Afghan civilian death toll rises
The number of civilians killed and injured in the Afghan conflict has risen for the fifth year in a row, a UN report reveals.

Europe 'at risk of early grave'
Australia's Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd warns Europe faces an "early grave" if it continues to ignore Asia's rise.

England players go unsold at IPL
Seven England players and Ireland batsman Kevin O'Brien fail to attract bids at the Indian Premier League auction.

Oil spurs Canadian PM China visit
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper will visit China next week to discuss the future of Canada's oil products.

Saigon fall reporter dies at 79
George Esper, who reported on the fall of Saigon for the Associated Press during the last days of the Vietnam war, dies at the age of 79.

Life term for Khmer Rouge jailer
Cambodia's UN-backed genocide court rejects an appeal by Khmer Rouge jailer Duch and increases his sentence to life imprisonment.

Nepal former rebels leave camps
Thousands of former Maoist fighters in Nepal begin the process of demobilisation, five years after they ended their armed revolt.

Malaria toll 'is twice as high'
The number of deaths worldwide from malaria has been underestimated, according to data published in the medical journal the Lancet.

Philippines seeks militant's body
Troops in the Philippines are still searching for the body of top militant Marwan who was reported killed on Thursday, a military spokesman says.

VIDEO: Australian summer floods swamp homes
Flooding in the Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales has forced thousands of families from their homes.

VIDEO: Afghan civilian deaths rise again
The number of civilians killed and injured in the Afghan conflict has risen for the fifth year in a row, a UN report reveals.

VIDEO: Banned Chinese books popular in Taiwan
The Chinese government keeps a tight control on the publishing and importation of books, especially those on what it deems sensitive subjects. But in Taiwan, the trade in Chinese language books is thriving.

VIDEO: Thailand's teen piano prodigy
At the age of 14, Gun Chaikittiwatana is already playing some of the hardest pieces ever written for classical piano.

AUDIO: 'There are people floating in life jackets'
A ferry has sunk off the eastern coast of Papua New Guinea with around 300 people on board.

VIDEO: Top court to charge PM Gilani
Pakistan's Supreme Court is to charge Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani with contempt for failing to reopen corruption cases against the president.