NKorea sentences US man in possible bid for talks
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A Korean American detained for six months in North Korea has been sentenced to 15 years of hard labor for "hostile acts" against the state, the North's media said Thursday — a move that could trigger a visit by a high-profile American if history is any guide.
Malaysia election: Meet the Pakatan Rakyat coalition
A general election in Malaysia on Sunday could result in the first change of government since the…
Video: Giant inflatable duck in Hong Kong dominates Victoria Harbour
A giant inflatable duck has dominated the view of Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour, following weeks of anticipation in the local media. The 16-story duck is the brainchild of Dutch…
Pakistan faces ‘bloodiest’ election
Pakistan's elections are being called the bloodiest ever. But that's not the only reason why they stand apart. There's another message on the back of black T-shirted elite anti-terrorism police – NO FEAR, in bold white capital letters. And it's not just well-trained muscled gunmen at campaign rallies who want to say they're not afraid. Leaders of three political parties, publicly threatened by Pakistani Taliban, or TTP, stood shoulder-to-shoulder and announced this week they would not be cowed…
Tropical storms continue to batter Queensland
Heavy rain, strong winds and tornadoes following cyclone Oswald have continued to batter coastal towns in Queensland, killing at least one man and damaging many homes, Australian media reported. The body of an elderly man was pulled from floodwaters at Burnett Heads on Sunday, while a woman and a man remain missing in Maryborough and Gympie. About 17 people have been injured and 150 homes damaged after at least six tornadoes hit the Bundaberg region since Saturday. At least 40 houses have been inundated in the Gladstone region, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported. The towns of Bargara and Burnett Heads were declared disaster areas following the tornadoes, and the Bureau of…
Displaced Myanmar Muslims ‘denied treatment’
Muslims displaced by religious violence in western Myanmar say they are being denied adequate medical treatment. It has been 10 months since the violence started in Rakhine State. Al Jazeera’s Wayne Hay reports from the state capital, Sittwe. 38 Source: Al Jazeera Featured on Al Jazeera The neoliberal assault on academia The neoliberal sacking of the universities runs much deeper than tuition hikes and budget cuts, notes Barkawi. The wrong kind of Caucasian Despite the Boston bombers having little to do with Chechnya, the media were quick to demonise an entire ethnicity. Diminishing ray of hope We explore how the demand for manta gill plates is threatening the existence of…
Myanmar Rohingya violence report assailed
A long-awaited official report on last year’s sectarian violence in western Myanmar is being heavily disparaged by human rights and advocacy groups, who say a government-backed commission has placed undue emphasis on strengthening security while almost completely ignoring issues of discrimination and accountability. The commission was created in August, in the aftermath of violence between Buddhists and Muslims that spiked in June and October in the western state of Rakhine (also known as Arakan). Yet the 27-member body included no representation from the Muslim Rohingya community, a heavily marginalised group that has suffered by far the greatest losses of life and home during the…
Israel urged to discuss nuclear Iran in Beijing
A Japanese rights activist has written to every Israeli lawmaker to urge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to raise the issue of Iranian nuclear scientists entering North Korea via China when he arrives in Beijing on Monday. Netanyahu is making the first state visit to China by an Israeli leader since 2007, with improving bilateral ties…
Migrant workers warned to stay away from Malaysia election
Leaflets ordering migrant workers to stay away from polling stations when Malaysia holds its general election on Sunday have been distributed in an area of the capital where they hang out. “Many of you have been given Malaysian citizenship and/or Malaysian identity card by the corrupt Umno/BN government on the condition that you must vote for Umno/BN in the coming election,” the leaflet says in Indonesian, Burmese, Urdu and Bengali. “This is a warning to all of you that if you come to the polling station on…
Workers return to factories after Bangladesh’s worst industrial accident
Bangladesh’s textile industry reopened for business yesterday following an eight-day shutdown triggered by the collapse of a factory site that killed at least 429 people, an industry group said. Millions of staff began returning to factories around the capital Dhaka that make clothing for top…
Indonesia
Indonesia Travel Guide
With 17,508 islands Indonesia has it all: bustling cities, green rice paddies & glorious beaches. Read all about it in our Indonesia travel guide.
Malaysia
Malaysia Travel Guide
Malaysia, truly Asia! Read about multicultural Malaysia, the people, the culture & the food in our Malaysia travel guide.
Singapore
Singapore Travel Guide
The city state of Singapore is an eclectic metropolis. Get to know the hot spots & explore the urban jungle with our Singapore travel guide.
