Asia Pacific | World news

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general may have 'died in Israeli jail'</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/transport/road-campaign-in-capital-leads-to-33-fall-in-deaths">Road campaign in capital leads to 33% fall in deaths</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/middle-east/yemen-mps-back-end-to-presidential-term-limit">Yemen MPs back end to presidential term limit</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/transport/cameras-ready-for-motorists-who-ignore-new-speed-limits">Cameras ready for motorists who ignore new speed limits</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/thousands-watch-jet-ski-stunts">Thousands watch jet-ski stunts</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/beach-sports-park-in-league-of-its-own">Beach sports park in league of its own</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/health/nappy-new-year-for-parents-of-1-1-11-babies">Nappy new year for parents of 1-1-11 babies</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/asia-pacific/violators-of-chinas-one-child-policy-tortured">Violators of China's one-child policy 'tortured'</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/company-rewards-500-labourers-with-new-years-feast">Company rewards 500 labourers with New Year's feast</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/transport/dubai-revellers-stranded-downtown">Dubai revellers stranded downtown</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </li> <li class="popular"> <h3>Popular Stories</h3> <div class="content"> <div class="article-teaser article-teaser-with-image"> <div class="image"> <a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/tourism/the-world-welcomes-the-new-year"><img height="221" width="340" src="/web/20110102023446im_/http://www.thenational.ae/deployedfiles/Assets/Richmedia/Image/burj2.jpg"/></a> </div> <h4 class="headline"><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/tourism/the-world-welcomes-the-new-year">The world welcomes the New Year</a></h4> </div> <div class="headlines-list"> <ul> <li><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/israel-stop-photos-of-hamas-suspects">Israel: Stop photos of Hamas suspects</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </div> </li> <li id="Business"> <a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/business" class="channel-2"><span>Business</span></a> <div class="flyout channel-2" style="display: none;"> <ul> <li class="sections"><h3>Sections</h3><div class="content"><ul><li><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/business/industry-insights">Industry Insights</a></li><li><a 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href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/business/markets/markets-outlook-bright-for-the-year">Markets outlook bright for the year</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/business/markets/eyes-on-saudi-arabia-as-reports-loom">Eyes on Saudi Arabia as reports loom</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/business/technology/blog-site-with-new-slant-on-news">Blog site with new slant on news</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/business/media/advertising-revenue-set-for-year-of-growth-in-mena">Advertising revenue set for year of growth in MENA</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/business/aviation/russian-plane-explodes-after-engine-fire">Russian plane explodes after engine fire</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/business/banking/creditors-turn-555m-dubai-holding-debt-into-new-loan">Creditors turn $555m Dubai Holding debt into new loan</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </li> <li class="popular"> <h3>Popular Stories</h3> <div class="content"> <div class="article-teaser article-teaser-with-image"> <div class="image"> <a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/business/banking/creditors-turn-555m-dubai-holding-debt-into-new-loan"><img height="221" width="340" src="/web/20110102023446im_/http://www.thenational.ae/deployedfiles/Assets/Richmedia/Image/SaxoPress/AD2011010197205-The lobby of th.jpg"/></a> </div> <h4 class="headline"><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/business/banking/creditors-turn-555m-dubai-holding-debt-into-new-loan">Creditors turn $555m Dubai Holding debt into new loan</a></h4> </div> <div class="headlines-list"> <ul> <li><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/business/aviation/russian-plane-explodes-after-engine-fire">Russian plane explodes after engine fire</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </div> </li> <li id="Sport"> <a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/sport" class="channel-3"><span>Sport</span></a> <div class="flyout channel-3" style="display: none;"> <ul> <li class="sections"><h3>Sections</h3><div class="content"><ul><li><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/sport/boxing">Boxing</a></li><li><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/sport/cricket">Cricket</a></li><li><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/sport/football">Football</a></li><li><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/sport/golf">Golf</a></li><li><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/sport/horse-racing">Horse racing</a></li><li><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/sport/motorsport">Motorsport</a></li><li><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/sport/north-american-sport">North American sport</a></li><li><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/sport/rugby">Rugby</a></li><li><a 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href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/fashion/new-years-hollow-promises">New year's hollow promises</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </li> <li class="popular"> <h3>Popular Stories</h3> <div class="content"> <div class="article-teaser article-teaser-with-image"> <div class="image"> <a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/at-home/family/al-ain-welcomes-its-first-baby-of-2011"><img height="221" width="340" src="/web/20110102023446im_/http://www.thenational.ae/deployedfiles/Assets/Richmedia/Image/NYBABYWEB.jpg"/></a> </div> <h4 class="headline"><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/at-home/family/al-ain-welcomes-its-first-baby-of-2011">Al Ain welcomes its first baby of 2011</a></h4> </div> <div class="headlines-list"> <ul> <li><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/featured-content/channel-page/lifestyle/middle-article/hooked-on-america">Hooked on America</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </div> 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href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/speculation-in-overdrive-for-julian-assange-memoir">Speculation in overdrive for Julian Assange memoir</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/art/eu-taxman-sets-up-as-judge-of-what-constitutes-art">EU taxman sets up as judge of what constitutes art</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/art/treasures-of-the-emirates-photography-competition">Treasures of the Emirates Photography Competition</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/on-stage/four-broadway-shows-this-season-share-a-common-theme">Four Broadway shows this season share a common theme</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/film/harrison-ford-the-gentle-giant">Harrison Ford: The Gentle Giant</a></li> <li><a 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href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/culture-comment/reasons-to-be-cheerful-in-2011">Reasons to be cheerful in 2011</a></h4> </div> <div class="headlines-list"> <ul> <li><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/culture-comment/i-dont-have-to-party-just-because-its-new-year">I don't have to party just because it's new year</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </div> </li> </ul> </div> </div>  <div class="breadcrumb-datetime clear"> <div class="breadcrumb"> <ol> <li><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/news">News</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide">Worldwide</a></li> <li class="last"><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/asia-pacific">Asia Pacific</a></li> </ol> </div> <script> var requestBack = window.location.href; var status = false; if( requestBack.indexOf("template.") == -1 && 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$('body').removeClass(); $('body').addClass('channel-1 js'); </script> <div class="grid-12"> <div class="clear"> <div class="grid-6 grid-nested-first"> <h1>Asia Pacific</h1>  <div class="article-teaser article-teaser-with-image-grid-6"> <h4 class="headline"><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/asia-pacific/violators-of-chinas-one-child-policy-tortured">Violators of China's one-child policy 'tortured'</a></h4> <p class="last-updated">Jan 2, 2011</p> <p class="lede">Rights group says family planning is a source of income for Chinese officials who pressure mothers into hysterectomies and beat violators, while the government denies children services. <a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/asia-pacific/violators-of-chinas-one-child-policy-tortured" class="more">Read article <span> Violators of China's one-child policy 'tortured'</span> </a> </p> <div class="comments-media"> <ul class="media"> </ul> </div> </div>  <div 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href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/asia-pacific/seoul-seeks-to-resume-talks-with-north-korea">Seoul seeks to resume talks with North Korea</a></h4> <p class="last-updated">Dec 30, 2010</p> <p class="lede">Analysts believe that the South Korean president wants "a way out" of escalating tensions following weeks of taking a hardline stance, with progress on the issue of nuclear proliferation vital in 2011. <a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/asia-pacific/seoul-seeks-to-resume-talks-with-north-korea" class="more">Read article<span> Seoul seeks to resume talks with North Korea</span></a></p> </div> <div class="article-teaser"> <h4 class="headline"><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/asia-pacific/army-airlifts-hundreds-from-flooded-australian-towns">Army airlifts hundreds from flooded Australian towns</a></h4> <p class="last-updated">Dec 29, 2010</p> <p class="lede">Prime Minister warns 'unprecedented' flooding would worsen after entire towns were cut off and soldiers airlifted hundreds of people to safety. <a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/asia-pacific/army-airlifts-hundreds-from-flooded-australian-towns" class="more">Read article<span> Army airlifts hundreds from flooded Australian towns</span></a></p> </div> </div>  <div class="grid-6 grid-nested-last">  <div class="article-teaser"> <h4 class="headline"><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/asia-pacific/arts-letters-daily-founder-denis-dutton-dies">Arts & Letters Daily founder Denis Dutton dies</a></h4> <p class="last-updated">Dec 29, 2010</p> <div class="image"> </div> <p class="lede">Author and academic Denis Dutton, founder of the popular and pioneering Arts & Letters Daily website, has died in New Zealand at the age of 66. <a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/asia-pacific/arts-letters-daily-founder-denis-dutton-dies" class="more">Read article <span>Arts & Letters Daily founder Denis Dutton dies</span> </a> </p> <div class="comments-media"> <ul class="media"> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="article-teaser"> <h4 class="headline"><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/asia-pacific/south-korea-hopes-to-absorb-north">South Korea hopes to 'absorb' North</a></h4> <p class="last-updated">Dec 29, 2010</p> <div class="image"> </div> <p class="lede">A report on the prospects for unification is due to be presented to the South Korean president, Lee Myung-bak, today following comments from Mr Lee this month that 驴the two Koreas will have to co-exist peacefully and, in the end, realise reunification驴. <a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/asia-pacific/south-korea-hopes-to-absorb-north" class="more">Read article <span>South Korea hopes to 'absorb' North</span> </a> </p> <div class="comments-media"> <ul class="media"> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="article-teaser"> <h4 class="headline"><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/asia-pacific/south-korea-troops-in-uae-signal-global-plan">South Korea troops in UAE signal global plan </a></h4> <p class="last-updated">Dec 27, 2010</p> <div class="image"> </div> <p class="lede">As the first contingent of South Korean troops sets off for the UAE, they become part of a growing number of military personnel dispatched by Seoul worldwide. <a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/asia-pacific/south-korea-troops-in-uae-signal-global-plan" class="more">Read article <span>South Korea troops in UAE signal global plan </span> </a> </p> <div class="comments-media"> <ul class="media"> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="article-teaser"> <h4 class="headline"><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/asia-pacific/merriest-christmas-in-bethlehem-in-years-soldiers">Merriest Christmas in Bethlehem in years: soldiers</a></h4> <p class="last-updated">Dec 25, 2010</p> <div class="image"> </div> <p class="lede">While the largest number of pilgrims in a decade gathered in Bethlehem to celebrate Christmas violence in Nigeria and the Philippines marred Christmas Day festivities. <a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/asia-pacific/merriest-christmas-in-bethlehem-in-years-soldiers" class="more">Read article <span>Merriest Christmas in Bethlehem in years: soldiers</span> </a> </p> <div class="comments-media"> <ul class="media"> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="article-teaser"> <h4 class="headline"><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/asia-pacific/north-korea-warns-of-sacred-nuclear-war">North Korea warns of 'sacred' nuclear war</a></h4> <p class="last-updated">Dec 24, 2010</p> <div class="image"> </div> <p class="lede">Threat to its neighbour comes as South Korea holds military exercises analysts call 'posturing for the domestic audience'. <a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/asia-pacific/north-korea-warns-of-sacred-nuclear-war" class="more">Read article <span>North Korea warns of 'sacred' nuclear war</span> </a> </p> <div class="comments-media"> <ul class="media"> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="article-teaser"> <h4 class="headline"><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/asia-pacific/n-korea-prepares-for-holy-war-on-south">N Korea prepares for 'holy war' on South</a></h4> <p class="last-updated">Dec 23, 2010</p> <div class="image"> </div> <p class="lede">North Korea is prepared to launch a 'sacred holy war' based on nuclear deterrent, the North's state media said on Thursday. <a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/asia-pacific/n-korea-prepares-for-holy-war-on-south" class="more">Read article <span>N Korea prepares for 'holy war' on South</span> </a> </p> <div class="comments-media"> <ul class="media"> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="article-teaser"> <h4 class="headline"><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/asia-pacific/s-korea-starts-drill-as-north-criticises-warmongers">S Korea starts drill as North criticises 'warmongers'</a></h4> <p class="last-updated">Dec 23, 2010</p> <div class="image"> </div> <p class="lede">South Korea's military stages major live-fire drill involving tanks, artillery and jet fighters. <a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/asia-pacific/s-korea-starts-drill-as-north-criticises-warmongers" class="more">Read article <span>S Korea starts drill as North criticises 'warmongers'</span> </a> </p> <div class="comments-media"> <ul class="media"> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="article-teaser"> <h4 class="headline"><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/asia-pacific/three-convicted-of-australian-terror-plot">Three convicted of Australian terror plot</a></h4> <p class="last-updated">Dec 23, 2010</p> <div class="image"> </div> <p class="lede">Three men who believed Islam was under threat from western nations were found guilty in an Australian court of plotting a suicide attack against a Sydney army base. <a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/asia-pacific/three-convicted-of-australian-terror-plot" class="more">Read article <span>Three convicted of Australian terror plot</span> </a> </p> <div class="comments-media"> <ul class="media"> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="article-teaser"> <h4 class="headline"><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/asia-pacific/frosty-response-to-warming-china-taiwan-relations">Frosty response to warming China-Taiwan relations</a></h4> <p class="last-updated">Dec 22, 2010</p> <div class="image"> </div> <p class="lede">President Ma Ying-jeou's policy of edging closer to Beijing economically in the hope that China's boom will yield financial dividends for Taiwan has angered many who oppose unification. <a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/asia-pacific/frosty-response-to-warming-china-taiwan-relations" class="more">Read article <span>Frosty response to warming China-Taiwan relations</span> </a> </p> <div class="comments-media"> <ul class="media"> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="article-teaser"> <h4 class="headline"><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/asia-pacific/beijing-repeats-call-for-north-korea-nuclear-talks">Beijing repeats call for North Korea nuclear talks</a></h4> <p class="last-updated">Dec 22, 2010</p> <div class="image"> </div> <p class="lede">China pushed for the "urgent" resumption of six-party talks regarding Pyongyang's nuclear programme. <a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/asia-pacific/beijing-repeats-call-for-north-korea-nuclear-talks" class="more">Read article <span>Beijing repeats call for North Korea nuclear talks</span> </a> </p> <div class="comments-media"> <ul class="media"> </ul> </div> </div> </div>   </div> <div class="channel-conversation clear"> <div class="grid-4 grid-nested-last"> </div> </div><br/> <div id="conversationid" class="channel-conversation clear"> <h2 class="clear"><span>The National <span>Conversation</span></span></h2>  <div id="conversationBlogs" class="grid-4"> <img style="margin-bottom: 20px;" src="/web/20110102023446im_/http://www.thenational.ae/staticfiles/images/portal/coming-soon1.jpg" alt="The National"> </div>  </div>  <script type="text/javascript"> if (document.getElementById("conversationBlogs") == null) { document.getElementById("conversationid").style.display = "none"; } </script> <div class="clear"> <h2 class="super-special-heading">Asia Pacific <span> Sound & Vision</span></h2> <div class="scroller clear"> <div class="scroller-window"> <ul class="scroller-items"> <li class="first-child"> <div class="article-teaser article-teaser-with-image"> <h4 class="headline">UAE aids reconstruction in Afghanistan<a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/south-asia/uae-aids-reconstruction-in-afghanistan" class="more"> Watch video<span> 芒聙聹Vevo comes out swinging芒聙聺</span></a></h4> <div class="image"><a href="/web/20110102023446/http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/south-asia/uae-aids-reconstruction-in-afghanistan" title="UAE aids reconstruction in Afghanistan"><img alt="UAE aids reconstruction in Afghanistan" src="/web/20110102023446im_/http://www.thenational.ae/deployedfiles/Assets/Richmedia/Video/20101209uaeinafghanistan159.jpg" width="160" height="112"/><img class="icon-multimedia" alt="(Video)" 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