Tokyo, Jan 11 - The Japanese government has begun ground improvement work for the relocation of a key US military base within Okinawa prefecture after overriding the local government's objection, regardless of the opinions of local residents.

Tokyo, Jan 10 - Tokyo, Jan 9 (IANS) The death toll from the devastating 7.6-magnitude earthquake that struck Japan's Ishikawa prefecture on January 1, increased to 203 on Wednesday, with 68 people remaining unaccounted for, local authorities said.

Kathmandu, Jan 10 - Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” on Wednesday said that India has reservations over buying energy from the Himalayan nation produced by Chinese contractors.

Dhaka, Jan 10 - Following the ruling Awami League's (AL) win in the January 7 Bangladesh general elections, incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina took the oath of office on Wednesday for her historic fourth-consecutive term.

Tokyo, Jan 10 - A tsunami measuring about 3 meters high had reached the Shika nuclear power plant in Japan's Ishikawa prefecture after it was hit by a powerful earthquake measuring 7.6-magnitude on January 1, according to the plant's operator.

Hong Kong, Jan 9 - Chinese leader Xi Jinping has vowed to go after those who are responsible for the corruption and has launch a campaign which will target industries such as finance, energy and infrastructure, media reports said.

Tokyo, Jan 9 - An earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale struck central Japan's Niigata prefecture on Tuesday, more than a week after the massive 7.6-magnitude temblor jolted the neighbouring Ishikawa prefecture on January 1 killing 202 people.

Tokyo, Jan 9 - A suspicious object was found at the main gate of Japan's National Diet (Parliament) Building in Tokyo, but has been confirmed of not being dangerous, local media reported on Tuesday.

Dhaka, Jan 9 - The newly-elected members of Bangladesh's Parliament will take the oath of office on Wednesday, a top government official confirmed on Tuesday.

Tokyo, Jan 9 - The death toll from a devastating 7.6-magnitude earthquake that struck Japan's Ishikawa prefecture on January 1, increased to 202 on Tuesday, local authorities said.

Thimphu, Jan 9 - Voting is currently underway for Bhutan's final round of parliamentary elections, with people queuing up outside polling stations across the Himalayan country on Tuesday.

Tokyo, Jan 9 - The death toll has climbed to 168 in Japan's Ishikawa after a series of earthquakes of up to 7.6 magnitude struck the central prefecture and its vicinity last week, as heavy snow and rain have hampered rescue operations.

Tokyo, Jan 6 - At least 100 people have died and 211 other remain missing since a series of powerful earthquakes struck Japan's Ishikawa prefecture on New Year's Day, with authorities fearing more casualties as rescue and search efforts intensified on Saturday.

Seoul/Washington, Jan 5 - Outgoing South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin highlighted the alliance with the US that has further strengthened over the past months in phone talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday, Park's office said on Friday.

The death toll from the series of powerful earthquakes that struck the central Japanese prefecture of Ishikawa earlier this week, increased to 94 on Friday, with at least 250 persons reportedly missing as rescue and search efforts intensify amid concerns of escalating damages.