At least six people were killed in an attack on a compound in Kabul used by United Nations workers and other foreigners just hours after President Obama’s brief visit to the country to sign a security partnership pact.

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The Lede Blog: Suicide Bomb Attacks Hours After President Obama’s Visit to Afghanistan

Tackling Asia’s increasing wealth gap

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In pictures: Asia’s widening wealth gap

The ominous demographics of this aging nation have long been seen by Japanese as a distant concern, not a present-day one. But that mind-set is being called into question by a prime minister who says that a crisis requiring immediate sacrifices has already begun. Read full article > >

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As Japan strains to care for elderly, sacrifices begin

A friend asked for my reaction to the Los Angeles Times’ publishing two photos last week of American soldiers posing tauntingly with the bloodied bodies of dead Afghan insurgents. The photos were reportedly among 18 provided by a U.S. soldier who wanted “to draw attention to the safety risk of a breakdown in leadership and discipline.” Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta had asked the Times and other media publications to suppress the photos for fear that publication would incite more anti-American violence, and even deaths. The other media complied with Panetta’s request; the Times did not. It’s hard to judge this without being privy to the conversation between Panetta and Times editors. According to news reports, Panetta apologized for the soldiers’ actions, claiming that such brutality was against military policy, and that an investigation was underway. Times editors cited the public’s need to know more about this largely forgotten war. Still unknown is how widespread this phenomenon is. Were the photographed soldiers the proverbial few rotten apples, or the tip of an unsavory iceberg? But even this question begs a more important one: Why are we still in Afghanistan?

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An American Debacle in the Graveyard of Empires

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Thursday convicted Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani of contempt for defying its orders to reopen an old corruption case against the president, but the justices spared Gilani any prison time. Read full article > >

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Pakistan court convicts but does not imprison Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani

How Lancashire textile firms are competing with Asia

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UK textile firms weave new fabric of success

Boardman’s well-located port puts it in place to transport coal mined in Wyoming and Montana to Asia, where the appetite for one of the dirtiest of fossil fuels is still strong.

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Boardman, Ore., Considers a Future in Coal

SEOUL — One day after the humiliation of a failed satellite launch, a showpiece of might breaking apart and dropping into the sea, North Korea got along with the usual agenda of extolling its leadership. Read full article > >

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After satellite failure, N. Korea gets back to regular business of Kim love

SEOUL — North Korea did not launch its long-range rocket Thursday, but the country reiterated a message that it shouldn’t be punished when it goes ahead with the blast sometime within its stated five-day window. Read full article > >

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North Korea insists rocket launch does not flout deal with U.S.

SEOUL — North Korea on Wednesday further burnished the credentials of Kim Jong Eun, its young and untested leader, bestowing upon him the newly created title of first secretary of the Workers’ Party. Read full article > >

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North Korea gives Kim Jong Eun new title, symbol of smooth power transfer

The prime minister is in Tokyo, Japan, on the first stop of a visit to Asia aimed at encouraging trade deals with the UK.

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Cameron in Japan to ‘boost trade’

As David Cameron arrives in Tokyo to encourage greater British trade in Asia, the car manufacturer Nissan has announced it is to build its new hatchback in Sunderland, creating over 1,000 jobs.

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VIDEO: Jobs boost from new Nissan model

KABUL — The United States and Afghanistan signed a deal on night military operations on Sunday, resolving a major source of friction between President Hamid Karzai and Washington. The agreement removes a key obstacle to a long-term strategic partnership between the two countries, including a U.S. military presence in Afghanistan after 2014, when all foreign combat troops are set to leave the country. Read full article > >

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United States and Afghanistan sign deal on night raids

The 9-year-old boy with pale skin and big, piercing eyes captivated Mirzahan at first sight. “He is more handsome than anyone in the village,” the 22-year-old farmer said, explaining why he is grooming the boy as a sexual partner and companion. There was another important factor that made Waheed easy to take on as a bacha bazi, or a boy for pleasure: “He doesn’t have a father, so there is no one to stop this.” Read full article > >

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Afghanistan sees rise in ‘dancing boys’ exploitation

With Asian demand for elver eels especially high — last year’s tsunami curbed supply in Japan, and Europe has cracked down on exporting eels — a gold rush of sorts is on in Maine.

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In Maine, Fishing for Tiny Eels and Big Profits