Connect Asia

Friday, 3 February 2012

Australia assists ferry rescue effort in PNGAudio

Updated 03/02/2012 14:36:10


A joint Papua New Guinea-Australian rescue effort is under way off the east coast of PNG.

Sri Lanka backs nomination of controversial officer to UNAudioTranscript

Updated 03/02/2012 14:36:10

Sri Lanka's envoy to Australia says it fully supports the nomination of a controversial military officer to a UN body advising Ban Ki-moon.

White House maintains Afghan pull out plan on trackAudio

Updated 03/02/2012 14:36:10


The White House has clarified comments made by the US Defence Secretary yesterday, saying there has been no decision to change the role of US troops in Afghanistan.

Three terror leaders killed, says Philippine militaryAudio

Updated 03/02/2012 14:36:01


The Philippine military says it has killed three of Southeast Asia's most-wanted terrorists in a US-backed airstrike Thursday morning.

Facebook to list on the stock marketAudio

Updated 03/02/2012 14:36:01


The social network enterprise Facebook has started on its much anticipated journey to a stock market listing.

People evacuated as floodwaters rise in NSW, AustraliaAudio

Updated 03/02/2012 14:35:39


More than 2,000 people have spent the night in evacuation centres in the Australian state of New South Wales after 10 days of flooding across the state's northwest.

Flannery says Aust should be concerned about PNG's record log exportsAudio

Updated 03/02/2012 14:36:01


Australia's Chief Climate Commissioner, Tim Flannery, says Australia needs to be concerned about record tropical log exports from Papua New Guinea.

Claims CSIRO is compromised by forestry group tiesAudioTranscript

Updated 03/02/2012 14:35:39


Australia's peak scientific research body, the CSIRO, has been forced to defend itself against claims of inappropriate industry links.

Australia's foreign minister plans visit to BurmaAudioTranscript

Updated 03/02/2012 14:35:39


Australia's foreign minister Kevin Rudd says he is planning to visit Burma in the coming months to encourage moves towards a fully-democratic Burma.

The fight to end dolphin and whale slaughter in JapanAudioTranscript

Updated 03/02/2012 14:36:01


With the spotlight on Japan's renewed whale hunt in the Antarctic, another hunt for marine mammals is in full swing along Japan's own shores.

Burmese reforms expected to spark large-scale refugee returnAudio

Updated 03/02/2012 14:35:24


Aid organisations working with Burmese refugees say the rapid rate of reform in Burma could spark a large-scale pilgrimage home.

Fears for escaped Vietnamese asylum seekers in AustraliaAudio

Updated 03/02/2012 14:35:39


The Vietnamese community in Australia is worried for the welfare of 17 boys who escaped an immigration detention facility on the outskirts of Melbourne.

Search continues for PNG ferry survivorsAudio

Updated 03/02/2012 14:35:25


A joint Papua New Guinea-Australian rescue effort is under way off the east coast of PNG.

Australia, Malaysia discuss free trade agreementAudio

Updated 03/02/2012 14:35:08


In 2005, Australia and Malaysia initiated talks for a free trade agreement between the two countries.

Thursday, 2 February 2012

US to end combat mission in Afghanistan by 2013Audio

Updated 02/02/2012 15:12:30


The United States is hoping to end its combat mission in Afghanistan next year - a year ahead of the previously announced deadline of late 2014.

Maldives judiciary needs reform, says foreign ministerAudioTranscript

Updated 02/02/2012 15:12:30

The Maldives in the Indian ocean is in the throes of a judicial crisis after the government detained a senior judge.

Lynas granted licence to operate refinery in MalaysiaAudio

Updated 02/02/2012 15:12:30


A controversial rare earth processing plant in Malaysia has passed its final hurdle with an approval from Malaysia's Atomic Energy Licensing Board.

Lynas refinery plant to open in Malaysia mid-yearAudio

Updated 02/02/2012 15:12:30


Nick Curtis, Executive Chairman of Lynas Corporation, says the conditional licence given to the company to operate a rare earth processing plant in Malaysia was expected.

Opponents seek court injuction against Lynas refinery in MalaysiaAudio

Updated 02/02/2012 15:12:30


Opponents of Lynas' refinery plant in Malaysia are now seeking a court injunction to stop the plant from going ahead.

Uncertainty surrounds N Korea prisoner releaseAudio

Updated 02/02/2012 15:12:30


Amnesty International says it's still not clear whether a release of political prisoners announced by the North Korean government has actually taken place.

East Timor to trial multilingual educationAudioTranscript

Updated 02/02/2012 15:12:14

East Timor's Ministry of Education says it will go ahead with a pilot program to teach young students in their own minority language, despite vocal opposition from some civil society groups.

Dead Tibetan monk leaves taped messageAudio

Updated 02/02/2012 15:12:14


A taped audio message made by a Tibetan monk who then set himself on fire has emerged, along with graphic photographs of his blackened body.

Julian Assange attends final British appealAudioTranscript

Updated 02/02/2012 15:12:14


Australian Julian Assange is making his last stand against a Swedish extradition attempt, arguing against its legality before Britain's Supreme Court.

Julian Assange takes extradition appeal to Britain's top courtAudio

Updated 02/02/2012 15:12:14


Australian Julian Assange is making his last stand against a Swedish extradition attempt, arguing against its legality before Britain's highest court.

Australia still rebuilding one year after Cyclone YasiAudioTranscript

Updated 02/02/2012 15:12:14


It's been a year to the day since thousands of people in the northeastern Australian state of Queensland braced for one of the biggest cyclones to ever cross the coast.

Behaviour, economics fuel China tension in Hong KongAudioTranscript

Updated 02/02/2012 15:06:44


Anger over the behaviour and influence of mainland Chinese continues to simmer in China's special administrative region, Hong Kong, with the publication of a full-page advertisement, insulting mainland Chinese .

Australia looks to Asia for its economic well-beingAudio

Updated 02/02/2012 15:12:14


Fiscal discipline and returning the national budget to surplus.

Pakistan court threatens PM with contempt proceedingAudio

Updated 02/02/2012 15:12:14


Pakistan's Supreme Court has threatened to begin contempt proceedings against Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani unless his lawyers put forward reasons today why the action should stop.

US forces may end Afghanistan combat role by 2013: Leon PanettaAudio

Updated 02/02/2012 15:12:14


The United States is hoping to end its combat mission in Afghanistan next year - a year ahead of the previously announced deadline of late 2014.

Wednesday, 1 February 2012

Maldives faces judicial crisisAudioTranscript

Updated 01/02/2012 15:47:58

The newly democratic Indian Ocean republic of the Maldives is facing what its own government is calling a "judicial crisis" following the arrest by the military of a senior judge.

East Timor's Presidential election campaign beginsAudio

Updated 01/02/2012 15:47:58


East Timor's Presidential election campaign has begun in earnest after the nomination yesterday of Fretilin leader Fransisco Guterres better known as 'Lu Olo' and the nomination of incumbent president Jose Ramos-Horta.

East Timor's opposition endorses presidential candidateAudioTranscript

Updated 01/02/2012 15:47:58

Fransisco Guterres, better known as 'Lu Olo', lodged his official nomination for East Timor's presidency on Tuesday with the endorsement of the Fretilin party.

US envoy urges North Korea to improve relations with SouthAudio

Updated 01/02/2012 15:47:58


America's top diplomat for the East Asian region has reinforced the message that any diplomatic offerings to North Korea will be backed by a strong military option.

Australia's richest person buys up media sharesAudioTranscript

Updated 01/02/2012 15:47:42


Australia's richest person, Gina Rinehart, has sought to dramatically increase her stake in Fairfax Media, owner of newspapers such as the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and the Australian Financial Review.

Fruit, veg prices slashed in Australian supermarket price warAudio

Updated 01/02/2012 15:48:12


Australian supermarket giant Coles has announced it will slash the price of fruit and vegetables by up to half.

Japan's poultry import ban labelled an over reactionAudio

Updated 01/02/2012 15:48:12


A Japanese ban on Australian poultry products has been labelled an over reaction by the Australian industry.

Asia Profile: Rising ballet star Chengwu GuoAudioTranscript

Updated 01/02/2012 15:48:12


This year, the Australian Ballet is popping champagne corks for its 50th anniversary.

Twitter's censorship plans cause global uproarAudio

Updated 01/02/2012 15:48:12


The announcement by Twitter that it has plans to allow country-specific censorship of tweets has raised global uproar.

Singapore to help Burma reform legal, finance sectorsAudioTranscript

Updated 01/02/2012 15:48:12


Burma's President Thein Sein says his government is committed to political reform and will put national stability ahead of economic development.

Australian historian urges government to fund official conflict historAudio

Updated 01/02/2012 15:48:12


Last year, official historian Professor David Horner helped fill a knowledge gap in Australia's past with the release of a volume of a history of the country's peacekeeping operations.

Rapid urbanisation threatens China's food securityAudio

Updated 01/02/2012 15:48:12


A recent Australian study has found that Chinese farmers are paying the price for the country's rapid urbanisation.

Opposition leader outlines vision for AustraliaAudioTranscript

Updated 01/02/2012 15:48:12


The Australian Prime Minister is due to deliver what's been billed as a major economic speech that puts the Government's record of financial management at the forefront of a political revival.

Australian politicians raise concerns over media ownership lawsAudio

Updated 01/02/2012 15:47:42


Australian billionaire mining magnate Gina Rinehart has moved to double her stake in the country's biggest independent media company, Fairfax, which owns newspapers such as the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and the Australian Financial Review.

Tuesday, 31 January 2012

Australia should use reformist Indonesian leadership to strengthen tieAudioTranscript

Updated 31/01/2012 15:58:45


A leading Australian academic says Australia should make the most of the opportunity afforded by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's reformist leadership to strengthen ties between the two nations.

East Timor's President to run for re-electionAudio

Updated 31/01/2012 15:57:23


Jose Ramos-Horta has formally announced he will stand for election in East Timor's March Presidential elections.

Jose Ramos-Horta to stand for re-election in East TimorAudio

Updated 31/01/2012 15:58:45


East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta has formally announced he will stand for election in the country's March Presidential elections.

Suu Kyi welcomed by supporters on campaign visitAudio

Updated 31/01/2012 15:58:45


The Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been given an enthusiastic welcome during campaigning outside the former capital Rangoon.

China's land buys in Australia overstated, says new reportAudioTranscript

Updated 31/01/2012 15:58:45


A new report shows that contrary to popular belief China's investment into Australian farms and mining assets is tiny.

Film used to tackle corruption in IndonesiaAudio

Updated 31/01/2012 15:59:00


Graft busters in Indonesia are using the medium of film to try tackle the culture of corruption.

Overcrowded Indonesians take drastic measuresAudioTranscript

Updated 31/01/2012 15:59:00


Train commuters in Jakarta risk their lives every day by riding on the roof while trying to get to work.

Aboriginal leader defends tent embassy protestersAudioTranscript

Updated 31/01/2012 15:59:00


Aboriginal leader Patrick Dodson says the violent clash involving tent embassy protesters is an indicator of the unresolved issues still affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in Australia.

Youth meeting boosts Australia, India tiesAudioTranscript

Updated 31/01/2012 15:59:00


The developing but not always harmonious relationship between India and Australia is being given a boost this week with the first meeting of what's being called the Australia-India Youth Dialogue.

Rights group calls for Indonesia to cancel trial against Papuan activistsAudio

Updated 31/01/2012 15:58:45

Five Papuan activists in Indonesia have been indicted for treason on charges of raising an outlawed Papuan flag and making a formal declaration of regional independence.

Controversial Sri Lankan officer nominated to UN advisory roleAudioTranscript

Updated 31/01/2012 15:58:45


A Sri Lankan military officer has been named to represent Asian nations on a body that advises the UN Secretary general on Peacekeeping Operations.

Controversial Sri Lankan officer facing civil case in US courtAudio

Updated 31/01/2012 15:58:45


The Sri Lankan military figure nominated to a body that advises the UN Secretary general on Peacekeeping Operations has been accused of war crimes for his role in the war against the separatist Tamil Tigers.

Euro woe expected to be high on agenda of Merkel's Beijing tripAudio

Updated 31/01/2012 15:58:45


The World Economic Forum in Davos wrapped up over the weekend dominated by just one topic - the European debt crisis.

Monday, 30 January 2012

China calls for stability following Philippines, US military talksAudio

Updated 30/01/2012 14:20:39


China's Foreign Ministry has offered mild calls for "peace and stability" in the region after the Philippines offered closer cooperation with the US military.

Rights group files petition on detention of Chinese lawyerAudio

Updated 30/01/2012 14:21:12

In just over two weeks, China's leader-in-waiting, Vice President Xi Jinping, will visit Washington DC to meet President Barack Obama.

Kidnappings hamper aid efforts in PakistanAudio

Updated 30/01/2012 14:21:12


A series of high profile kidnappings in Pakistan is raising concern amongst the foreign aid and diplomatic communities working in the country.

Contamination fears after toxic spill in southern ChinaAudio

Updated 30/01/2012 14:20:57

Authorities in southern China are still trying to control a toxic chemical spillage from a factory that has affected water supplies for a city of nearly 4,000,000 people.

Opposition calls for investigation into Australia Day protestsAudio

Updated 30/01/2012 14:20:57

The Australian Federal opposition is calling for a police investigation into the events surrounding the Australia Day protests in Canberra last week.

Aid donors urged to stamp out discrimination against disabled studentsAudio

Updated 30/01/2012 14:20:57


As many children here in Australia prepare to go back to school this week, an aid advocacy group is calling on donors to do more for the education of girls and students with disabilities.

Australia hosts regional disaster response meetingAudioTranscript

Updated 30/01/2012 14:21:12


Officials from the United Nations and a number of regional countries are joining dozens of aid workers in Australia this week to learn how to better-manage the response to disasters such as tsunamis and earthquakes.

Australian nurses struggle to pay training costsAudio

Updated 30/01/2012 14:21:12


Australia has long suffered from a shortage of nurses and that's one reason why hospitals recruit thousands from overseas.

Asia Pacific region hungry for energyAudio

Updated 30/01/2012 14:20:39


A new report has found that the Asia Pacific for the first time accounted for the largest number of deals in the global energy industry last year.

Authorities battle toxic spill in southern ChinaAudioTranscript

Updated 30/01/2012 14:20:57

Authorities in southern China are still trying to control a toxic chemical spillage from a factory that has affected water supplies for a city of nearly 4,000,000 people.

Indonesia the focus of growing European business interestAudio

Updated 30/01/2012 14:20:57


In a further sign of Indonesia's economic drawing power, a delegation of business people from Finland and Estonia visited last week looking for ways to increase trade and investment between the two countries.