• West Asia

    US Secretary of State Kerry meets Omani Sultan to discuss Syria plan

    Secretary of State John Kerry headed back to the Middle East on Monday to press his case for peace talks between Syrian rebels and President Bashar Assad’s regime amid increasing signs the new U.S. strategy to halt the war is being undermined by Russia. Kerry will first have discussions with…

    Read More »
  • West Asia

    8 candidates determined for June 14 Iranian presidential election

    Iran’s election overseers removed potential wild-card candidates from the presidential race Tuesday, blocking a top aide of outgoing President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and a former president who revived hopes of reformers. Their exclusion from the June 14 presidential ballot gives establishment-friendly candidates a clear path to succeed Ahmadinejad, who has lost…

    Read More »
  • Politics

    Asia-Pacific leaders warn of water conflict threat

    Fierce competition for water could trigger conflict unless nations cooperate to share the diminishing resource, leaders from Asia-Pacific nations warned on May 20 at a regional water security forum. From Central to Southeast Asia, regional efforts to secure water have sparked tensions between neighbors reliant on rivers to sustain booming…

    Read More »
  • South East Asia

    Cambodia’s opposition demands reforms ahead of July election

    Kem Sokha (1st L Front), vice-president of Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), the kingdom’s main opposition party, attends a protest rally in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, May 20, 2013. CNRP held a peaceful protest on Monday to demand election reforms ahead of a general election in July. <Xinhua/Li Hong> Cambodia’s main…

    Read More »
  • South East Asia

    President Obama vows US support as Myanmar’s President Sein visits

    President Barack Obama told Myanmar’s president during a long-awaited White House visit that he appreciates the leader’s efforts to lead the Asian country on its long, and sometimes difficult, path to democracy and assured him of U.S. support. Former general Thein Sein was the first president of Myanmar to visit…

    Read More »
  • East Asia

    China and India to make new engine of world economy

        Chinese Premier Li Keqiang visits India and meets with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh China and India are both willing and able to foster new highlights in cooperation among Asian countries and make new engine of the world economy, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said on Sunday. “The two countries…

    Read More »

  • [Asia Round-up] Slap in the face for women

    Editor’s note: Followings are summaries of editorials from major Asian media on current issues. Slap in the face for women [India, Hindustan Times, 15-05-2013] After the huge demonstrations following the December 16 Delhi gang rape incident, many hoped that the police’s attitude toward crimes against women and women’s rights might change.…

    Read More »
  • East Asia

    S. Korean Minister Cho addresses East Asia Gender Equality Meeting

    Cho Yoon-sun, S. Korea’s Minister of Gender Equality and Family delivers a keynote speech at the 5th East Asia Gender Equality Ministerial Meeting in Beijing, capital of China, May 15, 2013. <Photo/ Minister of Gender Equality and Family>   Delegates attend the 5th East Asia Gender Equality Ministerial Meeting in…

    Read More »
  • East Asia

    LA Mayor Villaraigosa, Beijing Mayor Wang attend Sino-U.S. Mayors Summit

    Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, from left, Beijing Mayor Wang Anshun, China Association of Mayors, Secretary General, Chui Hengde, and Chinese Consul General Qiu Shaofang attend the seventh annual Sino-U.S. Mayors Summit in Los Angeles Tuesday, May 14, 2013. The United States Conference of Mayors (USCM), the Chinese Association of…

    Read More »
  • South East Asia

    Clans, corrupt celebrities dominate Philippines’ midterm elections

      Filipino clans, celebrities dominate midterm polls From Imelda Marcos to Manny Pacquiao, familiar names of political clans and celebrities dominated the ballots in the Philippines’ congressional and local elections on May 13, making them a contest of popularity first and reform second. Despite scattered killings and fears of fraud,…

    Read More »