Asia News

Islamabad, Nov 24 (DPA) Pakistani forces killed at least 18 militants in an offensive launched Tuesday against the rebels believed to be behind a recent wave of suicide bombings in the north-western city of Peshawar, a security official said.

Australia's opposition parties will back the government's carbon trade scheme, opposition leader Malcolm Turnbull was quoted as saying by local television on Tuesday, ensuring the laws should pass parliament this week.

Washington, Nov.24 (ANI): Visiting Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh told a distinguished gathering at the Centre of Foreign Relations (CFR) here on Monday that his country was very concerned about terrorists and insurgents, who were once very active along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, stretching their influence into mainland Pakistan.

Philippine police found 15 more bodies on Tuesday at the site of a massacre in the south of the country, taking the toll in the election-related killings to 39 dead, national police chief Jesus Verzosa said.

Israel is "very near" to agreeing a prisoner swap with Hamas, though it remains unclear which jailed Palestinians will be released, an Israeli cabinet minister said on Tuesday.

Kathmandu, Nov 24 (IANS) A prosperous farmer from India's Bihar state led the bloodbath at Nepal's largest animal sacrificial fair Tuesday, ignoring calls for non-violence from animal lovers worldwide including his own country.

A former aide to Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama may be charged with falsifying political funding records, the Asahi newspaper said on Tuesday, a development that could dent support for the government ahead of elections next year.

Islamabad, Nov.24 (ANI): Pakistan has once again raked up the issue of Kashmir, saying that it should be resolved in accordance with the United Nations resolutions of 1948 and 1949.

Kuala Lumpur, November 24 (ANI): A group of Malaysian sex workers are reportedly using pornographic movies to distract clients before robbing them off their belongings.

Kuala Lumpur, Nov 24 (IANS) Charges of sodomy against Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim cannot stand, his lawyers have told the court hearing the politically sensitive case.

The Communist Party?s official newspapers played up a report on Monday, that insisted ?China is not taking sides on Kashmir?.

Sri Lanka is all set for a Presidential election in January next year. While President Mahinda Rajapaksa signed a proclamation about the polls on Monday afternoon, the date of the election ? most likely January 23 ? is yet to be formally announced.

A 77-year-old retired Nepali soldier has entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest man to have climbed Mount Everest.

A popular conservative newspaper critical of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been closed down for carrying a photograph of a temple of the banned Baha'i faith, media reported on Tuesday.

Thailand passed a tough security law on Tuesday, giving the military broad powers to control a street rally that begins this weekend by supporters of exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Kuala Lumpur, Nov. 24 (ANI): The Islamic Fashion Festival VIII has been launched in style in Kuala Lumpur, featuring designs from Royal Terengganu Songket and Muslim wear designers.

The Philippines declared a state of emergency in two southern provinces and in a nearby city on Tuesday, a day after at least 24 people were killed in election-related violence.

REUTERS - The Australian government said on Tuesday it has reached a compromise deal on carbon trading with some members of the opposition, whose support is vital if emissions trading laws are to pass parliament this week.

A 77-year-old retired Nepali soldier has entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest man to have climbed Mount Everest.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh holds talks with U.S. President Barack Obama on Tuesday during the first state visit of the new administration -- a tribute, both sides say, to the close natural ties between the two giant democracies.