December 5, 2015 Japan's new rocket blasts off in laptop-controlled launch Japan's new solid-fuel rocket successfully blasted off Saturday carrying a telescope for remote observation of planets in a launch coordinated from a laptop computer-based command centre.
December 5, 2015 In Asia, ancient writing collides with the digital age As a schoolboy, Akihiro Matsumura spent hundreds of hours learning the intricate Chinese characters that make up a part of written Japanese.
December 5, 2015 Badminton Singapore Open hit by late pull-outs A large-scale withdrawal on the eve of competition has robbed badminton's Singapore Open of several seeded players after superstars Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei also chose to skip the event.
December 5, 2015 Radiation readings spike at Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant Radiation at a tank holding contaminated water at a crippled Japanese nuclear power plant has increased by a factor of 18, the plant's supervisor announced Sunday.Â
December 5, 2015 Peru urges fuller confessions from UK, Irish drugs women A Peruvian prosecutor has said that two women from Britain and Ireland caught trying to smuggle cocaine out of the country would need to make fuller confessions if they hoped to have their sentences reduced.
December 5, 2015 Mali polls were 'great success' for France: Ayrault French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault on Monday declared elections in Mali a "great success" for France, which sent troops to the African nation this year to dislodge Islamist groups.
December 5, 2015 Japan star Matsuyama ready for British Golf Open Japan's rookie superstar Hideki Matsuyama said Wednesday he is ready to impress in his debut at the British Open as he steps up his quest for a US Tour card.
December 5, 2015 Vettori, Guptill miss N.Zealand's Bangladesh tour New Zealand named two uncapped players on Friday in a 15-man Test squad for their upcoming Bangladesh tour but will be missing injured veterans Daniel Vettori and Martin Guptill.
December 5, 2015 Philippines to stay in Golan if security is boosted The Philippines said Friday it would keep its 340 peacekeepers in the Golan Heights provided it gets requested additional heavier weapons and protection.
December 5, 2015 Indonesians rescued from tigers after days up tree A group of Indonesian men who spent four days trapped up a tree by Sumatran tigers were rescued Monday when wildlife experts induced the snarling creatures to leave, police said.