Beijing, Feb 21 (IANS) Change has been seen in China "though there are still tests and expectations ahead", said Chinese news agency Xinhua as the country's new leaders complete 100 days of governance.

Beijing, Feb 21 (IANS/EFE) China will impose a new tax on carbon-dioxide emissions as part of policies aimed at protecting the environment and improving air quality, the finance ministry said.

Beijing, Feb 21 (IANS) A fleet of Chinese marine surveillance ships departed Monday to carry out regular patrol missions in the South China Sea, the country's State Oceanic Administration (SOA) said Wednesday.

Beijing, Feb 21 (IANS) China's safety watchdog has said it will suspend or shut down operations in over 5,000 non-coal mines this year over their failure to meet required safety standards, Xinhua reported.

Seoul, Feb 20 (IANS) The Indian junior squash team began with emphatic wins in the Asian Junior Team Championships here Wednesday.

Seoul, Feb 15 (IANS) Sales of LG Electronics' Optimus L Series smartphones topped 15 million units globally since its introduction in February 2012, the company said Friday.

Seoul, Feb 13 (IANS) South Korea's money supply growth slowed in December, giving central bank more room to reduce borrowing costs to boost the economy, central bank data showed Wednesday.

Seoul, Feb 12 (IANS) The South Korean government condemned the nuclear test by North Korea Tuesday, calling it a "clear violation" of UN resolutions. The South Korean military was put on high alert.

Tokyo, Feb 20 (IANS/EFE) Orchestra conductor Seiji Ozawa, who cancelled his appearances almost a year ago because of his poor state of health, will return to the podium in August at a festival in the central Japanese city of Matsumoto, NHK television reported.

Tokyo, Feb 12 (IANS/EFE) The Japanese government has agreed to resume talks with Saudi Arabia on exports of nuclear technology for the construction of power plants in the Middle Eastern country, the Nikkei business daily reported.

Tokyo, Feb 9 (IANS/EFE) Two king cheetahs, of which only a few dozen are believed to exist in captivity, were born last month at Tama Zoo in the Japanese capital, a park spokesperson told EFE.

Tokyo, Feb 8 (IANS/EFE) The pale nakedness of replicas of Michelangelo's David and the Venus de Milo have scandalized some residents of a small Japanese town, who have asked that the intimate parts of the statues be covered to "preserve their modesty".

Macau, April 12 (IANS) The city welcomed over 28 million tourists from across the world in the past year. Now, footfalls could go up by 26 percent with the opening of the grand $4 billion Sands Cotai Central resort that boasts of the world's largest Conrad, Sheraton and Holiday Inn hotels.

Macau, Feb 28 (IANS) Achanta Sharath Kamal and Subhajit Saha were knocked out of the quarterfinals of the Asian Table Tennis Championships men's doubles, losing 0-3 to Chu Yan Leung and Yuk Cheung of Hong Kong here Tuesday.

Macau, Feb 27 (IANS) India's Sharath Kamal and Subhajit Saha caused one of the biggest upsets of the Asian Table Tennis Championships when they beat China's second seeds Ma Lin and Zhang Jike in straight games in the second round of men's doubles here Monday.

Macau, Feb 26 (IANS) Indian men bowed out of the medal reckoning after losing to Chinese Taipei 2-3 in the quarterfinals of the Asian Table Tennis Championships early here Sunday. Later, they lost 1-3 to North Korea in the 5-8 position matches.

Ulan Bator (Mongolia), Sep 26 (IANS) Non-Resident ambassador of Brazil to Mongolia Clodoaldo Hugueney said here Wednesday his country was ready to help Mongolia develop football.

Pyongyang/Seoul/Washington, Feb 12 (IANS) Highly secretive North Korea revealed Tuesday it had conducted a third nuclear test, drawing condemnation from around the world and prompting South Korea to put its military on high alert and summon a meeting of the UN Security Council.

Pyongyang/Seoul/Washington, Feb 12 (IANS) Highly secretive North Korea revealed Tuesday it had conducted a third nuclear test, a move that US President Barack Obama called highly provocative and which prompted South Korea to put its military on high alert.

Pyongyang/Seoul, Feb 12 (IANS) North Korea said Tuesday that it had successfully conducted a third nuclear test to safeguard its national security against hostile US policy, a move that prompted South Korea to put its military on high alert.

Pyongyang, Jan 24 (IANS) North Korea said Thursday it plans a new nuclear test and more rocket launches.

Manila, Jan 31 (IANS) A US nuclear attack submarine, which was the first to launch Tomahawk missiles in an Iraqi operation in 2003, will arrive in the Philippines Friday for a routine port visit, Xinhua reported.

Manila, Jan 29 (IANS) The Philippines is trying to win US support for its move to bring territorial disputes with China to international arbitration, China's state-run Xinhua news agency said Tuesday.

Manila, Dec 18 (IANS) The Philippine government Tuesday urged Filipino exporters to look for opportunities in India amid slowdown in key markets like the US and Europe and the existing trade agreement between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and India.

Manila, Dec 12 (IANS) Philippine boxing icon Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao said Wednesday he won't retire yet despite his recent defeat against Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez.

Taipei, Nov 16 (IANS) A research team has found the prevalence of common mental disorders (CMDs) in Taiwan has doubled over the last two decades, Xinhua reported.

Taipei, Sep 25 (IANS) Taiwanese fishing boats that sailed to the disputed Diaoyu islands to protest Japan's purchase of the islands completed their voyage Tuesday.

Taipei, Sep 17 (IANS) India's Gaganjeet Bhullar fought his way to his third Asian Tour title by closing with three-under-par 69 at the weather-shortened Yeangder Tournament Players Championship here Monday.

Taipei, Sep 16 (IANS) India's Gaganjeet Bhullar had two closing birdies to thank for giving him the second round lead when play finally resumed at the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship Sunday.

Yangon, June 14 (IANS) At least 29 people have been killed and 38 injured in riots in Myanmar's Rakhine state since June 8, the government said Thursday.

Yangon, June 13 (IANS) A group of pygmies, forgotten by time, lived among treacherous mountains in the region bordering Myanmar and Tibet till they were 'found' and written on by a wildlife conservationist.

Yangon, June 11 (IANS) The Myanmar government declared a state of emergency in coastal Rakhine state Sunday night following unrest.

Yangon, June 11 (IANS) A contract has been inked on exploring gas at an onshore block in Myanmar, official media reported.