WSJ.com: What's News Asia

Markets' Spasms Roil Trading Ties

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 20:24:00 EDT

Market gyrations are shaking up longstanding trading relationships between different types of financial assets.

U.S. Raises Heat Under Iran

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 16:59:00 EDT

The U.S. is fine-tuning new financial penalties against Iran that would target everything from gasoline imports to the insurance sector, and the prospect of such sanctions grew after talks over its nuclear-fuel program made no progress.

MTN Ends Deal Talks With Reliance

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 01:16:00 EDT

South Africa's MTN and India's Reliance Communications called off talks over a potential merger that would have created an emerging-markets wireless giant. Behind the talks' collapse is a bitter rivalry between a pair of Indian billionaire brothers.

Obama Pushes Afghan Shift

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 19:39:00 EDT

Obama called for shifting U.S. military forces from Iraq to Afghanistan, which he called "the central front on our battle against terrorism." Obama met with Karzai in Kabul and next plans to travel to Iraq.

Myanmar Junta Pressed on Detainee

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 19:41:00 EDT

Asean expressed "deep disappointment" over Aung San Suu Kyi's continued detention, while Myanmar indicated she might be freed in six months, Singapore's foreign minister said.

Economic Woes Test Pakistan

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 20:12:00 EDT

Economic turmoil is roiling Pakistan, spawning another daunting test for the country's wobbly leadership. Runaway food prices, energy shortages and a plunging stock market have hit ordinary Pakistanis hard.

Beijing Begins Drastic Moves on Pollution

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 19:34:00 EDT

China launched last-ditch efforts to guarantee clean air for the Olympics, with Beijing forcing cars to run on alternating days by plate numbers.

U.S. Weapons Package for Taiwan Stalls

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 19:42:00 EDT

The U.S. appears increasingly unlikely to proceed with a planned $11 billion sale of weapons to Taiwan.

BOJ Reaffirms Neutral Stance on Policy

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 01:57:00 EDT

Bank of Japan Gov. Shirakawa reaffirmed the central bank's neutral stance on policy, saying the bank gives equal weight to downside risks to the economy and upside risks to consumer prices.

Soldiers Capture Tamil Rebel Base

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 08:49:00 EDT

Sri Lankan government forces captured a Tamil Tiger rebel base in the north Sunday after a 48-hour battle that left at least 15 rebels dead, while air force jets destroyed six rebel boats, the military said.

Foreign Troops Not Welcome in Pakistan

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 05:12:00 EDT

Pakistan's Prime Minister pledged to fight terrorists within his country's borders, but said foreign forces will not be allowed to operate against militants inside Pakistan.

China Aims to Improve Rescue Services

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:02:00 EDT

China is moving to strengthen its firefighting and rescue services in the wake of the massive earthquake that devastated a swath of southwestern China two months ago.

Pope Warns of 'Spiritual Desert'

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 08:22:00 EDT

Pope Benedict XVI said that a "spiritual desert" was spreading throughout the world and challenged young people to shed greed and cynicism to create a new age of hope. The Pope's mass marked the end of the World Youth Day Festival.

Sony Ericsson Hurt by Weak Sales

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 22:44:00 EDT

Sony Ericsson struggled to break even in the second quarter as continued weak sales of mid-to-high-end phones and investments in emerging markets weighed on earnings.

Qantas Plans to Cut Jobs

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:34:00 EDT

Qantas intends to eliminate 1,500 jobs world-wide and it shed plans to increase flying capacity as it continues to battle high jet-fuel costs.