Asia News Headlines - Yahoo! News

Building materials blamed in Bangladesh disaster

Thu, 23 May 2013 00:10:08 -0400

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — A government investigation found poor quality construction materials and building code violations were among the "series of irregularities" that caused the collapse of a building housing garment factories last month in Bangladesh, the committee head said Thursday.

Japanese climber, 80, becomes oldest atop Everest

Thu, 23 May 2013 00:02:41 -0400

KATMANDU, Nepal (AP) — An 80-year-old Japanese mountaineer on Thursday became the oldest man to reach the top of Mount Everest, a Nepali official and Miura's Tokyo-based support team said.

Lawyer: Malaysian accused of rape married the girl

Wed, 22 May 2013 23:59:33 -0400

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Prosecutors are pursuing rape charges against a 40-year-old Malaysian who allegedly had sex with a 13-year-old girl and then married her.

Asia stocks down as China factory output slips

Wed, 22 May 2013 23:04:39 -0400

BANGKOK (AP) — Asian stock markets fell Thursday, weighed down by a contraction in China's manufacturing that adds to signs a shaky recovery in the world's No. 2 economy is slowing.

Afghan students protest women's rights decree

Wed, 22 May 2013 20:35:27 -0400

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Hard-line Islamist students protested in the Afghan capital demanding the repeal of a presidential decree for women's rights that they say is un-Islamic. It was the latest sign of a backlash against the legal protections passed in the 12 years since the toppling of the Taliban regime known for its harsh treatment of women.

Octogenarians race to be oldest Everest climber

Wed, 22 May 2013 22:44:24 -0400

KATMANDU, Nepal (AP) — An 80-year-old Japanese extreme skier who climbed Mount Everest five years ago, but just missed becoming the oldest man to reach the summit, is back on the mountain to make another attempt at the title.

Am. Samoa to keep flier miles of govt travelers

Wed, 22 May 2013 21:40:21 -0400

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (AP) — American Samoa plans to take away frequent flier miles from government workers who travel on behalf of the U.S. territory and use the loyalty points to help medical patients and students travel off the islands when necessary.

Am. Samoa to keep flier miles for govt travelers

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:55:57 -0400

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (AP) — American Samoa plans to take away frequent flier miles from government workers who travel on behalf of the U.S. territory.

Weak yen a help for Japan, but headache elsewhere

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:00:16 -0400

TOKYO (AP) — A steady fall in the value of the yen is proving a godsend for exporters such as Toyota. The cheaper yen is making their products more affordable overseas.

Stocks surge as Bernanke retains dovish tone

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:28:51 -0400

LONDON (AP) — Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's signal that monetary policy will remain loose gave stocks another lift Wednesday, paving the way for many indexes to advance to new record highs.

North Korean leader sends special envoy to China

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:23:37 -0400

PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) — After months of ignoring Chinese warnings to give up nuclear weapons, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sent a high-level confidant to Beijing on Wednesday, in a possible effort to mend strained ties with his country's most important ally and a sign that he may be giving diplomacy a chance.

Chinese premier visits Pakistan, praises ties

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:11:20 -0400

ISLAMABAD (AP) — China's premier signed economic agreements and praised Pakistan in glowing terms as he began a two-day visit Wednesday, underscoring the importance of the longstanding alliance to the two Asian powers.

Afghanistan: Suicide bomb kills anti-Taliban elder

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:08:27 -0400

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — A suicide bomber on foot killed an anti-Taliban village elder and at least three other people in a busy marketplace Wednesday in central Afghanistan, the latest in a wave of assassinations and bombings.

Stocks surge as Bernanke retains dovish ton

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:58:03 -0400

Pakistani cricket star politician leaves hospital

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:40:46 -0400

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistani cricket star-turned-politician Imran Khan left a hospital Wednesday, more than two weeks after he suffered serious back injuries in a fall from a forklift at a campaign event, a spokesman said.

Oil stays near $96 before crude stocks report, Fed

Wed, 22 May 2013 08:15:29 -0400

The price of oil was little changed above $96 a barrel Wednesday as investors waited confirmation of a rise in U.S. crude stocks and the Federal Reserve's latest views on the U.S. economy.

Japan approves joining int'l child abduction pact

Wed, 22 May 2013 07:36:39 -0400

TOKYO (AP) — Japan's parliament on Wednesday approved joining an international child custody treaty amid foreign pressure for Tokyo to address concerns that Japanese mothers can take children away from foreign fathers without recourse.

Investors edgy ahead of Bernanke testimony

Wed, 22 May 2013 06:54:13 -0400

LONDON (AP) — Investors were edgy Wednesday ahead of the appearance of U.S. Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke before lawmakers in Congress.

Oil below $96 before crude stocks report, Fed

Wed, 22 May 2013 05:43:02 -0400

BANGKOK (AP) — The price of oil fell Wednesday as investors waited for a report on U.S. crude stocks and the Federal Reserve's latest views on the U.S. economy.

World stocks mixed ahead of Fed chief testimony

Wed, 22 May 2013 05:34:25 -0400

BANGKOK (AP) — World stock markets were mixed Wednesday, hours before Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke is to deliver remarks before Congress on the state of the U.S. economy.

Fishermen pay price in Asia's volatile sea rifts

Wed, 22 May 2013 05:32:22 -0400

MASINLOC, Philippines (AP) — Along the northwestern Philippine coast, poor children with claw hammers clamber aboard an abandoned fishing vessel to pry loose and steal rusty nails from its deck. It's become a familiar sight in villages where some fishermen have been forced to give up their livelihoods since China took control of their fishing haven last year.

Oil falls below $96 before Fed chief speaks

Wed, 22 May 2013 02:05:40 -0400

BANGKOK (AP) — The price of oil fell Wednesday as investors waited for a report on U.S. crude stocks and the Federal Reserve's latest views on the U.S. economy.

Chinese premier begins 2-day visit to Pakistan

Wed, 22 May 2013 04:14:06 -0400

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan says it shares "identical views" on foreign policy with China, whose premier is beginning a two-day visit to Islamabad in the latest sign of the tight relationship between the two Asian powers.

Japan's central bank says economy picking up

Wed, 22 May 2013 02:09:39 -0400

TOKYO (AP) — Japan's central bank says the world's third-biggest economy is "picking up" as demand recovers in other countries and remains resilient at home, though the trade deficit widened in April, for the tenth straight month.

Asia stocks rise as Fed official backs easy policy

Wed, 22 May 2013 01:59:57 -0400

BANGKOK (AP) — Asian stock markets were mostly higher Wednesday after investor confidence was boosted by a Federal Reserve official's comments that the U.S. central bank should stick with its super-easy monetary policy.