Asia-Pacfic

By Agencies

North Korea has fired three short-range missiles from its east coast, South Korea's defence ministry says, but the purpose of the launches was unknown.

Read more: North Korea launches short-range missiles

By Agencies

Sixty-two people have been injured after multiple cars derailed on Hong Kong's light railway in the north of the city, throwing passengers onto the floor, police say.

Read more: Dozens hurt in Hong Kong train accident

By Agencies

China has threatened to retaliate if the European Union formally opens an investigation into alleged anti-competitive behaviour by Chinese mobile telecom equipment companies.

Read more: China warns EU against telecoms probe

By Agencies

The United States condemned as "outrageous and offensive" comments by the mayor of the Japanese city of Osaka who said this week that Japan's military brothels during World War Two were "necessary" to provide respite for soldiers.

Read more: US slams Japanese mayor's sex-slave comments

By Agencies

About 2,500 people have taken to the streets to protest against plans for a new oil refinery on the outskirts of the southern Chinese city of Kunming.

Read more: Thousands protest oil refinery plans in China

By Agencies

Taiwan's military has conducted a naval drill in waters between Taiwan and the Philippines, close to the spot where Filipino coast guard personnel opened fire on a Taiwanese fishing vessel last week, killing a 65-year-old-crew member.

Read more: Taiwan holds naval drill amid row with Manila

By Agencies

Taiwan has recalled its ambassador to the Philippines and announced it has frozen the hiring of Philippine workers to protest against the killing of a Taiwanese fisherman, rejecting an apology over the incident as inadequate.

Read more: Taiwan recalls Philippine envoy over shooting

By Agencies

Tough financial sanctions and an arms embargo have significantly delayed expansion of North Korea's nuclear arms programme, according to a confidential UN report seen by the Reuters news agency.

Read more: Sanctions 'delaying N Korea nuclear aims'

By Agencies

Singapore police officers who inspected the apartment where a US high-tech researcher was found hanged last year have told an inquiry that they saw no signs of a struggle.

Read more: Singapore police testify in US death inquiry

By Agencies

Boats carrying about 200 Rohingya Muslims who were evacuating ahead of a storm have capsized off western Myanmar, killing all but one person, UN officials have said.

Read more: Rescue operation after Myanmar boats sink