ASIA-PACIFIC
China 'to allow Olympic protests'
China says it will allow demonstrations in three designated city parks during the Olympic Games in Beijing.
Rice holds N Korea nuclear talks
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice meets her North Korean counterpart, the first such talks in four years.
Powerful quake hits north Japan
A powerful earthquake of magnitude 6.8 hits northern Japan, causing injuries, power cuts and landslides.
Temple row 'to ease after polls'
A military stand-off at a border temple will ease after Cambodia's general election on Sunday, the Thai leader says.
Mongolian MPs boycott parliament
The opening session of the Mongolian parliament stalls after opposition Democrats stage a walk-out.
Samsung chief makes legal appeal
The ex-chairman of South Korean firm Samsung files an appeal against his conviction for tax evasion.
Somali pirates 'seize Filipinos'
A Japanese ship with 20 Philippine crew has reportedly been hijacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia.
Kidnapped Koreans freed in Mexico
Five South Koreans seized for ransom in Mexico are released, the South Korean foreign ministry has said.
UN help sought over temple row
Cambodia asks the UN Security Council for emergency talks to resolve a stand-off with Thailand around an ancient temple.
Top Hong Kong showbiz couple wed
Hong Kong actor Tony Leung marries long term partner Carina Lau in a Buddhist-inspired ceremony in Bhutan.
Philippine farmer faces charges for eating a rare eagle
Philippine prosecutors prepare to file charges against a farmer for killing and eating one of the world's rarest eagles.
NZ journalists take a swim as a photo opportunity goes wrong
Journalists ended up clinging to an upturned boat as a photo opportunity for New Zealand's Olympic rowers goes wrong.
Swimming: Thorpe doubts Phelps' Olympic goal
Australia's greatest Olympian Ian Thorpe does not believe Michael Phelps will win eight swimming gold medals in Beijing.
Rugby: McCaw delays Tri-Nations comeback
New Zealand captain Richie McCaw is ruled out of Saturday's Tri-Nations match against Australia, who give a first start to Ryan Cross.
Reynolds' China
It's important to be alert at Olympic press conferences
