December 31, 2011 – 6:52 pm
A Chinese Official Tests a New Political Approach By SHARON LaFRANIERE BEIJING — In a year of China under lockdown, when dissident writers have received breathtaking prison sentences and the mere whisper of a “Jasmine Revolution” has spurred mass detentions, perhaps the riskiest thing a Chinese politician could do is put his iron glove on [...]
December 31, 2011 – 6:49 pm
India: Pakistani troops’ fire wounds border guard SRINAGAR, India (AP) — An Indian official says Pakistani troops fired small arms and mortars on an Indian patrol near the highly militarized Kashmir border and an Indian guard was wounded.
December 31, 2011 – 6:45 pm
China says man dies of bird flu BEIJING (Reuters) – A man in southern China’s Guangdong province died of bird flu Saturday a week after being admitted to hospital with a fever, state media reported.
December 31, 2011 – 6:41 pm
Test-firing of Iran long-range missiles in Gulf delayed – TV TEHRAN (Reuters) – Iran’s senior navy commander denied state media reports that the Islamic Republic had test-fired long-range missiles during a naval drill on Saturday, saying the missiles would be launched in the next few days.
December 31, 2011 – 4:25 pm
Afghan president welcomes US remarks on Taliban KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Saturday welcomed remarks from the Obama administration saying that Taliban insurgents were not America’s enemies.
December 31, 2011 – 4:20 pm
Cyclone Thane kills at least 33 in southeast India CHENNAI, Dec 31 (AlertNet) – At least 33 people died when Cyclone Thane hit coastal southern India near the former French colony of Pondicherry, officials said on Saturday, causing thousands to evacuate and damaging roads, buildings and power lines.
December 31, 2011 – 4:16 pm
Philippine fireworks, revelry gunfire injure 200 MANILA, Philippines (AP) — More than 200 people have been injured by illegal firecrackers and celebratory gunfire in the Philippines despite a government scare campaign against reckless holiday revelries, officials said Saturday.
December 31, 2011 – 12:18 pm
North Korea says names Kim Jong-un top military commander SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea announced on Saturday it has appointed Kim Jong-un, the anointed successor and youngest son of Kim Jong-il, as supreme commander of its 1.2 million-strong military, two days after official mourning for the late leader ended.
December 31, 2011 – 9:31 am
Vietnam sentences 5 to death for drug trafficking HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — A court in southern Vietnam has sentenced five people to death for heroin trafficking.
December 31, 2011 – 9:29 am
New Year cheer starts early in time-jumping Samoa APIA, Samoa (AP) — The New Year’s Eve parties started a whole day early on the Pacific island nation of Samoa, after a hop across the international date line transported the country 24 hours into the future.
