East Asia news
Passport boost for activist Chen
Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng says he and his family have completed passport applications and officials say they should be ready in 15 days.
North Koreans 'hold Chinese crew'
Unidentified North Koreans holding 29 Chinese fishermen and three boats seized in the Yellow Sea demand payment for their release, Chinese media reports.
Afghan suicide raid kills police
At least six policemen and a civilian have been killed and 13 wounded in a suicide attack on a governor's compound in western Afghanistan, police say.
Fonseka 'to be freed imminently'
Jailed Sri Lankan presidential candidate and former army commander Sarath Fonseka may be freed this weekend, his wife tells the BBC.
N Korea 'resumes work' on reactor
North Korea resumes work on a light water reactor that could be used to support its nuclear programme after months of inactivity, a US institute says.
Malaysia sentences five to death
A Malaysian high court sentences to death five men, including three Mexican brothers, for drug trafficking, reports say.
Bollywood actor defends 'scuffle'
Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan may be banned from entering Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium after reports that he was involved in a brawl with the staff.
Australia in cheap cigarette row
The Australian government accuses tobacco firms of directly targeting vulnerable teenagers with a new budget brand of cigarettes.
Magazine sued over 'coup story'
India's Open magazine, being sued for $90m by the Indian Express newspaper, says it stands by its criticism of a recent story in the newspaper.
Four dead in Pakistan air crash
Two Pakistan Air Force light aircraft collide on a training mission north-west of Islamabad, killing two trainee pilots and two instructors.
Chinese gold demand hits record
Chinese demand for gold hit a record in the first quarter of 2012 and it remains the world's biggest market for gold, the World Gold Council says.
China veterans urge Zhou sacking
Communist Party veterans write to China's president to urge him to sack security chief Zhou Yongkang for supporting disgraced politician Bo Xilai.
VIDEO: Five hundred schools closed in Afghanistan
A recent wave of attacks at schools in Afghanistan is forcing the Ministry of Education to close down schools across 11 provinces.
AUDIO: Activist Chen's passport 'completed'
Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng says he could be 15 days from having his own passport.
VIDEO: Gaga refused permit for Jakarta gig
Indonesian police have refused to issue a permit for a Lady Gaga concert scheduled to take place in Jakarta next month.
VIDEO: India attempts to prop up rupee
The Indian central bank has been intervening in currency markets to buy the rupee, after it sank to a five month low against the US dollar.
VIDEO: Indian prisoners do Shakespeare
Felicity Kendal visits Indian prisoners who perform Shakespeare, and discovers the impact the playwright has had on Indian culture.
VIDEO: China's 'instant' building
Company in China specialises in building modular high buildings in short time frames.
VIDEO: Facebook 'unlikely to crack China'
China's largest internet portal Sina Corp has posted a loss for the first three months of 2012.
AUDIO: Dalai Lama still hopeful about Tibet's future
Tibet's exiled Buddhist leader tells Today presenter Sarah Montague that he is confident he will return to the country.
Limbless man hits swim landmark
Philippe Croizon, a limbless Frenchman, completes the first part of his challenge to swim between five continents.
Escapee penguin 'found' in Tokyo
A young penguin which escaped from Tokyo's Sea Life Park has reportedly been spotted swimming in waters around the Japanese capital.
Dragons sign Kiwi back rower Taia
Catalan Dragons complete the signing of Newcastle Knights back rower Zeb Taia on a three-year contract.
China media: Maritime disputes
Morning newspaper round-up: Maritime disputes continue to dominate the papers, with Japan and the Philippines in the spotlight.
China anger at Dalai Lama meeting
David Cameron's meeting with the Dalai Lama sparks fury in Beijing, which accuses the UK prime minister of interfering in Chinese internal affairs.
China, Japan discuss islands row
Officials from China and Japan hold talks on maritime issues, with a group of disputed East China Sea islands top of the agenda.
Air India 'staff stole alcohol'
Some staff of India's national airline Air India have been found stealing alcohol and caviar from the flights, aviation minister tells the parliament.
US sanctions Dawood India aides
The US places sanctions on Chhota Shakeel and Ibrahim 'Tiger' Memon - top Indian aides of former Mumbai underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.
Pakistani doctor home from India
Pakistani doctor Khalil Chishti, who spent 20 years in detention in India, returns to a hero's welcome in Pakistan.
Girl killed in Cambodia protest
Security forces in Cambodia shoot dead a 15-year-old girl who was taking part in a protest against the development of a rubber plantation on farmland.
Russia jet black box part found
An Indonesian team finds the cockpit voice recorder of a Russian Sukhoi Superjet plane that crashed last week and searches for the flight data recorder.
'Terror' croc shot in Australia
Rangers in Australia's Northern Territory on Tuesday shoot dead a saltwater crocodile that had developed a taste for dogs and other oddities, local media report.
Bangladeshi arrests spark anger
Demonstrators and police clash in the Bangladesh capital after 33 senior opposition figures are arrested over anti-government protests last month.
Former S Lanka rebels 'disappear'
Three Sri Lankan Tamil Tiger rebels who took part in a rehabilitation ceremony may have been taken away by the authorities, a rights campaigner says.
Australia in $300m Afghan pledge
Australia says it will contribute $100m annually for three years from 2015 toward the $4bn a year cost of running Afghanistan's security forces.
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Rebuilding spurs Japan economy
Japan's economy grows by 1.0% between January and March
Toshiba halts Japan TV production
Toshiba halts production of LCD televisions in Japan
How to grow a four-metre moustache
Grooming tips from a world record holder
Martial arts the Welsh way
The Welsh director behind Indonesian martial arts hit
'Growing menace' of Australian bike gang violence
Bike gang shootings rock Australian city
China's ageing economic time bomb
How an ageing population threatens China's economy
Stateless Burmese Rohingyas lament India 'hardships'
Burmese Rohingyas desperate for refugee status in India
Dual identities of a princeling
The dual identities of Bo Xilai's brother
Mongolia's fight for new heroes
How Olympic success sparked a sporting revolution
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