Asia Calling
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In Philippines this week a former policeman armed with an assault rifle hijacked a bus of Hong Kong tourists in an attempt to get his job back.
Eight of the hostages were killed in the bloody siege, which ended with several survivors crawling from the bus while emergency crews removed bodies.
The gunman was Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza, who had spent almost three decades with Manila's ...
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North Korea's number-two leader has told a gathering of military leaders in Pyongyang that the Korean peninsula is on the brink of war.
And South Korea's defence ministry has revealed that the North has begun a massive deployment of troops, artillery and tanks near Pyongyang but many believe this could be for a military parade designed as a show of the communist state's vast arsenal.
The d...
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Like in many Asian countries, Afghanistan musicians, actors and sportsmen’s are turning to politics.
Among them is 28-year-old Farida Tarana, a famous singer who is running for a seat in parl...
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The Straits of Malacca is one the most important shipping routes world.
The Portuguese came to Malacca in the early 16th century in an attempt to control the lucrative spice trade.
Almost fiv...
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Indonesian prison authorities have recommended cancelling the life sentences imposed on key players in the Bali bombings eight years ago which killed 202 people.
The men, who prepared the exp...
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Burmese sex workers say they don’t carry condoms because if they do they will be arrested by the police.
Sex work is illegal in Burma and there are no government programs to educate against H...
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Hundreds of thousands of people are engaged in bonded labor in Pakistan, according the International Labor Organisation.
The practice continues despite the fact the country’s highest court ab...
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Indonesia has hopes to become the Mecca of Islamic fashion.
Muslim fashion is growing in popularity in the world’s largest Islamic nation.
15 years ago it was rare to see a women wearing a h...
Corruption scandals plague Indian commonwealth Games: Uncertainty hovers over the 2010 Commonwealth Games with the organizers now facing charges of rampant corruption. The government’s own watchdog has found evidence of financial irregularities in games related projects which has sparked protests from various groups. Some officials of the Organising Committee have already been dismissed while the government promises a thorough probe to find all those involved. This comes amid protests by Delhi students who have been evicted to accommodate foreign delegates in their hostels. Bismillah Geelani has the story Papuan toddler killed by police bullet, family demands justice: Two year old Merlina was killed by Indonesian Police in the restive province of Papua. She was shot near her house during a police raid to arrest an alleged criminal. Police say those responsible have been punished internally but the family is demanding justice. Papua is one of the wealthiest but less developed part of Indonesia. For decades there have been calls for independence from the central government in Jakarta and human rights groups accuse security forces of widespread human rights abuses. Liza Desylanhi went to met the family in mourning in Merauke, Papua.
These stories and much more this week on Asia Calling: Your Window on Asia
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