Asianews.it
Ultime notizie dall'Asia



NEPAL - More than 16,000 former Maoist fighters going home (Feb 6)
The closure of former rebel camps is an historic moment for analysts and political leaders. The decision comes after 4,000 fighters had started a protest for losing their allowance. About 9,000 fighters will join the ranks of the armed forces; 7,000 will go back to civilian life and will no longer be members of the Maoist party.


INDIA - TV series about Indian Christians to be aired in Karnataka (Feb 6)
Titled ‘Rabbi’, the series is in Kannada, Karnataka’s official language. The show’s producer wants to “promote communal harmony” by showing the daily “challenges Christian families face”.


IRAN - Tehran says it will attack anyone helping its enemies The deputy chief of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards issues the threat as its forces conduct military manoeuvres in an apparent warning to Arabic Peninsula nations. Obama says he believes Israel has not yet decided to bomb Iranian nuclear installations.


PHILIPPINES - Quake hits the Philippines, at least 13 dead, dozens missing (Feb 6)
A 6.8 quake strikes in Negros Oriental province at a depth of 20 kilometres. A local tsunami warning is issued with the possibility of one-metre waves. Villages are isolated and houses are buried by landslides. College and elementary school students are among the victims.


AFGHANISTAN - Increasing civilian casualties in Afghanistan, more than three thousand in 2011 (Feb 6)
According to UN Mission in Afghanistan report, about 77% of the victims due to continue suicide attacks and the violence of groups linked to the Taliban. Since 2007 civilian deaths amounted to 11,800. AsiaNews sources underline the extreme climate of insecurity experienced by the population and the futility of 10 years of war.


SRI LANKA - Jaffna: IDPs since 1990, the government forgets thousands of people (Feb 6)
100 families living in the Udduppidi refugee camp, 52 in that of Sinnaweli. For a year the government considers these people "resettled" and does not send more flour, rice, lentils, coconut oil and sugar. Displaced people: "Without dignity, we want to be citizens of our country."


CHINA - EUROPEAN UNION - Beijing and Brussels at war "over planes" China does not intend to submit to air carbon tax scheme, which provides for a limitation of carbon dioxide in the mainland airports, and calls for Europe to act "wisely" in view of the next bilateral summit focused on the crisis.


THAILAND - Bangkok: flood prevention to prevent business and capital flight (Feb 6)
Thailand is a strategic economic hub in Southeast Asia, but last year’s floods could have chased away foreign investors. Intervention plans will now focus on rebuilding trust and promoting sustainable development. Water resources must be managed better than 40 years ago.


CHINA - Beijing cares little about its “citizens”, a “domestic market” is needed to save China (Feb 6)
Asia’s juggernaut is the world’s second biggest economy but only 8 per cent of its GDP is for local needs and consumption. The rest goes into useless speculation that is harmful to the national economy. Change is needed before it is too late. The great dissident provides his analysis.


PALESTINE - Fatah and Hamas reach agreement, Abbas to lead "technical government" to elections (Feb 6)
The official announcement should come today. The elections, due to take place in May, should put an end to a division that has lasted since 2006 and sees Hamas govern Gaza and Fatah the West Bank.