An Egyptian telecoms giant launched an advanced mobile phone network in North Korea today, the latest attempt to introduce a global symbol of personal freedom into one of the world’s most tightly controlled societies.

Burma’s ruling military junta extended the detention of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi today, defying international pressure to free the Nobel laureate.

Thailand’s foreign minister says the North Korean government has told him nuclear talks planned for this week must be postponed to mid-to late September, it was reported today.

Thailand’s government plans to reach out to militants in its three Muslim southern provinces to peacefully end a 16-month rebellion there that has been blamed on Islamic separatists and claimed 800 lives, the country’s foreign minister said today.