FEATURES

A decade ago, Asia was berated for its economic mistakes. Today Asia is being implored by the West to help. [AFP] (ABC)

Asia: The Big Questions - The Economy

Last Updated: Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:19:00 +1000

Is Asia ready to step up and lead the world economy? Graeme Dobell looks at the big questions facing Asia.

Asia has only four per cent of the world's oil, but it uses more than one third of the global oil supplies. [Reuters] (Reuters)

Asia: The Big Questions - Food and Fuel

Last Updated: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:45:00 +1000

Can Asia secure the food and fuel to feed its people and build its future? Graeme Dobell looks at the big questions facing Asia.

The United States calls on China to be more transparent about its military intentions, while China says the US and its allies still think in old, 'Cold War' terms. [Getty Images] (Getty Images)

Asia: The Big Questions - China

Last Updated: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:53:00 +1000

How are Asia and the United States coming to terms with China, and what does China want? Graeme Dobell looks at the big questions facing Asia.

There is growing speculation over how much Asia might turn away from the US because of the lessons of the global recession. [AFP] (AFP)

Asia: The Big Questions - United States

Last Updated: Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:59:00 +1000

In the changed economic and security environment, what is America's new role in Asia? Graeme Dobell looks at the big questions facing Asia.

The giant kangaroo, or procoptodon goliah, stood more than two meters tall, weighed 230 kilograms and had a face more like a koala. [Australian Postal Corporation: Peter Trusler] (Unspecified)

Giant kangaroo extinction mystery

Last Updated: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:23:00 +1000

Scientists are divided over whether an ancient species of kangaroo, weighing more than 200 kilograms, was hunted to extinction by humans 45,000 years ago.

Thom Cookes filming with the Afghan National Army on counter-insurgency operations. [Australia Network: Thom Cookes] (ABC)

Under fire in Uruzgan

Last Updated: Tue, 16 Jun 2009 11:10:00 +1000

Thom Cookes was given extraordinary access to a recent joint patrol by Australian and Afghan soldiers in southern Uruzgan province.

Organisers have promised more protests to keep attention on the violence against international students. [Reuters] (Reuters)

Student attacks in Australia

Last Updated: Tue, 09 Jun 2009 13:43:00 +1000

The organisers of student protests in Melbourne say they're planning more rallies to keep attention on the violence against international students.

Swine flu has spread to more than 70 countries, but debate continues over the risk from the virus. [Reuters] (Reuters)

Swine flu: Pandemic or Panic?

Last Updated: Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:18:00 +1000

With more countries reporting more cases of swine flu, is the world still on the brink of a deadly pandemic - or has the risk been over-hyped?

Tiananmen: 20 years on

Last Updated: Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:06:00 +1000

On the 20th anniversary of the brutal crackdown on student protesters in Beijing's Tiananmen Square, the event remains a virtual taboo in China.

A permit for this year's Methodist Conference was refused under Fiji's Emergency Regulations. [Reuters] (Reuters)

Fiji Methodists face ban

Last Updated: Mon, 08 Jun 2009 10:08:00 +1000

Fiji's Methodist Church has refused to bow to demands by the nation's military ruler, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, to expel some of its senior ministers.

East Timor's Finance Minister Emilia Pires has been accused of corruption, hiring unqualified friends as advisers. [AFP] (ABC)

East Timor minister faces 'jobs for friends' allegation

Last Updated: Fri, 29 May 2009 00:13:00 +1000

Corruption allegations have been directed at East Timor's Finance Minister

Thom Cookes filming with the Afghan National Army in Zabul Province. [ABC/Thom Cookes] (ABC)

Afghan villagers hedging bets in conflict

Last Updated: Wed, 20 May 2009 11:07:00 +1000

ABC Australia Network reporter Thom Cookes reports on the situation in Afghanistan

A Green turtle lies on a bed of corals off Malaysia's Sipadan Islands, which are being threatened by climate change. [Reuters] (Reuters)

Nations adopt Manado Declaration

Last Updated: Mon, 18 May 2009 16:08:00 +1000

Seventy-five of the world's nations have adopted the Manado Declaration on the final day of the World Ocean Conference talks in Indonesia.

According to the Australian government's aid agency, AUSAid, 40 per cent of Papua New Guineans live on less than $1US a day. (ABC)

Poverty crisis in Papua New Guinea

Last Updated: Fri, 15 May 2009 13:30:00 +1000

According to latest assessments presented at a conference in Sydney this week, more than 1 million people in Papua New Guinea live in extreme poverty.