Asia

Mahinda Rajapaksa's government denies attacking the media

Sri Lankan government 'settling scores' in media crackdown

The newly re-elected government of Mahinda Rajapaksa has been accused of orchestrating a fresh crackdown on the media after a series of websites were blocked and at least one reporter detained after raising questions about the conduct of the election. One journalist is missing, one has been assaulted and others have received death threats.

Inside Asia

Pakistani Taliban chief again reported killed

Monday, 1 February 2010

The Pakistani military is investigating reports that Hakimullah Mehsud, the leader of the Pakistani Taliban, has died from injuries sustained in an attack by a drone aircraft.

Hostage couple 'in poor health'

Monday, 1 February 2010

Fears for a British couple kidnapped by pirates in the Indian Ocean intensified yesterday after a newly released video film appeared to show them in poor physical and mental health.

Japan's whalers are at sea again, harvesting meat that few will eat

Sunday, 31 January 2010

By April, another 900 whales will have died for little profit. So what drives the Japanese to go on defying world opinion?

US arms deal angers China

Sunday, 31 January 2010

China has threatened to impose sanctions on US arms firms and cut co-operation with Washington unless it cancels a $6.4bn (£4bn) arms sale to Taiwan.

Nine die in missile strikes as Taliban deny meeting with UN

Saturday, 30 January 2010

Suspected US missiles hit a compound and a bunker in Pakistan's tribal region today, killing nine militants as part of an unprecedented wave of strikes since a deadly attack against the CIA across the border in Afghanistan, intelligence officials said.