A collision between a Japanese destroyer and a South Korean container ship in the waters off western Japan caused severe damage to both vessels.
The NHK World reports, “Japan’s Defense Ministry says the 5,200 ton Kurama and the 7,400 ton South Korean-registered Carina Star collided shortly before 8 PM on Tuesday, Japan Time, in [...]
As many as twenty-two children may have drowned when a suspension bridge collapsed in Malaysia.
The New Straits Times reports, “They were among 298 other pupils who were part of a four-day motivational programme comprising 60 schools from the Kinta Selatan district.
The children were in the midst of crossing a 30m hanging bridge, to [...]
A food relief caravan scheduled to leave on October 19 is still at a standstill. Philippine president Arroyo has expressed frustration over the inability to send those supplies to those in need.
The Inquirer.net reports, “The government was set to embark on a relief caravan for the thousands of calamity victims in Regions 1, 2 [...]
Australia’s Herald Sun reports, “The governor of an Indonesian island told Australia yesterday that his country was “not a dumping ground” for asylum seekers – and refused permission for an Aussie ship to offload 78 Sri Lankan refugees.
The Oceanic Viking, a Customs vessel, last night remained anchored 10 nautical miles off Bintan [...]
From the Taipei Times, “In an obvious reference to Taiwan, General Xu Caihou (徐才厚), vice chairman of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Central Military Commission, told a Washington audience on Monday that China had to modernize and build its armed forces because the country ‘has yet to realize complete unification.’”
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A United Nations report urges North Korea to make improvements to its human rights record.
In a Mail & Guardian article, “The report noted that almost nine million people in North Korea were suffering from food shortages, with the World Food Programme (WFP) able to reach fewer than two million of the hungry population [...]
From the Mail & Guardian, “China has not ruled out military action to rescue the crew of a coal ship hijacked by Somali pirates, although it is also pursuing negotiations, a Chinese military spokesperson said.”
China will based its decision on whether to use a military option on “will depend on developments.”
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The latest forcast has Typhoon “Ramil” (Lupit – international name) will make landfall in the northern Philippines either Thursday night or early Friday. The storm has slowed on its west – southwest treck.
In an Inquirer.net story, “‘The conditions are favorable again but it could still gain strength before making a landfall. It is still [...]
A train ran into the back of another in northern India, leaving 22 dead and 17 injured.
The Taipei Times reports, “The force of the impact was such that the engine of the Goa train ended lodged inside the last carriage of the other express. Bloodied bodies and people were pulled from the wreckage before being [...]
A second vote will be conducted in Afghanistan presidential election after an investigation revealed widespread ballot fraud.
“The Electoral Complaints Commission invalidated nearly two-thirds of the ballot boxes investigated because of fraud, mostly on behalf of Mr. Karzai, the incumbent, who had polled about 55% in August’s elections before the recount. The Independent [...]
