May 2007
AUSTRALIA: Canberra accused of bullying over East Timor oil and gas
Updated 31/05/2007 14:21:01
An insider in the six year negotiation between Australia and East Timor over oil and gas resources has accused Canberra of bullying and blackmail in dealing with the new state. The Australian journalist Paul Cleary served as an adviser to the East Timor government during the border negotiations over the seabed resources in the Timor Sea. He says Australia's initial demands to the major share of the resources would have made East Timor a permanent beggar state - completely dependent on aid.
SINGAPORE: Johor eyes Shenzhen for development ideas
Updated 31/05/2007 14:21:08
The Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister, Najib Razak, visited Singapore this week and on the agenda was the Iskandar Development Region in Johor State. Mr Najib held meetings with potential investors in the IDR and later publicly announced a crackdown on crime in the state. The plans for the state are massive - a business city modelled on China's special economic star Shenzhen.
MALAYSIA: Bar Council fears societal fallout from court case
Updated 31/05/2007 14:21:12
A land mark court case in Malaysia looks set to divide the nation, continue a bitter constitutional debate and for the individual involved, prevent her marriage. The country's highest court has dismissed an appeal by Lina Joy to have her religion changed on her identity card. Lina Joy was born a Muslim but converted to Christianity and cannot marry her Christian boyfriend unless her conversion from Islam is recognised. The Federal court has ruled this must be determined by the Sharia or Islamic Court despite the right to freedom of religion being enshrined in Malaysia's constitution.
PAKISTAN: Sex change couple sentenced to jail
Updated 31/05/2007 14:20:55
A Pakistani court has sentenced a couple to three years' jail after it deemed they lied about the husband's sexual status. Last week the court ruled that the husband was, in fact, a woman, despite having had sex-change surgery 16 years earlier. It also ruled their marriage was un-Islamic because it was same-sex. The case is believed the first of its kind in Pakistan where it has raised the vexatious issue of homosexuality and transexuality in this Muslim society.
INDIA: Rajasthan hit by violent clashes
Updated 31/05/2007 14:20:55
The northern Indian state of Rajasthan has been the subject of violent clashes between police and thousands of people demanding government aid. The protesters from the Gujjar community of shepherds want to be included among the "scheduled castes," India's socially and economically weakest communities who are granted state aid and jobs.
12 protesters died when police fired at them in the districts of Bundi and Dausa. A policeman was also bludgeoned to death in the conflict.
JAPAN: Plans to curb suicides after minister's death
Updated 31/05/2007 19:22:08
The political scandal that claimed the life of Farm Minister Toshikatsu Matsuoka has resulted in a second suicide. Shinichi Yamazaki, former head of Japan Green Resources Agency and supposedly involved in a bid-rigging scam, jumped from his condominium in Yokohama, just south of Tokyo. His death comes after the 62 year old minister hanged himself in his apartment shortly before he was due to face questioning in parliament over the scandal. The events are a grim reminder that Japan's suicide rate remains stubbornly high despite recent efforts to address the problem.
THAILAND: Fears of fresh political crisis after Thai Rak Thai ruling
Updated 31/05/2007 19:22:26
There are fears of a fresh political crisis in Thailand after the country's leading constitutional judges ruled to disband the hugely popular Thai Rak Thai party, once led by ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Mr Thaksin has also been punished for his role in electoral fraud allegations in last year's general election and banned from politics for five years. The Constitutional Tribunal however, cleared the Democrat Party of any wrong doing in the April 2006 poll.
CHINA: Author Will Hutton on 21st Century China and the West
Updated 31/05/2007 19:22:39
China's Communist Party could lose its grip on power unless it redefines itself and allows more democractic reform. That's the view of leading writer Will Hutton who has a new book on the subject - The Writing On The Wall.
INDONESIA: Governor accepts apology from Australia
Updated 31/05/2007 19:22:50
There has been a breakthrough in a diplomatic row between Australia and Indonesia. The stoush began when Jakarta's visiting Governor, General Sutiyoso was invited by police to testify at an inquest into the deaths of five Australian-based journalists at Balibo in East Timor in 1975. The Governor cut-short his visit in protest.
TONGA: No sign of tension at opening of Parliament
Updated 31/05/2007 19:22:08
Tonga's parliament has reopened, with the King announcing significant changes to the education system. In his speech from the throne, King George Tupou the fifth said the school leaving age will be raised from 14 to 18. As well, most Tongan children will have access to some form of vocational or technical education. Tonga's prime minister, Dr Fred Sevele, said were no signs of political tensions during the opening of parliament.
ASIA PACIFIC: Cancer experts find new worrying genes
Updated 29/05/2007 19:21:17
A comprehensive trawl through the human genome by an international team of cancer experts has found several new genes which put women at increased risk of breast cancer. The findings are published in the journal Nature, and build on a 1995 study - which found two genes which give women who carry them, up to an 85% increased risk of breast cancer.
NORTH KOREA: Kim Jong-il considers his kids for succession
Updated 29/05/2007 19:09:16
North Korea's reclusive leader Kim Jong-il appears to be preparing one of his sons to become his successor. Korea watchers say he has cut his public appearances in half this year, a sign perhaps that the 65 year old Dear Leader's health is failing. And at a number of those appearances he has been accompanied by his two younger sons. The open appearance of Kim's second and third sons at the official events along with Kim's worsening health, stemming from chronic diabetes and heart disease, has led some to believe he is weighing up which of his sons would be best qualified to carry on the family legacy.
UNITED STATES: Anti-whaling nations reject Japanese offer
Updated 29/05/2007 19:13:36
In Alaska, anti-whaling nations and conservation groups have rejected a deal that would have allowed humpback whales to be protected from Japan's scientific hunt. Lacking the numbers to secure any significant changes at this year's International Whaling Commission meeting, Japan offered to exempt the humpback from its scientific research programme. But in return it wanted local Japanese communities to be given permission to hunt whales in Japanese waters.
MALAYSIA: Islamic Economic Forum calls for progress not dogma
Updated 29/05/2007 19:19:29
Islamic leaders meeting in Malaysia are calling for unity and cooperation among their people to liberate Muslims from poverty and conflict. The third World Islamic Economic Forum which brought together over one thousand delegates from sixty countries for three days has just wound up in Kuala Lumpur. It comes two weeks before the G8 meeting in Germany in which the Middle east conflicts will be discussed.
CHINA: Beijing hit by more food and medicine scandals
Updated 29/05/2007 19:21:05
China has been hit with more food and medicine safety scandals. Officials are investigating claims that contaminated toothpaste has been sent to Central America. It's prompted US officials to check all shipments of toothpaste imported from China, fearing they may contain toxic chemicals. The latest scare follows the death in America of a number of cats and dogs that died from eating contaminated pet food from China.
And in another twist, the former head of China's State Food and Drug Administration has been sentenced to death after being convicted of corruption.
PHILIPPINES: Australia to help modernise Armed Forces
Updated 29/05/2007 19:24:19
Australia is set to play a vital role in modernising the Armed Forces of the Philippines through a historic defense pact which will be signed later this week when the Philippines' President Gloria Arroyo visits Australia. The Status of Forces Agreement, SOFA, has been three years in the making, and will also improve regional security. The agreement could also see Australia overtake the United States in providing skills and training to Filipino forces.
CHINA: Climate change a factor in worsening drought
Updated 28/05/2007 20:16:34
China's worst drought in decades is taking its toll on crops and people. Reports from several provinces talk of millions of households and livestock suffering, in the midst of a drinking water shortage. In others, a massive mobilisation of manpower is being ordered to irrigate farm land, and the price of water is soaring.
ASIA PACIFIC: APEC Energy Ministers meet
Updated 28/05/2007 20:16:38
Energy Ministers from 21 Asia Pacific countries are in the northern Australian city of Darwin for the start of an APEC meeting to look at energy security and sustainability. The Energy conference is one of eight APEC ministerial meetings in Australia this year, leading to the Asia Pacific leaders' summit in Sydney in September. On the sidelines of the Darwin meeting, there'll be further discussion about whether APEC should widen its membership to allow in India.
INDONESIA: Bird flu claims another life as WHO raises vaccine concern
Updated 28/05/2007 20:16:24
Bird flu has claimed yet another life in Indonesia, with health authorities confirming that a five-year-old girl from Central Java who died two weeks ago was infected with the H5N1 virus. The disease has killed 186 people since 2003. Although it's a tiny fraction compared to the death tolls from malaria or HIV, bird flu's potential to start a pandemic remains a serious concern to the World Health Organisation.
UNITED STATES: Anti-whaling nations confident on eve of meeting
Updated 28/05/2007 20:16:29
On the eve of the International Whaling Commission meeting in Alaska, the anti-whaling bloc is breathing a big sigh of relief. After feverish recruiting by both sides, the anti-whaling nations look as if they've got the numbers edge. They're now confident they can maintain the international ban on commercial whaling despite Japan's attempts to overturn it.
JAPAN: Funding scandal blamed for minister's death
Updated 28/05/2007 20:16:45
A growing political scandal in Japan has apparently led to the suicide of one of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's senior ministers. The agriculture minister Toshikatsu Matsuoka was found hanged in a building near Japan's parliament.
INDONESIA: Yogyakarta quake remembered, one year on
Updated 25/05/2007 18:27:35
The people of Yogyakarta are marking the first anniversary of the devastating earthquake. Five thousand people were killed and more than a million were left homeless when the 6.3 quake struck near the Javanese city on May 27, 2006.
MALAYSIA: New hurdle for Anwar Ibrahim's comeback
Updated 25/05/2007 18:13:40
Malaysia's former deputy prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim, has hit another hurdle on his path to making a political comeback. This time, the problem comes from within his own party, with accusations he's interfered in the nominations for this weekend's party polls. Anwar Ibrahim was barred from public office until 2008 because of a corruption conviction, following what many said was a highly irregular court trial. Now members of his own Keadilan party are saying that rules him out of the contest for the party presidency this weekend.
JAPAN: Scathing UN report on justice system
Updated 25/05/2007 18:13:43
Japan's legal fraternity has backed calls by the United Nations for Japan's justice system to be overhauled. The UN's Committee Against Torture released a damning report earlier this week which condemned many practices of the police and courts along with Japan's treatment of international refugees. The Committee set a one year deadline for change.
AUSTRALIA: Outback city eyes Bollywood film-makers
Updated 25/05/2007 18:39:56
For more than 35 years, Australian film-makers have flocked to the area around the outback city of Broken Hill to make movies. The city's reputation as a location is solid, with big international pictures like Mission Impossible Two, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Mad Max 2 were all shot in-and-around Broken Hill, known by some as the "Silver City". But now Broken Hill has set it sights on attracting film-makers from one of the world's most flamboyant and colourful film industries - Bollywood.
SOLOMON ISLANDS: Former PM Ulufa'alu dies
Updated 25/05/2007 18:13:27
There have been tributes to the former Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Bartholomew Ulufa'alu. Mr Ulufa'alu was 56. He had suffered diabetes and heart problems for several years. Prime Minister from 1997 til 2000, Mr Ulufa'alu was the founder of the Solomon Islands Liberal Party.
SRI LANKA: Red cross pulls out of war front
Updated 24/05/2007 20:20:55
The Red Cross is quitting Sri Lanka's war front indefinitely in the island's north, because of fears of for its staff and civilians.
It says I-C-R-C staff will withdraw from the Omanthai crossing - the main transit point between the government-held south and the Tamil Tigers' de facto state in the north. The checkpoint sits on defence lines that separate the government from Tamil Tiger-held territory.
INDONESIA: Tommy Soeharto funds frozen in British Isles
Updated 24/05/2007 20:21:06
Indonesia's attorney-general is reviving corruption cases against the youngest son of former dictator Soeharto. The family stands accused of amassing a huge fortune through corrupt means, during the Soeharto regime. Tommy Soeharto was released last year after serving just four years of a 15 year jail sentence for murder. Now, the Royal Guernsey Court in Britain, has agreed to freeze, for six months, around 50 million US dollars deposited by Tommy Soeharto into a bank account in the Guernsey Islands on the condition that Indonesia demonstrates a greater willingness to prosecute the Soeharto family.
AFGHANISTAN: MP thrown out over cow and donkey comments
Updated 24/05/2007 20:21:12
Malalai Joya, one of Afghanistan's most outspoken members of parliament, was voted out of the lower house this week by her fellow MPs. Her crime? Saying in a television interview that her the other MPs were "worse than cows and donkeys" because at least they could provide milk and carry hay.
AUSTRALIA: Opposition critical of government foreign policy
Updated 24/05/2007 20:21:17
In Canberra, Australia's Labor Opposition says Foreign Minister Alexander Downer should have used his talks with the Secretary of State in California, to discuss how Australia could turn attention to its own region. The Opposition spokesman on Foreign Affairs, Robert McLelland, says Australian foreign policy is failing to solve the challenge of fragile states in its neighbourhood.
UNITED STATES: Australia and US talk up 55 year alliance
Updated 24/05/2007 20:21:23
Australia's foreign minister has met the US Secretary of State in California for talks with both sides talking up the strength of the 55-year-old alliance. Alexander Downer says Australia will join the US and Japan in research on the creation of anti-missile system, to shoot down ballistic missiles.
CANADA: Bhutanese refugees offered settlement
Updated 24/05/2007 20:20:55
Canada says it will resettle up to five-thousand Bhutanese refugees living in camps in Nepal, over the next three to five years. The announcement comes as the United Nations' top refugee envoy arrived in Kathmandu for a three day visit to Nepal and Bhutan. An estimated 108-thousand Bhutanese refugees of ethnic Nepali hindus have been living in seven camps in eastern Nepal since the early 1990s.
BURMA: US urges govt to release prisoners
Updated 23/05/2007 19:37:43
The United States is calling on Burma's military government to release a thousand prisoners, including democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill says the continued home detention of Ms Suu Kyi was one of several issues that posed what he called "a real blockage" of Burma joining the international community. Ms Suu Kyi's house arrest is up for review by the military this Sunday - the anniversary of her latest detention in May 2003.
BANGLADESH: Elections promised by end of 2008
Updated 23/05/2007 19:37:49
In Bangladesh, the interim government says it will make good on its promise to hold free and fair elections before the end of 2008. The election commission says polls could be held within 18 months. But the country's anti-corruption drive is continuing, and among the targets are key political figures -- including a former advisor to Khaleda Zia, Harris Chowdhury, who has been sentenced, in absentia - to three years in prison.
CHINA: Beijing buys into US private equity firm
Updated 23/05/2007 20:32:06
China is warning the United States not to politicise trade disagreements as representatives of the two countries meet in Washington. The US Congress is threatening retaliation against what it says is China's policy of keeping its currency artificially low, to give Chinese exporters advantage over their American competitors. The top level talks in Washington this week are coinciding with moves by Beijing's new investment fund to buy a three billion dollar stake in America's second largest private equity firm, the Blackstone Group.
SRI LANKA: Australia attacks human right abuses
Updated 23/05/2007 19:37:56
Australia has accused the Sri Lankan Government of violating humanitarian law on a regular basis, pointing to daily abductions and extra-judicial killings. The direct criticism of the Sri Lanka Government came in a statement from Australia's Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer. It says both sides of the conflict - the Government and the rebel Tamil Tigers - were committing human rights abuses. The criticism is seen by some analysts as setting the stage for Australia to proscribe the Tamil Tigers as a terrorist organisation.
CHINA: President Hu named 'most progressive' leader
Updated 23/05/2007 19:37:34
A controversial list nominating Asia's most progressive political leaders and business people has been published in London. At the top of the list of 20 and sure to raise debate is China's President Hu Jintao. Malaysia's former Prime Minister Mahatair Mohammad ranks seventh, just one slot below the latest winner of the Nobel Peace Prize Muhammad Yunus, founder of the Grameen Bank for the poor at number six. Indonesia's President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono comes in at eleventh place and also making the list is prominent Hong Kong based corporate critic, David Webb.
MALAYSIA: Health Ministry refuses to advocate condom use
Updated 23/05/2007 19:37:40
The Malaysian Health Ministry says it cannot openly advocate condom use to fight AIDS. An official from the government's sexually transmitted disease prevention unit told the New Straits Times, voluntary groups must be relied on to promote safe sex.
THAILAND: Ousted PM prepared to return hom to face charges
Updated 22/05/2007 14:32:57
Thailand's ousted prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, who has been living in exile in London, says he's now prepared to return to his homeland to face any potential corruption charges. He's also urging the military-installed government that ousted him to hold elections as quickly as possible.
THAILAND: Senior general backs away from extremist claims
Updated 22/05/2007 19:33:16
In Thailand, a senior security adviser to the prime minister has backed away from claims he made last week that extremists from Cambodia and Indonesia were training separatist rebels in the south. General Watanachai Chaimuanwong had suggested that foreign experts were providing weapons and bomb making training in the Muslim-majority south.
PAKISTAN: Red Mosque stand-off adds to national crisis
Updated 22/05/2007 19:33:21
About forty radical muslim students remain in detention in Pakistan, after the end of a stand-off over two policemen held hostage at a mosque in the capital Islamabad. The students were arrested on Sunday when they tried to go to the Lal Masjid or Red Mosque, where hardline students are locked in a three-day confrontation with armed security forces. Students at a religious school attached to the mosque seized the four policemen last Friday. Two were freed the next day after a deal was struck with authorities.
AUSTRALIA: Challenge from extremists to decide military planning
Updated 22/05/2007 19:33:29
Australia's Defence Minister says military planning for the foreseeable future will be defined by the challenge from Muslim extremists. Dr Brendan Nelson says the extremists are not just fanatically opposed to the United States, but to Muslim leaders such as Indonesia President Yudhoyono and Malaysia's Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi.
PHILIPPINES: Trend emerges in mid term elections
Updated 22/05/2007 19:33:32
The final official results from the Philippines mid term elections are still weeks away, but a clear trend is emerging. Voters have shown a strong preference for the status quo, with the government's allies doing well at the provincial level and in the lower house of the national parliament.
More than 130 people have been killed in poll related violence since campaigning began months ago.
INDIA: Moves to curb sex trafficking
Updated 22/05/2007 19:32:39
India will ban women under 30 from emigrating as domestic workers in Southeast Asia, the Gulf and parts of Africa, in a bid to curb sex trafficking. The Indian minister for women and children, Renuka Chowdhury, says some overseas domestic workers have accused their employers of taking away their passports and forcing them into prostitution.
MALAYSIA: Legal experts eye custody appeal
Updated 22/05/2007 19:32:44
The Malaysian federal court has granted leave to appeal to a Hindu woman whose husband converted to Islam in an apparent attempt to win custody of their son. The appeal is being closely watched by legal experts in Malaysia, who say the exploitation of a legal loophole in such cases highlights tensions between Malaysia's civil and Islamic sharia courts.
CHINA: Concern over toxic pesticide use
Updated 21/05/2007 19:08:59
The environmental agency Greenpeace is expressing concern over the continued use in China of highly toxic pesticides which have been banned by the government. Greenpeace China says the chemicals were outlawed at the beginning of the year, but says old stock is still being sold and used by farmers. In the United States, it's led to a call by congressmen and lobbyists for a ban on all Chinese food imports.
INDIA: PM appeals for calm between rival Sikh factions
Updated 21/05/2007 19:09:08
India's prime minister has appealed for calm following violent protests between rival Sikh factions in two northern states. Security reinforcements were sent to Punjab and Haryana where thousands of Sikhs last week rioted against the Dera Sacha Saud (DSS) sect for allegedly insulting a respected Sikh guru.
VIETNAM: Farmers get Aussie help to tackle fruit fly
Updated 21/05/2007 19:08:51
Australian scientists are helping Vietnamese farmers in the fight against fruit fly. A bait production facility was officially opened by the Australian ambassador in Vietnam at a brewery just outside of the capital Hanoi.
FIJI: Minister warns of dark side of blogs
Updated 21/05/2007 19:08:51
Fiji's Justice Minister has criticised the writers of anonymous websites who he says are making vile, untrue accusations while hiding their identity and claiming to be champions of free speech. Fiji's military says it is attempting to shut down the websites, known as blogs, and hunt down the people behind them. A network of bloggers in Fiji is using the anonymity offered by the internet to oppose the military coup.
INDIA: Taj Mahal suffers 'pollution cancer'
Updated 18/05/2007 18:32:57
Pollution is threatening one of the best-loved wonders of modern times. India's Taj Mahal is turning yellow and a recent report has recommended caking the building in clay to draw out surface impurities.
ASIA: Cities agree to energy consumption cuts
Updated 18/05/2007 18:32:57
The mayors of some of the world's biggest cities have ended a 3-day summit in New York with an agreement to make huge cuts in energy consumption. 16 cities have signed up to the initiative, which London mayor Ken Livingstone called "the biggest single step" in tackling climate change taken so far. Six Asia-Pacific cities have signed up - Bangkok, Karachi, Melbourne, Mumbai, Seoul and Tokyo.
PNG: Relations still soured over Moti Affair
Updated 18/05/2007 18:40:13
Diplomatic relations between Australia and Papua New Guinea are still in limbo more than six months on from the Julian Moti affair. The relationship crumbled when wanted lawyer Julian Moti avoided extradition to Australia by being flown to the Solomon Islands onboard a PNG Defence Force plane. Canberra is refusing to co-operate with the PNG Government until an investigation into the Moti escape is made public.
KOREA: Rail joy not shared by all
Updated 18/05/2007 18:41:30
The re-opening of a railway line connecting North and South Korea has been described as a major step towards reunification. But that optimistic view is not shared by everyone.
CHINA: Millions rush for share in stockmarket
Updated 18/05/2007 18:42:54
China is deep into a stockmarket frenzy, with millions of new Chinese investors piling into the market. The Economist magazine reports fears that China's share prices are moving far ahead of companies' earnings, in a way that is scarily reminiscent of Japan in the late 1980s, just before its crash.
WASHINGTON: World Bank begins head hunt
Updated 18/05/2007 19:22:37
The controversial reign of Paul Wolfowitz as the head of the World Bank will come to an end in June. He resigned after a month-long battle to keep his job in the face of mounting pressure for him to leave.
KOREA: Trains make historic journeys after 56 year absence
Updated 17/05/2007 19:35:09
Now to the two trains that made historic journeys today across the last divided frontier of the cold war. More than fifty years after North and South Korea were divided by the demilitarised zone, two trains - one from the North, one from the South - conducted a test run along recently re-built railway lines. South Korea is heralding the crossings as another step towards reunifying the divided country.
BURMA: International concern over nuclear plans
Updated 17/05/2007 19:35:15
A deal between Russia and Burma to create a nuclear research centre has sparked international comment and concern. The US State Department says building such a nuclear facility in Burma is a bad idea given the country's human rights record.
AUSTRALIA: New approach on how to deal with regional crises
Updated 17/05/2007 19:35:21
The Australian Defence Force says warning times about threats and possible crises in the region are getting shorter. It has released a guide to military operations in the 21st century, pointing to the way emergencies can arise with little or no warning.
THAILAND: Anti-corruption body recommends Thaksin charges
Updated 17/05/2007 19:34:59
Thailand's new anti-corruption body has recommended corruption charges be laid against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The Assets Examination Committee was set up by the military-backed interim government, after the billionaire former business tycoon was ousted from office last September. The Committee ruled that Mr Thaksin and his wife should face charges over an alleged illegal land deal in 2003.
INDONESIA: State assets sales to raise billions
Updated 17/05/2007 19:35:04
Indonesia hopes to earn at least 40-billion dollars from the sale of its state assets this year. And it has a new Minister in control of the process. But the record of privatisation of government enterprises has been marred by mismanagement and poor returns.
AFGHANISTAN: NATO prepares for backlash over death of Taliban leader
Updated 16/05/2007 20:19:21
In Afghanistan, the US head of NATO says his troops are preparing for an expected backlash after the killing of a key Taliban leader. General Dan McNeill has warned that Mullah Dadullah's death at the weekend will not end of the insurgency. His warning comes as more Australians are deployed to the region to join international efforts to combat an expected offensive by the Taliban.
PAKISTAN: Top judge coping with the stress
Updated 16/05/2007 20:11:30
Pakistan's chief justice, Iftikhar Chaudhry, has never spoken publicly about his suspension two months ago, fearing it might inflame the situation.
He has, of course, spoken to his lawyer about the circumstances surrounding President Pervez Musharaff's decision to suspend Mr Chaudhry over claims of misconduct. The dismissal has led to a wave of protests across Pakistan, including weekend violence that left more than 40 people dead in Karachi.
EAST TIMOR: Gang violence in Dili a week after elections
Updated 16/05/2007 20:11:34
Gang related violence is breaking out again in East Timor, a week after elections for a new president. There were 17 arrests in a single incident in the capital Dili on Wednesday, prompting the UN's representative to call for calm. Atul Khare ventured into the trouble spot where four houses were torched and appealed for an end to the violence. He also sought assurances from political leaders that none of the recent attacks have been politically motivated.
CHINA: Family planning body warns of population rebound
Updated 16/05/2007 19:36:27
China's top family-planning body has warned the nation could face a population rebound, as rich couples flout the one-child policy. The National Population and Family Planning Commission says rich are ignoring population-control laws. China's family-planning policy was implemented in the 1970s, limiting urban couples to one child and those living in the countryside to two.
JAPAN: China concerned over change to pacificist constitution
Updated 16/05/2007 19:36:33
China's government has expressed concern about Japan's plans to rewrite its pacifist constitution. Beijing says it's a cause for misgiving for the people of countries that suffered Japanese invasion and occupation. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has made revising the constitution a key element in his efforts to boost Japan's role in global security affairs.
AUSTRALIA: Diplomacy to help create a better image
Updated 15/05/2007 20:22:58
Australia is using public diplomacy to do everything from sell resources to China to fighting images of racism.The range of public diplomacy has been put to an Australian Parliamentary hearing on how Australia portrays itself across the world. The annual budget, last week, announced an extra 20-million dollars in spending for cultural diplomacy, to create a better understanding of Australia in the region.
TAIWAN: New premier told to be 'firm' with Beijing
Updated 15/05/2007 20:23:02
Taiwan's president has told his new premier to stand firm in his dealings with Beijing. Chang Chun-hsiung, one of President Chen's top negotiators with China, will move in to the Premier's office and relinguish his chairmanship of the Straits Exchange Foundation.
The Foundation is a semi-official organisation that is in charge of negotiations with China.
SWITZERLAND: Indonesia agrees to share bird flu samples
Updated 15/05/2007 20:23:06
Indonesia has agreed to resume sharing bird flu virus samples to the World Health Organisation. The samples are considered vital in developing a vaccine to counter a potential bird flu pandemic. Health ministers and officials from 193 countries are gathered in Geneva for a World Health Organisation assembly - where Jakarta's position on bird flu dominated the opening proceedings. Jakarta's health minister Siti Fadilah Supari told the conference, Indonesia has now agreed to send some samples to the WHO.
PAPUA: Hundreds demonstrate in front of Jayapura synod
Updated 15/05/2007 20:23:10
First to the Indonesian province of Papua, where police armed with water canon and M16 rifles are occupying a Jayapura church at the centre of a dispute over the synod's independence. Two hundred members of the Gereja Kingmi, the Indigenous Church in Papua, demonstrated in front of the synod office, angered by a police order to handover control of assets to Indonesia's Tabernacle Bible Church. It comes despite a court ruling last month in favour of the Kingmi Church.
AUSTRALIA: Papua New Guinea soldiers honoured at War Memorial
Updated 15/05/2007 20:22:49
Soldiers who served in Papua New Guinea during the Second World War - both Australians and Papua New Guineans - have been honoured at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Plaques have been unveiled to acknowledge the contribution of the New Guinea Volunteer Rifles (NGVR), the Australian New Guinea Administration Unit and the Pacific Islands Regiment. For 60 years their contribution has received little acknowledgment.
AUSTRALIA: Tourism bosses probe slump in Japanese visitors
Updated 15/05/2007 20:22:54
Tourism officials in Australia say they need a whole new approach to revive a slump in visitors from Japan. Since being launched just over year ago, Tourism Australia's campaign with the slogan "Where the Bloody Hell Are You?" has raised some eyebrows, but it's done well in some key markets like Britain. But tourist numbers from Japan have tumbled by nearly 10 percent over the past six months
AUSTRALIA: Global warming becomes a hot election issue
Updated 14/05/2007 19:16:21
Global warming is shaping up as a key issue to determine votes in Australia's national election at the end of the year. That's why "climate change" appeared for the first time on Tuesday in the annual budget speech by Australia's Treasurer, Peter Costello. The Howard Government has moved from being a climate change sceptic to the Prime Minister describing himself as a "climate change" realist. According to Dr Clive Hamilton, the executive director of the think tank, The Australia Institute, the Government is scrambling to change its image after a decade of denial about global warming.
PACIFIC: Australia offers aid to fight malaria
Updated 14/05/2007 19:16:03
Australia is to spend an extra 25-million dollars to fight malaria in the Pacific. The four-year project has been announced by Australia's Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer. 14-million Australian dollars will go to Solomon Islands and six-million dollars to Vanuatu. The remaining five-million dollars will be invested in malaria research.
CHINA: Special envoy off to Darfur
Updated 14/05/2007 19:16:03
China says it will send a special envoy to Sudan, to focus on the humanitarian crisis in the Darfur region. A four-year violent campaign by a government-allied militia has left tens of thousands dead and displaced two million people. Chinese president Hu Jintao in February, called on Khartoum to give the UN a bigger role in Sudan.
PHILIPPINES: Polls close in violent election campaign
Updated 14/05/2007 19:17:43
Security forces in the Philippines have been on high alert after a violent and bloody election campaign that's left more than 110 people dead. Counting is underway to determine the outcome of Monday's local and congressional elections, in which 18-thousand positions were being contested.
PAKISTAN: Top Supreme Court official killed
Updated 14/05/2007 20:07:42
In Pakistan, gunmen have killed a senior Supreme Court official - adding to a weekend of violence over the suspension of the country's most senior judge.
SOUTH ASIA: Report confirms 'rampant' gender discrimination
Updated 14/05/2007 19:18:30
A new report has found women are still well behind men when it comes to getting good jobs and good pay. Gender discrimination in the workplace is a global problem but in South Asia its rampant. That's the view of the latest and most comprehensive research done by the International Labour Organisation.
INDIA: Court stay over seizure of artist's property
Updated 11/05/2007 19:48:10
India's Supreme Court has stayed a lower court order to seize the property of the country's celebrated artist M.F. Husain. The earlier order followed the artist's failure to attend a hearing, after a complaint filed by lawyer Arvind Shrivastava, a member of the hard-line group the Hindu Awakening Forum against the artist.
ASIA: Nuclear threat 'remains', despite North Korean deal
Updated 11/05/2007 19:48:14
North Korea's willingness to abandon its nuclear program could be put to the test within days. Despite breaching an April 13 deadline to open up its Pyongyang nuclear plant to international inspectors, there's been little progress made because of a row over 25 million dollars in frozen North Korean funds. The six nation deal, forged by China, has put the spotlight firmly on North Korea. But is it the only country in Asia that remains a serious nuclear threat?
INDIA: Celebrations for War of Independence anniversary
Updated 11/05/2007 19:48:05
In India, year-long celebrations are underway to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the 1857 uprising, also referred to as India's first war of Independence. Thousands of Indians have started a march to commemorate the anniversary of a revolt against British colonial rulers. The rally was held at the historic Victoria Park in Meerut, a town in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh where the uprising began - covering a distance of 80 kilometres, to reach Delhi.
FIJI: Coalition to be formed to challenge military rule
Updated 11/05/2007 19:48:05
An unlikely coalition is forming in Fiji challenging the five month rule of the military installed interim government. Several legal battles are in their early stages - amongst them one launched by the deposed Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase, challenging his removal and another by members of the Great Council of Chiefs who were suspended on the order of the interim Prime Minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, last month.
EAST TIMOR: President-elect Ramos-Horta to be swron-in on Sunday 20th
Updated 11/05/2007 19:48:18
In East Timor, Jose Ramos-Horta is preparing to step down as prime minister and preparing to take on the more symbolic role of presidency. Doctor Ramos-Horta says he'll be sworn into the top job on Sunday week - the fifth anniversary of independence. He'll be replacing Xanana Gusmao who wants to run for prime minister.
SOLOMON ISLANDS: Men acquitted over RAMSI officer's death
Updated 10/05/2007 20:27:03
In the Solomon Islands, the High Court in Honiara has acquitted two men of murdering Australian Federal Police Officer, Adam Dunnning. He was serving with the Regional Assistance Mission, RAMSI when his vehicle was ambushed by sniper fire on a Honiara backstreet in December 2004.
Justice Edwin Goldsbrough described the crime as "horrendous" but said there was no evidence that James Tatau and John Ome were guilty of the crime. Justice Goldsbrough said there was no doubt that there was a conspiracy to attack RAMSI vehicles and that the crime did occur. But he said the crown evidence could not prove "beyond reasonable doubt" the guilt of the men.
ASIA: Clinton Foundation backs cheap anti-AIDS drugs
Updated 10/05/2007 20:12:41
Former US President Bill Clinton has thrown his weight behind developing countries in their battle to secure affordable drugs for people affected by HIV and AIDS. The Clinton Foundation will source drugs from the Indian based manufacturers Cipla and Matrix who make cheap copies of brand name medicines, called generic drugs. The medicines are to be be bought with 100 million US dollars - raised by a group of countries led by France and distributed to 65 countries worldwide.
WASHINGTON: Pakistan scientist's nuclear secrets 'still sought after'
Updated 10/05/2007 20:12:51
A new report published in Washington suggests that an international nuclear-smuggling network led by the disgraced scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan is still strong enough to go back into business.The International Institute for Strategic Studies has published a dossier on the global state of proliferation networks and nuclear black markets. It says several individuals who worked with Khan in distributing nuclear secrets to countries like Iran and North Korea, are still at large. It warns there's still a strong demand from governments and extremist groups for information these individuals could supply.
EAST TIMOR: Jose Ramos-Horta wins presidency
Updated 10/05/2007 20:13:04
Jose Ramos-Horta is East Timor's new president. The Election Commission declared Dr Ramos-Horta had won enough support to become the new leader - securing more than 70 per cent of the vote. His opponent, Fretilin party candidate Francisco 'Lu Olo' Guterres managed to gain about a quarter of the vote.
AUSTRALIA: Kebaya exhibition honours PM's late wife
Updated 10/05/2007 20:12:15
Colourful, lavishly embroidered with flowers and butterflies and worn with a vibrant sarong - the Kebaya is the distinctive costume for women in Malaysia's Malay & Peranakan communities. It's now the subject of a major exhibition in Melbourne. The exhibition features a collection of kebayas owned by Datin Seri Endon Mahmood, the late wife of Malaysia's Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi. The display of 64 stunning garments at Melbourne's Immigration Museum also fulfils a longstanding dream of Datin Seri Endon - to bring these traditional Malaysian outfits to international attention. The exhibition has also been praised as another step in improving ties between Malaysia and Australia.
LONDON: Climate change warning over oil supplies
Updated 10/05/2007 20:12:15
Climate change is now a widely accepted global problem, and there's no quick solution. But what if the world's oil supply ran dry? You might think it would reduce the production of carbon emissions - but you'd be wrong. According to David Strahan an investigative journalist and the author of "The Last Oil Shock", running out of oil - also referred to as 'peak oil' - has the capacity to not only worsen carbon emissions, but to destroy the wealth needed to fight global warming. In fact, he believes that peak oil would lead to an increase in the use of coal and gas, thereby removing any reductions in carbon emissions from oil.
PAKISTAN: Lawmakers hail ruling on top judge
Updated 09/05/2007 20:12:29
Senior lawmakers in Pakistan believe President Pervez Musharraf has suffered a serious setback after a stay of proceedings was ordered against the country's top judge. Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry was last month suspended by the President, who accused him of bias. The decision sparked widespread protests. Now, the Supreme Judicial Council in Pakistan has suspended further proceedings against Mr Chaudhry.
AFGHANISTAN: US apology over civilian deaths
Updated 09/05/2007 20:12:41
The United States military has apologised for the killing of 19 Afghan civilians two months ago, calling it a "terrible mistake." It happened as marines responded to what they thought was an ambush on their convoy. The commander of US forces in eastern Afghanistan, Colonel John Nicholson said he was "deeply ashamed" that Americans had killed Afghans, and asked the forgiveness of the victims' families. Grieving families have also been offered compensation of 2 thousand US dollars.
MALAYSIA: Government widens net on bloggers
Updated 09/05/2007 20:12:16
In Malaysia, there's been a renewed call from a senior minister for a renewed clampdown on the nation's enthusiastic bloggers. It comes amid growing speculation that a general election will be called in the coming year. Despite Malaysia's existing wide range of media controls, information minister Zainuddin Maidin wants a new classification system, to divide bloggers into "professionals" and "non-professionals".
CAMBODIA: Strike threat over wages cut to garment workers
Updated 09/05/2007 20:23:37
A plan by the Cambodian Government to update the country's labour law is being applauded by employers and condemned by a major union. The first change to be legislated is likely to affect the garment making industry by cutting the wages paid to night shift workers. The union is threatening a nationwide strike, while the government says the move will create many more jobs.
ASIA-PACIFIC: Australia changes aid hierarchy
Updated 09/05/2007 20:15:03
For the first time, Australia is to give more aid to Southeast Asia than it gives to the South Pacific. And also, for the first time, Australia is to give more aid to Indonesia than to Papua New Guinea. The change in the aid hierarchy was shown in the regional aid flows announced in Australia's annual budget.
EAST TIMOR: Nation awaits new president
Updated 09/05/2007 20:15:18
In East Timor, it's all over bar the counting in the historic presidential campaign. Either Jose Ramos Horta or Francisco Guterres will be the country's new leader - but it's still too early to determine who has won Wednesday's second and final round poll. The result will also herald the departure of one of the country's most charismatic leaders, Xanana Gusmao. He's stepping down from one job to make a tilt for the prime ministership.
PAC: US warns of strongmen in the region
Updated 08/05/2007 20:17:01
The US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has kicked off an unprecedented meeting of Pacific leaders in Washington by warning against the danger of island "strongmen" undermining democracy in the region. She was addressing the opening session of the first meeting in Washington of the triennial Pacific Islands Conference. The meeting is the highest level gathering of Pacific leaders ever held in the US capital.
AUSTRALIA: Former PM gives evidence at Balibo inquiry
Updated 08/05/2007 20:17:48
For the first time in thirty one years, former Australian Prime Minister, GOUGH WHITLAM, has spoken publicly about the deaths of five Australian based newsmen killed in East Timor in 1975. Mr Whitlam was called to give evidence at the inquest into one of the Balibo Five, Brian Peters.
EAST TIMOR: Final campaigning for presidential vote
Updated 08/05/2007 20:18:03
The people of East Timor are preparing to decide whether to elect Francisco Guterres or Jose Ramos Horta as the country's next president. Final campaigning has been held ahead of Wednesday's second and final round poll. And as Anne barker reports, authorities in East Timor are increasing security to ensure Wednesday's election is free and fair.
EU MPs call on Bangladesh to lift emergency rule
Updated 08/05/2007 20:17:27
The former prime minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina Wajed has returned home, defeating efforts by the government to politically marginalise her and putting the country's military backed government in the international spotlight. A group of European Union lawmakers has called on the interim government to guarantee the former PM's safety and, while it has praised the government's efforts to fight corruption, the parliamentarians have also called for the lifting of the emergency rule, imposed in January.
JAPAN: Asian countries to insure against a future financial crisis
Updated 08/05/2007 20:17:35
One of the spin-offs from Asia's decade of rapid growth has been the accumulation of foreign reserves - now totalling a massive three trillion US dollars held by Asia's central banks. That's two thirds of the world's total and its not surprising some thought is going into how to manage such a large amount of money. It was discussed by finance ministers who gathered in Japan on the weekend.
AUSTRALIA: Treasurer delivers election-year budget
Updated 08/05/2007 20:20:14
Australia has an election-year budget with a ten-and-a-half billion dollar cash surplus and more tax cuts. The budget was announced in Federal Parliament by the Treasurer, Peter Costello, setting the scene for the national election expected by November. Mr Costello predicts that the Australian economy will grow by close to four percent next financial year - based on the assumption that Australia's drought will ease.
AUSTRALIA: Australia-US alliance questioned
Updated 07/05/2007 19:39:31
There's an ongoing debate in Australia about the worth of its 55-year-old alliance with the United States. Former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser's recent speech attacked the alliance. It came as a former Australian diplomat launched a book claiming that Australia has an addiction to the alliance, bordering on a colonial style dependency.
NORTH KOREA: Talks on re-opening North and South rail link
Updated 07/05/2007 19:39:37
Generals from North and South Korea will meet this week to try and agree on terms which would see the re-establishment of a rail link between their divided countries. It will be their fist high-level military contact for more than a year and comes as renewed pressure mounts on the communist state to give up its nuclear weapons. The isolated regime of Kim Jong Il missed last month's deadline to close its nuclear reactor and many observers wonder about its long term intentions.
PNG: gun violence fears ahead of elections
Updated 07/05/2007 19:39:17
In Papua New Guinea, gun violence is looming as a threat to the smooth running of this month's general elections. The writs for the elections have now been signed by the Governor General, but officials are concerned at the obvious use of guns to influence voting - particularly in the highlands.
MALAYSIA: Landmark child custody ruling
Updated 07/05/2007 19:39:23
A Malaysian child custody case has once again raised the vexed issue of interfaith marriages. Marriages between Muslims and non-Muslims are not permitted under Malaysian law. Last month, Islamic authorities separated a Hindu man from his Muslim wife after 21 years of what the couple describe as a happy marriage. Now a civil court has granted custody of their seven children to the father and allowed them to be raised as Hindus.
EAST TIMOR: Dirty tactic claims ahead of second-round poll
Updated 07/05/2007 19:39:42
The second-round poll is approaching in East Timor's presidential election. The ruling party has accused foreign peacekeeping troops of a deliberate campaign to spoil its chances of winning the presidential election. The Fretilin party claims several thousand Australian-led troops were intimidating its supporters and trying to disrupt its rallies during canvassing ahead of Wednesday's poll.
INDONESIA: SBY announces mid-term re-shuffle
Updated 07/05/2007 20:08:50
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has unveiled a new look cabinet - half way through his five year term. The re-shuffle comes in the wake of a recent popularity slump, transport disasters, and scandals linked to several ministers. Five minsters have been replaced - along with the Indonesian attorney general. As expected, there are changes to the ministries of transport, communication and state enterprises.
NEPAL: Peace process on knife's edge
Updated 04/05/2007 18:27:34
To the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal, where the peace process is looking increasingly shaky. Former Maoist rebels, now part of an interim government, are adamant that the monarchy be dismantled, ahead of a constitutional meeting scheduled later this year. The Maoists are demanding the government declare Nepal to be a republic within two weeks or it will launch massive protests.
NORTH KOREA: US takes softly, softly approach on nuclear deal
Updated 04/05/2007 18:27:43
In North Korea, the deadline came and went - but three weeks on and the front gates to the Yongbyon nuclear reactor remain closed to international inspectors.Pyongyang had agreed to open up its main nuclear plant in return for international energy aid, under a landmark deal reached earlier this year in Beijing. The main sticking point has been 25 million US dollars in North Korean funds, frozen in a Macau bank.
BANGKOK: UN releases final report on climate change
Updated 04/05/2007 18:27:52
After five days of intense debate, the United Nations panel on climate change has settled on its third and final report. Hundreds of scientists meeting in Bangkok have concluded that greenhouse gas emissions must fall from the year 2015 to keep the world from heating by more than two degrees. The report seems to have alleviated the concerns of the big polluters among the developing nations including India and China.
VIETNAM: US Commision criticises religious freedom
Updated 04/05/2007 18:27:15
A U-S government commission has called for Vietnam to be reinstated on the list of countries that violate religious freedoms. It's called on the Bush Administration to reinstate Vietnam's status as a Country of Particular Concern. Vietnam was taken off the list of countries with poor track records on religious tolerance last year - on the eve of George Bush's visit to the APEC summit.
PHILIPPINES: US donates helicopters to fight southern insurgents
Updated 04/05/2007 18:27:27
The Philippines military says Washington will provide eleven second-hand army helicipters next week to help fight communist and Muslim rebels in the south. It's another example of the close military ties between the two nations, but one that's unlikely to get much attention in the States. The Philippines was once seen as a lynchpin of the United States' so-called war on terror.
TAIWAN: Former mayor runs for opposition in election
Updated 03/05/2007 18:49:57
A former mayor of Taipei has been nominated as the opposition candidate in Taiwan's presidential election. Ma Jing-Jeou will run for the main opposition Kuomintang party in the 2008 presidential election. His nomination comes despite being indicted on corruption charges.
SOUTH KOREA: Unions threaten action over sale of CCA business
Updated 03/05/2007 18:50:01
Unions in South Korea are threatening to take strike action over the sale of the Australian Coca Cola bottling business. Coca Cola Amatil has three factories in South Korea and has short listed buyers for the multi-Million dollar sale.
INDONESIA: Former General to testify about Timor vote violence
Updated 03/05/2007 18:50:04
Eight years after East Timor's violent vote for independence, Indonesia's former military chief General Wiranto will this week face questioning over his role in the chaos. More than a thousand independence supporters were killed during and after the vote. General Wiranto will now testify to the Commission of Truth and Friendship.
INDONESIA: Canberra agrees to combat people smuggling
Updated 03/05/2007 18:50:08
Australia and Indonesia have agreed on a number of measures to crack down on people smuggling. Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews has embarked on a three-day mission to Jakarta, to strengthen cooperation against illegal migration, people-smuggling and terrorism.
JAPAN: US Admiral says China wants a blue water navy
Updated 03/05/2007 18:49:44
The commander of the U-S Navy in Japan, Rear Admiral James Kelly says China aims to develop a long-distance navy to reach out into the Asia Pacific and the Indian Ocean. Rear Admiral James Kelly, says China's navy is showing it wants to push well beyond China's coastal waters.
THAILAND: Bangkok hires PR firm in war-of words with Thaksin
Updated 03/05/2007 18:49:44
Thailand's military government has suffered under an avalanche of bad press lately, some of it apparantly orchestrated by deposed PM Thaksin Shinawatra. But their response, to employ a highly paid US based public relations company of their own, has come under fire for lacking substance.
SOLOMONS: Australian fugitive to be attorney general
Updated 02/05/2007 19:47:03
To Solomon Islands, where the government has announced that Julian Moti, an Australian lawyer facing child sex charges, will be sworn in as the country's Attorney General next week. The decision is likely to reopen Honiara's long-running rift with Australia.
AFGHANISTAN: Karzai, Musharraf in terror co-operation
Updated 02/05/2007 19:47:08
After months of trading accusations over who was most responsible for the Taliban's ability to re-group, re-arm and then attack Western troops inside Afghanistan, Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf and his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai have agreed to cooperate against terrorism.
THAILAND: UN climate panel makes slow progress
Updated 02/05/2007 19:47:12
The third session of the UN's climate change panel meeting in Bangkok is making slow progress. Scientists and experts from over 120 countries are struggling over the wording of the latest report on global warming. Several key developing nations represented also want richer countries to first acknowledge their responsibility for the current global dilemma.
JAPAN: TV networks sued for revealing magic tricks
Updated 02/05/2007 19:47:00
When Japanese television revealed the secrets to a series of famous magic tricks, magicians around the world were in uproar. Now 49 Japanese magicians are suing the two TV networks, saying their livelihoods are at stake.
INDONESIA: A year of mud and no compensation
Updated 02/05/2007 19:47:00
It's a year this month since an exploration drill broke a hole in the earth's crust beneath the Indonesian island of Java, unleashing a torrent of mud which has since swept away the homes and livelihoods of tens of thousands of people. A year on and the battle for compensation continues.
INDIA: Delhi to double the number of its diplomats
Updated 01/05/2007 20:03:48
India will double the number of its diplomats in a bid to strengthen its influence on the world stage. Foreign secretary Shiv Shankar Menon says Indian diplomats overworked and the strain is beginning to show. So is Indian diplomacy being jeopardised by a staffing crisis?
AUSTRALIA: Business leaders question APEC relevance
Updated 01/05/2007 20:03:54
The APEC leaders summit in Sydney later this year is the subject of a political stoush. The summit will see the most extensive security exercise seen in Australia, the 2007 APEC host nation. But even as the politicians argue about the logistics of hosting such a high profile event, business leaders are debating the very existence of APEC itself.
AUSTRALIA: Two suspected Tamil Tigers arrested
Updated 01/05/2007 20:03:58
Two suspected members of the Tamil Tiger rebels have been arrested in Australia and charged with funnelling money to a terrorist organisation. The men are accused of supporting the rebels back home against the Sri Lanka's government.
SINGAPORE: Politician walks across the island to make a political poin
Updated 01/05/2007 20:03:41
A Singapore opposition politician Chee Soon Juan is resting his feet after spending three days walking across the island in a bid to highlight what he says is the growing gap between rich and poor.
NEPAL: Expelled U-S Tibet protesters step up freedom campaign
Updated 01/05/2007 20:03:45
Five Americans expelled from China after staging an illegal protest at a Mount Everest base camp in Tibet last week have vowed to step up their campaign for a "free Tibet." China has now lodged an official protest with the U-S over the protest, in which the Americans called for Tibetan independence.
SRI LANKA: Airlines cancel flights after Tamil air raid
Updated 01/05/2007 20:04:02
Sri Lanka's worsening security situation has had international consequences. Three international airlines have either cancelled or changed their flights to Colombo. It comes in the wake of the weekend air strike by the separatist Tamil Tiger rebels near the capital's international airport.
