site.news_by_theme Asia Pacific
Images show N. Korea efforts to restart nuclear complex
Satellite imagery suggests North Korea is making "wide-ranging, extensive" efforts to fully reactivate its main nuclear complex, a US think tank said Tuesday, in line with Pyongyang's vows to strengthen its weapons programme.
24 December 2013
Anti-whalers dismiss 'sham' Australian surveillance
Militant anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd on Monday dismissed as a "sham" Australian government plans to track Japan's annual whale hunt by air instead of by sea, saying it was a toothless and "cowardly" response.
24 December 2013
Apple, China Mobile sign iPhone deal
Apple on Sunday unveiled a long-anticipated deal with China Mobile, the world's biggest wireless carrier, to bring the iPhone to customers in a market dominated by low-cost Android smartphones.
23 December 2013
Battle of the Christmas decorations for Hong Kong malls
In the race to extract cash from Christmas shoppers, Hong Kong's myriad shopping malls have taken to heart the maxim that you must spend money to make money when it comes to decorations this festive season.
23 December 2013
Japanese Emperor Akihito turns 80
Thousands of people thronged Japan's Imperial Palace Monday to celebrate Emperor Akihito's 80th birthday, as he lauded his wife for standing by him in his "lonely" pursuit of leading the world's oldest monarchy.
23 December 2013
Kazakhstan appoints separate Ambassador for Vietnam
A new Kazakhstan Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Vietnam has been appointed.
23 December 2013
Football: Singapore businessman lines up Valencia takeover
Singaporean businessman Peter Lim has made a bid to take over financially stricken La Liga side Valencia and wipe out its debts, the club's president Amadeo Salvo announced on Sunday.
23 December 2013
One dead, seven injured by contaminated China parcels
A man was killed and seven others were injured in China after receiving parcels from a delivery company that had become contaminated with toxic chemicals, it was reported Saturday.
22 December 2013
Motorbike makers turn to 1960s in 'cafe racer' revival
Motorbike manufacturers are riding a wave of swinging 60s nostalgia with new models seeking to capture revived interest in the classic looks of the period -- with demand helped by fashionista-in-chief David Beckham.
22 December 2013
US diplomat row overlooks Indian maids' plight
Americans were shocked at the alleged $3.31-per-hour wage paid to an Indian diplomat's housekeeper in a case that has sparked global outrage. But to Rupa Thakur, who does the same job in Mumbai, it sounded like a small fortune.
21 December 2013
Australia gives environmental nod to $5.7 bln coal project
Waratah Coal on Saturday welcomed the Australian government's approval of its $6.4 billion (US$5.7 billion) Galilee coal project, as conservationists warned the decision threatened the environment.
21 December 2013
Chinese billionaire feared dead in France helicopter crash
Four people were feared dead Saturday including a Chinese billionaire and his 12-year-old son after the helicopter in which he was overflying his newly purchased French vineyard crashed into a river.
21 December 2013
Explorers reach Mawson's Huts in Antarctica
Two Australian explorers have battled dangerous sea ice to reach the historic Mawson's Huts in Antarctica which have been isolated for years by a giant iceberg blocking the route in, officials said Friday.
21 December 2013
Kazakhstan-born Mitalipov among Nature's Top 10 scientists of 2013
Kazakhstan-born Shoukhrat Mitalipov is among the Top 10 scientists, who have made the most significant breakthroughs this year.
20 December 2013
Angry India tells US 'times have changed' after diplomat spat
India angrily brushed aside fresh efforts Friday by the United States to defuse a row over the arrest and strip-search of one of its diplomats, warning Washington that "times have changed".
20 December 2013
Haiyan to hit Philippine coconut oil exports: industry official
Global coconut oil supplies will likely fall next year, an industry official said Friday, after the killer typhoon that struck leading exporter the Philippines last month destroyed millions of trees used to produce the commodity.
20 December 2013
Australia deli sued over 'semen' in bottled water
An Australian woman is suing a deli after drinking bottled water that allegedly contained semen, lawyers said Friday, with claims that DNA showed it matched the owner of the business.
20 December 2013
North Korea warns of 'merciless' strike against South
North Korea has threatened a "merciless" strike against the South after activists burned effigies of the ruling Kim dynasty on the second anniversary of the death of former leader Kim Jong-Il, officials said Friday.
20 December 2013
China to build two new Antarctic bases: state media
Chinese workers are on their way to build the country's fourth Antarctic research base and a fifth is being planned, state-run media said Thursday as the country expands its imprint on the icy continent.
20 December 2013
New Zealand winegrowers report bumper harvest
New Zealand winegrowers enjoyed a record harvest in 2013 but are well placed to avoid the oversupply issues that have hampered them in the past, accounting giant Deloitte said Thursday.
19 December 2013