10:35pm

North Korea frees detained Chinese fishermen

Action ends rare public dispute between allies

Chen Guangcheng and his wife Yuan Weijing greet the press after arriving at the New York University Village apartment complex in Manhattan ©AFP 2:15pm

China activists fear ‘reckoning’

Chen’s friends braced for retaliation

10:31am

Sri Lanka set to free jailed general

Gen Fonseka challenged Mahinda Rajapaksa for presidency

AFGHANISTAN 11:17pm

Nato seeks orderly Afghanistan exit

Chicago summit to set date for formal pull-out

AFGHANISTAN 1:38pm

UK special forces Afghan role after 2014

British specialists may stay behind to fight terrorism

May 20, 2012

Chinese activist ends odyssey in US

Chen Guangcheng thanks supporters after his flight from China

From GLOBAL ECONOMY May 18, 2012

China linked to ‘economic espionage

Pentagon labels surveillance as national security threat

CHINA May 18, 2012

Chinese desert Hong Kong art market

Sales from mainland buyers halve at Sotheby’s spring auctions

May 18, 2012

Osaka mayor has old guard running scared

Supporters pin hopes for reform on boyish populist

INDIA May 18, 2012

India’s ‘Dalit queen’ in statues scandal

Prices alleged to have been inflated to build $1.8bn park

May 18, 2012

China jails leader of smuggling ring

Lai Changxing had links to senior regional officials

CHINA May 18, 2012

China property prices extend decline

Beijing to maintain restrictions on investments

From US & CANADA May 18, 2012

US ban on investing in Myanmar lifted

Restrictions remain on major investment sectors

From GLOBAL ECONOMY May 17, 2012

Business barometer exposes break-up plans

Companies show lack of preparation over future of eurozone

JAPAN May 17, 2012

Consumers return Japan to growth path

Pent-up demand after tsunami tragedy fuels spending rise

JAPAN May 17, 2012

Japanese bank freezes Iranian assets

Move follows order from US court pursuing damages for bombing

NORTH KOREA May 17, 2012

North Koreans seize Chinese fishing boats

Officials demand payment for release of vessels

May 17, 2012

Singapore growth surpasses estimates

Warning of ‘increased uncertainty’ from euro crisis

JAPAN May 17, 2012

Japanese GDP grows 1% in first quarter

Annualised growth rate of 4.1% seen as unsustainable

AFGHANISTAN May 16, 2012

Hollande urged to ease Afghan pullout pledge

New president being lobbied to allow troops to stay training

Highlights