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Top Asian News at 12:30 a.m. GMT
(AP Online Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Truck bomb explodes in eastern Pakistan; 1 deadLAHORE, Pakistan (AP) _ A bomb-rigged truck with government plates exploded in Lahore on Wednesday, killing one person in a heavily guarded neighborhood home to many government officials in the eastern Pakistani city. The target of the Lahore blast was likely a police officer who headed an operation that led to the death of a leader of the al-Qaida linked militant group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi in 2002, said Umer Virk, the head of the Crime Investigation Department.
Chinese dairy bankrupt after tainted milk scandalBEIJING (AP) _ A court has declared bankrupt the dairy at the center of China's deadly tainted milk scandal, one of the firm's owners said _ a development lawyers said adds to concerns about how and when those sickened by the doctored products will be compensated. A court in Shijiazhuang has issued a bankruptcy order against Sanlu Group Co. in response to a petition from a creditor, New Zealand's Fonterra Group said Wednesday. Fonterra owns 43 percent of Sanlu.
Voting ends in Indian Kashmir amid heavy securitySRINAGAR, India (AP) _ Hundreds of protesters chanting pro-independence slogans clashed with soldiers in the main city of Indian-controlled Kashmir during the last day of voting in state elections. At least nine people were injured when troops fired tear gas shells and used bamboo batons to stop the protesters marching to the center of Srinagar on Wednesday, a police officer said on condition of anonymity in keeping with department policy.
Police keep custody of Mumbai gunmanMUMBAI, India (AP) _ A judge Wednesday ordered the lone surviving gunman from the Mumbai attacks to remain in police custody for another two weeks, as police press ahead with their probe into the three-day siege. For the second time, police refused to bring the gunman, Mohammed Ajmal Kasab, to court, citing security concerns. The hearing was held at the crime branch office of the Mumbai police where Kasab is being held, said Eknath Dhamal, the public prosecutor.
Japan's PM says he is not planning snap electionTOKYO (AP) _ Japan's Prime Minister Taro Aso said Wednesday he would not call a snap election despite opposition demands, saying he needs to focus on the country's sputtering economy. Aso, who took office in September, has seen his popularity plummet in recent months and the opposition has called for him to prove he has a public mandate.
NATO soldier killed in AfghanistanKABUL, Afghanistan (AP) _ Militant fire killed a NATO soldier Wednesday in eastern Afghanistan where U.S. troops operate. NATO's International Security Assistance Force said in a statement that the soldier was killed by "enemy fire." It released no other details.
Taiwan party labels 'panda diplomacy' propagandaTAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) _ Legislative aides from Taiwan's pro-independence opposition donned panda suits Wednesday, part of a public relations effort by anti-China lawmakers to paint the mainland's panda gift as a stalking horse for its pro-unification agenda. The anti-panda offensive from the Democratic Progressive party came a day after two pandas _ "Tuan Tuan" and "Yuan Yuan" _ arrived at the Taipei zoo after a three hour-flight from China's Sichuan province. The pair will go on display in late January, expected to be greeted by thousands of enthusiastic spectators.
SKorea stalls on alternative to military serviceSEOUL, South Korea (AP) _ South Korea is not ready to allow conscientious objectors to perform a humanitarian alternative to compulsory military service because the public does not like the idea, the Defense Ministry said Wednesday. Since 1948, all physically fit South Korean men aged 18 to 30 have had to serve at least two years in the military. Nearly 5,000 men, mostly Jehovah's Witnesses, have refused to perform military service since 2001. Objectors are usually imprisoned for about 18 months.
Japan mulls sending ships to Somalia coastTOKYO (AP) _ Japan is considering sending military ships to fight pirates off the coast of Somalia, officials said Wednesday. "We have to do something against pirates. We are considering various options, including sending Self-Defense Force ships or patrol vessels," said Foreign Ministry official Mitsuhiro Kobayashi. The Japanese military is known as the Self-Defense Force.
Single male rhino, 20, seeks mate to save speciesKUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) _ He probably hasn't dated in two decades, but the survival of a species may depend on whether Tam can get lucky soon. A male rhinoceros recently rescued on the edge of Borneo's rain forest is expected to become the first participant of a Malaysian breeding program for his critically endangered ilk, a wildlife expert said Wednesday.
Gas leak in China kills 17BEIJING (AP) _ A gas leak at a steel plant near Beijing killed 17 people Wednesday, China's official Xinhua News Agency said. Two workers died instantly from the leak at a blast furnace in Zunhua city, about 93 miles (150 kilometers) east of Beijing in Hebei province, Xinhua said.
Sri Lankan fighter jets pound rebelsCOLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) _ Sri Lankan fighter jets bombed rebel positions along the front lines in the north Wednesday as ground forces captured a hidden runway used by the Tamil Tiger air wing, the military said. Fighting between the two sides has escalated in recent months as the government pressed ahead with an offensive aimed at forcing the Tamil Tiger rebels out of their de facto state in the north.
Vietnam imposes new blogging restrictionsHANOI, Vietnam (AP) _ Vietnam has approved new regulations banning bloggers from discussing subjects the government deems sensitive or inappropriate and requiring them to limit their writings to personal issues. The rules ban any posts that undermine national security, incite violence or crime, disclose state secrets, or include inaccurate information that could damage the reputation of individuals and organizations, according to a copy of the regulations obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press.
Bout will remain in custody in ThailandBANGKOK, Thailand (AP) _ A Thai court Tuesday delayed the extradition hearing of a Russian businessman dubbed the "Merchant of Death" and wanted in the U.S. over arms smuggling allegations, after two key witnesses failed to show up. The postponement until March 6 was the latest setback in a court process that stretches back to March of this year when Viktor Bout _ accused of conspiring to arm Colombian rebels _ was nabbed at a Bangkok luxury hotel in a U.S. sting operation.
3 Chinese ships to leave Friday for SomaliaBEIJING (AP) _ Chinese warships on a mission to protect their country's vessels and crews from pirate attacks off Somalia will depart Friday, armed with special forces, helicopters and plans to share information with other countries working in the area. The operation, China's first major naval mission abroad, will include destroyers Haikou and Wuhan as well as a large supply ship, said Rear Adm. Xiao Xinnian, Deputy Chief of Staff of the People's Liberation Army Navy. On board will be two helicopters and traditional weapons such as missiles and cannons.
Copyright ? 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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