Asia News

Thai detention of Iranian bomb suspect extended

By AP News Wed, Feb 22, 2012 7:35PM UTC

Iranian bomb suspect Mohammad Kharzei, center, is escorted by Thai police officers. Pic: AP.

BANGKOK (AP) — A Thai court on Wednesday allowed police to continue to detain one of five Iranian suspects in an alleged terror plot that was exposed by an accidental blast in a residential Bangkok neighborhood. Police Maj. Gen. Piya Uthayo said Mohammad Kharzei, 42, will be held at a Bangkok prison for at least...

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Nepal man, 72, hoping to be named world’s shortest

By AP News Wed, Feb 22, 2012 6:48PM UTC

A relative carries Nepalese Chandra Bahadur Dangi, 72, who claims to be only 22 inches (56 centimeters) tall, in Nepalgunj, Nepal, Tuesday. Pic: AP.

KATMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Guinness World Records officials will arrive in Nepal this weekend to measure a 72-year-old man who says he’s only 22 inches (56 centimeters) tall and hopes to be declared the world’s shortest man. Chandra Bahadur Dangi is hoping to snatch the title of world’s shortest man from Junrey Balawing of the...

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Australia’s Foreign Minister Rudd resigns amid leadership row

By AP News Wed, Feb 22, 2012 3:16PM UTC

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australia’s foreign minister resigned Wednesday in a bitter rift with Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who may poll her party’s lawmakers next week on who should lead the country. Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd announced his resignation during a news conference in Washington, where he was visiting on official business, and he said...

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Big questions still unanswered in wake of Bangkok bombings

By AP News Wed, Feb 22, 2012 1:42PM UTC

Suspected Iranian Bangkok bomber Mohammad Kharzei in custody in Thailand. Pic: AP.

BANGKOK (AP) — It began when three men blew up their house accidentally on Valentine’s Day in Bangkok. It ended with a gory scene that looked more like Baghdad: a bloodied, would-be bomber with severed legs moaning on a glass-strewn sidewalk after another botched blast. Last week’s explosions in the Thai capital announced the apparent...

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On the 20th amendment, and Imran Khan’s bizarre opposition to it

By Ahsan Butt Wed, Feb 22, 2012 12:07PM UTC

Last week, the government and opposition in Pakistan came together to carry out a very impressive achievement. Both houses of parliament, after some back and forth, passed the 20th amendment. Amongst other things, the 20th amendment provides for a fully independent election commission and an institutionalized, orderly transition by setting out the contours of the...

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