BBC News | Asia-Pacific | World Edition

Critics dismiss Thai referendum
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 08:53:39 -0000
A national referendum proposed by the Thai prime minister to end the political deadlock is dismissed as a stalling tactic.
Envoys meet for North Korea talks
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:18:56 -0000
Envoys prepare to discuss deadlock over North Korea, amid initial moves by the country to reverse nuclear dismantling.
New governor general in Australia
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 06:10:34 -0000
Quentin Bryce is sworn in as Australia's governor general, the first woman to serve as Queen Elizabeth's representative there.
Russia tops Japan defence fears
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:12:50 -0000
Japan says the Russian military is becoming more active in areas close to its territory, in its annual defence white paper.
Malaysia deploys navy to Somalia
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:50:16 -0000
Malaysia sends three navy ships to the coast of Somalia to protect merchant vessels from piracy.
Global stock markets still jumpy
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 09:09:09 -0000
Fears about a global economic slowdown continue to weigh on stock markets, with Japan's main share index falling nearly 3%.

NYT > Asia Pacific

Bhutto Widower With Clouded Past Is Set to Lead
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:19:19 -0000
Asif Ali Zardari will start his tenure as Pakistan’s president burdened by unproven corruption allegations.
Plan Would Shift Forces From Iraq to Afghanistan
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:19:15 -0000
Pentagon leaders have recommended a modest shift of U.S. forces by early next year, officials said.
U.S. Letter Incites Push to Oust India Leader
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 05:02:46 -0000
Indian opposition parties say that a secret letter from the State Department shows that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh lied about a controversial deal on nuclear power.

L.A. Times - Asia

Paralympic boon to China's disabled
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700
The Games for the physically impaired start Saturday in Beijing, but they already have left one group of Chinese citizens heartened. Never mind the prospect of a swimmer competing in the butterfly who has only one leg, or a long jumper who is blind. To Zhou Rong, it was miracle enough when she saw a television report showing a disabled person in Beijing navigating a wheelchair onto a public bus.
Cellphone executive takes up a new calling
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Cyriac Roeding completes a 6-week world tour in which he traveled to such places as Nepal and Brazil to witness how people use their mobile devices. Most people take a vacation to get away from their jobs. Cyriac Roeding took a vacation for his job.
U.S. may step up raids in Pakistan
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Despite growing protests in Pakistan over a raid, many Pentagon officials favor a more aggressive approach to counter attacks in Afghanistan carried out by militants based in Pakistan. Even as angry protests spread in Pakistan, Pentagon officials said Thursday that the number of cross-border commando missions may grow in coming months to counter increasing violence in Afghanistan.

UN News Centre - Asia Pacific

UN envoy briefs General Assembly President on Myanmar visit
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0500
United Nations Special Advisor Ibrahim Gambari has briefed the President of the General Assembly on his recent visit to Myanmar, during which he held talks with a range of people on issues such as national reconciliation and how to help the South-East Asian nation tackle its socio-economic challenges.
Cambodian women with HIV receive boost from fashion designer and UN agency
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0500
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), renowned fashion designer Bibi Russell and Cambodian women living with HIV have joined forces to launch a new line of contemporary bags.
Sri Lankan rice production wins support from UN-backed project
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0500
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) announced plans today to boost rice production in districts of Sri Lanka hit hard by recent floods or conflict and by the soaring cost of many basic foods.

Asia - Pacific - International Herald Tribune

Air of corruption dogs Pakistani leader
By JANE PERLEZ Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:36:17 -0000
Asif Ali Zardari, the widower of Benazir Bhutto, is set to become president Saturday, an accidental ascent for a man known more as a wheeler-dealer than a leader.
Pakistan restores 3 judges ousted by Musharraf
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:50:16 -0000
Pakistan's law minister says three Supreme Court judges ousted by ex-President Pervez Musharraf have returned to the bench, but not the deposed chief justice.
U.S. plan would shift troops from Iraq to Afghanistan
By MICHAEL R. GORDON AND THOM SHANKER Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:36:17 -0000
Pentagon leaders have recommended a modest shift of U.S. forces by early next year, officials said.
In Japan, a ghost town becomes a boom town
By NORIMITSU ONISHI Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:36:17 -0000
The designation of a Japanese silver mine as a World Heritage site has sparked debate over the value of the Unesco label and whether it can do more harm than good in preservation.
China hints at building defects in quake study
By EDWARD WONG Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:36:17 -0000
A government committee said Thursday that a rush to build schools might have led to shoddy construction that resulted in the deaths of thousands of students during a devastating earthquake in May.
Air strike kills seven in west Afghanistan
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:36:17 -0000
Seven people, including two children, were killed in an air strike in western Afghanistan on Friday that was aimed at the house of a Taliban commander, a district official said.

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