit
22 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Reliance Industries on Tuesday announced a joint venture with Russian petrochemicals giant Sibur for production of butyl rubber in Jamnagar, Gujarat, with a combined investment of $450 million (about .....
Foreign bank deposits may come under wealth tax in India
22 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Foreign bank deposits, paintings, sculptures and expensive watches may come under the wealth tax net as part of the Indian government's efforts to unearth black money and raise additional revenue. Th .....
Olympus exec found dead in Indian city
22 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
A senior executive from Japanese company Olympus, which is embroiled in a US$1.7billion accounting scandal, was found dead in a park in Gurgaon in what police are calling a suicide. Tsutomi Omori, 49 .....
Taiwan expert walks out of beef meeting
22 February, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
The conclusions reached by the second interministerial committee meeting on the issue of beef imports yesterday make opening the local market to US beef imports more likely. The meeting was not witho .....
Bangladesh to seek border pledge from India
22 February, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
The three-day India-Bangladesh home minister-level talks start tomorrow with Dhaka irritated by Indian Border Security Force's (BSF) recent brutal treatment of Bangladeshis and escalating tension at .....
German firm urged to probe deaths in Cambodian factory
22 February, 2012
By Rasmei Kampuchea Daily
Source: ANN
International clothing and footwear companies such as German sportswear giant Puma AG should conduct thorough investigations into the shooting of three protesting factory workers in Bavet, two non-gov .....
Film agreement offers reel opportunities in China
22 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The recent agreement to allow screenings of an increased number of United States-made movies in Chinese theaters will simultaneously provide both opportunities and challenges to Chinese film makers an .....
Thailand asks Malaysia to hand over bomb suspect
22 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thailand has submitted a written request to Malaysian authorities to hand over an Iranian man suspected of being part of a terror cell involved in the three blasts in Bangkok last week, a senior publi .....
Malaysian cops bust syndicate that specialises in cannibalising stolen vehicles
22 February, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Malaysian police have seized more than 1,000 vehicle parts worth tens of millions of ringgit at a godown in Perak and arrested 12 members of a syndicate. But the parts were just a fraction of what ha .....
Seoul to raise N. Korea defector issue at UN
22 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
South Korea plans to raise the issue of North Korean defectors who face repatriation after being caught in China, at a UN panel on human rights next week, its Foreign Ministry said Tuesday. While eng .....
'Naturalised Kolkatan' Pak spy held in New Delhi
22 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
A 39-year-old suspected Pakistani spy, who was sarcastically termed as a “naturalised Kolkatan” by a police officer as he stayed in the city for the past 20 years and even married a local girl wit .....
Philippines, Vietnam discuss Spratlys claim
22 February, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The Philippines and Vietnam on Monday discussed “cooperative actions” in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) during the inaugural meeting of the two countries’ Joint Commission on Maritime .....
Danger on road ahead over foreign contracts
22 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Li Jianguo found it hard to believe he was not in a movie when a man with a machine gun stepped out in front of his car in the middle of the night. Li described the scene as "breathtaking and unforg .....
27 terror groups planned former Pakistan PM's murder
22 February, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
It seems as though not much has been achieved in the Benazir Bhutto murder case as Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Tuesday not only admitted that planners of the murder are still at large, but als .....
Taiwan, China set target of 10m cross-strait tourists by 2014
22 February, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Tourism officials and travel agents from Taiwan and mainland China yesterday set a target of boosting the total number of people traveling across the Taiwan Strait to more than 10 million in 2014. Maj .....
Tokyo quake could register 7, says study
22 February, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
A major earthquake a government panel presumes could occur centered under northern Tokyo Bay could register 7--the strongest on the Japanese seismic intensity scale--in central Tokyo, a ministry study .....
Outcry in China over bear bile farming
22 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
A Fujian firm that extracts bile from caged bears to make medicine is facing fierce protests over its plans for a public listing, in a spat that is pitting Chinese animal rights groups against trade b .....
'Good, honest' Bangladeshis urged to join polls
21 February, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Inviting meritorious, honest and competent people to politics, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday said her party will engage skilled persons for the development of th .....
Indonesian defense minister visits China for strategic industry talks
21 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Indonesian Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro is on a three-day visit to Beijing at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart, Liang Guanglie. Purnomo is leading a delegation of senior Indonesian M .....
US oil firm ConocoPhillips sells VN assets
21 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
ConocoPhillips, the third-largest US oil company, signed a deal late last week to sell its Vietnam business units for US$1.29 billion to Anglo-French oil and gas explore Perenco SA. The deal include .....
Philippine gov't set to hike airport fee
21 February, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
After lowering it to 550 pesos (US$12) on February 1, the Philippine government is considering bringing the airport terminal fee paid by outbound passengers at the country’s main gateway back up to .....
Indonesia's largest news portal seals deal with InMobi
21 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
PT Agranet Multicitra Sibercom, the publisher of Indonesia’s largest news portal, detik.com, has singed a deal with global mobile advertising network, InMobi, to form an exclusive partnership to int .....
Plan to ban old Chinese machinery proposed
21 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
The Vietnamese ministries of Finance and Science and Technology will propose a temporary ban on the import of obsolete Chinese machinery, equipment and technology in 18 sectors. The move came as the .....
Bid to let Pakistan scam generals go free
21 February, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
While the government sits on recommendations of a special parliamentary committee against people who inflicted losses of billions of rupees on Pakistan Railways in a fraudulent land deal, behind the s .....
Vietnamese authorities to get tough with Net fraud
21 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
The Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade is drafting a new circular to guide oversight of online shopping following recent public complaints of cheating due to consumers' ignorance and credulousn .....
Inflation hits Chinese people's pockets
21 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The wealth of Chinese people is being squeezed because of the lackluster investment market and long-standing inflationary pressure. The situation may create a vicious circle as it reduces demand for g .....
Pakistan senate adopts bill for interim polls
21 February, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
The Pakistan Senate adopted the 20th Constitution Amendment Bill yesterday, but not unanimously as the National Assembly had done last week. The adoption of the amendment by the upper house of parl .....
Indonesia's contribution needed in global peace, human rights
21 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Amid never-ending accusations from international groups over human rights violations at home, the Indonesian government has said that Islamic countries have recognised Indonesia’s achievements in up .....
Chinese oil firms plan for Mideast turmoil
21 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China's biggest oil companies are learning how to alleviate the risks resulting from the uncertain geopolitical scenarios in the Middle East and North Africa. One of their latest moves is a plan to .....
Thailand to discuss charter change drafts
21 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The Thai Parliament on Thursday will consider three separate charter amendment drafts proposed by the government, the ruling Pheu Thai Party, and coalition Cha Thai Pattana Party, the House speaker sa .....
Threat issued on mineral firms as Indonesian govt plans export ban
21 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The Indonesian government has given mineral producers three months to submit a comprehensive plan to face the implementation of the ban on metal ore exports starting in 2014 or risk having their expor .....
Sudden NBA stardom signals big haul for Lin
21 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Jeremy Lin, who has rocketed to stardom in the NBA, has become a hot ticket in the sports business sector, especially in China. The New York Knicks' new point guard went from obscurity to celebrity .....
HFM disease likely to spread in Vietnam
21 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Health experts in Vietnam have warned of unpredictable hand-foot-mouth disease developments in the near future after nine children died out of the more than 6,300 reported cases in the first six weeks .....
Four dead, city in chaos as rivals riot in Indonesian regency election
21 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Four people were killed and almost 100 were injured in Papua as the supporters of rival candidates in Tolikara regency’s election clashed on Feb. 15. The violence ensued when one candidate’s camp .....
Worker suicides in south China prompt probe
21 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
An investigation has been launched at a stationery company in Humen, south China's Guangdong province, after two employees committed suicide last week. Xie Yanfang, an official with Dongguan city bu .....
Vietnam will become Asia's electronics hub: HSBC
21 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) has ranked Vietnam seventh out of 10 countries seen as having the best prospects for long-term growth. It also forecast that the nation could bec .....
South Korea's drills in West Sea end without incident
21 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
South Korean military drills on Monday were conducted without incident despite fiery warnings from North Korea. Ahead of the drills, North Korea on Sunday issued a warning saying that it woul respon .....
Laos issues warning on fake dollar bills
21 February, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
The Bank of the Lao PDR is urging the public to join forces to combat a rising tide of fake US dollar banknotes and other foreign currencies. The central bank made the call last week after learning t .....
Manmohan for scaling up India's agriculture growth
21 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, said food production will exceed 250 million tonnes at the end of the 11th plan even as the country is set to achieve about 3.5 per cent annual growth, but under .....
'India’s decision to import Iran oil a slap on US face'
21 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
India’s decision to continue importing Iranian oil is a slap on the face of the United States, which is galvanising the international community to isolate Teheran, according to a former US diplomat .....
JI militant 'didn't plan or carry out' bomb attacks
21 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Lawyers for Umar Patek yesterday argued the Jemaah Islamiah (JI) militant had helped assemble bombs but did not know they would be used in the deadly nightclub blasts on Bali island in 2002. Hisyam A .....
Nepal Maoist fighters' army integration flawed
21 February, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
The major two opposition parties—Nepali Congress and Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML)—have dubbed the Nepal Army’s (NA) proposal on the integration of Maoist combatant .....
Brunei urged to invest in Japan's disaster areas
21 February, 2012
By The Brunei Times
Source: ANN
Japan wants to draw in foreign investments in projects that could see areas worst affected by last year's March 11 disasters developed into future "eco-cities", senior Japanese officials told a grou .....
Bangladesh SOS to India over railways
21 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
In what reads as nothing short of an SOS, Bangladesh railway minister Suranjit Sengupta has petitioned Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Indian Railway minister Dinesh Trivedi, to “please hel .....
‘Repatriation to N. Korea technically a Chinese matter'
21 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
South Korea’s Foreign Ministry is urgently calling on China to stop repatriating North Korean defectors but it is technically up to China to decide the issue, a South Korean envoy to Beijing said. .....
Dark horse in race for HK'stop post
21 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
The name of Hong Kong's legislative head Jasper Tsang is being floated for the top post of Chief Executive (CE), local media reported, as erstwhile frontrunner Henry Tang's integrity lies in tatters o .....
Taiwan's rep to S'pore replaced due to improper conduct
21 February, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) yesterday announced that Taiwan's representative to Singapore Vanessa Shih will be transferred back to Taipei after serving for three years as the governmen .....
Australian firm to invest in Cambodian gold
21 February, 2012
By Rasmei Kampuchea Daily
Source: ANN
Australian mining company Renaissance Minerals says it plans to acquire OZ Minerals (Cambodia) Ltd, the Australian owner of the Okvau Gold Deposit, in Mondulkiri province (eastern Cambodia) with an es .....
Bangladesh inflation dwarfs wage growth
21 February, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
All's not well when it comes to cost of living and wages in the country. According to the data of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), due to high inflation the real wages of the working class peop .....
UK luxury developer eyes Taiwanese buyers
21 February, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
A UK developer is looking for buyers in Taiwan to purchase its luxury apartments by the Thames, said Savills, advisor of the sale, yesterday. Past buyers of UK luxury mansions were usually those from .....
No point debating with Anwar the 'chameleon', says Dr M
21 February, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
It will be pointless for the Malaysian PM to debate with Anwar Ibrahim because the opposition leader is a “chameleon”, said former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad. “He is a chameleon. When he is wi .....
Chinese FM slams denial of Nanjing Massacre
21 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China does not accept Nagoya Mayor Takashi Kawamura's denial of the crime of the Nanjing Massacre, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at a regular news briefing on Monday. Hong emphasized that .....
Chinese exporters set to get tax boost
21 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Export tax rebates will be increased this year in response to an export decline triggered by the European debt crisis. The move, which Chinese Commerce Ministry officials said will be implemented wh .....
Food, energy pressure on Mekong economies to rise
21 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) countries, including Thailand, will face challenges in managing food, water and energy this decade given rising demand, experts said yesterday. Speaking yesterday a .....
Malaysia willing to help Thailand find solution for troubled south
21 February, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Malaysia has told Thailand it is willing to assist Bangkok in finding long-term solutions for peace in its troubled southern provinces, which have seen violence and thousands of deaths in recent years .....
Japan, China want Europe to help itself
21 February, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Japanese Finance Minister Jun Azumi and Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan's confirmation on Sunday that they would take concerted action to help contain the debt crisis in Europe is believed to reflect .....
Gaming czars quarrel over Philippine casino
21 February, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
An American gambling firm, using findings of a probe by a former head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, has accused Japanese gambling tycoon Kazuo Okada of making improper cash payments and gift .....
Pyongyang warns of attack
20 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
North Korea warned on Sunday that it will respond with a “merciless counterstrike” to the South Korea-US joint drill in the West Sea scheduled for Monday. The navies of the two allies are set to .....
Indonesian rector supports ‘Party School’ idea
20 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The idea for the establishment of a school to train political party cadres has received a warm welcome from Indonesian academics, who say that the school could help breed reliable national leaders. I .....
Foreign wine firms woo southwest Indian state
20 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Wine producers from France, Canada, New Zealand and Australia are seeking to join hands with their counterparts in Karnataka, southwest India, along with the state’s grape farmers, for possible coop .....
Jakarta under fire over bus crashes
20 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
A spate of bus accidents that killed 20 people over just three days last week has reignited concerns over public transport safety. The authorities have come under fire for what critics say is a lack .....
Indian parties woo voters via the Web
20 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Midway through state elections in India's most politically vital province, candidates are scrambling to look for new ways to grab young voters in a region where methods have traditionally ranged from .....
Group files suit to stop opening of rare earth plant in Kuantan
20 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
A group of environmentalists led by an opposition politician yesterday filed the first application in court to quash a temporary operating licence (TOL) given to Australian miner Lynas Corporation to .....
Dhaka eyes soft loan from Russia
20 February, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
A high-level government delegation from Bangaldesh will visit Moscow this month to seek a Russian soft loan for setting up a 1,000-megawatt nuclear power plant at Rooppur in Pabna (northweast Banglade .....
Pakistani women addicts end up mentally unstable
20 February, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Drug dependent Pakistani women become mentally and emotionally unstable and half of the users surveyed confirmed that its use led to family violence while one female addict was responsible for destroy .....
HCM City urged to change export structure
20 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Authorities in HCM City are targeting an annual export growth rate of 17 per cent under a programme that also aims to shift the structure of the city's exports. The programme also targets raising the .....
Experts say Apple has trademark weakness
20 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The names of iPhone and iPad could wind up on hiking shoes, veterinary drugs or even diapers in China if Apple fails to remedy flaws in its brand strategy, experts say. At least 39 Chinese companies .....
Nepal Maoist parties agree on peace deals
20 February, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) leader Madhav Kumar Nepal on Sunday discussed the possibility of .....
Vietnam's tight credit policy depresses shares
20 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Substantial gains on Friday helped mitigate the stock market's overall downward trend last week, as well as give a boost to investor psychology heading into this week's trading. On the HCM City Stoc .....
Vietnam targets emissions
20 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Lowering greenhouse gas emissions related to transport is one of the priorities of the Vietnamese transport sector's climate change action plan for the 2011-15 period. Deputy director of the Ministr .....
Calls for Indonesian govt to boost policing to deter groups using violence
20 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Several mass organisation (Ormas) leaders have called on the Indonesian government to boost law enforcement to deter organisations from employing violence, adding that disbanding organisations was not .....
Philippine gov’t mulls higher rate for unmilled rice
20 February, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The Philippines' Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Food Authority (NFA) are considering increasing the government’s buying price for palay (unmilled rice) by 70 centavos up to one peso .....
WTO membership boosts Vietnam's economy
20 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Vietnam has made great strides in all aspects of its economy in the five years since it became a member of the World Trade Organisation, experts told a conference in HCM City last week. More than 20 .....
Big need for mother-and-baby nurses in China
20 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The Year of the Dragon is expected to lead to a baby boom because of the belief that children born in it will be endowed with good luck and have a propitious life. As a result, demand has risen for c .....
Philippines impeachment row heats up
20 February, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Philippine President Benigno Aquino III is not about to declare a ceasefire in his word war with impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona despite pleas from senators for the heads of two coequal branches .....
Indonesian parties play ‘politics of hostage’ ahead of 2014
20 February, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
With many politicians implicated in corruption scandals, Indonesian political parties are using the issue to pressurize rivals in order to secure their political agendas ahead of the 2014 general elec .....
Business players, govt at odds on Indonesia-Japan partnership
20 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
When the Indonesia-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (IJ-EPA) came into force on July 1, 2008, both governments expressed their optimism that the accord could serve as a model for solid bilateral e .....
Pakistan's major targets to be lowered
20 February, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
The Pakistan government is working on a plan to lower major economic targets for next financial year because of economic difficulties and transfer the responsibility of financing social sector project .....
Australian school accepts NCE scores for admissions
20 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The University of Sydney in Australia has begun using scores from China's national college entrance exam during admissions in a bid to attract more Chinese students. Under the new admissions policy, .....
Thai exporters cashing in on free-trade deals
20 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
More Thai exporters are reaping benefits from free-trade agreements (FTAs), with exports under the deal up by 17 per cent in 2011 compared with previous year. The Foreign Trade Department reported th .....
Thai exporters cashing in on free-trade deals
20 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
More Thai exporters are reaping benefits from free-trade agreements (FTAs), with exports under the deal up by 17 per cent in 2011 compared with previous year. The Foreign Trade Department reported th .....
Blast injures one in south Bhutan
20 February, 2012
By Kuensel
Source: ANN
A police official was suspected to have been injured in a gun fire following a bomb explosion near the forest check post at Rinchending (Kharbandi) around 8.15pm on Friday in southern Bhutan city of P .....
Sanctions deepen N. Korea-Iran bond
20 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
The relationship between North Korea and Iran appears to be becoming closer and more cooperative as international criticism over their controversial nuclear programmes increases and economic sanctions .....
Thailand to rush passage of laundering laws
20 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The ruling Pheu Thai Party will rush through two laws to boost efficiency in fighting money-laundering after Thailand was blacklisted by an intergovernmental organisation. Pheu Thai spokesman Prompon .....
Indian government preparing policy to help airlines industry
20 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
With Air India and Kingfisher going through their worst crises, the government is working on a policy package to help the entire cash-strapped industry come out of the financial rut, official sources .....
China's central bank on path of prudence
20 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Prudence will be the watchword amid global economic uncertainty and the battle against inflation, China's central bank said on Sunday. "The pressures of slowing growth and rising inflation exist at .....
National flags flutter across Brunei
20 February, 2012
By The Brunei Times
Source: ANN
As the 28th National Day of Brunei is drawing near, the festive fervour is very much in the air. The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) through its Youth and Sports Department yesterday adde .....
Indian opposition party apologises for not having women in fray
20 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Goa BJP on Sunday apologised for not fielding a single woman candidate from the party to contest the forthcoming state Assembly polls. Leader of Opposition Manohar Parrikar said the party was apologe .....
Laos, Germany bolster cooperation
20 February, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
Laos has recognised the significant development assistance that Germany has provided, and highly values the country's ongoing help and support. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs D .....
Indian opposition party apologises for not having women in fray
20 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Goa BJP on Sunday apologised for not fielding a single woman candidate from the party to contest the forthcoming state Assembly polls. Leader of Opposition Manohar Parrikar said the party was apologe .....
Japanese emperor relieved after surgery
20 February, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Japanese Emperor Akihito expressed relief after his successful heart bypass surgery Saturday, saying, "That feels good," when the Empress and their daughter held and gently rubbed his hands, according .....
New cancer drug developed in Japan may reduce side effects
20 February, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
A biopharmaceutical company based in Chuo Ward, Tokyo, has developed a drug that could lessen the side effects of a conventional anticancer agent when used in combination. Anaeropharma Science said .....
Japanese collaboration on bullet trains
20 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
The Indian Railways will set up a joint working group with Japan to carry forward the high speed train proposal, according to the Railway minister, Dinesh Trivedi. “I am quite impressed by the sa .....
Philippines to push exports to China
20 February, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The Philippine government intends to tweak the country’s export strategy by pushing for a further penetration of the Chinese market and focusing less on electronics, aiming to reverse last year’s .....
Coup bid in Dhaka prompts vigil in nirtheast India
20 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Close on the heels of the failed military coup in Bangladesh, Intelligence agencies have alerted all North-eastern states to intensify vigil in the border areas. However, they ruled out any connection .....
Balochistan resolution has no legal force
20 February, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
The Balochistan resolution presented in the US Congress on Friday is not a piece of legislation and will have no legal force even if it is adopted, although this seems unlikely. As Congressman Dana R .....
Bangladesh moves to axe WB bridge deal
20 February, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Despite strong opposition from within, the Bangladesh government has moved to cancel the loan deal for the Padma bridge project with the World Bank to clear the way for an agreement with Malaysia or .....
More US films set for China
20 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China has agreed to open its market to more US films and provide better terms to US studios whose films are released in the country, a move that has created a stir among Chinese filmmakers. China an .....
Warrant issued for 5th Bangkok bomb suspect
20 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
An arrest warrant has been approved for a fifth suspect in the triple blasts in Bangkok last Tuesday. The suspect was identified by a Bangkok police source as a middleaged man seen going in and out of .....
Elimination process begins in selection of Taiwan opposition party leader
19 February, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
No obvious candidates for the next chairman of the opposition the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) emerged on Saturday, 11 days before current leader Tsai Ing-wen steps down, but Chen Chu appeared t .....
Vietnam supports UN efforts in Syria
19 February, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Vietnam supports moves made by the international community, including the Arab League, to restore stability and hold talks that focus on national reconciliation and peace in Syria. "Vietnam has been .....
Parachinar suicide blast, firing toll soars to 41
19 February, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
The death toll from Friday’s suicide blast and subsequent firing by security forces on protesters in Parachinar rose to 41 on Saturday. A tense calm prevailed as complete shutdown was observed in P .....
'Korea to post trade surplus in February'
19 February, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Knowledge Economy Minister Hong Suk-woo said Thursday that Korea’s trade balance would swing back into the black this month as exports pick up, driving a turnaround from January’s painful deficit. .....
'Dhading fowl deaths not caused by bird flu'
19 February, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
The Nepal government authorities have confirmed that a highly infectious and fatal viral disease of poultry named ‘ranikhet’ is the cause behind the recent deaths of thousands of chickens in Dhadi .....
Mekong wetland protection receives German funding
19 February, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
The Federal Republic of Germany committed to provide more than 80 billion kip (US$10.5 million) in funding to the Mekong River Commission (MRC) for conservation initiatives. The funding will go towa .....
Riau protests Singapore’s ‘excessive entry checks’
19 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The Riau Islands provincial administration has protested against what it regards as excessive scrutiny measures imposed by Singaporean immigration officials. The officials have denied entry to as man .....
Shinsei Bank eyes Indonesia for offshore expansion
19 February, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Tokyo-based Shinsei Bank, one of Japan’s largest banks, is seeking to expand its business in Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s largest economy, which promises enormous growth potential for the firm, an .....
Kingfisher cancels several flights
19 February, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Passengers of Kingfisher Airlines suffered severe hardships on Saturday as the beleaguered carrier cancelled several flights from some key cities and completely shut down operations from Kolkata, incl .....
Brunei, Taiwan trade growth reaches 'historical' level
19 February, 2012
By The Brunei Times
Source: ANN
Trade between Brunei and Taiwan amounted to US$80 million ($105 million), which is a 117 per cent growth going from 2010 to 2011, and it is the Bruneian side with a trade surplus. Taipei Economic and .....
Chinese VP urged US to ease up on trade blocks
19 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Visiting Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping urged the United States to remove trade barriers to further advance economic and trade ties between the two countries. "The most effective way to reverse t .....
IATA calls for strong policy-making
19 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Though this week's bomb blasts in Bangkok might have a short-term effect on tourists' desire to come to Thailand, especially given a flurry of travel warnings issued by several foreign governments and .....
Philippine defense secretary admits AFP upgrade plan a dud
19 February, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin on Saturday said the law on the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines expired in December “with little progress.” Speaking at this year .....
Thai taxi drivers upset over problems with gas credit cards
19 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Narong Mee-phol, chairman of Thailand's National Assembly of Taxi Drivers, and Somboon Janyalert, head of a group that lobbies for the rights of taxi drivers, told Democrat MP for Bangkok Chanin Rungs .....
More Korean elderly live alone, stuck in poverty: KDI report
19 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Half of poverty-stricken Koreans live alone or belong to two-member families, a report showed Wednesday. In a report on household patterns issued by the Korea Development Institute, the proportion o .....
Demand for trade credit insurance rises amid economic uncertainty
19 February, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
The demand for trade credit insurance among Malaysian exporters, including the small and medium enterprises (SMEs), to protect for non-payment by overseas buyers have risen significantly amid the glob .....
China's home prices drop in January from tightened real estate policies
19 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Property prices in more than two thirds of China's major cities dropped further in January from the previous month, the result of a policy-driven property market. Of 70 major cities monitored by the .....
Security tightened in Thai resort city of Pattaya
19 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Authorities in the popular resort city of Pattaya have stepped up security measures, as suspects in last Tuesday's bomb blasts in Bangkok were believed to have stayed there prior to the incidents. .....
Can Japan embrace white-knight hackers?
18 February, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
A contest to choose the nation's top hackers, known as "Capture the Flag" (CTF), will be held for the first time on Saturday and Sunday at the Kyushu Institute of Technology in Fukuoka Prefecture. Ha .....
Nepal urged to not support illegal migration from Tibet
18 February, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Hailing Nepal's long-standing One-China policy, a visiting Chinese professor from Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) requested Nepal not to support the illegal immigrants from Tibet. Prof Wei Gang, the di .....
Nepal urged to not support illegal migration from Tibet
18 February, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Hailing Nepal's long-standing One-China policy, a visiting Chinese professor from Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) requested Nepal not to support the illegal immigrants from Tibet. Prof Wei Gang, the di .....
CCTVs for Brunei mosques to check thefts
18 February, 2012
By The Brunei Times
Source: ANN
Last October, a security guard was sentenced to 14 months jail for a string of thefts, including stealing from cars parked on the grounds of various mosques in the capital and Tutong. Abdul Malik Yus .....
Indian parties woo voters via the Web
18 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Midway through state elections in India's most politically vital province, candidates are scrambling to look for new ways to grab young voters in a region where methods have traditionally ranged from .....
Bangladesh policies not dependent on US
18 February, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Bangladesh is not run on instructions of Robert O Blake, the US assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian Affairs, Railway Minister Suranjit Sengupta said yesterday. "Bangladesh is an .....
Asian budget carriers set for price war
18 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Competition between Asia’s low-cost airlines is poised to heat up this year as carriers from Japan and China are lining up to launch new routes to Seoul, seeking to gain an upper hand in one of the .....
Tripartite summit: Security guarantees to be formalised
18 February, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran agreed here on Friday “not to allow any threat emanating from their respective territories against each other and commence trilateral consultations on an agreement in .....
Indonesia wants to be next hot spot for shoppers, foodies
18 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The Indonesian government says it is developing a special-interest tourism programme to promote the nation’s unique shopping and culinary assets overseas. According to Tourism and Creative Economy .....
World body blacklists Thailand
18 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thailand was yesterday identified by an intergovernmental organisation as uncooperative in the global efforts to combat money-laundering and terrorism financing. The move came only days after bomb bl .....
Palace Museum suspect on trial
18 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
A Beijing court began hearing on Friday the case of a man suspected of stealing more than 1 million yuan (US$158,800) in artifacts from the Palace Museum in the Forbidden City. Shi Bokui, a 27-year- .....
Murder charges against six Italian ship guards likely
18 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Despite Italy's protests, Indian police plan to book for murder the six security guards on the Italian ship Enrica Lexie who shot dead two Indian fisherman off the coast of Kerala on Wednesday night. .....
Diamonds set to sparkle in China
18 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Diamonds are expected to sparkle brighter in China amid a surge in domestic consumption and investment. Antwerp, the world's biggest hub for diamond trading, will see China overtake the United States .....
34 injured in Chinese tourist bus accident in Hualien
18 February, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
A tour bus carrying mainland Chinese tourists collided into the hillside and rolled over in Hualien yesterday, injuring 34, according to the Hualien County Fire Department. Along with the driver and .....
China's manned mission to test docking of spacecraft
18 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China plans to send three astronauts into space sometime between June and August this year to further test technology to be used in rendezvous and docking missions, a spokesman for China's manned spac .....
Beijing defends UN vote on Syria
18 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China's negative vote on a draft resolution on Syria at the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday was consistent with China's independent foreign policy of peace and in the best interests of the .....
'Philippine bank secrecy laws strictest in the world'
18 February, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The United States has questioned the antiquated bank secrecy laws of the Philippines, describing them as “among the strictest in the world,” in the face of the global trend toward transparency. T .....
Want a driver’s license? Go to the mall
17 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The Jakarta Police’s traffic directorate says it has opened outlets in several shopping malls to issue or renew driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations. “We realize that many Jakartans have .....
Dumping case likely to harm Chinese ceramic makers
17 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The European Union's latest anti-dumping investigation into Chinese ceramic tableware and kitchenware may put at risk manufacturers who are already struggling to make meager profits, according to a ce .....
Declaration signed to tackle human trafficking
17 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Ministers from six Greater Sub-Mekong (GSM) countries yesterday signed a second joint declaration of the regional framework to reiterate their commitments to combating human trafficking. With the si .....
Bhutan economy indirectly benefited
17 February, 2012
By Kuensel
Source: ANN
Fueled by increased bank lending and salary revision of civil servants including some state corporations, domestic consumption in Bhutan has seen tremendous growth in recent years. While this has led .....
Bhutan can be low carbon destination
17 February, 2012
By Kuensel
Source: ANN
If everything else fails, it could be the clean air that will make Bhutan a tourist destination. Or so the Bhutanese tour operators believe. Playing their part and in pledging to reduce carbon emissi .....
Vietnam and the UK boost co-operation on nuclear energy
17 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
A seminar to push co-operation on nuclear energy between Vietnam and the United Kingdom opened in the capital on Thursday. The seminar, attended by representatives and scientists from the Ministry of .....
Vietnamese guest workers to resume Libya contracts
17 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
The first eight Vietnamese workers are expected to return to Libya and resume work on a trial basis next Wednesday, nearly a year after their repatriation due to political chaos in the North African c .....
US drones kill 21 in Pakistan
17 February, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Missiles fired by US drones rained on suspected militant targets in North Waziristan in northwest Pakistan on Thursday, killing at least 21 people. According to sources, six people were killed and tw .....
Poorer rich Malaysians--no thanks to global crisis
17 February, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
The combined wealth of Malaysia’s 40 richest individuals declined this year as the global credit crisis and weak equity markets took a toll on them. Malaysia’s 40 richest were collectively worth .....
Clamour for review of Chinese tycoon's death penalty
17 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
A fraud case involving the self-made millionaire daughter of a peasant has become a touchstone issue for China's vocal Internet campaigners and newly rich private entrepreneurs, who see her death pena .....
Tokyo to block plan for Takeshima monument
17 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
The Japanese government is likely to turn down a Japanese right-wing group’s plan to erect a “Takeshima Monument” in front of the Korean Embassy in Japan, which claims the disputed islets in the .....
37 Indonesians brought home from Syria
17 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Along with an Indonesian Embassy task force in Damascus, the Foreign Ministry has brought home 37 Indonesians that were caught in the midst of the ongoing conflict in Syria. The Indonesians comprise .....
War trial obstruction to invite legal action
17 February, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
The Bangladesh Parliament yesterday passed a resolution calling upon the government to enact a law to take action against those obstructing the ongoing war crimes trial. The resolution was adopted de .....
Indonesian flour producers rise up against govt on import duty
17 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
After three years of hard negotiations, local flour producers have finally filed a lawsuit against the Finance Ministry for refusing to impose an anti-dumping duty on flour imports from Turkey, as rec .....
Korea to raise self-supply of oil, natural gas to 35%
17 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Korea will develop on its own 35 per cent of its oil and natural gas demands by 2020, up from the current 13.7 per cent, the Ministry of Knowledge Economy said Thursday amid U.S. pressure to cut its c .....
Indonesian president stews while party simmers
17 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yu-dhoyono has been infuriated by the widening rifts in the leadership of the Democratic Party that he founded more than a decade ago. Previously deemed too lenien .....
S'pore, Brunei pledge deeper cooperation
17 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Singapore and Brunei pledged yesterday to deepen cooperation in a range of areas, including defence, finance and people-to-people exchanges. The two Asean members also agreed that it was important to .....
Foreign law firms rush into Korea
17 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Major American and European law firms plan to enter the Korean market in the coming months, taking advantage of the free trade agreements and signaling a round of cutthroat competition. Sheppard Mul .....
Stalemate on Nepal anti-money laundering policy
17 February, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
At a time when Nepal is making a last-ditch effort to avoid blacklisting by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), differences between Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai and Unified Communist Party o .....
Global woes may slow Indonesia's GDP growth to below 6%: economists
17 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Despite recent widespread euphoria within the financial sector after Indonesia regained investment-grade status from international rating agencies, senior economists have warned that the global econom .....
China goes for the gold
17 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China, the largest producer of gold, may also become the biggest consumer of the metal in 2012, overtaking India in that regard, the World Gold Council said on Thursday. That rise to the top positio .....
Christian group apologises for religious slur
17 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
A Christian student group at the National University of Singapore (NUS) apologised yesterday for making insensitive remarks about Buddhists and Muslims. The NUS Campus Crusade for Christ, made up of .....
Evidence vs Pakistan PM filed in court
17 February, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Attorney General Maulvi Anwarul Haq submitted to the Supreme Court on Thursday evidence relating to the contempt of court case against Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. The documents compri .....
Taiwan to become cultural leader of Chinese world: Ma
17 February, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou on Thursday voiced his vision of Taipei becoming not only Taiwan's cultural center in the near future, but also the leader in cultural development among all Chinese-spe .....
Investor gains tax fears send TAIEX falling
17 February, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Taiwan Premier Sean Chen's recent remarks regarding a stock investment gains tax caused the Taiwan stock market to drop sharply amid worries among investors about possible imposition of the tax. Chen .....
US pushes for credible polls in Bangladesh
17 February, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
The United States has expressed its opposition to extra-constitutional power grab, and urged for a political consensus on a mechanism for holding credible elections in Bangladesh. "We condemn any a .....
'Kingfisher needs more funds to stay afloat'
17 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Auditors of Kingfisher Airlines, which posted a net loss of Rs 444.26 crore (US$ 90 million) for the third quarter of this fiscal, have once again raised concern over its ability to stay afloat and sa .....
Chinese soccer referees going to prison for game-fixing
17 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Soccer players and commentators were saying the jail sentences four match-fixing referees received on Thursday were not enough to clean up Chinese soccer. "Golden Whistle" Lu Jun, once regarded as t .....
Local module may have helped embassy Delhi car bomber
17 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Working on the premise that a local network has assisted the planter of the magnetic bomb on the Israeli embassy car in New Delhi on Monday, security agencies have sent three teams to Kerala, Maharash .....
Swiss Embassy says black money estimates lack evidence
17 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Days after the CBI chief's statement that Indians are the largest depositors in Swiss banks, Switzerland said such estimates and statistics lack evidence and are uncorroborated. In an unusual step, t .....
Malaysia sees good economic growth
17 February, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Economic data released by Bank Negara on Wednesday showed that domestic demand remains the engine of growth for Malaysia as external headwinds drag exports lower. The country's gross domestic product .....
Media crucial in fighting climate change
17 February, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
The 2012 annual meeting of Asia News Network (ANN), hosted by The Kathmandu Post, kicked off in the Capital on Thursday. The two-day programme, which will focus on “Himalayan System in a Changing .....
Ex-Olympus execs arrested
17 February, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Former Olympus Corp. Chairman Tsuyoshi Kikukawa and two other former executives were arrested Thursday on suspicion they falsified the firm's securities reports. In addition to Kikukawa, 70, the spec .....
China's exports face difficult outlook in 1st quarter
17 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China faces a "challenging" trade outlook in the first quarter amid a weak global economy, but it is taking steps to maintain steady trade growth, the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday. "China's .....
Bangkok blast 'not linked to terrorism, Hezbollah'
17 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The authorities do not consider the blasts in Bangkok on Tuesday an act of terrorism and that the botched bombing attempt has nothing to do with the militant group Hezbollah, government figures said y .....
Sanctions deepen N. Korea-Iran bond
17 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
The relationship between North Korea and Iran appears to be becoming closer and more cooperative as international criticism over their controversial nuclear programmes increases and economic sanctions .....
ANN holds talks on climate change
17 February, 2012
By Asia News Network
Source: ANN
Asia News Network (ANN), a network of major newspapers in the Asia-Pacific region, and Konrad-Adeneaur-Stiftung are in Kathmandu for a two-day international conference starting on February 16. The c .....
No sense in shark's fin ban: Marine life experts
17 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
It may be politically incorrect, but three marine life experts said at a forum on Thursday that it makes no sense to ban the sale of shark's fin. But a fourth expert stood his ground, insisting a tem .....
When technology’s a tool to teen tarnish...
16 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Internet porn is passé for Kerala teens. Their latest craze is phone sex. In a society where nearly 80 per cent of teenagers use mobile phones, though, this was bound to happen. Still, parents natur .....
Committee on Defence cooperation formed between India, Saudi Arabia
16 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Defence ties between India and Saudi Arabia received a boost with the two countries deciding to set up a joint committee on Defence cooperation which would work out the contours of the relationship. .....
Indo-Pak pacts to boost bitaleral trade
16 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
The Pakistan government is likely to take a crucial decision on the 'negative list' trade approach with India in a fortnight, even as the two countries signed three important pacts to improve economic .....
Delhi blast: Envoy won’t ‘accept or deny’ involvement
16 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Iran refused to “accept” or “deny” its role in the bomb attack on an Israeli car in New Delhi but questioned the basis of the allegations, saying it should be left to India to verify the real .....
India summons Norwegian Ambassador over custody row
16 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
India on Wednesday summoned Norwegian Ambassador Ann Ollestad seeking expeditious solution to the custody row involving two NRI children, who have been kept in foster care by the authorities of that c .....
Citizens wary of accepting Japan earthquake debris
16 February, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Little progress has been made on local government plans to accept debris from areas hit by the Great East Japan Earthquake due to objections from local residents. In many cases, tensions have run hig .....
Vietnam's property market needs solid legal footing
16 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Vietnam's property market needs a legal system that can manage activities on the market and develop housing and apartment building for lease projects, said the deputy prime minister. Deputy Prime Mi .....
Vietnam may begin producing H5N1 vaccines for humans next year
16 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Vietnam may begin producing bird flu vaccines for humans next year, according to the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology's director Nguyen Tran Hien. The institute, which started researchi .....
Vietnam joins NAM efforts to promote gender equality
16 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
The Vietnamese government would continue to finalise and promote the implementation of policies and laws on gender equality in line with international commitments, said Deputy Foreign Minister Le Luon .....
Citing cruelty, Chinese celebs oppose IPO
16 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
More than 70 public figures have signed a petition opposing an application for listing on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange submitted by a Chinese pharmaceutical company that makes medicine from bear bile. .....
Indonesia more dependent on Chinese goods
16 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
While Indonesian consumers can’t seem to get enough of cheap Chinese products, local manufacturing companies are also becoming more dependent on imported capital and intermediary goods from China to .....
Pakistan, US need to 'reset their relationship'
16 February, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
In her first public speech since taking over as Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US, Sherry Rehman, has emphasised the need for resetting US-Pakistan relationship under new rules of engagement to preven .....
Taiwan's Ophthalmological Society stands by LASIK surgical procedure
16 February, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
The Ophthalmological Society of Taiwan on Wednesday pronounced the LASIK technique safe for candidates who receive pre-operative evaluations and regular follow-ups by a licensed professional. LASIK .....
Indonesian artist’s mockery of violence gets real
16 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Artist Bramantyo Prijosusilo’s planned street performance that criticises rampant violence was forcefully aborted after he himself experienced it for real. Entitled Membanting Macan Kerah (Slamming .....
Korea to dispatch police officer to Philippines
16 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Korea's National Police Agency plans to deploy an officer overseas to help with cases involving Korean expatriates, officials said Wednesday. The agency is coordinating with the Philippine National P .....
Civil servants in a northwest Chinese city required to learn English
16 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
A new policy requiring civil servants in Xi'an, capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi province, to be able to speak basic English by 2015 has sparked a debate between those who say it will make the cit .....
China schools ditch holidays--secretly
16 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
The new school term has not started in most places, but many schools in China are already calling back their charges for extra classes--secretly. Some students are told to ditch their uniforms and we .....
'1 in 6 Koreans has mental illness'
16 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
One in six Koreans has experienced mental illness over the past year, the Ministry of Health and Welfare said Wednesday. However, only 15.3 per cent of mentally ill people seek professional help, rai .....
Jet firms cope with shrinking defence budgets
16 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
While defence contractors at the Singapore Airshow snag clients who buy brand-new equipment with the latest fighting systems, some are also eyeing a growing number of those who are tightening their be .....
Top oil, defence unit in Brunei under way
16 February, 2012
By The Brunei Times
Source: ANN
Brunei is likely to have a US$100-million world class Multi-Purpose Training Centre (MPTC) by 2014, which will provide professional training in oil and gas, defence and crisis management for both loca .....
TAIEX soars past 8,000 points amid heavy buying
16 February, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
The weighted share price index of the local bourse on Wednesday soared past the 8,000-point mark for the first time in six months, to end at 8,005.24 after rallying 121.6 points or 1.53 per cent from .....
China's biggest search engine said to expand reach to Brazil
16 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Baidu Inc, the biggest search engine in China, is expanding its reach to Brazil by setting up an office in the Latin American country, bringing it a bit closer to rival Google Inc's home market. The .....
Apple claims firm broke trademark agreement
16 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
After a number of online stores suspended sales of Apple's iPad, the US tech giant accused Proview Technology of not honouring its agreement to transfer the rights to use the trademark for the product .....
Disasters spark need for green growth--ADB
16 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Frequent disasters spark the need for emphasis on "green growth" among developing countries, including Thailand, as sustainable economic development could be achieved in the absence of environmental h .....
Party stops Pakistan PM from resigning
16 February, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Pakistan rime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday said that Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) was stopping him to tender his resignation from prime ministership, DawnNews reported. Speaking to med .....
Korea's main opposition party leader demands Lee sack his Cabinet
16 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
South Korea's main opposition Democratic United Party leader Han Myeong-sook on Wednesday blasted the Lee Myung-bak administration for its corruption scandals, calling for the president’s apology an .....
Indonesian company may export electricity to Singapore
16 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The Batam subsidiary of state electricity company PLN says it has received an invitation to bid for a contract to supply power to Singapore’s Energy Market Authority (EMA). Dadan Koerniadipoera, th .....
Malaysia's growth beats consensus
16 February, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Malaysia's gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by 5.2 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2011 despite the challenging external environment as domestic demand continued to support growth. Bank Negara .....
Indonesia is more dependent on Chinese goods
16 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
While Indonesian consumers can’t seem to get enough of cheap Chinese products, local manufacturing companies are also becoming more dependent on imported capital and intermediary goods from China to .....
Chinese VP puts military ties in the spotlight
16 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping called for an expansion of military ties with the United States amid tension over Washington building up its military presence in the Asia-Pacific region. During di .....
‘1 in 6 Koreans has mental illness’
16 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
One in six Koreans has experienced mental illness over the past year, the Ministry of Health and Welfare said Wednesday. However, only 15.3 per cent of mentally ill people seek professional help, rai .....
Philippine remittances hit record US$20b
16 February, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Overseas Filipinos sent home a record US$20.12 billion last year, rising 7.2 per cent from 2010 and exceeding the government forecast of 7 percent despite a slowing US economy and debt problems in Eur .....
Nepal parties reach consensus on peace deal
16 February, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
The Maoist-led government and the Nepal Army have reached consensus on almost all outstanding issues related to the integration of Maoist combatants in the national army. The two parties, however, rem .....
Malaysian gov't hit over prophet slur case
16 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Days after deporting a Saudi journalist accused of insulting Islam, Malaysia continued to attract criticism for caving in to Saudi government pressure in what some say is a bid to burnish its own Mu .....
India, Pakistan ink 3 trade agreements
16 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Never before had an Indian trade minister visited Pakistan, nor led so many high-profile businessmen there. On Monday, India's Anand Sharma walked across a 30cm-wide line drawn at the heavily guarded .....
North Korea eulogises late Kim Jong-il
16 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
North Korea’s idolizing of its late leader Kim Jong-il intensified ahead of his 70th birthday, calling him generalissimo for his role in turning the communist state into a nuclear power, the state m .....
Bomb plot deepens in Bangkok
16 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Iran and Israel dropped diplomatic bombshells on each other yesterday, accusing one another of being behind Tuesday's bomb blasts in Bangkok. Israel was quick to implicate Iran in the bomb incidents. .....
Singapore, Sri Lanka ink business tie-up
16 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
A Singapore business delegation will head to Sri Lanka in the second quarter of this year to look for opportunities to invest in several areas, including infrastructure, education, health care, manufa .....
China intensifies chase after 'new-type' drug makers
15 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China will step up its efforts against illegal drug making as it fights drug trafficking and smuggling, a senior judge said on Tuesday. Ma Yan, vice-president of a criminal tribunal under the Suprem .....
Vietnam expects to welcome more British tourists in 2012
15 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Vietnam is forecast to grow in popularity as a destination for British tourists this year, according to the Holiday Money Report 2011, recently issued by the Post Office, the UK's largest foreign curr .....
Bhutan to barter with West Bengal
15 February, 2012
By Kuensel
Source: ANN
Bhutan and the neighbouring Indian state of West Bengal are working out an arrangement where power will be bartered during the winter and summer seasons starting in the winter of 2012 until 2016. The .....
Japanese govt, TEPCO battle over management rights
15 February, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
A fierce tug-of-war between the government and Tokyo Electric Power Co. over the utility's management is becoming more apparent as the government seeks a level of control over the company. On Monday, .....
Parties trade barbs over Korea-US FTA
15 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Rival parties traded barbs again on Monday over the Korea-U.S. free trade pact, which has recently resurfaced as a hot-button issue ahead of the April 11 general elections. The main opposition Democr .....
Mekong countries discuss strategies to stop trafficking
15 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Senior officials from six countries in the Greater Mekong Sub-region called for more efforts to promote regional co-operation on human trafficking prevention as they gathered in Ha Noi on Tuesday. Sp .....
Bank of Japan sets goal for inflation at 1%
15 February, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
The Bank of Japan on Tuesday decided to set an inflation goal of 1 per cent and further eased its monetary policy by raising the cap of its asset purchase programme by 10 trillion yen to 65 trillion y .....
Online stock trading surges on smartphones
15 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
The value of stocks traded online reached 2,468 trillion won (US$2.19 trillion) last year, up 18.3 per cent from 2,086 trillion won a year earlier, according to the Korea Exchange. Of the total, the .....
Canada looks to Brunei for oil, gas
15 February, 2012
By The Brunei Times
Source: ANN
Canada is looking for strategic partnership with Brunei by offering its significant technological expertise in the oil and gas industry, especially in clean and renewable energy, Canada's Minister of .....
Russia repeats offer to Indonesia to become a ‘space nation’
15 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Russia has again urged the Indonesian government to conclude a much-delayed agreement on a milestone satellite station project, offering the idea of Indonesia becoming a “prestigious space nation” .....
Nationwide disinfecting campaign launched to curb bird flu in Vietnam
15 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will launch a month-long campaign tomorrow to disinfect locations across the country as a move to prevent the spreading of bird flu, which was r .....
Iran envoy expects 10-15% oil import cut from Korea
15 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Iran’s top envoy to Korea said he was informed by the Korean government that it might cut Iranian oil imports to the level of 2010 ― a reduction of 10 to 15 per cent ― as part of the U.S.-led sa .....
Philippine gov't allays fears on new mining policy
15 February, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The Philippine national government on Tuesday assured foreign and local businessmen and other stakeholders in the local mining industry that their concerns would be taken into consideration when the a .....
Overseas Pakistanis get right to vote
15 February, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
The Election Commission has granted 3.7 million Overseas Pakistanis the right to vote. Their names will be included in the preliminary electoral rolls. However, modalities for the intricate plan are .....
N.Korean defectors in China face repatriation
15 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
At least two dozen North Korean defectors allegedly face repatriation after being arrested by Chinese authorities last week, prompting calls for Beijing to handle the case in a humanitarian manner. T .....
Bangladesh minister denies 'forced disappearances'
15 February, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
There is nothing called forced disappearance in the law, Bangladesh Home Minister Shahara Khatun said in parliament yesterday. She made the remark when Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) lawmaker AM .....
EVA encourages cross-strait aviation talks
15 February, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
An airline executive said on Tuesday the issues of flyovers and airport transit should be on the agenda of talks between Taiwan and mainland China. While attributing the political stability between .....
New trading time system to improve transparency in Taiwan stock market
15 February, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
A new stock trading system will be put in place Feb. 20 to provide more transparency for investors, the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE) said on Tuesday. Under the system, the TSE will simulate highest b .....
Thai gov't, rebels to resume talks
15 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Separatist groups in Thailand's troubled south are set to restart talks with the government after a months-long break, raising hopes for a negotiated solution and an end to the violence tearing the re .....
Taiwan animal farmers pan gov't US beef efforts
15 February, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Animal farmers, ready to stage a street protest in Taipei amid suspicions the government is acquiescing to U.S. demands on the question of ractopamine, said on Tuesday they were disappointed with gove .....
Economic zone recruits across Straits
15 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
An economic development zone in East China's Fujian province will enact policies uto professionals from Taiwan to collaboratively build the new area, said Fujian authorities on Tuesday. Pingtan Isla .....
'Lemon law' to protect Singapore consumers
15 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
From September, Singapore consumers who find themselves saddled with defective goods need not be stuck with lemons. Proposed changes to the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act and Hire Purchase Ac .....
Market may hit record high
15 February, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
There is strong potential for the local bourse to hit 1,600 points in the near-term provided regional markets remained bullish, according to fund managers and research analysts. Jupiter Securities Sd .....
China's top court to review death penalty
15 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China's top court on Tuesday issued a rare but much-awaited statement regarding the final review of a highly controversial death sentence imposed on a former billionaire. Wu Ying, a 31-year-old busi .....
Pakistan passes bill shielding 28 solons
15 February, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
The 20th Constitutional Amendment bill has been passed unanimously by the National Assembly on Tuesday, DawnNews reported. The bill was tabled by Law Minister Maula Bakhsh Chandio. Formation of a ca .....
Soldiers face jail and dismissal for alleged role in people smuggling
15 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Five soldiers are facing imprisonment of between five and 15 years and dismissal from the military over their alleged involvement in the smuggling of immigrants that led to the deaths of many in a shi .....
Reserve Bank of India ups bank rate to 9.5%
15 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
After a gap of nearly nine years, the Reserve Bank of India has increased the bank rate by 3.50 percentage points to 9.5 per cent with immediate effect. “This (the increase) should be viewed and u .....
Group calls for reform of party financing in Indonesia
15 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
A coalition of NGO activists, experts and lawmakers in Indonesia has called for a reform in the political party financing system. The coalition, the Society for Election and Democracy (Perludem) prop .....
India caught between Israel-Iran tensions
15 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Even as India confirmed that it was indeed a terrorist attack on an Israeli diplomat’s car on Monday, tensions seemed set to rise between Israel and Iran. And India might find itself caught between .....
EU official sees Burma roadmap within the year
15 February, 2012
By Asia News Network
Source: ANN
Burma is likely to come up within a year a comprehensive plan charting its political and economic reforms, a move that is seen boosting the confidence of the international community, a ranking Europea .....
Asean, India reaffirm 20-year ties
15 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Ministers attending the Association of Southeast Asian nations or Asean's fourth dialogue session with India suggested measures to forge closer ties and strengthen the two sides' partnership for progr .....
Indonesia to import 240,000 tonnes of sugar
15 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s largest sugar consumer, will import 240,000 tonnes of raw sugar this year to meet domestic demand for white sugar, which is expected to reach 860,000 tonnes for the Janua .....
Air India loses right of first refusal for foreign routes
15 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
With the government deciding to allow all scheduled Indian carriers to utilise allocated bilateral rights, Air India will no longer enjoy exclusive privilege over bilateral air traffic rights with for .....
Chinese firm tries to block iPad on mainland
15 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
A Shenzhen-based enterprise claiming ownership of the iPad trademark in China is calling on customs authorities to bar the export and import of Apple's iPad 3. Proview Technology Shenzhen holds the .....
Indonesian govt to end monopolies in franchising
15 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
A new regulation set to come into effect this month will require foreign franchising companies to have more than one local partner in Indonesia to avoid creating market monopolies and encourage more c .....
Blasts rattle Bangkok
15 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
An Iranian man was badly injured and a second Iranian was arrested after a series of grenade attacks caused panic in Bangkok, Thailand and left five bystanders injured yesterday. A senior official de .....
Beijing lends a hand to Europe
15 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China is ready to help Europe deal with its debt problems, Premier Wen Jiabao said on Tuesday. But Europe must solve its own crisis and China expects the eurozone to send clear and positive signals .....
Papua shootings impede dev't process
14 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The recurrent shooting incidents in Papua and the fact that none of the perpetrators has been caught have severely hampered development in the province, according to a local legislator who has called .....
Cambodians wary of ice laced with urea
14 February, 2012
By Rasmei Kampuchea Daily
Source: ANN
Cambodians are starting to have second thoughts about consuming ice around Phnom Penh following disclosures that some producers are using urea, an organic compound commonly used as a fertiliser for pl .....
New int'l airport in Laos under way
14 February, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
Construction of the Attapeu International Airport in Laos began last week with officials hoping the airport will facilitate trade, investment and tourism in the province and boost its economy. Lao Pr .....
Delhi bomb attack injures Israeli diplomat
14 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
There was an explosion in an Israeli Embassy car near the mission in the high-security zone in New Delhi afternoon of February 13 where two persons in the car, including an Israeli woman ‘‘diploma .....
Vietnam official urges US to lift trade barriers
14 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Vietnam Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh has recommended the US recognise the country's market economy and grant the country access to its Generalised System of Preference during his official visit t .....
Vietnam emerges as key market for Korea
14 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Vietnam is emerging as a major market for Korean goods on the strength of strong sales of Korean cars and mobile handsets, the Ministry of Strategy and Finance said Monday. In a report on the 20th a .....
Malaysia seeks more Thai investment
14 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The Malaysian government wants more investment from Thailand to develop such key areas as agriculture, healthcare services, infrastructure, and halal food business. It is also aiming to establish ne .....
China's online luxury market soaring
14 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
For the first time, the turnover of China's online luxury goods shopping market has exceeded 10 billion yuan (US$1.59 billion) and the market is likely to continue expanding at a year-on-year increase .....
'Missing' detainees freed in Pakistan
14 February, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
They fell into wordless embrace of their relatives and remained locked there crying and thanking Allah for the little mercy. It was an emotion-filled scene when the Supreme Court on Monday ordered .....
Xi Jinping stresses benefits of Sino-US relations
14 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
There are no reasons why China and the United States cannot engage in friendly cooperation, Vice-President Xi Jinping said. Xi was speaking prior to his departure for the US on Monday. In a written .....
Philippines tops leprosy cases in region
14 February, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Although the Philippines has drastically reduced the incidence of leprosy over the years, it continues to account for the bulk of cases in the Western Pacific Region brought about by misconceptions an .....
Asian nations 'won't want to take sides' in a Sino-US row
14 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
If tensions between China and the United States were to escalate, Asian countries would not want to have to choose sides, Singapore's Minister of State for Defence Lawrence Wong said yesterday. So bo .....
Middle East seeks Japan investment
14 February, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Middle Eastern countries are calling on Japanese firms to invest in their large-scale infrastructure projects, due to growing concern that investment from European countries will decrease due to the s .....
Hollywood celebrities coming to M'sia for F1
14 February, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Three international celebrities are set to be in town for the much awaited F1 Malaysian Grand Prix next month. Sources revealed that the celebrities who would be coming were Fast and Furious star Pau .....
Indonesia to revise law on mass organisations
14 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Indonesian Home Minister Gamawan Fauzi said the outdated 1985 Law on Mass Organisation had prevented his ministry from creating decisive measures against the notorious and hard-line Islam Defenders Fr .....
Vietnam emerges as key market for Korea
14 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Vietnam is emerging as a major market for Korean goods on the strength of strong sales of Korean cars and mobile handsets, the Ministry of Strategy and Finance said Monday. In a report on the 20th a .....
Cosmetics sales top $9.6b on Korean Wave
14 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Sales of cosmetics jumped 9.6 per cent to 10.82 trillion won (US$9.6 billion) in South Korea last year on greater demand from foreign tourists and local consumers’ diversifying tastes. Last year ma .....
Bangladesh police hunt killers of journalist couple
14 February, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Three days into the killing of the journalist couple in Bangladesh, police are yet to share their findings in the investigation, although they have claimed to make "significant progress". Inspector G .....
Japanese emperor to have heart operation
14 February, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Japanese Emperor Akihito will undergo heart bypass surgery Saturday at the University of Tokyo Hospital, according to the Imperial Household Agency. Doctors in charge of the operation at the Bunkyo W .....
India-China relations on an 'upward' trajectory
14 February, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Nepal's two giant neighbours--India and China, who jostle for influence in their immediate neighbourhood and beyond--seem to be working hard to take their bilateral relations to new heights. Despite .....
Korea's foreign ministry criticised for belated Egypt travel alert
14 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is facing public criticism over its decision to belatedly raise the travel alert for the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt after three Koreans were abducted .....
Urban flood controls must be regional priority
14 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The World Bank yesterday urged governments in Asia-Pacific, including Thailand, to make flood-risk management a regular part of city and town planning, saying urban flooding has become a serious and g .....
Japan, US monitor drifting tsunami debris
14 February, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
A Japan-U.S. joint project is under way across the Pacific to monitor the paths of debris swept into the sea in the aftermath of the huge tsunami that followed on the heels of the March 11 Great East .....
Trust vital for strong China-US relations
14 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Forty years after it hosted the visit of a Chinese ping-pong team in the United States, the National Committee on US-China Relations is still opening doors to communication. "Better understanding bet .....
Vietnam's high tax may lead to plastic-bag imports
13 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
The high tax rate of VND40,000 (US$1.9)per kg on plastic bags has prompted companies to think of importing bags from other Asean countries such as Indonesia and Thailand to save on production costs. .....
More Vietnamese banks to face losses this year if interest rates stay high
13 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Many Vietnamese banks could report losses this year if interest rates are not cut as expected to help them collect and settle bad debts, independent observers say. The Ha Noi Building Commercial Join .....
Valentine’s Day shoppers flock to online stores
13 February, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
With the number of internet users increasing in the country, there has been a growing trend of people shopping on the internet. And amid Valentine’s Day fever gripping the entire world, online shopp .....
Bangladesh media protest over deaths
13 February, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Issuing an ultimatum, Bangladeshi journalists yesterday warned of a tougher movement for the resignation of the home minister if the killers of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi are not .....
Mentally ill often taken to traditional practitioners in Indonesia
13 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The families of people with mental illnesses in Indonesia frequently take their sick relatives to traditional medical practitioners, an official says. According to Health Ministry mental health chief .....
S. Jakarta residents warned of Singapore flu
13 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The South Jakarta Health Agency has warned residents to stay alert and always maintain personal hygiene following the threat of hand, foot and mouth disease (HMFD), also known as Singapore flu, in Dep .....
Vietnamese deputy PM urges US to remove remaining trade barriers
13 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh has recommended the US recognise Vietnam's market economy and grant the country access to its Generalised System of Preference during his official visit to .....
Infighting between ex-GAM fighters may divide Aceh
13 February, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
With political elites in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam at loggerheads with each other in a battle to rule the resource-rich province in the upcoming gubernatorial poll, violence threatens to tear the provi .....
Investors jittery over Philippine anti-mining policy
13 February, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The Philippines risks missing out anew on the benefits of the multibillion-dollar mining industry if the government goes ahead and implements new policies seen to favour the anti-mining lobby, foreign .....
Valentine's Day 'will boost business'
13 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Businesses in China are expecting a new boost after the New Year and Chinese Spring Festival spending frenzies thanks to the forthcoming Valentine's Day. Although Valentine's Day is not a traditiona .....
Thailand sees big potential for Burma
13 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
As the new regime embarks on reforms after years of authoritarian rule, billions of baht are ready to pour into the neighbouring country. Burma is now becoming one of the world’s most sought-after .....
Deficits pose big challenge to Pakistan
13 February, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
The Pakistan State Bank kept the policy interest rate unchanged at 12 per cent on Saturday, saying the real challenge lay in financing the fiscal and external current account deficits. The Governor o .....
China working hard to lure foreign experts
13 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The Chinese government plans to introduce 500 to 1,000 high-end non-Chinese foreign professionals from other countries in 10 years to spur innovation and promote scientific research. The One Thousan .....
The money cost of alcohol abuse in Bhutan
13 February, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
.....
Pakistan PM says no need to resign if convicted
13 February, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
A day before appearing in the Supreme Court, Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani cleared the air about his legal status in the event of his conviction in the contempt of court case, and said he .....
Indonesian gas buyers eye LNG imports from US
13 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Indonesian liquefied natural gas (LNG) buyers are ready to take advantage of falling gas prices in the US, following a boom in shale gas development that has boosted the country’s gas supply in the .....
Lexus, Volvo most recalled cars in Korea
13 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
The number of imported cars subject to recalls for manufacturing faults has surged over the past five years. According to South Korea's Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs, more than 28, .....
India's housing loan tax ceiling may go up
13 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
In a bid to boost housing sector credit, the Indian government is contemplating to enhance the income-tax exemption for up to Rs 3 lakh(US$6,071) paid as interest on housing loans in a year, from the .....
Apec officials agree on economic integration policy
13 February, 2012
By Rasmei Kampuchea Daily
Source: ANN
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) forum has agreed that regulatory coherence is important for regional economic integration, especially for strengthening regional supply chains, the group's .....
EU 'will solve its debt crisis'
13 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The European Union itself, not China or any other emerging nation, will solve the eurozone debt crisis, European Council President Herman van Rompuy, said. "The debt crisis in the eurozone is being .....
S. Korean ship is detained for river pollution
13 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
A South Korean cargo ship that allegedly spilled phenol into China's longest river, causing water pollution in part of East China, was detained on Saturday, and the owners of the vessel could face tri .....
11 dengue deaths in Malaysia so far
13 February, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Selangor recorded the highest number of dengue cases, with 1,271 cases reported from last month, Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai said. This figure was almost 50 per cent of the 2,854 cases nationwide. .....
Philippine national gov't accused of bribing senators
13 February, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
On the eve of a crucial Senate vote on the impeachment trial, lawyers of Philippine Chief Justice Renato Corona on Sunday night revealed what they called efforts by the Palace to pressure some senator .....
Pakistan to announce steps to improve trade ties with India
13 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Indian commerce and industry minister, Anand Sharma, left for Pakistan on Sunday amid high expectations that the neighbouring nation will announce the first major step to normalise trade with New Delh .....
Confederation of Indian Industry favours US inclusion in focus market scheme
13 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has strongly favoured the inclusion of the USA under the focus market scheme (FMS) and roll back of minimum alternate tax on special economic zones (SEZs). T .....
Bangladesh minister suggests extortion to be legalised
13 February, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
It was none but a Bangladeshi minister who before a parliamentary sub-committee yesterday demanded that extortion be made legal to stop rampant corruption in the transport sector. Shipping Minister S .....
HK academics now target of China's wrath
13 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
In the ongoing feud between Hong Kong residents and Chinese mainlanders, the former British colony's academics have become the latest target of Beijing's wrath. Some have come under fire for pushing .....
Laos backs Vietnam's bid for top investor ranking
13 February, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Vietnam's investment in Laos is on track to keep the country atop the list of foreign countries doing business in Laos. Laos will continue to support Vietnam's bid to maintain this ranking over the .....
Laos backs Vietnam's bid for top investor ranking
13 February, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Vietnam's investment in Laos is on track to keep the country atop the list of foreign countries doing business in Laos. Laos will continue to support Vietnam's bid to maintain this ranking over the .....
Thai gov't urged to stamp out prostitution
13 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Networks of businessmen, government officials and politicians are behind Thailand's booming illegal sex industry, Rak Prathet Thai Party leader Chuwit Kamolvisit alleged yesterday. "The sex industr .....
Dhaka awaits decision on Teesta
13 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
“Delhi is working hard in finding a solution to the Teesta water sharing problem acceptable to both Bangladesh and West Bengal” - this was how Bangladesh foreign minister Dr Dipu Moni summed up he .....
Indonesian firms invest heavily abroad
13 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Direct investments made by Indonesian companies abroad almost tripled in value last year, central bank data reveals. Although the latest development is considered positive, many business players argue .....
Be prepared to quit, Nepal premier told
13 February, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
With his party taking a formal decision on Sunday to intensify efforts to form a national consensus government, Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has told Nepal Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai to be .....
More Singaporeans signing up for 'living wills'
13 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
A growing number of Singaporeans are making the difficult decision not to be put on life support when the end comes. By last December, about 15,000 had signed up for 'living wills', which aim to mini .....
Taiwan may further open key industries to China
13 February, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Taiwan is expected to open more of its manufacturing sector to Chinese investment in March, said the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) yesterday. Currently, only 42 per cent of the island's manufac .....
Korean chaebol's credit ratings inflated
13 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
The corporate credit ratings for Korean conglomerates and their affiliates have gone up amid growing worries over the neutrality and credibility of local credit ratings agencies, data showed Sunday. .....
Men more corrupt than women, says Megawati
12 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Megawati Soekarnoputri, Indonesia's first woman president and chief patron of the Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), claims that men have more of a tendency to engage in corrupt activities than wom .....
Tokyo governor opposes 'nuke vote'
12 February, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Tokyo governor Shintaro Ishihara has spoken against establishing an ordinance to hold a referendum among residents of the capital on whether the operation of nuclear power plants should be allowed. " .....
Kim Jong-un death rumour spreads across SNS
12 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
An unfounded rumor has spread across social networking websites on Friday that North Korea’s new leader Kim Jong-un had been assassinated. According to BBC, CNN and other media outlets, the rumour, .....
Thai govt seeks 320,000 hectares to hold flood water
12 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said the government is looking for 2 million rai (320,000 hectares) of land to use as areas to hold flood water - given the likelihood that wet-season flooding .....
Malaysia on high alert for dengue
12 February, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Malaysia's health ministry has issued a “high alert” for dengue given the recent spike in cases. Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said 480 cases were reported for last week alone, which .....
Yuan hits new high ahead of Xi Jinping's US visit
11 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The yuan rose to an 18-year-high on Friday, climbing as Vice-President Xi Jinping prepares to step onto a plane for his trip to the United States next week. The People's Bank of China set the yuan's .....
Philippine military insists Malaysian terrorist is dead
11 February, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Conflicting reports continue to emerge from the Philippines on whether Jemaah Islamiyah leader Zulkifli Abdul Hir @ Marwan has been killed in an air strike. Both the military and the Philippines Nati .....
Sony to also focus on smartphones, medical equipment
11 February, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Incoming Sony Corp President Kazuo Hirai told The Yomiuri Shimbun he will make the company's sluggish TV business, which is expected to log an operating loss for the eighth consecutive year in fiscal .....
Somali pirates seize 21 Filipinos from hijacked ship
11 February, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Somali pirates on Thursday hijacked the MV Free Goddess, a Greek-owned bulk carrier with 21 Filipino crew members aboard, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). The Liberia-flagged car .....
Thai PM denies misconduct at Bangkok hotel
11 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said yesterday that she had not done anything morally questionable while she was at a Bangkok hotel earlier this week. "I did not have a meeting there. But as .....
Korean department stores’ luxury sales expand 20%
10 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Koreans’ desire for luxury goods doesn’t appear to be waning, with high-end fashion brand sales at the nation’s major department stores soaring almost 20 per cent last year. According to the M .....
Vietnam denies US dumping claims
10 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Vietnamese enterprises did not dump wind turbine towers on the US market, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Thanh Nghi on Thursday. In reply to questions raised by reporters about Vietnam's reaction .....
Report says micro blogs spread scandals' reach, harm
10 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
With social media becoming more common in China, micro blogs have become the greatest source of scandals that damage companies' reputations, according to a report released on Thursday. Micro blogs ha .....
Young Indonesians striving for social change
10 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The large amount of plastic items that are thrown away have become a serious problem in many countries and Indonesia has not been an exception. Indonesians throw away tons of plastic bottles, shoppi .....
Mystery deepens over Chongqing official
10 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
A Chongqing official said to be on stress-related leave but rumoured to have sought US asylum did visit an American consulate, Beijing and Washington confirmed yesterday, as talk of a power struggle r .....
TCM exports set to rise at a healthy clip
10 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The value of traditional Chinese medicine exported from China is expected to increase by more than 10 per cent a year during the next five to 10 years. The growth rate for the exports measured by wei .....
Vietnam vies for Asian Games
10 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Vietnam has ranked among the top four candidates seeking the chance to host the 2019 Asian Games. Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Director General and Technical Director Husain Al-Musallam announced th .....
China's New Year inflation jumps higher than estimated
10 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China's inflation rate hit an unexpected three-month high in January as consumers increased spending during the Chinese New Year holiday. The rate may deter policymakers from further loosening monet .....
China talks with Syria opposition on crisis
10 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China said on Thursday that a Syrian opposition delegation visited the country this week and met a deputy foreign minister, a sign that China is taking tangible steps to promote peace in the country, .....
Fire destroys hundreds of shops in central Vietnam
10 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Quang Ngai City Market, the largest in central Vietnam's province of Quang Ngai, caught fire early Thursday morning, ruining about 680 shops and more than 600 tonnes of goods, worth about VND120 billi .....
Indonesian court ruling opens door to hero status for Soeharto
10 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Indonesia's Constitutional Court (MK) has rejected a request by civil activists for a review of the 2009 National Heroes Law, saying that articles in the law do not contravene the Constitution. Civil .....
Top Taliban militant dies in US drone attack
10 February, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
An important commander and four other militants were killed in a US drone attack in Miramshah (north Pakistan) on Thursday, a senior security official said. Badar Mansoor, who led his own group of mi .....
Indonesian airlines boost commitment to guaranteeing flight safety
10 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
On the heels of the arrests of pilots using crystal methamphetamine, airlines operating in Indonesia boosted their commitment to preventing air crews from consuming drugs and alcohol for the sake of f .....
Bangladesh slams foreign banks for high interest rates
10 February, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
The central bank yesterday came down heavily on foreign banks having operations in Bangladesh for a high interest rate spread, which is depriving both depositors and borrowers. Bangladesh Bank (BB) a .....
Bangladesh army asked to stay alert for coups
10 February, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
A parliamentary body has suggested the Bangladesh army take preventive measures to avert any conspiracy against the country's democratic order, and remain more alert about people with “extreme views .....
Sanctions may disrupt Indonesia-Iran trade
10 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Indonesia is expecting its bilateral trade with Iran to be affected by fresh US financial sanctions on Iran, as some of its main trading partners have begun to report difficulties in making and receiv .....
Travel warning on Thailand stays--US envoy
10 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
US Ambassador Kristie Kenney talks to Nattha Komolvadhin from ThaiPBS on a series of outstanding topics related to Thai-US relations. Here are some excerpts: It has been three weeks since the US issu .....
Toyota to shift SUV production to US
10 February, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Toyota Motor Corp has announced it will shift production of its Highlander sport utility vehicles to a factory in Indiana from Toyota Motor Kyushu, Inc, a subsidiary in Miyawaka, Fukuoka Prefecture, i .....
Thai firm to open beverage plants in Vietnam
10 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, chairman of TCC Holding, which has many diversified subsidiaries, plans to set up plants in Vietnam for the production of its major beverages, notably beer and non-alcoholic .....
'Red' fears grip major HK daily
10 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
'Red' fears are rising again among Hong Kongers, potentially heightening the already frayed tensions between them and mainland Chinese. This time, the issue is over English-language newspaper South C .....
Brunei firms urged to buy own oil rigs, vessels
10 February, 2012
By The Brunei Times
Source: ANN
After decades of operating in the country's oil and gas industry, Bruneian companies should own key assets such as vessels and rigs instead of having to lease them from others, the Energy Minister a .....
US firms want a piece of Indonesia
10 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Buoyed by strong economic growth and a relatively stable political environment, Indonesia is poised to become a key investment destination for US companies, provided that the historical impediments to .....
Bhutanese government should step in to stamp out substance abuse
10 February, 2012
By Kuensel
Source: ANN
Last week Samtse district court sentenced a teenager to 30 months in prison for theft and substance abuse highlighting a problem that continues to escalate every year. Sherub Dorji, 19, from Paro con .....
Laos reviews law preventing child labour
10 February, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare and representatives from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) met in Vientiane yesterday for the National Legislation Review Workshop on Child Labour .....
Reports suggest Malaysian terrorist may still be alive
10 February, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
New intelligence reports suggest that the three Malaysian-born terrorists believed to have been killed in the Philippines last week may still be alive. Regional intelligence sources revealed that the .....
Charter change in Thailand again
10 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Thailand's ruling Puea Thai party yesterday submitted a controversial plan to rewrite the country's Constitution, in a politically sensitive move that risks reigniting turmoil. The current charter wa .....
Apple files US suit against Samsung
10 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Apple on Thursday filed another patent complaint against Samsung Electronics in a federal court in San Jose, California. However, it was not confirmed what the complaint was filed against. “We’r .....
India's trade deficit may hit 3.5% of GDP
10 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
India’s imports continued to rise even as exports grew at a lower rate contributing to a likely current account deficit of 3.5 per cent of GDP in the current fiscal ending March, official trade data .....
Guidelines for Indian Defence PSUs on JVs
10 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Indian defence public sector undertaking (DPSUs) now have guidelines to establish joint venture (JV) companies to tap latest foreign technologies to help the country’s defence sector attain substant .....
Reports suggest Malaysian terrorist may still be alive?
10 February, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
New intelligence reports suggest that the three Malaysian-born terrorists believed to have been killed in the Philippines last week may still be alive. Regional intelligence sources revealed that the .....
Korea-US trade pact re-emerges as political issue
10 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
The Korea-US free trade pact (FTA) has resurfaced as a hot-button issue ahead of the April 11 general elections as the liberal opposition parties vow to scrap it should disputed clauses not be renegot .....
Indian cabinet okays data-sharing
10 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the National Data Sharing and Accessibility Policy – 2012 (NDSAP-2012) to facilitate access to Government of India-owned shareable data and information in both .....
Filipino about to lose world’s shortest man title to Nepali
10 February, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Filipino Junrey Balawing, standing at 59.93 centimetres (23.59 inches or almost 2 feet), is about to lose the distinction of being the world’s shortest man, but he is fading away with flourish. In .....
JAL loaning pilots to other Asian airlines
10 February, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Japan Airlines, under business rehabilitation, has begun to loan its pilots to foreign airlines for the first time in its history. About 10 pilots have worked for China Southern Airlines since Januar .....
Rise in global gambling revenue led by Macau, Cambodia
10 February, 2012
By Rasmei Kampuchea Daily
Source: ANN
Global gambling revenue climbed to a record US$419 billion last year, led by growth in Macau, Singapore and Cambodia , Bloomberg reported Thursday. Revenue rose 5.6 per cent from $397 billion in 2010 .....
Fatal blast in south Thailand, injures children
10 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
A pickup bomb exploded in the heart of Pattani town (south Thailand) yesterday morning, killing a pensioner and injuring 11 other victims. Two children, aged just two and five, were among the injured .....
Eight more Pakistanis die in mysterious circumstances
10 February, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Forty one Pakistanis disappeared under mysterious circumstances have been traced out while eight of them have died, the government said in a report. The government told the Commission of Inquiry on .....
Singapore set to play key role in space flights
10 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Singapore will play a key role in helping a French space company launch its first commercial space flight. For starters, home-grown companies will be roped in by Astrium, the space arm of French aero .....
S. Korean speaker resigns amid bribery probe
10 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
South Korea Parliamentary Speaker Park Hee-tae resigned yesterday amid an ongoing investigation into claims he bribed fellow lawmakers in the 2008 ruling party leadership election. It is the first ti .....
3 Indian state ministers caught watching 'porn'
9 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Three ministers from India's southern state of Karnataka resigned yesterday after they were caught watching allegedly pornographic material on a mobile phone while the state assembly was in session. .....
Online database bridges China-Taiwan language gap
9 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
They share a common language, but a Chinese diner ordering potatoes, or tu dou, in Taiwan will likely be served groundnuts instead. To minimise such misunderstandings, Taiwan and China jointly launch .....
New rules govern Vietnamese state firm IPOs
9 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
A Vietnamese Ministry of Finance circular providing guidelines for the initial public offering (IPO) of equitised state-run companies will go into effect on February 15th. Expenses for the equitisat .....
Gas, petrol stations make Vietnamese urban residents fearful
9 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Gas and petrol stations located near residential areas in Vietnamese big cities continue to threaten locals' health and safety, despite last year's deadly gas explosions. Tran Thi Hong, a resident of .....
Laos, Vietnam boost media, culture ties
9 February, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
Laos' Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism and Vietnam Television Station (VTV) have agreed to further strengthen their cooperation efforts and traditionally friendly ties in the information a .....
Toyota to invest additional US$195m, expand exports
9 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Japan’s largest automaker Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) said on Wednesday it would invest an additional ¥15 billion (US$194.80 million) in Indonesia to raise the production capacity of its second .....
Efforts needed to reach emissions target
9 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The Indonesian government’s target to cut emissions by 26 per cent before 2020 under the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) scheme cannot be achieved unless the impo .....
Business sector to hold debates on Brunei vision 2035
9 February, 2012
By The Brunei Times
Source: ANN
With a fresh start to the new year, the Brunei Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI) is planning to hold monthly debates on issues pertaining to the challenges and opportunities of Brunei's v .....
Vietnam's tourism sector expects bumper heritage year
9 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
With a nationwide theme of "Heritage Tourism" this year, Vietnam's tourism industry is expected to experience an increase of tourists and strong competition with other countries in the region, General .....
Pakistan energy sector to remain vulnerable
9 February, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
The International Monetary Fund has warned Pakistan that without fundamental changes in the energy sector untargeted electricity subsidies will remain large, which will further increase the country’ .....
Indonesian investors confident of shake-up at Bumi
9 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The Indonesian shareholders of Bumi Plc., seeking to remove co-chairman Nat Rothschild, are confident they can shake up the miner’s board before creating the world’s biggest coal firm, major inves .....
Japan seeks Brunei for gas supply
9 February, 2012
By The Brunei Times
Source: ANN
Disater-struck Japan welcomes any liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply that Brunei can spare to help the country cope with an estimated 10 per cent deficit in power supply it expects to face this summer .....
Pakistan military claims severing militants’ supply route
9 February, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
The Pakistan army claimed on Wednesday to have made major progress in an operation in Kurram Agency after clearing the snow-covered Jogi mountains and severing a vital supply route to militants in nor .....
Korea buys up VN garments
9 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Garment and textile exports to South Korea could pass the US$1 billion mark this year, making it the fourth largest buyer of Vietnamese products after the US, the EU and Japan. Export of garment and .....
Euro debt crisis 'creates opportunities'
9 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
More cash-rich Chinese manufacturers will surge into debt-stricken European nations as the spreading economic and financial crisis creates buying opportunities, said officials from the Ministry of Com .....
Charter change in Thailand could revive conflict
9 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
A hasty push to amend the Constitution may inflame political conflict in Thailand, so the government should step back and allow the Office of the Ombudsman to review pertinent issues before activating .....
Conflicts could worsen ahead of Indonesia's 2014 elections
9 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Indonesia's National Intelligence Agency (BIN) has called on the public to stay vigilant ahead of the 2014 legislative and presidential elections as it forecasts that social violence will likely escal .....
Thai gov't likely to block lese majeste law debates
9 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The Yingluck government in Thailand yesterday distanced itself further from the campaign to amend the lese majeste law, with the Pheu Thai-dominated House giving hints it would not deliberate amendmen .....
Indonesian tech companies see gold in online payment handling
9 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
A glint of gold in Indonesia’s e-commerce has spelled out opportunity for technoprenuers, beyond the usual throng of online retailers dispersed throughout online shops, forums and social networking .....
Unclear if Japan mergers help or harm Samsung
9 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Questions are being raised as to how the possible merger of Japanese technology companies would impact the sales and operations of tech giant Samsung Electronics. On Wednesday, media outlets in Tokyo .....
Bangladesh to settle 'all issues' with India
9 February, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday in parliament reiterated that her government would continue to work on all unresolved problems with India, including the proposed Tipaimukh Dam. .....
Indonesia confirms Malaysian fugitive arrested in Batam
9 February, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Malaysian police have received confirmation that the man arrested in Batam for possession of fake identification documents was indeed fugitive Azmin Helmi. City CID chief Senior Assistant Commissione .....
High hopes for Indonesia's new justice
9 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
M. Hatta Ali won the election to be the next chief justice of Indonesia's Supreme Court on Wednesday, pledging to improve the integrity of the nation’s highest court. “Currently, the court is im .....
Tibetans-in-exile protest against ‘killings’ by Chinese authorities
9 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Thousands of Tibetans from Sikkim and Darjeeling Hills took out a rally on Wednesday to protest against the alleged trampling of the Tibetan Dharma and rampant killing of the protesters by the Communi .....
Nepal-India summit: Maoist stance sought on treaty
9 February, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Senior officials at the Ministry of Energy ( MoE) have sought the official position of the ruling Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) on the implementation of the Pancheshwar Multi Purpose Proje .....
Tsunami was up to 21 metres in Fukushima
9 February, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
The tsunami that hit Fukushima Prefecture on March 11 was particularly high--possibly up to 21 metres--along the coast in the centre of the prefecture where the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant is .....
Any big change in N. Korea unlikely for now
9 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Kim Young-hui, a North Korean defector working here as a researcher on the communist state’s economy, believes any big change there is inconceivable for now as the power elites want to preserve the .....
Philippine constitutional crisis feared over trial
9 February, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Fears of a constitutional crisis were aired Wednesday when the lawyers of Philippine Chief Justice Renato Corona petitioned the Supreme Court to stop the Senate impeachment court from summoning bank o .....
UP sees 62% polling
9 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Despite heavy rainfall in the morning and inclement weather throughout the day, the first of the seven-phased Uttar Pradesh Assembly election 2012 saw a record voter turn out of 62 per cent on Wednes .....
Toyota hit by low sales, exports
9 February, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Toyota Motor Corp posted an operating income of 117.1 billion yen (US$1.52 billion) in the nine-month period ending in December, despite registering an operating loss for its fiscal 2011 midterm settl .....
India-Mauritius MoU signed
9 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
‘Invest India’ and the Board of Investment (BOI) of Mauritius signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation on bilateral investment promotion and facilitation. ‘Invest India’ is .....
Beijing's micro blog policy unclear for overseas users
9 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The upcoming regulation requiring micro blog users to register with their real identities has yet to set procedures for overseas users, China Daily has found. The situation has puzzled foreign users .....
China and Canada trade links tightened
9 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China and Canada signed a series of agreements on Wednesday covering energy, investments and other sectors, in a sign of improved ties amid the global economic slowdown. China wants to increase impo .....
Singapore urges US to tap Asean potential
9 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
The United States should do more to mine Asean's economic potential, Singapore Foreign Minister K. Shanmugam has said, citing the city-state as a prime example of a regional partner that has generated .....
Burma in need of a blueprint
9 February, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma's icon of democracy, has what she calls a "simple ambition": she wants to see her country surpass its fellow Asean members in the next decade. To achieve this, she said politi .....
Japan to fully participate in free trade negotiations
9 February, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Japan on Tuesday explained to the United States its basic stance regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations, saying it will put all items on the table once it joins the multilateral trade fr .....
Brunei sultan agrees to free Vietnamese fishermen
8 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah has decided to free nine Vietnamese fishermen, who have been detained for fishing in Brunei's territorial waters since January 20. The decision was made promptl .....
Investors see opportunities opening in Burma
8 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Vietnam's enterprises should increase their business dealings with Burma as the country becomes more open to foreign investors, experts said. Tran Phuoc Anh, a Vietnam trade counsellor in Burma, said .....
Bird flu outbreak threatens Vietnam
8 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Vietnam's Department of Animal Health has warned that there is a high risk of a large-scale outbreak of bird flu without drastic preventive measures in the near future. Bird flu has been reported in f .....
Vietnam in top 10 for worst air pollution
8 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Vietnam is listed amongst the top ten countries with the worst air pollution in the world, according to the 2012 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) released during this year's World Economic Forum .....
APG supports Vietnam's fight against money laundering and terrorist financing
8 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
The Asia-Pacific Group will support Vietnam in preventing monetary laundering and combating the financing of terrorism, the Banking Inspectorate and Supervision Department of the State Bank of Vietnam .....
Malaysian-Bangladesh venture on bridge may be costly
8 February, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Construction of the Padma bridge might turn out costly for Bangladesh, point out an economist and a chartered accountant as the government hurries up the venture with the help of Malaysia. "It will b .....
Pakistan gov't rules out reversal of oil price hike
8 February, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
The Pakistan government ruled out on Tuesday reversal of recent increase in the prices of petroleum products, saying that it was indexed and linked to the international prices and there was no way the .....
Indonesian pilots’ drug lifestyles worrying
8 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Yet another arrest of a pilot, this time from Lion Air, over the alleged use of crystal methamphetamine late last week has raised concerns over the safety of Indonesia’s airline industry, with the N .....
Illegal drug threat still looms over public in Indonesia
8 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Despite the Indonesian government’s efforts to contain illegal drugs, the public still faces looming threats due to the rampant distribution of the substances. Many people have fallen victim to il .....
Russian firm signs MoU to build US$2.4b railway
8 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Russia’s state railway firm Joint Stock Company (JSC) Russian Railways will build a railway line in East Kalimantan to deliver coal, in an investment of approximately US$2.4 billion, an official say .....
Masdar seeking to invest in China
8 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Masdar Capital, the investment vehicle of the Abu Dhabi state-owned renewable energy company Masdar, is looking for investment opportunities in fuel cells and water treatment in China, senior executiv .....
Filipino businessmen aren't 'having fun'
8 February, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Don’t ask Filipino businessmen if it’s more fun in the Philippines. They’re not having much of it. Results of an international research released the other day said more Filipino business leader .....
Indonesian maids will arrive in M'sia next month
8 February, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
All is in order for the arrival of the first batch of Indonesian maids expected next month, the Association of Foreign Maid Agencies (Papa) guaranteed. The number of domestic helpers to be deployed, .....
Indonesia’s food security remains fragile
8 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yu-dhoyono on Tuesday warned of lurking dangers in the country’s ability to provide enough food to an ever-increasing population. “We’re still fragile when i .....
India's two parties at loggerheads over UP polls
8 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
After seven years of bonhomie, the JD-U and the BJP are fighting openly and bitterly over encashing the “Bihar turnaround” story in Uttar Pradesh, where the partners in Bihar's ruling coalition ar .....
Thai gov't to set up single anti-flood command
8 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The Thai Cabinet yesterday approved the establishment of a single command authority for the country's water-management and flood-prevention efforts. This mission of the Water and Flood Management Com .....
Asia urged for focused economic policies
8 February, 2012
By Rasmei Kampuchea Daily
Source: ANN
With global economic uncertainties resurging, policymakers in Asia will have to work quickly to offset the effects of a global recession, Standard & Poor's said today. "But they might not be abl .....
Pakistan to host trilateral summit on reg'l security
8 February, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Presidents of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran will meet in the capital from February 16 to 17 at the third trilateral summit, committed to promoting regional cooperation and strengthening peace and sta .....
Indonesia needs to ease foreign ownership limit
8 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Indonesia needs to remove the restrictions on foreign ownership of property in order to allow its property market to grow and become more attractive for overseas investors, a top executive of one of t .....
Brunei Muslim women told to be upright
8 February, 2012
By The Brunei Times
Source: ANN
Muslim women who want to play a role in contributing to society must know their limits and know that what they do will not lead to fitnah (slander and gossip) or wrongdoings. At the forum titled Musl .....
India's move to regulate drug e-trade
8 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Even as a raging controversy brews over monitoring Internet content in India, the government has recently constituted a high-level committee to put in place “regulatory and legislative” measures t .....
Korean companies shift from ‘Made in Asia’ to ‘Made for Asia’
8 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Recent weeks have seen Korea post a string of gloomy economic figures. The country’s trade balance went into the red for the first time in two years in January, according to data released by the Mi .....
Is Asian economy entering a golden age?
8 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Robust growth, strong domestic demand, fiscal health brighten prospects In its outlook for the Asian economy last month, the International Monetary Fund forecast growth would come close to 6 per cent .....
Laos power plant to create jobs, reduce poverty
8 February, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong yesterday visited the Hongsa power plant in Xayaboury province, which is being built at a cost of about US$3.7 billion. The lignite-fired power plant in Hongsa .....
India's GDP growth likely to hit 3-year low
8 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Hobbled by a dismal show by manufacturing, agriculture and mining sectors, India’s GDP is likely to hit a three-year low of 6.9 per cent in the current fiscal - 2011-12 - as against 8.4 per cent pos .....
500 fowls die in east Nepal
8 February, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Over 500 chickens have died in the past two days in Satherjhora-8, around 15 km southwest of the two bird flu outbreak sites in Sunsari in east Nepal, according to a government official. "Samples of .....
Evergreen founder to donate entire fortune
8 February, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Philanthropist Chang Yung-fa, the founder and chairman of the Evergreen Group, pledged yesterday to give away all his wealth, approximately NT$50 billion (over US$1.69 billion), primarily via the Chan .....
Indian ministers caught watching porn in K’taka House
8 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
India's ruling BJP found itself in an embarrassing position when the cameras of regional TV channels covering the proceedings in the Assembly caught two of its ministers allegedly watching sleaze on a .....
'Non-political' gov't to oversee Bangladesh polls proposed
8 February, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) high-ups have now fixed their eyes on formation of a non-political government to oversee the next parliamentary elections. The opposition party had previously i .....
US partially lifts financial restrictions on Burma
8 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
As a reward for political reform in Burma, the United States has moved to support international financial institutions--including the International Monetary Fund, World Bank and Asian Development Ba .....
Warning on HK family planning
8 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Mainland couples who give birth to a second child in Hong Kong will be fined for breaching the family planning policy, a senior official has warned. As more women flock to Hong Kong to give birth to .....
China raised gasoline and diesel prices
8 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China raised the ceiling for retail gasoline and diesel prices for the first time this year on Wednesday in tandem with international crude oil hikes. Average fuel prices increased as much as 3.65 p .....
Simpler visa procedures are passport to success
8 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The ever-increasing number of Chinese tourists means that more and more countries are trying to simplify visa red tape. A prime example of this occurred just last month. US President Barack Obama pr .....
Maldives president steps down after protests
8 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
A police mutiny that escalated into a wider revolt threw the Maldives into turmoil yesterday, removing the tiny island nation's first democratically elected leader. President Mohamed Nasheed stepped .....
71 buried in landslides in central Philippines
8 February, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Philippine Army soldiers used picks, shovels and chainsaws in a race against time to rescue at least 71 people buried in landslides that covered 80 houses in two barangays (villages) in Guihulngan Cit .....
29 abducted Chinese in Sudan released
8 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed yesterday evening that 29 Chinese workers kidnapped last month by Sudanese anti-government forces have been released and arrived in Nairobi. "The 29 persons are .....
Tourism arrivals reach new highs, $22b spent in 2011
7 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
The tourism industry posted strong growth in 2011 with tourism arrivals and spending reaching new highs of 13.2 million and $22.2 billion respectively. The Singapore Tourism Board expects the industr .....
Singapore's crime rate drops 7% to lowest in 20 years
7 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Singapore's crime rate plunged by 7 per cent in 2011 to the lowest it has been for twenty years. 'Confrontational crimes' such as murder, robbery, violent property crimes and housebreaking crimes in .....
High-resolution lunar photo map presented
7 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China presented a high-resolution moon map on Monday from photos taken by its second lunar orbiter, Chang'e-2, which will be used to aid lunar studies and help select the best spot for lunar landing m .....
Formal shipping line to Burma to open soon
7 February, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
A direct shipping line between Bangladesh and Burma will begin formal operations soon as both the countries signed an agreement last month, said a senior official of the commerce ministry of Banglades .....
Bangladesh's inflation hits 15yr high
7 February, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Fuel import, energy price hike, and taka's devaluation against the US dollar have jacked up Bangladesh's non-food inflation to 13.16 per cent in January -- which is the highest in the last fifteen yea .....
Bhutan Telecom to expand 3G network
7 February, 2012
By Kuensel
Source: ANN
By the end of this year at least 40 locations in western and central Bhutan will have access to 3G or third generation high speed Internet connectivity, which is today available only in the core areas .....
Vietnam's trade deficit hits US$100m in January
7 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Vietnam's trade deficit rose to US$100 million in January, accounting for 1.54 per cent of the total export value, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) reported on Monday at a press conference in .....
New trade route to Bangladesh awaits approval in Bhutan
7 February, 2012
By Kuensel
Source: ANN
To enhance bilateral trade, two new land routes in addition to the present one to Bangladesh through India are expected to open any time this year, Bhutanese trade officials say. The new trade route .....
Vietnam's forestry, fishery exports to hit US$40b by 2020
7 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Vietnam's agricultural sector will export US$40 billion worth of agro-forestry and fisheries products by 2020 under a masterplan approved by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung last week. Of this $40 bil .....
VN looks to bolster Thailand relations
7 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Part of Vietnam's regional policy is to consistently attach high importance to the good neighbourliness relationship with Thailand, Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh said in the meeting with .....
Tsai not preparing for another run in '16: DPP spokesman
7 February, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Outgoing Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen is not currently strategizing for a 2016 Taiwan presidential campaign, said Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) spokesman Luo Chih-cheng on Monday. Tsai announced pla .....
Taiwan gov't to issue 'gross happiness index': Ma
7 February, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou on Monday voiced expectations for the newly sworn-in Cabinet members, asking them to provide the public with a sense of security and comfort and to issue the happiness in .....
Laos moves closer to dev't goals
7 February, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
Laos is slowly but surely moving towards elevation from the United Nations' list of least developed countries by 2020, with the goal of reducing the poverty rate to below 22 per cent by the end of 201 .....
Indonesia's growth on target at 6.5%; Java remains economic driver
7 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Despite the fact that Indonesia’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 6.5 per cent in 2011, the country is facing a huge challenge in the disparity of contributions to that economic growth from its .....
British Columbia beckons Korean firms with tax incentives
7 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
A top Canadian executive has expressed hope that more Korean companies will be attracted by British Columbia’s tax incentives. Under the tax benefit programme, a company can receive a provincial co .....
11 die in Pakistan drugs factory blast
7 February, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
At least 11 people, eight of them women and three teenage boys, were killed when a three-storey factory building owned by a pharmaceutical company caved in after a huge blast in Lahore, Pakistan yeste .....
BNI may issue up to US$500m global bonds for acquisition
7 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Indonesia’s fourth-largest lender by assets, state-run PT Bank Negara Indonesia Tbk (BBNI), may issue US dollar-denominated bonds worth between US$200 and $500 million in the second half of this yea .....
Indonesia's court election plagued with money politics
7 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Long considered as a bastion in Indonesia’s judicial system, the Supreme Court (MA) these days is plagued with money politics ahead of the selection of its chief justice, which is set for Wednesday. .....
N. Korea’s state media tout new leader’s young age
7 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
North Korea’s propaganda machines are churning out reports highlighting the early achievements of new leader Kim Jong-un, as his young age and apparent lack of experience continue to raise doubts .....
Army still calls tune in key Thailand issues
7 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The Yingluck Shinawatra government is not fully in charge of Thailand as the army has a "veto" power over some key issues--including who will be the army chief or what is to be done with the lese maje .....
Indonesians stay warm in frozen Europe
7 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Extreme cold weather bashing countries across Europe has killed hundreds of Europeans as temperatures go as low as, for example, minus 36 Celsius in the Ukraine. Luckily, Indonesians living in Europea .....
We’ve blocked 1m porn sites, Indonesian govt claims
7 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The Communications and Information Ministry of Indonesia claims it has blocked nearly 1 million sites that carry pornographic content. Communications and Information Minister Tifatul Sembiring said t .....
Korea, Turkey agree to resume nuke plant talks
7 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
South Korea and Turkey on Sunday agreed to resume stalled negotiations on Ankara’s project to construct a nuclear power plant and seek an early conclusion of bilateral free trade negotiations, pos .....
Cambodia should look to IT for job growth
7 February, 2012
By Rasmei Kampuchea Daily
Source: ANN
Cambodia should look to the country's rapidly developing IT sector to achieve jobs growth, according to one of the country's leading suppliers of communications services. According to Ezecom, the cou .....
Indonesian minister brushes off criticism over plan to limit import gateways
7 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Despite criticism from international and domestic stakeholders, the Indonesian government remains committed to the plan to limit gateways for horticulture imports as part of a concerted effort to ensu .....
Tough measures set on school violence in Korea
7 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
The Korean government announced a wide range of measures against school violence Monday, focused on united action by all members of society. The measures call for strengthening the role of teachers a .....
18% growth in Taiwan machinery imports
7 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
The long-awaited Taiwan Machinery Catalogue Show 2012 will be held in Mumbai from 7 to 9 February and in Coimbatore from 12 to 13 February. It is being organised jointly by the Taiwan Association of M .....
Indian Communist Party's resolution calls for path to socialism
7 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
The Communist Party of India (CPI-M)’s draft resolution on the “ideological challenges” before it after the beginning of globalisation is out. In the party’s view, globalisation is nothing but .....
‘Indians keen to go abroad for 10% hike’
7 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
More than a quarter of employees in India are willing to relocate overseas for two to three years even if they get a 10 per cent pay hike, says a survey. “About 28 per cent of employees in India s .....
India justifies vote on Syria
7 February, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
India today tried explaining why it decided to support, and not abstain from a UN Security Council draft resolution on Syria by pointing out that the resolution did not ask for a change of regime. S .....
Apple faces trademark suit in China
7 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
A Shenzhen-based enterprise has accused technology giant Apple of infringing on its iPad trademark - a trademark over which both companies claim ownership. The Pudong district court in Shanghai will .....
Agency to advise cross-Straits couples on marriage issues
7 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China's Ministry of Civil Affairs will establish a marriage counseling agency for couples in which each spouse comes from a different side of the Taiwan Straits, ministry officials said on Monday. M .....
Beijing remains impartial on Syria issue: FM
7 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China will not take sides on the Syria issue, and will uphold justice and take a responsible attitude, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said on Monday. "China is highly concerned about the deve .....
Chinese airlines told not to pay EU green tax
7 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Domestic airlines have been banned from complying with the European Union's scheme to impose charges on carbon emissions from flights to and from Europe, the civil aviation authority said on Monday. .....
India justifies vote on Syria
7 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
India yesterday tried explaining why it decided to support, and not abstain from a UN Security Council draft resolution on Syria by pointing out that the resolution did not ask for a change of regime. .....
Japan, U.S. agree to move 4,700 marines to Guam
7 February, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Japan and the United States reached a broad agreement to transfer 4,700 U.S. marines stationed in Okinawa Prefecture to Guam, scaling down from the originally planned 8,000, Japanese government source .....
Quake kills 52 in central Philippines
7 February, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
At least 52 people were killed when a 6.9-magnitude earthquake hit Negros and Cebu provinces (central Philippines) shortly before noon Monday, causing landslides and huge cracks on highways, and viole .....
Japanese govt to demand cut in marines' transfer costs
6 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
The Japanese government plans to demand it pay less than originally agreed for the transfer of U.S. marines from Okinawa Prefecture to Guam if Washington reduces the number of marines to be moved, acc .....
Can Panasonic make right turn at crossroads?
6 February, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Panasonic Corp.'s record-high after-tax loss of 780 billion yen(US$10 billion) on a consolidated basis for fiscal 2011 ending in March is primarily the result of sluggish performance in its pr .....
Vietnam's ethanol plant produces first batch of bio-fuel
6 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Dung Quat Bio-Ethanol Plant, located in the Dung Quat Industrial Zone in the central province of Quang Ngai, turned out its first batch of bio-ethanol E100 last week after 33 months of construction an .....
Korea's heritage administration to examine ways to protect cultural properties
6 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Commemorating the fourth anniversary of the Namdaemun gate arson, the Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea this week is holding two events examining better ways to protect cultural properties fro .....
Vietnamese ministry promotes trade with Germany
6 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
While Germany is already the most important market in the European Union for Vietnamese exports, there's still huge potential for further increasing exports to Germany, said Do Thang Hai, head of the .....
IAEA, OFID help VN fight cancer
6 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) have agreed to assist Vietnam in cancer control through the IAEA's Programme of Action for Cancer T .....
Global crisis hits business confidence in VN
6 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Vietnam's Business Confidence Index (CBI) fell from 123 to 116 points between the third quarter of 2011 and January 2012 due to global economic turmoil. Predicting Vietnam's economic outlook for 2012 .....
Malaysia automotive market see modest growth
6 February, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
The year 2012 is expected to be an eventful period for the local automotive industry. The following are just a few questions to consider over the months to come. Industry players and analysts have fo .....
Korean SMEs see their cash reserves shrinking
6 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
A growing number of small and medium-sized companies in Korea are facing a shortage of operating cash in the midst of the economic slowdown and more stringent loan conditions, data showed Sunday. Ca .....
Rate of rise in Web use falls
6 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The Chinese mainland still lags behind Taiwan, South Korea, Japan and some other economies in Web use despite recent official statistics showing it already has more than 500 million netizens. The Ch .....
KMT vice chairman cites beef, TIFA link
6 February, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
The U.S. beef import issue is linked to trade talks between Taiwan and the U.S. under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), said Taiwan's Kuomintang (KMT) Vice Chairman John Chiang in N .....
Chinese premier urges reform, rural democracy
6 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has pledged unwavering support for reform and opening-up in the face of current challenges and urged better laws to protect the voice of farmers in rural community administr .....
Expert predicts continued volatility in the gold market throughout 2012
6 February, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Gold investors should refrain from chasing prices now and wait for a low entry point, urged an expert on Sunday. Yang Tien-li, vice manager with Bank of Taiwan's precious metal department, made the .....
High-profile gun crimes in China spark calls for action
6 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Experts are calling for stricter controls on guns across China in the wake of a series of shooting tragedies. In the latest case, three people were killed and eight injured in Huining county in Nort .....
Korea to test Camp Carroll area residents for chemicals
6 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
The government of Chilgok-gun and a state-run research institute will conduct health checkups for the residents of areas close to the U.S. military’s Camp Carroll. Located in Chilgok-gun in North G .....
Fingerprint scheme for workers from SE Asia to begin March 1
6 February, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) is set to enforce the new rule requiring migrant workers from four Southeast Asian countries to submit fingerprint records when applying for work visas to e .....
Indonesia's state budget under pressure as ICP hits US$115 per barrel
6 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry announced on Friday that the Indonesian Crude Price (ICP) had reached US$115.91 per barrel in January, up $5.21 from December, creating more pressure for the .....
North Korea tours offered on founder’s birthday
6 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Foreign travel agencies specialising in North Korea tourism have started offering tour packages that give travelers a peep into April events being prepared to celebrate the 100th birthday of Kim Il-su .....
Chinese delegation in Libya to discuss post-war business
6 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
A delegation of Chinese government officials and company executives arrived in Tripoli on Saturday night to inspect Chinese assets in the country and discuss how the nation can assist Libya's post-war .....
Anas’ fate depends on KPK, says Indonesian president
6 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
In a move to ease infighting in his Democratic Party, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said he would not protect the party’s chairman, Anas Urbaningrum, should law enforcers declare him .....
Laos closing in on WTO membership
6 February, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
Laos finally has World Trade Organisation (WTO) membership in sight after working towards inclusion in the global body for the past 15 years. Accession to the WTO now looks likely by the end of this .....
Khmer Rouge judgment to boost Cambodia investment
6 February, 2012
By Rasmei Kampuchea Daily
Source: ANN
In extending the sentence of former Khmer Rouge prison chief Kaing Guek Eav from 35 years to life in prison in its appeal ruling Friday, the Supreme Court Chamber of the UN-backed Extraordinary Chambe .....
Pressure mounting for Lion Air audit
6 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Several incidents involving drugs and pilots with privately owned Lion Air have raised concerns about aviation safety in the country and prompted calls for the Indonesian government to immediately aud .....
Philippines ditches bilingual policy for pupils
6 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Mother tongues will replace the national language and English in the first three grades of state elementary schools in the Philippines, as part of a new government policy aimed at boosting early learn .....
Police shoot armed robber in northeast China
6 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Police shot dead an armed robbery suspect after he opened fire on arresting officers on Saturday evening in Shenyang, capital of Northeast China's Liaoning province, police said on Sunday. The suspe .....
Bird flu confirmed in eastern Nepal
6 February, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
While government authorities on Sunday confirmed the H5N1 strain of bird flu in Khanar and Itahari in Sunsari district in eastern Nepal, similar outbreaks were reported in Phakphok in Ilam district an .....
Two protesters shot dead in Pakistan
6 February, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Two people were killed and four others, including a cameraman of a private television channel, injured in Balochistan’s Bakhtiarabad town (southwest of Islamabd) on Saturday when security forces o .....
Filipinos spared in Syrian strife
6 February, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
No Filipinos were killed or injured in the latest and deadliest crackdown on protests by Syrian security forces, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez .....
Indorama Corp lines up US$206m for expansion
6 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Singapore-based Indorama Corporation plans to invest up to Rs 1,000 crore(US$206 million) within three years in India to set up three manufacturing facilities to produce spandex fibre, used in various .....
Trade and investment climate needs improvement: New Zealand
6 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
New Zealand expects Indonesia to improve its trade and investment climate to allow both countries to reap greater benefits from a recently implemented free trade agreement (FTA) among the Association .....
State Bank of India waives service fees on SME loans
6 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
The country's largest lender, State Bank of India, has decided to waive guarantees and annual service fees on loans given to small and medium businesses, guaranteed under the Credit Guarantee Fund Tru .....
Labour unrest spooks investors
6 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Japanese and South Korean emissaries along with a representative of the Taiwan administration have filed complaints to the Indonesian government over its handling of the recent labour unrest, claiming .....
Tsunami still haunts...
6 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
“Any cyclonic condition lasting a bit too long makes the people, local administration as well as the armed forces, a bit jittery. The 2005 Tsunami and the devastation have left an indelible mark on .....
500m Indians will need urban homes by ’25
6 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
In just over a decade from now, nearly 500 million Indians will need new, urban homes, close to the needs of China, North America and Western Europe put together. The country’s population is slate .....
Charter bill set for Thai parliament
6 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thailand's ruling Pheu Thai Party will submit its version of a charter amendment bill to Parliament by Thursday, seeking to set up a 99-member charter drafting assembly, the party spokesman said yeste .....
Indonesian president calls for party unity
6 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono yesterday broke his silence on recent rifts within his Democrat Party, urging members to stay united amid a swirl of graft allegations involving several s .....
China, Russia veto boosts Syria peace initiatives, experts say
6 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The veto by China and Russia of a draft UN resolution to promote regime change in Syria will win more time for a political solution to the crisis, experts said. But the diplomatic divide on the Syria .....
Heavy UK snow disrupts Malaysia flights
5 February, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Due to the heavy overnight snowfall in the United Kingdom, London's Heathrow airport has worked out a revised flight schedule for Sunday with all airlines, to minimise disruption caused to passengers .....
Taiwan gov't pressed for fair taxation system
5 February, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Taiwan Premier-designate Sean Chen reiterated yesterday that the government has not taken any stance concerning the controversies over U.S. beef imports and taxation reform. Chen said the incoming F .....
Afghan peace crucial to Pakistan-Qatar talks
5 February, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
With Doha getting ready to host a political office of the Taliban, Afghan reconciliation will be a major theme during Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani’s visit to Qatar next week for sign .....
Economic downturn slows Vietnam auto sales
5 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Vietnam imported 3,000 complete built unit (CBU) automobiles worth US$45 million last month, a 49.8 per cent drop in volume and a 55.1 per cent fall in value from January 2011, according to the Genera .....
India lifts ban on Bhutan exports
5 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Bhutan welcomed the acceptance of its request of exemption from application of any export bans on essential commodities. India has exempted Bhutan from the application of ban on export milk powder, .....
Thailand to speed up water projects
5 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The Thai government is accelerating its water-resources management and flood-prevention projects worth a combined 350 billion baht (US$11 billion) to ensure that the country is ready to cope with this .....
Japan, US negotiate defence plan
5 February, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Japan and the United States are discussing the transfer of U.S. marines stationed in Okinawa Prefecture out of the country ahead of the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station, govern .....
Charges against Pakistan PM to be appealed
5 February, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
An intra-court appeal requesting the Supreme Court to suspend its decision of framing contempt charges against Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani is expected to be filed in a couple of days. .....
Indonesia to open diplomatic office in Palestine
4 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Indonesia's foreign ministry will soon open a representative office in Palestine and is currently studying how to do so as Indonesia does not have diplomatic relations with Israel which occupies Pales .....
Malaysia to farm out over 90 projects worth billions
4 February, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
After some dithering, the construction of Malaysia's My Rapid Transit (MRT) project is moving into higher gear. What's to come is more telling. By April, MRT Co, the overseer and project owner of th .....
Malaysia eyes coal-based power plant in Bangladesh
4 February, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Malaysian state-run utility giant is keen to develop a 1,400-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Cox's Bazar (southeast Bangladesh) at a cost of US$2.5 billion on a joint-venture basis, official news .....
Thailand growth forecast raised
4 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The Thai economy is set to see higher growth this year, driven mainly by domestic demand after last year's floods, but downside risks remain in the growth of trading countries, the Bank of Thailand .....
Philippine military cannot find terror leaders' bodies
4 February, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Are they or aren’t they dead? Even as the military has stepped up security in anticipation of retaliatory attacks by the Abu Sayyaf and other Muslim rebel groups after an air strike on a remote ter .....
Singaporean party leader dies
4 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
For much of independent Singapore's history, Dr Toh Chin Chye captured Singaporeans' imagination as a pugnacious fighter--one who struggled for Singapore's independence, manoeuvred against the communi .....
Flu hits 'alarm level' for 1st time in Japan
4 February, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Influenza reached the "alarm level" for the first time this season after an estimated 1.73 million flu cases were reported last week, an increase of more than 50 per cent from the previous week, the h .....
Taliban kill eight Pakistani soldiers
4 February, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Eight paramilitary soldiers were killed and three others injured when militants attacked a checkpost in Kurram lower tehsil (northwest Pakistan) on Friday. Officials claimed that 24 attackers were ki .....
Thai gov't issues libel warning for users of chat robot
4 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Users of the SimSimi "chat robot" application who post texts deemed libellous to other persons online face prosecution, even if the offensive remarks are generated by the program, said Thailand's Info .....
China not out to purchase Europe
4 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said yesterday that China has neither the intention nor the ability to buy up Europe, answering concerns over the country's increasing investment in debt-stricken eurozone e .....
Stranded Russian tourists start flying back home
3 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Arrangements were made yesterday for 71 Russian tourists to begin their journeys home after they were stranded in central Binh Thuan Province when their tour operator went bankrupt. The tourists, wh .....
Hydropower project size will be decided
3 February, 2012
By Kuensel
Source: ANN
What will become of the Sunkosh hydropower project, imagined to be the biggest so far, will be determined by what transpires at the empowered joint group meeting at New Delhi scheduled on February 2 a .....
US asked to help in war clean-up in Vietnam
3 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell met with Vietnamese officials on Thursday. He met with Minister-Chairman of the Government Office Vu Duc Dam, Minister .....
EuroCham says business climate improving in Vietnam
3 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Results of the sixth quarterly EuroCham Business Climate Index survey, conducted in January this year, showed that business confidence and outlook among European businesses in Vietnam stabilised and e .....
High-level talks focus on ending human trade
3 February, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
Delegates from the Mekong sub-regional countries will gather in Ha Noi later this month to participate in two high-level meetings focused on fighting human trafficking. The eighth Senior Officials' M .....
Indonesia opposes EPA determination on palm oil
3 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Indonesia, the world’s largest palm oil producer, will propose its own greenhouse gas analysis of palm oil following a recent notification from the United States’ Environmental Protection Agency ( .....
Yahoo! introduces new toy for socially tuned news-holics
3 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
An online society of news-hungry voyeurs has worked in favor of many Internet companies providing either one of two services: news feeds or social networking. A look at Alexa, a web site that comput .....
Anonymous HIV test via web
3 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Dita, 28, fears she may be HIV positive after having unprotected sex, yet she doesn’t want to go to a clinic to find out as she’s worried about having to reveal her identity. Because of the stig .....
New rules to restrict foreigners' ownership of homes in China
3 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
People from overseas hoping to buy a home in China will no longer be granted medium- or long-term mortgages, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said on Thursday. The new policy is .....
Indonesia, Pakistan to ink trade pact
3 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The Indonesian and Pakistani governments are scheduled to sign the long-discussed preferential trade agreement (PTA) on Friday, the Pakistani Embassy said in a press statement on Thursday. “Trade M .....
Indonesia's oil production falls further
3 February, 2012
By The Island
Source: ANN
Upstream oil and gas regulator BPMigas reported that Indonesia’s oil production was only 886,508 barrels of oil per day (bpd) as of Jan. 31, leading to fears that the country will be unable to reach .....
Thailand sets school tablet price at US$77
3 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
After the Education Ministry set the tablet price at 2,400 baht (US$77) on Wednesday, the ministry's permanent secretary said yesterday that publishers would be invited to come in on Monday to present .....
Thailand to strengthen cyber security
3 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thailand's Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Ministry will draw up a national cyber security policy framework to fight online crime and fraud, expecting to submit it to the Cabinet by th .....
New iPhone sales begin on Chinese mainland with website
3 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
With organized scalpers working overtime to keep the red-hot iPhone 4S in stock, Apple has adopted new retail policies to regulate orders and delivery of the product in Hong Kong and on the mainland m .....
Millions of Chinese wives wed to gay men: expert
3 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
There may be as many as 16 million women on the Chinese mainland who are married to homosexual men, a leading expert has estimated. Professor Zhang Bei-chuan at Qingdao University, an authority on A .....
Govt’s credibility suspect, PM must quit: BJP
3 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Indian Opposition parties pilloried the government over the Supreme Court verdict on the 2G scam, saying it was a “severe indictment” and demanded that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh own up respons .....
US should reconsider Burma sanctions, says S'pore FM
3 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Singapore Foreign Minister K. Shanmugam urged the United States to reconsider its long-standing economic sanctions against Burma, saying it would encourage the country in its domestic reforms. But he .....
Charter change proposal sparks debates in Nepal
3 February, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
The two conflicting reports of the State Restructuring Commission (SRC), which many believe failed to offer a solution to the key contentious issues of constitution writing, have spurred heated deba .....
Indian Supreme Court cancels 122 telecom licences
3 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
In a massive embarrassment to the government and a huge jolt to the telecom sector, the Indian Supreme Court on Thursday cancelled 122 2G telecom spectrum licences granted during the tenure of former .....
Bangladesh court refutes WB graft charges
3 February, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has found no evidence of the World Bank's allegation of corruption in appointing the contractor of the proposed Padma Bridge project in southwest Bangladesh. "Th .....
Lao party to bolster propaganda at grassroots level
3 February, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
The Lao People's Revolutionary Party will strengthen the dissemination of information and educate the public nationwide about its ideology, directions, policies and achievements. The Party Central Co .....
Thailand cautioned against US-backed trade agreement
3 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thailand should not rush to join the US-backed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), as it would bring many challenges along with its benefits, and its playing field would not be level, private enterprises .....
Brunei-Russia energy ties progressing
3 February, 2012
By The Brunei Times
Source: ANN
Bilateral ties between Brunei and Russia, which started "from scratch", are now escalating and is now at an advanced level of formulating aims and terms for a versatile collaboration, said the Russian .....
‘Privacy laws needed for state monitoring of data’
3 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Even as India is placing itself on the information highway, experts feel that there is an imperative need to have a strong privacy law. A study carried out in six cities, Kolkata, Bangalore, Ahmedab .....
Marwan’s decade-long tale of terror
3 February, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Zulkifli Abdul Hir, born in Muar in 1966, was a telecommunications engineer trained in the United States. Zulkifli, whose aliases included Marwan and Musa, was believed to be the head of the Kumpulan .....
Slowdown but no hard landing for China in 2012
3 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Although forecasts for China's growth rate vary, analysts and economists agree that the world's second-largest economy will achieve a soft landing in 2012, with the prospect of further easing measures .....
JI leader Marwan killed in southern Philippines
3 February, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Jemaah Islamiyah leader Zulkifli Abdul Hir, a Malaysian militant high on the FBI's Most Wanted Terrorists list, was killed in an air strike in southern Philippines. Regional military commander Maj Ge .....
Pakistan premier to appear before high court
3 February, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said that he respected the Supreme Court’s decision and would appear in court on February 13. He said this while addressing the parliament on Thursda .....
3 terror leaders killed in south Philippines
3 February, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Using 227-kilogramme bombs in an air attack that lasted only “a few seconds,” Philippine government warplanes on Thursday killed one of Southeast Asia’s most-wanted terrorist leaders, as well as .....
Indonesian minister seeks labour reform
3 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Indonesia's trade minister has called for the country's labour laws to be reformed, saying that increasingly-aggressive unions and mass protests are posing a major stumbling block to economic developm .....
Slow sales force change at Sony
3 February, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Sony Corp CEO Howard Stringer will step down on April 1 to accept responsibility for the prolonged slump in the company's performance. Stringer is leaving the position, which he has held for about se .....
N. Korea could grow up to 12% under open economy, says report
3 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
The North Korean economy could grow 10 to 12 per cent a year if the communist regime opens up to outside world, a report said Thursday. While Pyongyang is under the helm of new young leader Kim Jong- .....
Telcos in India lose billions after court ruling
3 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
India's Supreme Court has cancelled 122 telecom licences sold to local and foreign companies in a multi-billion-dollar scandal that continues to tarnish the image of the third-fastest growing economy .....
EU bailout funding from China possible
3 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China may offer rescue funds to Europe, Premier Wen Jiabao said after meeting German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday. Wen said it was "urgent" to solve the European debt crisis, and China is wil .....
'Anti-locusts' ad in HK slams mainlanders
2 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
A giant green locust perched atop a hill looks down ominously at the Fragrant Harbour. Six Chinese characters, each 2.5cm high and rendered in white against a black background, declare that the city i .....
Oman eyes new ventures with Brunei
2 February, 2012
By The Brunei Times
Source: ANN
The visiting Omani Minister of Oil and Gas yesterday said his country is "very keen" to participate in downstream activities in Brunei, after paying a boat-ride visit around Pulau Muara Besar's perime .....
Tablets in Brunei schools likely
2 February, 2012
By The Brunei Times
Source: ANN
Brunei's education system may go paperless as the Ministry of Education is exploring the use of tablets as a learning resource for students, the Programme Manager of the e-Hijrah Office of Programme M .....
UK, VN look to foster trade ties
2 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Vietnam and the UK on Wednesday concluded the fifth meeting of the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) that further created a better business climate between the two countries. At the meeting .....
Mekong Delta has yet to make most of vast economic potential
2 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Experts have urged the Vietnamese government to take further steps to help the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta region to achieve its great potential. Nguyen Van Sanh, head of the Mekong Delta Development Re .....
Lao gov't urges UXO victims to register
2 February, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
Lao Deputy Prime Minister Asang Laoly yesterday called on the Lao National Regulatory Authority (NRA) committee to work harder to establish a more detailed register of unexploded ordnance or weapons ( .....
Vietnam's traffic plan fails to work
2 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
In addition to disrupting local people's routines, the Vietnamese Ministry of Transport's change in work hours did not visibly improve traffic flow on many Ha Noi streets after its first day of implem .....
HK tycoon warns of Asian credit crunch
2 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
One of Hong Kong's wealthiest businessmen has warned that Europe's push to recapitalise its banks to contain further shocks to the system could lead to a funding crunch in Asia. Billionaire entrepren .....
Tide of progress sees water levels fall
2 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Restaurateurs around Chaiwopu Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Urumqi, are in a bit of a pickle. They are losing one of their primary sources of fish, the lake itself. "The 'big-plate fish' had .....
Bangladesh forms panel on sovereign bonds
2 February, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
The Bangladesh government has set up a seven-member committee to find ways to float sovereign bonds in the international market to ease pressures on the balance of payments, the country's accounting r .....
10 associates of Cirebon bomber convicted
2 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Ten out of 13 defendants associated with Muhammad Syarief, the suicide bomber who attacked a mosque at a police compound in Cirebon of Southeast Indonesia on April 15, 2011, were sentenced up to eight .....
Google's mapping service hits a bump in the road
2 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The search engine Google Inc is unable to provide "new" online mapping services in China. That's because the company has yet to receive a license to conduct the business from China's industry regulato .....
Nepal cancels ‘crucial’ border talks with China
2 February, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Nepal has unilaterally cancelled the proposed boundary talks with China, after the latter refused to recognise Nepal’s stance over the missing Pillar No 57 in Lamabagar, Rasuwa (northern Nepal). .....
Indonesia's exports buoyed by emerging markets
2 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Despite the global economic slowdown, Indonesia’s exports hit an all-time high last year with a total value of US$203.2 billion, buoyed by surging demand from emerging economies, particularly China .....
Integrity system to target Net dishonesty in Shanghai
2 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Internet users in the municipality with a history of online dishonesty may be barred from certain business activities in real life, a senior official from Shanghai said on Wednesday. "Those who lied .....
'Afghan solution must not imperil Pakistan’
2 February, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Tuesday that peace in Afghanistan was critical for peace and security in Pakistan and the country would not support any political settlement of the A .....
Hong Kong sees more Indonesian visitors
2 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) said that Indonesia remains its largest market in the South and Southeast Asia region, as the number of visitors grew 15 per cent during 2011. “There were 521,000 .....
Pakistan Senate adopts bill to boost energy investment
2 February, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
The Pakistan Senate on Tuesday passed with amendments a bill aimed at encouraging and facilitating private investment in power generation and allied infrastructure despite serious reservations by smal .....
Indonesian lawmakers oppose Israeli-made UAV
2 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Several legislators have expressed opposition to the Indonesian government’s plan to purchase Israeli-made unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), saying that the plan was never discussed at the House of Re .....
Paying wages in kerosene
2 February, 2012
By Kuensel
Source: ANN
Begum, a 40-year-old Indian woman, is at the Bhutan Oil Corporation fuel station in Samdrupjongkhar town with four empty cooking oil containers. She is from the adjoining township of Daranga in Assam .....
Philippine gov't pushes for stricter anti-money laundering law
2 February, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The Philippine Palace has certified as urgent a bill seeking to put more teeth to the country’s existing Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) as regulators called for tougher measures against the crim .....
Nailing down a scam on Jakarta's roads
2 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
As if fighting the daily menace of jams was not frustrating enough, drivers in Indonesia's capital now have yet another thing to worry about - nail traps. Thousands of nails, measuring as long as 5cm .....
Thimphu still tops vehicle accident list
2 February, 2012
By Kuensel
Source: ANN
At 990 accidents, Bhutanese traffic division of police recorded for the whole of 2011, Thimphu continues to top the list of motor vehicle accidents. The number exceeds the total accidents recorded .....
China vows to aid small businesses
2 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China's State Council on Wednesday called for more efforts to support the sound development of small and micro-sized enterprises. "Small and micro-sized firms serve as a significant channel for crea .....
Campaign against Thai lese majeste law unlikely to cause violence
2 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Two former students from the October 6, 1976, generation gave a mixed response as to how serious the growing concerns are about violence breaking out as a result of the campaign to amend the lese maje .....
Indian market watchdog notifies IPP norms
2 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
In a move that could expedite the government's disinvestment process, the Indian market regulator Sebi today notified the IPP guidelines that will allow companies to reduce promoter shareholding throu .....
Campaign against Thai lese majeste law 'not likely' to cause violence
2 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Two former students from the October 6, 1976, generation gave a mixed response as to how serious the growing concerns are about violence breaking out as a result of the campaign to amend the lese maje .....
S. Korea suffers first trade deficit in two years
2 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Korea’s trade balance swung into the red for the first time in two years in January as the Lunar New Year holiday reduced the shipment volume and the eurozone fiscal crisis dented exports. The cou .....
Bangladesh warned against economic slowdown
2 February, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Bangladeshi entrepreneurs yesterday warned of slowdown in investment and other economic activities saying none will dare to invest as banks are charging up to 21.5 per cent interest on loans while mas .....
India's sluggish exports growth leads to trade deficit
2 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Hobbled by lukewarm demand in US and European markets, India’s export growth continued to be sluggish at the end of last year (December 2011) when it rose by only 6.7 per cent year on year to US$25 .....
Japan's disaster areas see more people leaving
2 February, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
The number of people moving out of the three prefectures hit hard by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami exceeded the number of those moving in by 41,226 in 2011, according to a survey by the Internal .....
Nepal high court issues stay order on information restrictions
2 February, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued another interim order directing the Nepal government not to implement its decision on information classification. Citing the constitutional gravity of the case, t .....
Indian Administrative Service officers held on graft charges
2 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
In an unprecedented development, two senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers of the West Bengal cadre were arrested on graft charges in connection with an iron ore export scam that led to .....
Lao gov't urged to halt export of unprocessed wood
2 February, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
The Lao wood processing industry expects to face a shortage of raw materials this year if the government continues to export unprocessed timber. Lao Wooden Products Association President Thongsavan .....
Malaysia loses $296m a year to illegal deforestation
2 February, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Malaysia is believed to have lost between 800 million ringgit and 900 million ringgit (US$296 million) a year to illegal logging, said Transparency International-Malaysia (TI-M) president Datuk Paul L .....
US owns up to drone strikes in Pakistan
2 February, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
US President Barack Obama has confirmed that unmanned aircraft that regularly strike suspected militant targets in Pakistan’s tribal areas are launched by the United States and that the drones reach .....
Chinese solar panel makers may face higher tariffs in US market
2 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The dispute between China and the United States over imports of solar panels is set to make life more challenging for Chinese companies. That's after the US Department of Commerce said it saw "massi .....
Merkel visit to deepen bilateral relations
2 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
German Chancellor Angela Merkel will deepen Sino-German ties during her upcoming official visit to China, during which she will discuss bilateral relations, the European debt crisis and international .....
Thailand frees four Cambodian prisoners
2 February, 2012
By Rasmei Kampuchea Daily
Source: ANN
Thailand has extradited four Cambodian prisoners to Cambodia, fueling speculation that an exchange of prisoners may be in the offing. Chat Kittinoppadon, deputy governor of Sa Kaeo province in east T .....
North Korea owes South $3.11b, repayment uncertain
2 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
North Korea owes a total of 3.5 trillion won (US$3.11 billion) to South Korea, but strained inter-Korean relations make it uncertain whether Pyongyang will pay back the loan as scheduled. According t .....
Thailand eyes new ID cards to protect elephants
2 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
A new type of identity card should be issued for elephants, which should have embedded microchips, an updated photograph every six months and an updated record of every unique change, Thailand's Natur .....
Kidnapped Filipino guide escapes from his captors in southern Philippines
2 February, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
A Filipino guide seized Wednesday along with two European birdwatchers has escaped from their abductors, police told INQUIRER.net. Ivan Sarenas escaped but Swiss national Lorenzo Vinciguerra, 47, and .....
Beijing opposes sanctions against Syria
2 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China expressed its opposition to military intervention, or the introduction of new sanctions, to resolve the situation in Syria as Beijing issued a travel alert and reminded its citizens already in t .....
Snow death toll hits 52 in northern and eastern Japan
2 February, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Fifty-two people have died and hundreds have been injured in accidents caused by snow in northern and eastern Japan that has already reached more than four metres deep in some areas, according to auth .....
Local govt in Central China brags of poverty
1 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The spokesman from China's top poverty reduction authority on Tuesday blamed the "foolish behaviour" of a county government in Central China's Hunan province for posting cheerful remarks about being n .....
Vietnamese ministry sets high industrial targets despite economic woes
1 February, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
Although international financial institutions have made pessimistic predictions about the global economy in 2012, Vietnam has still set fairly high targets for industrial production and trade. Durin .....
Indonesia's anti-corruption office hunting benefactor in Miranda graft case
1 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) of Indonesia is intensifying its investigation into the Bank Indonesia vote-buying scandal in an effort to reveal the benefactor in the case. KPK investiga .....
Unclear 2012 for ChiNext, analysts caution
1 February, 2012
By AsiaOne
Source: ANN
Strong earnings reports by companies listed on China's start-up board are encouraging, but they don't provide a "crystal ball" for the market's direction, stock analysts and investors said. Nearly t .....
Pakistan gov't and military united on policy towards US
1 February, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Pakistan has one united policy towards the United States, which has the support of all government institutions, says Pakistan's new ambassador to the US Sherry Rehman. She also emphasised the need t .....
Vietnam's state bank eyes plan to buy up gold from public
1 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
The State Bank of Vietnam will submit to the government a proposal to mobilise gold from citizens, in an aim to serve socio-economic development, Governor Nguyen Van Binh has told Viet Nam News Agen .....
Laos looks to new guidelines for env'tl protection
1 February, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
The Department of the Environment in Laos is considering applying Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) guidelines to current legislation governing environmental protection. Department official Kh .....
Rising costs, bad policy render Batam obsolete
1 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Once touted as investment paradise for exporters, Batam City of the Riau Islands in West Indonesia has fallen victim to rising costs and bad policy making, hurting its leverage as a free trade zone am .....
Brunei postal service providers urged to go hi-tech
1 February, 2012
By The Brunei Times
Source: ANN
Postal service providers in Brunei must adopt modern technology through sustainable diversification of services in order to meet consumer changes and become relevant in the current century, an exper .....
More Nepalis with access to mobile phone service
1 February, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
One in two Nepalis now has access to mobile phone service. According to the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA), cell phone penetration has reached more than 50 per cent of the population. The nu .....
Nepal offers power ventures with Bangladesh
1 February, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Nepal yesterday proposed setting up a 3,000-megawatt power plant in its territory in a joint venture with Bangladesh. Nepalese Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun made the proposal at a meeting with Fina .....
Pakistan gov't takes oil prices to a new high
1 February, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Disregarding recommendations of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) to freeze oil prices, the Pakistan government on Tuesday increased petroleum prices by up to six per cent with immediate e .....
Vietnam's airports to offer VAT refunds to foreign travellers
1 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Foreign tourists will receive value added tax (VAT) refunds on goods they purchase in Vietnam when leaving Vietnam via Ha Noi's Noi Bai and HCM City's Tan Son Nhat airports. Under a decision issued b .....
Dragon Year may set off baby boom in Vietnam
1 February, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Dragon Years are a busy time for babies. Every parent hopes to have a child, especially a son, born in the year of the dominant animal in the oriental pantheon. In Eastern Oriental opinion, people, .....
Philippines growth seen to pick up in 2012
1 February, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The Philippine economy will likely grow at a faster pace this 2012 from last year’s anemic performance as the government’s pump-priming could add to the momentum from private consumption and pro .....
Indonesia ‘needs to work hard for MGDs’
1 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
With only three years left until the deadline, Indonesia needs to work hard to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), an official says. Indonesia is seen to have made substantial progress in h .....
Indonesian govt to revise remuneration system over labour uprising
1 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The Indonesian government together with employers and labour unions will carry out a comprehensive evaluation of the remuneration system and other contentious issues pertinent to the 2003 labour Law i .....
Doing business in Indonesia easier: World Bank
1 February, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The ease of doing business in cities across Indonesia, measured by the requirements of starting a business, dealing with construction permits and registering property, has improved in the past two yea .....
India's GDP growth rate may drop to 7%
1 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Slackening industrial output and slowdown in global economy may cause India’s GDP growth to fall from 8.4 per cent in 2010-11 to seven to 7.25 per cent this fiscal (2011-12), the chairman of the Pri .....
Thai gov't pressed for response to anti-graft demands
1 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The Anti-Corruption Network (ACN), a watchdog formed by the private sector, has urged Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to respond to its demand for an end to graft after it submitted an out .....
449 new citizens told to uphold Bruneian identity
1 February, 2012
By The Brunei Times
Source: ANN
All citizens of this country are obliged to protect the supremacy of the Bruneian identity and accept the Malay concept of the Sultanate, the Minister of Home Affairs told 449 individuals who were g .....
Lao cement industry urged for reforms
1 February, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
Before Laos joins the Asean Free Trade Area (AFTA) in 2015, cement producers must overhaul their marketing policy or they will not survive. Vientiane Industry and Commerce Department officials point .....
Multinationals keen to recruit Chinese execs
1 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Multinational corporations (MNCs) have shown growing enthusiasm in recruiting China-educated business professionals to compensate for the reduction of workforces in developed markets. As the importa .....
No freedom of opinion: Man kills wife
1 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
In a fit of rage, an Indian man burnt alive his young wife for voting against his will. Guddu told his wife Rani to vote only after he returned from casting his own ballot. He also told her who to v .....
Alert level to be raised for 470 Filipinos in Iraq
1 February, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is set to raise to level 3 (voluntary repatriation) the alert rating for the more than 470 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Iraq, citing the “es .....
West Bengal govt to ban trade union activity among its employees
1 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
The West Bengal government is planning to ban the setting up of trade unions and movements by its employees, a move that would reverse one of the most far-reaching decisions taken by the previous gove .....
French firm to supply fighter aircraft to Indian Air Force
1 February, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
French aviation firm Dassault Rafale has bagged the lucrative US$10.4 billion deal to supply 126 multi-role fighter aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF), described as the “mother of all deals. .....
India urged to prosecute border troops for brutality
1 February, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
The Indian government should prosecute members of its security forces for the recent high-profile cases of torture, to send a message that such practices will no longer be tolerated, Human Rights Wa .....
Taiwan's incoming premier announces new Cabinet
1 February, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Taiwan's incoming Premier Sean Chen released the new Cabinet lineup yesterday. Among the few surprises, essayist Lung Ying-tai is set to succeed Ovid Tzeng as minister of the Council for Cultural Aff .....
Japanese shipbuilders to be tested
1 February, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
JFE Holdings Inc and IHI Corp concluded four years of negotiations as they reached a basic agreement to merge their shipbuilding units in October. However, the business environment has become increasi .....
Concerns mount over China’s grip on N. Korea's economy
1 February, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Though it received little notice, Ahn Cheol-soo, software mogul-turned-professor and strong potential presidential contender, made a rare revelation of his thoughts on North Korea’s future shortly a .....
25 Chinese workers kidnapped in Egypt
1 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Armed tribesmen in Egypt abducted 25 Chinese workers on Tuesday, the second incident in less than a week of Chinese nationals being taken hostage in Africa. The latest incident has prompted renewed c .....
Two die in assaults on police in Southwest China
1 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Rioting and violent attacks against police and public properties in two counties of Southwest China's Sichuan province at the most celebrated Chinese festival about a week ago left two rioters dead an .....
Nepal High Court upholds restrictions on information
1 February, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
The Nepal Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a stay order on the government’s directive to restrict information of public importance as per law concerning Right to Information (RTI). Earlier, the go .....
Nuclear approvals to be resumed at slower rate in China
1 February, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China will slow approvals of nuclear projects after the resumption, which is expected to take place this year, according to an industry expert from a national energy think tank. "China will be cauti .....
Killings in south Thailand to be probed, says army chief
1 February, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thai Army Commander General Prayuth Chanocha yesterday said he regretted the shooting incident in Pattani (south Thailand) on Sunday in which five villagers were killed by a group of Army paramilitary .....
10 die in ethnic killings in south Pakistan
1 February, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Karachi is witnessing a surge in target killings as 10 people died in a renewed wave of sectarian and ethnic killings in the past 24 hours, DawnNews reported on Tuesday. The menace of target killings .....
Japanese agency to revamp tsunami warnings
1 February, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Drawing on lessons from incorrect tsunami warnings issued after the Great East Japan Earthquake, the Meteorological Agency has decided to change tsunami warnings from announcing estimated tsunami heig .....
Gold rush to Burma as country opens up
1 February, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
The region's latest gold rush is on, and all the roads, it appears, are leading to Burma. As the government opens up the previously tightly-controlled economy and accelerates reforms, and as some Wes .....
Indonesian hiring firms obliged to protect contract workers
31 January, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
With the Constitutional Court (MK) having recently banned all outsourcing practices, companies that make money by supplying workers to others now have an obligation to ensure the rights of the workers .....
After verdict, eyes turn to Indonesian minister
31 January, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The Jakarta Corruption Court on Monday sentenced businesswoman Dharnawati to 2.5 years in prison in a bribery case that may implicate Manpower and Transmigration Minister Muhaimin Iskandar. Dharnawat .....
Indonesia's state firms to team up with foreign producers
31 January, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Indonesia's local manufacturers will be ready to produce conversion kits starting from April to allow vehicles to use gas under possible technical assistance from Korean and Italian manufacturers with .....
Brunei fleet to fly daily to Melbourne
31 January, 2012
By The Brunei Times
Source: ANN
Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA) announced yesterday that it will increase its Melbourne schedule and fly to the city down under daily beginning this March. RBA's deputy chairman, Dermot Mannion, disclo .....
Bangladesh police sue 6,000 activists over deaths
31 January, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Police sued some 6,000 activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami for shooting two dead, attacking policemen and vandalising public property in Laxmipur in southwestern B .....
China eyes overseas metal bases
31 January, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China will develop overseas nonferrous metal bases and phase out obsolete smokestack domestic industries during its 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015), the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology .....
'Naked' resignations on the rise in China
31 January, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
When Song Lin submitted her resignation on New Year's Eve her boss asked whether she had received a job offering better pay. "I don't actually know what I will do after quitting," Song said. "For th .....
Nepal manufacturers operating below capacity
31 January, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Nepal’s manufacturing sector is having a hard time utilising its capacity to the full despite a huge market potential as the government has not been able to create a business-friendly environment, s .....
75% of Pakistani children unable to read English
31 January, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
As many as 58 per cent children in Pakistan cannot read a sentence in Urdu or in their regional language while 75 per cent are unable to read a sentence in English. This was revealed in a survey re .....
Bali to regulate tattoo parlors
31 January, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The Badung administration will draft a regent’s decree regulating tattoo parlors and artists following a report about a man allegedly contracting HIV from a parlor. The claim made by a state health .....
Shanghai to become yuan center
31 January, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Shanghai will become the global center of yuan trading, clearing and pricing by 2015, in line with a State plan to make the city an international financial hub by 2020. Financial experts said the pl .....
Thailand to forge gov't-private tourism plan
31 January, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
The government will work with the private sector on forging a four-year tourism strategy to restore confidence in Thailand and prepare the country for the Asean Economic Community in 2015. Prime Mini .....
Indonesian military organizes antiterrorism drill
31 January, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
In anticipation of a growing number of social conflicts, the Indonesian Military (TNI) is organizing an antiterrorism drill to help soldiers build synergy among different military units. In his open .....
India likely to miss export target
31 January, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
The Federation of Indian Exporters’ Organisation (Fieo) said the country is likely to miss the export target of US$300 billion set for the current fiscal 2012-13 and achieving $500 billion exports b .....
Beef dispute flare up again between US and Taiwan
31 January, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
The US beef issue has been a source of dispute between Taipei and Washington for nearly a decade. Taiwan first banned US beef in December 2003, after the latter acknowledged its first case of mad cow .....
Over 7,000 Nepal Maoist fighters to retire Friday
31 January, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Nepal's Maoist leadership has assured the opposition parties that the discharge of former Maoist combatants opting for voluntary retirement will begin on Friday, said senior leaders involved in the ne .....
4.5m Filipino families went hungry in 2011
31 January, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
A total of 4.5 million families in the Philippines went hungry in the last quarter of 2011, up by some 400,000 families from the previous quarter, according to the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) .....
Chinese theatre firm to debut rating system
31 January, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
While the Chinese government has not launched a film rating system on the mainland, a cinema management company plans to provide suggestions for its viewers before they buy tickets. Bona Star Cinema .....
Indian press council chairman warns of action against paid news
31 January, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Citing complaints about paid news in the ongoing Assembly polls in five states, Press Council of India chairman Justice Markandey Katju warned all mediapersons, candidates and election authorities of .....
Fines expected to upgrade firefighting capacity in Vietnam
31 January, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Money collected from fire violation fines is expected to enhance Vietnam's firefighting capacity, which is now far below demand, major general Do Van Son, director of Department for Firefighting and R .....
Cambodia's Senate ruling party wins solid victory
31 January, 2012
By Rasmei Kampuchea Daily
Source: ANN
A day after preliminary results of a Senate election showed the ruling Cambodian’s People Party (CPP) winning a solid victory, a senior party official said Monday that better results are expected in .....
Getting Indian citizenship a tough task
31 January, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Several Kerala women - mostly maids - who migrated to the Gulf for jobs are struggling to get Indian citizenship for their children, born to partners in their host countries. Sources say more than 50 .....
India to ask USA, Pak to extradite accused
31 January, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
India is all set to ask the United States and Pakistan to extradite nine persons involved in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack that include Pakistani-American terrorist David Headley, LeT founder Hafiz S .....
Teaching democracy to the world, election style
31 January, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has entrusted the chief electoral officer (CEO) of West Bengal, Sunil Kumar Gupta, along with his counterparts from Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, with designing course .....
Pakistan High Court orders military to produce detainees
31 January, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
The Pakistan Supreme Court on Monday directed the intelligence agencies to produce seven people in their custody on February 9, DawnNews reported. An apex court bench comprising Chief Justice Iftik .....
Lao capital to emerge as region's commercial hub
31 January, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
Vientiane will be developed as a commercial hub and a liveable city in South East Asia under a master plan that will oversee the capital's development until the year 2030. The government approved t .....
Economic slide takes fizzle from fireworks
31 January, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The slowing economy took some of the pop and sizzle out of the Spring Festival's fireworks this year. "I used to sell tens of thousands of yuan worth in one day," said Li Lan, owner of a fireworks s .....
Bangladesh gov't vows to resist plot to grab power
31 January, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
The ruling party Awami League's (AL) leaders yesterday said they, along with the people, would resist any plot by the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to capture state power throug .....
China races to stem toxic spill in river
31 January, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
China's environmental authorities were redoubling efforts yesterday to prevent a spill of toxic cadmium from further tainting water supplies of cities downstream. Seven people have also been detained .....
Thai premier to head new flood agency
31 January, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will chair a new agency set up soon to oversee an integrated plan for national water management. The new body will command all related agencies to work tog .....
Exxon Mobil to cut Japan business
31 January, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Exxon Mobil Corp will reduce its stake in TonenGeneral Sekiyu K.K., its subsidiary and a major oil refiner, from 50.5 per cent to about 22 per cent on a voting rights basis, TonenGeneral has announced .....
AirAsia X to double flights to Tokyo
31 January, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
AirAsia X will double its frequency on the Kuala Lumpur-Tokyo (Haneda) route to meet demand in the Asia-Pacific region. The airline will increase its flights from three to six times weekly from March .....
Thailand's drug convicts to be concentrated in Ratchaburi
31 January, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
A large number of drug convicts incarcerated at Bangkok's Bang Kwang maximum-security prison will soon be transferred to Khao Bin prison in Ratchaburi as part of an effort to clamp down on drug dealin .....
Korean political parties shifting policies leftward
31 January, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Whichever party wins the parliamentary election in April, Korea’s new legislature is likely to take a turn to the left on major economic policies. Preparing for the vote, both ruling and oppositio .....
Philippines seeks peace with China anew
31 January, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Instead of lashing out at the Global Times of China for calling for economic sanctions against the Philippines, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario has urged Beijing anew to fully concur with Manila .....
Abducted Chinese workers not freed, says embassy
31 January, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
None of the 29 Chinese workers abducted by rebels in the South Kordofan region of Sudan have been released, an embassy official said in Sudan on Monday despite Sudanese reports that 14 had been freed. .....
Survey shows 'super-gray' Japan in 2060
31 January, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Japan will become a "super-gray" society in 2060, as people aged 65 or over will account for 39.9 per cent of the population that year, according to a survey conducted by a Health, Labour and Welfare .....
Anger at demolition of renowned architects' home in Beijing
30 January, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The latest demolition of a siheyuan, the traditional Chinese courtyard home, in the capital's Dongcheng district, has triggered a huge public outcry, as it once belonged to two architects famed for pr .....
8 dead as dengue fever spikes in West Indonesia
30 January, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The Jambi administration in West Indonesia says it will extend its alert for dengue fever after 8 people died in January. There were 118 people infected by the mosquito-borne disease in the month alo .....
Chinese online rail ticket site 'hacked'
30 January, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The difficulty of securing a train ticket online during the Spring Festival has prompted hackers to write computer programmes that break into booking sites. The official e-ticket channel 12306.cn op .....
Joyriding teenager injures 11 people in South Sulawesi
30 January, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
As many Jakartans gathered to mourn nine pedestrians killed in a reckless driving incident a week ago, a teenage boy injured at least 11 people during a wild joyride in Makassar, South Sulawesi. Alth .....
Vietnamese ministry urges firms to use e-commerce to increase exports
30 January, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
E-commerce was considered an effective measure helping businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to reduce direct transaction costs during times of economic downturn, according .....
Dearth of political will delaying WTO deal: Lamy
30 January, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
With not much movement towards concluding the decade-old Doha Round, WTO chief Pascal Lamy said that lack of political will on part of member countries is holding up the global trade deal. “You ne .....
Processing time to shorten for residency permit applications in Vietnam
30 January, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Foreigners who are eligible for residency in Vietnam can look forward to a shorter processing time for residency permit applications. Foreigners whose spouse, children or parents are Vietnamese resi .....
Indian power plant inks $1.5b deal with Bangladesh firm
30 January, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Banglades on Sunday signed a $1.5-billion deal with NTPC to build a 1,320 MW coal-fired power plant, India's biggest, to help ease acute power shortage in the country. Bangladesh's state-owned Power .....
India-China trade hits all-time high
30 January, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
India-China bilateral trade hit a record US$73.9 billion last year, but the ballooning trade deficit in Beijing's favour rose to over $27 billion, raising concern among Indian authorities. The bilater .....
China sanctions against Philippines urged
30 January, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
China should impose "sanctions” against the Philippines after the latter offered to allow more US troops on its soil, state media said on Sunday, amid growing tensions over disputed waters in the We .....
Vietnamese power firm targets higher output
30 January, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Vietnam's PetroVietnam Power Corporation (PV Power) targeted 10,000MW in power output by 2015, equal to the entire output by major power company EVN, said Vu Huy Quang, the corporation director genera .....
Bangladesh, India sign major power deal
30 January, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
The Bangladesh Power Development Board (PDB) yesterday penned an agreement with the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) of India to build a 1,320-megawatt coal-fired power plant at Rampal in Bag .....
150 cars stolen daily in Malaysia
30 January, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
An average of 150 vehicles are stolen a day in Malaysia, with Proton and Perodua models topping the list of 112,503 whisked away since 2010. Federal CID director Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Bakri Zinin said .....
Three-language formula mooted in India
30 January, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Indian software icon N R Narayana Murthy has advocated a three-language formula in Indian schools to boost employment opportunities and slammed people in power who are advocating only local language e .....
Thai bank clients protected from insurance premium hike
30 January, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thai savers and borrowers will not get hit by higher costs when banks start paying more deposit insurance premiums to retire the 1997 financial crisis debt, Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong said y .....
Vietnamese firms invest US$2b in foreign projects
30 January, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Vietnamese companies are investing in more overseas projects, with total registered capital amounting to US$2.12 billion last year, according to figures from the Ministry of Planning and Investment. .....
Pakistan minister under fire for disclosing oil price hike
30 January, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Pakistan Petroleum Minister Dr Asim Hussain came under fire in the Senate for disclosing an imminent increase in prices of petroleum products, with lawmakers expressing fear that hoarders would take u .....
Nepal seeks India’s help in improving bilateral ties
30 January, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Asking India to improve political interaction with its leadership, Nepal has said this will help reduce the communication gap between the two neighbours. “Just as there are good people to people re .....
Lao steel supply to grow by February
30 January, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
A major steel producer, Vientiane Steel Industry Co Ltd, expects their steel supply in Laos to start increasing in February after the Chinese and Vietnamese New Year holiday. "Steel is in short suppl .....
Indonesian SOEs reluctant to acquire unrelated companies
30 January, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The State-Owned Enterprises Ministry of Indonesia is aiming to reduce the number of state-owned enterprises to 120 from 141 this year by establishing holding companies as well as by asking firms to me .....
Watchmakers seize the hour in China
30 January, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The robust growth of the Chinese luxury market has seen high-end brands expanding their territory in the fashion industry to keep enticing consumers. The watch and jewelry sector, which has generally .....
Bird flu fears: Flap over pet market move
30 January, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Despite lingering fears about the spread of bird flu in the country with the world's highest number of fatalities from the deadly avian influenza virus, Indonesia's largest pet market has survived sev .....
No holiday cheer for housing sales in China
30 January, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China's housing market had a bleak week during the Lunar New Year holiday, with many cities seeing few transactions. In Guangzhou, capital of South China's Guangdong province, 19 new properties were .....
Asia-Pacific a top foreign policy priority, says Russia
30 January, 2012
By The Brunei Times
Source: ANN
The Asia-Pacific region has become a top foreign policy priority for Russia as it seeks to build regional security through further trade and investment liberalisation to forge economic integration. .....
Toyota's global sales hit a bump
30 January, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
After four years as the world's leading automaker, Toyota Motor Corp's crown slipped in 2011 due to intensifying global competition and production cuts forced by the March 11 disaster. Although Toyota .....
Cambodia's ruling party wins more Senate seats
30 January, 2012
By Rasmei Kampuchea Daily
Source: ANN
The ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) won 78.1 per cent of the vote in Cambodia's Senate elections on Sunday with the opposition Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) getting about 21.99 per cent, according to p .....
Foreign ports lure Chinese travelers in search of new experiences
30 January, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China's week-long Spring Festival holiday, which ended on Saturday, brought the annual travel boom, with outbound trips a new favorite. The National Holiday Tourism Office said on Saturday that more .....
Philippines, US to bring joint defence efforts to higher gear
30 January, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Citing the 1951 Mutual Defence Treaty as the basis for their alliance, the Philippines and the United States have agreed to shift into higher gear their cooperation in maritime security, defence and l .....
Anger at demolition of renowned architects' homein Beijing
30 January, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The latest demolition of a siheyuan, the traditional Chinese courtyard home, in the capital's Dongcheng district, has triggered a huge public outcry, as it once belonged to two architects famed for pr .....
Thailand urged to start charter change process
30 January, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Proponents of charter change, including barred party executive and Thailand's former Deputy Prime Minister Chaturon Chaisang, yesterday called for the government to activate the rewriting process with .....
Burma ready to sell rice to Indonesia
30 January, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Burma has agreed to sell up to 200,000 tonnes of rice a year to Indonesia under an agreement recently signed by the two parties to take effect in February, according to an industry association. Burm .....
Indonesian govt urged to take action against waste imports
30 January, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Environmental activists have urged the Indonesian government to take harsh action against any companies or individuals who bring waste products to Indonesian soil. They made the call following the re .....
Protests staged vs Pakistan Nato supply resumption
30 January, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
The participants of Pakistan Defence Conference held a rally on Sunday in Multan (south Pakistan) in which they criticised the government and vowed that they were ready to defend the country. Differ .....
Lee Myung bak’s clique falls in disgrace
30 January, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak’s last year in office could be somewhat lonesome with most of his closest confidants being forced to leave his side due to corruption. The departures of Lee’s .....
Trade tensions may increase: economists
30 January, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Trade tensions between China and the United States may be exacerbated by the global financial outlook and US election politics, economists said. "What I worry about are trade tensions between China .....
Bangladesh sees threats to foil war crimes trial
30 January, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Bangladesh General Secretary of the ruling Awami League (AL) Syed Ashraful Islam yesterday said there is a plot to create political tension in the country, which the AL-led 14-party alliance will fa .....
36% of young defectors born outside of N. Korea
30 January, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
More than a third of all children of North Korean defectors here were born in another country. The Korean Educational Development Institute, a Seoul-based think tank, said in a report released Sunday .....
Malaysian opposition leader continues to draw flak over Israeli statement
30 January, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim continues to draw flak over his statement in a foreign media regarding the security of Israel. Home Minister Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the statement was .....
Burmese president in Singapore on state visit
30 January, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Burmese President Thein Sein arrived in Singapore yesterday for a three-day state visit that will mark closer ties between his country - currently undergoing political reforms - and Singapore. A cent .....
Chinese workers held by rebels in Sudan
30 January, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Rebels in Sudan claim to be holding 29 Chinese workers following a firefight with Sudanese armed forces. However, embassy officials in Sudan said that 27 Chinese workers are missing. The incident hi .....
Burma eyes tax incentive law to attract investors
29 January, 2012
By Asia News Network
Source: ANN
The Burmese government is drafting a tax incentive law which will be most attractive in the region, as it prepares to achieve a six-per-cent growth target in 2012, according to an economic minister. .....
Anwar receives flak over pro-Israel remarks
29 January, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Umno Youth has questioned Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim’s statement voicing his apparent support for efforts to protect the security of Israel. Umno Youth international bureau chief Dat .....
It’s now official: Puerto Princesa river is one of New7Wonders of Nature
29 January, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) is now officially one of the New7Wonders of Nature, the founder of global campaign announced on Saturday. Bernard Weber, founder-president of New7Wonders, .....
Malaysia warns of fake medical products sold at grocery stores and night markets
29 January, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
They say laughter is the best medicine but many traditional drugs available in grocery stores or night markets are no laughing matter. Most of them are unregistered products such as counterfeit medic .....
PM Yingluck promotes Thailand as gateway to Asia
29 January, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has sought to restore confidence in Thailand by pointing out that the Kingdom remains a good place for investment due to its status as a regional hub and gatewa .....
Taiwan official to be deported from US for labour fraud
29 January, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Former Taiwanese representative to Kansas City Jacqueline Liu was sentenced Friday morning in United States federal court for fraud in foreign labor after accepting a plea bargain which included a tim .....
Mitsubishi Electric hit with suspension for bill padding
29 January, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Japan's defence ministry and two other government entities have suspended Mitsubishi Electric Corp as a designated contractor because the company has been found to have inflated invoices, the ministry .....
China willing to aid bailout, EU leaders say
28 January, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The leaders of Denmark and Finland said on Friday that China has showed a willingness to contribute to global efforts to bail out debt-ridden European countries. However, a senior Chinese policy advis .....
Japan's electronics industry forced to eliminate tens of thousands of jobs
28 January, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
NEC Corp's announcement on Thursday that it would cut 10,000 jobs globally followed a decision by electronic parts maker TDK Corp in October to slash 11,000 jobs, with both being examples of the tough .....
Philippines to beef up security in South China Sea
28 January, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The Philippine Coast Guard is beefing up security in the disputed waters around the country by deploying three vessels to conduct round-the-clock monitoring and security. The PCG has allocated the bu .....
Price is no problem for Chinese shoppers if the label is right
28 January, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Many luxury brands have made their annual price adjustments for certain products, with increases of more than 10 per cent since November, but that hasn't dented Chinese customers' taste for upmarket i .....
Chinese break Christmas shopping record
28 January, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Despite the current global economic downturn, Chinese tourists spent a record-breaking amount on luxury products abroad during Christmas, according to data from Global Blue, one of the world's largest .....
Japan, land of the rising trade deficit
28 January, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
The writing was already on the wall even before the news this week that Japan had slid into a trade deficit. For years, Japan prided itself as an exporting nation par excellence, importing raw materi .....
Four countries withdraw travel warnings on Bangkok
28 January, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Four countries, including Israel, have withdrawn their travel advisories warning their citizens of possible terrorist attacks in Bangkok, a Thai foreign ministry spokesman said. Jesda Katavetin, depu .....
MAS, Qantas mulling JV
27 January, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Malaysia Airlines (MAS) and Australian carrier Qantas are mulling over a joint venture to set up a premium airline based in Kuala Lumpur, a move that could give a competitive boost to both airlines, i .....
Workers block toll road in West Java
27 January, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Tens of thousands of Bekasi workers staged a rally on Friday, blocking the Jakarta - Cikarang toll road access to Bekasi from KM 21 to KM 26. The workers protested the ruling issued by the Bandung St .....
S. Korea cuts excessive work hours
27 January, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
South Korea's Ministry of Employment and Labour plans to strengthen the monitoring of working conditions in industries known for excessive overtime and weekend work, as part of its drive to shorten la .....
S. Korea holds first firing drill since Kim Jong-il's death
27 January, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
South Korea’s Marine Corps on Thursday conducted the first live-fire drill at the islands near the Northern Limit Line in the West Sea since the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il. The late N .....
Thailand to build DNA database to protect elephants
27 January, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thailand Natural Resources and Environment Minister Preecha Rengsomboonsuk has vowed to solve within a year issues related to Thailand's elephants. Preecha planned to build a DNA database on 4,000 or .....
Lao gov't postpones logging quota
27 January, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
The Lao government has decided not to approve this year's logging quota from production forests due to lack of detailed planning. Laos Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavad made the announcement a .....
Vietnam's National Tourism Year kicks off
27 January, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Central Vietnam's Hue province has been selected to host the National Tourism Year – Northern Central Coastal Area 2012. It will host a series of activities throughout the year to promote national t .....
Bangladesh party leader faces 34 charges of war crimes
27 January, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
The Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal yesterday accepted the charges against Jamaat-e-Islami leader Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed in connection with crimes against humanity during the Liberation .....
India opens consulate office to build closer relations
27 January, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The government of India opened a Consulate General office in Bali on Thursday in an apparent sign of its commitment to expand its presence on the resort island. The Consulate office is also expected .....
Kudung of Dungse Rinpoche to arrive on February 1
27 January, 2012
By Kuensel
Source: ANN
The kudung (body) of His Holiness Dungse Thinley Norbu Rinpoche, who passed away on December 27 in the United States, is scheduled to arrive in Paro on February 1, where the purjang (cremation) ceremo .....
Controversial Bangladesh bridge project gets loan extension
27 January, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
The World Bank has extended the deadline for loan activation for the Padma Bridge in Bangladesh project by six months, reviving the hope that the lending agency might eventually unblock the fund. WB' .....
Bird fecal tests negative for H5N1
27 January, 2012
By Kuensel
Source: ANN
It took a team comprising an ornithologist, veterinarians and lab technicians two hours to collect and study two wild bird species fecal to confirm they were H5N1 negative. An ornithologist from the .....
US wants Pakistan to drop Iran pipeline project
27 January, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
The United States is working with Pakistan to help it deal with the consequences if it agrees to abandon the Iran pipeline project, says the US State Department. "Pakistan is one of the countries tha .....
Businesses in West Java on high alert over violence
27 January, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Following a court decision on Thursday that annulled a West Java administration decree on minimum wages, labour-intensive manufacturing firms are preparing for the worst as labour unions pledge to sta .....
Plenty of name-calling in feud between Hong Kongers and mainlanders
27 January, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
A Peking University scholar angered Hong Kongers by comparing many of them to dogs. Now Hong Kongers are fighting back in a campaign against the mainlanders, whom they dub 'locusts', as a long simmeri .....
Indonesian president orders ministers to recover Century assets
27 January, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has issued a presidential regulation ordering his top ministers to recover the overseas assets of Bank Century. In a copy of the regulation made availabl .....
Euro zone crisis puts Asean model into question
27 January, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Asean, the European Union--regional blocks in general--are they an endangered species? Pailin Chuchottaworn, CEO of PTT Plc, told the audience at the World Economic Forum in Davos that the crisis in .....
3 die as gale strikes Bali, beach closed
27 January, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
A powerful gale and sporadic torrential rain have hammered Bali over the last two days, causing fatal accidents and prompting local authorities to close beaches, including the famed Kuta beach. The a .....
Nepal PM unveils ambitious dev't plan
27 January, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Nepal Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai on Thursday unveiled an ambitious “vision paper” where he laid emphasis on infrastructure development and on creating massive employment opportunities. Th .....
Korea's chaebol scions slammed for running coffee shops, import businesses
27 January, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Founders of Korea’s major enterprises devoted their lives to building a manufacturing powerhouse of the world’s best ships, cars and electronics, but their grandchildren are more interested in sel .....
Indonesia to produce bird-flu vaccine by 2013
27 January, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Indonesia is aiming to manufacture its first, locally produced vaccine to combat the H5N1 avian influenza virus by 2013, with state-owned pharmaceutical company PT Biofarma working to prepare its faci .....
S. Korea seeks Cambodia support for mining, oil
27 January, 2012
By Rasmei Kampuchea Daily
Source: ANN
A senior South Korean official appealed to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen Thursday for increased support for Korean companies operating in the mining, oil and energy sectors. The request came dur .....
Indonesian airline plans daily flights for all Asian and Australian destinations
27 January, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Publicly listed Garuda Indonesia says all international routes in Asia and Australia served by the airline will see gradual increases in flights until all destinations are served on a daily basis. Suc .....
Jakartan Officer shot dead in ‘playful joke’ gone wrong
27 January, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
A low-ranking police officer was shot dead by his own colleague in a prank gone terribly wrong. The city police reported on Thursday that non-commissioned officer Second Brig. H shot Second Brig. F .....
Major earthquake zone newly found off Tohoku
27 January, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
At least three magnitude-9 level earthquakes may have occurred at intervals of 1,000 to 1,200 years in the Pacific Ocean along coastal prefectures from Aomori to Iwate, a Hokkaido University researche .....
The art of making money
27 January, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
It's a good time to be a contemporary artist in China. Rapid changes in society, driven by a thriving economy, have fueled creativity and strong high-end demand. As a result, China is now home to almo .....
Bangladesh growth projection scaled down
27 January, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Bangladesh Bank will tighten the monetary policy further in the second half of the current fiscal year to curb inflation and pressure on foreign currency reserve and exchange rate. It has set a targe .....
Chinese shoppers buy more diverse range of Korean goods
27 January, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
With a surging number of Chinese tourists here, their shopping list are becoming more diverse to include sanitary napkins and rubber kitchen gloves, industry officials said Thursday. China has been b .....
Chinese court spares Filipino from execution
27 January, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
A Chinese court has commuted the death sentence of a Filipino convicted of drug smuggling in 2008, an official from south Philippines said Thursday. Richard Bianan, of Tulunan, North Cotabato, will i .....
Japan's trade deficit could be long-term
27 January, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Japan's annual trade deficit in 2011, its first in 31 years, poses the risk of serious damage to the economy if the nation's current account balance falls into the red. The Finance Ministry released .....
Pet your dragon, watch it swim
27 January, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The legendary Chinese dragon doesn't exist in the real world, but animals "related" to it have enjoyed great popularity among pet lovers in China. One is chinchilla, a cute and cuddly rodent also kn .....
326 Lao prisoners granted pardon
27 January, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
Some 326 prisoners in Vientiane are the beneficiaries of a presidential pardon to mark last year's 36th National Day, it was announced at the Ministry of Public Security's Phonphanao Club yesterday. .....
Davos grapples with bleak forecast
27 January, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The European debt crisis and global challenges have cast a pall over the Swiss Alpine resort town of Davos unlike anything experienced before at the World Economic Forum, leading economists said. "Th .....
EU to hold summit talks with China next month
27 January, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Top officials of the European Union will hold talks with Chinese government leaders in Beijing next month to seek funding to help the EU deal with the sovereign debt and financial crises in Europe, it .....
Bigger US military role in Philippines sought
27 January, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
The United States is planning the expansion of its military presence in the Philippines, including the stationing of US Navy ships on a temporary basis and the conduct of more frequent joint exercises .....
Bigger US military role in Philippines sought
27 January, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The United States is planning the expansion of its military presence in the Philippines, including the stationing of US Navy ships on a temporary basis and the conduct of more frequent joint exercises .....
Pakistan PM rejects perception of ‘creeping coup’
27 January, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Paksitan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani rejected on Thursday a suggestion that democracy was under threat and a "creeping coup" was taking place in Pakistan, asserting that the parliament, the civi .....
Thai premier revives strategic 'look west' policy
27 January, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday wound up her two-day visit to India working to restore a "strategic partnership" initiated years ago by her brother Thaksin Shinawatra--spending t .....
S. Korea's ruling party set to change name next week
26 January, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
South Korea's ruling Grand National Party(GNP) said Thursday it has decided to change its name next week, with a majority of its legislators in support of the revision, a symbolic move to shed its ima .....
Manila red-faced as official seen buying pirated DVDs
26 January, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
In an embarrassing setback to the Philippine government's anti-piracy effort, President Benigno Aquino's political adviser was caught on camera shopping for illegally copied films in a mall here. A p .....
Faster process for Schengen visa applications
26 January, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Indonesia announced on Wednesday that its embassies from the Schengen visa area would offer much faster service to Indonesians applying for Schengen visas .....
Human trafficking on the rise in northwest Laos
26 January, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
Vientiane provincial authorities have been given a stark reminder of the challenges involved in tackling human trafficking, with news that Thai authorities recently repatriated 31 local victims who we .....
Philippine coco levy ruling ‘too late, too obscure'
26 January, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The Philippine Supreme Court ruling that the government owned a portion of the multibillion-peso coconut levy funds collected from farmers during the Ferdinand Marcos regime was “too obscure,” “ .....
Mitsubishi to get new plant, Mazda eyes 33% sales increase
26 January, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Car distributor PT Krama Yudha Tiga Berlian Motors on Wednesday announced that it has started construction of a new Rp 250 billion (US$27.71 million) plant. The company is the authorized distributor .....
More than half of Bhutanese are not yet happy
26 January, 2012
By Kuensel
Source: ANN
The GNH index based on results of the GNH 2010 survey shows that 41 per cent of Bhutanese can be classified as happy, while 59 per cent are “not-yet happy”, according to an analytical presentation .....
Indonesian govt mulls new scheme to finance projects
26 January, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The Indonesian government may set up a new institution to finance infrastructure development projects stipulated in the Master Plan for the Acceleration and Expansion of Indonesian Economic Developmen .....
Bangladesh gov't urged against hefty borrowing
26 January, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
The Bangladesh government's hefty borrowing from banks and a poor flow of foreign aid have emerged as a double setback to the economy. "If the government continues to spend without getting foreign ai .....
ROK investors score highly in Vietnam market
26 January, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Ranked first among countries and territories investing in Vietnam, the Republic of Korea (ROK) has also gained the confidence of Vietnamese market over the two past decades thanks to its leading brand .....
Japan's largest chemical producer invests in Vietnam
26 January, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Japan's Shin-Etsu Chemical Co will set up two companies specialising in manufacturing silicone-based materials for high-brightness LED lights, and refining rare earth minerals, with a total investment .....
Indonesia property market to continue growth in 2012
26 January, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
There will continue to be strong growth in the property market in Indonesia, especially in Jakarta, property consulting firm Jones Lang LaSalle-Procon says. The firm’s country head for Indonesia, .....
Nearly 50% of CEOs see global economy worsening--survey
26 January, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Nearly half of 1,258 chief executives polled worldwide believe the global economy will decline even further in the next 12 months, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers' 15th annual global survey. Just .....
India to produce heavy-duty locomotives
26 January, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
India is now eyeing on producing 9,000-Horsepower locomotives of its own. Chittaranjan Locomotive Works - the country’s pioneer railway-engine manufacturer located in Bengal-Jharkhand border - has b .....
Smugglers meeting at sea to bring drugs into Indonesia
26 January, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
International smuggling rings are changing tack and smuggling drugs into Indonesia through the porous sea borders of the archipelago, according to senior narcotics officers. “[Smugglers] have previ .....
Indonesia bid to buy tanks under rare scrutiny
26 January, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
Indonesia's ambition to modernise its ageing military hardware at a time when its economy is powering ahead has hit a temporary roadblock from an unlikely quarter: its MPs. The parliamentary commissi .....
Scholars confident cross-strait peace to endure
26 January, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
Stable and peaceful cross-strait exchanges are expected to continue in part thanks to the re-election of Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou on January 14 and with the anticipated transition of power from C .....
65,000 signatures filed for Thailand charter change
26 January, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
A group of 30 red-shirt supporters from northeast Thailand yesterday submitted some 65,000 signatures supporting a people's motion calling for charter changes via the Constitution Drafting Assembly .....
Philippine economy grew by 3-4% in 2011
26 January, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The Philippine economy, as measured by the gross domestic product (GDP), was estimated to have grown between 3.6 and 4 per cent in 2011, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (N .....
Bus driver kills 8 in southwest Indian city
26 January, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
A rogue bus driver went on a rampage on the crowded streets of Pune, southwest India,on Wednesday morning, crushing motorists, pedestrians and vehicles and leaving eight people dead, 27 others injured .....
Year of Dragon eats up annual bonuses
26 January, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Banking and financial services were the only industries to report an obvious decrease in year-end bonuses this year compared with last. In its latest quarterly report, released ahead of the Chinese .....
Lao gov't ready to host Asia-Europe summit
26 January, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
The Lao government has reaffirmed its readiness to host the upcoming Asia-Europe Meeting (Asem) Summit in November, with all preparations currently proceeding on schedule. Speaking to Lao media dur .....
Pakistan High Court summons army over 'mysterious deaths'
26 January, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Overruling an office objection, the Pakistan Supreme Court accepted on Wednesday a petition by a woman whose three sons had been picked up by intelligence personnel for their alleged role in the Oct .....
ConocoPhillips to pay US$158m damages for oil spill
26 January, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Energy giant ConocoPhillips said on Tuesday that it would pay 1 billion yuan (US$158 million) to settle compensation claims arising from the oil leaks from its Penglai 19-3 oilfield in Bohai Bay in Ju .....
Suspected bird flu: Two deaths in Indonesia
26 January, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
After being treated for five days, a suspected bird flu victim from Tangerang died at the Tangerang General Hospital (RSUD) on Wednesday. Hospital spokesman Achmad Muchlis said that the patient died .....
Rejected Khmer Rouge judge can carry out investigations-UN
26 January, 2012
By Rasmei Kampuchea Daily
Source: ANN
A Swiss judge rejected by Cambodia's Supreme Council of Magistracy as the international investigating judge in the Khmer Rouge tribunal still has the authority to carry out investigations regardless o .....
Indonesia's plan to reduce rice consumption faces cultural resistance
26 January, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
When Indonesian Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan suggested that Indonesians eat less rice, the critics and cynics had a field day. After all, Indonesia consumes more rice than any country except China and .....
Iranian oil cheapest of Korea’s imports
26 January, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Iranian oil was the cheapest of all crude oil Korea imports from abroad, except for Colombia, Oman and the Saudi-Kuwait neutral zone from where only small volumes are bought. Korea imported 846.59 m .....
Samsung, Apple anxious over upcoming verdict in Germany
26 January, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Attention is on a German court’s second ruling regarding Samsung Electronics and Apple Inc.’s ongoing patent dispute, scheduled to be made this Friday. This comes shortly after Samsung lost a pat .....
Liquor license’s planned hike angers tourism association in Bali
26 January, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
The Denpasar administration’s plan to triple the amount of money businesses would have to pay to acquire or extend a license to sell alcoholic beverages has angered the local tourism association. T .....
Pyongyang faces worst electricity shortage in years
26 January, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
The year of building a “strong and prosperous nation” has come in North Korea, but its capital is suffering from one of its worst electricity shortages in recent years. According to the Daily NK, .....
Nepal Maoists 'major hindrance' to peace process
26 January, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist) chairman and former Nepal Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal said the path on which the current government is moving does not lead the peace and con .....
India offers to export petro products to Pakistan
26 January, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
India offered to export petroleum products to Pakistan and said that a detailed proposal would be worked out in next few weeks. After a detailed discussion on cooperation in the energy sector with th .....
Indo-Thai bilateral trade looking up
26 January, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Since the beginning of the India-Thailand free trade agreement negotiation, trade between the two countries has been increasing tremendously, according to the visiting Thai Prime Minister, Yingluck Sh .....
Bangladesh president urges military stop coup attempts
26 January, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Bangladesh President Zillur Rahman has thanked the army for foiling the recent plot by some serving and retired army officials to topple the government. "I extend my sincere thanks to our patriotic .....
Thailand gov't warned against worse flood crisis in 2012
26 January, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Water experts yesterday urged the Thai government to be decisive about flood-prevention measures in order to prevent a repeat of last year's severe flooding, as the La Nina phenomenon is expected to b .....
Japan records US$32b trade deficit
26 January, 2012
By The Yomiuri Shimbun
Source: ANN
Japan recorded a 2.49 trillion yen(US$32 billion) trade deficit in 2011, the first in 31 years, due to declining exports in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake and a drastic increase in liquif .....
Over 7,000 Nepal Maoist combatants set to retire
25 January, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
A farewell programme for former Nepal's Maoist combatants opting for voluntary retirement is all set to begin amid the protracted stalemate in the peace process and constitution-drafting processes. T .....
Row over ill-gotten wealth stalls trial vs Philippine chief justice
25 January, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
A “vaguely” written and formulated accusation that Philippine Chief Justice Renato Corona had amassed ill-gotten wealth put the Senate impeachment court in a “quandary” Tuesday on whether to a .....
Deforestation in west Nepal with political backing
25 January, 2012
By The Kathmandu Post
Source: ANN
The District Forest Office (DFO) in Dang, western Nepal has failed to control illegal logging allegedly taking place with political backing at Deukhuri region across Rapti river. The DFO officials sa .....
IMF cuts growth forecast for Philippines, Asean
25 January, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has cut its growth projection even for the better-performing Asean region, which includes the Philippines, citing a mild recession likely to happen in Europe this .....
Finland highlights renewable energy partnership in ties
25 January, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Finnish European Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Alexander Stubb is visiting Jakarta as Finland seeks to strengthen its economic partnership with Indonesia, with a focus on renewable energy coopera .....
US$40m for 2010 Pakistan flood victims yet to be spent
25 January, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
The Sindh government in southern Paksitan has not yet spent even a single penny from the 1.15 billion rupees (US$12.7 million) it has received from the Central Zakat Fund in addition to the 2.5 billio .....
More than half foreign workers in Bhutan repatriated
25 January, 2012
By Kuensel
Source: ANN
The regional officers of labour, trade and immigration decided to conduct a final inspection and repatriate foreign workers working in grocery and garment shops without work permits in Gelephu and Sar .....
Vietnam's January exports reach US$6.5 billion
25 January, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Vietnam earned US$6.5 billion in exports in January, down by 28.5 per cent from last December and 11.1 per cent for the same period last year, said the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The country als .....
Overseas Vietnamese contribute to economic development
25 January, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
As part of the development of the overseas Vietnamese community, expatriate businessmen strive to integrate and make practical contributions to their host countries and the homeland. According to pre .....
Hybrid vehicle sales in M'sia to hit all-time high
25 January, 2012
By The Star
Source: ANN
Sales of hybrid vehicles in Malaysia are expected to hit an all-time high this year, boosted by rising popularity, increasing awareness, ongoing tax incentives and new model launches. OSK Investment .....
Local tech start-ups ascending in foreign investors’ wish list
25 January, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
A swelling pool of talent, buoyed by a dynamic market, has enticed a growing number of foreign tech incubators and venture capitalists to boost local start-ups with millions of dollars in fresh funds. .....
EU advises Asean on ensuring safer food imports
25 January, 2012
By Vientiane Times
Source: ANN
The European Union has advised Asean member nations to look at integrated food chain control, to ensure the quality of food products exported to the EU and maintain market access. Jan Baele, of the D .....
Strides sells Oz unit to Watson for US$395m
25 January, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Drug firm Strides Arcolab said it had sold its entire stake in Australian subsidiary Ascent Pharmahealth to Watson Pharmaceuticals for Australian $375 million (US$395 million). “The company has so .....
Int'l students prefer business courses in Taiwan
21 January, 2012
By ANN
Source: ANN
Departments of finance and banking at Taiwan universities are the favorite destination for foreign students looking to study in Taiwan, the Ministry of Education (MOE) said in a survey report on Frida .....
BSF tortured Bangladeshi only for mobile, torchlight
21 January, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Not having a mobile phone, torchlight and a thousand rupees as bribe almost cost the life of a Bangladeshi who was caught on camera while being tortured by Indian border guards. Stripping him, the ja .....
Vietnam opposes China fishing ban
21 January, 2012
By Viet Nam News
Source: ANN
Vietnam's Foreign Ministry spokesman Luong Thanh Nghi on Friday reaffirmed the country's sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos in response to China's announcemen .....
One dies in fire in N. Jakarta
21 January, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Hundreds of houses in a densely populated area of Ancol, Pademangan, in North Jakarta were razed by fire early Saturday. One resident reportedly died, while four others were injured in the inferno. T .....
Taiwan moves 1 step closer to US visa waiver
21 January, 2012
By The China Post
Source: ANN
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has formally requested that the Secretary of Homeland Security consider Taiwan for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), according to a White House press release Thu .....
All ATM cards in Singapore to have secure smart chips installed by 2014
21 January, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
All ATM cards in Singapore will have a smart chip installed by 2014, in a move that should significantly reduce the threat of fraud. The new safeguard protects a customer's account details far more r .....
Better model to predict floods likely in the near future
21 January, 2012
By The Straits Times
Source: ANN
National water agency of Singapore PUB could be using a better flood-prediction computer model in the near future. It will include a 3-D land-height map of just the Marina catchment area for a start .....
Budget carrier passengers in Korea top 10 million last year
21 January, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
The number of Koreans using low-cost airlines surpassed 10 million for the first time last year as more people take advantage of affordable air travel at home and abroad, data showed Friday. The figu .....
Indian stock market regulator tightens listing norms
21 January, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
Stock market regulator the Securities Exchange Board of India (Sebi) today said that all scrip would have a circuit limit from the day of listing on exchanges based on a one-hour pre-open trade, a mov .....
Yahoo: Don’t try us for sins of social networks
21 January, 2012
By The Statesman
Source: ANN
The Delhi High Court on Friday sought a response from the city police on a plea from Yahoo India Pvt Ltd challenging the summons issued to it by a magistrate for allegedly hosting objectionable conten .....
‘Pakistan to allow US trainers, not drones’
21 January, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
US military trainers will be invited back into Pakistan “as early as April or May”, but the nation has ruled out allowing CIA drones back into the country, American Fox News reported late on Frida .....
Indian smugglers kidnap BGB man
21 January, 2012
By The Daily Star
Source: ANN
Indian smugglers kidnapped a BGB man following a clash between the two sides at Dalkia village in Sadar Dakkhin upazila of Comilla on Thursday morning that left a smuggler dead. Major Istiaque, an of .....
Govt-military ties on the mend?
21 January, 2012
By Dawn
Source: ANN
Amid a lowering of tensions between the Pakistani government and the military establishment, Navy chief Admiral Muhammad Asif Sandila was decorated on Friday with Nishan-i-Imtiaz (military), one of th .....
Europe, oil may hit Korean exports
21 January, 2012
By The Korea Herald
Source: ANN
Korea’s policymakers are headed for their hometowns during the Lunar New Year holiday with an assortment of concerns about the domestic economy. The biggest concern is the negative outlook over th .....
‘Defense delaying trial’ in the Philippines
21 January, 2012
By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Source: ANN
Sen. Panfilo Lacson is unhappy with the numerous objections lodged by the defense at Chief Justice Renato Corona’s impeachment trial and considers these a deterrent to swift justice. He said he wou .....
Indonesia could build MBT if technology was available
21 January, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Indonesia could build its own main battle tank (MBT) if the country could acquire sufficient knowledge, Deputy for Science and Technology Relevance and Productivity at the Research and Technology Mini .....
Indonesian president slams NGOs commenting on Papua
21 January, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono reprimanded on Friday nongovernmental organizations that often criticized how the Indonesian Military (TNI) handles security in Papua, saying that they im .....
Wind tower row may hurt Chinese firms
21 January, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Chinese wind-tower manufacturers pledged on Friday to actively challenge a US investigation that could lead to crippling import duties on more than $100 million worth of wind-energy towers from China .....
Blaming China won't solve US problems
21 January, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
Blaming China will not solve problems in the United States or help presidential candidates win more votes, a Foreign Ministry official said on Friday. "The US itself will never benefit from politici .....
Luxury looks to cash in on Dragon
21 January, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The Dragon became a main design element in Western luxury brands at the start of 2012, as their wealthy Chinese customers prepare to celebrate the Year of the Dragon. The Chinese New Year will start .....
Pub brawl in Bangkok turns into fatal shootout claiming five lives
21 January, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
A suspect involved in a drive-and-shoot incident in Bangkok early Friday, in which five people were killed and five others wounded after their vehicle crashed, has surrendered, Rat Burana police said. .....
NGOs: Residents should set off fewer fireworks
21 January, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
As the quality of the city's air continues to give rise to concerns, many NGOs are asking the public to refrain from shooting off fireworks during the coming Spring Festival. Feng Yongfeng, founder .....
Thai dam levels to be kept low to reduce flood threat
21 January, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Flood prevention will be made a priority in the management of Thailand's dams, all of which will be required to keep their water levels at no more than half of capacity, the Strategic Committee for Wa .....
Bomb materials meant for the Mideast: Thai police
21 January, 2012
By The Nation
Source: ANN
Thai police have discovered that the foreign suspect who has been detained over his alleged links to a terror network had been planning to send bomb-making materials to three countries in the Middle E .....
Foreign workers pour into China
21 January, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
China is luring more foreign job seekers as its economy shines amid the global slowdown. Ian Hoorneman, a Harvard Business School MBA holder from the United States, came to Beijing in 2009 and is no .....
US to streamline travel visas for Chinese
21 January, 2012
By China Daily
Source: ANN
The United States is expected to simplify and quicken the process of visa applications for Chinese travelers, US President Barack Obama announced on Thursday as part of an initiative to boost tourism. .....
Tremors jolt islands in North Sulawesi
21 January, 2012
By The Jakarta Post
Source: ANN
An earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale rocked Manggarai Barat, East Nusa Tenggara on Saturday morning, followed by another 5.7 quake that hit Sangihe Islands, North Sulawesi later in the mor .....
Indonesia draws record US$19b in investments
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
Foreign investors pumped a record US$19.3 billion into Indonesia last year, up 20 per cent from the previous year, the government said yesterday. Despite the global downturn, officials expect that to .....
Skipper abandoned doomed ship, say Filipino crew men
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
No less than Filipino crew members of the ill-starred Costa Concordia said the cruise liner’s captain abandoned the ship as it foundered over rocky shallow waters off the Italian island of Giglio la .....
Lao gov't sticks to rice targets despite storm damage
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
Despite the loss of thousands of tonnes of rice in wet season flooding, the Lao government hopes farmers will boost yields this year as it seeks to meet higher production targets. The Ministry of Agr .....
'Brunei can be hub for Islamic finance'
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
Brunei needs to invest in its people if it wants to be an Islamic banking and finance powerhouse in the ASEAN region, a position that is currently held by Malaysia. Sheikh Faizal Manjoo, an Islamic f .....
Asians seek more Vietnam shrimp
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
Vietnam's domestic shrimp exporters will boost their shipments to Asian markets this year as seafood consumption demand was forecast to surge in the region, said general secretary of the Viet Nam Seaf .....
DNA testing and tagging of animals to prevent elephant theft
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
To prevent elephant theft, particularly baby elephants from the wild, Wildlife Conservation Forum has requested the National Zoological Gardens and Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage to carry out Deoxyribon .....
Health officials fear meningitis, H5N1 could spread during Vietnamese New Year
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
City officials have issued a warning about the possible spread of meningitis after workers return to HCM City from their Tet (Lunar New Year) holidays in their hometowns. The disease has broken out in .....
Vietnam's black market sells ‘lucky money'
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
With the Vietnamese New Year approaching, the scramble for low-denomination currency notes has begun. People around the country want the bills, crisp and new if possible, to give "lucky money" to ch .....
More Vietnamese guest workers to go abroad
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
Vietnam hopes to send 90,000 labourers abroad this year, nearly 2,000 more than last year's figure, according to the Overseas Labour Management Department. A Lao Dong (Labour) report said earlier th .....
FDI boost: Japanese giant returns to Sri Lanka
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
Sri Lanka's search for FDIs received a major boost yesterday with Japan's top multinational conglomerate, Marubeni Corporation, announcing its intension of returning to Sri Lanka after leaving these s .....
Obama wants US, Pakistan to work together
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
US President Barack Obama wants the United States and Pakistan to continue to work together for achieving their common goals of defeating terrorism and building a stable and peaceful Pakistan, says th .....
Call to promote birth spacing to control Pakistan's population growth
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
Speakers at a seminar on birth spacing said on Thursday that a major reason why family planning programme had failed in the country was the fact that the term family planning (khandani mansubabandi) w .....
US$19m Indian-funded project completed by Singapore-based US firm
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
The development of the Kankesanthurai harbour, the one-time nerve centre of naval operations in the Northern theatre has reached a crucial stage, with the clearing of about 10 ship wrecks, both in and .....
Financial, banking workers command highest salaries in Vietnam
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
Workers in the finance, banking and insurance receive the highest average salaries in Vietnam, according to the latest survey by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs. Employees of the .....
Pakistan's minorities marriage bills run into snags
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
As bills are drafted and taken up in the assembly to grant legal rights to minorities, disagreements are emerging within the minority communities as they negotiate the line between their religious bel .....
Korean, US marine corps to strengthen collaboration
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
South Korean and US Marine Corps will increase joint exercises and strengthen measures for defending the islands near the northern limit line in the West Sea. On Thursday, Commander of the South Kore .....
Air India’s bailout package likely soon
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
Bankers explored various options including conversion of the Rs 18,000-crore (US$3.6 billion) loans to SLR as part of the debt restructuring of ailing Air India and may finalise the bailout package ne .....
Women's commission bill passed in Pakistan
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
In a most significant pro-women move in nearly four years of its life, the National Assembly unanimously passed on Thursday a government bill to create a powerful National Commission on the Status of .....
China's US Treasury stock at 16-month low
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
China cut its holdings of United States Treasury bonds to the lowest level in 16 month in November in a step that analysts said was meant to continue the diversification of the country's foreign excha .....
Aussie consumer watchdog takes AirAsia to court
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
The Australian consumer watchdog has taken AirAsia Bhd to court for allegedly failing to disclose the full price of fares for flights from Australia to overseas destinations. The airline said it was .....
Pakistan's PM Gilani sticks to immunity plea for President Zardari
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
Attired in a dark blue suit, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani drove a white SUV with his counsel Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan by his side on Thursday and told the Supreme Court respectfully that he had no .....
Samsung sells 5 million Galaxy S2s in Korea
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
Samsung Electronics said Thursday that the company has sold up to 5 million units of its flagship smartphone Galaxy S2 in Korea. It is the first time that a single smartphone model has reached the 5 .....
India's fiscal deficit target difficult to meet
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
The Indian finance minister, Pranab Mukherjee, has said it may be difficult to contain the fiscal deficit at 4.6 per cent as targeted during the last Budget because of the current uncertainty in globa .....
Beijing, Tokyo to commemorate ties
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
Beijing and Tokyo are planning to launch a grand opening ceremony in mid-February to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic relations, Japanese Ambassador to C .....
Alleged corruption spotted in Indonesia’s top university
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
The Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) of Indonesia has announced that it has found two irregularities in the University of Indonesia’s (UI) budget management that may have caused state losses of nearly Rp .....
Pakistan PM remains defiant on court order
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
Pakistan's Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani emerged smiling yesterday after taking on the Supreme Court, which had initiated contempt proceedings against him for failing to comply with orders to purs .....
Bangladesh faces challenge of arresting inflation
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
Bangladesh Finance Minister AMA Muhith yesterday said arresting inflation is the biggest problem for the government as a volatile economic situation is prevailing in the country. The minister agreed .....
Singapore woman escapes gallows in Malaysia
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
A Singaporean woman sentenced to death in Malaysia for drug trafficking has been spared the gallows, after the charge against her was reduced to possession instead, an offence which does not carry the .....
‘Son-rise’ phenomenon at centre-stage in India politics
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
With the veterans politicians now in their seventies, the ‘son-rise’ phenomenon has taken centre-stage in Uttar Pradesh politics and the Assembly elections set to begin on 8 February. The latest .....
Malaysia's history textbooks filled with factual inaccuracies
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
Factual inaccuracies, biased viewpoints, as well as outdated sources plague Malaysian school History textbooks. According to a series of reports by the Kempen Sejarah Malaysia Sebenar (KemSMS) on the .....
KL to drop some medical schools
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
The Malaysian government is looking to slash its list of approved overseas medical schools in an effort to address complaints that too many under-qualified doctors are joining its hospitals. How many .....
Bangladesh gov't files torture complaint vs Indian border officers
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
Dhaka yesterday officially lodged protest with New Delhi over an incident of torture of a Bangladeshi man by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) last month. "The Government of Bangladesh has conve .....
Aceh Party ends boycott of election
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
Aceh's largest political party yesterday ended its long boycott of next month's province-wide elections over poll procedures that had threatened to derail a fragile six-year-old peace deal. The Aceh .....
Indonesian navy expects new submarine by 2015
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
Indonesian navy chief Admiral Soeparno has said the first of three submarines built in South Korea will be finished by 2015. He said the procurement contract had been signed by officials from the Indo .....
‘Networking sites losing appeal’ among young Indians
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
Young Indian urbanites log onto social networks less frequently now than they used to, according to a survey carried out by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India. “Tech overloa .....
Singapore man charged with dumping illegal foreign worker's body
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
The owner of a furniture repair business was yesterday charged with dumping the body of a foreign worker on a pavement along Upper Changi Road in 2010. Tay Kok Eng, 56, is also facing a second charge .....
Thai tourism agencies to protest US terror warning
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
Thailand's tourism operators yesterday threatened to march on the US Embassy to meet with the ambassador if the United States refuses to withdraw its terrorism warning for Thailand within two days. " .....
China to take small steps to ease credit: Report
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
China is reportedly taking steps to ease its credit-tightening policies in a move to shore up growth, after the world's No. 2 economy saw its weakest three-month expansion in 2-1/2 years. The central .....
Singapore's economic outlook may not be all gloomy
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
Some of the latest indicators suggest that Singapore's economic outlook might not be quite as bleak as predicted, even though the World Bank slashed its global growth forecast to 2.5 per cent on worri .....
Thai premier backs minister despite US blacklist
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday defended the appointment of Nalinee Taveesin as a PM's Office Minister, although the United States stood its ground on the new Cabinet member's in .....
Philippine Central Bank cuts key policy rates
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP or Central Bank of the Philippines) has cut its key policy rates by a quarter of a percentage point, a move intended to boost the growth of the domestic economy an .....
Euro fall unlikely to spur spending in Japan
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
Companies have begun lowering prices for certain goods imported from Europe due to the recent historic drop of the euro against the yen. The euro has fallen nearly 10 per cent against the Japanese cu .....
Indonesia draws record US$19 in investments
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
Foreign investors pumped a record US$19.3 billion into Indonesia last year, up 20 per cent from the previous year, the government said yesterday. Despite the global downturn, officials expect that to .....
Massive congestion as workers stage rallies in west Indonesia
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
In the latest of a series of rallies to demand better pay, tens of thousands of workers in Bekasi and Tangerang blocked roads connecting neighbouring regencies to Jakarta on Thursday, causing severe t .....
FDI in Indonesia rises to US$19b amid global woes
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Indonesia jumped by 18.4 per cent to US$19.28 billion in 2011 and is expected to rise even further after two international credit rating agencies upgraded Southeast .....
Woman's death sentence rouses public debate in China
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
The death sentence given an ex-millionaire businesswoman found guilty of fraudulent fundraising has provoked widespread discussions on capital punishment for illegal fundraising, as well as on private .....
A Kodak moment to remember
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
Eastman Kodak, the company that invented the hand-held camera and helped bring the world the first pictures from the moon, has filed for bankruptcy protection. The 132-year-old firm said it had al .....
Pakistan dispatching arms to spread terror in India
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is utilising terrorist groups in Bangladesh to “dispatch Chinese arms to different anti-national organisations active in India through West Bengal”, sa .....
Bangladesh army foils bid to topple govt
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
The Bangladesh army has foiled a “coup attempt to overthrow the present democratic government”, an army spokesman said yesterday. A band of religious fanatics, comprising mid-ranking officers and .....
Russia-China joint Mars exploration fails
20 January, 2012
Source: ANN
The loss of China's first interplanetary probe, attached to an ill-fated Russian spacecraft, has cost scientists the chance to conduct breakthrough research on Mars, a top scientist said. New objecti .....
Post-conflict hype waning for Sri Lanka, tough times ahead: WB
19 January, 2012
Source: ANN
The World Bank, painting a bleak picture of the global economy, says Sri Lanka's post-conflict economic rebound is waning and the country is vulnerable to risks associated with falling exports, declin .....