Typhoon Haiyan: Philippines declares state of calamity

The Philippine President Benigno Aquino has declared a state of national calamity to speed relief efforts for victims of Typhoon Haiyan.

Haiyan hits Vietnam as Philippines death toll mounts

Typhoon Haiyan slammed into Vietnam on Monday, after killing thousands of people in the Philippines where rescue workers are still struggling to reach the most devastated areas.

UN court rules for Cambodia in Thai territory dispute

The UN's highest court has awarded Cambodia the disputed territory surrounding the Preah Vihear temple which lies on the border to Thailand. The court has also told Thailand to withdraw its troops from the area.

Rescue efforts hampered by devastation in Philippines

Monday to reach areas of the Philippines devastated by Typhoon Haiyan, which killed an estimated 10,000 people in the city of Tacloban alone.

China begins talks on economic reform

© Photo: AFP

Chinese leaders began a four-day meeting in Beijing Saturday to set an agenda of economic reforms over the next ten years, with finding a more sustainable growth model for the world’s second-largest economy likely to be a top priority.

Scores killed in Philippines typhoon onslaught

More than 1,000 people have been killed in the Philippines after one of the strongest typhoons ever to make landfall struck the country Friday, the Red Cross said. The coastal city of Tacloban and Samar province are among the most devastated areas.

Vietnam braces for deadly Typhoon Haiyan

After killing an estimated 10,000 people and leaving a trail of destruction across the Philippines, Typhoon Haiyan is expected to hit Vietnam on Monday morning, with the country evacuating hundreds of thousands of people in preparation.

At least 10,000 feared dead after Philippines typhoon

Typhoon Haiyan has left at least 10,000 dead in the central Philippines, a senior police official said Sunday, with the country left battered by winds of up to 275 kph and surging sea water that has swept away entire villages.

WA Police find third TATP bomb package in South West

POLICE have found a third suspicious package at an abandoned caravan park south of Perth today in yet another major twist in the South-West explosives saga.

Japanese lawmaker reprimanded for approaching emperor

A member of the Japanese parliament has been reprimanded for attempting to involve the emperor in politics.

China Shanxi blast: Police arrest one suspect

man has been arrested in connection with a series of blasts outside a local Communist Party office in Shanxi province, police and state media say.

Super Typhoon Haiyan batters the Philippines

Typhoon Haiyan struck the central Philippines on Friday, forcing millions of people to flee their homes as powerful winds of up to 313 kph (195 mph) battered the country. At least three people have reportedly been killed by the storm.

Blasts at China regional Communist Party office kill one

A series of small blasts have killed at least one person outside a provincial office of the ruling Communist Party in northern China, state media report.

Why children as young as three are sent to boarding school in China

Family ties are hugely important in China, but thousands of Chinese parents are still sending children as young as three away to boarding school. Why do they do it?Kelly Jiang bounces into her kindergarten classroom, her parents a few steps behind."

Fukushima nuclear plant set for risky operation

More than 1,000 fuel rod assemblies need to be removed from a building that was badly damaged following the tsunamiA task of extraordinary delicacy and danger is about to begin at Japan's Fukushima nuclear power station.

New Zealand police under fire over 'rape club' probe

The New Zealand government ordered an independent inquiry Thursday into allegations that police botched an investigation into an online "rape club" that preyed on underage girls.

Beijing police accused of sexism towards women drivers

Police in China's capital, Beijing, have been accused of sexism over safety tips targeting women drivers.
Beijing police believe that women drivers are lack of sense of direction while driving

China plea paper 'to be overhauled'

A Chinese newspaper that made a front-page appeal for the release of a reporter accused of defamation is to be overhauled, a press regulator says.
Chen Yongzhou appeared on state TV in his prison uniform

China calls car crash a terrorist attack, arrests 5

Authorities identify the three occupants of the car that hit pedestrians at Beijing's Tiananmen Square. The three family members were among five people killed.

Uighurs sell their wares at a market in Beijing. Members of the ethnic minority said they were facing stepped-up scrutiny from Chinese police after the deadly car crash Monday at Beijing's Tiananmen Square. (Ng Han Guan / Associated Press /October 30, 2013)

Returned South Koreans 'entered North Korea via China'

South Korea says six men returned by North Korea on Friday all entered the communist state via China, some in search of a better life.

The six men were returned via Panmunjom, the truce village between the Koreas

China's manufacturing activity at 18-month high

China's manufacturing activity grew at its fastest pace in 18 months in October, adding to signs of a recovery in the world's second-largest economy.

Land deal stand-off continues in China village

A stand-off is continuing a tiny hamlet in China's southern Yunnan province following a violent confrontation between villagers and police last week.

Japan minister: China threatens peace in islands row

Japan's defence minister says China's behaviour over disputed East China Sea islands is jeopardising peace.

Itsunori Onodera's comments came amid heightened tensions between the two countries over islands known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China.

China fireworks factory blast kills 11 in Guangxi

An explosion at a fireworks factory in the southern Chinese region of Guangxi has killed 11 people and injured 17, state media say.