January 2010
More people detained under Malaysian security act
Updated 29/01/2010 13:43:05
Police in Malaysia have detained at least 10 people, including nine foreigners, saying they are members of an international terrorist group.
Money to win over the Taliban in Afghanistan
Updated 29/01/2010 13:43:06
World leaders meeting in London on the nine-year-old war in Afghanistan have unveiled an ambitious plan to end the confliict.
Nuclear power back on Indonesia agenda
Updated 29/01/2010 13:43:05
The idea to develop Indonesia's first nuclear energy plant has been around since the 1970, but the project has gone in and out of fashion as political factions have come and gone. After backing off from the proposal during his re-election campaign, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's Government appears to be again pressing forward with the power plant plan. However, local opposition to the proposal is strong, and there are considerable risks to consider.
Japan's flower art blossoming
Updated 29/01/2010 13:43:04
Ikebana, the art of flower arrangement is making a comeback in Japan, returning to its masculine roots.
UNICEF defends funding of disputed care facility
Updated 29/01/2010 13:43:05
A UN agency has defended itself from criticism it supports a Cambodia drug rehabilitation centre where patients are allegedly beaten, forced to donate blood, and forced to exercise.
British hopeful of Australian Open win
Updated 29/01/2010 13:43:04
Scottish tennis sensation Andy Murray is the subject of high expectations. In the Australian Open in Melbourne last night Murray beat Croatia's Marin Cilic in four sets. British fans hope the 22-year old will bring home Great Britain's first men's singles trophy in decades. But he may have to beat the man described as 'perfect' - Roger Federer.
Singaporeans lose their appetite for fast food promotions
Updated 29/01/2010 13:43:05
A fast food chain's merchandising has sparked a debate over race and religion in Singapore. McDonald's come under the spotlight by leaving out the pig from its line-up of Chinese Zodiac toys as part of its Lunar New Year promotion. It's selling miniature toys of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac, but the pig was replaced by the love cherub, Cupid as McDonald's said it did not want to offend Muslims. After some outcry, McDonald's apologised and brought the pig back to
its toy menu.
Post election, Sri Lankan firms hopeful of getting back to business
Updated 29/01/2010 13:43:05
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who's just been re-elected, says his challenge now is to develop the country, after over three decades of civil war. The country's also struggling to recover from the global financial crisis. Having achieved a convincing mandate, President Rajapaksa must now deliver on the economic promises he made to the nation.
Sumo scandal gets bigger
Updated 29/01/2010 13:43:05
Japan's most successful sumo wrestler is facing possible criminal charges and being expelled from the sport, after it was revealed he left an acquaintance with a broken nose and a busted lip during a drunken rampage. It's being reported that the grand champion Asashoryu had threatened to throw his victim in the river, when police intervened.
Australians detained, released by Indonesian authorities
Updated 29/01/2010 13:43:05
Two Australian refugee advocates have escaped charges after being detained and questioned by Indonesian police for allegedly breaching their visa conditions. Indonesian authorities say Pamela Curr and Sara Nathan, as well as a Canadian colleague, Jessica Chandrashekar entered a restricted area while trying to make contact with a group of Sri Lankan asylum seekers at the Port of Merak.
Afghanistan ideas reasonable: former UN official
Updated 29/01/2010 13:43:05
Is the Afghanistan conference deadline of 2011 to turn the tide of the war in Afghanistan realistic? And is giving money to Taliban insurgents who renounce their cause, going to end the war?
Taliban reconciliation on Afghan conference agenda
Updated 28/01/2010 12:55:12
A major international meeting in London to chart a way out of the nine-year-old war in Afghanistan, will seek endorsement of a reintegration and reconciliation program to coax rank-and-file Taliban to the government side. The US has led a clutch of countries signalling they now back serious negotiations with the Taliban, towards handing security back to the Afghans. But the negotiating formula with the Taliban remains unknown.
Cambodian opposition leader jailed in absentia
Updated 28/01/2010 12:55:12
Cambodia's main opposition leader Sam Rainsy has been convicted on charges of incitement to racial discrimination and destroying property. The provincial court sentenced him in absentia to two years' jail. The charges relate to an incident in October, when the opposition leader helped farmers pull out wooden posts that marked the border with Vietnam.
IMF report confirms good Asian economic prospects
Updated 28/01/2010 12:55:12
Asia's emerging economic powerhouses are surging out of the uncertainity of the post global financial crisis more quickly than anticipated. In its latest update on the world economy, the International Monetary Fund has confirmed other recent reports pointing to better prospects for 2010. But as analysts say policymakers will need to have their hands ready to pull the monetary levers, should price pressures and inflation threaten to de-rail growth.
Grand plans in second term of Indonesia's SBY
Updated 28/01/2010 12:55:12
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyo is marking the first 100 days of his second term in office by announcing a $US1 billion green investment fund and he's launched his latest pop album. But the moves have failed to quell widespread dissatisfaction with what's seen as his administration's ineffective efforts against corruption. Thousands of anti-corruption activists are planning demonstrations in the capital Jakarta over a series of scandals that have threatened to bring down Indonesia's respected Corruption Eradication Commission.
Research backs claims barefeet better than shoes
Updated 28/01/2010 12:55:11
A small but devoted group of runners is advocating the benefits of ditching shoes and going barefoot. They argue that it's actually better for their feet, and leaves them less prone to injury - and new research suggests there may be something to their claims.
Australian-led project boosts Iraq's crops
Updated 28/01/2010 12:55:12
An Australian-led agricultural project is helping improve the lives of farmers and the rural poor in Iraq, by improving agricultural techniques.
South Korea, Taiwan pursue the nip and tuck tourists
Updated 28/01/2010 12:55:11
Medicine is big money in Asia, and South Korea and Taiwan both want more of it. The two countries have launched efforts to expand their budding medical tourism sectors. In doing so, they're taking on the acknowledged giants in the Asian medical tourism industry: India, Thailand and Singapore.
President wins, but rival candidate rejects Sri Lankan election result
Updated 28/01/2010 12:55:12
Tension remains high in Sri Lanka after the country's Elections Commission declared Mahinda Rajapaksa the winner of this week's presidential election. Mr Rajapaksa won nearly 58 per cent of the vote, compared to 40 per cent for his main rival. Mr Rajapaksa's main opponent, former defence chief General Sarath Fonseka, has rejected the result.
Australians, Canadian refugee advocates detained in Indonesian port
Updated 28/01/2010 12:55:12
Three refugee advocates, including two Australians, have reportedly been detained a second time by Indonesian authorities and have had their passports withheld.
Australian NGO on trail of sex traffickers
Updated 27/01/2010 14:19:01
An Australia-based charity dedicated to hunting down sex traffickers has had a breakthrough in Cambodia. The Grey Man organisation says it has rescued a 10-year-old girl and a 14-year-old girl being held in an illegal brothel. The discovery prompted Cambodian police to arrest two men and it's hoped the intelligence gained will help bust a major international sex trading syndicate.
Severe winter puts thousands of Mongolians at risk
Updated 27/01/2010 14:19:01
The United Nations has warned that more than 200,000 Mongolians are in dire danger of poverty and starvation, as they struggle through an unusually severe winter. Mongolia's freezing conditions have killed more than a million livestock, and authorities fear the extreme weather conditions could worsen food security and deepen poverty
Stalled Tibet talks set to resume
Updated 27/01/2010 14:19:01
Talks between the Tibetan government in exile and Beijing will restart for the first time in two years. Envoys from the Tibetan delegation have arrived in China, one week after Beijing announced a new policy approach for the region. Discussions first started in 2002, but broke down in 2008 amid acrimony following anti-government riots in Tibet.
Threat to tigers focus of Thai meeting
Updated 27/01/2010 14:19:01
Ministers from 13 countries are gathering in Hua Hin, Thailand for a three-day meeting on securing the future of the tiger. Tigers are found in 13 countries in Asia, but nowhere are they safe - tiger numbers have declined from an estimated 100,000, a century ago, to an estimated 3,000 today. In a report released this week, animal protection group WWF says the tiger population in the Greater Mekong region has plunged 70 per cent in just 12 years.
Australian of Year attacks government detention policy
Updated 27/01/2010 14:19:01
Acclaimed psychiatrist Professor Patrick McGorry spent his first day as Australian of the Year embroiled in controversy. Professor McGorry accepted his award, and then touched off a new row on the politically volatile issue of asylum-seekers, by pointing out the mentally corrosive effects of Australia's detention policies. And while the Professor denies it's an attack on Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's policy, he's still managed to put the issue back in the headlines.
History book banned by Indonesian attorney general
Updated 27/01/2010 14:19:01
The author of a book banned by the Indonesian Government says he doesn't know why his work has been singled out. Canadian History Professor John Roosa says he isn't the first to write about the Communist Party and the period known as the September 30th Movement of 1965. He says other books on the topic have been published with less controversy.
Cambodian drug centres deny abuse
Updated 27/01/2010 14:19:01
Operators of drug rehabilitation centres in Cambodia have denied accusations patients are subjected to "sadistic violence". Human Rights Watch claims people are being held in the centres against their will, where they are subjected to torture, rape and humiliation. The organisation is calling for Cambodia authorities to shut down controversial facilities .
Sri Lankan presidential candidate admits voting oversight
Updated 27/01/2010 14:19:01
As Sri Lanka waits for the result of the presidential election, a row's broken out over the poll's legitimacy. In a polling day surprise, Opposition candidate General Sarath Fonseka admitted he was not registered to vote. Supporters of the incumbent President Mahinda Rajapakse said this cast doubt over General Fonseka's eligibility.
National days coincide for troubled India, Australia
Updated 27/01/2010 14:19:01
The Australian government and the state government of Victoria have once again been forced to defend Australia's reputation as a tolerant society, after another attack on Indian students in Melbourne. Five men have been charged over the attack. News of the attack came just as special efforts were being made to bring Indians and Australians together on a day of significance to both countries.
Sydney Festival celebrates Asia out west
Updated 27/01/2010 14:19:00
The annual Sydney Festival attracts world renowned artists and performers and this year is no different. What's different is more of them are making the trip out of the glitz of the city centre and into the suburbs. Major artists from China, New Zealand, Indonesia, Korea and Australia are featured in a program focusing on community involvement and performance.
Heavy security in place for Sri Lankan polls
Updated 26/01/2010 12:58:16
Security is a key concern for Sri Lanka's elections, and there's a heavy police and military presence on the island.
Unruly sports fans fuelled by alcohol
Updated 26/01/2010 12:50:48
Cricket Australia is tightening security for the Australia Pakistan one day match at the Adelaide Oval today.
Tamils expected to sway result in Sri Lankan election
Updated 26/01/2010 12:58:16
About fourteen million people in Sri Lanka are expected to vote today in the first peace-time presidential election in 25 years.
Australia 'colonial' flag debated
Updated 26/01/2010 12:58:15
A country's national day is an obvious occasion for introspection and on Australia Day 2010 the spotlight has been thrown on the flag again.
Free asylum seekers, says Australian of the Year
Updated 26/01/2010 12:58:16
The new Australian of the Year has called for radical change to the nation's health care system, to better diagnose and treat mental illness.
'Strine' preserved in new website
Updated 26/01/2010 12:58:15
It may be difficult to pin down a national identity, but there is one thing that sets Australians apart - and that's their accent.
NZ tour operator uses fake Maori to greet tourists
Updated 26/01/2010 12:58:15
In New Zealand a tour operator is in trouble after employing foreigners to dress up and pretend to be Maori, to attract tourists.
Indonesian police hunt gunmen after shooting near Freeport mine
Updated 26/01/2010 12:58:15
Indonesian police are hunting for the gunmen responsible for a shooting near the Freeport mine in Indonesia's restive Papua Province.
PANEL: the Tamil factor in Sri Lankan polls
Updated 26/01/2010 12:50:48
Thousands of Tamils in the north of the country will be voting for the first time in many years.
Costello pushes USD$600 mil investment in Cambodia
Updated 25/01/2010 12:02:43
Australia's former Treasurer Peter Costello left parliament four months ago and now is hard at work in Cambodia. Mr Costello is acting as a financial adviser to an investment fund that's planning a 600-million dollar project. If successful it will be the biggest single foreign investment in Cambodia to date, roughly equalling the total approved investment in the country last year.
A lesson in style and manners for students in Australia
Updated 25/01/2010 12:02:42
A university in the north-east Australian state of Queensland is showing commerce students how to converse and dine with clients without embarassing themselves.
War crimes allegations taint Sri Lankan candidates
Updated 25/01/2010 12:02:44
The two main candidates for Sri Lanka's presidency are sworn enemies; each claiming credit for the civil war's end.
US group predicts 'economic meltdown' in China
Updated 25/01/2010 12:02:43
A decade forecast by a leading global intelligence agency has signalled that in ten years' time, China will experience an 'economic meltdown' while the United States remains the lone world superpower.
Echoes of 1960s Japan in China's economic rise
Updated 25/01/2010 12:02:43
Having defied the global economic meltdown to post staggering growth, China is poised to overtake Japan this year as the world's second largest economy.
Tensions rise on eve of Sri Lanka ballot
Updated 25/01/2010 12:02:44
One day before voting in the presidential election Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapakse has been dealt a major electoral setback.
Osama tape released as UK raises threat level
Updated 25/01/2010 12:02:43
The British Foreign Secretary has warned that the danger of a terrorist attack in the UK is very real.
Donors to devise Haiti reconstruction
Updated 25/01/2010 12:02:43
Twelve days after a devastating earthquake hit Haiti the country's government is still far from knowing how many people have been killed.
Japanese language a barrier for Indonesian and Filipino nurses
Updated 25/01/2010 12:02:42
The Japanese health ministry has rejected a plan to make it easier for Indonesian and Filipino nurses to qualify for work in Japan.
Legal action over terror claims in Bruno film
Updated 25/01/2010 12:02:43
Controversial British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen is being sued by a Palestinian man for wrongly portraying him as a terrorist in the satirical film "Bruno".
Afghan polls delayed amid security concerns
Updated 25/01/2010 12:02:43
Afghanistan will postpone its parliamentary elections for four months, until September.
Fears for Australian cricketers in India
Updated 25/01/2010 12:02:43
A radical Hindu group has threatened to disrupt Indian Premier League matches if Australian cricketers are allowed to play.
South Korea calls for baby boom
Updated 22/01/2010 11:03:39
It's a novel approach to boosting fertility in a country with one of the world's lowest birthrates. South Korea's health ministry is turning off its office lights once a month in a bid to encourage staff to go home early and make more babies. The fertility rate is a pressing issue in the country's rapidly ageing society, but observers say a lights-off policy may not be the most sophisticated solution. They say the answer is cheaper education and childcare, more family friendly workplaces and a little more help from fathers in the home.
Hope for Miss Tourism to spread Burma travel profile
Updated 22/01/2010 11:03:39
Burma's tourism sector appears to have taken notice of international overtures to engage with the military-ruled country and is preparing to raise its profile. Next month it plans to hold a 'Miss Tourism' contest to choose a fresh face to represent Burma to overseas tourists.
China economic cooling to affect others: World Bank
Updated 22/01/2010 11:03:39
The World Bank is warning that challenging economic times still lie ahead, despite signs of a recovery from the financial crisis. The World Bank's latest report is stuffed with positive statistics - it's predicting growth of almost three per cent this year. But it warns in most countries unemployment will continue to rise, and even China is not free from risk.
US demands internet transparency in China
Updated 22/01/2010 11:03:40
China appears to be playing down its dispute with internet company Google - and its implications for already strained relations with the US. The signal has come as the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called on Beijing to conduct a thorough and transparent review of cyber intrusions against the internet giant, which has led it to threaten to leave China.
Thai migrant worker policy tough on Burmese
Updated 22/01/2010 11:03:39
The Thai Cabinet has moved to enforce tougher monitoring of more than one million Burmese, Cambodian and Lao migrants legally working in Thailand.
Jail for Vietnamese democracy activists
Updated 21/01/2010 11:13:47
There's been international condemnation after a Vietnamese court sentenced a group of democracy activists to jail. Four men, including a human rights lawyer and a blogger, have been convicted of subverting the people's administration. They avoided the death penalty, but the minimum jail sentence handed down was five years, followed by house arrest. One of the men was sentenced to 16 years jail. The US Consul General and the British Foreign Office have voiced "deep concern" over the convictions, while US-based activists have denounced the trial as a sham.
Republic debate revisited as British Prince visits Australia
Updated 21/01/2010 11:13:47
The debate over whether Australia should become a republic has crept back onto the political agenda, just as the second in line to the British throne, Prince William, tours Australia. The Rudd government is considering the republic issue as part of its second term agenda, as it lays the groundwork for this year's national election.
Work to do before Australian financial hub vision realised
Updated 21/01/2010 11:13:47
A report commissioned by the Australian Government says it has a lot of work to do if Australia is to get the most out of its world class financial system. And now is the time to exploit its good reputation after survivng the worst of the global financial crisis better than most. The report says Canberra's hopes of developing Australia as a financial centre for Asia and beyond won't be realised without large concessions to the tax treatment of foreign earnings.
Death penalty call for Indonesia's ex-corruption chief
Updated 21/01/2010 11:13:47
Indonesia state prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for the former head of the nation's anti-corruption commission who's been charged with the murder of a wealthy businessman. Prosecutors say Antasari Azhar ordered the drive-by-killing of businessman Nasrudin Zulkarnaen after having an affair with Mr Zulkarnaen's wife. But Mr Azhar says the charges are pay-back for the high-profile cases he pursued as chief of the KPK.
A 5,000-year-old language in Cambodia on extinction list
Updated 21/01/2010 11:13:47
The United Nations cultural organisation UNESCO says one language becomes extinct every fortnight. By the end of this century, the world will likely lose half of its 6,700 languages. Cambodia has 19 languages listed as endangered, and it is unlikely that many of them will survive the next 90 years.
A look at Barack Obama's first year as US President
Updated 20/01/2010 12:07:25
It's been a year since Barack Obama became the US president - a year that began with high hopes for an America reborn and ended with the President questioning his own achievements, and public support for him below 50 per cent. Mr Obama's critics accuse him of apologising for America, of being pro-big government, of being soft on terrorism. They say his policy of engagement with countries like Iran, North Korea and Burma has brought no results. His supporters say he inherited an agenda littered with danger and that a new era IS dawning.
Pre-election violence rocks Sri Lanka
Updated 20/01/2010 12:07:25
The two main candidates in Sri Lanka's presidential election have reportedly vowed to defeat all separatist forces on the island, as the government ordered a security crackdown after violent campaign clashes. Two people were killed and several injured in the confrontations and election monitors says efforts by the government don't go far enough to guarantee safety for voters. The candidates' supporters are accusing each other of inciting the pre-election attacks.
Stronger economic ties for China, India
Updated 20/01/2010 12:07:25
China and India are making moves to strengthen their formerly turbulent relationship. At a meeting in Beijing, commerce ministers for both countries have agreed to increase investment.
Former defence chief speaks of Australia's dark moments
Updated 20/01/2010 12:07:25
Retired General Peter Cosgrove has seen his share of international conflict. He served in Vietnam and led Australia's peacekeeping mission in East Timor, before becoming the Chief of the Australian Defence Force. In his Australia Day address last night, the man honoured as Australian of the Year in 2001, focused on the country's efforts to avoid conflict - touching on the race-based violence in Sydney's beachside suburb of Cronulla, and the contribution of Muslim Australians.
Mongolia's President to abolish death penalty
Updated 20/01/2010 12:07:25
Mongolia's plan to abolish the death penalty has been welcomed by human rights group Amnesty International. Mongolian President Tsakhia Elbegdorj made the announcement in a lengthy speech to Parliament, in which he described the death penalty as a "black spot" on Mongolia's reputation.
Major restructure for bankrupt Japan Airlines
Updated 20/01/2010 12:07:25
Japan's national airline has filed for bankruptcy under a government sponored restructuring plan. The cost will be borne by shareholders, tax payers and the airline's workforce. But it's not the end of the road for Japan Airlines - the government is promising to keep it flying even as its wings are well and truly trimmed.
Scientists warn of impending Indonesia quake
Updated 19/01/2010 15:53:49
International scientists are warning that another devastating tsunami is due to hit Indonesia again. Experts say last year's severe earthquake in Padang, Sumatra wasn't the big one they were expecting. Instead they believe it's put more pressure on the faultline, making it highly likely that a tsunami-causing quake will hit the region soon.
Adventurer to tackle deadly North Pole trek
Updated 19/01/2010 15:53:49
West Australian Tom Smitheringale heads to Canada this week for cold weather training. In February he'll set out on a solo 800 kilometre trek to the North Pole. He'll drag a 160-kilogram sled for 70 days across the Arctic, enduring temperatures as low as minus 50 degrees Celsius - that's about 90 degrees cooler than his home town of Perth at the moment. Five people have tried the same feat in the last five years. All have failed and two have died trying.
Brazen Taliban attack in Kabul
Updated 19/01/2010 15:53:50
The NATO Secretary General and the head of the British army have praised Afghanistan's security forces for defending the capital Kabul against a series of attacks by Taliban militants on Monday. Gunmen and bombers attacked buildings across the heart of Kabul, triggering fierce gun battles with security forces and killing at least five people. But the brazen strike has sent a chilling message to the Afghan government.
Conspiracy in Nepal to avoid civil war responsibility: report
Updated 19/01/2010 15:53:50
Concern is mounting that Nepal could slip back into civil strife, with a report from the International Crisis Group noting there hasn't been a single civilian prosecution for abuses during the ten year Maoist insurgency. The report lays out the need for definitive action to end impunity, with a Crisis Group analyst accusing all political parties of a conspiracy to avoid responsibility.
Pyongyang angered by alleged South Korean plans
Updated 19/01/2010 15:53:50
South Korea says it will send delegates to talks with North Korea on Tuesday, despite Pyongyang threatening it with war. The North has warned it will break off all dialogue with the South, unless Seoul apologises for allegedly drawing up a contingency plan to handle regime collapse in the communist state.
Poll slump for Japan's ruling party
Updated 19/01/2010 15:53:50
It's been another difficult day for Japan's Government, with two major polls showing its approval rating has slumped further still, down to 42 percent, from a giddy 70 percent five months ago. The Democratic Party of Japan won an historic and comprehensive victory in last August's general election, but since then it's been all downhill. Adding to the DPJ's woes, 67 percent of respondents in the Asahi-Shimbun poll think the architect of the election win, former leader Ichiro Ozawa, should quit over a lingering funding scandal.
Japan, Thai call for free Burma elections
Updated 19/01/2010 15:53:49
The Japanese foreign minister has urged Burma to hold free and fair elections this year and release pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Katsuya Okada met his Burmese counterpart Nyan Win in a short discussion on the sidelines of the Asia-Latin America foreign minister meeting in Tokyo on Sunday. It came a day after a meeting between Mr Okada and the Thai foreign minister in which the two men agreed democratic elections in Burma were important for development in the region.
Haiti disaster worse than Asian tsunami: UN
Updated 18/01/2010 11:21:46
The UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon has arrived in earthquake-devastated Haiti and says it's the worst humanitarian disaster the world has faced in decades. The US military officer in charge of the US relief operation in the Caribbean nation says the death toll could be as high as 200,000 - 1.5 million people are believed to be homeless.
Indigenous peoples needs still overshadowed by development: UN
Updated 18/01/2010 11:21:45
Human rights abuses, land dispossession and persistent poverty are just a few of the grim realities faced by the world's 370-million indigenous people according to the United Nations. The UN has just released a hefty 268-page report which comes ahead of a review of the poor progress towards the Millenium Development Goals, and a UN review of the definition of development.
Thai Government says Cambodia has right to build new border villages
Updated 18/01/2010 11:21:46
Thailand is giving a measured response to Cambodia's plans to build five new villages close to the disputed Preah Vihear temple, which has been the focus of sporadic and deadly military clashes between the two countries. The five villages will be in neighbouring Oddar Meachey and Preah Vihear provinces, which form Cambodia's northern border with Thailand.
More attacks on Indians in Australia
Updated 18/01/2010 11:21:46
Australia's reputation in India continues to slide, following two more attacks on Indians in Australia. The assaults on two taxi drivers in the rural Victorian town of Ballarat follow the stabbing death earlier this month of a 21-year-old Indian man in Melbourne. The incidents have renewed calls for Australia to somehow bring an end to such attacks.
US considers trial for alleged Bali bomber
Updated 18/01/2010 11:21:46
Authorities in the United States are deliberating about whether to try Riduan Isamuddin - better known as Hambali - in a Washington DC court. Hambali is the alleged mastermind of the 2002 Bali bombings and believed to have been Osama bin Laden's point man in Indonesia.
Sharia law officers accused of rape in Aceh
Updated 15/01/2010 11:39:29
The credibility of a police unit that implements Sharia law in Indonesia's Aceh Province has come under some scrutiny of its own, after two of its officers were arrested on rape charges, while police search for another suspect. Investigators say the three officers allegedly raped a female detainee during a prison interrogation. The case has sparked concern across Indonesia while Acehnese remain divided over the enforcement of Sharia law in their province.
Cambodian military towns spring up on Thai border
Updated 15/01/2010 11:39:29
Cambodia is reinforcing its border with Thailand, establishing new villages full of soldiers, building roads and buying new equipment. The strengthened military presence is part of an ongoing dispute over land surrounding the Preah Vihear temple on their shared border, a dispute that has erupted in sporadic clashes.
Deported Hmong will be safe: Thai PM
Updated 15/01/2010 11:39:29
Thai Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, has defended his decision to return thousands of Lao Hmong back to Laos.
Concern over giant Mongolian mine
Updated 15/01/2010 11:39:29
The Mongolian Government recently granted long-awaited approval for mining firms Rio Tinto and Ivanhoe Mines Mongolia to start developing the Oyu Tolgoi copper and gold deposit. Rio calls it "the world's best untapped copper reserve" and its been hailed as a "cornerstone for Mongolia's future growth". But an alliance of non-government organisations in Mongolia say the deal breaches the constitution, international law and damages the country's national interests.
Timor Sea oil leak cause revealed
Updated 15/01/2010 11:39:28
Environmental groups have renewed their call for a halt to the expansion of Australia's offshore petroleum industry, after the causes of a massive oil spill in the Timor Sea were revealed. Oil leaked from the Montara wellhead platform off Australia's north-west coast over a ten-week period last year - not only raising environmental concerns in Australia, but also in Indonesia and East Timor. In its submission to the Montara Commission of Inquiry PTTEP Australasia says a missing piece of equipment was among the causes of the spill.
Temple lifts veil on Indonesia's Hindu secrets
Updated 15/01/2010 11:39:28
Archaeologists in Indonesia have uncovered a thousand-year-old temple that could shed light on the country's Hindu past. The intricately carved statues and reliefs are some of the best preserved in Indonesia, but the dig is being conducted under tight security to protect the site from well-organised relic thieves.
Google threatens to quit China
Updated 14/01/2010 11:40:26
Internet giant Google is threatening to shut down its operations in China saying its uncovered a sophisticated cyber attack on the company and human rights activists. The US company claims the mid-December attack involved the theft of intellectual property from Google and that at least 20 other large companies were targetted. The US Secretary of State has called for an explanation from China, but Beijing is yet to comment - although an anonymous senior information officer told Xinhua news agency that they are looking into the case.
Devastation in Haiti after earthquake
Updated 14/01/2010 11:40:26
The most powerful earthquake to hit the Caribbean nation of Haiti in more than a century may have killed thousands of people. The true scope of the devastation from the 7.0 quake which hit Tuesday local time is just beginning to take shape. China has sent a search and rescue team and has expressed concern for eight of its 125 peacekeepers serving in the troubled nation. The US, and European states have also sent help including rescue personnel, search dogs, heavy equipment and food.
Critical need for international aid response for Haiti
Updated 14/01/2010 11:40:26
Mike Penrose is the emergency response director for Save the Children Australia, which has a team on the ground in earthquake-devastated Haiti. Mr Penrose was working in the Indonesian province of Sumatra during the devastating earthquake in September last year, and has also worked in Haiti.
Continuing Indonesian military business 'dangerous': Human Rights Watc
Updated 14/01/2010 11:40:26
The Indonesian Government is being criticised by Human Rights Watch for slow progress in dismantling what it calls the Indonesian military's "dangerous business empire". In a new report the New York-based human rights organisation says many elements of armed forces enterprises are implicated in rights abuses. It says the army still has control of more than 50 businesses, despite a law passed in 2004 requiring it to exit private enterprise by 2009. The Army and Government say such reform is an ongoing process.
Hillary Clinton delivers major Asia engagement speech
Updated 14/01/2010 11:40:26
Dispelling suspicions, building better co-operation and getting America formally into the East Asia summit have been key themes of a major Asia policy speech in Hawaii by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Outlining the principles that will guide the US government's re-engagement with Asia, Secretary Clinton pledged to help shape new patterns of co-operation while maintaining trusted old alliances ahead of a tour that also includes Papua New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand.
Secretary Clinton and the US Secretary of Defense have cancelled their tour prior to travelling to PNG, however, due to the earthquake in Haiti
Presenter: Linda Mottram, Canberra correspondent
Speakers: Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State; Katsuya Okada, Japan Foreign Minister
Cambodian PM lashes out at Thai leaders
Updated 14/01/2010 11:40:26
Just when you thought relations between Cambodia and Thailand couldn't get any worse, Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen has resorted to name calling... and he says he's waiting for the imminent demise of Abhisit Vejjajiva's government before he gets friendly with his neighbour again.
Australia stands by Tamil visa rejection
Updated 13/01/2010 11:42:47
The Australian government is standing by a decision not to issue visas to five Tamils. The five were declared refugees by the United Nations but found to be a security risk to Australia. Australia's immigration and foreign ministers have declined to give details of the security risk and say they'll now work with the UNHCR to find another option for the group. But concern is being raised about the secretive role of Australian intelligence in the process.
Malaysia and China sign $11 billion energy investment deal
Updated 13/01/2010 11:42:46
A major investment deal said to be worth $US11 billion has been signed between Malaysia and China. The joint venture between two government owned corporations will focus on energy projects in the state of Sarawak. The agreement will help reverse the loss of foreign investment in Malaysia dating back to the financial crisis of 1998. But it's being criticised by environmentalists who say Sarawak has suffered immense damage from insensitive developments already.
Report warns impact of Islamisation in Pakistan on US efforts
Updated 13/01/2010 11:42:47
Pakistan is likely to become a more Islamist state and increasingly anti-American in the coming years... according to a new report from a British think tank. The report from the Legatum Institute in London, looking at Pakistan over the next one to three years, says the move towards a more Islamist state will complicate US efforts to win support against violent extremists.
Air safety concerns remain at three years after Yogyakarta crash
Updated 13/01/2010 11:42:47
Indonesian prosecutors are appealing a court decision which overturned the conviction of a Garuda pilot who crashed a passenger jet killing 21 people. The appeal comes a month after the High Court quashed an earlier two year prison sentence against pilot Marwoto Komar, who was flying the plane that crashed on landing at Yogyakarta airport in 2007.
India considers giving vote to overseas nationals
Updated 13/01/2010 11:42:47
The Indian government is working on an ambitious plan to enable millions of residents living abroad to cast their votes in future elections. Non-resident Indians say they're looking forward to participating in their home country's political process. The move has also been welcomed by the country's main opposition, but the BJP says there are major legal and logistical problems to contend with.
Deadly air pollution on the increase in Hong Kong
Updated 13/01/2010 11:42:46
A report in Hong Kong media last week says the city and its surrounding areas experienced life-threatening levels of air pollution one in every eight days last year.
The South China Morning Post reports figures from the Environment Protection Department showing there were 44 days of 'very high pollution' reported in Central, on Hong Kong island. In some areas air quality has deteriorated five-fold in just five years, and there are criticisms that official records do not show the whole picture.
Credit levels set off China alarms
Updated 12/01/2010 13:04:10
Chinese banks have extended loans amounting to $US88 billion in just one week, prompting authorities to consider measures to curb inflation. The level of credit is a heady start to the new year but is setting off alarm bells in Beijing according to state media reports.
China becomes world's biggest exporter
Updated 12/01/2010 13:04:10
China's exports and imports surpassed expectations last month, cementing the Asian nation's new status as the world's biggest exporter. Exports jumped 17.7 percent in December, overtaking Europe's biggest economy - Germany - to take the world top spot. The growth has strengthened the case of other nations calling for Beijing to let the yuan appreciate, but as Stephanie March reports economists are predicting China won't loosen control on the currency any time soon.
UN investigates refugee organ sales
Updated 12/01/2010 13:04:10
With a huge shortfall in human organs for transplant, black market traders may be turning their attention to the thousands of desperate asylum seekers and refugees in Indonesia. An Iraqi refugee says he's trying to stop a friend who's considering selling a kidney to a Saudi Arabian tout in order to fund an illegal journey to Australia. It's difficult to verify the claim, but the United Nations refugee agency says it is aware of the case and is checking it.
Anger remains over Indian graduate murder
Updated 12/01/2010 13:04:10
Australia's foreign minister, Stephen Smith, has telephoned his counterpart in India expressing his condolences and promising that authorities will do all they can to find the person responsible for the murder of 21-year-old Nitin Garg, stabbed in Melbourne a week and a half ago. But Australia's assurances have again been met with disdain and anger by sections of the Indian community, government and media.
Chinese prosecutors to decide on Hu case
Updated 12/01/2010 13:04:10
Six months after they were detained by special agents from China's State Security Bureau, four Rio Tinto executives will soon get a decision on whether they will face court or not. The case involving Australian Stern Hu and three of his colleagues is now in the hands of Chinese prosecutors who will determine whether there's sufficient evidence to hold a trial.
Four Tamil refugees refused Australian asylum
Updated 12/01/2010 13:04:10
Australia's security intelligence gathering agency ASIO has decided four of the 78 Tamil asylum seekers rescued by the Australian customs vessel, Oceanic Viking, pose a threat to national security. That's despite the United Nations refugee agency finding them to be refugees. The Immigration Department is now trying to find another country to resettle them and says in the interim the Tamils can leave Australia voluntarily.
Clinton to make major Asia Pacific policy speech during tour
Updated 11/01/2010 12:51:47
The future of the security alliance between Japan and the United States is set to dominate the early stages of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's trip around the Asia-Pacific region this week. Mrs Clinton will meet Japan's Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada in Honolulu to discuss the impasse over the US military base on Okinawa. The US wants clear statements from Japan's somewhat unpredictable new Government on its commitment the alliance.
Church attacks key test for Malaysia's PM
Updated 11/01/2010 12:51:48
Religious tensions are threatening to boil over in Malaysia after arsonists struck churches and a convent school. The attacks follow a court ruling last week which gave a Catholic newspaper the right to use the word "Allah". The government has banned the use of the word by non-Muslims and refused to make an exception for the paper. The escalating dispute is a key test for Prime Minister Najib Razak - a leader who's already struggling to win minority support and attract foreign investment.
Cull proposed as thirsty camels invade Northern Australian towns
Updated 11/01/2010 12:51:47
More than a million camels roam the Australian desert which stretches the tens of thousands of kilometres from the far west, to the east. The residents of one distant community, Docker River, are living with hordes of thirsty camels who are invading the town, knocking over hydrants and taps in search of a drink.
Former Tamil Tigers go home, ahead of Sri Lankan election
Updated 11/01/2010 12:51:47
More than 700 former Tamil Tiger rebels have been reunited with their families after spending months in rehabilitation camps. President Mahinda Rajapaksa attended the special ceremony in the Manik Farm Camp where more than 100,000 refugees are being held. It comes as President Rajapaksa is touring the war-ravaged north in a bid to win votes from the Tamil minority in this month's presidential election.
Huge Christian gatherings signal new religious freedoms in Vietnam
Updated 11/01/2010 12:51:48
Religious freedoms in Vietnam appear to be expanding. In the lead up to Christmas, huge Christian prayer gatherings were held in the major cities, attracting 12,000 Christians in Hanoi and 40,000 to one event in Ho Chi Minh City. Christian groups admit to being surprised by their new found freedoms, saying such large gatherings would have been unthinkable even 12 months ago.
China's train technology catches up
Updated 08/01/2010 11:57:06
In China high-speed rail is being taken up with such enthusiasm it's soon expected to have the world's largest high speed rail network. But, as it prepares to export these trains to other countries, some in France and Japan have accused China of stealing their technology.
China's drug rehabilitation centres 'inhumane'
Updated 08/01/2010 11:57:06
A new report accuses Chinese health authorities of arbitrary detention and inhumane treatment of many of the country's drug users. The Human Rights Watch report, 'Where Darkness Knows No Limits', documents instances of unpaid forced labour, physical abuse and denial of healthcare among patients in compulsory drug detention centres in Yunnan and Guangxi provinces.
Australia and NZ scientists conduct non-lethal whale research
Updated 08/01/2010 11:57:06
Australia and New Zealand are about to begin a whale research program in the Southern Ocean. Japan kills up to 1,000 whales each year in the name of research, and much of the meat ends up in Japan's fish markets. But the Australian and New Zealand research will aim to answer similar questions, using non-lethal methods.
Tamil shooting video authentic: UN
Updated 08/01/2010 11:57:06
A United Nations investigator has determined that video footage of unarmed, naked and blindfolded men being killed in Sri Lanka is authentic. The footage was originally aired on Britain's Channel 4 last year. It's alleged the victims are Tamil Tiger rebels being shot by Sri Lankan troops, however the UN has not confirmed this. The Sri Lankan government insists the footage is fake, and it has repeatedly denied that its forces were guilty of war crimes or human rights breaches.
US Secretary of State to visit Australia and Pacific
Updated 08/01/2010 11:57:06
The war in Afghanistan will be on the agenda for talks in Australia later this month between the foreign and defence ministers of Australia and the US. Broader questions about Asia's shape and security also loom for the 25th anniversary of the Australia-US ministerial talks, known as AUSMIN.
Outgoing UN envoy to Afghanistan warns against impatience
Updated 08/01/2010 11:57:06
The outgoing Special Representative of the United Nations in Afghanistan warns the situation in the war-torn country is on the verge of becoming 'unmanageable'. Kai Eide says foreign donors and the Afghan people are becoming impatient with the slow progress being made by the Government and the international community.
Australia under pressure to monitor whaling wars
Updated 07/01/2010 11:49:51
The Australian Opposition is increasing its pressure on the Federal Government to send an observer vessel to the Southern Ocean after the sinking of an anti-whaling vessel on Wednesday. The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society's million dollar high-tech speed boat Ady Gil was lost after a collision with a ship from the Japanese whaling fleet.
Australia loses international student applications
Updated 07/01/2010 11:49:51
The fallout from last weekend's murder of an Indian graduate in Australia continues. Nitin Garg, a permanent resident of Australia, was stabbed as he made his way to work in Melbourne last Saturday night, and died later in hospital. Immigration department figures show a massive drop-off in visa applications from overseas students for 2010 - the loss of interest from Indian students is the greatest.
Japan's finance minister struggling with health problems
Updated 07/01/2010 11:49:51
Japan's prime minister has been dealt a a fresh blow, with reports his influential finance minister is bowing out due to poor health. Hirohisa Fujii is one of the few experienced members of Yukio Hatoyama's coalition government, but he looks set to quit amid reports he's exhausted after months of stitching together the country's annual budget.
Thai army prepares for pro-Thaksin rally
Updated 07/01/2010 11:49:51
Thailand's United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, better known as the Red-Shirts, are planning to hold a protest march in Bangkok aimed at toppling the Government. The Thai cabinet has approved the spending of $US7.5 million on new riot gear, including rubber bullets, tear gas, net launchers and body armour, in preparation for the march.
Asia airline deal to cut travel costs
Updated 07/01/2010 11:49:51
Asia's two biggest budget airlines are joining forces. The Qantas off-shoot Jetstar and Malaysia's AirAsia will cooperate to reduce costs through shared services and aircraft purchases. Executives of the two companies say the alliance could achieve savings of hundreds of millions of dollars.
Indian motoring giant eyes US market
Updated 07/01/2010 11:49:50
Indian auto giant Tata is considering an ambitious plan to launch its much publicised Nano car in the United States. The announcement follows possible sales of the 'world's cheapest car' to Europe and Latin America by the end of 2011. But when it comes to the US market, some analysts believe the odds are stacked against Tata.
Calls for East Timor police to disarm
Updated 06/01/2010 11:00:14
East Timor's Chief of Police has suspended an officer while police investigate the shooting death of a 25-year-old man. The incident sparked angry protests on the streets of the capital and some victims advocacy groups are calling for East Timorese police to be disarmed.
Chinese ambassador heartened by Australia relations
Updated 06/01/2010 11:00:13
China's Ambassador to Australia says relations between the two countries are on track. Zhang Junsai has brushed off concerns about Chinese investment in Australia and complaints from investors that the foreign investment rules aren't transparent. Mr Zhang says that he's heartened by a speech last month by Australian Treasurer Wayne Swan about foreign investment policies.
Philippines introduces compulsory anti-piracy training
Updated 06/01/2010 11:00:14
The Philippines government has introduced mandatory anti-piracy training for their seafarers. The training will include techniques to prevent pirates from boarding vessels, and how to manage a hostage situation. About a third of the world's 1.5 million commercial seafarers are from the Philippines and nearly 500 Filipinos have been held hostage at some point off the coast of Somalia in the past three years.
Australian Greens call for freeze on radio equipment sales to Burma
Updated 06/01/2010 11:00:14
An Australian communications manufacturer has been accused of selling high-frequency radio sets to the military regime in Burma. Australian opposition political party, the Greens, say people on the Burmese border have told them radios made by Barrett Communications are assisting the Burmese army in its operations against ethnic minorities, because the radios are capable of frequency-hopping and encryption. Barrett Communications Managing Director Phil Bradshaw declined to be interviewed, but told Radio Australia the radio he exports to Burma isn't capable of encryption. But Australian Greens Senator Scott Ludlam says the export of the radios must be stopped.
Burmese military leader urges 'correct' election voting
Updated 06/01/2010 11:00:14
Burma's military leader Than Shwe has marked his country's independence day by urging Burmese to make the 'correct choices' when voting in this year's elections. No date has yet been announced for the poll, which will be the first election in Burma in 20 years.
India issues Australian travel warning
Updated 06/01/2010 11:00:14
The anger over the murder of a young Indian graduate in Australia is growing.... and the Indian government has issued an official travel advisory, warning Indian students of increased assaults and robberies in Australia.
Oil spill threatens drinking water of millions in China
Updated 06/01/2010 11:00:14
Contamination from a major spill on China's Yellow River has worsened as authorities struggle to stop diesel oil from reaching the water supplies of several towns and cities. The spill is from a pipeline which ruptured last Wednesday and oil has now spread through three provinces. China National Petroleum Corporation - the country's largest oil company - is blaming a "third party construction project" but local government officials say they don't accept this version of events.
World's tallest building unveiled in Dubai
Updated 05/01/2010 10:49:21
The gulf state of Dubai has taken a bigger hit than most nations during the financial crisis - so it's no mean feat that the tiny Arab emirate has just opened the world's tallest building. The Burj Dubai stands more than 800 metres high - easily eclipsing any other record holder built before it.
Archives reveal Australia-Indonesia tension over East Timor
Updated 05/01/2010 10:49:21
Secret Cabinet documents from 1979 released by the Australian National Archives on January 1 confirm high tension between Australia and Indonesia over East Timor, as famine spread in the Indonesian-occupied territory. Indonesia's then-foreign minister is revealed to have accused Australia of being noisy and sanctimonious over the situation, as the Fraser Cabinet faced growing pressure to do more to help an estimated 200-thousand starving East Timorese.
Push for more Indian states
Updated 05/01/2010 10:49:22
Just weeks after the Indian government announced the formation of Telangana state, communities and districts elsewhere have begun campaigns demanding their own territories. Observers argue there's a strong case for more states to be formed.
Asian stock markets make a bright start to 2010
Updated 05/01/2010 10:49:22
Asia's share markets have made a bright start to 2010. Strong manufacturing data from China, and a Government lifeline for Japan Airlines have helped boost market sentiment. And Tokyo has a brand new computer system for its troubled stock exchange.
Travel security crackdown angers passengers
Updated 05/01/2010 10:49:22
The United States has ramped up its air security measures as it tries to manage the fall out from the failed Christmas Day terrorist attack on a Detroit-bound flight. the US has also decided to single out passengers from 14 countries for extra screening, a move which has sparked anger from citizens in the nations targeted.
Family of dead Indian man blame Australian government
Updated 05/01/2010 10:49:22
The family of a young Indian man stabbed to death in Melbourne says the Australian government has failed to protect Indians living and working in Australia. The man's relatives say they didn't even receive official notification from government officials that 21 year old Nitin Garg had been murdered. They're now pleading for help to return his body to India.
Security concerns for US, UK in Yemen
Updated 04/01/2010 11:16:59
A threat from the Al Qaeda group linked to the Christmas Day airline bomb plot in the United States has prompted the US to close its embassy in Yemen. Britain has also shut its' embassy's doors, citing security reasons.
Archives reveal Australian refugee dilemma
Updated 04/01/2010 11:16:59
Secret Australian Cabinet documents released on January 1, 2010, show that 30 years ago, the then Fraser government was facing dilemmas eerily similar to those faced by more recent Australian governments on asylum seekers arriving by boat.
Karzai cabinet rejected
Updated 04/01/2010 11:16:59
Afghanistan's parliament has rejected 70 per cent of President Hamid Karzai's nominees for cabinet. His former opposition rival says this latest blow from parliament is confirmation the country is in the midst of a political crisis, and political analysts warn Afghanistan's foreign backers will not be pleased at the delay to appointing key ministers.
Radical program for Switzerland's heroin addicts
Updated 04/01/2010 11:16:59
Giving drug addict's free heroin sounds like a contentious move, but that is exactly what happens in Switzerland. A referendum in 2008 overwhelmingly approved a programme that has been running for years as a trial. It gives security to a system designed for those addicts who have failed all other treatment options, but it's not without its critics.
Wild weather in northern China
Updated 04/01/2010 11:16:59
Heavy snowfall in Beijing is causing major disruption, as northern China prepares for some of the lowest temperatures in decades. Freezing temperatures have forced flight cancellations and highway closures.
India angry at fatal stabbing in Australia
Updated 04/01/2010 11:16:59
Another young Indian man has been attacked in the southern Australian city of Melbourne, this time fatally. A 21-year-old permanent resident was stabbed to death on Saturday night. His death comes in the wake of more than a year of safety issues for Indians studying and living in Australia. The Indian Minister for External Affairs says the attack was uncivilised and may affect relations between India and Australia.
