Asia News

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States condemned Friday's deadly attack on a mosque in Pakistan, saying it highlights the need for Washington to support Islamabad in fighting a "common" enemy. Full Story »

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan - Militants stormed a mosque near Pakistan's army headquarters, killing at least 36 worshippers, including six military officers, during Friday prayers as they sprayed gunfire and threw grenades before blowing themselves up, officials said. Full Story »

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AFP) - Australia will play three-time champions Germany while North Korea face favourites Brazil at the World Cup in South Africa as Asian nations were dealt a tough hand on Friday. Full Story »

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama's envoy for North Korea makes a rare visit to the reclusive communist state on Tuesday pursuing a mission analysts say has little chance of breaking the stalemate over Pyongyang's nuclear arms program. Full Story »

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan opposes expanded U.S. drone attacks against militants on its tribal areas, as well as any strikes on Baluchistan, where Washington believes Afghan Taliban leaders are hiding, the foreign ministry said on Friday. Full Story »

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The US administration Friday praised a "hefty" contribution from its NATO allies and other partners as they stumped up at least 7,000 more troops to join forces fighting the war in Afghanistan. Full Story »

BRUSSELS (AFP) - The United States on Friday welcomed new troop commitments from its allies to fight the Taliban and Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan, warning that the battle was a crucial test for NATO. Full Story »

KABUL - U.S. Marines swooped down behind Taliban lines in helicopters and Osprey aircraft Friday in the first offensive since President Barack Obama announced an American troop surge. Full Story »

GENEVA (AFP) - The UN refugee agency said on Friday that it was encouraged by "increased freedom of movement" for war-displaced civilians in Sri Lanka who have been in internment camps in the north of the island. Full Story »

ANKARA (AFP) - The Turkish prison conditions of Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan meet international standards, the head of a parliamentary commission insisted Friday, after complaints from the jailed leader. Full Story »

JAKARTA, Indonesia - A least 20 people died and two were injured when fire engulfed a third-floor karaoke bar in one of Indonesia's largest cities on Friday, police said, adding that the death toll could rise. Full Story »

BEIJING - An underground network of Christian missionaries that usually works with North Korean refugees says it has helped smuggle nearly two dozen Muslim Uighurs out of China following last summer's deadly ethnic violence and the subsequent government crackdown. Full Story »

SYANGBOCHE, Nepal - Nepal's top politicians strapped on oxygen tanks Friday and held a Cabinet meeting amid Mount Everest's frigid, thin air to highlight the danger global warming poses to glaciers, ahead of next week's international climate change talks. Full Story »

DHAKA, Bangladesh - An overcrowded passenger boat capsized in northern Bangladesh on Friday after being hit by a small ferry, leaving at least 46 people dead, police said. Full Story »

BEIJING - China sentenced three more people to death Friday for murder and other crimes committed in riots in the western region of Xinjiang in July. Full Story »

A look at major attacks in Pakistan since the start of October: Full Story »

GENERAL SANTOS, Philippines - Security forces raided four compounds on Friday belonging to a powerful clan suspected in the massacre of 57 people in the Philippines' worst political violence, as eight journalists among the victims were buried in a common grave. Full Story »

HONG KONG - The global economic crisis may be driving more people into forced labor and other forms of modern-day slavery, a senior U.S. official said Friday. Full Story »