Asia News & Opinion
More controversy for Japan party over sex comments
By AP News Sat, May 18, 2013 6:27PM UTCTOKYO (AP) — An emerging Japanese nationalist political party whose co-leader outraged many with remarks about Japan’s wartime and modern sexual services became embroiled in more controversy Friday when a party lawmaker accused ethnic Koreans of involvement in prostitution. The Japan Restoration Party urged the lawmaker, Shingo Nishimura, to retract his comments suggesting many ethnic...
Leading English language programs for Asian students
By Asian Correspondent Thu, May 16, 2013 10:03PM UTCThere is no questioning the English language’s role as an international communications tool. Being proficient can revolutionize a person’s professional status. For example, research commissioned by the British Council found that people in the Middle East and North Africa who speak English can earn up to three times more than their non-English-speaking colleagues. Furthermore, some...
Cyclone Mahasen fizzles as it hits Bangladesh
By AP News Thu, May 16, 2013 8:02PM UTCCOX’S BAZAR, Bangladesh (AP) — Cyclone Mahasan weakened Thursday afternoon into a tropical storm, causing far less damage than had been feared as it passed over coastal Bangladesh and spared Burma almost entirely. At least 18 deaths related to Mahasen were reported in Bangladesh, Burma and Sri Lanka, but officials had prepared for a far...
Australian politician knocked down by kangaroo
By AP News Thu, May 16, 2013 7:54PM UTCCANBERRA, Australia (AP) — An Australian politician taking his morning jog through the national capital came out second best Thursday after crossing a kangaroo. Shane Rattenbury, a minister in the Australian Capital Territory government, which administers the city of Canberra, said he was running on a sidewalk in inner-suburban Ainslie and was only seconds away...
2 Malaysians get 24 years for Cambodian maid death
By AP News Thu, May 16, 2013 7:29PM UTCKUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — A court has sentenced a Malaysian couple to 24 years in prison for fatally starving their Cambodian housemaid. Police found the body of Mey Sichan at the couple’s home in Malaysia’s northern Penang state in April last year. Medical reports said she weighed only 26 kilograms (57 pounds). The Penang...
Japan mayor in sex slave furor admits he ‘lacked sensitivity’
By AP News Thu, May 16, 2013 4:40PM UTCTOKYO (AP) — An outspoken Japanese mayor who outraged many with remarks about Japan’s wartime and modern sexual services has stood by his comments, but says he may have lacked “international sensitivity.” Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto said Thursday that his lack of sensitivity to America’s perception of prostitution might have caused outrage to his suggestion...
Indonesia extends forest-clearing ban for 2 years
By AP News Thu, May 16, 2013 3:19PM UTCJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia has extended a landmark ban on clearing primary rainforests and peatlands for another two years, a move greeted by environmentalists with praise and skepticism. Presidential environment adviser Pungki Agus Purnomo said Thursday that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono signed the decree to continue the 2011 moratorium, which barred new logging and...
Leading English language programs for Asian students
By Asian Correspondent Thu, May 16, 2013 10:03PM UTC View CommentsThere is no questioning the English language’s role as an international communications tool. Being proficient can revolutionize a person’s professional status. For example, research commissioned by the British Council found that people in the Middle East and North Africa who speak English can earn up to three times more than their non-English-speaking colleagues. Furthermore, some...
Stranded in Dubai: Tamil refugees live in ‘constant fear’ of deportation
By Frances Harrison Thu, May 16, 2013 7:18PM UTC View CommentsAfter surviving the brutality of the Sri Lankan civil war and its aftermath, 15 refugees face an uncertain future SO desperate for clothing, they fashioned dresses from bed sheets, pulling out individual threads to use as cotton and improvising a needle from pins nailed to wooden crates. Men, women and children live in the searing...
Indonesia extends forest-clearing ban for 2 years
By AP News Thu, May 16, 2013 3:19PM UTC View CommentsJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia has extended a landmark ban on clearing primary rainforests and peatlands for another two years, a move greeted by environmentalists with praise and skepticism. Presidential environment adviser Pungki Agus Purnomo said Thursday that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono signed the decree to continue the 2011 moratorium, which barred new logging and...
Opinion: Can Aung San Suu Kyi deal with constitutional change?
By Zin Linn Thu, May 16, 2013 3:02PM UTC View CommentsIt is too early to start campaigning for Burma’s next general elections in 2015, but major parties like the Union Solidarity Development Party (USDP) and National League for Democracy (NLD) are already making preparations. Ahead of the next polls one of the major issues is the question of constitutional review. Leaders from various ethnic parties...
Triumph for Aquino in the Philippines
By Asia Sentinel Thu, May 16, 2013 10:59AM UTC View CommentsDespite votes to be counted, the President wins his mandate, reports Asia Sentinel The voters Monday delivered Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III a resounding mandate along with nine of the 12 Senate seats his slate of candidates were contesting. In the process, voters ignored a last-ditch campaign by the Catholic Church to defeat candidates...
Yingluck: Elements of anti-democratic regime still exist in Thailand
By Bangkok Pundit Thu, May 16, 2013 10:00AM UTC View CommentsBefore looking at reaction to the speech that has caused so much drama and debate in Thailand, it is really necessary to look at what Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra actually said. On April 29, Yingluck attended the 7th Ministerial Conference of the Community of Democracies* and below is the text of her speech: I wish to begin...
Correspondents
Thailand: Yingluck’s Mongolia speech fallout intensifies
Fri, May 17, 2013
Opinion: Can Aung San Suu Kyi deal with constitutional change?
Thu, May 16, 2013Yingluck: Elements of anti-democratic regime still exist in Thailand
Thu, May 16, 2013
What does ‘the mean’ mean?
Tue, May 14, 2013
Bangkok Pundit
Graham Land
Global warming: Mt Everest’s ice is disappearing
Sat, May 18, 2013
Latest News
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More controversy for Japan party over sex comments
Sat, May 18, 2013 6:27PM UTC -
Burma leader frees prisoners ahead of US visit
Sat, May 18, 2013 6:18PM UTC -
Cyclone Mahasen fizzles as it hits Bangladesh
Thu, May 16, 2013 8:02PM UTC -
Australian politician knocked down by kangaroo
Thu, May 16, 2013 7:54PM UTC -
2 Malaysians get 24 years for Cambodian maid death
Thu, May 16, 2013 7:29PM UTC -
Japan mayor in sex slave furor admits he ‘lacked sensitivity’
Thu, May 16, 2013 4:40PM UTC -
Indonesia extends forest-clearing ban for 2 years
Thu, May 16, 2013 3:19PM UTC
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