TOP STORIES

Thaksin Shinawatra's 'red shirt' supporters say they will stay until they topple the government. [AFP]

Bangkok locks down for protest

Last Updated: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:22:00 +1100

Thousands of supporters of ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra have begun three days of protests in Bangkok.

Earlier blow: Trees are buffeted by strong winds and rain as Cyclone Mick battered Fiji on December 15. [ABC]

Fiji braces for new cyclone

Last Updated: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:11:00 +1100

Fiji has closed all schools as it braces for another cyclone.

Bali blast accused is buried

Last Updated: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:07:00 +1100

Islamist militant leader Dulmatin has been buried in his Indonesian home village, as a large crowd of mourners chanted "God is great" and hundreds of police stood guard.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. [ABC]

Somare hails Indonesian visit to PNG

Last Updated: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:29:00 +1100

A visit by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to Papua New Guinea has been hailed a success by PNG Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare.

Lahore struck by synchronised bomb attack

Last Updated: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:29:00 +1100

Two suicide bombers attacked military vehicles in the Pakistani city of Lahore, killing at least 20 people and wounding more than 50.

Anti-whaler arrested in Tokyo

Last Updated: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:40:00 +1100

The Japanese coastguard has arrested a New Zealand anti-whaling activist on his arrival in Tokyo.

Miss Suu Kyi with a US Assistant Secretary of State, Kurt Campbell (left), in Rangoon last November. [Reuters]

Scandinavian pressure on Burma

Last Updated: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:10:00 +1100

Foreign ministers from the Scandinavian countries have urged the Burmese junta to release pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and begin dialogue towards national reconciliation.

The F35 joint strike fighter program was hit early in February by the sacking of the US general in charge of it. [ABC]

Australia faces cost blowout for US fighter jets

Last Updated: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:05:00 +1100

The cost of the biggest defence purchase made by Australia, the American-constructed joint strike fighter, is now twice the original estimate, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reports.

Internally displaced people walk inside a camp in northern Sri Lanka in August last year. [Reuters]

Tamil detainees sent back as situation improves

Last Updated: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:59:00 +1100

Australian Immigration Minister Chris Evans says the government is sending more Tamil asylum seekers back to their country as the situation improves in Sri Lanka.

SBY urged to back Papua peace drive

Last Updated: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:21:00 +1100

A group working to prevent conflict in the world has called on Indonesia's president to get fully behind a mediation effort for Papua and West Papua.

UN to quiz NZ on stun guns

Last Updated: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:20:00 +1100

New Zealand's Justice Minister is heading to New York - and the United Nations Human Rights Committee - to defend his country's use of Taser stun-guns by police.

Rough waters. Waves crash against a wall on Tahiti island. [Ocenia Flash]

55,000 in poverty in French Polynesia, says study

Last Updated: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:05:00 +1100

Despite a generally high level of incomes in French Polynesia, 55,000 people live in poverty, a study has found.

US President Barack Obama says the Asia-Pacific region is crucial to helping the US create jobs. [Official White House Photo]

Obama to talk trade on Australia, Indonesia visit

Last Updated: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 07:34:00 +1100

United States president Barack Obama says trade will be one of the key topics when he begins a visit to Indonesia and Australia next week.

Vanuatu police criticised over death

Last Updated: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:26:00 +1100

Transparency International says the Vanuatu police commissioner should immediately resign, to allow for an independent inquiry into the death of a prisoner in custody.

Author Robert Dessaix was to be one of the key speakers at the Australian writers festivals in Beijing and Shanghai. [ABC]

China defends ban of HIV-positive writer

Last Updated: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +1100

The Chinese Government has defended its decision to deny an Australian author entry to the country because he's HIV positive.

Chile's new president says his will be the government 'not of the earthquake, but of the reconstruction'. [Reuters]

Aftershock hits Chile as new president sworn in

Last Updated: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 07:37:00 +1100

The swearing-in ceremony of Chile's new president, Sebastian Pinera, has been overshadowed by the strongest aftershock since last month's devastating earthquake.

The ruling Cambodian People's Party made the law public just one week ago, before announcing that it would be put to parliament. [AFP]

Cambodia passes anti-graft law

Last Updated: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:01:00 +1100

Cambodia's parliament has approved a controversial anti-corruption law, more than 15 years after the legislation was first proposed.

Joe Biden says Israel's decision to build new settler homes must not be allowed to delay indirect peace talks. [Reuters]

US VP moves to salvage Middle East peace talks

Last Updated: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:09:00 +1100

The US vice-president has sought to salvage peace talks between Israel and Palestinian leaders, despite an ongoing row over new Jewish housing in east Jerusalem.