East Asia
Sudan orders South Sudan oil to flow again
Mar 21, 2013 10:11 EDT
Sudan on Thursday authorised companies to transport oil from South Sudan, in line with a timetable that will release billions of dollars in crucial revenues stalled over security concerns.
Sea Shepherd sues Japan whaler in Netherlands for 'piracy'
Mar 21, 2013 10:03 EDT
Environmental group Sea Shepherd has filed a suit against the crew of Japanese whaling ship Nisshin Maru alleging piracy and attempted manslaughter after they clashed in the Antarctic Ocean in February, their lawyers said on Thursday.
Secret report warns of skewed US intelligence priorities
Mar 21, 2013 09:31 EDT
White House advisors have warned that US spy agencies are too focused on anti-terror operations and pay inadequate attention to China, the Middle East and other flashpoints, a news report said Thursday.
New BoJ chief pledges 'all-out efforts' on deflation
Mar 21, 2013 09:18 EDT
The Bank of Japan's new governor Haruhiko Kuroda on Thursday pledged "all-out efforts" to rid Japan of growth-sapping deflation as gloomy new trade data underlined the scale of the task ahead.
Oil prices fall on profit-taking
Mar 21, 2013 08:46 EDT
Global crude oil prices turned lower on Thursday as traders banked profits despite strong Chinese manufacturing data.
Japan finds rich rare earth deposits on seabed
Mar 21, 2013 07:46 EDT
Japanese researchers said Thursday they have found a rich deposit of rare earths on the Pacific seabed, with reports suggesting it could be up to 30 times more concentrated than Chinese reserves.
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.
PetroChina 2012 net profit falls 13%
Mar 21, 2013 06:52 EDT
PetroChina on Thursday reported that 2012 net profit fell 13.3 percent, despite increased production, as the oil giant was hit by a slowdown in the growth rate of the Chinese economy.
China Unicom 2012 net profit jumps 68%
Mar 21, 2013 06:38 EDT
China Unicom on Thursday reported that net profit for 2012 soared 68 percent, driven by a strong increase in revenues from the company's third generation mobile services.
N. Korea threatens US bases in Japan
Mar 21, 2013 06:26 EDT
North Korea on Thursday threatened strikes on US military bases in Japan and Guam, escalating tensions as suspicion deepened that Pyongyang was behind a cyber attack on South Korean broadcasters and banks.
Hermes posts record profit in 2012
Mar 21, 2013 06:23 EDT
Luxury fashion group Hermes, known for silk scarves and handbags, reported on Thursday a record profit for 2012, confirming a stellar performance for France's luxury industry as a whole last year.
S. Korea tracks cyber attack to China, North still suspect
Mar 21, 2013 06:19 EDT
South Korea said Thursday it had sourced a damaging cyber attack on its broadcasters and banks to an IP address in China, fuelling suspicions that North Korea may have been responsible.
Dozens killed as tornado churns through southern China
Mar 21, 2013 06:19 EDT
At least 24 people died and scores were injured after a tornado carrying huge hailstones lashed southern China, causing widespread devastation and a ferry to capsize, domestic media reported Thursday.
Taiwan activist renews same-sex marriage bid
Mar 21, 2013 06:05 EDT
A leading Taiwanese gay rights activist was turned away by a government agency Thursday as he and his partner tried to register as married, following a failed attempt by another same-sex couple.
China coastal waters increasingly polluted
Mar 21, 2013 04:36 EDT
China's coastal waters are suffering "acute" pollution, with the size of the worst affected areas soaring by more than 50 percent last year, an official body said.
Rat linked to outage at Fukushima atomic plant
Mar 21, 2013 03:52 EDT
A rat may have caused a power cut that knocked out cooling systems at Japan's tsunami-wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant, the operator said Thursday, an episode that highlighted the jerry-rigged nature of the fix.
Wrestlers grapple with 2020 lockout
Mar 21, 2013 03:38 EDT
While his sweat-drenched charges lock limbs in the open-air ring, kitted out in nothing more than a loin cloth, Raj Singh shudders as he contemplates how their Olympic dream could be shattered.
Legend Gregan expects Olympics sevens upset
Mar 21, 2013 03:12 EDT
Wallabies legend George Gregan has tipped an unlikely rugby nation, possibly China, to cause an upset at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro when the sevens format debuts at the Games.
Praise for US officials' modest lunch bill in China
Mar 21, 2013 01:58 EDT
Chinese netizens praised the US Treasury chief for eating a cheap dumpling lunch after meeting new President Xi Jinping, comparing his modest bill to the lavish spending habits of domestic officials.
Japan business chiefs head to China amid island row
Mar 21, 2013 01:45 EDT
A high-powered Japanese business delegation headed to Beijing on Thursday, hoping to meet new political leaders and soothe ties ruffled by a territorial spat.
