NEWS & ANALYSIS ON DEMAND
Sri Lanka arrests former army commander, presidential challenger
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Sri Lanka has arrested former army commander and losing presidential candidate General Sarath Fonseka.
Australia's Pacific commitment not diminished by resignation: FM
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Australia's Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith says Australia's committment to the Pacific region will not be diminished by the resignation of Labor MP Duncan Kerr.
Kashmir avalanche kills Indian soldiers
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At least 11 Indian soldiers are dead after an avalanche hit a training base in Indian-administered Kashmir.
Michael Jackson's doctor charged over singer's death
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Los Angeles prosecutors have charged Michael Jackson's personal doctor with involuntary manslaughter over the singer's death last year.
US, France urge new Iran sanctions
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The United States and France are vowing to push for fresh United Nations sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program.
Activists to face court over Japan whaling clashes

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Two members of Greenpeace are facing up to 10 years' jail in the latest skirmish to erupt over Japan's whaling activities.
Gunmen attack Pakistani ex-minister's office
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Gunmen have opened fire at the election office of a former Pakistani government minister in the city of Rawalpindi.
China shuts hacker training school
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China has closed what it claims to be the largest hacker training website in the country and arrested three of its members.
Local police told state media the "Black Hawk Safety Net" website taught hacking techniques and provided malicious software downloads for its 12,000 members.
ABC denies Chinese pressure over Uighur film
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The managing director of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Mark Scott, says he doesn't recall Chinese officials pressing the ABC not to show the film "The Ten Conditions of Love" about exiled Uighur leader, Rabiya Kadeer.
Japan pledges to help grow Palestinian economy
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Japan's Prime Minister has agreed to help grow the economy of the Palestinian territories.
Endeavour space shuttle takes off
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The space shuttle Endeavour has finally taken off from Cape Canaveral in Florida after delays caused by the weather.
Australia changes skilled migration rules

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Australia's Immigration Minister Chris Evans says changes to the skilled migration program will shift the emphasis from a supply driven system to one more focussed on demand.
Australia increases aid to Burma

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Australia has pledged a 40 per cent increase in humanitarian aid to Burma over the next three years, saying the country can't be allowed to decay completely while waiting for political change.
Anwar Ibrahim moves to have trial judge disqualified
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Malaysia's opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has moved to have the judge in his sodomy trial disqualified, complaining he had refused to rein in biased media coverage.
Thailand deploys troops ahead of Thaksin decision
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Thailand's government has begun deploying 20,000 police and soldiers ahead of a court ruling on the fortune of fugitive Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Thousands flee ahead of Afghanistan offensive
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Around 2,000 people have fled their homes in a southern district of Afghanistan ahead of a military offensive intended to clear Taliban militants.
French Polynesia begins Cyclone Oli clean-up


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Authorities in French Polynesia have declared a state of calamity in the aftermath of Cyclone Oli.
Cook Islands on alert for Cyclone Pat
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Parts of the Pacific are on alert following the formation of another tropical cyclone near the northern Cook Islands.
China finds new batches of poisoned milk powder
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Chinese authorities are shutting dairy companies down following the discovery of new batches of poisoned milk powder.
Australia Network in China broadcast talks
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ABC managing director, Mark Scott, says the organisation is still in talks about broadcasting the international television service, Australian Network, into China.
PNG police recapture prison escapee
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Police in Papua New Guinea have recaptured the country's most wanted criminal.
Thailand suspends Burma refugee repatriation
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Thailand has suspended the forced repatriation of ethnic Karen refugees to Burma, heeding calls from US lawmakers and rights groups who said they faced possible death or enslavement.
Princess Ashika royal commission resumes in Tonga
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A royal commission reconvenes in Nuku'alofa on Monday to probe last year's Ashika ferry disaster which killed 74 people.
Casualties reported after US gas plant explosion
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An explosion has ripped through a power plant in the U-S state of Connecticut.
Economic forecast to dominate Pacific conference
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The disturbing economic outlook for Pacific Island countries will be the focus of a series of international meetings in Vanuatu this week.
Mystery remains over disappeared Thai lawyer

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After almost six years, the family of Thai human rights lawyer Somchai Neelapaichit is still waiting for answers over his disappearance.
Report ends Australian dream of northern food bowl

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A report by an Australian taskforce has effectively ended the dream of establishing large-scale agriculture in the country's north.
Iran condemned over uranium enrichment plans
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Iran has heightened suspicions in the West that it plans to build a nuclear bomb by announcing plans to produce a much higher grade of uranium.
Toyota reportedly recalls Prius vehicles
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Japanese media is reporting that Toyota will this week order the recall of 300-thousand Prius hybrid cars.
Aircraft manufacturers look to Asia
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The world's biggest aircraft manufacturers are hoping for an Asian-led recovery for the trouble aviation sector.











