Toll in Afghan hospital attack rises to 39
The death toll in a suicide bomb attack on a hospital in southern Afghanistan has risen to 39, with another 140 wounded.


Pro-China groups to tear down HK graffiti
Pro-China groups plan to clean up walls of of anti-government graffiti across Hong Kong, which could set up confrontations with pro-democracy supporters.


Widodo orders review of new Indonesia law
Indonesia's President Joko Widodo has ordered a review of changes to the country's criminal code, which has been heavily criticised by rights groups.


Thousands join climate protests globally
Tens of thousands of students have joined rallies across Australia, Thailand, Hong Kong and India as part of demonstrations for action on climate change.


Shares soothed by stimulus, oil higher
Share markets in Asia and Europe have seen gains helped mostly by stimulus measures by major central banks this week.


Taiwan cuts diplomatic ties with Kiribati
Taiwan has cut diplomatic ties with a second Pacific nation this week as China ramps up pressure on nations that have relations with the self-ruled island.


India cuts corporate tax rate
India says it will cut the effective corporate tax rate to about 25 per cent from 30 per cent as it tries to revive a sagging economy.


Philippines vaccinations as polio returns
Philippines is preparing to vaccinate millions of children against polio following the detection of the virus in a three-year-old girl.


Climate strikers play dead at Thai office
A group of Thai students taking part in a global day of climate change protests by young people, entered a government agency and feigned dropping dead.


NKorea harvest lowest in 5 years
Low rainfall, poor irrigation, an outbreak of swine fever, and US sanctions are combining to create a potential food crisis in North Korea.


Amnesty warns of Hong Kong police torture
Amnesty International has accused Hong Kong police of torture and other abuses in their handling of more than three months of pro-democracy protests.


The Philippines declares polio outbreak
The Philippines is reporting its first outbreak of polio in nearly 20 years, after the virus was virus detected in sewage and in waterways.


Indonesia to outlaw sex outside marriage
Under proposed new laws, unmarried couples in Indonesia who 'live together as a husband and wife' could be jailed for six months.


At least 30 dead in Afghanistan air strike
An air strike in eastern Afghanistan aimed at destroying a hideout used by Islamic State, and backed by US air support, has killed at least 30 people.


Bombing in Afghanistan kills at least 20
A powerful truck bomb has killed at least 20 people outside a hospital in Afghanistan's southern Zabul province, an official says.