North Korea says will take 'positive steps' for peace
Reuters
BEIJING (Reuters) - A North Korean envoy told China's president on Friday that his reclusive country was willing to take "positive actions" to ensure peace and stability on the Korean peninsula, as China steps up diplomatic efforts to bring Pyongyang ...
North Korea Envoy Agrees to Dialogue, China Says, in Possible Sign for Nuclear ... New York Times
North Korea Envoy Wraps Up Visit to China Voice of America
NKorean envoy delivers letter to China's Xi Houston Chronicle
Businessweek

Pakistan welcomes Obama stance on force
CNN International
The United States for years has targeted militants in Pakistan with drone attacks. Obama said drone strikes, denounced by many because they have killed civilians, must be used with more temperance, but they remain a necessary tool to take on terrorists.
Obama's Speech Welcomed in Pakistan, Yemen ABC News
Obama's drone speech welcomed -- in terror havens of Pakistan, Yemen Washington Guardian
Pakistan remains opposed to drones after Obama speech Raw Story
Deccan Herald

Morgan Stanley Names New Business Heads in Asia
New York Times (blog)
The Wall Street bank has appointed Jerome Leleu and Mille Cheng as co-heads of its equity capital markets business in Asia. The pair will replace Justin Haik, who is moving to a new role as senior client relationship manager for equities in Asia.
Morgan Stanley names Jerome Leleu, Mille Cheng in Asia ECM shakeup Economic Times

Pakistan Airlines flight diverted over British airspace
CNN
Editor's note: Are you there? Share your photos and videos. London (CNN) -- A UK fighter jet was scrambled to escort a Pakistan International Airlines flight as it was diverted Friday from northwestern England's Manchester Airport to London's Stansted ...
Pakistan Airlines Jet Intercepted by Fighter Over Britain Bloomberg
UK fighters scrambled to escort passenger jet from Pakistan NBCNews.com (blog)
RAF Typhoon military fighters escort Pakistan passenger plane after 'incident ... New York Daily News
Daily Mail - The Independent

Abe on 1st Trip to Myanmar by Japan PM in 36 Years
ABC News
As of late February, Japan was the 11th largest investor in Myanmar, with $270 million in overall investments, way behind the $14.2 billion committed by China and $9.6 billion by Thailand, the top two sources with 33 percent and 23 percent respectively ...
Japan's Abe to Visit Myanmar Wall Street Journal
Japan the Model New York Times
Factbox: Key facts about Japan's constitution, proposed changes Reuters
The Guardian - Bloomberg - Foreign Policy (blog)

How Well Do China and India Know Each Other?
The Atlantic
Most of these become diplomats or analysts in think-tanks, and few have country-specific training on China or India. This means that only a handful of scholars in China possess a deep knowledge of Indian culture and history, including skills in Hindi ...
Li's visit to Europe, an important part of China's all-round diplomacy People's Daily Online
Can India and China Shake Hands Across the Himalayas? the Diplomat (blog)
China, Switzerland to announce conclusion of FTA talks: Chinese premier Xinhua
South China Morning Post

US official praises India for supporting sanctions against Iran by reducing ...
Fox News
NEW DELHI " A senior official praised India for reducing oil imports from Iran and said the U.S. government will decide soon on New Delhi's request to renew a waiver from sanctions on Tehran. U.S. Under Secretary for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman ...
US hints at renewed Iranian sanctions waiver for India Reuters India
India Likely to Get Fresh US Waiver on Iran Sanctions India West

Japan stocks rebound after big plunge
CNNMoney
Thursday's sell-off was triggered by weak economic data from China that showed manufacturing slowed for the first time in seven months, as well as mixed signals from the Federal Reserve about when it might start dialing down its bond-buying program.
Asia Stocks Decline on Australia Banks; Japan Climbs After Rout Businessweek
US, European Stocks Drop While Japan Equities Rebound Bloomberg
ASIA MARKETS: Japan Stocks End Up After Roller-coaster Ride Fox Business
USA TODAY - New York Times - Forbes

Asia Goes on a Debt Binge as Much of World Sobers Up
Wall Street Journal
Borrowing has increased all across the continent. State-owned companies and local governments in China are taking on more debt, as are motor-scooter buyers in Indonesia, washing-machine purchasers in Thailand and real-estate investors in Singapore ...

Is Australia the Face of Climate Change to Come?
National Geographic
Just this week, a tornado of virtually unheard of size and ferocity tore through a small city in Oklahoma, leaving 24 people dead. Each of these one-off traumas was bad enough, wreaking havoc, but in Australia such events seem to be becoming commonplace.