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East Asia
Japanese gov’t to take firm measures to combat radioactive water leaks
The government said it will step in and take “firm measures” to combat leaks of radioactive water at Japan’s crippled nuclear power plant, including possibly funding a costly containment project. The announcement Wednesday came a day after the operator of the wrecked Fukushima Dai-ichi plant said some of the water…
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South Asia
Indian army says 5 Indian soldiers killed from Pakistani troops’ fire in Kashmir
India’s army says five of its soldiers were killed and another wounded when Pakistani troops fired at a patrol near the cease-fire line in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir on Tuesday. The incident could threaten recent overtures aimed at resuming peace talks between the nuclear-armed rivals. The military called…
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East Asia
Philippines adds coast guard cutters to counter Chinese territorial claims
The Philippines on Tuesday celebrated the arrival of a decommissioned U.S. Coast Guard cutter that will become its meager navy’s second largest ship as it attempts to counter rival Chinese territorial claims in potentially oil-rich offshore seas. President Benigno Aquino III saluted as the 3,250-ton white cutter, renamed Philippine navy…
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South East Asia
Vietnam-New Zealand vow to strenghten all-sided cooperation in economy
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung met here on Tuesday with visiting New Zealand’s Governor- General Jerry Mateparae, saying the latter’s visit is an important contribution to lifting bilateral ties to a new level. Vietnam attaches importance to further promoting all-sided cooperation with New Zealand, especially in economy, trade and…
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West Asia
Car bomb attacks targeting markets in and near Baghdad kills over 30
A wave of bombings, mainly targeting markets in and near Baghdad, killed 36 people on Tuesday, officials said, the latest in a surge of violence that has gripped Iraq. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, meanwhile, vowed to defeat “terrorists” behind the relentless attacks and chase them out of the battered country.…
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West Asia
Iran ready for serious and swift talks over nuclear program, President Rouhani says
Iran is ready for “serious” and swift talks with world powers over its controversial nuclear program, the country’s new president said Tuesday, echoing his own earlier calls for a better dialogue with the West. The remarks by Hasan Rouhani came at his first news conference as Iran’s president. The moderate…
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“Want to be an effective salesman for Indonesia”
Interview with Indonesian Ambassador John Prasetio Before being appointed as the ambassador to the Republic of Korea, John Prasetio was a businessman, holding positions such as Founder and Chairman of CBA Consulting, a Board Member of PT Bank Permata Tbk, PT Sarana Menara Nusantara Tbk, and Advisory Panel member of P&G…
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South East Asia
Tens of thousands Taiwanese protest death of 24-year-old conscripted soldier
A Taiwanese people holds a placard during a protest rally for the death of Taiwan’s soldier Hung Chung-chiu, in front of the President Office in Taipei, Taiwan, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013. The 24-year-old soldier died in early July after being forced to perform a vigorous regime of calisthenics in sweltering…
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West Asia
Turkish former military chief and 18 politicians, journalists get life sentence
In a landmark trial, scores of people – including Turkey’s former military chief, politicians and journalists – were convicted on Monday of plotting to overthrow Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government soon after it came to power in 2002. Retired Gen. Ilker Basbug was the most prominent defendant among some…
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South Asia
Indian Parliament members hold banners demanding another separate state
Indian Parliament saw disruptions on the first of its monsoon session which opened Monday over the setting up of a new state, which has caused widespread controversy in the country. Parliament Speaker Meira Kumar caused for return to order after some members of parliament left their seats and shouted their…
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