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Southeast Asia

A major earthquake offshore of the Philippines sent people scrambling toward higher ground, generated a small tsunami and killed at least one person Friday, authorities said.

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Tsunami warnings issued in Philippinesupdated: Fri Aug 31 2012 21:56:00

Magnitude 7.6 earthquake off the coast of the Philippines triggers Tsunami warnings across the region.

54 rescued in waters off Indonesiaupdated: Thu Aug 30 2012 21:48:00

The number of people rescued in the waters off Indonesia after a boat reportedly had engine trouble has risen to 54, Australian officials said Friday.

6 rescued in waters off Indonesiaupdated: Wed Aug 29 2012 21:25:00

Six people were rescued in the waters off Indonesia early Thursday as authorities search for survivors of a boat that reportedly had engine trouble a day earlier, Australian officials said.

Whistle blows for Vietnam tycoonupdated: Tue Aug 21 2012 20:48:00

This year of the dragon, according to Chinese and Vietnamese astrology, was meant to be fortuitous for Nguyen Duc Kien, one of Vietnam's most prominent and aggressive tycoons.

Indonesia earthquake leaves 6 dead, officials say updated: Mon Aug 20 2012 06:05:00

Food and water were being dropped by helicopters on Monday to residents in rural Indonesia cut off after a 6.6 magnitude earthquake struck, triggering landslides, according to the National Disaster Management Agency.

Indonesia earthquake leaves 4 dead, officials say updated: Sun Aug 19 2012 05:20:00

An earthquake that struck rural Indonesia left at least four people dead, authorities said Sunday.

Philippines interior secretary missing in plane crash updated: Sat Aug 18 2012 22:35:00

Philippines Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo is among three missing after a small aircraft crashed off Masbate Bay, the state-run PNA news agency reported, citing civil aviation authorities.

Earthquake rattles Indonesiaupdated: Sat Aug 18 2012 06:53:00

A 6.6-magnitude earthquake struck a rural area in Indonesia Saturday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

No respite from rain, floods in Philippinesupdated: Thu Aug 09 2012 23:14:00

The death toll from five days of heavy rains and floods in the Philippines jumped to 60 on Friday, disaster officials said, with the forecast calling for even more showers across the main island of Luzon.

More rain pours down on Manilaupdated: Wed Aug 08 2012 12:37:00

CNN's Alex Zolbert visits one of Manila's hardest hit areas - before the rains returned once again.

More rains add to Philippines flood woesupdated: Wed Aug 08 2012 12:37:00

Millions of people in the Philippines suffered further torrential rains Wednesday, as deadly floods claimed several more lives and kept many people from returning to their deluged homes.

Flooding brings chaos to Philippine capitalupdated: Tue Aug 07 2012 11:01:00

Fueled by seasonal monsoon rains and a nearby tropical storm, widespread flooding in the Philippines worsened Tuesday, causing a landslide that killed nine members of a family, the national disaster agency reported.

Severe flooding takes aim at Philippinesupdated: Tue Aug 07 2012 11:01:00

Flooding forces tens of thousands of people from their homes. CNN's Alex Zolbert reports from Manila.

Two cyclones strike Chinese coastupdated: Fri Aug 03 2012 10:01:00

Tropical cyclones in Asia prompt the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people. CNN's Kristie Lu Stout reports.

2 tropical cyclones strike Chinese coast in quick successionupdated: Fri Aug 03 2012 10:01:00

Two tropical cyclones have made landfall in eastern China, prompting the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people from coastal areas as the Philippines and Taiwan assess the damage that one of the storms left in its wake.

Typhoon Saola leaves 23 dead in Philippinesupdated: Thu Aug 02 2012 04:11:00

Heavy rains from the outer bands of Typhoon Saola, which hovered near the Philippines beginning last week, have left 23 people dead and another five injured, an official with the National Disaster Coordinating Center said Thursday.

Thai-American jailed for insulting monarchy receives royal pardonupdated: Wed Jul 11 2012 06:35:00

Thailand has pardoned a Thai-born American who was sentenced last year to 2 1/2 years in prison for insulting the monarchy, his lawyer said Wednesday.

Indonesia welcomes rare baby rhinoupdated: Tue Jun 26 2012 03:46:00

Indonesia celebrated a unique birth this weekend in the form of a baby Sumatran rhino -- only the fifth known to have been born in captivity ever.

Malaysian court: Iranian can be extradited to Thailand over Bangkok blastsupdated: Mon Jun 25 2012 21:24:00

A Malaysian court has ruled that an Iranian man suspected of being involved with a series of bombs that went off in Bangkok in February can be extradited to Thailand.

Ship with about 200 aboard capsizes off Australiaupdated: Thu Jun 21 2012 21:33:00

A ship carrying about 200 people capsized in the waters between Australia and Indonesia, rescue officials in both countries said Thursday.

9 dead in Indonesian military jet crashupdated: Thu Jun 21 2012 20:47:00

An Indonesian air force jet crashed into a residential area of Jakarta on Thursday, killing at least nine people, officials and local media said.

Thai web editor escapes jail over 'royal insults'updated: Wed May 30 2012 04:11:00

A web editor in Thailand has been convicted of hosting posts on a website critical of the country's revered monarchy.

Remembering prisoners of warupdated: Mon May 28 2012 14:19:00

"Rolling Thunder" gathered in Washington honoring past POWs, as well as rally for current POW Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl.

Transcript: Obama's remarks at Medal of Honor ceremony updated: Wed May 16 2012 19:06:00

President Obama presented the Medal of Honor on Wednesday to the family of Spc. Leslie Sabo Jr., who died in 1970 in Cambodia. The following transcript of the ceremony was provided by the White House Office of the Press Secretary:

Grim search under way in Indonesiaupdated: Wed May 16 2012 09:45:00

Families and officials react to the discovery of Sukhoi plane wreckage. CNN's Kristie Lu Stout reports.

Demonstrators in Manila protest China's stance over disputed lagoonupdated: Fri May 11 2012 03:24:00

Scores of people in the Philippine capital held a demonstration Friday to protest China's increasingly bellicose rhetoric about a monthlong naval standoff between Beijing and Manila over a disputed lagoon in the South China Sea.

Wreckage found from Russian plane missing in Indonesiaupdated: Wed May 09 2012 23:04:00

The wreckage of a Russian passenger airliner that went missing during a demonstration flight over Indonesia has been found in a mountainous area, a local official said Thursday.

Cultural mix gives Philippines art edgeupdated: Wed May 09 2012 22:05:00

After paying five homeless people outside his studio in Manila to help chew 700 pieces of bubble gum, Louie Cordero began to wonder what he had undertaken in the name of art.

Why are we still in 'Vietghanistan?'updated: Sat May 05 2012 18:23:00

As a veteran of combat in Vietnam, I am often asked about current wars. Recently I have been asked about soldiers posing with corpses or urinating on corpses in Afghanistan. The "patriotic" media wants us to understand what it is like to be a soldier in war, not to condone the conduct but to ask "who are we to judge?" They want to know about rules of war: "Are there rules about taking pictures with dead bodies?"

Philippines' ecofriendly trikesupdated: Thu May 03 2012 22:41:00

CNN's Kyung Lah reports on how the Philippines hopes to reduce pollution, one ecofriendly motorbike at a time.

Philippines' tourism campaign hopes for boost from social mediaupdated: Thu May 03 2012 00:59:00

The Philippines Department of Tourism has a lot to boast about. The country has beautiful beaches, great scuba diving and a culture that is known for its hospitality. What it doesn't have is a lot of money for a global tourism campaign.

Philippine tourism's social media boostupdated: Thu May 03 2012 00:59:00

With a good idea but little money, the Philippines' tourism department turns to social media to attract visitors.

Ballet provides opportunity in Manilaupdated: Wed May 02 2012 23:17:00

Ballet is proving to be a route out of the shanty towns of Manila for a lucky few young dancers. Kyung Lah reports.

Families survive on tossed food scrapsupdated: Tue May 01 2012 10:05:00

In Manila's slums, the contents of fast food restaurants' trash bags are turned into whole new meals, called 'pagpag'.

'Garbage chicken' a grim staple for Manila's poor updated: Tue May 01 2012 10:05:00

Felipa Fabon waits outside a local fried chicken restaurant in Manila. Crouching near to feral cats and rubbish bins, she isn't there to meet friends for dinner but to search through the diner's trash bags.

Human rights activist detained in Vietnam on 'terrorism' chargeupdated: Mon Apr 30 2012 03:52:00

A pro-democracy activist has been ordered detained in Vietnam for at least four months, having been charged with organizing terrorist activities, state media reported.

Philippines abuzz with call centersupdated: Mon Apr 30 2012 01:08:00

A soft accent and ties to the U.S. has made the Philippines the hub for outsourced call centers.

Ringing in the changes: The Philippines' call center boomupdated: Mon Apr 30 2012 01:08:00

It is 1a.m. at the Manila offices of VXi and nearly everyone is on the phone.

'Mind Movers' show nature in scaleupdated: Wed Apr 25 2012 23:28:00

The Mind Museum in Taguig, Philippines engages visitors with a hands on approach to educational science.

Philippines shuffles ships in maritime standoff with Chinaupdated: Thu Apr 12 2012 06:09:00

The Philippines said Thursday that it had pulled its largest naval vessel away from a remote lagoon in the South China Sea where it was engaged in an uneasy standoff with two Chinese maritime surveillance ships.

5 die after earthquake near Indonesia updated: Thu Apr 12 2012 04:59:00

Five people died after two major earthquakes struck near Indonesia, authorities said Thursday.

Preparing search and rescue post-quakeupdated: Thu Apr 12 2012 04:59:00

Phillip Charlesworth of IFRC Indonesia Country Office discusses search and rescue efforts following the massive quake.

Water recedes from Thailand beachupdated: Wed Apr 11 2012 14:45:00

Water recedes slightly from a beach in Phuket, Thailand, after a earthquake off Indonesia triggered a tsunami alert.

China, Philippines locked in naval standoffupdated: Wed Apr 11 2012 03:51:00

The Philippines said Wednesday that its largest naval vessel is engaged in a standoff with two Chinese maritime surveillance ships in a remote lagoon in the South China Sea.

Taste your travels with foodie vacationsupdated: Fri Mar 23 2012 16:58:00

CNN's Joe Carter explains how you can turn a vacation meal into a cultural experience.

Thousands protest fuel price hike in Indonesiaupdated: Thu Mar 22 2012 01:07:00

Thousands of protesters marched along Jakarta's main thoroughfare to the presidential palace Wednesday, opposing government plans to increase subsidized fuel prices by 33%.

Nissan expands in Indonesiaupdated: Wed Mar 21 2012 05:58:00

Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn talks about doubling operations in Indonesia.

India names Iranian suspects in Israeli car bombingupdated: Thu Mar 15 2012 10:07:00

Indian police are on the lookout for three Iranians they suspect of involvement in last month's bombing of an Israeli Embassy car in New Delhi, a senior investigator said Thursday.

'Amerasians' in the Philippines fight for recognitionupdated: Sat Mar 03 2012 21:06:00

When Susie Lopez, 43, was a little girl she would run outside her home in Angeles City, near the U.S. Clark Airbase in the Philippines, every time she heard a plane fly by.

Israeli diplomats targeted in Thailandupdated: Sun Feb 26 2012 21:01:00

Thai police say three Iranian bombing suspects targeted Israeli diplomats. CNN's Sara Sidner reports.

Thai police arrest another suspect in Bangkok blastsupdated: Sun Feb 26 2012 21:01:00

Thai police have arrested and detained another Iranian suspect in connection with a series of bombs that went off in Bangkok this month, a law enforcement official said.

Suspect taken to Bangkok blast siteupdated: Thu Feb 23 2012 01:27:00

Police in Thailand widen their search for suspects linked to a series of Bangkok explosions. CNN's Anna Coren reports.

Radio bombs, mysterious stickers probed in Bangkok blastsupdated: Thu Feb 23 2012 01:27:00

A series of blasts last week in Thailand that set off accusations between Iran and Israel involved bombs disguised as radio sets, police said Wednesday.

Thai police seeking more suspects in relation to Bangkok blastsupdated: Wed Feb 22 2012 08:11:00

The Thai police are seeking more suspects in connection with the series of bombs that went off in Bangkok last week as they try to piece together the facts in a murky affair that has fueled accusations between Israel and Iran.

Thai police seek 5th suspect after bombingsupdated: Fri Feb 17 2012 11:31:00

Thai police want to arrest another Iranian allegedly behind the bombs in Bangkok, a fifth member of a group they say intended to strike Israeli diplomats.

Analysis: Was Iran behind the Bangkok bombings?updated: Thu Feb 16 2012 05:50:00

Even before the smoke had cleared from a series of bombings in the Thai capital of Bangkok Tuesday, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak blamed Iran for the incident, as well as the attacks against Israeli diplomats in Delhi and Georgia two days ago.

Bombs planted on Israeli embassy carsupdated: Tue Feb 14 2012 22:58:00

Four were injured when a bomb attached to an Israeli embassy van detonated near the Israeli mission in New Delhi, India.

Israel blames Iran for Thai bombingsupdated: Tue Feb 14 2012 22:58:00

Israel's defense minister blamed Iran for a series of bombings in the Thai capital of Bangkok Tuesday, a day after attacks against the country's diplomats in India and Georgia.

Volcano erupts in Indonesia, hurling ash cloud into the skyupdated: Thu Feb 09 2012 21:33:00

A restless volcano in northern Indonesia erupted Friday, spewing clouds of ash as high as 2 kilometers into the sky, the country's National Disaster Management Agency said.

Philippines revises down death toll from quakeupdated: Wed Feb 08 2012 02:22:00

The Philippine authorities have significantly revised down the death toll from a strong earthquake that shook the country's third-largest island on Monday.

Military mobilizes as death toll climbs in the Philippinesupdated: Tue Feb 07 2012 06:08:00

The death toll climbed to 48 on Tuesday from a strong earthquake that rocked the Visayas region of the Philippines, state media reported.

Aftershocks rattle Philippines; quake death toll climbs to 15updated: Mon Feb 06 2012 18:15:00

A 6.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Monday off the third-largest island in the Philippines has killed at least 15 people, the government said.

Where in the world ... ?updated: Mon Feb 06 2012 16:01:00

[Updated 4 p.m. Monday, February 6] This overcrowded train is in Jakarta, Indonesia, where it is common to see people riding on the roofs of cars in the state-run rail system.

Philippines issues local tsunami alert after quake hits between islandsupdated: Mon Feb 06 2012 06:48:00

A 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Monday off the third-largest island in the Philippines, prompting the country to issue a tsunami alert for the coastlines near the epicenter.

Gunmen attack fishing boats in Philippines, killing 15updated: Tue Jan 24 2012 02:28:00

Gun-wielding attackers aboard small vessels opened fire on a group of fishing boats in a restive area of the southern Philippines, killing 15 people in an apparent turf dispute between fishermen, the military authorities said Tuesday.

Indonesian farmers: Crisis as usualupdated: Mon Jan 23 2012 12:16:00

Ask a small farmer in Indonesia about the impact of the global financial crisis on his daily life and he will answer, "Crisis? What crisis?" As farmers, we know what a big crisis is. In 1997, we saw the collapse of the whole economy, driving thousands of unemployed construction and industry workers back to the villages, where their families already had difficulties making ends meet.

Concrete balls thwart 'train surfing'updated: Wed Jan 18 2012 11:46:00

A spokesman for the state-owned railway company PT Kereta Api defends the use of concrete balls to stop 'train surfing'.

Concrete balls thwart roof-riding commutersupdated: Wed Jan 18 2012 11:46:00

Indonesia has long fought a losing battle against commuters who stubbornly ride on train roofs to beat the rush hour. But railway officials say they have found the perfect deterrent, concrete balls, suspended on chains from a steel frame, just 25 cm or 10 inches, above any passing train.

Manila's forgers graduate with honors from 'Recto University'updated: Tue Jan 17 2012 07:48:00

If you don't have the time, inclination and, more importantly, the money to go to university in Manila, you can still get a degree. It will cost you between $US10 and $US60, it will take about two hours to complete and it will be fake.

Terrorism suspect leads Thai police to potential bomb materialsupdated: Mon Jan 16 2012 06:54:00

The Thai government said Monday that it had found the basic ingredients for explosive devices in a building in central Thailand, just days after the United States and Israel warned their citizens in Bangkok of the possibility of an imminent terrorist attack.

Thailand arrests suspect amid terror warningupdated: Fri Jan 13 2012 14:19:00

Investigators in Thailand have arrested a Lebanese terror suspect who is accused of trying to attack spots in Bangkok that are popular with Western tourists, the Thai government said Friday.

Quake rattles western Indonesia updated: Wed Jan 11 2012 07:19:00

A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck early Wednesday off the west coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra, the U.S. Geological Survey reported, but witnesses reported only minor shaking on land.

Anwar: Malaysian reformer emerges after a decade in courtupdated: Mon Jan 09 2012 22:26:00

As the leader of Malaysia's reform -- or reformasi -- movement, Anwar Ibrahim has spent much of the past decade in court defending himself against sodomy charges.

Security stepped up at Philippines procession after terror threatsupdated: Mon Jan 09 2012 02:11:00

Authorities in the Philippines say they have stepped up security measures for a huge religious procession taking place in Manila on Monday after receiving information suggesting it may be the target of a terrorist attack.

Dozens dead in Philippines landslideupdated: Thu Jan 05 2012 19:32:00

A landslide in a remote area of the southern Philippines kills dozens and leaves more than 100 missing.

Indonesia boy found guilty, freed amid sandals furorupdated: Thu Jan 05 2012 05:20:00

A local court has set free a teenage boy after finding him guilty of stealing a policeman's sandals in a case that caused furor among Indonesians frustrated with perceived injustices against the poor and defenseless.

Indonesia's flip-flop protestupdated: Thu Jan 05 2012 05:20:00

Indonesians dump thousands of flip-flops at police stations to protest the alleged brutality of a 15-year-old boy.

Hundreds hurt in New Year festivities in the Philippinesupdated: Sun Jan 01 2012 05:25:00

Firecrackers and gunfire injured nearly 500 people as throngs ushered in the New Year in Manila, CNN affiliate ABS-CBN reported Sunday.

Donations pour into Philippines in wake of deadly stormupdated: Thu Dec 29 2011 22:35:00

Foreign aid to the Philippines in the wake of a deadly tropical storm has reached $12.6 million, the Philippine government announced Thursday.

Philippines flooding: Children at riskupdated: Thu Dec 29 2011 22:35:00

Mark Anthony Dasco of ChildFund Philippines talks about the recovery and children who are most at risk.

More rain forecast for storm-battered Philippinesupdated: Tue Dec 27 2011 05:33:00

The Philippine government said Tuesday that fresh rain in Visayas and Mindanao could set off flash floods and landslides, bringing the potential for more misery in places already struggling to recover from a deadly tropical storm.

More than 1,000 missing in Philippines after stormupdated: Fri Dec 23 2011 10:41:00

More than 1,000 people are missing in the aftermath of a tropical storm that wreaked havoc across the southern Philippines last weekend, the country's government said Friday, as it grappled with the mounting humanitarian crisis in the region.

Indonesia arrests 4 over people-smugglingupdated: Fri Dec 23 2011 09:54:00

Four people have been detained for smuggling people on an Australia-bound vessel that sank last weekend off East Java, Indonesian police said on Friday.

Thailand and Cambodia to withdraw troops from around disputed templeupdated: Thu Dec 22 2011 06:47:00

Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to withdraw their troops from the area surrounding a disputed border temple, the official Thai news agency MCOT reported.

Death toll from Philippines storm rises above 1,000updated: Wed Dec 21 2011 04:20:00

The death toll in the Philippines from a tropical storm that struck the south of the country over the weekend has risen above 1,000, a government official said Wednesday.

13 survivors from boat that sank off Indonesia found adrift at seaupdated: Tue Dec 20 2011 06:39:00

Thirteen people left adrift off the coast of Indonesia after their boat sank have been rescued by a passing coal freighter, the head of the local search and rescue agency said Tuesday.

Death toll climbs in Philippinesupdated: Tue Dec 20 2011 06:37:00

Journalist Maria Ressa discusses aid and rescue efforts in the Philippines following a deadly tropical storm.

A second life for Vietnam's bile bearsupdated: Tue Dec 20 2011 04:42:00

As a hangover "cure," they don't come more brutally disturbing than bear bile.

Storm death toll tops 650 in Philippines; hundreds missingupdated: Sun Dec 18 2011 20:27:00

Tropical Storm Washi moved away from the southern Philippines early Monday, but not before leaving behind a wake of destruction and at least 652 people dead, according to the Philippine Red Cross.

Aid needed for Philippines disasterupdated: Sun Dec 18 2011 20:27:00

Journalist Maria Ressa reports on the latest events on the ground in the Philippines on the aftermath of a massive storm.

At least 447 dead after storm pummels Philippinesupdated: Sat Dec 17 2011 21:40:00

The death toll from a tropical storm that pummeled the Philippines rose to at least 447 on Sunday, according to the national chairman of the Philippine Red Cross.

2 dead, more than 100 missing after boat sinks off Indonesian coastupdated: Sat Dec 17 2011 21:31:00

At least two people are dead and more than 100 missing after a wooden boat carrying migrants to the Australian territory of Christmas Island sunk off the coast of Indonesia, a rescue official said early Sunday.

Kidnapped 14-year-old Filipino-American is freeupdated: Mon Dec 12 2011 18:40:00

A 14-year-old Filipino-American boy abducted in July by suspected Islamic militants in the Philippines is free, officials said.

13 killed in Philippines plane crashupdated: Sat Dec 10 2011 06:09:00

A small plane crashed near the Philippine capital Saturday after its pilot requested an emergency landing, killing at least 13 people, CNN affiliate ABS-CBN reported.

American gets 2.5 years for insulting Thai monarchyupdated: Thu Dec 08 2011 13:31:00

A Thai criminal court has sentenced a Thai-born American to 2 1/2 years in prison for insulting the monarchy, the latest case involving controversial laws for defaming, insulting or threatening the royal family.

Jumbo ambulance saves elephantsupdated: Mon Dec 05 2011 00:47:00

Sangduen "Lek" Chailert is known as Thailand's elephant queen.

Indonesia releases Australian teen convicted of drug possession updated: Sun Dec 04 2011 03:58:00

Indonesia on Sunday released an Australian teen convicted of marijuana possession on the resort island of Bali after the boy spent two months in detention, a local prosecutor said.

Manila's little people seek their own communityupdated: Thu Dec 01 2011 03:17:00

Crowded, gritty, and poor, Metro Manila can be a tough place to live for just about anyone; but when you stand three feet 10 inches the odds are seriously stacked against you.

Former PM to be questioned in Thailandupdated: Tue Nov 29 2011 07:04:00

Thai authorities have summoned former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva for questioning over the deaths of protesters during a deadly crackdown last year.

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