A strong earthquake has struck the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. The U.S. Geological Survey says the 6.6 magnitude quake struck late Saturday afternoon 56 kilometers from the town of Palu at a relatively shallow depth of 20 kilometers. There are no immediate reports of damage or casualties. The French news agency reports panicked residents in […]
Burma Forms Commission to Probe Sectarian Violence
Posted August 18th, 2012 at 5:25 am (UTC-5)
Burma has formed a commission to investigate deadly sectarian violence in western Rakhine state between Buddhists and the Muslim Rohingya minority in which dozens of people were killed and tens of thousands were displaced. The state New Light of Myanmar newspaper said Saturday that the 27-member commission is mandated to find the circumstances behind the […]
Chinese Activists Deported from Japan
Posted August 17th, 2012 at 10:20 pm (UTC-5)
The first group of Chinese activists has arrived in Hong Kong after being deported by Japan. Five activists and two television journalists received a hero’s welcome when they landed on a flight from Okinawa. They are part of a group of 14 Chinese arrested after landing on an island claimed by both Tokyo and Beijing. […]
Chinese Activists Deported from Japan
Posted August 17th, 2012 at 5:40 pm (UTC-5)
The first group of Chinese activists have arrived in Hong Kong after being deported by Japan. Five activists and two television journalists received a hero’s welcome when they landed on a flight from Okinawa. They are part of a group of 14 Chinese who were arrested after landing on an island claimed by both Tokyo […]
China-Japan Island Dispute Has Long History
Posted August 17th, 2012 at 7:45 am (UTC-5)
The chain of uninhabited islands at the center of a territorial dispute between China and Japan sits on top of what are thought to be vast oil deposits, and are surrounded by rich fishing grounds. But the islands, known as Senkaku in Japanese and Diaoyu in Chinese, have a long history of straining relations and […]
In China, Anti-Smoking Efforts Hindered by Big Tobacco
Posted August 17th, 2012 at 5:45 am (UTC-5)
A new study says China has the largest number of tobacco users in the world. And analysts say efforts to curb the habit are being hindered by the country’s state-owned tobacco enterprises. The British-based medical journal Lancet said Friday in a report on global smoking rates that around 300 million people, about 28 percent of […]
Visa Entering Cash-Dominated Burma Market: Report
Posted August 17th, 2012 at 4:10 am (UTC-5)
It may soon be easier to make credit and debit card transactions in Burma, after financial services company Visa announced it is preparing to enter the Southeast Asian nation’s cash-dominated market. The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that Visa is training local bank workers to use electronic payment systems to help modernize Burma’s economy, which […]
Senior North Korean Official Meets with Chinese Leaders
Posted August 17th, 2012 at 3:55 am (UTC-5)
The powerful uncle of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has met with Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao after Beijing pledged earlier in the week to help Pyongyang develop two economic zones in North Korea. The talks Friday morning were the highest diplomatic exchanges between the two Communist countries since Kim Jong […]
Japan Deporting 14 Chinese Activists
Posted August 17th, 2012 at 1:10 am (UTC-5)
Japan has decided to deport 14 Chinese activists who were arrested after landing on an island claimed by both Tokyo and Beijing. The activists landed on the island in the East China Sea on Wednesday, planting a Chinese flag and singing the country’s national anthem before being arrested and accused of violating Japanese immigration laws. […]
Gu Murder Trial Verdict Due Monday
Posted August 17th, 2012 at 12:25 am (UTC-5)
A Chinese court will issue its verdict next week in the murder trial of Gu Kailai, the wife of disgraced former Communist Party leader Bo Xilai. A local government official said Friday that the Intermediate People’s Court in Hefei, where Gu’s 7-hour trial was held on August 9, will issue its verdict Monday. Experts say […]
