Connect Asia

Thursday, 2 September 2010

Bombing highlights Pakistan's sectarian conflict

Updated 02/09/2010 12:46:26

In the Pakastani city of Lahore, a triple suicide bombing has killed at least 25 people and injured 180.

NGOs slam Australia over indigenous health

Updated 02/09/2010 12:46:26

The United Nations Conference on Advancing Global Health has come to a close after three days of spirited debate among more than seventeen hundred participants from NGOs around the world.

Indonesia volcano still at alert level

Updated 02/09/2010 12:46:26

Thousands of people on the Indonesian island of Sumatra have returned home after the weekend eruption of Mount Sinabung, despite fears that it may not yet be safe.

Thailand shocked at corporal punishment case

Updated 02/09/2010 12:46:26

To Thailand, where local television this week aired secretly-recorded mobile phone footage showed a teacher at a Catholic boarding school hitting dozens of students on the buttocks with a cane wrapped with electrical wire.

Scientists uncover malaria mosquito smelling sensors

Updated 02/09/2010 12:46:26

Scientists say they've discovered some remarkable information that may help the fight against some of the world's worst diseases.

Australia, Asia economies stronger than US

Updated 02/09/2010 12:46:26

Australians have been basking in one of the world's best performing developed economies for the past year - but the latest official figures show even the optimists were too cautious about the outlook.

Laos plan to reverse region's worst maternal mortality rates

Updated 02/09/2010 12:46:26

Women in Laos have a one in 33 chance of dying as a result of childbirth.

Birdlife in Murray-Darling basin in full bloom

Updated 02/09/2010 12:46:23

After more than ten years of drought, Australia's Murray Darling basin's most important bird breeding sites is now in full flood.

Singaporean writer explores feeling of migration

Updated 02/09/2010 12:46:23

Between Stations is a selection of writings focussed on the experience of travelling and working in China, India, Egypt and Morocco.

Wednesday, 1 September 2010

Few celebrations as Iraq war officially ends

Updated 01/09/2010 12:22:22

After seven long years, the war in Iraq is officially over - at least for the United States.

Afghan detainees in mass break-out

Updated 01/09/2010 12:22:22

More than 70 asylum seekers have escaped from the Darwin detention centre and are protesting on the Stuart Highway to highlight what they say is unfair treatment by Australian authorities.

Independents to be briefed by the head of Treasury

Updated 01/09/2010 12:22:22

An inconclusive general election last month, means the three Independent MPs who'll decide which party will form a minority Government, will be locked behind closed doors again today as they weigh up their options.

Sri Lanka to change constitution for president

Updated 01/09/2010 12:22:22

Sri Lanka's president has secured the two thirds majority he needs to radically change the country's constitution.

Weighing up the UN's development goals

Updated 01/09/2010 12:22:22

The United Nations conference on Advancing Global Health is in full swing in Melbourne, where civil society activists have been grappling with the consequences of possibly failing to meet the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.

Extended interview with World Vision Australia CEO, Tim Costello

Updated 01/09/2010 12:22:22

Here is an extended version of Joanna McCarthy's interview with Tim Costello, the chief executive officer of World Vision Australia.

Girls hungry for education in Afghanistan

Updated 01/09/2010 12:22:21

Access to a primary education for all children is one of the UN's goals for 2015.

Dengue dogs Delhi games preparations

Updated 01/09/2010 12:22:21

As if the cost blowouts, construction delays and corruption weren't enough to dampen the lead up to next month's New Delhi Commonwealth Games, now the organisers are grappling with an outbreak of potentially-deadly dengue fever.

Good data critical to reducing poverty

Updated 01/09/2010 12:22:21

The UN is holding its world conference on the Millennium Development Goals in Melbourne but without good data it will be hard to know if those goals are being met.

Stern backs a price on carbon

Updated 01/09/2010 12:22:19

In an official report to the British Government in 2006, leading economist Nicholas Stern, made the business and economic case for prompt and prudent action on climate change warning that failure to act now will exact much greater costs later on.

China stuck with environmental consequences of outsourcing

Updated 01/09/2010 12:22:19

Jonathan Watts travelled from mountain paradises to industrial wastelands, via tiger farms, melting glaciers, cancer villages, science parks, coal mines and eco-cities to examine the responses of those at the top of Chinese society and the hopes of those below.

Tuesday, 31 August 2010

Shake up for UN climate panel

Updated 31/08/2010 13:03:22

A shake-up has been recommended for the United Nations' climate panel, the body that came under fire after a series of leaked emails revealed some data, by some of its members, was seen to be skewed.

US announces new sanctions for North Korea

Updated 31/08/2010 13:03:22

US President Barack Obama has ordered new financial sanctions on North Korea.

Pakistan flood continues south, threats grow

Updated 31/08/2010 13:03:22

In Pakistan, the floods continue to threaten new areas and the latest is the southern city of Thatta, where the military says it has been on a 'war footing' to try to protect 300,000 people.

Japan announces multi billion stimulus drive

Updated 31/08/2010 13:03:22

The Japanese government has announced plans for a stimulus package worth around US$11 billion on the same day that the central bank decided to keep interest rates at a tiny 0.1 per cent.

Rural sanitation a winner for Cambodia's latrine entrepreneurs

Updated 31/08/2010 13:03:22

Sanitation in Cambodia's rural areas is noticeable mainly by its absence.

Rural Australia wins huge leverage from election

Updated 31/08/2010 13:03:22

Australia's hung parliament has delivered rural Australia enormous sway over national affairs.

Cricket scandal keeps Pakistan on the outer

Updated 31/08/2010 13:03:21

Cricket experts say the latest Pakistani match-fixing scandal could cost the country its place in international cricket.

Better women's health can reduce poverty

Updated 31/08/2010 13:03:19

One of the key themes of this year's UN conference on development and global health are the effects that gender issues can have on people's access to health services.

Millions of children dying from preventable diseases.

Updated 31/08/2010 13:03:19

One child dies every three seconds from easily preventable causes.

Monday, 30 August 2010

Key UN health conference under way in Melbourne

Updated 30/08/2010 09:52:19

Civil society groups from across the Asia Pacific have gathered in Melbourne for the United Nations' annual NGO Conference to discuss global health as it relates to progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

UN conference delegates attend Sunday service

Updated 30/08/2010 09:52:19

The United Nation's NGO conference was kicked off with a prayer service at Melbourne's St Paul's Cathedral led by the World Vision's Freedom choir.

UN optimism MDG goals can be reached

Updated 30/08/2010 09:52:19

The United Nations says despite a mixed report card on progress towards meeting the Millennium Development Goals, there is confidence that given sufficient political will, the targets can be met by the 2015 deadline.

Pakistani cricket rocked by new bribe allegations

Updated 30/08/2010 09:52:19

Four Pakistani cricketers have been questioned over allegations that they were involved in match fixing during the fourth test against England at Lords.

Australian police quell immigration centre riot

Updated 30/08/2010 09:52:19

Order has been restored at an immigration detention centre in the northern Australian city of Darwin overnight, after a riot broke out there over the weekend.