Asia News

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan said Tokyo was ready to act again if the yen moved sharply, keeping traders on guard against further intervention as expectations of U.S. monetary easing weighed on the dollar. Full Story »

KABUL (AFP) - Afghanistan's electoral watchdog said Wednesday it was tackling almost 4,000 complaints over the parliamentary election, which has been tainted by accusations of fraud and Taliban intimidation. Full Story »

BEIJING (AFP) - Typhoon Fanapi, one of the strongest storms to hit China in years, has left 18 dead and 48 missing in devastating flooding and landslides in the nation's south, state press said on Wednesday. Full Story »

LONDON (AFP) - Fears grew Wednesday about the participation of British nations in the Commonwealth Games after England said the event was on a "knife-edge" and Scotland delayed its team's departure to New Delhi. Full Story »

TOKYO (AFP) - Japan's centre-left government on Wednesday promised a thorough inquiry after the arrest of one of the state's elite prosecutors for alleged evidence-tampering sparked widespread outrage. Full Story »

BEIJING (AFP) - China's premier threatened "further actions" if Japan fails immediately to release a trawler captain, as Beijing staged its highest-level intervention yet in a bitter row between Asia's biggest powers. Full Story »

NEW DELHI (AFP) - The Commonwealth Games plunged deeper into crisis Wednesday with England warning the event was on a "knife edge" over complaints of filthy housing and worsening structural and security concerns. Full Story »

NEW DELHI - The Commonwealth Games chief rushed to New Delhi seeking emergency talks with the prime minister over India's chaotic preparations, as two world champion competitors withdrew and England warned that problems with the athletes' village have left the sporting event on a "knife-edge." Full Story »

WASHINGTON (AFP) - President Barack Obama struggled to craft his Afghan war strategy amid infighting and fierce dissent at the White House and with Pentagon officials, said media accounts of a new book Wednesday. Full Story »

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Millions of people forced to flee their homes by Pakistan's worst ever floods may emerge as the most explosive issue for a feeble government in the wake of a disaster that will strain the economy for years to come. Full Story »

TOKMOK, Kyrgyzstan - Softly singing along to the wistful strains of Ethiopian music, Haymanot Tesgaye and his friends are transported back to their homeland in Africa, far from this Central Asian nation where they have been stranded for two decades. Full Story »

BEIJING - Heavy rains from the strongest storm to hit China this year continued to threaten the south Wednesday after causing flooding and landslides that have killed 18 people so far and left at least 44 missing, officials said. Full Story »

BEIJING - China's premier threatened action against Japan if Tokyo does not immediately release a ship captain detained in his first comments amid a growing fight over disputed islands. Full Story »

KABUL, Afghanistan - A helicopter carrying international troops crashed in a rugged section of southern Afghanistan, killing nine service members in the deadliest such incident in four years for coalition forces. Full Story »

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - A pod of 74 pilot whales stranded themselves on a remote northern New Zealand beach — the second time in a month that a mass beaching has happened in the region, officials said Wednesday. Full Story »

KABUL, Afghanistan - A joint NATO and Afghan force arrested an Afghan journalist in the eastern region of Ghazni and is investigating suspicions he may have been too close to Taliban militants. Full Story »

SEOUL, South Korea - North Korea's ruling communist party has finally set a date for its biggest convention in decades, an apparent indication that the regime may be ready to give the aging leader's son a key position that will pave the way for his succession. Full Story »

NEW DELHI - A footbridge under construction near the Commonwealth Games main stadium in India's capital collapsed on Tuesday, injuring at least 23 construction workers and throwing further doubt on the viability of next month's multination games. Full Story »