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A suicide bomber exploded a car bomb Thursday near Afghanistan's Kandahar airfield hours after U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta had left the southern Afghan city.

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Timeline: North Korea's rocket-fueled obsession updated Wed Dec 12 2012 04:16:03

North Korea claims its latest rocket launch was a success and culminated in the deployment of a satellite in orbit.

N. Korea's launch causes worries about nukes, Iran and the Pacificupdated Wed Dec 12 2012 04:07:26

North Korea's newly launched satellite marks a "big deal" for Pyongyang, the crossing of a major threshold and a public relations win for the secretive country's new leader, Kim Jong Un, experts say.

North Korea silences doubters, raises fears with rocket launchupdated Wed Dec 12 2012 03:55:11

Eight months ago, the international community stifled a snigger when North Korea's hyped rocket launch ended with a fizzle.

China's reaction key as neighbors decry North Korea rocket launchupdated Wed Dec 12 2012 02:28:51

North Korea's neighbors have condemned the secretive nation's launch of a long-range rocket, with Seoul calling the launch a "challenge and threat" to stability on the Korean peninsula and the world at large.

North Korea carries out controversial rocket launchupdated Tue Dec 11 2012 20:39:59

North Korea surprised and angered the international community Wednesday by launching a long-range rocket that may have put an object in orbit.

American citizen being held in North Korea, U.S. saysupdated Tue Dec 11 2012 15:14:58

An American citizen has been detained in North Korea for more than a month, U.S. officials said Tuesday.

Prank call radio station to donate funds to nurse's familyupdated Tue Dec 11 2012 07:44:32

The Australian radio station which made a prank call to a UK hospital that apparently resulted in the death of a nurse said Tuesday that it would donate at least 500,000 Australian dollars (US$524,000) to a fund for the nurse's family.

Philippine toll from typhoon above 700 and likely to rise, authorities sayupdated Tue Dec 11 2012 04:03:59

The death toll from the destructive typhoon that savaged the southern Philippines last week has climbed above 700, authorities said Tuesday, warning that the final number may be much higher.

Cathay cabin crew threaten no-smile serviceupdated Tue Dec 11 2012 03:46:06

Cathay Pacific's flight attendants union voted in favor of taking industrial action Monday after salary negotiations with the Hong-Kong-based airline stalled.

Snakes on the loose at Chinese universityupdated Tue Dec 11 2012 01:30:19

Students at a university in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou were given a scare last week, after dozens of snakes invaded the campus.

Navy identifies SEAL killed in Afghanistan rescueupdated Mon Dec 10 2012 12:21:25

The U.S. Defense Department on Monday identified the SEAL killed during a successful raid to free a captive doctor in Afghanistan.

Radio personalities apologize for prank call to duchess's hospitalupdated Mon Dec 10 2012 09:59:42

The two Australian radio personalities who made the prank phone call to a British hospital caring for the pregnant Duchess of Cambridge made tearful apologies Monday for making the call, which may have led to the suicide of a nurse who spoke to the pair.

Rescuers search for hundreds still missing in Philippines after typhoonupdated Mon Dec 10 2012 04:50:43

Rescue workers are searching for more than 300 Filipino fishermen who have gone missing after a devastating typhoon that tore across the Philippines last week, killing more than 600 people, authorities said Monday.

North Korea extends launch window for rocket after technical problemsupdated Mon Dec 10 2012 02:50:51

North Korea has extended the window for a controversial long-range rocket launch by one week after finding technical problems in an engine, state media reported Monday.

Police: 6 die in suicide attack in northern Pakistanupdated Mon Dec 10 2012 02:07:03

A synchronized attack by a pair of suicide bombers killed six people and injured nine others in northern Pakistan Monday morning, police said.

China detains monk over Tibetan immolationsupdated Mon Dec 10 2012 00:02:07

Chinese police have detained an ethnic Tibetan monk and his nephew, accusing them of "goading" eight people into setting themselves on fire.

Senior al Qaeda leader killed in Pakistan, officials sayupdated Sun Dec 09 2012 13:26:44

A senior al Qaeda leader was killed in a drone strike Thursday in Pakistan, two of the country's intelligence officials told CNN on Sunday.

U.S. Navy SEAL killed in operation to rescue American doctor in Afghanistan updated Sun Dec 09 2012 03:18:46

An elite U.S. special forces team rescued an American doctor who had been abducted in Afghanistan, but lost one of their own members in the mission, officials said.

U.S. citizen rescued from the Taliban in Afghanistanupdated Sat Dec 08 2012 20:45:18

Security forces rescued a U.S. citizen from the Taliban on Sunday during an operation in eastern Afghanistan, officials said.

Report: North Korea considers delaying rocket launchupdated Sat Dec 08 2012 11:38:46

An announced rocket launch by North Korea this month may be delayed, officials there said Saturday, but did not give a reason for the change

Philippines typhoon deaths rise as president declares state of calamityupdated Sat Dec 08 2012 05:27:38

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III declared a state of national calamity as the death toll from Typhoon Bopha, the strongest tropical cyclone to hit the Philippines this year, continued to climb.

Emperor Akihito - Fast Factsupdated Fri Dec 07 2012 13:15:29

Here's a look at the life of Emperor Akihito of Japan.

North Korean rocket launch said to be driven by internal pressuresupdated Fri Dec 07 2012 06:14:42

North Korea's decision to launch a second long-range rocket this year, in the face of international condemnation, could be partly due to internal instability, a senior South Korean government official said Friday.

Major quake strikes off Japan, setting off small tsunamiupdated Fri Dec 07 2012 04:06:05

A powerful earthquake struck off the northeast coast of Japan on Friday evening, rattling buildings in Tokyo and setting off a small tsunami.

Former Thai prime minister faces murder charge over 2010 crackdownupdated Fri Dec 07 2012 00:29:06

The consequences of ordering the military to crack down on anti-government demonstrations more than two years ago has come back to haunt the former Thai prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Afghan intelligence chief wounded in attackupdated Thu Dec 06 2012 08:55:48

Afghanistan's intelligence chief was wounded in a suicide attack in Kabul Thursday, the president's office confirmed.

Devastation in a Philippine valley where typhoons aren't expectedupdated Thu Dec 06 2012 04:28:21

Bent over amid the wreckage of her family's home, Jane Bucani, 17, leafs through the sodden remnants of her school yearbook, trying to see what memories she can salvage.

Crew may face manslaughter charges in deadly Hong Kong ferry crash updated Thu Dec 06 2012 03:08:03

Crew members of the boats that collided in Hong Kong's deadliest maritime disaster in decades may face manslaughter charges, according to the director of public prosecutions, who spoke Wednesday at the preliminary hearing of the commission of inquiry.

Divorce by text message sparks bizarre legal battle in Indonesiaupdated Wed Dec 05 2012 21:50:46

The marriage lasted four days and ended in divorce via text message, from the 40-year-old local politician to his 17-year-old wife.

The Philippines shows the world how to celebrate Christmasupdated Wed Dec 05 2012 07:34:04

Where would you find the most Christmas spirit in the world? It's hard to say for certain, but if a global competition were to be held, the Philippines would have an excellent shot at winning.

Pakistan military: 2 killed in army base suicide bomb attackupdated Wed Dec 05 2012 03:56:54

Two soldiers were killed early Wednesday by a pair of suicide bombers who detonated their car when they were stopped from entering an army base, Pakistan's military said.

Rescuers struggle to aid Philippines storm victimsupdated Wed Dec 05 2012 02:13:26

Rescue crews in the Philippines grappled with washed-out roads, downed power lines and poor communications in search of hundreds of people missing after a typhoon that killed more than 300.

Protecting Pitcairn's marine bounty updated Tue Dec 04 2012 21:03:44

The Pitcairn Islands might only have 55 human inhabitants, but the waters surrounding them are teeming with marine life.

How severe weather impacts global food supplyupdated Tue Dec 04 2012 20:51:34

Sometimes Jaria Faraj Ali is so hungry that she ties a scarf tight around her waist to make her feel more comfortable.

General strike disrupts life in Bangladeshupdated Tue Dec 04 2012 18:36:57

Anti-riot police patrolled the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka and elsewhere in the country Tuesday as angry protesters took to the streets, damaging motor vehicles and burned used tires in a general strike, police and witnesses said.

Rising sea level puts island nations like Nauru at riskupdated Tue Dec 04 2012 07:47:23

Kieren Keke remembers growing up on the Pacific island of Nauru, the world's smallest independent republic.

Japanese politicians vie for votes amid turmoilupdated Tue Dec 04 2012 05:10:15

The leading contenders in Japan's upcoming national election kicked off their 12-day campaign Tuesday near the seaside prefecture that was at the heart of last year's nuclear disaster ? and is now a powerful symbol of Japan's deepening economic woes.

Typhoon Bopha carves across Philippines, killing scores of peopleupdated Tue Dec 04 2012 03:52:41

An intense typhoon has carved across the southern Philippines, destroying buildings, setting off floods and landslides and killing at least 95 people, authorities said Wednesday.

Typhoon Bopha hits storm-battered southern Philippinesupdated Mon Dec 03 2012 06:25:46

An intense typhoon made landfall in the southern Philippines early Tuesday amid fears that it could be worse than a 2011 storm that killed more than 1,200 people.

Japan officials: Missing bolts may have caused tunnel collapseupdated Mon Dec 03 2012 06:07:42

The mangled wrecks of cars being carried out of Japan's Sasago Tunnel suggest there was little motorists could do to escape the sudden collapse of the ceiling above them.

9 bodies recovered from vehicles crushed by tunnel collapse in Japanupdated Mon Dec 03 2012 01:51:01

Nine bodies -- eight of them burned -- have been pulled from vehicles crushed in a tunnel collapse about 80 kilometers (50 miles) west of Tokyo, highway police said Monday.

Pakistani schoolgirl activist Malala thanks supporters after being shot by Talibanupdated Sun Dec 02 2012 23:41:29

Malala Yousufzai, the Pakistani schoolgirl activist who was shot in the head by the Taliban, has expressed gratitude to the people around the world who have supported her as she recovers from the traumatic attack.

Police: Suicide bombings target U.S.-Afghan base, kill 5updated Sun Dec 02 2012 02:41:13

Three suicide car bombs were used to target a joint U.S.-Afghan base in eastern Afghanistan early Sunday in an attack that left at least three Afghan soldiers and two civilians dead, officials said.

9 bodies recovered from vehicles crushed when tunnel collapses in Japanupdated Sun Dec 02 2012 02:01:52

Nine bodies -- eight of them burned -- have been pulled from vehicles crushed in a tunnel collapse about 80 kilometers (50 miles) west of Tokyo, a highway police spokesperson said early Monday.

Hong Kong in hot pursuit of Ivy League educationupdated Sun Dec 02 2012 00:17:36

How much would you pay to get your child into an Ivy League university?

'Multiple explosions' occur around coalition airfield in eastern Afghanistanupdated Sat Dec 01 2012 22:59:14

Multiple explosions occurred "in the vicinity of Jalalabad Airfield" in eastern Afghanistan, an allied military spokesman said Sunday.

Cars trapped after Japanese tunnel collapseupdated Sat Dec 01 2012 20:53:33

An unknown number of cars were trapped early Sunday after a tunnel collapsed some 50 miles (80 kilometers) west of Tokyo, police said.

North Korea plans rocket launch within daysupdated Sat Dec 01 2012 03:54:01

North Korea plans to launch a rocket carrying a satellite between December 10 and 22, a spokesman for the Korean Committee for Space Technology said Saturday, according to state-run media.

Activist Suu Kyi condemns crackdown that injured protesters at Myanmar mineupdated Fri Nov 30 2012 08:31:04

Democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi on Friday condemned a government crackdown on protesters at a Myanmar copper mine project owned by the country's military and a Chinese company.

Prominent Chinese activist blasts nephew's convictionupdated Fri Nov 30 2012 07:45:37

Prominent human rights advocate Chen Guangcheng told CNN on Friday the conviction of his nephew in China was retribution for Chen's escape from house arrest and move to the United States.

Chinese man sentenced to death for holding women in sex dungeonupdated Fri Nov 30 2012 06:14:11

A Chinese man was sentenced to death Friday for holding six women as sex slaves in an underground lair and ordering the deaths of two of them, state media reported.

North Korea moves closer to rocket launch, group saysupdated Fri Nov 30 2012 04:45:24

North Korea is another step closer to the unusual and provocative move of launching a long-range rocket in wintertime, according to an analysis of satellite images by a U.S. academic website.

What Onion saga says about China's sense of humorupdated Fri Nov 30 2012 02:13:05

China's state-run People's Daily newspaper is known for political correctness rather than a sense of humor.

Conflict continues to displace Afghans, study findsupdated Thu Nov 29 2012 15:14:28

The number of people forced to flee their homes in Afghanistan is increasing and the conditions for the displaced are falling well below international standards, a new study by the Norwegian Refugee Council found.

Pakistan police: 3 boys arrested on way to suicide bomb trainingupdated Thu Nov 29 2012 05:53:06

Three boys ages 12 to 14, who were allegedly due to be trained as suicide bombers, were arrested with their suspected handler in northwest Pakistan, authorities said Thursday.

Two arrested in brutal attack of Afghan girlupdated Thu Nov 29 2012 04:39:09

Police in northeastern Kunduz province have arrested two men suspected of the near-decapitation of a 15-year-old girl after the rejection of a marriage proposal, according to a district chief.

Dozens wounded as Myanmar police break up copper mine protestsupdated Thu Nov 29 2012 04:27:41

Myanmar security forces used tear gas and water cannons early Thursday to drive away hundreds of people protesting a copper mine project owned by the country's military and a Chinese company, witnesses said.

Bodies found inside drifting boat near Japanupdated Thu Nov 29 2012 02:04:55

A small wooden boat found off the western island of Sado in Japan contained decomposing bodies, according to local police.

South Korea halts latest attempt to put satellite in orbitupdated Thu Nov 29 2012 00:48:14

South Korea called off an attempt to put a satellite in orbit on Thursday, the latest setback to a program that has suffered failures in the past.

3 managers arrested after deadly Bangladesh factory fireupdated Wed Nov 28 2012 05:48:49

Three managers at a Bangladeshi clothing factory were arrested and accused of locking a main gate of the facility hampering people trying to flee a weekend inferno that killed more than 100 workers, police said.

Afghan bank fraud siphoned out savers' money, independent report saysupdated Wed Nov 28 2012 05:30:37

A handful of individuals ran a scheme of "fraudulent lending and embezzlement" to siphon hundreds of millions of dollars of ordinary people's savings out of Kabul Bank, a key Afghan lender that ran into trouble in 2010, an independent report says.

Stories revive Hong Kong's 'forgotten souls'updated Wed Nov 28 2012 01:26:13

Amid exotic trees in a garden setting rest Hong Kong's extraordinary and ordinary, those who died heroically in wars, ignominiously in drunken brawls, or suicide; victims of accidents, pestilence, and pirates; barkeepers, prostitutes, children, and luminaries whose names are today borne on street signs.

Onion: We just fooled the Chinese government!updated Tue Nov 27 2012 12:53:52

China, as one Twitter user wrote Tuesday, has been fooled by the "mysterious Western art of satire."

Crane spews flames, collapses at Sydney construction siteupdated Tue Nov 27 2012 09:21:46

A construction crane caught fire Tuesday in Sydney, Australia, spitting flames nearly 32 feet (10 meters) into the air before partially collapsing.

Retailers and suppliers hit by fallout from deadly Bangladesh factory fireupdated Tue Nov 27 2012 05:27:28

Prominent retailers and clothing suppliers are scrambling to clarify their links to a garment factory in Bangladesh that caught fire over the weekend, killing more than 100 people.

Art in Beijing: National Museum showcases other 'Ai'updated Tue Nov 27 2012 00:44:34

Must art always serve politics?

Taliban claim responsibility for bomb plot against Pakistan TV anchorupdated Tue Nov 27 2012 00:23:17

The Pakistani Taliban on Tuesday claimed responsibility for a foiled plot to assassinate a high-profile television journalist by planting a bomb on his car.

Petraeus scandal figure to lose 'honorary consul' title, South Korean official saysupdated Mon Nov 26 2012 22:55:37

South Korea is stripping the title of "honorary consul" from Jill Kelley, the Florida socialite embroiled in the scandal that brought down CIA Director David Petraeus, a South Korean official said Monday.

Bangladesh prime minister alleges arson in deadly factory fireupdated Mon Nov 26 2012 07:30:05

The clothing factory fire that killed more than 100 workers in Bangladesh over the weekend was no accident, the country's prime minister said.

Chinese flock to elite U.S. schools updated Sun Nov 25 2012 23:58:48

Jay Lin is the embodiment of the American dream -- and what is increasingly a Chinese dream.

'Poison' pen mightier than sword for would-be North Korean assassinupdated Sun Nov 25 2012 21:20:15

All you might feel is someone brush by you and a slight pin prick. But very quickly you would be suffering muscle paralysis followed by suffocation. You would be dead within a very short period of time.

Terrorized, starving and homeless: Myanmar's Rohingya still forgottenupdated Sun Nov 25 2012 18:29:36

It's been three years since I reported on the plight of the Rohingya Muslim people of western Myanmar and neighboring Bangladesh.

China lands first jet on aircraft carrierupdated Sun Nov 25 2012 12:47:37

China announced Sunday that it had landed a fighter jet on the deck of an aircraft carrier for the first time, but it may be years before the ship is fully operational.

As worshippers gather, Pakistani city endures second deadly blast in two daysupdated Sun Nov 25 2012 04:26:02

For the second time in two days, a deadly blast shook a northwest Pakistani city as worshippers marked the sacred holiday of Ashura.

Overpass collapse kills 11 in Bangladesh; protests erupt updated Sun Nov 25 2012 01:29:20

At least 11 people were killed and scores others injured when an under-construction overpass collapsed in southeastern Bangladesh, police said Sunday.

At least 117 killed in fire at Bangladeshi clothing factoryupdated Sun Nov 25 2012 00:43:19

A fire ripped through a clothing factory near the Bangladesh capital of Dhaka, killing at least 117 people and sending workers jumping out of the multistory building.

Thai police use tear gas at government protestupdated Sat Nov 24 2012 21:57:30

The leader of a Thai anti-government party called off a rally Saturday after police used tear gas to disperse more than 50,000 people who showed up in Bangkok to take part, the state-run Thai news agency reported.

Taliban claim responsibility for fatal Pakistan blastupdated Sat Nov 24 2012 03:18:28

The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility Saturday for a blast that killed seven people, including three children, during a Shiite religious procession.

A cruise for cremainsupdated Sat Nov 24 2012 00:47:44

Yet another passenger ship could be about to anchor in Hong Kong's popular waters, but berths aboard this particular vessel will be more permanent.

Liberal candidate drops out of South Korean presidential raceupdated Fri Nov 23 2012 07:31:44

South Korean presidential candidate Ahn Cheol-soo announced Friday that he is dropping out of the race, clearing the way for fellow left-leaning hopeful Moon Jae-in to face Park Geun-hye, the candidate for the governing Saenuri Party.

On Xi's to-do list: Fix China's drinking problemupdated Fri Nov 23 2012 05:30:30

When China's new leader Xi Jinping spoke to the media last week, one sound bite struck me as especially noteworthy.

Car bomb in Afghan town kills 3, wounds 90updated Fri Nov 23 2012 03:15:37

A car bomb exploded in eastern Afghanistan on Friday, killing three people and wounding 90 others, according to a provincial government spokesman.

Wealthy Singapore ranks as world's most stoic nationupdated Fri Nov 23 2012 01:10:09

The most emotionless society is Singapore's despite its reputation for being among the world's richest, a new survey has revealed.

Taliban claim blasts killing dozens in Pakistanupdated Thu Nov 22 2012 05:52:59

The Pakistan Taliban claimed responsibility Thursday for a series of bombings a day earlier that left dozens dead, primarily Shiite Muslims gathering for a revered religious mourning period.

Pakistani Taliban threaten to target India after execution of Mumbai attackerupdated Thu Nov 22 2012 05:03:43

The Pakistani Taliban vowed Thursday to carry out attacks against India to avenge the death of a man executed by Indian authorities for his role in the 2008 terrorist assault on Mumbai.

How many more Tibetans will sacrifice themselves?updated Thu Nov 22 2012 02:18:33

When a downtrodden Tunisian street vendor set himself on fire in protest after his vegetable cart was confiscated by officials, this desperate act of self-sacrifice was seen as a catalyst for a revolution that became known as the Arab Spring.

Istanbul: the intercontinental gatewayupdated Wed Nov 21 2012 07:15:04

Deaths in dumpster expose plight of China's street kids updated Wed Nov 21 2012 04:34:23

Eight Chinese officials have been fired or suspended after five boys died in a rubbish bin after suffocating on fumes from charcoal they burned to stay warm, according to state-run media.

Australian police seize $246 million worth of drugs smuggled inside steamrollerupdated Wed Nov 21 2012 04:31:40

Australian police have seized as much as $246 million worth of drugs stashed inside a steamroller sent from China after busting an international smuggling ring in Sydney.

Australia's 'overwhelmed' asylum centers slammedupdated Wed Nov 21 2012 03:58:20

By its own admission, the Australian government's policy on asylum seekers has been overwhelmed, just three months after the passing of new laws aimed at stemming the flow of those seeking refuge in Australia.

Suicide bombing kills 3 near U.S. embassy in Afghan capitalupdated Wed Nov 21 2012 02:56:39

A suicide bomber dressed as a security guard blew himself up Wednesday in a street near the U.S. Embassy in the Afghan capital, killing himself and two other people, authorities said.

'Fat Duck' chefs die in Hong Kong horror crashupdated Wed Nov 21 2012 02:37:52

An investigation is under way into a horrific collision in Hong Kong that resulted in the deaths of two visiting chefs from Heston Blumenthal's famous British restaurant, The Fat Duck.

Eye-opening: Photography brings life to blind studentsupdated Wed Nov 21 2012 00:33:19

Choi Lok Sze carefully holds her DSLR and plans the shot she has in mind.

India executes last gunman from Mumbai attacksupdated Tue Nov 20 2012 22:26:57

India on Wednesday executed Mohammed Ajmal Kasab, the last surviving gunman from the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai that killed more than 160 people, a government official said.

Reporters emerge from shadows as Myanmar loosens grip on pressupdated Tue Nov 20 2012 15:27:07

It was "censorship day," the 20th of the month, the day Nyein Nyein Naing, executive director of Myanmar's Seven Days News Journal, takes her stories to a government office for pre-publication scrutiny.

Extortionist to serve 10 years for fake collar bomb updated Tue Nov 20 2012 02:16:36

Madeleine Pulver's ordeal started last August when a man burst into her room and tied a fake bomb around her neck, and ended on Tuesday when he was sentenced to at least 10 years in jail.

Pakistani court throws out blasphemy charges against Christian girlupdated Tue Nov 20 2012 01:51:01

A Pakistani court on Tuesday dismissed blasphemy charges against Rimsha Masih, a Christian teenager whose case prompted international outrage.