Vietnam executed a woman convicted of circulating counterfeit Vietnamese currency, an official said Wednesday.

French President Jacques Chirac will today launch an intensive week of meetings with Asian leaders aimed at promoting French companies and cementing Europe-Asia ties.

Burma’s state press today blacked out the news of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s release from house arrest, hailed by world leaders as a first step towards restoring democracy after years of military rule.