Threats haunt Afghan vote

Taliban attacks and fraud feared in the run off to pick Karzai's successor

Woman: Officers raped me at police station

An Indian woman said on Thursday she was gang-raped by four officers at a police station, the latest in a string of shocking sex attacks in the troubled state of Uttar Pradesh.

Thai anti-coup leader may face long jail sentence

A prominent anti-coup activist in Thailand faces up to 14 years in prison if convicted of incitement, computer crimes and ignoring a summons by the authorities, police said on Thursday.

Labor-short Japan expanding foreign trainee program

Japan is both aging and shrinking as it tries to emerge from two decades of economic stagnation. The construction workforce is a prime example.

IN BRIEF (Page 11)

Islamist fighters vow to capture Baghdad

Sunni militants seek to 'settle old scores' with Shiite prime minister

Venezuela orders arrests of alleged coup conspirators

Venezuela's attorney general ordered the arrests on Wednesday of three government opponents wanted for questioning over an alleged plot to assassinate President Nicolas Maduro. The men include a former presidential candidate and a former state oil company executive.

Blackwater guards on trial for 2007 shootings

Four former employees of the Blackwater security firm went on trial in the US capital on Wednesday, seven years after allegedly killing at least 14 Iraqi civilians in Baghdad.

S. Korea steps up search for ferry owner

Thousands of South Korean police and prosecutors raided a sprawling religious compound for a second time on Wednesday in their search for an elderly businessman linked to a ferry disaster that reduced the nation to tears.

Japan, Australia eye sub deal, closer defense ties

Japan and Australia intend to move ahead this week with plans to develop stealth submarine technology, as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pushes to give his country a more assertive global military role.

Study: Red meat possibly linked to breast cancer

Women who often indulge their cravings for hamburgers, steaks and other red meat may have a slightly higher risk of breast cancer, a new study suggests.

Poppy crop is seen as threat to progress in Afghanistan

Afghans are growing more opium poppies than ever before and it is threatening to wipe out gains made to help the impoverished country improve health, education and governance, the US watchdog for spending in Afghanistan said on Tuesday.