Kuala Lumpur, Aug 8, 2006 - The iconic leatherback turtle is virtually extinct in Malaysia, and there are fears their numbers are on the decline worldwide as habitats vanish, according to a United Nations report.
Dili, Aug 8, 2006 - Malaysia is planning to pull out most of its 200 troops from strife-hit East Timor by the end of the month, its army chief said according to reports published Tuesday.
Manila, Aug 8, 2006 - At least 11,000 American and Filipino soldiers and Marines will take part in two joint military exercises in the Philippines this year, the hosts said Tuesday.
Tokyo, Aug 8, 2006 - Japan's Softbank Corp said Tuesday it returned to profits in the quarter to June as its loss-making Internet service business turned around and its mobile phone operations brought in cash.
Jerusalem, Aug 8, 2006 - Israel reacted coolly Tuesday to Lebanon's offer to deploy 15,000 government troops in the south, saying the move could serve as a smokescreen for Shiite militant group Hezbollah.
Addis Ababa, Aug 8, 2006 - Hopes faded Tuesday for finding survivors from hundreds of people missing after deadly weekend flash floods devastated a town in eastern Ethiopia, officials and residents said.
Addis Ababa, Aug 8, 2006 - Hopes faded Tuesday for finding survivors from hundreds of people missing after deadly weekend flash floods devastated a town in eastern Ethiopia, officials and residents said.
Jerusalem, Aug 8, 2006 - Israeli Defence Minister Amir Peretz said on Tuesday that if diplomatic efforts failed to silence Hezbollah rockets then the army would expand its operations in Lebanon and ensure the attacks ended.
Jakarta, Aug 8, 2006 - Japan has strengthened its self-defense force in view of possible attacks by North Korea, its visiting Defense Agency boss said Tuesday as Indonesia vowed to help defuse tension on the Korean peninsula.
Trincomalee, Sri Lanka, Aug 8, 2006 - Sri Lanka troops launched fresh artillery attacks against Tamil Tigers from bases in this port city Tuesday, as grieving relatives prepared to bury aid workers killed in the conflict.
Taipei, Aug 8, 2006 - Taiwan's weather bureau warned residents Tuesday to brace for Tropical Storm Bopha which is expected to bring strong winds and torrential rain to southeastern parts of the island.
Beijing, Aug 8, 2006 - A Chinese official in charge of a child care organization has been charged with embezzlement after handing in fake invoices totalling 1.25 million yuan (156,000 dollars), state media said Tuesday.
Baguio, Philippines, Aug 8, 2006 - Two children were killed and three other people were injured when a landslide caused by tropical storm Bopha crashed into a village in the northern Philippines, rescuers said Tuesday.
Vienna, Aug 8, 2006 - Parts of northern and western Austria were put on flood alert late Monday following heavy rain over the weekend but the situation was improving early Tuesday, authorities said.
Beijing, Aug 8, 2006 - A giant panda has scored two records in one go after the longest-ever delivery resulted in the heaviest cub to emerge from China's artificial breeding program, state media said Tuesday.
Muzaffarabad, Pakistan, Aug 8, 2006 - Five people were killed when a boulder carried by a landslide crushed their house in Pakistani Kashmir Tuesday, while monsoon rains left eight others dead or missing elsewhere.
