http://www.asiancorrespondent.com/rss-feeds Asia's Aggregated News Blog en-us http://www.asiancorrespondent.com/socialmediathailand/twitter-s-potential-for-social-change Social media has pulled down the boundaries between companies and the public allowing for more direct access, a...Monday March 22, 2010, 11:35:40am +08:001750http://asiancorrespondent.com/30111/twitters-potential-for-social-change/http://www.asiancorrespondent.com/breakingnews/australia-investigates-deadly-croco.htmAn Australian coroner started an investigation Monday into the death of an 11-year-old girl who was killed by a crocodile last year, as two fresh attacks refocused public scrutiny on how to manage the animals. The inquest will look into the death of Briony Goodsell, one of four people killed by crocodiles in a seven-month period in 2008 to early 2009. It comes on the heels of two crocodile encounters in the last week — the latest a 5-year-old girl who was slashed on her l...Monday March 22, 2010, 11:21:56am +08:0032http://asiancorrespondent.com/30110/australia-investigates-deadly-crocodile-attack/http://www.asiancorrespondent.com/hong-kong-blog/acupuncture-safety.htmlAs an alternative way to treat ailments, acupuncture has its advantages over traditional treatment methods.  It is non invasive procedure have no known side effects when administered by a legitimate practitioner.  Its therapeutic benefits help fix both physical and mental illnesses. Yet, such advantages may seem negated by the recent reports that bacterial infections can be transmitted through the practice of acupuncture.Microbiologists at the University of Hong Kong sai...Monday March 22, 2010, 10:47:47am +08:0047http://asiancorrespondent.com/30070/acupuncture-safety-in-question-as-infections-rise/http://www.asiancorrespondent.com/breakingnews/us-doctor-charged-in-deaths-pleads-.htmAn American doctor accused of repeatedly botching operations and performing surgeries he was not capable of handling pleaded not guilty Monday in Australia to three manslaughter charges and one of grievous bodily harm. Indian-born Jayant Patel replied "not guilty, your honor" when the charges were read to him in a crowded courtroom just before jury selection began in the trial that is expected to take four to six weeks and hear some 90 witnesses. The trial comes more th...Monday March 22, 2010, 10:45:49am +08:0032http://asiancorrespondent.com/30109/us-doctor-charged-in-deaths-pleads-not-guilty/http://www.asiancorrespondent.com/breakingnews/china-begins-trial-of-4-rio-tinto-e.htmAn Australian executive and three other employees of mining giant Rio Tinto went on trial Monday on charges of stealing secrets and offering bribes in a case viewed as a barometer of China's handling of foreign business. China has warned against politicizing the case, which has been an irritant in relations with Australia. Australia has protested the plan to close court sessions involving the commercial secrets charges. The trial comes at a time of friction with the U.S...Monday March 22, 2010, 10:35:04am +08:0032http://asiancorrespondent.com/30108/china-begins-trial-of-4-rio-tinto-employees/http://www.asiancorrespondent.com/bangkok-pundit-blog/chang-noi-on-the-red-shirts-coming-to-bangkokChang Noi on the red shirts in The Nation: For a start it has been unsettling for many people because it was simply so big...The logistics are a lot more difficult and expensive when the rally site is hundreds of kilometres away. Provincial governors were ordered to obstruct the movement of people. Police set up co...Monday March 22, 2010, 09:00:00am +08:00128http://us.asiancorrespondent.com/30101/chang-noi-on-the-red-shirts-coming-to-bangkok/http://www.asiancorrespondent.com/breakingnews/30107-us-missiles-kill-4-in-nw-pakistan.htmSuspected U.S. drones fired missiles Sunday at a house and car in a militant-dominated tribal region near the Afghan border, killing at least four people, officials said. The attack occurred in the Datta Khel area of North Waziristan, two intelligence officials said. The drones fired three missiles, they added, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media. The identities of those killed were not known, though the regio...Monday March 22, 2010, 08:59:49am +08:0032http://asiancorrespondent.com/30107/us-missiles-kill-4-in-nw-pakistan-2/http://www.asiancorrespondent.com/breakingnews/imf-warns-wealthiest-nations-about-.htmThe International Monetary Fund warned the world's wealthiest nations Sunday to watch their surging levels of government debt, saying it could drag down the growth needed to ensure continued economic recovery. The economic crisis is leaving "deep scars in fiscal balances, particularly in the advanced economies," John Lipsky, the IMF's No 2. official, told the China Development Forum in Beijing. He said that countries that have been going into debt to stimulate their economies s...Monday March 22, 2010, 08:53:28am +08:0032http://asiancorrespondent.com/30106/imf-warns-wealthiest-nations-about-their-debt/http://www.asiancorrespondent.com/breakingnews/india-tests-new-version-of-cruise-m.htmIndia successfully tested on Sunday a new, more maneuverable version of its BrahMos supersonic cruise missile that was jointly developed with Russia, an official said. The missile was fired from a moving warship in the Bay of Bengal, off India's eastern coast, and successfully hit its target, said a defense research official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media. The missile had a vertical lift off from the ship and was ...Monday March 22, 2010, 08:46:44am +08:0032http://asiancorrespondent.com/30105/india-tests-new-version-of-cruise-missile/http://www.asiancorrespondent.com/breakingnews/chinese-media-say-google-is-politic.htmState media lashed out at Google over the weekend with editorials accusing the search giant of helping forces abroad attack China and its laws, while calling efforts to pressure the country over its Internet censorship "ridiculous." The critical editorials and op-ed columns came amid signs Google Inc. might be moving toward closing its China site after saying in January it would no longer cooperate with Beijing's Internet censorship. A commentary carried by the official...Monday March 22, 2010, 08:40:35am +08:0032http://asiancorrespondent.com/30104/chinese-media-say-google-is-politicizing-dispute/http://www.asiancorrespondent.com/bangkok-pundit-blog/thai-rath-abhisit-should-directly-negotiate-with-redsThai Rath's political analysis for March 21 is entitled "ถอยคนละก้าว หาจุดลงตัว" (Take one step back to find the middle ground) is summarized below: It is fortunate that the only blood spilled last week was done voluntarily by the red shirts in a manner of an activity and not through fighting. The situation today is tha...Monday March 22, 2010, 06:00:00am +08:00128http://us.asiancorrespondent.com/30098/thai-rath-abhisit-should-directly-negotiate-with-reds/http://www.asiancorrespondent.com/gavin-atkins-shadowlands/talking-points-for-tony-abbott-(part-two) On Tuesday, Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott face each other in a debate about health at the National Press Club in Canberra. In ...Monday March 22, 2010, 05:33:40am +08:0071http://asiancorrespondent.com/30103/talking-points-for-tony-abbott-part-two/http://www.asiancorrespondent.com/Bugle2010/the-power-of-print-in-thailandPrint is a powerful medium, and that's even more evident this week with the non-appearance of The Economist in Thailand. The magazine's print edition was withheld from distribution for what the publishers describe as "sensitive" content surrounding the Thai royal family. ...Monday March 22, 2010, 04:45:06am +08:001820http://asiancorrespondent.com/30102/the-power-of-print-in-thailand/http://www.asiancorrespondent.com/gavin-atkins-shadowlands/talking-points-for-tony-abbott-(part-one)The first official shots in the Australian federal election will be fired when Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott face each other in a debate about health at Canberra's National Press Club on Tuesday. It’s unlikely that many of us will sit through it all, or recall very much of it by the time of the election, which is why it is important for the pa...Monday March 22, 2010, 04:32:49am +08:0071http://asiancorrespondent.com/30100/talking-points-for-tony-abbott-part-one/http://www.asiancorrespondent.com/edwin-espejo/reds-warn-arroyo-will-hold-on-to-powerThe communist-led National Democratic Front (NDF) last week warned that the Arroyo government is reportedly laying the groundwork for its continued stay in power beyond June 30. NDF spokesman for Mindanao Jorge Madlos, a.k.a. Ka Oris, said in an e-mailed statement that the “...Monday March 22, 2010, 04:12:01am +08:0046http://asiancorrespondent.com/30099/reds-warn-arroyo-will-hold-on-to-power/http://www.asiancorrespondent.com/bangkok-pundit-blog/the-pro-abhisit-argumentDavid Van Praagh, a journalism professor in Canada, has an op-ed in The Globe and Mail entitled "Thai democracy on its sickbed". Given its discussion of sensitive topics, BP will not link to it, but of course there is google. The article argues in favour of enlightened generals and the Democrats (the author has written a book on one of the founders of the Democrats Seni Pramoj) and against Thaksin. Key excerpts: The red-shirted demonstrators, joined by some well...Sunday March 21, 2010, 11:59:00pm +08:00128http://us.asiancorrespondent.com/30094/the-pro-abhisit-argument/http://www.asiancorrespondent.com/greenfudge/eco-quizzes-–-how-green-do-you-scoreProve your eco-knowledge or humiliate yourself by exposing your green ignorance with these short quizzes on the environment. Don't cheat by googling and no do-overs! Start with this eco-quiz called 'Clearing up the smog' from CNN Earth's Frontiers, which aims to shed light on 'energy myths'. I am slightly ashamed to say that I got only 7/10 questions correct,...Sunday March 21, 2010, 10:06:08pm +08:001370http://uk.asiancorrespondent.com/30064/eco-quizzes-%e2%80%93-how-green-do-you-score/http://www.asiancorrespondent.com/breakingnews/thai-pm-offers-talks-with-protester.htmThailand's prime minister said he will send representatives to hold talks with protesters who have been calling for him to step down, but his antagonists want to meet with him personally. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has so far held firm against demands from the so-called Red Shirt movement that he dissolve Parliament and call new elections, though he has said he is willing to consider the idea. The Red Shirts, formally known as the United Front for Democracy Against Dicta...Sunday March 21, 2010, 09:17:51pm +08:0032http://uk.asiancorrespondent.com/30097/thai-pm-offers-talks-with-protesters-after-rally/http://www.asiancorrespondent.com/breakingnews/gm-s-skorean-unit-recalling-nearly-.htmGeneral Motors is recalling nearly 60,000 automobiles in South Korea due to potential problems with steering wheels, fuel hoses and seats. The recall of 58,696 vehicles covers four models manufactured in South Korea, said Kim Byeong-soo, a spokesman for GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Co., the country's third-largest automaker. Recalls in other countries where some vehicles were exported under the Chevrolet and Opel brands will be decided and announced later in accordance with...Sunday March 21, 2010, 09:09:24pm +08:0032http://uk.asiancorrespondent.com/30096/gms-skorean-unit-recalling-nearly-60000-vehicles/http://www.asiancorrespondent.com/bangkok-pundit-blog/the-fear-of-the-eliteIn an op-ed by Stanley A. Weiss in the LA Times (the title of the op-ed would have the government censors in a state of panic, but if you google the author's name and LA Times, you will find the op-ed). About the only paragraphs that BP can excerpt are: The "yellow shirts" -- monarchists, the military and urban middle class -- rightly criticize the Thaksin administration's abuses in office, but their preferred alternative amounts to continued domina...Sunday March 21, 2010, 08:00:00pm +08:00128http://us.asiancorrespondent.com/30095/the-fear-of-the-elite/http://www.asiancorrespondent.com/rwdb-jfbeck/warmer-weather-boosts-arctic-numbersArctic populations explode: The first analysis of a 40-year database of Arctic species reveals that populations grew by 16 per cent on average between 1970 and 2004. A not so surprising benefit of warmer temperatures....Sunday March 21, 2010, 06:27:38pm +08:0085http://asiancorrespondent.com/30093/warmer-weather-boosts-arctic-numbers/http://www.asiancorrespondent.com/bangkok-pundit-blog/london-review-of-books-red-v.-yellowJoshua Kurlantzick, a fellow for South-East Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations, has an article in the London Review of Books entitled "Red vs Yellow". Would link to it, but well the last two paragraphs talk about a sensitive subject. Kurlantzick's article is very critical of both the establishment and Thaksin. He does make some odd assertions at time, for example: Like the yellow shirts, the red shirts were prepared to use violence...Sunday March 21, 2010, 06:00:00pm +08:00128http://us.asiancorrespondent.com/30091/london-review-of-books-red-v-yellow/http://www.asiancorrespondent.com/bangkok-pundit-blog/tale-of-two-democracies...-the-new-versionThe following is a summary of Anek's two of tale democracies argument* where the rural people elect the government and Bangkokians overthrow the government: Many will read this good/bad coup as support for Anek Laothammatas’ (1996) argument that Thai democracy is a tale of two democracies: where the rural masses elect vote-buying politicians, and the urban middle class, frustrated by the corrupt and inept nature of such governments rally to bring them down...Sunday March 21, 2010, 04:00:00pm +08:00128http://us.asiancorrespondent.com/30092/tale-of-two-democracies-the-new-version/http://www.asiancorrespondent.com/breakingnews/thousands-bid-farewell-to-former-ne.htmPoliticians, diplomats and thousands of supporters lined up for hours at a public stadium Sunday in Nepal's capital to pay respect to Girija Prasad Koirala, the former prime minister remembered for leading efforts to bring democracy to the Himalayan nation. Koirala died Saturday at age 86. His body was taken to the Nepali Congress party headquarters before it arrived at the stadium in Katmandu on a truck covered with flowers and the party's red and white flags. Prime Mi...Sunday March 21, 2010, 02:37:41pm +08:0032http://asiancorrespondent.com/30090/thousands-bid-farewell-to-former-nepal-pm-koirala/http://www.asiancorrespondent.com/breakingnews/power-cut-to-60-000-as-cyclone-hits.htmAbout 60,000 homes are without power, trees and signs have blown over and boats have been smashed on the rocks after a massive storm blew across the coast of northeastern Australia. Tropical Cyclone Ului crossed the coast at Airlie Beach as a category three storm early Sunday with winds up to 124 miles (200 kilometers) per hour. A dozen boats were washed onto the rocks at Airlie Beach, but businesses on the main street escaped any significant damage. The Bureau ...Sunday March 21, 2010, 02:32:20pm +08:0032http://asiancorrespondent.com/30089/power-cut-to-60000-as-cyclone-hits-australia/http://www.asiancorrespondent.com/breakingnews/thousands-rally-to-pull-troops-from.htmThousands of protesters — many directing their anger squarely at President Barack Obama — marched through the nation's capital Saturday to urge immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. At least eight people, including activist Cindy Sheehan, were arrested by U.S. Park Police at the end of the march, after laying coffins at a fence outside the White House. Friday marked the seventh anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. "Arrest that wa...Sunday March 21, 2010, 02:29:39pm +08:0032http://asiancorrespondent.com/30088/thousands-rally-to-pull-troops-from-2-war-zones/http://www.asiancorrespondent.com/breakingnews/thai-protesters-caravan-wends-throu.htmA crimson tide of protesters snaked its way through the Thai capital Saturday, with thousands of cars, trucks and motorbikes tangling up traffic as demonstrators sought to drum up support for ousting a government they call illegitimate. The festive caravan of as many as 100,000 "Red Shirt" protesters is to be followed up Sunday with the group making a giant painting from their own blood, the latest shock tactic in their weeklong campaign to force Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiv...Sunday March 21, 2010, 02:25:30pm +08:0032http://asiancorrespondent.com/30087/thai-protesters-caravan-wends-through-capital/http://www.asiancorrespondent.com/breakingnews/huge-sandstorm-covers-beijing-turns.htmTons of sand turned Beijing's sky orange as the strongest sandstorm this year hit northern China, a gritty reminder that the country's expanding deserts have led to a sharp increase in the storms. The sky glowed Saturday and a thin dusting of sand covered Beijing, causing workers and tourists to muffle their faces in vast Tiananmen Square. The city's weather bureau gave air quality a rare hazardous ranking. Air quality is "very bad for the health," China's national weat...Sunday March 21, 2010, 02:19:06pm +08:0032http://asiancorrespondent.com/30085/huge-sandstorm-covers-beijing-turns-sky-orange/http://www.asiancorrespondent.com/breakingnews/myanmar-state-paper-blasts-election.htmState-run newspapers in Myanmar accused critics of the country's new election laws of showing their bias by denouncing one or two aspects of the legislation and ignoring their intent to restore democracy. The commentary also defended the laws against criticism that they targeted detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who is ineligible to run for office under the election rules. The ruling junta earlier this month enacted five laws that set out the rules for ele...Sunday March 21, 2010, 02:15:38pm +08:0032http://asiancorrespondent.com/30084/myanmar-state-paper-blasts-election-law-critics/http://www.asiancorrespondent.com/breakingnews/tokyo-marks-15th-anniversary-of-sub.htmTokyo subway workers observed a moment of silence Saturday to mark the 15th anniversary of a nerve gas attack by a religious cult, Japan's deadliest act of domestic terrorism. About 20 employees at Kasumigaseki station in Tokyo's government district bowed their heads in silent prayer at 8 a.m., when members of the cult released sarin nerve gas in rush-hour trains on March 20, 1995. The five coordinated attacks killed 13 people and sickened 6,300 others. Japanese Prime M...Sunday March 21, 2010, 02:13:07pm +08:0032http://asiancorrespondent.com/30083/tokyo-marks-15th-anniversary-of-subway-gas-attack/