CHINA

The move will help “root out illegal religious activities” in the country, officials say.

The fire, which occurred in June last year at a poultry plant, had killed 121 people and injured 76 others.

Chinese industrial profits dropped 4.2 percent in November to 676.12 billion yuan ($108.85 billion), official data showed on Saturday.

A tough fiscal situation may have forced the Narendra Modi government to cut spending on public health. But, this has happened before.

Police said some militants may have fled to Bhutan while their leader was believed to be in Myanmar, prompting calls for cooperation.

City police arrested 37 protesters marking the largest such action since occupation sites were cleared earlier this month.

The self-styled Lizard Squad, which could allied with North Korea or just seeking publicity, claims to have done it.

The country has seen Christmas celebrations banned in some schools and a university, and protests against the "Western" festival.

Assam, in northeastern India, has a history of sectarian bloodshed and armed groups fighting for secession.

Hong Kong police detained protesters Wednesday after they took to the streets in a sign that the pro-democracy movement was far from over.

South Korea had traced multiple Internet addresses involved in the cyberattack to a northeastern Chinese city near North Korea.

The global Arms Trade Treaty, which has been ratified by 60 countries, aims to regulate the flow of weapons to conflict-hit zones.

Despite rapid economic growth over the past two decades, successive governments have kept a tight rein on healthcare expenditure.

At least one person was killed and 20 were captured when extremists tried to enter the country through its southern border.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's cabinet resigned on Wednesday, setting the stage for him to launch a new government with a defense minister whose support for Japan having a stronger pre-emptive strike capability could rile China.

The 19- or 20-year-old woman's charred body was seen being removed by police. She is the 135th self-immolation in China since 2011.

Ling Jihua's fate will likely mirror that of fellow disgraced politician Bo Xilai, and so will Chinese media coverage.

A spokesperson for China's foreign ministry called the claims "irresponsible."

China's private sector suitors are set to drive another strong year of Asian mergers and acquisitions in 2015.

It remains unclear if Prime Minister Modi’s BJP would be part of the state government in the strife-torn, Muslim-majority state.

North Korea's Internet is spotty, but it has seen more troubles than usual in the last 24 hours. It could be a response to the Sony hack.