Asianews.it Ultime notizie dall'Asia MYANMAR - ?Ad personam" law excludes Aung San Suu Kyi from 2010 elections 10 Mar 2010 at 3:54am The military leadership has promulgated a law that prevents the candidacy of those who have criminal convictions. It is included in the Political Parties Registration Law, which governs the vote. The parties have 60 days to register. Elections a pretext to strengthen the power of the dictatorship. INDONESIA - Indonesian Islamic organization issues a fatwa against smoking 10 Mar 2010 at 4:03am Muhammadiyah, the second largest Muslim organization in the country for followers, declares that smoking is "haram" morally wrong. It leads to unhealthy lifestyles, weakens and pushes frustrated people to suicide. Tobacco industry, a major economic resource at risk. IRAN - Isfahan: Protestant clergyman tortured for ?converting Muslims? 9 Mar 2010 at 11:29am During a visit in prison, the pastor?s wife saw he had signs of torture. He could be executed. An anti-Protestant crackdown is underway in Isfahan. The regime?s fight against proselytising is coupled with fears that Christian gatherings might host its opponents. JAPAN ? SPAIN - Nagasaki?s ?Atomic bombed Maria? to embrace Guernica 9 Mar 2010 at 10:58am Archbishop Takami promotes a ?pilgrimage for peace? that will start in Nagasaki and end Guernica (Spain), home to another statue of the Virgin damaged by war in 1937. Benedict XVI will hold an audience during one of its stops. SRI LANKA - At the Shrine of Our Lady of Tewatta 4 thousand young people par... 9 Mar 2010 at 9:29am Under the title "Here am I. Send me," the Archdiocese of Colombo celebrates Children's Day. An 'opportunity for children and young people to begin their vocational journey. Archbishop of Colombo: We have different talents, qualities and weaknesses, but above all we are precious and unique to the Lord. He calls us to his mission for this uniqueness. CHINA ? NORTH KOREA - Pyongyang leases port on the Sea of Japan to Beijing 9 Mar 2010 at 9:19am China now has direct access to the Sea of Japan for the first time since the 19th century. Goods from hitherto landlocked Jilin and Heilongjiang will be able to move through the port of Rajin. Trade with Japan and South Korea will be enhanced. North Korea is showing signs it is open for international cooperation, experts say. MYANMAR ? BANGLADESH - Thousands of Rohingya refugees facing starvation in Ba... 9 Mar 2010 at 10:04am US charity sounds the alarm, claiming Bangladesh is blocking aid and medical treatment for refugees, who are locked up in open-air prisons. Rohingya are a Muslim minority from Myanmar and are persecuted by that country?s military dictatorship. Bangladeshi authorities dismiss accusations, saying, ?We are the victims.? INDIA - SOUTH KOREA - Orissa, Church against a multinational stealing lands ... 9 Mar 2010 at 7:43am South Korea's Posco, a steel company, has obtained government permission to use 1,600 hectares of land. But this requires the expulsion of thousands of inhabitants. Catholics turn against the project, and earn the support of the Hindus. IRAQ - The Shiite al-Maliki is ahead, but the secular Allawi is also going st... 9 Mar 2010 at 7:03am The outgoing premier dominates in Baghdad and the south; Allawi is 70-90% in the north and west. Turnout of 62%. Difficulties in forming a new government. THAILAND - Thailand?s economy recovering, + 5.8 per cent in fourth quarter of... 9 Mar 2010 at 8:15am GDP decline last year is less than expected. The government plans to continue economic assistance to individuals and companies. Tourism is playing a key role in the upswing. INDONESIA - Three die in anti-terror raid, one masterminded Bali massacre 9 Mar 2010 at 6:49am Security forces carry out an operation in the Pamulang area, on the outskirts of the capital. Dulmatin, a terrorist nicknamed ?The Genius?, is thought to be among them. Trained in Afghanistan, he was active throughout South-East Asia. The Indonesian government toughens its anti-terror campaign a few days before an official visit by Barak Obama. Hard-line Muslims attack the US leader, not a true friend of Islam. TIBET - CHINA - Crackdown in Tibet, hundreds of monks arrested and imprisone... 9 Mar 2010 at 5:41am On the anniversary of protests in March 2008 (the army fired on the crowd, hundreds of deaths, Tibet closed to visitors and the media), the Chinese authorities have introduced new security measures and enhanced controls. Tibetan Prime Minister in exile: we will not lose hope, we will continue our non-violent protest. TURKEY - Earthquake in Anatolia, night spent in tents 9 Mar 2010 at 2:36am The death toll has risen to 51, the wounded are about 70. The temperature touched the 0 ° C. The Red Crescent has distributed tents and blankets. Damage and casualties caused by poor quality of buildings, mud and bricks. INDIA - Orissa: "To avoid being killed, we went days without food in the forest" 8 Mar 2010 at 8:40am One victim tells his story of the violence last June in Orissa. His father, a Christian pastor Biswanath Digal was beaten to death. CHINA - Women lead China?s dissident movement 8 Mar 2010 at 9:31am The role of women dissidents is often underestimated because of the low profile many of them keep or because their work is overshadowed by their better-known husbands. Yet, they proudly struggle for human rights and democracy and pay the same price as men.