Philippine Supreme Court stops peace agreement

Manila - The Supreme Court temporarily blocked the signing of an agreement Monday between the government and Muslim secessionist rebels to expand an autonomous Muslim region in the southern Philippines.

UN envoy arrives in Burma to discuss human rights
Rangoon - A United Nations rapporteur arrived in Yangon Sunday to discuss human-rights concerns, diplomatic officials said.

Cambodia calls in FBI to help find journalist's killer
Cambodia has called on the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to help find the killer of an opposition journalist and his son, who were gunned down last month during the national election campaign, a government spokesman said Saturday.

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Desperately seeking a drug-smuggling warlord
For some weeks now Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung has been talking about his connection with Ai Joe, a mysterious figure who supposedly handles Wei Hsueh-kang's drug money.

Why War is Unlikely in Asia
While war in the Asia-Pacific is unlikely, the emergence of East Asia, especially China, will require adjustments by the West, just as Asian societies have had to adjust to Western norms and values during the American century, RSIS's Barry Desker writes:

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Bird flu kills Indonesian man, country death toll rises to 112
Jakarta -- A 19-year-old Indonesian man died from bird flu, raising the country's world-leading death toll from the H5N1 virus to 112, a health ministry official confirmed Sunday.
Rights group praises US legislation banning Burma gems
Bangkok/Washington -- Human Rights Watch on Tuesday praised legislation passed by the US Congress that would bar US gem dealers and jewelry retailers from importing rubies and jade from Burma, a country notorious for its human and labour rights abuses.
Malaysian opposition leader urges scrapping of sodomy investigation
Kuala Lumpur -- Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim Tuesday urged police to cease investigations into allegations that he had sodomized a former aide after several internet news portals revealed that his accuser was found medically to have never been sodomized.
PI to re-float sunken ferry to recover bodies
Manila - The Philippines would no longer resume diving operations to retrieve hundreds of bodies trapped in a ferry that sank during a typhoon and would instead re-float the vessel, a transportation official said Wednesday.

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Bangkok's best bars and pubs
Our nightlife reporter bids weekend a fond farewell with a recap of her seven favourite watering holes
Get it while it's tasty
Thai and international favourites, plus a few exotic items, are prepared in an open-kitchen
Babymime in full view
The acclaimed Thai pantomime troupe collaborates with top director nikorn saetang for their first solo show
Shopping by the sea
Along with the beach, there is an extensive selection of items worth browsing for in local markets