July 2008
ASIAPACIFIC BUSINESS: 18/07/2008
Updated 18/07/2008 15:32:32
QANTAS to cut 15-hundred jobs; Chevron exempt from US sanctions in Burma; China growth heading to below ten per cent; tourists avoid Olympic city; Woodside slams Australian carbon reduction scheme.
PNG demands Indonesian apology over alleged border raid
Updated 18/07/2008 20:37:49
Nearly 200 Papua New Guinea villagers have been left homeless after Indonesian soldiers allegedly burnt their homes.
Australia won't intervene in bombers' execution
Updated 18/07/2008 20:37:49
A presidential pardon is the only legal option left for the three Indonesian men on death row for the 2002 Bali bombings.
Thai-Cambodian ties deteriorate over temple dispute
Updated 18/07/2008 20:37:49
Thai-Cambodian border tensions have moved up a notch, after soldiers pointed their weapons at each other for the first time.
NGO activist questions government commitment to elections
Updated 18/07/2008 20:37:49
A well-known Fiji NGO activist says she's not sure if the interim government is actually serious about holding elections at all.
Fiji's interim government says no elections next year
Updated 18/07/2008 20:37:49
Fiji's interim attorney-general Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum is non-commital about when he thinks elections can be held.
US navy ship brings health services to East Timorese
Updated 18/07/2008 20:37:49
East Timor's fledgling health services are still in great need of support from outside nations; now a United States navy hospital ship has offered to lend a hand.
China's growth tipped to fall below 10 per cent
Updated 17/07/2008 20:40:41
According to a prominent market economist, China's growth rate will fall to below ten per cent this year because of the weakness in the United States.
Thai Muslim rebels sent to 're-education' camps
Updated 17/07/2008 20:40:41
Thailand's military is employing a new strategy to combat Islamic separatists in the country's troubled Southern provinces.
US backflips on Chevron's Burma sanctions
Updated 17/07/2008 20:40:41
The United States has reversed a decision to impose sanctions on energy giant, Chevron, over its operation in military-controlled Burma.
Breakthrough in Philippines peace talks
Updated 17/07/2008 20:40:41
There has been a breakthrough in stalled peace negotiations between the Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
Diplomatic row over PNG dance troupe
Updated 17/07/2008 20:40:40
Papua New Guinea may lodge a complaint about Canada with the United Nations, after a PNG dance troupe was deported from Vancouver.
Fiji announces major overhaul of media laws
Updated 17/07/2008 20:40:40
An emergency meeting of Fiji's media council has been called in response to the interim government's announcement of new media regulations.
Indonesian military strongman enters presidential race
Updated 16/07/2008 20:23:58
A controversial former Indonesian military commander, Prabowo Subianto, has announced his candidacy for next year's presidential election.
Pacific foreign ministers wrap up Fiji talks
Updated 16/07/2008 20:23:58
The Pacific Forum "Fiji Ministerial Contact Group" has finished its meetings and consultations in Fiji.
Political furore follows Anwar's arrest
Updated 16/07/2008 20:23:58
The arrest of Malaysia's opposition figure Anwar Ibrahim has set the stage for a political showdown echoing the events of ten years ago.
East Timor's Olympic dream in tatters
Updated 16/07/2008 20:23:58
Severe shortages of money, facilities and equipment, as well as in-fighting among sports associations, means East Timor faces more obstacles than most in achieving its Olympic dream.
Australia warned of climate change refugee crisis
Updated 16/07/2008 20:23:58
On the day the Australian Government has released its green paper on climate change the World Bank is warning future climate change refugees present the government with a major policy challenge.
ICC puts China's Sudan ties in spotlight
Updated 15/07/2008 20:33:45
China has long stared down criticism of its relationship with Sudan, but its resolve will be tested as the International Criminal Court seeks the arrest of Sudan's President for genocide in Darfur.
China must commit to deeper emissions cuts: UN advisor
Updated 15/07/2008 20:33:45
One of the world's leading international economists says it's time all nations, including China, commit to reducing emissions faster.
Australia says Fiji election talks productive
Updated 15/07/2008 20:33:45
In Fiji, foreign ministers are meeting to ensure the country is on track to meet its pledge to hold elections in March next year.
Wiranto too weak to stop East Timor abuse: Downer
Updated 15/07/2008 20:33:45
Indonesia has for the first time acknowledged its role in the devastating violence of East Timor's independence vote eight years ago, with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono formally accepting the report of the Commission of Truth and Friendship.
Electricity campaign for world's poorest
Updated 15/07/2008 20:33:45
An Indian energy research institute has launched a campaign to provide lighting to over a billion people who don't have access to basic electricity.
International forces suffer deadliest day in Afghanistan
Updated 14/07/2008 20:28:00
Coalition forces have suffered their biggest loss in a single day since the start of military operations against the Taliban in late 2001.
PNG concerns over Indonesian border crossings
Updated 14/07/2008 20:28:00
Papua New Guinea has raised concerns that Indonesian soldiers are allegedly violating border agreements between the two countries.
East Timor victims demand justice
Updated 14/07/2008 20:28:00
The recommendations of the East Timor Truth and Friendship Commission may not be enough for those who suffered during the struggle
Malaysian opposition MPs storm out of parliament
Updated 14/07/2008 20:28:00
Malaysian opposition MPs walked out of parliament after the lower house speaker rejected their motion for a debate of no confidence in Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi.
Western diets blamed for China's rising obesity
Updated 14/07/2008 20:27:59
A new study has found that obesity levels are rising sharply in China - with more than a quarter the adult population said to be overweight.
Journalist murder overshadows Cambodia's elections
Updated 14/07/2008 20:28:00
The killing of 47-year old opposition newspaper reporter and his son appears to be a targetted assassination.
Vietnamese mourn leading dissident monk
Updated 11/07/2008 20:21:12
Thousands of mourners turned out for the funeral of Vietnam's top dissident Buddhist monk, Thich Huyen Quang.
East Timor minister answers budget critics
Updated 11/07/2008 20:21:12
East Timor's Finance Minister says the nation's Petroleum Fund is not sustainable, even with conservative and prudent management of the investment of oil revenues.
Indonesia accepts 'moral obligation' over East Timor abuses
Updated 11/07/2008 20:21:12
The Indonesian government says it recognises its 'moral obligation' to act on the findings of the East Timor Truth and Friendship Commission.
Hunt for Asia Pacific 'superfoods'
Updated 11/07/2008 20:21:12
The hunt is on for the new 'superfoods' from the Asia Pacific - some of which have been part of the Asia Pacific diet for centuries.
Mixed report card for Solomons' government
Updated 11/07/2008 20:21:12
The Solomon Islands' opposition has indicated that it will use this months sitting of parliament to challenge the current government of Doctor Derek Sikua.
India's ruling party scrambles to form coalition
Updated 10/07/2008 21:06:30
India's ruling party is furiously trying to cobble together a parliamentary coalition, after the left parties made good on their threat to quit the coalition if a controversial nuclear deal with the US went ahead.
Billions 'missing' from Indonesian oil, gas revenue
Updated 10/07/2008 21:06:30
Indonesia's corruption watchdog has opened an investigation into the disappearace of 23 billion US dollars in state oil and gas revenues.
Reports Malaysian PM to stand down in 2010
Updated 10/07/2008 21:06:30
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd under fire for not meeting Malaysia's opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim; meanwhile, increased media speculation Prime Minister Badawi will announce plans to resign in June 2010.
Thai government in disarray as Foreign Minister resigns
Updated 10/07/2008 21:06:30
Thai Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama has been forced to resign, days after a top court found he violated the constitution by backing Cambodia's bid to put a disputed temple on the World Heritage list.
Cricket gaining ground in Asian nations
Updated 10/07/2008 21:06:30
Cricket is making significant inroads into Asia's non-traditional cricketing nations, including China and Malaysia
Asian workers abused in Saudi homes: report
Updated 10/07/2008 21:06:30
A US-based human rights group says Saudi Arabian families are abusing female migrant workers to the point of slavery.
Hong Kong's 'conscience of the nation' bows out
Updated 09/07/2008 20:34:17
Hong Kong's leading democracy advocate, Anson Chan, has announced that she will not be seeking a second term in September's Legislative Council elections.
Government inaction blamed for Papuan cholera outbreak
Updated 09/07/2008 20:34:18
Human rights activists say a cholera outbreak in the highlands of Indonesian Papua has left 159 dead and is spreading.
Thailand party ban could topple new government
Updated 09/07/2008 20:34:18
A senior member of the governing People Power Party has been banned from politics after being found guilty of electoral fraud, and he could take the party down with him.
G8 emissions targets a 'backward step'
Updated 09/07/2008 20:34:18
The G8's target to cut global greenhouse emissions by half by 2050 is being criticised as a step backward, and major developing nations China and India remain opposed to joining the club.
Tsunami reconstruction endangers Aceh's reefs
Updated 09/07/2008 20:34:17
New research shows Aceh's post-tsunami reconstruction effort has been bad news for its coral reefs' survival.
Australia warns of dangers of smuggling drugs internally
Updated 09/07/2008 20:34:17
The Australian Government has warned of the dire risks involved in smuggling drugs internally, after a number of recents arrests and hospitalisations.
Indonesian fishermen face trial delays
Updated 08/07/2008 20:59:25
The lawyer representing Indonesians accused of illegal fishing in Australia says his clients will now spend many months in detention until their case is heard.
Budget, gun laws fuel East Timor protests
Updated 08/07/2008 20:59:25
Student protestors returned to the streets of Dili for a second day, defying police warnings their demonstrations were breaking the law.
Long-awaited Thaksin case opens in Thailand
Updated 08/07/2008 20:59:25
Thailand's Supreme Court has begun hearing evidence in a corruption case against the billionaire-former-prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra.
Cambodian bloggers take on mainstream media
Updated 08/07/2008 20:59:18
Cambodia suffers from low rates of literacy and still very low internet accessibility, but that hasn't stopped a nascent blogging movement taking shape.
Australia, NZ included in Fiji ministerial meeting
Updated 08/07/2008 20:59:19
The Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum says Australia and New Zealand will be allowed to take part in ministerial meetings in Fiji next week.
Anger as PM ally secures lucrative contract
Updated 07/07/2008 21:05:40
East Timor's opposition is accusing the Prime Minister of awarding a lucrative contract to one of his friends.
Malaysia hosts D8 summit of Muslim nations
Updated 07/07/2008 21:05:40
Malaysia is playing host to the D8 summit, an economic alliance to improve the position of developing Muslim countries in the global economy.
Few expect breakthrough from G8 summit
Updated 07/07/2008 21:05:40
Climate change, African poverty and the rising cost of food and fuel are all on the G8 agenda, but few are holding out hope for a real breakthrough.
Pakistan blast marks Red Mosque anniversary
Updated 07/07/2008 21:05:40
Investigations are continuing into Sunday's suicide bombing that killed 19 people.
Car bomb kills at least 40 in Kabul
Updated 07/07/2008 21:05:40
At least 40 people are dead and hundreds injured after a car filled with explosives plunged into the gates of the Indian embassy in Kabul.
Former Nauru President Rene Harris dies
Updated 07/07/2008 21:05:40
One of Nauru's most controversial politicans, former President Rene Harris, has died after suffering a heart attack.
Fears of Asian arms race unfounded
Updated 04/07/2008 20:21:02
A new Canberra study says there's little real evidence of an Asia-wide arms race.
India's Communists demand end to nuke deal
Updated 04/07/2008 20:21:02
India's communist party has issued a final ultimatum to the government over its controversial proposed nuclear deal with the US.
Australia's draft carbon scheme unveiled
Updated 04/07/2008 20:21:02
The Australian Government has been urged to commit to a carbon trading scheme without delay.
New internet technology promises 'education revolution'
Updated 04/07/2008 20:21:01
For the past two years, around 30 million people in Asia and Europe have enjoyed the benefits of one of the world's fastest internet services and it promises to revolutionise science and medical education in the future.
State of economic emergency in Marshall Islands
Updated 04/07/2008 20:21:02
The impact of the rising cost of fuel is so dire in Marshall Islands the government has declared a state of economic emergency.
Homeless rounded up ahead of Cambodian elections
Updated 03/07/2008 21:09:52
Cambodia's so-called "rehabilitation centres", where authorities have been quietly imprisoning some of the city's most marginalised people, remain open and the city appears determined to keep the streets "clean" ahead of this month's elections.
Fiery parliamentary debate over PNG Ombudsman
Updated 03/07/2008 21:09:52
There were calls in Papua New Guinea's parliament today to do away with the Ombudsman Commission.
Rudd's Asia plan 'dead in the water'
Updated 03/07/2008 21:09:53
A Singapore foreign policy expert says Australia's vision for an Asia Pacific Community is "dead in the water", with no Asian leader backing Kevin Rudd's call for a new regional institution.
Philippine arrests over alleged coup plot
Updated 03/07/2008 21:09:53
In the Philippines, yet another elaborate coup attempt against president Gloria Arroyo has allegedly been uncovered.
Indonesian bomb plot allegedly linked to JI
Updated 03/07/2008 21:09:53
Indonesian police have arrested ten men suspected of planning to bomb western targets in the capital Jakarta.
Could China be the new force in world sport?
Updated 03/07/2008 21:09:52
The performance of Chinese players in recent gland slam tournaments has caused excitement in the world of tennis.
Cambodian opposition banking on youth vote
Updated 02/07/2008 20:37:23
Cambodia's youth vote could prove decisive in this month's election, with the opposition Sam Rainsy party banking on a mood for change among the young.
Australia to pay for Vietnam anti-corruption training
Updated 02/07/2008 20:37:24
Australia will provide up to $AU500,000 to help train senior members of Vietnam's Communist Party and government officials in anti-corruption prevention and detection methods.
American beef back on South Korean shelves
Updated 02/07/2008 20:37:24
Things are going from bad to worse for South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak - American beef is back on the shelves but fears about mad cow disease and opposition to the US Free Trade Agreement have spawned a large, loud and angry protest movement.
State of emergency as riots sweep Mongolia
Updated 02/07/2008 20:37:24
In Mongolia, five people have died and hundreds are wounded after riots swept through the capital, amid anger over alleged vote rigging in the weekend elections.
Rock'n'roll gaining ground in India
Updated 02/07/2008 20:37:23
Hindi film songs have long been the music of choice in India, but now the rock-and-roll is gaining ground in the big cities and some of the most popular bands hail from a small hill station in the country's isolated north east.
Could Asia tap into the 'ring of fire'
Updated 01/07/2008 19:35:20
As high fuel prices continue to affect Asia's economic health, there's growing interest in exploiting the earth's own geothermal energy. Analysts believe countries in the so-called Pacific "ring of fire" could derive enough energy to fully power their domestic economies. But there are high costs involved, and tapping into "volcano power" is potentially fraught with danger.
Gloomy economic forecast for Asia
Updated 01/07/2008 19:39:15
Record oil prices, collapsing consumer sentiment, the credit crunch; could it all spell doom for the world economy? In its latest report, a leading economic agency - the Bank for International Settlements - warns the world economy may be at a tipping point and facing a bleak future. In Asia, most commentators believe inflation is the biggest threat while an atmosphere of uncertainty is affecting stock markets.
PNG women given 'ineffective' contraceptives
Updated 01/07/2008 19:35:20
In Papua New Guinea, a leading gynaecologist says thousands of women have been given low grade birth control pills which cannot prevent unwanted pregnancies.
Cambodian de-mining bringing human toll down
Updated 01/07/2008 19:35:20
Over 30 years of civil war, several million landmines were planted in Cambodia. One NGO that's been working to get rid of them for the past sixteen years, now says casualties have fallen significantly in recent years.. from the 2,000 annually in the early 1990s, to less than 500 a year. The UK-based Mines Advisory Group or MAG employs about hundreds of personnel across six provinces in Cambodia.
War in southern Philippines 'increasingly likely'
Updated 01/07/2008 19:39:15
Relations between the Philippine government and insurgents in the south have been steadily worsening in recent months, and an international monitoring agreement in the south is due to expire within weeks.
And there are concerns that any new deal won't meet the demands for self-determination wanted by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, or MILF.
