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Zardari holds national international conspiracies responsible for PPPs defeat in polls

Tue, 21 May 2013 03:40:02 -0400

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has claimed that "conspiracies" hatched by national and international institutions led to the Pakistan Peoples Party's defeat in the general elections. The News quoted Zardari, as saying that the PPP could have won 40-45 seats in the Punjab. He added that his party would play the role of opposition with full vigour. Zardari said he could not take part in ...

Banned Pak cricketer Mohd Asif yet to give consent to PCBs anti-corruption rehab program

Tue, 21 May 2013 02:30:02 -0400

Pakistan's banned fast-bowler, Mohammad Asif, is yet to give his consent with regards to taking part in the anti-corruption rehabilitation program of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Following the Court of Arbitration's (CAS) decision to reject appeals of Asif and Salman Butt against their bans, the International Cricket Council (ICC) urged them to take part in a rehabilitation process, and ...

British govt. contacted Imran Khan regarding security concerns

Tue, 21 May 2013 01:50:03 -0400

The British government has contacted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan with regards to his concerns for the safety of party workers in Karachi, his sister has said. Khan's sister, Aleema, said that her brother was concerned about the safety of the PTI supporters protesting in Karachi, since supporters and leaders were receiving threats, reports The Express Tribune. She further ...

Musharraf granted bail in Benazir Bhutto murder case

Tue, 21 May 2013 01:50:01 -0400

Former Pakistan military chief and president Pervez Musharraf has been granted bail in the Benazir Bhutto murder case. The court ordered Musharraf to submit two surety bonds of Rs 1 million each, reports The Express Tribune. Musharraf's lawyers argued that this was a political case and the responsibility of Benazir's security lay with the officers on duty, not Musharraf. Former premier Benazir ...

UN praises Bangladeshs preparedness response to tropical storm Mahasen

Mon, 20 May 2013 20:15:27 -0400

20 May 2013 150 The United Nations has commended the work carried out by the Bangladeshi Government ahead of tropical storm Mahasen, which hit the country last Thursday, noting it saved thousands of lives. "While tropical storm Mahasen reached the coastline of Bangladesh on Thursday weaker than anticipated, the preparedness work undertaken by the Government and humanitarian partners saved ...

Burmese Presidents White House Visit a Reward for Reforms

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:15:11 -0400

Burmese President Thein Sein is visiting the White House, becoming the first leader of his nation to do so in nearly half a century. It marks the latest U.S. effort to reward him for introducing reforms after decades of military rule. The White House meeting with President Barack Obama also represents a rapid diplomatic boost for Thein Sein, whom the United States removed from a blacklist of ...

Teen Dies of Cancer After Touching Millions With Song

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:15:07 -0400

Zach Sobiech, an 18-year-old whose battle with cancer became a global story, has died. The Minnesota native became famous when his song "Clouds,rdquo; which is about facing death, became a viral sensation on YouTube, topping 3 million views. The song was originally released in December of last year. The video was so popular that a group of celebrities were inspired to create a video ...

Past Differences Hamper US-Russian Efforts to Help Syria

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:15:06 -0400

Public diplomacy experts say a difference in perceptions dating back to the Cold War era could hamper U.S. and Russian efforts to deal with the ongoing civil war in Syria. Heritage Foundation senior fellow Helle Dale said there is a "love-hate" relationship between the United States and Russia that is "quite complicated." On VOA's Encounter program, Dale said she agrees with an ...

Obama Praises Burma Reforms Calls For End to Attacks on Muslims

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:15:04 -0400

U.S. President Barack Obama praised Burma's president on Monday for his leadership in pushing through political reforms, while warning that ethnic and communal violence targeting minority Muslims in Burma must stop. Mr. Obama spoke Monday at the White House, alongside Burmese President Thien Sein, the former general who in 2011 became president after Burma's first democratic polls in more than ...

Sharif Calls for Peace Talks With Pakistani Taliban

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:15:03 -0400

ISLAMABAD Pakistan's Nawaz Sharif, who is set to become prime minister for a third time after his party won recent parliamentary elections, on Monday called for peace talks with domestic Taliban extremists, saying "this is the best optionrdquo; to fight militancy. Addressing newly elected federal and provincial lawmakers of his Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) party in Lahore, Sharif ...

President Obama To Visit Senegal South Africa Tanzania

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:15:03 -0400

The White House says U.S. President Barack Obama will travel to Africa this summer, visiting three countries. In a statement Monday, the White House says President Obama along with his wife, Michelle, will travel to Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania in late June and early July. The administration says Obama will meet with government officials as well as leaders from business, civil ...

China accepts there are some problems with India but wants to resolve all issues peacefully

Mon, 20 May 2013 10:10:03 -0400

Chinese Premier, Li Keqiang, alluding to recent skirmishes on their Himalayan border, acknowledged on Monday, that there were some problems with good friend India but said that the two Asian giants should take a leaf out of their vast history to resolve all issues peacefully. "Since we are strategic partners and we are good friends that can speak to each other with candour, so we do not deny ...

Bangladesh online activist calls for ban of Islamists accused of wartime atrocities

Mon, 20 May 2013 06:40:02 -0400

Bangladesh online activist and spokesperson of the Shahbagh's Ganajagaran Mancha, Imran H Sarkar, has called for the banning of country's biggest Islamist party, the Jamaat-e-Islami, while blaming it for wartime atrocities committed during the 1971 liberation war. Jamaat, an Islamist ally of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), opposed independence from Pakistan, denied accusations ...

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang meets Salman Khurshid

Mon, 20 May 2013 06:10:04 -0400

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid here on Monday, as he sought to strengthen mutual trust and deepen cooperation between the two nations after a recent military standoff in Ladakh threatened to derail ties between the two Asian giants. The Chinese premier also visited Rajghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi and paid homage to the father of the Indian ...

Rights liberties threatened in Sri Lanka says rights body

Mon, 20 May 2013 05:50:01 -0400

Respect for basic rights and liberties has declined in Sri Lanka in the four years since the government defeated the Tamil Tigers, Human Rights Watch said Monday. This week marks the fourth anniversary of the brutal civil war's end. Since the end of the 26-year-long civil war, the government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa has resisted taking meaningful steps to investigate and prosecute alleged ...

PCB chief assures complete cooperation to curb cricket corruption

Mon, 20 May 2013 05:30:05 -0400

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Zaka Ashraf has assured that the board will put its best efforts to eradicate cricket corruption. A preliminary report by police in India has proved that Karachi is one of the hubs for corrupt practices in the game, apart from Mumbai, Delhi and Dubai, the Dawn reports. Ashraf claimed that PCB will extend its support to any country wanting to curb ...

Nawaz Kayani agree to overhaul Pakistans policy in closed door meeting

Mon, 20 May 2013 05:30:05 -0400

Incoming Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and army chief General Ahfaq Parvez Kayani have agreed to 'overhaul' the country's national security and foreign policy in a closed door meeting. During the meeting, which lasted three-and-half hours, Sharif told Kayani that he planned to revisit the policies of the previous administration. He said that those policies have not only damaged ...

India lose 1-4 to Indonesia exit Sudirman Cup

Mon, 20 May 2013 05:20:02 -0400

Indian shuttlers Monday lost their second and final Group A tie to Indonesia 1-4 to exit the Sudirman Cup on the second day of competitions at the Putra Stadium here After suffering a humiliating 0-5 loss Sunday to four-time defending champions China in the biennial tournament, India only managed to win one match out of five as Parupalli Kashyap was the lone bright spot. In the first match of ...

Pak media says team to experience lack of warmth in Champions Trophy with Guls absence

Mon, 20 May 2013 04:50:01 -0400

Pakistan cricketer Umar Gul's absence from the ICC Champions Trophy squad due to the knee surgery is a big blow for Pakistan given his love for major tournaments, English conditions and, lately, digging his team out of trouble with the bat, according to the Pakistani media. According to The Dawn, although Gul's form has always been patchy and his wickets record inconsistent but it is his ...

Irish cricketers could be heading to Pakistan

Mon, 20 May 2013 03:30:02 -0400

Ireland has given hope of reviving international cricket in Pakistan after it reportedly agreed to consider visiting the country to reciprocate Pakistan's one-day international (ODI) tour of Ireland. At a time when all the Test playing nations have written-off touring Pakistan, the International Cricket Council's (ICC) associate member Cricket Ireland (CI) gave a positive response on that ...

Massive Tornado Hits Oklahoma Again

Tue, 21 May 2013 03:16:21 -0400

A huge tornado with 320 kilometers-per-hour winds has torn through the central U.S. state of Oklahoma, destroying homes for the second day in a row ...

Kerry Visits Oman Seeking Syria Peace Conference

Tue, 21 May 2013 03:16:21 -0400

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry meets Tuesday with the sultan of Oman, on his latest stop in a campaign to help arrange a Syrian peace ...

Musharrafs UAE supporters prepare to fly to Pakistan for protests

Tue, 21 May 2013 03:14:06 -0400

Pervez Musharraf 's supporters in the UAE are preparing to fly to Pakistan to hold protests backing the former president. Talks between senior members of Mr Musharraf's All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) have taken place this weekend in Pakistan and included some based in the UAE. "We are currently trying to lay the groundwork to allow for Mr Musharraf's supporters in the UAE ...

Emergency Door falls off aircraft

Tue, 21 May 2013 03:13:47 -0400

An emergency door of Sriwijaya Air flight number SJ 039 broke off as passengers were boarding at Raja Haji Fisabilillah airport in Tanjungpinang, Riau Islands, on Tuesday.The aircraft, scheduled to depart for Soekarno-Hatta airport, Jakarta, at 7 a.m. local time, had to delay take off until the damaged door was replaced."Shortly after I took my seat, an emergency exit door in the right side ...

Chatib Basri installed as new Finance Minister

Tue, 21 May 2013 03:13:45 -0400

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono installed Chatib Basri as the new Finance Minister at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday.Chatib replaces Agus Martowardojo, following the appointment of Agus as the governor of Bank Indonesia.The new Finance Minister was sworn in under Presidential Decree No.60/2013 signed on May 20, 2013.The ceremony was attended by the Vice President Boediono, First ...

Myanmar president urges end to violence

Tue, 21 May 2013 03:12:18 -0400

Myanmar President Thein Sein has told an audience in the US he wants a national identity which embraces people of all faiths, including ...

Myanmar Muslims jailed for killing Buddhist monk

Tue, 21 May 2013 03:12:00 -0400

MEIKHTILA, Myanmar -; Six Muslim men and one minor have been sentenced to jail terms ranging from life to two years in prison for involvement in the killing of a Buddhist monk during sectarian violence in central ...

Crackdown nets 800 suspects in Mekong region drugs smuggling

Tue, 21 May 2013 03:08:11 -0400

Police from four nations have so far detained more than 800 suspects and shut down several drug rings in a crackdown on gangs operating along the Mekong River, Chinese state media said Tuesday. The month-long operation by police from China, Thailand, Myanmar and Laos led to the arrest of 812 suspects from the four nations and Vietnam, Xinhua news agency quoted Chinese police as saying. Police ...

Business Briefs May 21

Tue, 21 May 2013 03:05:11 -0400

* Phu My Hung Corporation last week held ceremony to mark its 20 years of operation in Vietnam. During the period, the firm has developed 84 projects and around 12,000 housing units. Currently, there are around 25,000 people living in Phu My Hung new urban area in HCM City’s District 7. * Electro-Voice has introduced ZLX loudspeakers of 12 and 15 inches in Vietnam with prices ranging ...

American was murdered in Singapore says pathologist

Tue, 21 May 2013 02:50:58 -0400

(17 mins ago) An American scientist found hanged in Singapore last year was murdered and his death made to look like a suicide as part of a conspiracy, a US pathologist told an inquiry today. Edward Adelstein, 75, a deputy medical examiner in Missouri, contradicted Singapore police findings that Shane Todd killed himself, but admitted his conclusions were based on pictures of the body and ...

The Asian stock indexes slipped

Tue, 21 May 2013 02:46:56 -0400

The appetite for risk was neutral in FX in the Far East. Most foreign currencies consolidated after profit taking boosted them on Monday from their recent losses. While the yen remains near a 4 1/-year low, the Aussie is attempting to separate itself from an eleven-month low. The Asian stock indexes slipped. The short-term outlook for most foreign currencies is sideways. The medium-term outlook ...

Indonesia inflation may accelerate to 7

Tue, 21 May 2013 02:42:07 -0400

Although inflation-indexed bonds prove beneficial during times of high inflation, they underperform when the economy goes through a deflationary ...

Chevron nears sale of Egypt Pakistan downstream assets -sources

Tue, 21 May 2013 02:16:19 -0400

By Dinesh Nair DUBAI | Tue May 21, 2013 2:16am EDT DUBAI May 21 (Reuters) - Chevron Corp is in advanced talks to sell its downstream assets in Egypt and Pakistan, three sources said, with the planned disposals seen raising around $300 million for the U.S. oil major. Chevron, the second-largest U.S. oil company, is conducting a separate sale process for its assets in both countries, the ...

Yasir Feri Ismatrada A noodle maker with social mission

Tue, 21 May 2013 02:10:19 -0400

The product is known as mi lethek, meaning dull or ugly noodles. Yasir Feri Ismatrada, who carries on the noodle business of his late grandfather Haji Umar Bysir Nahdi in Bendo village in Trimurti Srandakan, about 30 kilometers southwest of Yogyakarta, feels comfortable with the name."Mi lethek is far more famous than the brand name we've used, Garuda. Although it gives the idea of ...

Increased demand for test-tube babies

Tue, 21 May 2013 02:10:18 -0400

With increasing numbers of couples in Indonesia turning to in-vitro fertilization (IVF), also known as test-tube babies, doctors and clinics across the country have been doing their best to respond to the demand.According to a report from the Indonesia Association for In-Vitro Fertilization (Perfitri), there were a total of 3,581 IVF cycles last year, up from 3,000 in 2011 and only 1,500 in 2010. ...

Indonesia beats India in qualification

Tue, 21 May 2013 02:10:17 -0400

Paper Edition | Page: 19 The Indonesian team passed the first obstacle by winning 4-1 against India in the group A qualification round of the 2013 Sudirman Cup on Monday at Putra Stadium, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur.The result has secured Indonesia a slot in the quarterfinals, regardless of the result of Tuesday's match against defending champion China.India, which lost 0-5 to China on ...

Local miners aim for shared-smelters

Tue, 21 May 2013 02:10:16 -0400

Paper Edition | Page: 14 Local mining firms are aiming to develop smelters that they can use to process raw mineral ores following a 2012 energy and mineral resources Ministerial Regulation on mineral processing.Zulhanar Usman, secretary-general of the newly established Association of Miners in Regions (ASPPERDA), whose members currently comprise 10 small domestic mining firms, said on Monday ...

Analysis Floods fail to dampen confidence

Tue, 21 May 2013 02:10:15 -0400

The KADIN-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence index rose sharply to 155.6 in April, up 3.7 points from the previous month. The index now stands a massive 16 points higher compared to a year ago in April 2012 when it registered 139.6.April's rise was driven primarily by increasing confidence in regards to the purchasing of major household items as well as increasing confidence in the Indonesian ...

Sritex seeks 41 rise in net profits on ‘good looking’ China

Tue, 21 May 2013 02:10:13 -0400

Paper Edition | Page: 13 Southeast Asia's largest textile company, PT Sri Rejeki Isman (Sritex), is aiming to increase its net profits by 41 percent with more orders from China.The publicly listed company, which is working on its plan for an initial public offering (IPO), is estimating that its net profits will stand handsomely at Rp 325 billion (US$33 million) by year's end.The growth ...

Pertamina pushes subsidiaries to go public

Tue, 21 May 2013 02:10:12 -0400

Paper Edition | Page: 13 In a bid to speed up the growth of its subsidiaries, state energy firm PT Pertamina said it would push its secondary companies to float shares on the local stock exchange.Pertamina's board of commissioners head, Sugiharto, confirmed the policy, saying it was aimed at making those companies more independent."One of the ways to encourage these subsidiaries to be ...

Indonesia arrests Iranian-born Australian over people smuggling

Tue, 21 May 2013 02:09:09 -0400

SYDNEY (AFP) - Indonesian authorities have arrested an Iranian-born Australian resident who they suspect headed a people smuggling network that spanned the country, a report said on Tuesday. Mr Mohammad Abdi, 36, was detained at an apartment in Jakarta on Monday along with two other Iranians, The Australian newspaper said, citing Indonesian police. "Right now we think he's a big ...

Oil price rises to near $97 per barrel

Tue, 21 May 2013 02:08:36 -0400

BANGKOK -; The price of oil rose toward $97 per barrel Tuesday, but gains were checked as investors waited for the Federal Reserve's latest views on the U.S. ...

Obama meets visiting Myanmar president

Tue, 21 May 2013 02:01:38 -0400

US President Barack Obama on Monday lauded Myanmar's efforts made over the past two years in holding elections and in solving the country's longstanding ethnic conflicts.Obama made the statement at a press conference following his talks with visiting Myanmar President Thein Sein at his Oval Office. Thein Sein was the first president of Myanmar to visit the White House in 47 years.Obama ...

14 dead 14 missing in Indonesia mine tunnel collapse

Tue, 21 May 2013 02:01:30 -0400

At least 14 people are dead, 14 are still missing and 10 have been rescued after a tunnel collapsed last Tuesday at an underground mine training facility in ...

Portuguese firms to tap into Indonesias business potentials

Tue, 21 May 2013 01:58:27 -0400

Following in the steps of its European neighbors, dozens of Portuguese firms are visiting Indonesia to seek business partnerships and explore untapped local business opportunities. The delegation, touted to be the biggest Portuguese business mission to the country, highlighted its new interest in Indonesia, predicted to be among the world's 10th biggest economies within the next decade, ...

Indonesia nabs Iranian big fish Abdi over human smuggling

Tue, 21 May 2013 01:48:20 -0400

(46 mins ago) Indonesian authorities have arrested an Iranian-born Australian resident who they suspect headed a people-smuggling network that spanned the country, a report said. Mohammad Abdi, 36, was detained at an apartment in Jakarta yesterday along with two other Iranians, The Australian newspaper said, citing Indonesian police. ';Right now we think he's a big ...

STOCKS NEWS SINGAPORE-SingTel dips on broker downgrade

Tue, 21 May 2013 01:28:24 -0400

OCBC cut its rating on the sector. "In the search for yield, telco stocks have done very well, rising some 14 percent to 26 percent year to date, versus the STI's 9 percent climb," OCBC said in a report. "However, given the still-muted outlook, we believe that the share prices have run up too much, too quickly, and this has driven yields down to below 5 percent." ...

Bangladeshi police attack garment workers’ protest

Tue, 21 May 2013 01:08:02 -0400

, Karl Johan Persson, the CEO of the Hennes & Mauritz (H&M), said that the company is looking for locations in Central and South America or in Africa. The Hasina government faces a massive political crisis as working class opposition deepens. It is desperately trying to deflect discontent among workers and maintain cheap labour conditions. About 3.7 million workers, mostly young women, ...

Detained Chinese Fishermen Boat Released by North Korea

Tue, 21 May 2013 01:08:01 -0400

The official Xinhua news agency reported the development Tuesday, quoting a Chinese consular official in Pyongyang who spoke with the owner of the fishing boat. The official said the men were safe and on their way home, but he gave no other details. The owner of the boat says North Korea was demanding nearly $100,000 for the return of the boat and crew, which were taken May 6 in the waters ...

Death toll rises to 21 in Indonesian mine collapse

Tue, 21 May 2013 01:06:21 -0400

TIMIKA, Indonesia (AFP) - The death toll from a mine tunnel collapse in eastern Indonesia has risen to 21, the US operator said Tuesday, as rescuers searched for another seven workers now also presumed dead.The accident happened on May 14 at Freeport-McMoRan's Grasberg, one of the world's biggest gold and copper mines in mountainous, remote Papua province, and 10 workers were rescued ...

Wismilak to benefit from holidays

Tue, 21 May 2013 01:05:16 -0400

Paper Edition | Page: 13 Cigarette producer PT Wismilak Inti Makmur (WIIM) is expecting to book Rp 1.6 trillion (US$163.2 million) in net sales this year, with festive holidays in the second half of the year likely to see an increase in consumption, the company said recently.Wismilak spokesperson Surjanto Yasaputra said that second half-year sales normally accounted for 55 percent of sales for ...

Thai stocks nearly flat laggard energy shares outperform

Tue, 21 May 2013 00:53:15 -0400

BANGKOK, May 21 (Reuters) - Thailand's main SET index was nearly unchanged at 1,643.87, a near 19-1/2 year high, at 0440 GMT amid selling in recent gainers such as telecoms and banks, but strong oil prices lured buyers to laggard energy shares. Selective buying in large-cap energy stocks such as PTT Pcl and PTT Global Chemical Pcl would help underpin market sentiment, analyst Kasamapon ...

Singapore firms need to be globally competitive IE Singapore

Tue, 21 May 2013 00:52:57 -0400

trade as the backbone of its small, resource-scarce economy. But the cross-border exchange of goods and services in modern-day Singapore has come a long way from its humble origins. ...

Indonesia mogul ready to discuss deal on Intrepid project -letter

Tue, 21 May 2013 00:50:41 -0400

MELBOURNE | Tue May 21, 2013 12:50am EDT MELBOURNE May 21 (Reuters) - An Indonesian tycoon who owns a big stake in a huge copper and gold prospect taken from Australia's Intrepid Mines last year is willing to resolve the ownership dispute, he said in a letter to an investor looking to oust the company's board. The dispute is over the Tujuh Bukit project, potentially holding 30 ...

Gap stance on Bangladesh draws protest

Tue, 21 May 2013 00:48:04 -0400

"I own Gap clothing and I don't think it's acceptable that this is the cost," Mandavilli said. Protesters like Mandavilli are being galvanized into action by labor and socially conscious groups in the wake of the deadly ...

Why Im protesting against Gap over Bangladesh

Tue, 21 May 2013 00:48:00 -0400

Nawaz Sharif calls Pakistani Taliban for peace talks

Tue, 21 May 2013 00:44:19 -0400

Pakistan's presumptive prime minister Nawaz Sharif called for peace talks with Taliban militants at war with the government on Monday, potentially charting a course that could put him at odds with the country's powerful army.Nawaz Sharif said 'terrorism' was one of the most serious problems plaguing the country and any offer by the Pakistani Taliban to talk 'should be ...

Obama welcomes president of ‘Myanmar’ with cautionary reminder

Tue, 21 May 2013 00:38:39 -0400

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama on Monday welcomed Myanmar’s president to the White House — the first such visit in nearly 50 years — and hailed the Southeast Asian nation’s progress on democratic reforms, but emphasized that much work remains to be done. After meeting privately with President Thein Sein in the Oval Office, Obama told reporters that Myanmar must ...

STOCKS NEWS SINGAPORE-Keppel REIT falls after parent firm trims stake

Tue, 21 May 2013 00:24:45 -0400

stake in the trust for S$280 million ($223 million). The price fall came after Keppel REIT marched to a 5-1/2-year high of S$1.63 last week, rallying more than 20 percent so far this year and outperforming a 13 percent rise in the sector index. An analyst at a foreign brokerage said the uncertainty of a new shareholder and concerns about further stake sales by Keppel Corp weighed on the ...

US concerned over Philippines killing of Taiwanese fisherman

Tue, 21 May 2013 00:23:56 -0400

WASHINGTON, May 15 (Xinhua) -- The United States on Wednesday expressed concern about the increasing tensions between the Philippines and China's Taiwan following last week's fatal shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman by the Philippine Coast Guard. At a news briefing, the State Department's acting deputy spokesman Patric Ventrell also urged the two sides to take "all appropriate ...

South Sudan Army Recaptures Boma Officials

Tue, 21 May 2013 00:04:39 -0400

BOR, SOUTH SUDAN -- The South Sudanese Army (SPLA) has recaptured the town of Boma in Jonglei state after a brief battle with rebels led by David Yau Yau, SPLA officials said Monday. "The SPLA yesterday restored law and order to Boma and chased away the militia from Boma town," army spokesman Philip Aguer said. Four SPLA soldiers died in the fighting and 12 were wounded, Aguer ...

In search of a comprehensive solution for Papua

Tue, 21 May 2013 00:01:56 -0400

Paper Edition | Page: 5 Local newspaper Media Indonesia (April 30) quoted newly elected Papua Governor Lukas Enembe as saying that in August, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) would visit the province "to give a present to society in Papua, in the form of a new law on special autonomy called Otsus Plus". Referring to the work of anthropologist Marcel Mauss (1954), SBY's ...

‘I am not under pressure’ Jokowi

Tue, 21 May 2013 00:01:55 -0400

Governor Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has emphasized that the city administration will not back away from its plan to normalize Pluit Dam in North Jakarta despite problems surrounding it."What pressure? Who's being pressed? I know there are many groups with different interests, but I don't want to be bothered by that. What we should do is to find a solution for the ...

More bodies evacuated from Freeport mine

Tue, 21 May 2013 00:01:54 -0400

Paper Edition | Page: 2 Casualties continue to mount at PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI)'s Big Gossan training facility in Timika, Papua, as eight more bodies were evacuated between Sunday evening and Monday evening.The five victims evacuated were identified as Artinus Magal, Retno Arung Bone, Ma'mur, Petrus Marangkena and Petrus Padak Duli, said PTFI corporate communications vice ...

Unsettled law revisions give oil giants hard times

Tue, 21 May 2013 00:01:53 -0400

Paper Edition | Page: 3 As lawmakers continue to deliberate revisions to the 2001 Oil and Gas Law, several petroleum executives claim that a lack of legal certainties has left them in the dark.The revisions follow a ruling by the Constitutional Court on Nov. 13 that annulled several articles of the law, which subsequently led to the dissolution of upstream oil and gas regulator BPMigas.The court ...

CAPDI calls for peaceful conflict resolution

Tue, 21 May 2013 00:01:51 -0400

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen (second left), former vice president Jusuf Kalla (right), People's Welfare Coordinating Minister Agung Laksono (left) and president of the Centris Asia Pacific Democrats International (CAPDI) Jos de Venecia, Jr (second right) beat the gendang drum to symbolize the opening of CAPDI on Monday. Hun Sen and other dignitaries participated in a three day forum to ...

KAI to implement e-ticketing distance-based fares in June

Tue, 21 May 2013 00:01:50 -0400

Paper Edition | Page: 10 State railway company PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) says it will implement electronic ticketing and distance-based fares at 63 stations in Greater Jakarta on June 1.Company spokesperson Sukendar Mulya told The Jakarta Post on Monday that distance-based fares would reduce the amount of money paid by commuters.KAI Commuter Jabodetabek (KCJ) spokeswoman Eva Chairunnisa said ...

Resistance to eviction in Muara Baru from only a few

Tue, 21 May 2013 00:01:49 -0400

Paper Edition | Page: 10 Two months after the first row of houses in Muara Baru, North Jakarta, as demolished by the city administration, dozens of squatters remain defiant and are occupying one of the last buildings standing to prevent its destruction.They said that the house, owned by a heavy equipment renter, was their last bastion. The administration could not provide them with a new place ...

Street children learn to dream of better future

Tue, 21 May 2013 00:01:48 -0400

Paper Edition | Page: 10 Novita sat quietly in the front row of hundreds of children gathered under the elevated toll road in Jelambar, Grogol, West Jakarta, on Monday.The 9-year-old girl fixed her gaze on Seto Mulyadi, who was performing a magic show for the children to commemorate National Awakening Day, which falls on May 20."Voila!" said the advisory board member of the National ...

Obama cites movement toward political economic reforms in Myanmar

Tue, 21 May 2013 00:01:40 -0400

In a long-awaited White House visit, President Barack Obama told Myanmar's president Monday that he appreciates the Asian leader's efforts to lead the country in "a long and sometimes difficult, but ultimately correct, path to follow" toward democracy.Mr. Obama spoke as he sat in the Oval Office with former general Thein Sein, who became the first president of Myanmar to visit ...

Asian Markets Mixed Amid Cautious Trades

Mon, 20 May 2013 23:59:31 -0400

markets are exhibiting a mixed trend on Tuesday with investors mostly treading cautiously amid a lack of fresh triggers. The overnight weak close on Wall Street is weighing on sentiment to an extent. Also, following recent strong upmove, investors appear a bit reluctant to indulge in any aggressive buying for now.In the Australian market, consumer discretionary, financial, healthcare and ...

Obama declares major disaster in Oklahoma after deadly tornadoes

Mon, 20 May 2013 23:53:10 -0400

WASHINGTON | Mon May 20, 2013 11:53pm EDT WASHINGTON May 20 (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama declared a major disaster in Oklahoma after deadly tornadoes struck the state on Sunday and Monday and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts, the White House said on Monday. The White House said aid can include grants for temporary housing, home repairs, ...

Japanese PM to visit Myanmar

Mon, 20 May 2013 23:51:06 -0400

/enpproperty--> YANGON - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will pay a state visit to Myanmar soon, an official announcement said in Yangon Tuesday without specifying the date of his visit. According to Japanese media, Abe is to arrive in Nay Pyi Taw on Friday for a three-day visit. He will be the first Japanese prime minister visiting the Southeast Asian nation in 36 years since 1977 when ...

Excess pilots Singapore Airlines waives cadets bonds

Mon, 20 May 2013 23:50:41 -0400

pilot s have been told that until Sept 30, those who quit may have their bonds waived. The usual payback for leaving before serving the seven-year work bond can be more than S$250,000 ...

Rubber factories in Laos encounter export problem with China

Mon, 20 May 2013 23:50:04 -0400

Rubber processing factories in Lao province of Oudomxay are facing unexpected problems because China is not allowing the import of rubber from Laos at the moment, causing large amounts of the material to remain in stock.Sino-Lao Rubber Company Director Oun told the media recently that, after the company had invested in the building of a rubber processing factory, they encountered an export ...

Labour disputes on the rise in Myanmar

Mon, 20 May 2013 23:49:57 -0400

Labour disputes between factory owners and workers in Myanmar continue to rise during this year statistics, according to worker representatives and worker advocates. Tensions rose between the factory owner and workers after 49 workers from San Kaung Polyethylene Factory in Hlaingtharyar Industrial Zone were dismissed for attempting to instigate a protest at the factory. More than a thousand ...

Myanmar cannot claim reforms are a success yet

Mon, 20 May 2013 23:49:50 -0400

President Thein Sein's visit to Washington this week should not be seen as a reward for transforming the country; there are still too many obstacles to democratisation An official visit to the United States by Myanmar's President Thein Sein this week should not be regarded as a celebration of the success of reforms in Myanmar. The job is far from finished, with many tough challenges ...

Proposed reforms in Bangladesh labour laws unduly benefit employers

Mon, 20 May 2013 23:48:57 -0400

The proposed amendment to Sri Lanka's labour law, expected to be finalised in June, claims to bring changes for workers--for the better. In reality, many of its provisions will have a contrary effect, particularly on those in the garment sector."In many important areas, the employers are being given undue benefits over the interests of workers," said AKM Nasim, senior legal ...

Myanmar promises aid for Rakhine fleeing Bangladesh

Mon, 20 May 2013 23:48:48 -0400

Myanmar authorities say they will arrange long-term housing in Rakhine State for Rakhine national ethnics who recently fled Bangladesh due to more and more use of violence against them by the Bengalis in the country. They are now living in temporary camps in the state. After the Rakhine conflicts, they came in groups into the state starting from October 2012 in fear of their lives as there were ...

Laos Thailand agree on future cooperation

Mon, 20 May 2013 23:48:42 -0400

Laos and Thailand have agreed to boost their cooperation in various sectors with several agreements signed during their second Joint Cabinet Retreat (JCR) in Chiang Mai on Sunday.The three memorandums of understanding signed during the meeting were on unofficial results of the 2nd JCR, agricultural cooperation, and on ownership, management and maintenance of the 4th Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge ...

Qantas brings pre-flight meal ordering to London Singapore

Mon, 20 May 2013 23:48:36 -0400

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Grim fight on drug smuggling for nation

Mon, 20 May 2013 23:41:49 -0400

Drugs smuggled from abroad, including Southeast Asia and some Central and South Asian countries, are the main sources of underground drug use across China, according to a senior anti-drug official from the Ministry of Public Security. "Despite great efforts in combating cross-border drug trafficking, we're still facing a grim situation in the fight against drugs from abroad," Liu ...

Asia stocks muted ahead of Fed meeting

Mon, 20 May 2013 23:20:29 -0400

The Fed is currently conducting the third round of massive bond purchases known as quantitative easing to help drive down interest rates and spur lending. But recently improving data on the U.S. economy has led to speculation that the Fed might consider scaling back the program or winding it down earlier than ...

Valley Fever Raises Concerns in California Arizona

Mon, 20 May 2013 23:00:29 -0400

LOS ANGELES -- A longstanding health problem in California's Central Valley has worsened in recent years, leading health officials to order the relocation of 3,000 prisoners from two state prisons. But the disease affects much of the population in some rural communities and, while it often goes unnoticed, it sometimes can be devastating for patients. Dale Pulde is selling his California ...

At least 23 workers injured in relaxing shelter collapse at Cambodian factory

Mon, 20 May 2013 23:00:22 -0400

A collapsing structure injured 23 workers on Monday at a Cambodian factory producing garments for a top Western brand, police said, the latest incident to raise concerns about regional industrial safety. At least 23 workers were injured at a Cambodian factory that produced garments for a top Western brand on Monday, police said, the latest incident to raise concerns about industrial safety in ...

Waste water treatment tarriffs a challenge

Mon, 20 May 2013 22:58:21 -0400

Paper Edition | Page: 9 Hotels and restaurants in Bali are being urged to join the centralized wastewater treatment system operated by government-run Denpasar Sewerage Development Project (DSDP). Nonetheless, the requirement for customers to pay for the service is a great challenge. "We are urging the mayor and regents to encourage more hotels and restaurants in their areas to take part in ...

US transport aircraft forced down in Aceh

Mon, 20 May 2013 22:58:20 -0400

Paper Edition | Page: 9 The Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) on Monday forced down an aircraft believed to be a US military transport aircraft for entering Indonesian airspace without proper clearances.Intercepted at about 2 p.m., the twin turboprop Dornier 328 was flying from Maldives to Singapore via Sri Lanka. "We managed to detect its presence in our airspace thanks to our radar at the ...

Jatibarang Dam to begin operation soon

Mon, 20 May 2013 22:58:19 -0400

Paper Edition | Page: 9 The Jatibarang dam, expected to be a solution for recurrent flooding in the Central Java capital of Semarang, will be ready to operate by the end of this year, the province's top official says."The project is 72 percent finished. We do hope this will solve the flooding problems," Central Java Governor Bibit Waluyo said in Semarang.Located in Gunungpati ...

Governor’s race ignores youth vote in South Sumatra

Mon, 20 May 2013 22:58:18 -0400

Paper Edition | Page: 9 As South Sumatra officially launched the campaign period for the gubernatorial election, observers say that candidates are ignoring first-time voters.According to Ardiyan, a political observer at Sriwijaya University in Palembang, the provincial capital, first-time voters comprise 11 percent of eligible voters in South Sumatra."There is no developed concept from the ...

Thailand appeals to prevent future water crisis

Mon, 20 May 2013 22:46:21 -0400

In a key-note speech delivered to the Second Asia-Pacific Water Summit in Thailand's northern city Chiang Mai on Monday, Yingluck urged the government leaders in the Asian-Pacific region to join hands and prevent water crises which might otherwise recur and wreak havoc to the Asians who currently account for 60 percent of the world ...

Give youths opportunity to contribute in ASEAN

Mon, 20 May 2013 22:45:37 -0400

A Vietnam senior official addresses the attendance at the Preparatory Senior Officials Meeting for the Eighth ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Youth (8th AMMY). Pictures: BT/Eleena ...

Barclays ups Philippines growth estimates

Mon, 20 May 2013 22:45:14 -0400

Barclays has raised its 2013 growth forecast for the Philippines as it expects the economy to post one of the fastest growth rates among emerging markets in Asia. In one of its latest reports, Barclays said the Philippines was now seen to grow by 6.2 per cent this year and 6.3 per cent in 2014. The international financial services firm earlier projected that the Philippine economy would grow by ...

Myanmar leader aspires to build inclusive nation

Mon, 20 May 2013 22:36:21 -0400

US President Barack Obama saluted Myanmar President Thein Sein (pictured) for his leadership in pushing through startling political reforms, but warned that violence against Muslims must stop. As his guest became the first leader of his country in almost 50 years to visit the White House, Obama praised Myanmar's journey away from military rule and promised Washington would offer more ...

Obama meets Myanmar’s president

Mon, 20 May 2013 22:30:38 -0400

WASHINGTON -- President Obama welcomed Myanmar's president to the White House for the first time in nearly 50 years on Monday, hailing the Southeast Asian nation's progress on democratic reforms but emphasizing that much work remains to be ...

Senate Panel Accuses Apple of Using Complex Tax Loopholes

Mon, 20 May 2013 21:55:06 -0400

To get best possible experience using our website we recommend that you upgrade to a newer version or other web browser. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found ...

RIs business mission to visit three countries

Mon, 20 May 2013 21:52:48 -0400

An Indonesian trade mission will travel for one week to three countries starting from Wednesday to boost market diversification, and to push and solve trade barriers between Indonesia and its partners.Led by the Trade Ministry, the mission aimed to woo businesspeople in Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Romania on business opportunities in Indonesia during a series of business forums, director general for ...

Jatinegara man passed funny money Cops

Mon, 20 May 2013 21:52:47 -0400

Police say that have arrested a man for allegedly using counterfeit rupiah banknotes to by a cellular phone from a kiosk in Jl. Bekasi Barat Raya on Monday.Jatinegara police precinct detective unit chief First Insp. Ambarita said that the suspect, Podo Wiyoto, 26, bought the cell phone for Rp 400,000 [US$42] and paid the kiosk owner with Rp 100,000 bills. Suspecting the money was fake, the owner ...

Land owners stall toll road bid in Depok

Mon, 20 May 2013 21:52:45 -0400

Land owners in Depok, West Java, want more money for their land, wanted by the government for the Cinere-Jagorawi toll road that was scheduled to have been finished last year.While the government-sanctioned Land Acquisition Committee for Depok divided 225 plots in Beji district into six different zones for compensation, land owners are holding out for the same price."We want compensation of ...

Tempers flare in Pakistan as heat wave continues

Mon, 20 May 2013 21:52:41 -0400

Supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) political party of cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan gather during a protest against the killing of Zara Shahid Hussain, a leading member of the PTI, outside the mausoleum of Mohammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi May 20, 2013. (AKHTAR ...

Obama applauds Myanmar’s progress

Mon, 20 May 2013 21:52:40 -0400

Asia Roundup Higher on better US data

Mon, 20 May 2013 21:45:36 -0400

Asian shares rose yesterday, Monday May 20 2013 reflecting a bullish mood on Wall Street and extending their two-week rally, buoyed by better-than-expected US data. Tokyo stocks were up 1.47 per cent, or 222.69 points, to 15,360.81, and Sydney gained 0.54 per cent, or 28.2 points, to close at 5,209.0. Shanghai closed up 0.75 per cent, or 17.12 points, to 2,299.99, and Seoul finished flat at ...

Huawei showcases its LTE-TDD solutions in Indonesia

Mon, 20 May 2013 21:44:08 -0400

Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd, the world's No. 2 telecoms equipment maker showcased its latest solutions of LTE-TDD, China's fourth-generation (4G) telecommunications technology here Monday to further enhance its commitment to growing Indonesia's information and communications technology (ICT) landscape.LTE-TDD will bring great benefits to the Indonesian telecommunications landscape ...

3 model projects on rice proposed under Brunei-Viet tie-up

Mon, 20 May 2013 21:40:02 -0400

THREE demonstration models on rice production have been proposed under the newly-signed cooperation agreement between Vietnam in Brunei, the Department of Agriculture ...

Fisheries Dept plans to check out coral reefs further offshore

Mon, 20 May 2013 21:40:00 -0400

THE Fisheries Department plans to extend surveys of coral reefs to 120 nautical miles of Brunei's Economic Exclusive Zone in the hope of taking the country's coral species' tally past the 500 mark.Rapid assessment surveys carried out since 2009 have pegged the Sultanate's hard coral species at 404, after identifying two new ones, despite coral covering just 0.5 per cent of ...

Wildlife Act to be ready within a year

Mon, 20 May 2013 21:39:59 -0400

Head of Wildlife Division Hj Ajamain (R) speaking while Hj Muhd Faisal (C; Forestry Officer seconded to Wildlife Division) and Deputy Head of Wildlife Division Jomari (L) look on, during the Wildlife Division's roadshow in Tutong. Pictures: BT/Ubaidillah ...

HRH attends Doha Forum

Mon, 20 May 2013 21:39:57 -0400

HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah (2nd R), Brunei Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, in the company of Qatar Royals at the opening ceremony of the Doha Forum. Picture: ...

HM Rethink water usage

Mon, 20 May 2013 21:39:55 -0400

(L-R) Georgia President Mikheil Saakashvili, His Majesty the Sultan Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Thai Premier Yingluck Shinawatra at the 2nd Asia-Pacific Water Summit in Chiang Mai yesterday.Picture: ...

HRH bestows medals of honour on 563

Mon, 20 May 2013 21:39:50 -0400

HRH Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah (2nd, R), the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office yesterday presented state honorary medals to 563 recipients at the Balai Singgahsana Indera Kenchana, Istana Nurul Iman. Picture: ...

Preschooler Kalan fundraises for orang-utans in Indonesia

Mon, 20 May 2013 21:31:22 -0400

PRESCHOOLER Kalan is getting up to some monkey business. The four year old hopes to raise $1000 to help orang-utans in Indonesia. He says he decided to help after seeing a documentary about the orang-utans plight earlier this month. "I saw on TV that some people are chopping down the trees where the orang-utans live," Kalan says. "I was very cross with these people (and thought) we ...

RB Launches Twice Daily Flights To Kuala Lumpur

Mon, 20 May 2013 21:24:33 -0400

Bandar Seri Begawan - Effective from May 22, 2013, Royal Brunei Airlines (RB) will begin operating twice daily flights from Brunei to Kuala ...

GLOBAL MARKETS-Dollar index off 3-year high Asian shares ease

Mon, 20 May 2013 21:16:01 -0400

Mon May 20, 2013 9:16pm EDT * Dollar index backs off from near three-year high * MSCI Asia Pacific ex-Japan eases 0.1 percent By Masayuki Kitano SINGAPORE, May 21 (Reuters) - The dollar nursed losses versus a basket of currencies on Tuesday, having retreated the previous day as traders pared back expectations that U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke would hint at tapering bond buying this ...

19-foot python killed Florida man captures kills record-setting Burmese python

Mon, 20 May 2013 21:15:16 -0400

A Florida man with experience handling snakes captured and killed a 128-pound Burmese python he discovered on the side of the road in Miami-Dade County, ...

37 dead as massive tornado roars through US suburb death toll expected to rise

Mon, 20 May 2013 21:11:20 -0400

Oklahoma City suburbs , killing at least 37, flattening entire neighborhoods with winds up to 200 mph (320 kilometers) and landing a direct blow on at least one school. An Oklahoma Medical Examiner's Office spokeswoman said the death toll was expected to rise. Officials at two hospitals said they're treating nearly 60 patients, including more than a dozen children. At least 10 people ...

India’s domestic woes dwarf Pakistani overtures for peace

Mon, 20 May 2013 20:46:19 -0400

Pakistan's prime minister-elect Nawaz Sharif has been at pains to reach out to India since his election nine days ago, inviting its leaders to visit and assuring the citizens of his country's historic enemy that peace is a top priority.But India, while politely appreciative, has too much going on at home to be very interested in Mr. Sharif and his ...

Obama Couples Praise for Burmese Leader With Warning Against Violence

Mon, 20 May 2013 20:46:16 -0400

WASHINGTON ...

Human-Rights Groups Criticize Obamas Meeting With Myanmar Leader

Mon, 20 May 2013 20:41:47 -0400

After months of praising Myanmar for its political reforms, President Obama welcomed the country's president to the White House for the first time in nearly 50 years. But human-rights groups are not happy about the invitation. While the U.S. does not fully embrace the actions of the regime in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), calling for further reforms and cooperation between ethnic ...

Oklahoma twister tracked path of 1999 tornado

Mon, 20 May 2013 20:37:14 -0400

NEW YORK — Monday's powerful tornado in suburban Oklahoma City loosely followed the path of a killer twister that slammed the region in May 1999. The National Weather Service estimated that the storm that struck Moore, Okla., on Monday had wind speeds of up to 200 mph, and was at least a half-mile wide. The 1999 storm had winds clocked at 300 mph, according to the weather service ...

Asian celebrities recruited to promote Australia

Mon, 20 May 2013 20:36:27 -0400

Tourism Australia has called on popular Hong Kong actor, Ekin Cheng, to showcase Cairns and Sydney to the Asian market in a new television travel series. Joined by fellow celebrities Andy Chai Siu Chun, Jacqueline Wong and Lai Yi, the group will film the travelogue series, ‘Tailor Made Tours’, which were designed to attract more visitors from Greater China. Expected to reach an ...

Jose Mourinho to leave Real Madrid at end of the season as Chelsea rumours escalate

Mon, 20 May 2013 20:32:34 -0400

Spain Jose Mourinho will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season after a turbulent three-year spell in charge of the Spanish giants, club president Florentino Perez confirmed on Tuesday ...

Whats in a name U.S. starts using Myanmar as well as Burma

Mon, 20 May 2013 20:23:06 -0400

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Southeast Asian nation formerly known as Burma received further backing from the White House on Monday in its campaign to be called ...

Australia Keen To Expand Trade Ties With Brunei

Mon, 20 May 2013 20:19:33 -0400

Bandar Seri Begawan - The defence, tourism as well as the food and agribusiness sectors are the areas in which Brunei Darussalam and Australia can work more closely together in. "Australia and Brunei enjoy a very successful trading relationship. The two-way trade in goods and services between the two countries reached about B$2.6 billion in the last year, which is quite sizable, given the ...

LiveWIRE Brunei Holds Workshops On Bright Ideas Business Plans

Mon, 20 May 2013 20:19:05 -0400

Bandar Seri Begawan - LiveWIRE Brunei recently conducted a Bright Ideas Workshop, which was also followed up by the Business Plan Series Workshop this week. A total of 10 participants attended the Bright Ideas Workshop, while nine participated in the Business Plan Series Workshop. According to a press release, the Bright Ideas workshop was conducted for two-days, which provides information ...

British school takes lecture classes to new depths -- 60 feet down

Mon, 20 May 2013 20:10:40 -0400

Britain's University of Exeter says it has taken its marine biology lecture classes to a new level -- 60 feet beneath the sea off Indonesia, to be exact. The lectures were held during dives on tropical coral reef systems during the annual field trip to the Wakatobi Marine National Park in Indonesia for the school's School of Biological Sciences students, a university release said ...

Benazir death Pervez Musharraf gets bail on way out of Pakistan

Mon, 20 May 2013 20:06:49 -0400

Benazir Bhutto assassination case. Judge Chaudhry Habibur-Rehman of the anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi granted bail to Musharraf against two surety bonds of Rs 10 lakh each. In the morning, the judge had reserved his decision after hearing arguments by lawyers of both sides. The judge announced his decision in the afternoon. During the arguments, Musharraf 's lawyer Salman Safdar said ...

Pakistan switches off ACs in govt offices bans socks for staff

Mon, 20 May 2013 20:06:35 -0400

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has told civil servants not to wear socks as the country turns off air-conditioners amid a chronic power crisis and soaring temperatures. The government has turned off all air-conditioning in its offices as the country endures blackouts of up to 20 hours a day in some places. "There shall be no more use of air-conditioners in public offices till such time that substantial ...

Imran Khans party wrests MQMs Karachi bastion

Mon, 20 May 2013 20:06:35 -0400

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on Monday beat its candidate by a big margin in the re-polling held in 43 polling stations in Pakistan's violence-plagued city of Karachi. PTI's Arif Alvi secured 77,659 votes to beat MQM's Khushbakht Shujaat who polled 30,365 votes, according to the Election Commission of Pakistan. The repoll in 43 ...

Obama vows US support as Myanmar leader visits

Mon, 20 May 2013 20:04:48 -0400

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama on Monday told Myanmar's president during a long-awaited White House meeting that he appreciates the Asian leader's efforts to lead the country on its sometimes difficult path to democracy and assured him of U.S. ...

Angelina sacked from House

Mon, 20 May 2013 19:34:01 -0400

The House of Representatives has officially sacked Democratic Party lawmaker Angelina Sondakh from her legislative position.The House leadership on Monday swore in Angelina's replacement, Surya Kusumanegara."I hope you focus on your job as a lawmaker and abide by the code of ethics for House members," House Speaker Marzuki Alie said in his speech during the swearing-in ceremony.The ...

Jokowi rebuffs Ruhuts statement

Mon, 20 May 2013 19:34:00 -0400

Popular Jakarta Governor Joko "Jokowi" Widodo defended himself from a verbal attack by senior Democratic Party politician Ruhut Sitompul, who said that Jokowi did not deserve to be president due to his humble background.Ruhut said on Sunday that Jokowi's background as a furniture businessman and mayor of a small town would barely make him a qualified presidential ...

Customs seizes elephant meat dead primate in LA

Mon, 20 May 2013 19:32:07 -0400

LOS ANGELES -; U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Los Angeles have made some unusual seizures, including elephant meat, a dead primate and hundreds of handbags made from the skin of snakes, lizards and ...

Deadliest U.S. tornadoes since 1900

Mon, 20 May 2013 19:28:37 -0400

Alli Christian, left, helps Jessica Wilkinson as she looks for her dog Bella after Wilkinson returned to find her home near 156th street and Franklin Road destroyed by a tornado, Sunday, May 19, 2013, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/The Oklahoman, Steve Sisney) A list of the 10 deadliest tornadoes in the United States since 1900:- 695 deaths. March 18, 1925, in Missouri, Illinois and Indiana.- 216 ...

Asian Stocks Rise as Japan’s Topix at 5 Year High

Mon, 20 May 2013 19:26:19 -0400

Asian stocks rose for the first time in three days, with Japan’s Topix Index trading at the highest level in nearly five years, after US leading indicators and consumer sentiment advanced more than estimated, boosting investor confidence in the global economic recovery. Toyota Motor Corp. gained 1.7 percent as shares of the world’s largest carmaker led Japanese exporters higher. ...

China-Taiwan Risk of war ‘near zero’ – The Interpreter

Mon, 20 May 2013 19:26:12 -0400

This is one of those interviews that I wish could have gone longer. Former Taiwan deputy Defence minister Dr Chong-Pin Lin visited the Lowy Institute last week for a roundtable with China experts from around Sydney, and he was kind enough to agree to this short chat. Dr Lin has a mild-mannered style of delivery, but his judgments are striking. He says the risk of China-Taiwan conflict is ...

Taiwan Dollar Climbs Most in Three Weeks on Inflows Bonds Drop

Mon, 20 May 2013 19:26:11 -0400

Taiwan’s dollar strengthened the most in three weeks as global funds added to their holdings of the island’s equities amid a government review on capital gains taxes. Bonds declined. Overseas investors bought $996 million more Taiwanese shares than they sold in the week ended May 17, taking this year’s net purchases to $4.8 billion, stock exchange data show. The cabinet and ...

Pinoys urged to stay indoors in Taiwan

Mon, 20 May 2013 19:26:10 -0400

The chair of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office is urging Filipinos in Taiwan to stay indoors after work and to avoid drinking in public after 2 overseas Filipinos were attacked in Taiwan. The attacks came amid simmering tensions between Manila and Taipei after the Philippine Coast Guard killed a Taiwanese fisherman off Batanes. A task force has been created to check on the situation of ...

For American imprisoned in N Korea labour camp it could be

Mon, 20 May 2013 19:26:06 -0400

It’s bad for Kenneth Bae, the Washington man arrested in North Korea last year and sentenced to 15 years in prison, but it could be worse, according to people familiar with the workings of one of the world’s most secretive and repressive regimes. Bae began serving a 15-year, hard labour sentence on Tuesday for what Pyongyang has described as hostile acts against the state. But word ...

Ban Ki-moon urges N Korea to end missile tests

Mon, 20 May 2013 19:26:06 -0400

UN Secretary general Ban Ki-moon has called on North Korea to refrain from carrying out any further missile tests. He was speaking as Pyongyang test-fired a fourth short-range missile over the weekend. Such launches are routine but come as countries in the region are trying to break a stalemate in relations there, the BBC’s Lucy Williamson says. Ban urged Pyongyang to lower the ...

Korea slams N Korea’s ‘provocative’ missile launches

Mon, 20 May 2013 19:26:04 -0400

South Korea on Sunday condemned North Korea’s latest short-range missile launches as ';provocative'; and again urged it to hold talks about a suspended jointly-run industrial park. The North Saturday launched three short-range guided missiles off its east coast, apparently as part of a military drill, at a time when cross-border relations remain icy after months of simmering ...

SKorea analysing NKorea’s 4 projectile launches

Mon, 20 May 2013 19:26:04 -0400

South Korea is analysing whether projectiles North Korea fired into its eastern waters over the weekend are short-range missiles or a new type of artillery the country may be developing, officials said Monday. North Korea fired what Seoul officials called a short-range projectile Sunday, a day after conducting three similar launches. South Korean officials earlier said the weapons fired on ...

China asks N Korea to free seized boat

Mon, 20 May 2013 19:26:03 -0400

China says it has called on North Korea to secure the release of a fishing boat and its crew seized earlier this month. Owner Yu Xuejun said the vessel had been in Chinese waters when the 16-man crew were seized on 5 May. Yu said the North Korean captors were demanding a 600,000 yuan ($100,000, GBP 66,000) ransom. State-run Xinhua news agency said that diplomats in Pyongyang had been asked ...

China’s ambitious plans for its huge reserves

Mon, 20 May 2013 19:26:01 -0400

I ask, because while so many Western governments spend sleepless nights worrying about the size of their trade deficits, China has the opposite problem. Thanks to its export success, China is the world’s largest holder of foreign exchange reserves. Those reserves are growing all the time and currently stand at a record $3.44 trillion. That’s $3,440,000,000,000 if you want all the ...

Better India China ties key to world peace Li

Mon, 20 May 2013 19:26:00 -0400

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang pledged Monday to build trust with India and declared that ties between the Asian giants were key to world peace as he visited New Delhi only weeks after a border spat. Speaking alongside his counterpart Manmohan Singh, Li said China wanted to increase related stories Will India and China go beyond niceties? Border peace vital for ties, Manmohan tells ...

China Property Gains Defy government Plans

Mon, 20 May 2013 19:25:58 -0400

Surging credit has kept China’s real estate-sector humming despite a renewed attempt by the government to bring prices under control, supporting short-term economic growth but risking a destabilising decline in prices down the line. Average house prices rose 4.3 percent from a year earlier in April after gaining 3.1 percent in March, according to The Wall Street Journal’s ...

Despite curbs China’s vast hot money triangle flourishes

Mon, 20 May 2013 19:25:58 -0400

In an underground mall just a stone’s throw from China’s teeming border with Macau, a row of 30 small shops with identical golden plaques does a brisk, though shadowy trade with mainland Chinese visitors, many of them bound for the gambling hub. ';Good rates. Better than the banks,'; shout salespeople jostling to usher clients into shops where thick wads of Chinese 100 ...

China ‘will not accept’ carbon tax on EU flights report

Mon, 20 May 2013 19:25:56 -0400

China will not pay for CO2 emissions by its airlines on flights within Europe, a top civil aviation official reportedly said after the European Commission warned eight Chinese firms face fines for nonpayment. The world’s second largest economy ';will not accept any unilateral and compulsory market measures';, Yan Mingchi, deputy director-general of the legal and regulation ...

Three new suicides at Apple supplier’s China factory

Mon, 20 May 2013 19:25:56 -0400

Three Foxconn workers have committed suicide at a factory in China in the past three weeks, a labour rights group said on Saturday. All three jumped to their deaths at a plant in the central city of Zhengzhou run by the Taiwanese electronics giant. A 30-year-old married man killed himself on Tuesday following the similar deaths of a 23-year-old woman on April 27 and a 24-year-old man three ...

QAF Brunei Holds Staff Dinner At The Empire

Mon, 20 May 2013 19:20:54 -0400

Jerudong - QAF Brunei group of companies treated its staff to a dinner last Saturday (May 18) at the Indera Samudra Grand Hall, The Empire Hotel and Country Club. The CEO of QAF Brunei, Albert Lau, succinctly put it "This night is about you". Staff from different subsidiaries came together for a night to remember. The diversified group chose the occasion to also recognise its ...

Mobiles offer financial lifeline to Asian migrants—study

Mon, 20 May 2013 19:17:47 -0400

Asia’s mobile revolution is set to transform the region’s financial services industry, offering a cheap way for millions of migrant workers to send money home to their families, a report said on Monday, May 20, 2013. JOHN MOORE/GETTY IMAGES/AFP BANGKOK--Asia’s mobile revolution is set to transform the region’s financial services industry, offering a cheap way for millions ...

Thein Sein becomes first Burmese president to visit US since 1966

Mon, 20 May 2013 19:05:30 -0400

President Barack Obama shakes hands with Burma's president, Thein Sein in the Oval Office. Until two years ago the former general was on a US blacklist. Photograph: Shawn ...

Turkish Airlines flies US couple to Bangladesh instead Senegal

Mon, 20 May 2013 19:03:44 -0400

Two US holidaymakers found themselves a long way from their intended destination after an airline confused two airport codes. Sandy Valdiviseo and her husband Triet Vo were intending to fly from Los Angeles to Dakar in Senegal with Turkish Airlines. However, instead they ended up about 11,000km away - on an entirely different continent - in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, after the airport ...

Video Carney U.S. to refer more frequently to Burma as Myanmar

Mon, 20 May 2013 19:02:36 -0400

As a "diplomatic courtesy," the United States "has begun to allow limited use of the name Myanmar" to describe the former pariah state of Burma as it inches closer toward democracy, White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters Monday - but official U.S. policy, he added, "remains that Burma is the name of the ...

Murder of PTI Senior Official Zara Shahid Hussain Rocks Karachi

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:27:12 -0400

Fahad Desmukh in Karachi tells anchor Marco Werman about the murder of Zara Shahid Hussain – a senior official with the PTI party — which had performed well in last week’s vote. Hussain worked for Imran Khan, the leader of the PTI and a former cricket star who is convalescing from a campaign trail ...

Myanmar leader vows justice over communal violence

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:24:48 -0400

WASHINGTON -; Myanmar President Thein Sein says that all perpetrators of inter-communal violence in the country will be brought to ...

Myanmar Leaders Visit To Washington A Historic Occasion

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:22:20 -0400

The president of Myanmar, Thein Sein, met with President Obama in Washington, D.C., on Monday. Thein Sein's trip is the first state visit to the U.S. by a Burmese official in nearly 47 ...

Two Pakistani Nationals Extradited to District of Columbia to Face Charges Involving Illegal Pharmaceutical Shipments

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:17:17 -0400

WASHINGTON-Two Pakistani nationals have been extradited to the United States to face charges alleging that they operated Internet sites that illegally shipped pharmaceuticals from Pakistan and the United Kingdom to customers in the United States. Sheikh Waseem Ul Haq, 40, and Tahir Saeed, 51, are accused of operating Internet sites that, since late 2005, illegally shipped $2 million in ...

Families of Bangladesh factory workers wait for compensation

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:10:03 -0400

An ITV News investigation has found there's still no compensation for the victims of the Bangladeshi factory collapse, from the Western clothes companies that promised help.More than eleven hundred workers were killed nearly a month ago. But survivors in Dhaka claim no money has yet reached them. ITV's Business Editor Laura Kuenssberg has this exclusive ...

Video Obama hosts Burmese president at the White House

Mon, 20 May 2013 17:58:27 -0400

In a photo op Monday afternoon with Burma's president, Thein Sein, President Obama repeatedly referred to the nation as Myanmar - new acknowledgement of a "diplomatic courtesy" allowing "limited use of the name" to describe the former pariah state, though official U.S. policy "remains that Burma is the name of the ...

Burma or Myanmar WH grappling with name game

Mon, 20 May 2013 17:58:26 -0400

As a "diplomatic courtesy," the U.S. government "has begun to allow limited use of the name Myanmar" to describe the former pariah state of Burma as it inches closer toward democracy, White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters Monday. In a photo op Monday afternoon with Burma's president, Thein Sein, President Obama repeatedly referred to the nation as Myanmar, ...

Official Palestinians holding off on UN agency membership mainly to give US effort a chance

Mon, 20 May 2013 17:58:24 -0400

A top official says Palestinians have done all the legal work necessary to join 63 U.N. agencies, conventions and treaties, but haven't applied yet mainly to give the U.S. peace effort a chance to succeed. Chief Palestinian peace negotiator Saeb Erekat said Monday that Palestinians have done "everything" to enable President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry to ...

Obama praises Thein Seins leadership leading Myanmar to democracy

Mon, 20 May 2013 17:52:02 -0400

U.S. President Barack Obama delivers remarks after a meeting with Myanmar president Thein Sein in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC on May 20, 2013. The Obama administration has continued to advocate for continued progress on reform by President Thein Sein's government, in close cooperation with Aung San Suu Kyi, civil society leaders, and the international community. ...

Syrian Rebels Suffer Setbacks From Fighting in Town Near Lebanon Border

Mon, 20 May 2013 17:25:19 -0400

TRIPOLI, LEBANON -- Syrian government troops backed by fighters from Lebanon's Hezbollah movement have been in fierce battles in the rebel-held town of Qusair after weeks of fighting. Many wounded rebels are being treated across the nearby border in northern Lebanon. Eighteen year-old Obeida Abdel Nabi is recovering from a shrapnel wound to his lower abdomen. He was hurt several days ago ...

Nigerian Military More Than 200 Boko Haram Captured

Mon, 20 May 2013 17:25:19 -0400

A woman and two children stand along the Jos-Maiduguri road as they wait to board a vehicle, after the military declared a 24-hour curfew over large parts of Maiduguri in Borno State, Nigeria, May 19, ...

Obama praises Myanmar reform but warns on ethnic unrest

Mon, 20 May 2013 17:11:38 -0400

US President BarackObamaon Monday saluted Myanmar President Thein Sein for his leadership in pushing through startling political reforms, but warned ethnic violence in the country must ...

Obama urges Myanmar to stop violence against Muslims

Mon, 20 May 2013 17:08:35 -0400

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama urged the president of Myanmar on Monday to take steps to halt violence against Muslims in his country and move ahead with economic and political ...

Obama describes ‘shift’ in US-Myanmar relations

Mon, 20 May 2013 17:06:37 -0400

President Barack Obama hosts Myanmar President Thein Sein on Monday. The occasion marks the first time a president from Myanmar has visited the White House in over four ...

Pakistan’s M.Q.M. Denounces Imran Khan in Karachi Protest

Mon, 20 May 2013 17:01:54 -0400

ISLAMABAD -- Supporters of an influential Pakistani political party took to the streets of Karachi on Monday to protest against cricket-hero-turned-politician Imran Khan, who has accused it of killing one of his senior staff a week after a general ...

Leading Thailand hotelier receives prestigious Skal award

Mon, 20 May 2013 16:55:47 -0400

One of Thailand's most knowledgeable and experienced hoteliers, Eric Hallin, has been presented with the Malai Sakolviphak Award by the President of Skal International Bangkok. The award is presented annually in memory of Malai Sakolviphak, a well-known and highly respected tourism industry figure in Thailand. He passed away in 2011 after many years of distinguished service to Skal - the ...

Obama says Myanmar president to release more political prisoners

Mon, 20 May 2013 16:55:10 -0400

Thein Sein planned to release more political prisoners and institutionalize democratic reforms in his country. Obama told reporters that he had expressed U.S. concern about violence against Muslims in Myanmar to Thein Sein during a meeting at ...

Russians kill 2 suspected terrorists following shootout

Mon, 20 May 2013 16:48:06 -0400

Russian police said they killed two suspected terrorists and captured a third in a shootout outside Moscow Monday. RIA Novosti said the men had recently returned from the border area ...

Duped Sold into Prostitution then Rescued A Vietnamese Girl and the Man Who Saved Her

Mon, 20 May 2013 16:19:57 -0400

Reporter Phillip Martin has been investigating human trafficking in various parts of the world and in Vietnam he found a glimmer of hope, as a young woman who was kidnapped and sold to a brothel in China, returns to her ...

Philippine high school senior has 41 names

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:44:20 -0400

A high school senior in the Philippines is drawing attention for his unusual name, which includes 40 first names and a surname. The latest senior to enroll at Urdaneta City National High School in Pangasinan is a 15-year-old student named Ratziel Timshel Ismail Zerubbabel Zabud Zimry Pike Blavatsky Philo Judaeus Polidorus Isurenus Morya Nylghara Rakoczy Kuthumi Krishnamurti Ashram Jerram Akasha ...

US Sees Climate of Intolerance on Global Religious Freedom

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:17:46 -0400

The United States said the right to global religious freedom was challenged last year, with governments often creating a "climate of intolerance" leading to hatred and violence. In an annual report, the State Department said Monday government officials worldwide are often allowed to act with impunity while violating the religious rights of their countrymen. It said there often is ...

Ugandan Police Shut Down Newspaper Offices

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:17:46 -0400

NAIROBI -- Police in Uganda's capital have closed down the offices of the Daily Monitor. According to the Daily Monitor's senior correspondent, police have declared the premises of their publication a crime scene and are doing a thorough search of the building. Earlier this month, the Daily Monitor published a series of stories about Uganda's coordinator of intelligence ...

Russian Billionaire Lebedev Pleads Not Guilty in Court

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:17:46 -0400

MOSCOW -- Russian billionaire Alexander Lebedev has pleaded not guilty to charges of hooliganism motivated by political hatred. Lebedev says that he is being targeted by Russian President Vladimir Putin because Putin believes he is funding the opposition. Alexander Lebedev, co-owner of Novaya Gazeta, Russia's leading opposition newspaper, went on trial Monday in a Moscow court. Lebedev ...

Indias Weak Congress Ponders Early Elections

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:17:45 -0400

NEW DELHI -- India's Congress party is debating holding a general election in November, six months ahead of schedule, senior party leaders said, reflecting an internal discussion over whether to pull the plug on the shaky ruling coalition or have it serve a full term. Officially, the Congress party says the government - which has been battered by a series of corruption scandals and now ...

Deadly Tornadoes Tear Through US Midwest

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:17:45 -0400

Zach Champion walks through the rubble of his mobile home looking for his belongings, in the Steelman Estates Mobile Home Park, destroyed in Sunday's tornado, near Shawnee, Oklahoma, May 20, ...

Knockoffs of Iconic American Brands in Myanmar

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:16:02 -0400

';Walmart'; in Yangon. (Photo: Patrick Winn) Myanmar President Thein Sein is in Washington this week for a historic meeting with President Obama. Not long ago, Thein Sein was on a travel black list. But in the past two years, Myanmar has undergone dramatic political change that pleases the White House. And Thein Sein is hoping that will mean more US investment in Myanmar. But, ...

Protests in Thailand in Parallel to Second Water Summit

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:12:07 -0400

Bangkok, Ma 20 (Prensa Latina) Groups of protesters today demanded in a parallel forum to the Water Summit responses to problems, such as droughts, floods, and waste materials, a topic that concerns all the world population. Protesters carrying banners demand measures to guarantee the preservation of the human race, and hold that some politicians fail to look into the social and environmental ...

Philippines Taiwan to cooperate in fisherman shooting investigation

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:03:08 -0400

MANILA -- The Philippines said Monday that it would make "coordinated efforts" with Taiwan to look into the fatal shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman but stopped short of a joint ...

Malaysias global hydropower meeting to commence in midst of controversy

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:03:06 -0400

The International Hydropower Association's (IHA) four-day biennial meeting to push "sustainable hydropower" opens Tuesday in Kuching, the languid capital of Sarawak state on Borneo island, and a highly contentious choice. Sarawak's powerful boss is widely accused of felling huge swathes of rainforest in a much-criticized dam-building drive. Opponents of Taib Mahmud -- ...