Philippines
Two jailed over Philippine coup after spurning pardon
Mar 22, 2013 04:43 EDT
Two former Philippine soldiers who took part in a failed coup in 2003 were sentenced on Friday to long prison terms, officials said, after both spurned President Benigno Aquino's offer of pardon.
Southeast Asia human rights 'stagnating': US officials
Mar 21, 2013 16:27 EDT
US officials voiced concern Thursday about human rights in fast-growing Southeast Asian nations, pointing to a lack of progress in many places and a worsening situation in some.
Asian markets lifted by China manufacturing data
Mar 21, 2013 07:23 EDT
Asian markets were mixed Thursday as Chinese data showing manufacturing activity in the world's number two economy picked up in March, while Tokyo was lifted by renewed weakness in the yen.
Philippines' San Miguel reports strong 2012 results
Mar 21, 2013 06:47 EDT
San Miguel's consolidated net profits surged 57 percent to 27.6 billion pesos ($677.55 million) last year, boosted by strong turnover from new businesses, the top Philippine conglomerate said Thursday.
Philippines seeks UN protection for peacekeepers
Mar 20, 2013 12:10 EDT
The Philippines has asked the United Nations to provide more protection to its peacekeeping forces, Manila said Wednesday after announcing its troops would remain in the Golan Heights after a recent abduction.
Asian markets mixed after Cyprus vote
Mar 20, 2013 07:35 EDT
Asian markets were mixed on Wednesday after Cypriot lawmakers comprehensively rejected a plan to tax savings as part of a crucial bailout deal.
UN writes to Aquino over Philippines tobacco fair
Mar 19, 2013 12:13 EDT
The United Nations has expressed concern that the Philippines could encourage smoking by hosting one of the world's biggest tobacco trade shows, a health official said Tuesday.
Philippine court suspends birth control law
Mar 19, 2013 12:13 EDT
The Philippines' highest court suspended on Tuesday a controversial birth control law that had met fierce opposition from the powerful Catholic Church.
Asian markets mostly bounce on Cyprus hopes
Mar 19, 2013 07:12 EDT
Asian markets mostly rebounded on Tuesday while the yen fell against the dollar and euro as concerns over the eurozone abated on news Cyprus was reworking a controversial savings levy.
Chinese film 'Mystery' wins Asian best picture
Mar 18, 2013 20:16 EDT
A Chinese drama that touches on sensitive topics including police corruption won the best picture at the Asian Film Awards, while Japan's Takeshi Kitano scooped the best director gong.
US promises S. Korea all military resources
Mar 18, 2013 14:19 EDT
US Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter on Monday promised to provide South Korea with every military resource under the US nuclear umbrella at a time of heightened tensions with North Korea.
Asian markets tumble on Cyprus bailout concerns
Mar 18, 2013 07:34 EDT
Asian markets tumbled on Monday and the euro sank as eurozone fears returned on news that Cyprus was planning to tax bank depositors as part of a controversial bailout.
Philippines bets on joining gaming elite with mega casino
Mar 16, 2013 08:04 EDT
President Benigno Aquino opened a giant $1.2 billion casino on Saturday to kick off the Philippines' high-stakes bid to join the likes of Macau and Las Vegas in an elite group of gaming destinations.
Leader of Malaysia incursion has fled, reports claim
Mar 16, 2013 01:45 EDT
The leader of a band of Filipino militants whose incursion in Malaysia has left scores dead has reportedly fled even as his own family insist he is still in the country.
Macau group signs $600 mn Philippine casino deal
Mar 15, 2013 13:25 EDT
Macau mogul Lawrence Ho's gaming firm signed an agreement Friday to invest $600 million in a giant casino project in Manila, boosting the Philippines' bid to join the world's gambling big leagues.
Asian markets mixed, yen flat after BoJ vote
Mar 15, 2013 07:08 EDT
Asian markets were mixed on Friday following another strong lead from Wall Street, where traders took heart from more upbeat US jobs numbers.
Japan parliament approves Kuroda as BoJ chief
Mar 14, 2013 22:36 EDT
Japan's parliament on Friday approved a new central bank management team that is widely expected to support the government's demands for more action to stoke the world's third-biggest economy.
Japan's parliament approves Kuroda as BoJ chief
Mar 14, 2013 21:36 EDT
Japan's parliament on Friday confirmed the appointment of Haruhiko Kuroda as Bank of Japan governor, with the new central bank chief expected to launch aggressive easing to stoke the economy.
S.Korea, China fault Japan on 'comfort women' at UN
Mar 14, 2013 14:30 EDT
South Korea and China on Thursday told the UN's top human rights forum that Japan must face up to its World War II-era sexual enslavement of women from across occupied Asia, but Tokyo insisted it had already taken responsibility.
Asian markets mostly rise as yen weakens
Mar 14, 2013 09:06 EDT
Asian markets mostly rose on Thursday, while the dollar climbed against the yen after Japan's parliament agreed the government's nominees to lead the Bank of Japan.
