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Japan opposition vows national security boost 22 Nov 2012 - 06:31 am

TOKYO: Japan’s main opposition Liberal Democratic Party said yesterday it would look at establishing a permanent presence on uninhabited Tokyo-controlled islands at the...

Manila to host four-way maritime talks 22 Nov 2012 - 06:30 am

MANILA: The Philippines is to hold four-way talks next month with fellow Southeast Asian nations with rival claims to South China Sea territories,...

Singapore defends death penalty for drug trafficking 22 Nov 2012 - 06:30 am

SINGAPORE: Singapore yesterday hit back at critics of its limited easing of the death penalty for drug trafficking, saying some rights campaigners give...

China appoints new propaganda minister 22 Nov 2012 - 06:30 am

BEIJING: China appointed yesterday a loyal ally of President Hu Jintao to become propaganda minister and promoted one of its most senior female...

Chinese police detain two for ‘inciting unrest’ online 22 Nov 2012 - 06:29 am

BEIJING: Chinese police have detained two people accused of inciting unrest in online postings, state media and a rights group said yesterday in...

S Korean liberal candidates face off in televised debate 22 Nov 2012 - 06:29 am

SEOUL: South Korea’s two liberal presidential candidates will face off in a TV debate yesterday as they struggle to conclude an agreement on...

Vietnam court upholds dissident blogger’s jail term 22 Nov 2012 - 06:28 am

HANOI: A Vietnamese court yesterday upheld a dissident blogger’s six-year jail term, his lawyer said, the latest in a string of tough sentences...

Church of England’s reputation in tatters, says clergywoman 22 Nov 2012 - 06:27 am

Rowan Williams, the outgoing Archbishop of Canterbury, speaks with (from left) Caroline Spencer, Reverend Celia Thomson and Reverend Clare Edwards during a break...

‘Lone wolf’ scenario a concern for Obama’s inauguration 22 Nov 2012 - 06:26 am

WASHINGTON: When thousands of Americans pack the National Mall for US President Barack Obama’s January 21 inauguration, sophisticated security will be in place,...

United found not liable for 9/11 security lapse 22 Nov 2012 - 06:26 am

NEW YORK: United Airlines bears no responsibility for the collapse of a third World Trade Center building on September 11, 2001, stemming from...

Sister defends socialite at the heart of Petraeus scandal 22 Nov 2012 - 06:26 am

WASHINGTON: The sister of the Florida socialite who inadvertently triggered the FBI probe that brought down CIA chief David Petraeus on Tuesday defended...

UK’s Cameron vows to defend EU rebate 22 Nov 2012 - 06:25 am

LONDON: British Prime Minister David Cameron said yesterday that he will fight efforts to cut the country’s rebate at contentious European Union budget...

World won’t end next month, say Maya experts 22 Nov 2012 - 06:25 am

MEXICO CITY: Relax doom-sayers, the Maya people did not really mark their calendar for the end of the world on December 21, 2012....

Rebels vow to ‘liberate’ all of Congo 22 Nov 2012 - 06:23 am

People gather around a tank abandoned by fleeing Congolese army in Ndosho near Goma yesterday. SAKE/GOMA: Rebel forces in eastern Congo vowed yesterday...

Volcano erupts in New Zealand 22 Nov 2012 - 06:23 am

WELLINGTON: A New Zealand volcano used as a backdrop to “The Lord of the Rings” films erupted yesterday, spewing a column of ash...

Frenchman kidnapped in western Mali 22 Nov 2012 - 06:23 am

BAMAKO: France warned citizens yesterday against travelling to Mali after a Portuguese-born Frenchman was kidnapped by armed men in the restive country’s west,...

European Space Agency sets €10bn budget 22 Nov 2012 - 06:22 am

PARIS: Europe yesterday set its sights on a new rocket and a deeper involvement in the International Space Station (ISS) despite intense constraints...

18 killed in Gaza before truce; toll 162 22 Nov 2012 - 06:20 am

Palestinians celebrate the beginning of the truce with Israel in Gaza City, yesterday. GAZA CITY: Seven Palestinians were killed in new Israeli raids...