1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ... 40 » Hasina Takes Oath As New Bangladesh Prime Minister Last Updated: Jan 6 2009 8:12AM DHAKA (Reuters) - Sheikh Hasina, the winner of Bangladesh's parliamentary election last month, was sworn in as the South Asian country's prime minister on Tuesday, ending two years of rule by an army-backed interim government. It will be her second time in the office. "I have just assumed a very big responsibility," she said in brief comments after her swearing-in. "My priorities will include ensuring law and order, and bringing (commodity) prices down." President Iajuddin Ahmed administered the oath of office to Hasina, 61, and her new ministers at a ceremony at the presidential palace attended by political leaders, high civil and military officials, diplomats and other dignitaries.   NKorea Sacks Top SKorea Policy Makers Last Updated: Jan 5 2009 8:19AM North Korea has sacked two top officials, including a once key aide to leader Kim Jong-Il, blaming them for worsening cross-border ties with South Korea, a South Korean newspaper said Monday. Yu Yong-Sun, a 68-year-old Buddhist leader, has replaced Choe Sung-Chol, deputy director of the United Front Department of the North Korean Workers' Party, an influential state organization, the JoongAng Daily said. Choe has stepped down because of his failure to accurately assess South Korea's presidential election in December, 2007, and the direction of inter-Korean relations, it said. Choe, once deeply trusted by North leader Kim Jong-Il, played a crucial role in arranging the second inter-Korean summit in 2007, the daily said. It quoted an unidentified government official as saying Kwon Ho-Ung, the North's chief negotiator for high-level talks with South Korea, also stepped down and has been put under house arrest.   China's Hu Tells Bush Sino-US Ties Will Remain Strong Last Updated: Jan 5 2009 8:17AM Chinese President Hu Jintao used one of his last official talks with his US counterpart George W. Bush to voice confidence that bilateral ties would remain strong, the foreign ministry here said. Hu made the remark while talking to Bush by telephone late Sunday Beijing time, a little more than a fortnight before president-elect Barack Obama moves into the White House. "In a new historical period, China and the United States will definitely be able to stick firmly to the overall direction of a relationship characterized by constructive cooperation," said Hu. "This will help develop a Sino-US relationship that is healthy and stable, comprehensive and deep," he said, without being quoted as directly referring to the upcoming power transfer in Washington. Analysts have speculated that Obama will toughen the US stance on China's economic practices and especially push for a further strengthening of the Chinese currency.   China Targets Big Websites In Internet Crackdown Last Updated: Jan 5 2009 8:15AM BEIJING -- China has launched a crackdown against major websites that officials accused of threatening morals by spreading pornography and vulgarity, including the dominant search engines Google and Baidu. China's Ministry of Public Security and six other government agencies announced the campaign at a meeting on Monday, state television reported, showing officials hauling digital equipment away from one unidentified office. The meeting "decided to launch a nationwide campaign to clean up a vulgar current on the Internet and named and exposed a large number of violating public morality and harming the physical and mental health of youth and young people," the report said. The 19 Internet operators and websites named had failed to swiftly cut "vulgar" content and had not heeded warnings from censors, it said.   Gasfield Not In Disputed Waters Last Updated: Jan 5 2009 7:58AM China's exploration of a gasfield in the East China Sea is its inherent sovereign right as the area does not fall in disputed waters, foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang said on Sunday. "The Tianwaitian oil and gasfield is under the administration of China's undisputed territorial water," Qin said in a statement on the ministry's website (www.mfa.gov.cn). Qin's statement came after a Japanese newspaper reported that China violated an agreement by developing the gasfield unilaterally. Under the June 2008 China-Japan consensus on the East China Sea, the two sides are to select areas for joint development in the block mentioned by the consensus under the principle of mutual benefit.   US Secretary Of State To Visit China Next Week In Last Scheduled Trip Last Updated: Jan 2 2009 8:24AM US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will visit China on January 7 and 8, the foreign ministry said here Friday, in her last scheduled trip before the Bush administration leaves office. "US Secretary of State Rice will visit China January 7-8 to attend activities related to the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-US ties," a statement on the ministry's website said. Rice had earlier announced her plans to visit China shortly after the New Year but the exact dates had not been released. "I will go after the first of the year to China for the 30th anniversary of the establishment of US-China relations. I think it's important to do it," Rice said in an interview with AFP late last month.   Bangladesh's Defeated Khaleda Ready To Work With Hasina Last Updated: Jan 2 2009 8:09AM The party of former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia said on Friday she was ready to work with her bitter rival Sheikh Hasina who will lead the new government following elections this week. Hasina, who led her Awami League and its allies to a huge win in the election, is expected to be sworn in on Monday, her party said, ending two years of rule by an army-backed interim administration. Khaleda had challenged the result but later her Bangladesh Nationalist Party said it would give Hasina a chance to govern. On Friday, in a further sign of reconciliation between the two leaders known as the "battling Begums" for their decade-old animosity, the BNP said it was ready to do business with the new administration. "Khaleda Zia will be ready to cooperate with the incoming prime minister and her government," BNP secretary-general Khandakaer Delwar Hossain said.   Tensions Run High At South Korea's Parliament Sit-In Last Updated: Dec 31 2008 8:41AM South Korea's parliament remained paralyzed on Wednesday, with rival parties failing to agree on what to do with several controversial bills. The opposition has camped in the main parliamentary chamber since last Friday to prevent the ruling party from passing the bills unilaterally. Riot police are presently on standby to force them out. Among some 80 bills that need to be passed, two are considered especially contentious.   President Hu Urges World Peace, Prosperity In New Year Address Last Updated: Dec 31 2008 8:40AM Chinese President Hu Jintao called for world peace, stability and prosperity in a New Year address broadcast on Wednesday to domestic and overseas audiences via state TV and radio stations.  "We sincerely hope all countries will support and help each other and work together to promote peace, stability and prosperity in the world and bring to the people of all nations a peaceful and happy life," Hu said.   China, Vietnam Settle Long-Disputed Land Border Last Updated: Dec 31 2008 8:37AM China and Vietnam on Wednesday said they had settled their long disputed land border, only hours before a deadline was due to expire and nearly 30 years after they fought a border war. Beijing and Hanoi -- who normalised relations in 1991 and are now major trade partners -- have sought to overcome a history of conflict and distrust to turn the former battlefields into a transnational economic growth area.   Bangladesh Election Seen As Fair, Though Loser Disputes Result Last Updated: Dec 31 2008 8:32AM Bangladesh's first election in seven years - which returned former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to power in a landslide - was largely free and fair, observers said Tuesday in a positive omen for the country long plagued by corruption and misrule. However, results of the vote were rejected by Hasina's bitter rival, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, indicating the new leader would find it difficult to escape the paralyzing power struggles of the past.   Thai Protesters Vow To Return In New Year Last Updated: Dec 31 2008 8:30AM Opponents of new Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Wednesday they would resume protests in the New Year, a day after forcing the premier to move the venue of his first policy speech. Thousands of red-shirted supporters of fugitive former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra dispersed overnight after blockading parliament for two days to press their demands for fresh elections.   China Now Considering RI Important Political Partner Last Updated: Dec 31 2008 8:26AM China now considers Indonesia as one of its most important partners in the political field as reflected in the increasingly improved relations between the two nations over the past five years, an Indonesian diplomat said. "In the past five years, China come to regard Indonesia as one of its most important and strategic partners," Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indonesian Embassy Mohamad Oemar said here on Wednesday.   Malaysia's Indian Community Disillusioned With Anwar Last Updated: Dec 31 2008 8:24AM Disgruntled ethnic Indian leaders from Malaysia's opposition Parti Keadilan have threatened to leave the party. In fact, one of its three MPs, S Manikavasagam, resigned on Wednesday as state liaison deputy chairman. For the economically disadvantaged ethnic Indian community in Malaysia, all they want in the New Year are fairer opportunities. Many said they are unhappy and disillusioned as they felt short-changed by the opposition party led by Anwar Ibrahim, whom they had supported in the last general election.   Taiwan's Ex-President Back Behind Bars On Corruption Charges Last Updated: Dec 30 2008 8:03AM A Taiwanese court Tuesday ordered ex-president Chen Shui-bian to be locked up on corruption charges that the former leader has dismissed as a politically-motivated campaign by the China-friendly government. The decision by the Taipei District Court reversed an earlier ruling and saw the former pro-independence leader sent back to a detention centre outside the capital after spending just over two weeks free pending trial.   Russia: Law Signed To Extend Presidential Terms Last Updated: Dec 30 2008 8:00AM Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev signed a law extending presidential terms from four years to six on Tuesday in a move seen as paving the way for Vladimir Putin's return to the presidency. Medvedev's final endorsement of the legislation follows its quick approval by the Kremlin-controlled parliament and all of Russia's 83 provincial legislatures. The change won't apply to Medvedev's current term, due to end in 2012. Putin was barred constitutionally from seeking a third straight term as president.   Landslide Win For Ex-PM Sheikh Hasina In Bangladesh Poll Last Updated: Dec 30 2008 7:58AM Bangladesh's former premier Sheikh Hasina Wajed won the country's first election since 2001 in a landslide Tuesday, crushing her bitter rival to retake power in the impoverished south Asian nation. The election commission said Sheikh Hasina's Awami League party had won 229 of the 295 seats in parliament counted so far, giving her an overwhelming win in Monday's vote with just a handful of results still to be tallied.   Omar Abdullah May Give Hope To Troubled Kashmir Last Updated: Dec 30 2008 7:55AM The young, charismatic heir of a political dynasty in Kashmir appeared set to head a coalition state government with India's ruling Congress party, in what is seen as giving hope to a region beset by separatist rebellion. Omar Abdullah met Congress party head Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi on Tuesday, after his National Conference party, which wants greater autonomy but rejects independence for Kashmir, became the biggest party in state polls that ended last week.   Thai PM Delivers Maiden Speech At Foreign Ministry Last Updated: Dec 30 2008 7:53AM The new Thai Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, has delivered his maiden speech at the country's foreign ministry, after police failed to clear protestors blockading the Bangkok parliament. Mr Abhisit, who took office two weeks ago after a parliamentary vote, was required by the Thai constitution to address parliament before his new government could begin work. "The urgent measures in the first year are restoring confidence and stimulating the economy," he said.   S Korean Opposition Ordered To End Occupation Of Parliament Last Updated: Dec 29 2008 8:08AM The head of South Korea's parliament ordered opposition legislators Monday to end their sit-in by midnight so major bills can be passed, warning them not to force him to take "extreme measures." However the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) rejected the demand from Speaker Kim Hyong-O, setting the stage for more battles inside the assembly. "The year must not pass without settling bills which will relieve the burden on the public," Kim told a press conference, saying a full session would be held on Wednesday to pass the legislation.   President Ma Says Taiwan Peacemaker Not Troublemaker Last Updated: Dec 29 2008 8:03AM President Ma Ying-jeou on Sunday said his efforts to ease nearly six decades of hostilities that have occasionally brought Taiwan to the brink of war with China, have paid off. The two split in 1949 at the end of a civil war, and tensions between them flared frequently during the eight years the island was ruled by the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party until Ma of the China-friendly Kuomintang took office in May.   Bangladesh Votes Under Heavy Security Last Updated: Dec 29 2008 7:51AM Bangladesh went to the polls under tight security Monday in the first elections here since 2001, with a pair of former leaders and bitter rivals vying to reclaim power in the impoverished nation. The vote will restore democracy to the south Asian country after two years of caretaker rule by an army-backed interim government, installed after a wave of political violence prevented the last scheduled elections.   Thai Protests Force PM To Delay Speech Until Tuesday Last Updated: Dec 29 2008 7:49AM Thai premier Abhisit Vejjajiva was forced to delay his maiden policy speech until Tuesday after thousands of protesters blockaded parliament in the latest twist to the kingdom's political crisis. Red-shirted supporters of ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was toppled in a 2006 coup, sealed off the gates to parliament on Monday and said they would stay until the newly installed Abhisit called fresh elections.   New Ruler Picked For Malaysian State Last Updated: Dec 29 2008 7:48AM A 59-year-old prince was on Monday picked as the new ruler of a southern Malaysian state, following the death of a former king of the country. Tuanku Jaafar Tuanku Abdul Rahman, who died on Saturday after complaining of dizziness and chest pains, will be succeeded as ruler of Negeri Sembilan state by his nephew, Tunku Mukhriz Tunku Munawir, the official Bernama news agency said. Tunku Mukhriz was appointed to the position over three of the former ruler's children, following a secret meeting of four powerful chieftains.   Japanese PM Says No Snap Election, Focuses On Ailing Economy Last Updated: Dec 24 2008 8:09AM TOKYO: Japan's beleaguered Prime Minister Taro Aso on Wednesday rejected calls for a snap election, pledging to focus on the economic crisis, but was immediately defied by a senior member of his own party. Aso, who took office just three months ago, needs to hold an election by September next year, and the opposition Democratic Party of Japan has been pressing the premier to dissolve the lower house as soon as possible. "I'm well aware of talk about elections or a political realignment," Aso told a news conference as he presented his government's record budget. "Now that we are in the midst of a once-in-a-century crisis, we are not in a position to talk about such things. I think it's impossible," he said.   Thai PM Defends Foreign Minister's Airport Comments Last Updated: Dec 24 2008 8:04AM BANGKOK: Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva Wednesday strongly defended his foreign minister over reported comments that the occupation of Bangkok's airports by protesters was "a lot of fun." Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya meanwhile apologized, but said remarks quoted by Britain's Daily Telegraph about the week-long siege by demonstrators trying to bring down the previous government had been taken out of context. Kasit played a key role in the People's Alliance for Democracy, which ended the airport blockade after a court disbanded the ruling party loyal to ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, paving the way for Abhisit's rise.   Heavy Security For Indian Kashmir Poll Last Updated: Dec 24 2008 8:02AM SRINAGAR, India: Tens of thousands of soldiers were on patrol in Indian Kashmir Wednesday to prevent separatist unrest as polls opened for the final phase of state elections. Voters headed to nearly 2,000 polling booths in Srinagar, the hub of the anti-Indian insurgency, and in the town of Jammu and neighboring Samba district. About 30,000 soldiers were on patrol in Srinagar and more than 20,000 in Jammu and Samba to prevent militant attacks and anti-election protests by Muslim separatists opposed to Indian rule in Kashmir. Separatist groups and armed rebels have called for a boycott of the polls, arguing that they strengthen New Delhi's hold over the disputed region.   Police Clash With Protesters In Final Leg Of Kashmir Vote Last Updated: Dec 24 2008 8:00AM Police fired tear gas and clashed with protesters on Wednesday in Indian Kashmir, where tens of thousands of soldiers were deployed for the seventh and final leg of multi-stage state elections. At least 20 people were injured in the violence between the security forces and anti-poll demonstrators in the Kashmiri summer capital Srinagar, where voter turnout was low in line with a boycott call by Muslim separatist groups. Around 30,000 troops were deployed on the streets of the city, which has long been the hub of a 20-year insurgency against Indian rule in the Muslim-majority region. Another 20,000 soldiers patrolled the districts of Jammu and Samba where balloting was also taking place. "I fail to understand if the Indians are holding elections or going to war," complained Srinagar resident Mohammed Hafiz, 60. Indian Kashmir has been under federal rule since July following the collapse of the state government over a land row that triggered a revival of anti-India demonstrations.   Former Bangladesh PM Alleges Election Plot To Kill Her Last Updated: Dec 24 2008 8:16AM Former Bangladeshi prime minister Khaleda Zia said Islamic extremists were plotting to kill her ahead of elections on Monday. The allegations came a day after police arrested two men linked to a banned Islamic militant group near where she had held a campaign rally. "There is no doubt they were meant to kill me," the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader told supporters in her hometown of Femi on Wednesday. "A conspiracy is on to foil the election by killing me," she said, adding "they have become desperate, seeing the mass support at BNP election rallies." Zia and her arch-rival, Awami League party leader Sheikh Hasina Wajed, were jailed by the army-backed government under its crackdown on corruption.   Nepal Media Protest Against Maoist Union Attack Last Updated: Dec 23 2008 8:24AM Nepalese newspapers ran blank editorials on Tuesday to protest against a violent attack on a prominent publisher by Maoist-affiliated trade unionists. A group of 50 people stormed the offices of Himalmedia at the weekend and attacked property and staff, injuring 12 people. Editors from the company, which produces a weekly English-language newspaper and two news magazines, said the attackers warned them to stop running stories that were critical of the Maoist government. "We have left editorial columns blank as a silent protest against Maoist attacks and threats on the media," Akhilesh Upadhyay, editor of the English language Kathmandu Post, told AFP. Nepal's former rebel Maoists won polls earlier this year and now lead the government, but they face accusations that their supporters remain reliant on intimidation and violence.   Fiji And New Zealand Expel Ambassadors Last Updated: Dec 23 2008 8:11AM Relations between New Zealand and Fiji's military regime sank to a new low Tuesday with the announcement they would expel each other's ambassadors. Despite assurances by Fiji on Monday that it was trying to improve relations with New Zealand, acting high commissioner Caroline McDonald was summoned to Fiji's foreign affairs ministry Tuesday and told she had one week to leave the country, New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully said. Fiji's interim Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum did not specify the reasons for the decision to expel McDonald, but said it was made with "deep regret and reluctance. "This decision was reached as a direct result of Mrs. McDonald's actions over the past year that have been contrary to the accepted international norms of diplomatic behavior," he said in a statement. New Zealand has been at the forefront of international criticism of the regime after military leader Voreqe Bainimarama toppled Fiji's elected government in a December 2006 coup.   US, South Korean Intelligence Spot Movement Of Kim's Train Last Updated: Dec 22 2008 8:49AM Reports of recent provincial visits by North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il appear to be true, indicating he is recovering from his stroke last August, a South Korean newspaper said Monday. Chosun Ilbo quoted US and South Korean intelligence officials as saying Kim's personal armored train had travelled to those areas which he was reported by state media to have visited. The newspaper said the agencies, using satellites and spy planes, confirmed that the train began being used when state media reported Kim's visit to the western border city of Sinuiju on November 24. Within the past week there have been a spate of other reports of official visits, this time in the northern province of Jagang.   India Says Pakistan Shifting Blame Over Mumbai Last Updated: Dec 22 2008 8:28AM India accused Pakistan on Monday of trying to shift blame for the Mumbai attacks and demanded it do more to dismantle militant networks, while a top U.S. commander landed in Islamabad for more talks. India and the United States have blamed Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) for last month's attacks, which have provoked a sharp rise in rhetoric between the nuclear-armed neighbors who have fought three wars since 1947.   Nepal PM Denies Media Attack Role Last Updated: Dec 22 2008 8:26AM Nepal's Maoist Prime Minister Prachanda has denied any involvement in an attack on one of the country's biggest newspaper publishing houses. The weekend attack on Himal Media had been blamed on dozens of workers from unions linked to the governing Maoists.  However, Prachanda told Nepal media the attack was by "immoral agents" who had "infiltrated" the Maoists.  The UN and US have both criticised the violence, in which journalists were assaulted and the office ransacked.    Thai King Swears In New Cabinet Last Updated: Dec 22 2008 8:20AM Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej swore in prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's new cabinet on Monday, urging ministers to bring peace and order after months of political turmoil.  The widely revered 81-year-old monarch delivered a short speech on national television on the responsibilities of the ministers who were unveiled on Saturday.  "If you help each other, you can give the country peace and order and make the country get through the current situation.   'Repercussions' For Fiji If NZ Diplomat Expelled - Key Last Updated: Dec 22 2008 8:12AM Prime Minister John Key has warned Fiji's self-appointed government the expulsion of New Zealand's acting high commissioner from Fiji would trigger retaliatory action. Acting High Commissioner Caroline McDonald remains in Fiji after the latest reported threats to expel her went unfulfilled. A senior Fiji government official said at the weekend Ms McDonald would be sent home yesterday. But she was not.   Thai PM Says PAD Protesters Must Face Rule Of Law Last Updated: Dec 19 2008 8:24AM Thailand's new Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Friday protesters who occupied government offices and blockaded Bangkok's airports should be held legally accountable for their actions. Supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) first took to the streets in May in their bid to unseat the previous government. One of the leaders of the PAD is Somkiat Pongpaiboon, a member of Abhisit's Democrat Party. "With every incident that has happened we must uphold the rule of law," Abhisit told reporters at the Government House, the site besieged by protesters for two-and-a-half months, causing about one million dollars' worth of damage. "My party member is also under the same law. I have told him not to use immunity," Abhisit added. Democrat Party member Somkiat was among a group of PAD leaders who led thousands of protesters to occupy the compound in late August, demanding allies of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra to leave government.   NKorea's Kim Inspects Steel Plant Last Updated: Dec 18 2008 9:05AM North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il has inspected a steel plant, state media said Thursday, its second report in two days of visits by the reportedly ailing leader. Kim "gave field guidance to the February General Steel Enterprise" in the northern province of Jagang, the Korean Central News Agency said without specifying the date of the visit. On Wednesday the agency reported visits by Kim to an e-business institute, a library and a medicine factory in the province but gave no date. "Noting that it is very important for building an economic power to develop the steel industry, he set forth the tasks to be fulfilled by the enterprise," the report said.   Bangladesh's Emergency Leader Prepares To Step Down Last Updated: Dec 18 2008 8:46AM The man who has run Bangladesh for almost two years under emergency rule said in comments published on Thursday that history would judge whether his tenure was a success. Chief adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed, who heads the army-backed government, told reporters that during a period of political instability he had acted in the best interests of the impoverished country's 144 million population. "I've tried to work with all of my intelligence, consciousness and wisdom. The future will judge the success or failure of my works," he was quoted as saying by online newspaper bdnews24.com. Ahmed, who has seldom spoken about his unusual period in power, said he had no career plans after the country returns to democracy in December 29 elections.   New Thai Premier Says He Will Visit Thaksin Stronghold Last Updated: Dec 18 2008 8:42AM Thailand's new Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, vowed Thursday to visit the poor northeast, a stronghold of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, where he has struggled to win support. British-born Abhisit, an urbane Oxford graduate whose name means "privileged", lost elections a year ago after failing to make any dent in Thaksin's support base in the populous northeastern region known as Isan. He was finally voted into power Monday during a special parliament session after a court dissolved the Thaksin-linked ruling party and Abhisit's Democrat Party lured small parties and defecting MPs to their side. Abhisit has said his cabinet list will be ready Thursday and will be unveiled after royal approval, likely on Friday. He told a Thai army-run TV station that he was ready to reach out to people who did not vote for him.   North Korea Releases More Kim Photos To Dispel Health Rumors Last Updated: Dec 17 2008 8:53AM North Korea has released more photographs of leader Kim Jong-Il making an official visit, in another apparent attempt to refute reports that he is sick. The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) issued a series of undated photos showing Kim touring a library at Kanggye city in the northern province of Jagang. One shows him looking on as people in the library use computers. The 66-year-old is seen wearing a fur hat and thick winter coat despite the indoor setting. South Korean and US officials say Kim suffered a stroke around mid-August, although Seoul officials say he is recovering and still in control of his nuclear-armed nation. Since reports of Kim's illness began circulating in September, official media have released dozens of undated photos of him on various official trips.   Bangladesh Lifts Emergency Rule Last Updated: Dec 17 2008 8:39AM Bangladesh's army-backed interim government has lifted a two-year state of emergency ahead of the general election on 29 December. President Iajuddin Ahmed signed the order earlier in the week. Lifting curbs on political and civil rights and press freedom was a key demand of the main political parties. Full campaigning began last Friday with Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) taking on the Awami League, led by her old rival Sheikh Hasina. Both women are former prime ministers. They have both faced corruption allegations and were released on bail in deals with the government to ensure their parties took part in the elections. Army chief's pledge. The emergency was imposed in January 2007 to tackle street violence that left dozens dead after allegations of voting irregularities. Inspector general of police Nur Mohammad told the AFP: news agency: "There is no emergency after one minute past midnight [Tuesday]."   US Denies Split Over North Korea Oil Shipments Last Updated: Dec 16 2008 8:30AM The United States has reaffirmed that parties to the Chinese-sponsored talks on North Korea's nuclear program have agreed to stop supplying Pyongyang with energy aid until it accepts a plan to verify disarmament steps. But U.S. officials say Russian oil deliveries already in process are going forward. The State Department says two Russian oil shipments, one to be delivered this week and another fully contracted for, will be sent to North Korea. But it says further shipments are inconceivable as long as Pyongyang refuses to accept a verification protocol to confirm it is disabling its nuclear facilities. Talks in Beijing broke down last week over North Korea's rejection of a verification plan accepted by the other five parties for the declaration of the nuclear program Pyongyang made last June.   NKorea To Remove "Paper Companies" From Economic Zone Last Updated: Dec 16 2008 8:11AM North Korea is set to remove inoperative foreign companies from a faltering special economic zone, officials said Tuesday, following a report that some Chinese firms have already been told to leave. South Korea's unification ministry said the North in October conducted a probe into companies that exist only on paper but do not invest in the Rajin-Sonbong zone. The zone was created in 1991 on the communist country's northeastern tip bordering Russia to attract foreign investment and build a logistics hub, but Seoul officials say it has largely failed. "North Korea seems to have conducted the fact-finding probe in order to clear paper companies from the Rajin-Sonbong Special Economic Zone," ministry spokesman Kim Ho-Nyoun told a briefing, without elaborating. Last week Dong-a Ilbo newspaper, citing Chinese traders in North Korea, reported that Pyongyang had ordered an unspecified number of Chinese businessmen to quit the zone by the end of November. But it said the Chinese were still there since the North did not want to forcibly expel them. China is the North's major ally.   China 'Bans BBC Chinese Website' Last Updated: Dec 16 2008 8:09AM China appears to have banned a number of foreign websites, including the BBC's Chinese language news site and Voice of America in Chinese. The sites had been unblocked after journalists attending the Beijing Olympics complained that the government was censoring sites deemed sensitive. The BBC expressed disappointment at the apparent reinstatement of the ban. But a Chinese government spokesman told journalists that some sites contained content that violated Chinese law. Among the other sites blocked are Asiaweek, Reporters Without Borders and some Hong Kong and Taiwan sites. China imposes strict controls on the dissemination of information through the web, employing teams of people to remove sensitive content, police bloggers and remove access to certain sites.   Bangladesh Prepares To Lift State Of Emergency Last Updated: Dec 16 2008 7:56AM Bangladesh's government will lift a state of emergency on Wednesday, less than two weeks before the country goes to the polls to restore democracy, an official said Tuesday. President Iajuddin Ahmed signed an order repealing the emergency laws earlier this week, ending nearly two years of restrictions on political activity, civil rights and press freedom, his secretary Sirajul Islam said. "The order will be effective from the first hours of Wednesday," he told AFP. Bangladesh votes on December 29 in elections that will pass power from the military-backed administration to an elected government. The country's two main political parties had demanded the removal of the state of emergency before the elections, saying the polls would otherwise not be credible.   New Thai PM Mulls Cabinet Amid Tight Security Last Updated: Dec 16 2008 7:53AM Thailand's new prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva began working on his cabinet line-up on Tuesday as hundreds of police stood guard against protests by angry supporters of the old government. Abhisit's Democrat Party won over enough lawmakers to clinch a parliament vote on Monday, two weeks after a court dissolved the ruling party loyal to ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra after six months of political turmoil. The party said Oxford-educated Abhisit's new cabinet would strive to boost the economy , which has taken a battering from anti-government street protests peaking with the siege of Bangkok's two airports late last month.   New Zealand Refuses To Back Down On Fiji Sanctions Last Updated: Dec 16 2008 7:49AM New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said Tuesday his government would not relax sanctions against Fiji's military regime following a threat to expel its ambassador. Government sources here said Monday that Fiji's military leader Voreqe Bainimarama had threatened to kick out acting high commissioner Caroline McDonald if bans on people linked to the regime visiting New Zealand were not lifted. The government sent a message to Fiji Tuesday confirming there would be no softening of the sanctions, introduced after Bainimarama ousted the elected government in a December 2006 coup.   Indian PM Wants 'Normalized' Relations with Pakistan Last Updated: Dec 15 2008 8:17AM India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh says he wants "normalized" relations with Pakistan, but that Islamabad must stop allowing its territory to be used for terrorist activities against India. Mr. Singh made the statement during an election rally in Indian Kashmir, the Muslim-majority region that has been a focus of tensions with Islamabad.  Prime Minister Singh, who flew to Kashmir early Sunday after meeting British Prime Minister Gordon Brown in New Delhi, said relations with Pakistan cannot be improved unless Pakistan stops allowing its territory to be used for terrorist activities against India.   Pakistan Won't Let Foreigners Investigate Suspects Last Updated: Dec 15 2008 8:16AM Pakistan will not allow foreign investigators to interrogate Islamist militants detained over last month's attacks in the Indian city of Mumbai, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Monday. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said in Islamabad on Sunday he had asked India and Pakistan for permission for British police to question suspects arrested in both countries in connection with the Mumbai assault.   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ... 40 »