New Japan islet created in volcano eruption
A dramatic volcanic eruption in the Pacific Ocean has created a tiny new islet in Japan's territorial waters, officials said Thursday, the first time in decades the nation has seen the phenomenon.
Crisis-hit Maldives hold new presidential vote
The Maldives on Saturday voted in a run-off presidential election held under intense international pressure to elect a new leader and end months of political unrest.
China behaviour jeopardising 'peacetime': Japan
Beijing's behaviour in its row with Tokyo over disputed islands is jeopardising peace.
Screams as migrants in Italy boat disaster drowned
Locals on the tiny Italian island of Lampedusa fought back tears as they spoke of the desperate rush to haul dozens of drowning immigrants out of the sea as hundreds around them sank into the black waters.
Chinese tourists, diplomats make a splash in the Maldives
The travellers pouring off flight LV199 from Shanghai into the international airport of the Maldives, many dressed in designer labels, are an unmissable sign of China's interest in the far-flung archipelago.
Four Chinese ships in disputed waters: Japan
Four Chinese ships entered waters around islands at the centre of a bitter dispute with Japan on Saturday with no sign of a compromise seen between Asia's two largest powers.
Tropical Storm Gabrielle batters Bermuda: forecasters
Tropical Storm Gabrielle was battering Bermuda with heavy rains and powerful winds Tuesday, as US forecasters warned it was strengthening and moving closer to the popular vacation spot.
G20 talks between China and Japan unlikely: reports
Talks between China and Japan, embroiled in a bitter row over disputed islands, are unlikely on the sidelines of the upcoming G20 summit.
Red Cross cartoon to demystify Pacific climate change
The Red Cross has launched a light-hearted education campaign aimed at those it describes as most vulnerable to climate change.
Rising seas washing away Pacific leader's home island
As the US urges world leaders to ramp up action on climate change, the leader of one small island chain in the North Pacific Ocean has already got the message -- watching helplessly as rising seas slowly erode his birthplace.
Drownings fear after life-jackets wash up in Australia
Australian police said Monday at least eight life-jackets had washed up on a beach in the Cocos Islands, sparking fears that asylum-seekers may once again have drowned en route to Australia.
Strong 6.1 earthquake strikes off Japan coast
A strong 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the northern coast of Japan's main Honshu island on Saturday.
Japan PM quotes Britain's Iron Lady on island dispute
Japan's prime minister on Thursday quoted comments by former British premier Margaret Thatcher about the Falklands War as he spoke about Tokyo's acrimonious islands dispute with China.
Japan PM wants 'good relationship' with S. Korea
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Friday he wanted a strong relationship with South Korea, which responded angrily over a rally in Japan against Seoul's control of a set of islands.
Japan suggests hotline to Beijing over island spat
Japan has suggested setting up a military hotline with China to avoid clashes between the two countries, which are at loggerheads over a group of disputed islands.
Solomons seeks to prevent mass dolphin killings
The Solomon Islands on Friday urged villagers to stop the mass slaughter of dolphins, saying the traditional practice was damaging the Pacific nation's tourism industry.
Taiwan boat leaves islands after Japan water cannon duel
A boat carrying Taiwanese activists headed for disputed Japanese-controlled islands turned back Thursday after coastguard vessels from the two sides converged and duelled with water cannon.
Taiwan activists head for Japan-controlled isles
A boatload of Taiwanese activists protected by the island's coastguard was Thursday heading for Japanese-held islands at the centre of a bitter international wrangle involving Tokyo, Beijing and Taipei.
Clinton stands by Japan on China island row
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton issued a veiled warning Friday to China not to challenge Japan's control of disputed islands as Tokyo's new government vowed not to aggravate tensions.
Thousands flee wildfires in southern Australia
Thousands fled wildfires raging on the Australian island of Tasmania, destroying at least 80 properties and leaving unconfirmed reports of one man dying in the blaze.