Myanmar's economy posts 12.2% growth in 2005
February 21, 2006Myanmar's economy expanded by 12.2 percent in 2005, slightly above the 12 percent of the previous year, local media reported Wednesday. National Planning Minister Soe Thar disclosed the figure during a recent meeting with exporters and importers in Yangon, the Weekly Eleven newspaper said.
Fear of renewed disaster engulfs Philippine landslide survivors
February 21, 2006Villagers who saw how part of a mountain drenched by relentless downpours swallowed their entire village on Leyte Island in central Philippines last week are experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder -- what could be for many of them a lingering ailment. The people of Guinsaugon, a village in St. Bernard town on Leyte, say their lives are on the edge and fear yet another massive landslide -- a big possibility for this village surrounded by mountains composed mainly of volcanic rocks easily eroded by rains.
Australia sending 200 more troops to Afghanistan
February 21, 2006The Australian government confirmed Tuesday it will send an extra 200 troops to Afghanistan to help with the country's reconstruction process. The Australian Defense Force troops will be part of a larger team led by the Netherlands assisting with community-based projects in an effort to rebuild the war-torn nation.
Malaysia's Mahathir admits $1.2 mil. paid for meeting with Bush
February 21, 2006Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has admitted that a $1.2 million lobbying fee was paid to secure a meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush at the White House in 2002, local dailies reported Tuesday. Mahathir, who was then still in office, said ''somebody'' paid the money, but not the Malaysian government.
Japanese, Chinese officials remain apart over shrine visits
February 21, 2006Japanese ruling coalition lawmakers and Chinese Communist Party officials remained split on Tuesday over Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visits to the war-linked Yasukuni Shrine, with Japan saying the premier was paying homage as a private citizen but China saying it cannot accept such an excuse. Hidenao Nakagawa, policy chief of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, said in a meeting with the Chinese officials that the premier's visits were private and not intended to honor the 14 Class-A war criminals enshrined there.