Copyright (c) 2007 USTINET Corporation. All rights reserved.http://news.usti.net/News of Asia and Oceaniaen-usFri Mar 19 18:48:09 2010288012336http://news.usti.net/http://rss.usti.net/xml_news.gif http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/cd/Uaustralia-womenmen.Ra6p_KMJ.htmlwed/cd/Uaustralia-womenmen.Ra6p_KMJ.html1269024287Fri Mar 19 18:44:47 2010<p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/cd/Uaustralia-womenmen.Ra6p_KMJ.html"></a>BRISBANE, Australia, March 19 (UPI) -- The presence of an attractive woman elevates testosterone levels in young men, increasing their capacity for physical risk, researchers in Australia said.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/cd/Uaustralia-womenmen.Ra6p_KMJ.html">Attractive women = men taking more risks</a><br />BRISBANE, Australia, March 19 (UPI) -- The presence of an attractive woman elevates testosterone levels in young men, increasing their capacity for physical risk, researchers in Australia said.</p><br clear="all"/>(UPI) http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/bk/Uafghanistan-ieds.RWV5_KMJ.htmlwed/bk/Uafghanistan-ieds.RWV5_KMJ.html1269018889Fri Mar 19 17:14:49 2010<p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/bk/Uafghanistan-ieds.RWV5_KMJ.html"></a>WASHINGTON, March 19 (UPI) -- Improvised explosive devices used against U.S. forces in Afghanistan have become much more lethal in recent years, says Lt. Gen. Michael Oates.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/bk/Uafghanistan-ieds.RWV5_KMJ.html">IED threat increases against U.S. troops</a><br />WASHINGTON, March 19 (UPI) -- Improvised explosive devices used against U.S. forces in Afghanistan have become much more lethal in recent years, says Lt. Gen. Michael Oates.</p><br clear="all"/>(UPI) http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/bx/Ujapan-malaria.RZYA_KMJ.htmlwed/bx/Ujapan-malaria.RZYA_KMJ.html1269009887Fri Mar 19 14:44:47 2010<p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/bx/Ujapan-malaria.RZYA_KMJ.html"></a>SHIMOTSUKI, Japan, March 19 (UPI) -- Scientists in Japan say they've genetically modified a mosquito that vaccinates against malaria as it bites.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/bx/Ujapan-malaria.RZYA_KMJ.html">Mosquito would 'vaccinate' against malaria</a><br />SHIMOTSUKI, Japan, March 19 (UPI) -- Scientists in Japan say they've genetically modified a mosquito that vaccinates against malaria as it bites.</p><br clear="all"/>(UPI) http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/ap/Uindonesia-obama-postponement.RXMq_KMJ.htmlwed/ap/Uindonesia-obama-postponement.RXMq_KMJ.html1269009887Fri Mar 19 14:44:47 2010<p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/ap/Uindonesia-obama-postponement.RXMq_KMJ.html"></a>JAKARTA, March 19 (UPI) -- The Indonesian government said it understood that U.S. President Barack Obama has delayed a visit because of the political situation in the United States.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/ap/Uindonesia-obama-postponement.RXMq_KMJ.html">Obama postponement doesn't upset Indonesia</a><br />JAKARTA, March 19 (UPI) -- The Indonesian government said it understood that U.S. President Barack Obama has delayed a visit because of the political situation in the United States.</p><br clear="all"/>(UPI) http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/at/Uindonesia-volcanos.R10c_KMJ.htmlwed/at/Uindonesia-volcanos.R10c_KMJ.html1269008687Fri Mar 19 14:24:47 2010<p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/at/Uindonesia-volcanos.R10c_KMJ.html"></a>BANDUNG, Indonesia, March 19 (UPI) -- Seventeen of 18 volcanoes in Indonesia are on alert status and emitting toxic gas, a federal monitoring agency said.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/at/Uindonesia-volcanos.R10c_KMJ.html">Seventeen Indonesia volcanoes on alert</a><br />BANDUNG, Indonesia, March 19 (UPI) -- Seventeen of 18 volcanoes in Indonesia are on alert status and emitting toxic gas, a federal monitoring agency said.</p><br clear="all"/>(UPI) http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/cl/Unewzealead-smokingbans.RLPf_KMJ.htmlwed/cl/Unewzealead-smokingbans.RLPf_KMJ.html1268979287Fri Mar 19 06:14:47 2010<p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/cl/Unewzealead-smokingbans.RLPf_KMJ.html"></a>EDINBURGH, Scotland, March 19 (UPI) -- A study of older people in New Zealand found those who have never smoked benefited most from smoking bans, British researchers said.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/cl/Unewzealead-smokingbans.RLPf_KMJ.html">Older non-smokers gain most by smoking ban</a><br />EDINBURGH, Scotland, March 19 (UPI) -- A study of older people in New Zealand found those who have never smoked benefited most from smoking bans, British researchers said.</p><br clear="all"/>(UPI) http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/dk/Ubritain-hobbit.Rhx3_KMI.htmlwed/dk/Ubritain-hobbit.Rhx3_KMI.html1268969087Fri Mar 19 03:24:47 2010<p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/dk/Ubritain-hobbit.Rhx3_KMI.html"></a>LONDON, March 18 (UPI) -- British actor Ian McKellen says on his Web site the two "Hobbit" films are to start shooting simultaneously in New Zealand in July.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/dk/Ubritain-hobbit.Rhx3_KMI.html">'Hobbit' flicks to start filming in July</a><br />LONDON, March 18 (UPI) -- British actor Ian McKellen says on his Web site the two "Hobbit" films are to start shooting simultaneously in New Zealand in July.</p><br clear="all"/>(UPI) http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/at/Uskorea-execute.RV-t_KMI.htmlwed/at/Uskorea-execute.RV-t_KMI.html1268965487Fri Mar 19 02:24:47 2010<p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/at/Uskorea-execute.RV-t_KMI.html"></a>SEOUL, March 18 (UPI) -- The speaker of South Korea's National Assembly said Thursday his country should abandon its "ambiguous" moratorium and completely abolish the death penalty.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/at/Uskorea-execute.RV-t_KMI.html">Lawmaker calls for end to death penalty</a><br />SEOUL, March 18 (UPI) -- The speaker of South Korea's National Assembly said Thursday his country should abandon its "ambiguous" moratorium and completely abolish the death penalty.</p><br clear="all"/>(UPI) http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/ar/Uafghanistan-mcchrystal.R1Kx_KMI.htmlwed/ar/Uafghanistan-mcchrystal.R1Kx_KMI.html1268924746Thu Mar 18 15:05:46 2010<p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/ar/Uafghanistan-mcchrystal.R1Kx_KMI.html"></a>KABUL, Afghanistan, March 18 (UPI) -- Efforts to put in place the political and security foundation in the Taliban stronghold of Kandahar have begun, the top U.S. general in Afghanistan said.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/ar/Uafghanistan-mcchrystal.R1Kx_KMI.html">McChrystal lays out campaign for Kandahar</a><br />KABUL, Afghanistan, March 18 (UPI) -- Efforts to put in place the political and security foundation in the Taliban stronghold of Kandahar have begun, the top U.S. general in Afghanistan said.</p><br clear="all"/>(UPI) http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/cm/Ujapan-plantgenes.Ra90_KMI.htmlwed/cm/Ujapan-plantgenes.Ra90_KMI.html1268915692Thu Mar 18 12:34:52 2010<p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/cm/Ujapan-plantgenes.Ra90_KMI.html"></a>YOKOHAMA, Japan, March 18 (UPI) -- Japanese scientists investigating the biological cycle in plants say they have detailed the functions of three proteins that regulate plant development.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/cm/Ujapan-plantgenes.Ra90_KMI.html">Genes that aid plant functions studied</a><br />YOKOHAMA, Japan, March 18 (UPI) -- Japanese scientists investigating the biological cycle in plants say they have detailed the functions of three proteins that regulate plant development.</p><br clear="all"/>(UPI) http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/dl/Uthailand-protests.R3dO_KMI.htmlwed/dl/Uthailand-protests.R3dO_KMI.html1268914488Thu Mar 18 12:14:48 2010<p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/dl/Uthailand-protests.R3dO_KMI.html"></a>BANGKOK, March 18 (UPI) -- Thailand's prime minister has instructed his party's lawyers to prepare legal action against protesters rallying in front of his residence, a spokesman says.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/dl/Uthailand-protests.R3dO_KMI.html">Thai protestors targeted for legal action</a><br />BANGKOK, March 18 (UPI) -- Thailand's prime minister has instructed his party's lawyers to prepare legal action against protesters rallying in front of his residence, a spokesman says.</p><br clear="all"/>(UPI) http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/ct/Upakistan-americans.RlcW_KMH.htmlwed/ct/Upakistan-americans.RlcW_KMH.html1268843699Wed Mar 17 16:34:59 2010<p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/ct/Upakistan-americans.RlcW_KMH.html"></a>SARGODHA, Pakistan, March 17 (UPI) -- Pakistani authorities Wednesday indicted five young men from Alexandria, Va., on charges of plotting terrorists attacks, their lawyer said.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/ct/Upakistan-americans.RlcW_KMH.html">Five U.S. men indicted for terrorism</a><br />SARGODHA, Pakistan, March 17 (UPI) -- Pakistani authorities Wednesday indicted five young men from Alexandria, Va., on charges of plotting terrorists attacks, their lawyer said.</p><br clear="all"/>(UPI) http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/bp/Uchina-drought.RQYq_KMH.htmlwed/bp/Uchina-drought.RQYq_KMH.html1268839488Wed Mar 17 15:24:48 2010<p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/bp/Uchina-drought.RQYq_KMH.html"></a>SHIYANZI, China, March 17 (UPI) -- Southwestern China's drought is so severe the government in some areas is rationing just enough water to keep people alive, officials said Wednesday.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/bp/Uchina-drought.RQYq_KMH.html">Severe drought grips southwestern China</a><br />SHIYANZI, China, March 17 (UPI) -- Southwestern China's drought is so severe the government in some areas is rationing just enough water to keep people alive, officials said Wednesday.</p><br clear="all"/>(UPI) http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/cp/Ujapan-boj.RUJe_KMH.htmlwed/cp/Ujapan-boj.RUJe_KMH.html1268837088Wed Mar 17 14:44:48 2010<p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/cp/Ujapan-boj.RUJe_KMH.html"></a>TOKYO, March 17 (UPI) -- The Bank of Japan Wednesday said it would keep bank-to-bank lending rates low and expand a lending program to add liquidity to financial markets.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/cp/Ujapan-boj.RUJe_KMH.html">Bank of Japan loosens monetary policy</a><br />TOKYO, March 17 (UPI) -- The Bank of Japan Wednesday said it would keep bank-to-bank lending rates low and expand a lending program to add liquidity to financial markets.</p><br clear="all"/>(UPI) http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/ch/Unorkor-china.RIs5_KMH.htmlwed/ch/Unorkor-china.RIs5_KMH.html1268830487Wed Mar 17 12:54:47 2010<p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/ch/Unorkor-china.RIs5_KMH.html"></a>BEIJING, March 17 (UPI) -- A likely trip by North Korean leader Kim Jong-il to China could signal his intent to rejoin talks on ending his nation's nuclear programs, a diplomat said.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/ch/Unorkor-china.RIs5_KMH.html">North Korean leader likely to visit China</a><br />BEIJING, March 17 (UPI) -- A likely trip by North Korean leader Kim Jong-il to China could signal his intent to rejoin talks on ending his nation's nuclear programs, a diplomat said.</p><br clear="all"/>(UPI) http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/bh/Uus-wealthhealth.R1FM_KMH.htmlwed/bh/Uus-wealthhealth.R1FM_KMH.html1268801687Wed Mar 17 04:54:47 2010<p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/bh/Uus-wealthhealth.R1FM_KMH.html"></a>RALEIGH, N.C., March 17 (UPI) -- In the United States and China the rich tend to be healthier than the poor, but in China the gap is narrowing, unlike in the United States, researchers found.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/bh/Uus-wealthhealth.R1FM_KMH.html">Health gap widens in U.S, narrows in China</a><br />RALEIGH, N.C., March 17 (UPI) -- In the United States and China the rich tend to be healthier than the poor, but in China the gap is narrowing, unlike in the United States, researchers found.</p><br clear="all"/>(UPI) http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/aw/Usrilanka-fonseka.RCoZ_KMG.htmlwed/aw/Usrilanka-fonseka.RCoZ_KMG.html1268780708Tue Mar 16 23:05:08 2010<p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/aw/Usrilanka-fonseka.RCoZ_KMG.html"></a>COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, March 16 (UPI) -- Sri Lanka's former army chief, once hailed as a hero in the campaign against rebel Tamil Tigers, faces charges he says are designed to remove him from politics.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/aw/Usrilanka-fonseka.RCoZ_KMG.html">Sri Lanka general refutes charges</a><br />COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, March 16 (UPI) -- Sri Lanka's former army chief, once hailed as a hero in the campaign against rebel Tamil Tigers, faces charges he says are designed to remove him from politics.</p><br clear="all"/>(UPI) http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/bb/Uafghanistan-mcchrystal.RbY-_KMG.htmlwed/bb/Uafghanistan-mcchrystal.RbY-_KMG.html1268768091Tue Mar 16 19:34:51 2010<p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/bb/Uafghanistan-mcchrystal.RbY-_KMG.html"></a>KABUL, Afghanistan, March 16 (UPI) -- Most of the U.S. Special Operations forces in Afghanistan now are under direct control of Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. commander in that country said.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/bb/Uafghanistan-mcchrystal.RbY-_KMG.html">Special forces now report to McChrystal</a><br />KABUL, Afghanistan, March 16 (UPI) -- Most of the U.S. Special Operations forces in Afghanistan now are under direct control of Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. commander in that country said.</p><br clear="all"/>(UPI) http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/aa/Ayb142558538.RtcP_KFG.htmlwed/aa/Ayb142558538.RtcP_KFG.html1268764492Tue Mar 16 18:34:52 2010<p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/aa/Ayb142558538.RtcP_KFG.html"></a>Google fears closing its search engine in China could jeopardize employees and its other businesses there, a source told the San Jose, Calif., Mercury News.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/aa/Ayb142558538.RtcP_KFG.html">Google weighing options in China</a><br />Google fears closing its search engine in China could jeopardize employees and its other businesses there, a source told the San Jose, Calif., Mercury News.</p><br clear="all"/>(AP) http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/ct/Upakistan-drone.Rddn_KMG.htmlwed/ct/Upakistan-drone.Rddn_KMG.html1268764492Tue Mar 16 18:34:52 2010<p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/ct/Upakistan-drone.Rddn_KMG.html"></a>ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, March 16 (UPI) -- A suspected strike by a U.S. unmanned aircraft in the tribal region of North Waziristan, Pakistan, killed at least 11 militants Tuesday, officials said.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/ct/Upakistan-drone.Rddn_KMG.html">Strike kills militants in North Waziristan</a><br />ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, March 16 (UPI) -- A suspected strike by a U.S. unmanned aircraft in the tribal region of North Waziristan, Pakistan, killed at least 11 militants Tuesday, officials said.</p><br clear="all"/>(UPI) http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/ch/Uus-google-china.RQ0W_KMG.htmlwed/ch/Uus-google-china.RQ0W_KMG.html1268763286Tue Mar 16 18:14:46 2010<p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/ch/Uus-google-china.RQ0W_KMG.html"></a>SAN JOSE, Calif., March 16 (UPI) -- Google fears closing its search engine in China could jeopardize employees and its other businesses there, a source told the San Jose, Calif., Mercury News.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/ch/Uus-google-china.RQ0W_KMG.html">Google weighing options in China</a><br />SAN JOSE, Calif., March 16 (UPI) -- Google fears closing its search engine in China could jeopardize employees and its other businesses there, a source told the San Jose, Calif., Mercury News.</p><br clear="all"/>(UPI) http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/dp/Uskorea-centralbank.RUxR_KMG.htmlwed/dp/Uskorea-centralbank.RUxR_KMG.html1268744087Tue Mar 16 12:54:47 2010<p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/dp/Uskorea-centralbank.RUxR_KMG.html"></a>SEOUL, March 16 (UPI) -- South Korea's president has picked Kim Choong-soo, ambassador to the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development, to lead the country's central bank.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/dp/Uskorea-centralbank.RUxR_KMG.html">S. Korean president picks next BOK leader</a><br />SEOUL, March 16 (UPI) -- South Korea's president has picked Kim Choong-soo, ambassador to the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development, to lead the country's central bank.</p><br clear="all"/>(UPI) http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/av/Uskorea-webaddicts.RsQy_KMF.htmlwed/av/Uskorea-webaddicts.RsQy_KMF.html1268693688Mon Mar 15 22:54:48 2010<p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/av/Uskorea-webaddicts.RsQy_KMF.html"></a>SEOUL, March 15 (UPI) -- South Korea will offer Web addicts free software to install on their computers to limit their access time to the Internet, officials said.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/av/Uskorea-webaddicts.RsQy_KMF.html">South Korea to fight Web addiction</a><br />SEOUL, March 15 (UPI) -- South Korea will offer Web addicts free software to install on their computers to limit their access time to the Internet, officials said.</p><br clear="all"/>(UPI) http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/ae/Uindia-facebook.RuDB_KMF.htmlwed/ae/Uindia-facebook.RuDB_KMF.html1268672702Mon Mar 15 17:05:02 2010<p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/ae/Uindia-facebook.RuDB_KMF.html"></a>HYDERABAD, India, March 15 (UPI) -- Facebook says it is opening its first office in Asia in Hyderabad, India.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/ae/Uindia-facebook.RuDB_KMF.html">Facebook set to open first office in India</a><br />HYDERABAD, India, March 15 (UPI) -- Facebook says it is opening its first office in Asia in Hyderabad, India.</p><br clear="all"/>(UPI) http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/bj/Upakistan-afghanborder.RDlr_KMF.htmlwed/bj/Upakistan-afghanborder.RDlr_KMF.html1268667888Mon Mar 15 15:44:48 2010<p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/bj/Upakistan-afghanborder.RDlr_KMF.html"></a>ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, March 15 (UPI) -- NATO forces fighting militants must do more to stop cross-border traffic between Pakistan and Afghanistan, a Pakistani military official said.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="http://news.usti.net/newsstory/world.asia+oceania/2/wed/bj/Upakistan-afghanborder.RDlr_KMF.html">NATO urged to increase Afghan checkpoints</a><br />ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, March 15 (UPI) -- NATO forces fighting militants must do more to stop cross-border traffic between Pakistan and Afghanistan, a Pakistani military official said.</p><br clear="all"/>(UPI)