Asia Regional News:

This page lists recent news items about selected countries in Asia. Click on any of the links to read the full news story in a separate window.

Please Note: All news stories are copyrighted by the respective content providers. The headlines and descriptions presented on this page are updated frequently. The appearance of any particular news item on this page does not mean that the author of this site endorses or otherwise agrees with the facts or opinions stated in that item.

Links to Asian News Organizations:

Kuensel Online: Bhutan's National Newspaper:  Find out what's happening in the Land of the Thunder Dragon, where the government concentrates on developing "gross national happiness."

The Japan Times:  News (in English) from the Land of the Rising Sun.

NepalNews.com:  News from the Kingdom of Nepal.

Bangkok Post:  News (in English) from Thailand.

Links to Other News Organizations With News About Asia:

BBC: Asia-Pacific News

BBC: South Asia News

New York Times: Asia-Pacific News:  (Registration may be required, but it's free.)

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Asia Headlines:

3 Taiwan Officials Quit in Diplomatic Furor The foreign minister of Taiwan and two other top officials resigned over a botched attempt to win diplomatic recognition from Papua New Guinea.

[Wed, 07 May 2008 06:20:24 GMT]

A Challenge Getting Relief to Myanmar’s Remote Areas Bad roads and a lack of cooperation from the military government could hamper aid efforts.

[Thu, 08 May 2008 15:41:48 GMT]

An Auction of New Chinese Art Leaves Disjointed Noses in Its Wake The sale of some 200 works by some of China’s hottest names has stirred indignation among many of the artists and their dealers and some curators.

[Wed, 07 May 2008 06:08:03 GMT]

Bright Lights and Big Money in India’s New Cricket League A new cricket league is trying to spin off India’s colonial inheritance into a money-making symbol of a brash, emerging nation.

[Wed, 07 May 2008 13:03:07 GMT]

China Orchestra Plays for Pope for First Time, Hinting at Thaw The concert performed for Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday could signal the end to the tense relationship between the Vatican and the Chinese government.

[Thu, 08 May 2008 05:57:18 GMT]

I.O.C. Rules Will Limit Protests by Athletes Athletes who compete in the Beijing Olympics will not be allowed to wave flags, make gestures or alter their external appearance to make a political statement.

[Wed, 07 May 2008 06:09:10 GMT]

If the Fish Liver Can’t Kill, Is It Really a Delicacy? Powerful interests in Japan’s fugu industry are fighting to keep the ban on fugu livers even from poison-free fish.

[Thu, 08 May 2008 02:34:26 GMT]

In China City, Protesters See Pollution Risk of New Plant It was the latest in a series of rare but increasingly ambitious protests against government-backed industrial projects on environmental and health grounds.

[Thu, 08 May 2008 02:40:31 GMT]

In His Visit to Japan, China Leader Seeks Amity The leaders of China and Japan pledged to make their nations partners instead of rivals as Chinese President Hu Jintao began a goodwill mission to Tokyo.

[Thu, 08 May 2008 04:39:35 GMT]

Kagoshima Journal: Japan Fights Crowds of Crows Blackouts are just one of the problems caused by an explosion in Japan’s population of crows, which seems to compete with humans for space in this crowded nation.

[Wed, 07 May 2008 06:27:50 GMT]

Myanmar Faces Pressure to Allow Major Aid Effort An American diplomat warned of the possibility that the death toll could rise sharply, and a French diplomat urged the U.N. to force Myanmar to accept aid.

[Thu, 08 May 2008 16:01:48 GMT]

Myanmar’s Biggest City Still Paralyzed After 5 Days A Times reporter in Yangon found that basic utilities have yet to be restored and that streets were choked with fallen trees, showing how difficult recovery from the cyclone could be.

[Fri, 09 May 2008 05:44:43 GMT]

News Analysis: A Reclusive Government, Forced to Ask for Help In opening its doors to international relief, Myanmar’s military government is breaching a wall of isolation it has built around itself over nearly half a century.

[Fri, 09 May 2008 02:39:09 GMT]

North Korea Gives U.S. Files on Plutonium Efforts North Korea has turned over 18,000 pages of documents related to its plutonium program, ahead of an agreement meant to begin the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

[Fri, 09 May 2008 05:49:00 GMT]

Olympic Torch Reaches Everest Peak The Chinese government had long hoped to have the Olympic flame lit atop the world’s highest mountain.

[Fri, 09 May 2008 05:37:19 GMT]

Pentagon Drops Post in Pakistan for Top General The Pentagon has canceled the assignment of Maj. Gen. Jay W. Hood to a top position in Pakistan after the Pakistani media excoriated him for his previous job as commander of Guantánamo Bay.

[Fri, 09 May 2008 05:47:18 GMT]

Survivors in Myanmar Make Way to High Land Myanmar’s rice trading town of Labutta has become a beacon of hope for tens of thousands who lived through the fury of last weekend’s cyclone.

[Thu, 08 May 2008 05:07:15 GMT]

The Lede: Myanmar Disaster Relief: How to Contribute An alphabetical list of contact information and links for some agencies that plan to provide relief to the victims of the cyclone in Myanmar.

[Thu, 08 May 2008 17:23:19 GMT]

U.N. Pressures Myanmar to Allow Aid Frustrated United Nations officials all but demanded that the nation end barriers to supplies and workers.

[Fri, 09 May 2008 05:29:20 GMT]

World Briefing | Middle East: Yemen: Japanese Tourists Briefly Taken Hostage Armed men kidnapped two female Japanese tourists near the town of Marib in Yemen, but released them hours later, local officials said.

[Thu, 08 May 2008 04:42:22 GMT]

World Business Briefing | Asia: China: Rushing to Track Children’s Disease Health officials in China, responding to the continued spread of hand, foot and mouth disease, issued new regulations requiring all health care providers to report new cases of the disease.

[Thu, 08 May 2008 04:42:52 GMT]

 

ADB readies emergency food aid loans to Asia: Kuroda Publicbroadcasting.net - Tue May 6, 09:46 am GMT

ASIA MARKETS: Asia Mostly Lower As Sydney, Shanghai Retreat Nasdaq.com - Tue May 6, 09:42 am GMT

Asia rice exporters to discuss cartel Article.wn.com - Tue May 6, 01:07 pm GMT

Asian group gets approval for Herald bid Au.news.yahoo.com - Tue May 6, 12:30 pm GMT

Asian nations rally around cyclone-hit Myanmar Abs-cbnnews.com - Tue May 6, 10:04 am GMT

Asian spreads widen; Philippines, Indonesia hit Abs-cbnnews.com - Tue May 6, 08:03 am GMT

Deutsche Bank Ups the Ante in Asia Online.wsj.com - Tue May 6, 07:53 am GMT

FACTBOX-Asia's worst natural disasters since 2004 tsunami Alertnet.org - Tue May 6, 08:25 am GMT

Japan's role crucial for Asia Article.wn.com - Tue May 6, 07:34 am GMT

Oil prices hold above US$120 a barrel in Asian trading on su Article.wn.com - Tue May 6, 07:49 am GMT

Oil prices rise to record near $121 in Asian trading Article.wn.com - Tue May 6, 01:50 pm GMT

Poor in Africa, Asia feel pain of food crisis Philly.com - Tue May 6, 09:05 am GMT

Ramana to head affiliate relations at Walt Disney India & South Asia Indiantelevision.com - Tue May 6, 10:38 am GMT

South Asia, a new center of democracy? Article.wn.com - Tue May 6, 01:35 pm GMT

Stocks in Europe, Asia Decline; US Futures Are Little Changed Bloomberg.com - Tue May 6, 10:55 am GMT

Surging food prices take a toll on poor in Asia, Australia Article.wn.com - Tue May 6, 08:24 am GMT

Toll employs Click systems in Asian... Supplychainreview.com.au - Tue May 6, 07:51 am GMT

TripWizards.com Helps Restore Travel Freedom to Asia Biz.yahoo.com - Tue May 6, 03:01 pm GMT

US warns Asian Development Bank it risks becoming 'irrelevant' Abs-cbnnews.com - Tue May 6, 12:05 pm GMT

Vietnam to host Asian Indoor Games next year News.xinhuanet.com - Tue May 6, 11:38 am GMT

 

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Japan:

2008 Diet of the Year - Sponsored Link Ad - Finally, A Diet That Really Works! As Seen On CNN, NBC, & Fox News. [Fri, 9 May 2008 03:22:00 GMT]

Bridgestone confirms receipt of Statement of Objections over marine hose Extract not available. [Fri, 9 May 2008 03:15:00 GMT]

Bridgestone's net income for Q1 fell 18 percent on higher costs Extract not available. [Fri, 9 May 2008 03:14:00 GMT]

China Ready to Compromise on Japan Gas Row China has shown flexibility in compromising with Japan on the possibility of including the disputed Chunxiao oil and gas field, in the center of a longstanding demarcation row in the East China Sea, as an area for joint development, diplomatic sources [Fri, 9 May 2008 02:57:00 GMT]

ElringKlinger lifts stake in Japanese partner to 50 percent Extract not available. [Fri, 9 May 2008 03:16:00 GMT]

ERJ staff report (DS) Tokyo -- Bridgestone Corp. reported higher sales, but lower profits for the... Extract not available. [Fri, 9 May 2008 03:15:00 GMT]

ERJ staff report (DS) Tokyo -- prices of natural rubber in Tokyo fell slightly from yesterday's highs, ending Thursday at around Yen 307 ($2.94) per kilo. Prices in other major markets also declined slightly. This is an external link and should open Extract not available. [Fri, 9 May 2008 03:13:00 GMT]

ERJ staff report (DS) Tokyo, Japan -- Bridgestone Corp. has confirmed that it received a Statemen... Extract not available. [Fri, 9 May 2008 03:15:00 GMT]

Future Shock: Ford Optimistic, Toyota Forecasts Gloom: Japan Carmaker Predicts Sales Decline The previously surging Toyota Motor said yesterday that it expects a 27 percent decrease -- yes, de crease-- in profit in the coming fiscal year, news that came on the same day that long-beleaguered Ford Motor was holding what almost amounted to a [Fri, 9 May 2008 03:02:00 GMT]

Hiroshi Yamauchi richest Japanese thanks to Nintendo Wii Forbes updated their Japan's 40 Richest list and the new number one is retired Nintendo Chairman Hiroshi Yamauchi. Mr. Yamauchi net worth has risen by $3 billion in the past year thanks to the mega success of the Nintendo Wii. His networth is now $7.8 [Fri, 9 May 2008 03:03:00 GMT]

Japan Airlines Posts Narrower Net Loss For Jan-March Extract not available. [Fri, 9 May 2008 03:16:00 GMT]

Japan To Give Additional $10mn Aid To Cyclone-Hit Myanmar Extract not available. [Fri, 9 May 2008 03:17:00 GMT]

Kobe Bryant unanimous pick for All-NBA team Kobe Bryant added another honor Thursday to go with his MVP award, becoming the only unanimous selection to the All-NBA team. The Lakers star was voted to the first team for the third straight season and sixth time in his career. He led Los Angeles to [Fri, 9 May 2008 03:16:00 GMT]

McDonald's Japan Posts 0.5% Drop In April Same-Store Sales Extract not available. [Fri, 9 May 2008 03:17:00 GMT]

More Earthquakes Hit Japan, No Tsunami Feared - Officials TOKYO (AFP)--Earthquakes shook Tokyo and other areas in eastern Japan for a second day Friday, although there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage, officials said. The Japan Meteorological Agency said a series of quakes hit the country's [Fri, 9 May 2008 03:09:00 GMT]

New MGS4 Sony PS3 Consoles in White, Silver, and Black Sony announces new special editions Sony PS3 bundles with Metal Gear Solid 4. There are three MGS4 Sony PS3 bundles going to be available starting June 12th. Sony gives you the choice between the classic clear Black (CEJH-10000), the White (CEJH-10001) [Fri, 9 May 2008 03:03:00 GMT]

NTT heating up ahead of election Extract not available. [Fri, 9 May 2008 03:16:00 GMT]

Oki Intros Private IP Centrex System 'SS9100' to NTT Communications Oki Electric Industry announced it has delivered an IP telephony system to NTT Communications Corp. NTT Com offers communication products and services to enterprises and provides Japan with its 'Arcstar IP-VPN' and '.Phone Ubiquitous.' NTT Com wanted to [Fri, 9 May 2008 03:14:00 GMT]

Sony PS3 outsells Xbox 360 in Europe says Sony Sony held the PlayStation Day Conference in London yesterday. One short key message from the event is that the Sony PS3 outsold the Xbox 360 in Europe. Apparently the Sony PS3 has outsold the Xbox 360 since October 2007. Sony sold 5 million PS3 consoles [Fri, 9 May 2008 03:03:00 GMT]

Sony's F23 Debuts on Speed Racer For all the latest news, reviews, tutorials and tips on Apple Final Cut Pro and Motion, Adobe After Effects, Premiere and Flash, Avid XPress Pro, Canon XL H1, Panasonic HVX200 and Sony XDCAM HD, visit the Studio Daily Mini-Sites here. F&V: How did the [Fri, 9 May 2008 03:11:00 GMT]

Stocks: Fall On Toyota's Pessimistic Earnings Outlook, Strong Yen Extract not available. [Fri, 9 May 2008 03:17:00 GMT]

to Double Input in Japan Extract not available. [Fri, 9 May 2008 03:20:00 GMT]

Tokyo rubber falls, but still near historic highs Extract not available. [Fri, 9 May 2008 03:13:00 GMT]

Tokyo shares end morning lower on strong yen, Toyota's weak forecast TOKYO (Thomson Financial) - Japanese shares ended Friday morning lower as investors pocketed profits following Toyota Motor Corp.'s weak earnings forecast and with a stronger yen also hurting sentiment. Stocks opened marginally lower, shrugging off a [Fri, 9 May 2008 03:20:00 GMT]

Tokyo shares open lower on Toyota's disappointing results, strong yen - UPDATE TOKYO (Thomson Financial) - Japanese shares were lower in early trade on Friday as investors focused on a disappointing earnings report from Toyota Motor and a stronger yen, and shrugged off a positive lead from Wall Street. Toyota Motor (nyse: TM - news [Fri, 9 May 2008 02:59:00 GMT]

Tokyo stocks fall on Toyota's pessimistic earnings outlook, strong yen+ TOKYO, May 9-(Kyodo), (EDS: TO BE LED) Tokyo stocks fell Friday morning as investors were unnerved by top Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corp.'s sluggish earnings outlook, while a stronger yen weighed on Japanese exporters in general. The 225-issue [Fri, 9 May 2008 03:09:00 GMT]

Tokyo, Japan - Showa Denko K.K. (SDK) today announced a 7.8 percent increase in net sales in the f... Extract not available. [Fri, 9 May 2008 03:14:00 GMT]

Toyota braces for sales reverse Toyota is braced for its first annual earnings decline in eight years as US sales of its cars and trucks fall, raw material costs soar and the value of the yen surges.In a bleaker-than-expected forecast for the fiscal year to March, the world's most [Fri, 9 May 2008 03:22:00 GMT]

Toyota Motor annual net revenues up 10%  Toyota Motor has reported that its net revenues, on a consolidated basis, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 increased 9.8% to JPY26.29 trillion, compared to fiscal year ended March 31, 2007.The operating income increased 1.4% to JPY2.27 trillion, [Fri, 9 May 2008 03:19:00 GMT]

Toyota Motor forecasts profit tumble after a record year  - Toyota Motor Corp on Thursday said its full-year net profit rose 4.5 per cent to a record high, but warned it expects its first drop in annual earnings in nine years amid a stronger yen and soaring raw material costs. Toyota, on course to overtake [Fri, 9 May 2008 03:13:00 GMT]

Whaling action against Japan still ... Whaling action against Japan still possible JUSTIN NORRIE IN TOKYO Australia and New Zealand have denied ditching the possibility of legal action to stop Japanese whaling.Rejecting a report that New Zealand had abandoned the legal route to stop the [Fri, 9 May 2008 02:59:00 GMT]

 

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Southeast Asia:

2008 Diet of the Year - Sponsored Link Ad - Finally, A Diet That Really Works! As Seen On CNN, NBC, & Fox News. [Fri, 9 May 2008 04:39:00 GMT]

8:43amUS navy ships heading to Burma Extract not available. [Fri, 9 May 2008 04:23:00 GMT]

A Silver Lining for Burma? Cyclone Nargis, which hit Burma last weekend, has obviously claimed a horrific number of lives. Burma's military regime, which renamed the country Myanmar in 1989, admits to more than 22,000 dead. But inside observers say the death toll could rise as [Fri, 9 May 2008 04:35:00 GMT]

ArcelorMittal plans to invest $5-10bn in Indonesia JAKARTA: The world's largest steelmaker, ArcelorMittal, said on Thursday it is looking to invest up to $10 billion in Indonesia as it taps into the country's steel and mining sector. As part of its investment plans for Southeast Asia's top economy, [Fri, 9 May 2008 04:21:00 GMT]

Burma 'not ready' for foreign aid teams Burma is 'not ready' for foreign search and rescue teams after the deadly Cyclone Nargis, the foreign ministry said in a state newspaper, announcing that some aid workers had been deported. A search and rescue team and media who arrived on Wednesday on a [Fri, 9 May 2008 04:26:00 GMT]

Burma: Aid Fine, But No Foreigners (Rangon) - After snubbing a U.S. aid offer, Burma's isolationist regime indicated Friday that it wants foreign relief supplies but not foreign workers to help recover from a devastating cyclone. The statement came a day after Burma's military government [Fri, 9 May 2008 04:35:00 GMT]

Cyclone damages Suu Kyi's home YANGON: The home of Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was lightly damaged in the weekend cyclone, but she was unhurt and remains in good health, her party said Thursday. ?The roof of Daw Suu?s house has to be fixed as a small part of it was [Fri, 9 May 2008 04:35:00 GMT]

Energy-biscuits trickle in to cyclone-hit Myanmar Bangkok/Yangon - A plane carrying 18 tons of high-energy biscuits arrived in Yangon Friday, a small part of a massive aid programme for cyclone-struck Myanmar that continues to be hampered by government-restrictions and logistical stags. A plane carrying [Fri, 9 May 2008 04:30:00 GMT]

Indonesian shares flat in early trade, miners gain on record oil price Extract not available. [Fri, 9 May 2008 04:21:00 GMT]

Labour calls for debate on Burma LABOUR?S FOREIGN affairs spokesman, Michael D Higgins, called for a D?il debate on the situation in Burma. Login or subscribe for more. Not a subscriber? Select a subscription option below [Fri, 9 May 2008 04:36:00 GMT]

Myanmar qualifies what it wants in cyclone recovery After snubbing a U.S. aid offer, Myanmar's isolationist regime indicated Friday that it wants foreign relief supplies but not foreign workers to help recover from a devastating cyclone. The statement came a day after Myanmar's military government allowed [Fri, 9 May 2008 04:39:00 GMT]

Myanmar qualifies what it wants in cyclone recovery YANGON, Myanmar-After snubbing a U.S. aid offer, Myanmar's isolationist regime indicated Friday that it wants foreign relief supplies but not foreign workers to help recover from a devastating cyclone. The statement came a day after Myanmar's military [Fri, 9 May 2008 04:36:00 GMT]

Myanmar: First foreign aid flight let in (Yangon) Myanmar's military regime allowed in the first major international aid shipment on Thursday, but it snubbed a US offer to help cyclone victims struggling to recover from a tragedy of unimaginable scale.Five days after the storm, the junta [Fri, 9 May 2008 04:31:00 GMT]

Philippine exports fall 6.8 percent in March - UPDATE MANILA (Thomson Financial) - Philippine merchandise exports fell 6.8 percent to $4.18 billion in March due to weak global demand for electronic products, government data showed on Friday. Electronics shipments, which accounted for nearly 60 percent of [Fri, 9 May 2008 04:39:00 GMT]

R E G I O N: Myanmar backtracks on US aid as death toll reaches 100,000 * UN, Red Cross and Red Crescent start flying in emergency relief * Thai plane delivers tonnes of high-energy biscuits * ASEAN, China urge junta to work with international aid community YANGON: Desperate survivors cried out for aid on Thursday nearly a [Fri, 9 May 2008 04:34:00 GMT]

Scuffles in Burma embassy protest PROTESTERS angry at the inaction of Burma's military junta following a devastating cyclone have scuffled with police outside the south Asian country's embassy in Canberra. The incident occurred about midday when police arrested a woman for allegedly [Fri, 9 May 2008 04:20:00 GMT]

Shutdown plan postponed by Thai PTTCH Extract not available. [Fri, 9 May 2008 04:32:00 GMT]

Singapore buys 30,000 tons of reformate from Sinopec Hainan Extract not available. [Fri, 9 May 2008 04:38:00 GMT]

Singapore shares slightly lower in early trade on record oil prices - UPDATE Extract not available. [Fri, 9 May 2008 04:36:00 GMT]

Singapore Stocks May Trade Higher on Friday Extract not available. [Fri, 9 May 2008 04:32:00 GMT]

Three communist rebels killed in Philippine clash: military Manila - Three communist rebels were killed on Friday in a clash with government troops in an eastern Philippine province, a military report said. The soldiers were on patrol when they encountered a group of about 20 guerrillas in Alayao village, [Fri, 9 May 2008 04:29:00 GMT]

U.N. says 1.5 million people affected by Myanmar storm YANGON (Reuters) - The United Nations estimated 1.5 million people have been 'severely affected' by the cyclone that swept through Myanmar, as the United States expressed outrage with the country's junta over delays in allowing in aid. In Myanmar, [Fri, 9 May 2008 04:34:00 GMT]

U.S. sends Russian arms dealer extradition request to Thailand MOSCOW, May 8 (RIA Novosti) - Thailand has received an official request from Washington to extradite an alleged Russian arms dealer to the U.S. where he has been indicted on charges of conspiracy to kill Americans, the Russian Embassy in Bangkok said. [Fri, 9 May 2008 04:27:00 GMT]

UN officials criticize Myanmar's response to cyclone Extract not available. [Fri, 9 May 2008 04:23:00 GMT]

UN prods Myanmar to accept aid, suspend custom tariffs The UN expressed disappointment Thursday at the mostly silent response from Myanmar's military junta to the global outpouring of generosity following the destruction and death toll inflicted by Cyclone Nargis. Myanmar has not completely waived visa [Fri, 9 May 2008 04:30:00 GMT]

UN says 1.5 million people affected by Myanmar storm Extract not available. [Fri, 9 May 2008 04:23:00 GMT]

UN says 1.5 million people 'severely affected' by Myanmar cyclone NEW YORK, May 8 (RIA Novosti) - Some 1.5 million people have been 'severely affected' by the Nargis tropical cyclone that hit Myanmar at the weekend, a UN official said on Thursday. Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar last Saturday, devastating large parts of the [Fri, 9 May 2008 04:26:00 GMT]

US begs Thais to influence Burmese Junta BURMA DISASTER By Supalak Ganjanakhundee Piyanart Srivalo The Nation Published on May 9, 2008 Samak unable to contact country's leaders, may fly to Rangoon The United States yesterday desperately sought Thailand's help to get into cyclone-ravaged Burma [Fri, 9 May 2008 04:22:00 GMT]

US Ships Head For Myanmar As Officials Decry Delay Extract not available. [Fri, 9 May 2008 04:23:00 GMT]

US threatens food aid drops on Burma Extract not available. [Fri, 9 May 2008 04:22:00 GMT]

Washington: US navy ships heading to Burma Extract not available. [Fri, 9 May 2008 04:23:00 GMT]