December 19, 2016 Rights group: Indian cops have killed hundreds of suspects Nearly 600 people died in Indian police custody from 2009-2015, many after being tortured, a human rights group said Monday, urging India to implement a string of often-ignored regulations and prosecute officers involved in the mistreatment of prisoners.
December 19, 2016 China restricts cars, factories amid latest smog alert China's capital and other northern cities have banned half of all vehicles from city streets and ordered factories, schools and construction sites closed in response to a five-day smog red alert.
December 19, 2016 Lawmaker: Ex-N. Korea diplomat fled due to 'reign of terror' A high-profile North Korean defector has told South Korean lawmakers that he decided to flee because of disillusionment with what he describes as a "tyrannical reign of terror" by leader Kim Jong Un.
December 19, 2016 India blames Pakistan-based insurgents for air base attack Indian investigators say they've determined that the leader of a Pakistan-based militant group and three others should face trial for an attack on a military air base in northern India that left seven Indian soldiers dead last January.
December 19, 2016 Indonesia police: Edict against Christmas attire isn't law Indonesian police say they will take action against Islamic groups that use violence to enforce an edict from the country's leading Islamic body forbidding Muslims from wearing Christmas attire.
December 19, 2016 Myanmar hosts regional meeting to discuss Rohingya crisis Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi has met with regional foreign ministers to tackle growing international criticism of her army's forceful treatment of the country's Muslim Rohingya minority, which some critics say constitutes crimes against humanity.
December 19, 2016 Indonesian police arrest dozens ahead of West Papua protest A legal aid group says Indonesian police have detained dozens of people ahead of a West Papua independence protest.
December 19, 2016 S. Korea begins trial of confidante of disgraced president The jailed confidante of disgraced South Korean President Park Geun-hye has appeared at the first day of her trial.
December 19, 2016 Australia's projected annual deficits worsen by $7.5 billion Australia's projected budget deficits for the next four years have increased by 10.3 billion Australian dollars ($7.5 billion) to AU$94.9 billion as the economy continues to slow following a China-driven mining boom, the government's latest forecasts showed Monday.
December 19, 2016 S. Korea begins trial of disgraced president's confidante The jailed confidante of disgraced South Korean President Park Geun-hye begins a trial Monday that will explore a scandal that led to Park's impeachment after millions took to the streets in protest.
