May 2008
China rights record shows little improvement
Updated 30/05/2008 21:15:49
China has spent billions of dollars on top class sporting facilities ahead of the Beijing Olympic Games.. and the general concensus is that it shows. However, a look at China's human rights record, and the verdict is not quite so positive. Amnesty International is one of the many organisations keeping close watch on Beijing as it prepares for the Olympics.
Circumcision season in the Philippines
Updated 30/05/2008 21:15:49
To the Philippines, now, where the end of the summer school holidays chronicles the end of the traditional circumcision season. It's estimated that 30 per cent of men globally are circumcised but in the Philippines, the number is closer to 98 per cent.
And despite a campaign, lead by a small group of Filipino doctors, advocating informed choice, the tradition is still as popular as ever.
Philippines taskforce to tackle fuel costs
Updated 30/05/2008 21:15:49
A government task force in the Philippines meets on Monday to consider how to mitigate soaring fuel costs. Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita says one idea on the table is a four-day week for government employees. Earlier this week, Manila said it was considering borrowing from abroad to assist poorer communities with high energy and food costs, and Mr Ermita says the idea of a four-day-week is being taken seriously.
Fuel costs hurt smaller airline carriers
Updated 30/05/2008 21:15:49
While soaring fuel prices have caused protests and political unrest around the world, it's a particular source of pain to smaller airline carriers in the Asia Pacific region. Peter Harbison, Chairman for the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation says there's no doubt smaller carriers are hurting.
More than 100 nations formally ban cluster bombs
Updated 30/05/2008 21:15:49
Countries have agreed to a wide-ranging pact to outlaw the use, production, transfer and stockpiling of cluster munitions but some of the world's main producers, stockpilers and users, including China, Pakistan and India oppose the move and are refusing to sign on.
Australia touts desert locations to Hollywood
Updated 30/05/2008 21:15:49
The Central Australian desert could pass for Afghanistan in Hollywood films if an Australian film promotion agency has its way. Ausfilm encourages overseas directors to shoot in Australia, with its chief executive scouting locations in the Northern Territory and South Australia.
Mekong countries call for flood warning system
Updated 29/05/2008 19:38:26
Delegates from countries along the lower Mekong River have called for an early warning system for floods in an effort to avoid mass tragedies.
Indonesian mud volcano deepens
Updated 29/05/2008 19:38:33
It's been exactly two years since Indonesia's worst ever mud volcano displaced thousands of people on the island of Java.
Now there's new evidence that the volcano is actually collapsing on itself, creating a new series of concerns.
Nepal abolishes monarchy
Updated 29/05/2008 19:38:48
After more than two centuries in power, the monarchy in Nepal has been abolished.
China and Taiwan agree to restart talks
Updated 29/05/2008 19:38:52
China and Taiwan have agreed to restart talks that have been suspended for more than a decade. The announcement comes after the highest level meeting in 60 years.
Bhutan struggles with democracy
Updated 29/05/2008 19:38:44
Bhutan transformed from a kingdom to a democracy in March. Two months down the track and not many Bhutanese are convinvced that democracy is a step in the right direction.
Indonesia withdraws from OPEC
Updated 29/05/2008 19:38:39
Indonesia has announced it will withdraw from OPEC, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, after years of declining exports.
Bangladesh Corruption Truth Commission approved
Updated 28/05/2008 21:28:28
The Bangladesh interim government has approved the establishment of a corruption truth commission. The commission would enable politicians and businessmen accused of corruption to avoid jail by confessing their corrupt dealings and surrendering their ill gotten gains.
19 years since Tiananmen Square protests
Updated 28/05/2008 21:28:29
It's been 19 years since China's military crackdown on the Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protests. Since then, China's military, economic and political might has grown in leaps and bounds while the pro-democracy movement has faltered.
John Lee is a visiting fellow at Sydney's Centre for Independent Studies. His report, "Putting democracy in China on Hold" has been released today. He argues that since 1989, China has moved further away from embracing democracy while moving closer toward a stronger market economy.
Relief efforts in Burma
Updated 28/05/2008 21:28:29
Key donors to Burma say anger over pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's house arrest will not detract from relief work to help the country's 2.4 million people in need of aid. Nathan Mullins is with Australian Aid International, an emergency medical organisation trying to join the relief effort in Burma. He's in Rangoon negotiating with the Burmese authorities to have a team of 8 people initially go to remote areas in the Irrawaddy Delta.
New mental health condition in asylum seekers
Updated 28/05/2008 21:28:28
A team of Australian psychiatrists has identified what they believe is a new mental health condition in asylum seekers. The researchers say they're seeing a unique combination of depression, psychoses and anxiety in asylum seekers.
Corruption Charges in Solomon Islands
Updated 28/05/2008 21:28:28
To the Pacific now and police in Solomon Islands have welcomed the charging of four former and current government employees on corruption offences. The charges follow a four month investigation by the Solomons' Police Corruption Squad.
Doubts over Fiji's election
Updated 27/05/2008 19:40:19
Fiji has appointed New Zealand lawyer Felicity Heffernan as its supervisor for next year's elections. But even before she takes up her post in July, there's already a cloud of doubt hanging over next year's poll.
Christianity gains a foothold in China
Updated 27/05/2008 19:40:14
Christianity is gaining a significant foothold in China. Churches across the country are reporting significant increases in membership.
New push to re-introduce traditional music in Nepal
Updated 27/05/2008 19:40:04
Over recent decades the influence of foreign music in Nepal has been steadily increasing, threatening the future of the country's musical tradition.
Warming of cross-strait relations
Updated 27/05/2008 19:40:47
The head of Taiwan's ruling party has arrived in China for the highest-level contact with the communist mainland's leadership in 60 years.
Calls for inquiry into New Zealand police murder investigation
Updated 27/05/2008 19:40:35
Police in New Zealand have come under criticism over the collapse of two cases involving the murder of children. The police work on the cases has been described as "spectacularly inept" and there are calls for an inquiry.
Australians urged to rethink views on Indonesia
Updated 27/05/2008 19:40:41
Australians are being urged to rethink the way they view Indonesia and recognise the country as a stable, pluralist democracy and not a hotbed of fundamentalist Islam.
Palau considers foreign fishing ban
Updated 26/05/2008 21:44:30
The tiny Pacific Island of Palau is considering banning all foreign fishing vessels from its waters. If it goes ahead, the ban will cover Palau's "Exclusive Economic Zone" which extends 200 nautical miles around the island group.
Asian governments slash fuel subsidies amid soaring prices
Updated 26/05/2008 21:44:38
As the price of crude oil hits $US135 a barrel, several governments across Asia are being forced to cut their fuel subsides in order to cope with the rising costs. Indonesia, Malaysia and Taiwan have been forced to slash their multi-billion dollar subsidies, and it looks like India could be next.
Donors promise Burmese junta aid for access
Updated 26/05/2008 21:44:38
Burma's reclusive junta opened the doors to about 50 donor countries and two dozen aid agencies for a conference aimed at speeding up relief for desperate cyclone survivors. The donor nations had the same message - that further aid is conditional foreign relief workers having access to the hardest hit regions.
Indonesian fishermen briefed on Australian waters
Updated 26/05/2008 21:44:38
Indonesian fishermen being held in an Australian detention centre have been given a briefing with maps as to where they can legally fish. It comes a week after 55 fishermen were returned home after the Australian Government acknowledged they had been wrongly detained.
Australian Sorry Day commemorates Stolen Generations
Updated 26/05/2008 21:44:30
Australia's National Sorry Day is held on the anniversary of the tabling of a human rights report on the Stolen Generations, the victims of past policies that forcibly removed Aboriginal children from their parents. Monday, 26 May 2008 is the first National Sorry Day since Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made his formal apology to indigenous Australians in February.
Ramos Horta calls for Timor to be tax free
Updated 23/05/2008 19:36:01
East Timor's President has again declared his desire to see the fledgling nation become a tax-free state. But Jose Ramos Horta is now saying he would like to see it happen before the end of the year.
Russia's new president visit China
Updated 23/05/2008 19:36:11
Russia's new President Dmitry Medvedev has arrived in Beijing, offering energy deals and military co-operation. But he's also seeking pledges of solidarity with China, which Moscow views as a potential ally against a Western world order.
Aid workers frustrated with Burma's junta
Updated 23/05/2008 19:36:16
Three weeks after Cyclone Nargis hit Burma and finally the military regime says it will open the door to all foreign aid workers.
While aid workers have welcomed the breakthrough, they say the junta's delay has done much damage.
Consumerism creeps into Indian utopian community
Updated 23/05/2008 19:36:01
For forty years one utopian community in South India has attracted people from around the world looking for an alternative to a consumer society but now modernity is creeping up on the community and threatening to overwhelm it.
Thai PM calls for referendum on military constitution
Updated 23/05/2008 19:36:06
The Thai Prime Minister says he wants to hold a referendum on a government proposal to amend the current, military-backed constitution. But the announcement has angered the country's main opposition.
Indonesia launches rocket into space
Updated 22/05/2008 19:35:17
Now to Indonesia where the national space agency has successfully launched a rocket into space. It's the first step in a program designed to make Indonesia less dependant on other nations in the aeronautic field.
Sri Lanka denied seat on UN Human Rights Council
Updated 22/05/2008 19:35:30
Japan, Pakistan, South Korea and Bahrain have all been elected to represent Asia on the UN Human Rights Council. But Sri Lanka and East Timor have lost their battle for a place.
Asian Development Bank sends team into Burma
Updated 22/05/2008 19:35:36
The Asian Development Bank says it's considering sending a team in to Burma to check on what kind of assistance is needed in the wake of cyclone Nargis.
China counts the economic cost of quake
Updated 22/05/2008 19:35:39
Beijing is estimating company losses at around ten billion dollars from China's quake and it has allocated around the same amount for the reconstruction effort.
China's orphaned expected to be in thousands
Updated 22/05/2008 19:35:43
The official death toll from China's earthquake has now risen to 51-thousand. That means the number of orphaned children could also be in the thousands. Some children face the social welfare system, but it's hoped others will be adopted.
New report predicts boom in China wine producers
Updated 22/05/2008 19:35:17
It's the crystal ball of all things wine, the Future of Wine report by London based merchants, Berry Brothers and Rudd. Their prediction? That China's wine producers will lead the world by 2058, rivallling the best of Bordeaux.
Indonesia marks a decade since fall of Suharto
Updated 21/05/2008 18:43:06
Ten years ago Indonesia's late President Suharto stepped down after 32 years in power. That provided the backdrop for three days of rioting that left one thousand Indonesians dead and brought the New Order regime to its knees.
UN condemns murder of businessman by Nepal's Maoists
Updated 21/05/2008 18:42:16
Maoists under fire from international community for the murder of businessman in Nepal.
The politicisation of Burma's response to cyclone Nargis
Updated 21/05/2008 18:42:22
U-N chief Ban Ki Moon will meet with Burma's military leaders to convince them to a wider international aid effort. But aid agencies warn that the Generals are more preoccupied with public relations than with the mounting health crisis.
The rise of political Islam in Indonesia
Updated 21/05/2008 18:42:51
A decade after the fall of Suharto, democracy is providing fertile ground for the growth of political Islam in Indonesia.
Australian Federation of Islamic Council under fire
Updated 21/05/2008 18:42:39
The president of the Australian Federation of Islamic Council has been dumped as concerns are raised over the relevance of the group.
New president for Taiwan
Updated 20/05/2008 20:16:00
Taiwan officially has a new president. Ma Ying-Jeou took the oath of office today two months after winning the election.
And top on his on foreign policy agenda, is to improve relations with China, including forging better transit and trade ties.
Australian union supports Cambodian beer girls
Updated 20/05/2008 20:16:00
Australian largest trade union is pulling its weight behind efforts to promote better working conditions for Cambodia's so called "beer girls."
Burma's paranoia over western aid workers continues
Updated 20/05/2008 20:16:15
In Burma, aid agencies are greeting with open arms the offer of help as they continue to struggle with difficult conditions 18 days after Cyclone Nargis hit. One of the biggest obstacles is still the military junta's paranoia over western aid workers.
Canberra offers to repatriate Fiji embassy staff
Updated 20/05/2008 20:46:34
Fiji has rejected Canberra's request for extra protection for Australia's High Commission in Fiji, prompting the Australian Government to offer to repatriate the families of embassy staff after the High Commissioner received a second death threat.
Australia investigates Burma regime link
Updated 20/05/2008 20:16:11
The Australian government is investigating claims that Burmese people linked to the country's military regime are studying in Australia, despite a sanctions list.
New health crisis for China
Updated 20/05/2008 20:16:05
While the death toll continues to rise from last week's earthquake in south-west China, another health crisis is escalating.
Hand, foot and mouth disease has killed dozens of children in China this year and infected tens of thousands
Mahathir Mohamad quits ruling UMNO party
Updated 19/05/2008 20:06:28
Mahathir Mohamad says he's quitting UMNO in protest against the leadership of his Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi. He's also urging other party members to follow his lead.
Mahathir Mohamad accused of judicial corruption
Updated 19/05/2008 20:06:32
The findings of a Royal Commission into judicial corruption are about to be made public in Malaysia and the Cabinet has pre-empted the findings recomending investigations against six officials, including Dr Mahathir.
ASEAN to lead aid relief in Burma
Updated 19/05/2008 20:06:36
It's taken 17-days but finally Burma says it will allow international aid workers to assist in the wake of cyclone Nargis. The announcement was made in Sinagpore at an emergency meeting of ASEAN, the Association of South East Asian Nations.
Rescue workers in China buried under mudslide
Updated 19/05/2008 20:06:39
Just a week on from the earthquake and there's been yet another tragedy in China, with more than 200 relief workers themselves buried by a mudflow.
Limits set on Indonesia's subsidised fuel prices
Updated 19/05/2008 20:06:20
Indonesia's state oil and gas company Pertamina has set limits on subsidised fuel purchases.
Indonesian military to relinquish business interests
Updated 19/05/2008 20:06:24
Indonesia's powerful military will have to relinquish its vast business interests. The overhaul of the TNI is an important part of Indonesia's political reform.
Calls for Indonesian sect membersto be banned
Updated 16/05/2008 20:22:40
Hardline Islamists like Abu Bakar Bashir have joined forces with powerful government agencies pushing for minority Ahmadiya sect of Islam to be formally banned.
Burma junta plays down aid needs
Updated 16/05/2008 20:22:44
More aid is getting through in Burma it's still nowhere near enough to deal with the estimated 2-and-a-half million people who need it. The military junta continues to keep an iron-grip on who does what .. and who goes where.
China to probe high number of schools quake collapse
Updated 16/05/2008 20:22:49
The scale of China's quake devastation is raising questions about the quality of China's construction boom. Close to seven thousand schools were destroyed and Beijing is launching an investigation.
Documentary on tsunami wins plaudits at Cannes
Updated 16/05/2008 20:22:35
A documentary of four volunteers who went to Sri Lanka to help in the aftermath of the 2004 Asian tsunami is riding a wave of its own at the Cannes Film Festival.
Malaysian court denies freedom for ethnic Indian activists
Updated 16/05/2008 20:22:35
Malaysia's highest court has refused to release five ethnic Indian activists being held indefinitely under the country's tough security law for mounting an anti-discrimination protest,
China ramps up relief efforts for quake victims
Updated 15/05/2008 19:36:39
China has ramped up its relief efforts with more troops and helicopters as the search for earthquake survivors continues in Sichuan province. The extra 30-thousand troops will bring in food and water and help rescue survivors.
Australian high commissioner in Fiji get second death threat
Updated 15/05/2008 19:36:26
Australia's High Commissioner in Fiji has received a second death threat amid strains in the relationship between Canberra and the military-ruled South Pacific nation. The threat to James Batley was received in a letter.
Relief effort in Burma hampered by rain
Updated 15/05/2008 19:36:35
It's now twelve days after the cyclone and storm surge and too little has been done to tackle starvation and disease. Now the emergency effort is also being hampered by wet and miserable conditions.
Nobel laureates call for release of jailed Indian rights worker
Updated 15/05/2008 19:36:17
A group of 22 Nobel laureates has sent a letter to the Indian government criticizing the jailing of prominent doctor and human-rights worker Binayak Sen. They've asked that Dr Sen be released to receive a global health award later this month.
Manila warned to finalise peace deal with Muslim separatists
Updated 15/05/2008 19:36:21
Manila has been warned to finalise a peace deal with Muslim separatists in the southern Philippines or risk fresh outbreak of violence.
ASEAN defends its response to Burma
Updated 15/05/2008 19:36:30
ASEAN is in damage control after being criticised for being too slow in responding to the disaster in Burma.
Protests against Jakarta's fuel price hike
Updated 14/05/2008 19:50:59
Thousands of Indonesians have taken to the streets this week protesting against a government plan to raise fuel prices before the end of the month.
Australia's foreign aid boost
Updated 14/05/2008 19:51:04
The Australian government has given the aid community a budget shot in the arm, kicking in half a billion Australian dollars towards overseas assistance.
India blast has hallmarks of Al Qaeda
Updated 14/05/2008 19:51:08
Police in India are sifting through the sites of eight bomb attacks that killed at least 80 people in the north-western city of Jaipur. Police have questioned four people in connection with the attacks which left about 200 people injured.
Outrage over ASEAN's slow response to Burma
Updated 14/05/2008 19:51:12
The voices of outrage over the slow reponse by Southeast Asian nations to help the estimated two million victims of Burma's cyclone are getting louder. So far there's been no co-ordinated response from ASEAN.
Australia announces boost to Asian language teaching
Updated 14/05/2008 19:50:59
The Australian government has also announced major investment into Asian language teaching. Over the next three years, 59 million US dollars will be provided as extra funding for Asian language studies in Australian schools.
Rescue teams struggle in China
Updated 14/05/2008 19:51:16
The full horror from China's massive earthquake has begun to emerge as rescuers discover entire towns in Sichuan province all but wiped off the map. The death toll now stands at 20-thousand.
Pakistan ruling coalition on brink of collapse
Updated 13/05/2008 20:34:54
Pakistan's six-week old coalition government is looking shaky. Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif says he's pulling his party out of the government because of its failure to reinstate the judges who were sacked by President Musharraf last year.
Bad weather worsens life for Burma's cyclones victims
Updated 13/05/2008 20:34:59
The wheels of bureaucracy and diplomacy must seem slower than ever for the survivors of Burma's cyclone Nagis. The UN estimates around two million people are in urgent need.
Australian Treasurer hands down budget
Updated 13/05/2008 20:35:12
The Australian Treasurer has just presented his first budget to Parliament. The national budget is predicting a recession in the United States but a continuing commodities boom for Australia because of demand from China and India.
China to build its own jumbo jet
Updated 13/05/2008 20:34:43
China moves a step closer to fulfilling its dreams of building its own jumbo jet.
UN in East Timor lambasted over controversial appointment
Updated 13/05/2008 20:34:48
In East Timor, the United Nations is on the defensive after being lambasted by their own top lawyer in New York for hiring a disgraced former defence minister Roque Rodrigues as a presidential security advisor.
Death toll from China quake soars
Updated 13/05/2008 20:35:24
The official death toll from the most powerful earthquake to hit China in 30 years stands at ten thousand with many more injured in the south-western province of Sichuan.
Colombo claims victory in key provincial elections
Updated 12/05/2008 20:16:03
The Sri Lankan government has claimed victory in key provincial elections in the east of the island, describing it as a major boost in its war against the Tamil Tigers.
China television critical of Australian gold mining firm
Updated 12/05/2008 20:16:09
An Australian mining company with a majority holding in China's second-largest gold mine has been the focus of a scathing attack on Chinese state television.
Powerful quake hits western China
Updated 12/05/2008 20:15:53
A massive earthquake has hit western China. The quake's epicentre in the southern province of Sichuan, less than 100-kilometres from the provincial capital Chengdu.
Aid bottleneck in Burma
Updated 12/05/2008 20:15:53
The first American aid flight from Thailand has arrived in Burma loaded with water, mosquito nets and blankets. But the Burmese junta is still refusing to allow rescue workers into the country, saying it wants to handle the distribution process on the ground.
Pakistan to buy spy planes from Australia
Updated 12/05/2008 20:15:58
Pakistan wants to buy surveillance aircraft from Australia to help patrol Taliban and Al Qaeda fighters along the two thousand plus kilometre border.
New Australia Asia literary prize mooted
Updated 09/05/2008 19:40:24
Western Australia says it wants to set up an Australia Asia Literary Award to rival the prestigious booker prize.
Australia's aid to Burma under question
Updated 09/05/2008 19:40:44
Australia's former Foreign Minister Alexander Downer says Australia's aid donation of three million dollars to Burma is pathetic.
Australian forces accused of abusing Taliban detainees
Updated 09/05/2008 19:40:58
The Australian Defence Force is investigating claims that Australian soldiers have mistreated Taliban detainees.
Burma regime urged to delay referendum
Updated 09/05/2008 19:40:53
The United Nations says the Burmese junta should postpone a referendum on a military-drafted constitution in order to focus on the emergency response to the devastation.
East Timor to tackle corruption
Updated 09/05/2008 19:40:32
East Timor's Prime Minster Xanana Gusmao has revealed his plans to tackle corruption in the fledgling nation.
Deposed Fiji prime minister under investigation for graft
Updated 09/05/2008 19:40:38
Fiji's deposed prime minister is being investigated for corruption but he says he's not worried.
Vietnam optimistic on bird flu vaccine
Updated 09/05/2008 19:40:28
Vietnam says it's had good results with the first stage of human testing of its locally developed bird flu vaccine.
Death threat made against Australian high commissioner in Fiji
Updated 08/05/2008 20:07:47
Investigations are underway into a death threat made against Australia's High Commissioner James Batley in Fiji.
Burmese news website innundated
Updated 08/05/2008 20:07:52
Mizzima News is a news organisation run by a group of Burmese journalists in exile. The multi-media group has been a prime source of information in the wake of cyclone Nargis.
International aid still at Burma's doorstep
Updated 08/05/2008 20:07:58
The scale of the tragedy from the Burma cyclone just keeps increasing. Thailand, China, India and Indonesia have managed to fly in some emergency supplies. But the visa approval process is still delaying international relief work.
Fuel prices set to rise in Indonesia
Updated 08/05/2008 20:07:19
Indonesia is facing several weeks of economic uncertainty with rising fuel prices.
Japan and China talks move forward
Updated 08/05/2008 20:07:41
The leaders of China and Japan have held a groundbreaking summit where they have pledged to take a more 'forward looking' approach to the bilateral relationship.
Australia pledges aid to East Timor
Updated 08/05/2008 20:07:19
Australia has pledged a development aid package for East Timor.
East Timor's power struggle
Updated 07/05/2008 19:51:59
The future of East Timor's coalition government is under a cloud after a key party member announced a pact with the opposition.
Aid agencies struggle to get access to Burma's victims
Updated 07/05/2008 19:52:10
Questions raised over how much unrestricted access will be granted to international aid agencies by Burma's military regime reach devastated regions.
Burma faces new threat of disease and hunger
Updated 07/05/2008 19:52:14
They're still counting the dead in Burma, while aid agencies continue to agonise about the plight of the living. Disease, hunger and thirst are now the new threat to at least a million people left homeless by cyclone Nargis.
South Koreans protest over US beef imports
Updated 07/05/2008 19:52:06
The South Korean government's decision to lift U-S beef imports has seen thousands of young people taking to the streets in protest.
Australian head of Pacific Islands Forum quits
Updated 07/05/2008 19:51:55
The Australian Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Greg Urwin has resigned halfway through his second term, citing medical reasons. He was the first Australian to hold the forum's top position in its 37 year history.
Difficulties remain with reintegration of Aceh's former rebels
Updated 07/05/2008 19:51:55
Three years after separatist fighters with the Free Aceh Movement signed a peace deal with the Indonesian Government, their reintegration into Acehnese society is proving to be less that smooth.
Death toll climbs in Burma cyclone
Updated 06/05/2008 20:10:00
It's taken three days, but the Burmese junta is now co-operating with international humanitarian agencies to do something about the devastation of Cyclone Nargis. Burma's State media is now reporting that at least 15-thousand people are dead.
Vanuatu banks and businesses embroiled in tax scandal
Updated 06/05/2008 20:09:35
Vanuatu's financial and banking sector has raised concerns about the way Australia is targetting banks in the island nation, with allegations they are involved in tax fraud.
ADB says it needs more money
Updated 06/05/2008 20:09:39
The Asian Development Bank says unless it gets a fresh injection of funds from donor countries it will be out of money by 2010. The Bank says funds are needed to rescue millions from hunger and malnutrition.
ASEAN vows to help Burma
Updated 06/05/2008 20:09:55
Southeast Asian nations have always been split on how to treat Burma given its reluctance to explicitly embrace democracy.
But now ASEAN nations are being urged to put their differences aside and support Burma's cyclone victims.
Two ministers quit in Taiwan's diplomatic scandal
Updated 06/05/2008 20:09:45
A dipomatic scandal has seen two of Taiwan's senior government ministers quit. The foreign minister and vice premier have resigned over the disappearance of 30 million U-S dollars in an apparent botched bid to win over Papua New Guinea.
China and Japan meet for historic talks
Updated 06/05/2008 20:09:50
China's President Hu Jintao has touched down in the Japanese capital Tokyo to begin his five day state visit. But with hopes on both sides of improving relations, the range of difficult issues that exist between the two economic giants, will be kept off the agenda.
Hundreds dead in Burma cyclone
Updated 05/05/2008 20:32:06
The scale of the devastation caused by the cyclone in Burma is now only becoming clear. More than 350 people are believed to be dead but aid groups on the ground are still trying to reach some affected areas.
Warnings over China's nickel mining project in PNG
Updated 05/05/2008 20:31:39
China's hunger for resources has led it to Medang in PNG, where the state owned MCC company will mine for nickel. But the project has been plagued by controversy.
Asian airlines accused of contributing to global warming
Updated 05/05/2008 20:31:47
Asia's airlines have been accused of complacency when it comes to tackling climate change.
China meets Tibet envoys
Updated 05/05/2008 20:31:54
Envoys of Tibet's exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama have held talks on the weekend in the Chinese city of Shenzhen.
Hollywood gets behind Free Burma campaign
Updated 05/05/2008 20:32:00
A new virtual campaign in the US has enlisted a number of Hollywood celebrities to give the Free Burma message the same critical mass coverage as campaigns focusing on Darfur and Tibet.
Fiji's media council denounces publisher deportation
Updated 02/05/2008 19:35:18
Fiji's military regime has defied a court order to deport Evan Hannah, the Australian publisher of the Rupert Murdoch owned Fiji Times. Fiji's media council held an emergency meeting to denounce the deportation.
IOC warning over continued Tibet protests
Updated 02/05/2008 19:34:58
International Olympic Comittee member Gerhard Heiberg has warned that continued pressure on China from the West over Tibet could ruin the Olympic Games.
Australia claims new clean coal technology is breakthrough
Updated 02/05/2008 19:34:40
Australia has described a new clean coal technology as a breakthrough which will help China, India and Indonesia meet their energy needs in a more environmentally friendly way. But environmentalists are sceptical.
Fiji's interim government defends publisher's deportation
Updated 02/05/2008 19:35:08
Fiji's interim government has defended the deportation of Australian publisher Evan Hannah.
Pakistan deal on sacked judges
Updated 02/05/2008 19:35:02
There's been a deal reached on reinstating Pakistan's judges sacked by President Pervez Musharraf last November. Meeting in Dubai, the leaders of the ruling alliance have agreed the judges will be restored through a parliamentary resolution.
New Australian film about Balibo five
Updated 01/05/2008 19:42:30
It's been more than 30 years since five Australian based newsmen were shot dead at Balibo in East Timor. Now, the Balibo story is being made into a feature-length film.
Bangkok proposes fixing price of rice
Updated 01/05/2008 19:42:30
Thailand's Prime Minister has come up with a proposal that's sure to horrify economists. Samak Sundaravej wants Mekong nations to form a cartel to fix the price of rice and strengthen their bargaining power on the world market.
Nepal asked to respect rights of Tibetan exiles
Updated 01/05/2008 19:43:10
The U-S ambassador to Nepal has asked the Prime Minister to respect the rights of Tibetan exiles protesting in Kathmandu.
Australia's future defence policy
Updated 01/05/2008 19:43:00
Warnings Australia's military could slide from being a regional big boy, to being the local runt, dwarfed by the emerging military might of its neighbours.
Southern Philippines province declared peace zone
Updated 01/05/2008 19:43:06
The capital of one of the Philippines most dangerous, lawless and gun-soaked provinces has been declared a peace zone.
