South Korean hospital fire kills 21, injures 7

A fire believed to have been set by a man with dementia suffocated 21 people and injured seven others on Wednesday at a South Korean hospital that specializes in dementia and palsy patients, police and fire officers said.

Military rulers in Thailand name anti-Thaksin advisers

Thailand's junta has appointed as advisers two retired generals with palace connections, putting powerful establishment figures hostile toward former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra firmly in the ascendant in the country's long-running power struggle.

Taliban vows to continue fighting US 'occupation'

Taliban insurgents denounced US plans to keep troops in Afghanistan until the end of 2016, threatening on Wednesday to wage war against the "occupation" until the very last foreign soldier pulls out.

Modi govt's account stirs fuss in India-controlled Kashmir

A junior minister in the newly appointed Indian Prime Minister's Office racked up a major controversy on Tuesday, saying the government led by Narendra Modi has initiated a process to repeal special status granted to Indian-controlled Kashmir.

Modi asks Pakistan to hasten probe into 2008 attack

New Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the leader of rival Pakistan on Tuesday and asked that his country "abide by its commitment" to prevent its territory from being used in terrorism against India and speed up investigations into the 2008 attack in Mumbai.

Islamists vow to defeat Libyan general

An al-Qaida-inspired group in Libya vowed on Tuesday to fight renegade former general Khalifa Hifter who is waging an offensive against Islamists, accusing him of being an "American agent" who wants to replicate last year's military overthrow of an elected government in neighboring Egypt.

US deploys assault ship, 1,000 marines

US defense officials said on Tuesday the warship USS Bataan had moved into the Mediterranean Sea and could be used, if needed, for a possible evacuation of American personnel from Libya.

Cambodia says only 'voluntary' refugees allowed

Cambodia will take in only voluntary refugees from Australia, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said on Wednesday.

Egypt extends presidential vote after low turnout

Egypt's presidential election was extended into a third day on Wednesday due to low turnout in the first election since Islamist Mohamed Morsi was overthrown last year.

IN BRIEF (Page 12)

'Homemade electricity' creates buzz

Klaus Meier lists three reasons for generating his own electricity in his family hotel in Germany's southern city of Freiburg - "cost savings, energy efficiency, climate protection".

Japanese firm in search of perfect nipple

In a quiet side room at Pigeon Corp's spacious lab north of Tokyo, researchers are on a high-tech quest to create a teat for babies' bottles that matches a breast-feeding mother's own.