Indonesian presidential candidates spar
Three months ahead of voting in Indonesia's presidential election the two leading contenders have traded barbs over corruption and law enforcement.


US 'disturbed' by gay arrests in Chechnya
The US State Department says reports of a renewed crackdown on gays in Chechnya are "credible" and deeply disturbing.


East Timor clears rules for gas takeover
A decree allowing use of East Timor's petroleum fund for a $US650 million buy-out of holdings in the Greater Sunrise gas project has been approved.


Indonesian detention of Papuans challenged
Human rights lawyers are mounting a court challenge to Indonesia's detention of three Papuan activists on charges of treason


Thailand deports Trump secrets sex model
A Belarus model who claimed to have evidence of Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election has been deported from Thailand.


Goldman Sachs CEO apologises to Malaysia
Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon has apologised to Malaysia over one of its partners being involved in fraud committed at a state development fund.


Sri Lanka mulls China loan to repay debts
Sri Lanka is negotiating a fresh $US300 million loan from Bank of China to repay its existing foreign debt burden, much of it from China.


Pakistani Christian woman still a prisoner
Pakistani Christian woman Asia Bibi is living in hiding under guard and is not allowed outside, as the Supreme Court weighs a petition against her acquittal.


Landslide hits Pakistani bus, eight dead
Eight people have died after a landslide engulfed a bus in Pakistan's northwest.


Taliban suicide bomber kills four in Kabul
At least four people have been killed and more than 100 wounded in a suicide bombing claimed by the Taliban in Kabul.


South Korea defence report drops "enemy"
South Korea, in an apparent effort to continue reconciliation with Pyongyang, has stopped calling North Korea an "enemy" in its biennial defence document.


China signals more stimulus amid slowdown
China's state planner has hinted the country will strengthen monitoring of its economic situation and improve its "reserve" of economic policies.


US, NKorea to hold talks this week -report
A South Korean newspaper has reported that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will hold talks with a senior North Korean official on Thursday or Friday.