BBC News - Asia

Burmese monk Gambira 'taken away'

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:50:21 GMT

Burmese monk Shin Gambira, one of the leaders of the 2007 protests, is taken away by the authorities, eyewitnesses tell BBC Burmese.

China dissident jailed over poem

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:11:01 GMT

A court in eastern China has sentenced dissident writer Zhu Yufu to seven years in jail for inciting subversion, rights groups say.

Malaysia detains Saudi for tweet

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:22:42 GMT

Malaysian police detain a Saudi journalist who left his country after being accused of insulting the Prophet Muhammad in a tweet.

'Cruel' Sydney abattoir shut down

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:09:44 GMT

An abattoir in the Australian city of Sydney, has been closed down after a video showing animal cruelty surfaces, local media report.

Defiant Nasheed leads Male rally

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:51:36 GMT

Defiant former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed leads a street rally in Male, just days after what he says was a coup that forced him to resign.

Court rejects Pakistan PM appeal

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:44:02 GMT

Pakistan's Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani will appear before the Supreme Court next week after it dismisses his appeal against contempt charges.

India army chief drops age case

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:25:42 GMT

India's Supreme Court says the army chief has dropped his case against the government over his retirement age.

'Progress' on EU-India free trade

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:08:52 GMT

EU and Indian leaders say they have made "substantial progress" towards a free trade agreement at a key Delhi summit.

China and Canada boost trade ties

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:29:04 GMT

Canada and China reach government deals in uranium exports and other sectors, as the two countries deepen trade ties.

India director 'to return land'

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:14:19 GMT

A court in the Indian city of Mumbai directs Bollywood director Subhash Ghai to return to the government a plot of land allotted for a film school.

China investigating police chief

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:35:20 GMT

Chinese authorities are investigating after a top police chief spent a day at the US consulate, state media says, amid rumours he sought asylum.

Amitabh Bachchan faces surgery

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:04:11 GMT

Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan will undergo surgery later this week after suffering from "abdominal pain", the actor says in his blog.

VIDEO: Tibetans set selves on fire in protest

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:12:11 GMT

In the past year, at least 19 people have publicly set themselves on fire - five in the past week alone - in a campaign calling for more freedom for Tibetans.

AUDIO: Former Maldives president 'forced to go'

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:51:54 GMT

The former president of the Maldives has told the BBC that he was forced to resign.

VIDEO: Woman found alive in Lahore rubble

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:08:38 GMT

Rescue workers in Pakistan have found a 65-year-old woman alive in the rubble of a Lahore factory, 31 hours after the building collapsed.

VIDEO: Afghanistan wins carpet award

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:09:21 GMT

Afghanistan wins an international carpet-weaving competition against Iran, India and Pakistan.

VIDEO: Passing down wealth in India

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:27:42 GMT

A look at why passing down wealth to the next generation is important in India

VIDEO: Nepal national park breeds crocs

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:30:05 GMT

A breeding centre in Nepal's Chitwan National Park is preparing endangered Gharial crocodiles for release back into the wild.

VIDEO: Afghans donate to renovate landmarks

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:34:13 GMT

Kabul's mayor sets up a mobile donation fund to collect money in order to save the city's historical sites.

VIDEO: Evacuation from Queensland floods

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:17:30 GMT

Floods continue to threaten Queensland in eastern Australia, with the town of St George expected to be worst hit.

Two tree rule for Medan weddings

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:42:58 GMT

A city in western Indonesia will be implementing an environment-friendly policy targeted at those who plan on getting married, officials say.

Corals inflate to escape the sand

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:38:33 GMT

Time-lapse footage reveals how mushroom corals inflate and deflate to free themselves from smothering sand.

Ajmal makes Worcs return for T20

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:43:08 GMT

Worcestershire have re-signed Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal for next season's Friends Life T20.

China media: Xi and Harper

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:51:49 GMT

Morning newspaper round-up: preview coverage on Xi Jinping's US trip is gearing up, as Stephen Harper enjoys some Chinese cuisine.

China's inflation rate up to 4.5%

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 03:23:59 GMT

China's rate of inflation accelerated to 4.5% in January after consumers increased their spending around Chinese New Year.

China alert after Yangtze spill

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:12:41 GMT

Authorities are on alert after a chemical leak from a cargo ship polluted the Yangtze River, state-run media report.

India boy stabs teacher to death

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:22:16 GMT

A schoolboy in the southern Indian city of Chennai has stabbed a female teacher to death in her classroom, officials say.

Twenty die in Kashmir bus plunge

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:52:21 GMT

At least 20 people die as their bus plunges into a river in Indian-administered Kashmir, police say.

Indian 'porn' ministers barred

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:31:41 GMT

Three ministers in the Indian state of Karnataka who resigned amid a row over watching pornography in the local assembly are barred from attending it.

Indonesia rule 'to curb adultery'

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:57:38 GMT

A new government policy in northern Indonesia will enable wives of civil servants to have direct access to their husbands' salaries, officials say.

NZ quake building 'sub-standard'

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 04:51:40 GMT

A building that collapsed during last year's Christchurch earthquake, killing 115 people, did not meet industry standards, an official report finds.

Singapore warns US on China talk

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 02:11:00 GMT

Singapore's foreign minister, visiting Washington DC, warns the US that anti-China election rhetoric could spark reaction.

Key militant 'killed in Pakistan'

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:30:25 GMT

One of the most senior al-Qaeda militants in Pakistan, Badar Mansoor, is killed in a US drone strike, local officials say.

Afghan police 'poisoned and shot'

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:48:08 GMT

At least five Afghan policemen are poisoned and then shot dead at a checkpoint in the southern city of Kandahar, intelligence officials say.

Teams scour Lahore collapse site

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:55:34 GMT

Rescuers who worked overnight on Monday are still frantically trying to remove debris from a factory that collapsed in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore.

Afghanistan - Country profile

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 14:02:09 GMT

Key facts, figures and dates.

Australia country profile

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 19:08:44 GMT

Provides an overview of Australia, including key facts and events

Country profile: Bangladesh

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 11:54:57 GMT

Key facts, figures and dates

Country profile: Bhutan

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 12:05:50 GMT

Key facts, figures and dates.

Brunei profile

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 11:52:40 GMT

Provides an overview of Brunei, including key events and facts.

Burma profile

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:52:23 GMT

Key facts, figures and dates

Cambodia profile

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:04:51 GMT

Provides an overview of Cambodia, including key events and facts.

China profile

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:29:16 GMT

Provides an overview of China, including key events and facts.

Cook Islands profile

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:12:33 GMT

Provides an overview of the Cook Islands, including key events and facts.

East Timor country profile

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:17:02 GMT

Provides an overview of East Timor, including key events and facts about this former Portuguese colony which won independence from Indonesia in a long civil war

Fiji country profile

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 11:02:26 GMT

Provides an overview of Fiji, including key events and facts about this tropical island and ethnically diverse former British colony in the Pacific.

French Polynesia profile

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:20:35 GMT

Provides an overview of French Polynesia, including key events and facts

Regions and territories: Guam

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:44:31 GMT

An overview of Guam, including key facts, political leaders and the media

Regions and territories: Hong Kong

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:46:31 GMT

An overview of Hong Kong, including key facts, political leaders and notes on the media

Country profile: India

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 10:12:04 GMT

Details of the key facts, figures and dates.

Indonesia profile

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:42:49 GMT

Provides an overview of Indonesia, including key events and facts about the world's fourth most populous nation

Japan country profile

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 14:49:13 GMT

Provides an overview of Japan, including key events and facts about this earthquake-prone country on the western rim of the Pacific.

Kashmir profile

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 09:55:58 GMT

An overview of the former princely state of Kashmir, which has been partitioned between India and Pakistan since 1947.

Kazakhstan profile

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:11:55 GMT

Provides an overview of Kazakhstan, including key events and facts about this vast, mineral-rich Central Asian country.

Kiribati profile

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:59:25 GMT

Provides an overview of Kiribati including key events and facts.

North Korea country profile

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 16:45:47 GMT

Provides an overview of North Korea, including key events and facts.

South Korea profile

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 09:06:23 GMT

Provides an overview of South Korea, including key events and facts

Kyrgyzstan profile

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 16:02:41 GMT

Provides overview, key facts and events, timelines and leader profiles along with current news about Kyrgyzstan

Laos profile

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 08:58:17 GMT

Provides an overview of Laos, including key events and facts

Regions and territories: Macau

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:49:11 GMT

An overview of Macau, including key facts, political leaders and notes on the media

Malaysia profile

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:58:39 GMT

Provides an overview of Malaysia, including key events and facts.

Country profile: The Maldives

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 16:18:33 GMT

Key facts, figures and dates.

Marshall Islands profile

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 10:18:24 GMT

Provides an overview of the Marshall Islands, including key events and facts.

Micronesia profile

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 10:10:19 GMT

Provides an overview of Micronesia, including key events and facts

Mongolia profile

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 11:28:37 GMT

Summary: Provides an overview of Mongolia, including key events and facts.

Nauru profile

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 15:07:23 GMT

Provides an overview of Nauru, including key events and facts about the world's smallest republic

Country profile: Nepal

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 13:17:31 GMT

Key facts, figures and dates.

Regions and territories: New Caledonia

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 13:17:05 GMT

An overview of the Pacific territory, including key facts, political leaders and notes on the media

New Zealand profile

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 08:56:15 GMT

Provides an overview of New Zealand, including key events and facts

Regions and territories: Niue

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:38:11 GMT

A profile of the South Pacific island - the world's smallest self-governing territory

Regions, territories: Northern Mariana Islands

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:51:21 GMT

A profile of the US commonwealth territory in the north-west Pacific

Country profile: Pakistan

Sat, 14 May 2011 12:25:48 GMT

Key facts, figures and dates.

Palau country profile

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:56:17 GMT

Provides an overview of Palau , including key events and facts about this tropical island nation in the northern Pacific.

Papua New Guinea profile

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:07:29 GMT

Provides an overview of Papua New Guinea, including key events and facts

Philippines profile

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 16:18:12 GMT

Provides an overview of Philippines, including key events and facts.

Samoa profile

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:39:21 GMT

Provides an overview of Samoa, including key events and facts.

Singapore profile

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 17:21:22 GMT

Provides an overview of Singapore, including key events and facts.

Country profile: Sri Lanka

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 14:24:47 GMT

Key facts, figures and dates.

Solomon Islands country profile

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 10:48:24 GMT

Provides an overview of Solomon Islands, including key events and facts.

Taiwan profile

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 11:47:13 GMT

Provides key background, including facts and figures

Tajikistan profile

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:18:46 GMT

Provides an overview of Tajikistan, including key events and facts about this mountainous Central Asian republic.

Thailand profile

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 12:18:53 GMT

Provides an overview of Thailand, including key events and facts.

Regions and territories: Tibet

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:57:04 GMT

An overview of Tibet, including key facts, political leaders and notes on the media

Regions and territories: Tokelau

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 14:33:10 GMT

A profile of the three-island territory in the South Pacific

Tonga profile

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 11:49:53 GMT

Provides an overview of Tonga, including key events and facts.

Turkmenistan profile

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 17:02:19 GMT

Overview of Turkmenistan, including key events and facts.

Tuvalu Profile

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:57:52 GMT

Provides an overview of Tuvalu, including key events and facts.

Uzbekistan country profile

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 11:20:59 GMT

Provides an overview of Uzbekistan, including key events and facts about the country.

Vanuatu country profile

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:36:48 GMT

Provides an overview of Vanuatu, including key events and facts

Vietnam country profile

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 12:52:29 GMT

Provides an overview of Vietnam, including key events and facts about this east Asian country

Regions and territories: Xinjiang

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:51:57 GMT

An overview of Xinjiang, including key facts, political leaders and notes on the media

China's exports and imports fall

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:39:44 GMT

Exports and imports fall amid sluggish global demand

Shock loss for India's Tata Steel

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:54:04 GMT

India's Tata Steel hit by weak demand

China lock-down seals off Tibetan unrest

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:53:59 GMT

China seals off Tibetan protest communities

Afghanistan's army recruitment mess

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:34:10 GMT

How 'rogue soldiers' get into the Afghan army

BBC man in mannequin fetish film role

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:25:21 GMT

Tough role for BBC man in film debut

Unease grows over Maldives power struggle

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:46:46 GMT

Unease grows over Maldives power struggle

Could coffee become India's top drink?

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:38:58 GMT

Is India falling in love with the cappuccino?

Philippines seeks US muscle on South China Sea

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:19:00 GMT

Filipinos defend islands amid South China Sea tensions

Cambodia faces rising wage demand

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:46:32 GMT

Are Cambodian workers falling out of love with garment-making?