Drugs, alcohol biggest fears for young

Drugs and alcohol were identified as young Australians' leading cause for concern in the nation's biggest annual survey of its adolescents.

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Experts are optimistic Tut's tomb may conceal lost queen

Chances are high that the tomb of ancient Egypt's boy-king Tutankhamen has passages to a hidden chamber, which could possibly be the last resting place of the lost Queen Nefertiti, experts said on Saturday.

From countryside to catwalk, teen designer takes on prejudice

A Thai teenager is elevating everyday items of rural life to the catwalk to challenge entrenched prejudice among the Bangkok elite.

Small refugee community urges Tokyo to open doors

Hitoshi Kino, a bespectacled clerical employee at a university near Tokyo, doesn't stand out.

Women start first election campaign

Saudi women running for public office next month for the first time ever begin campaigning Sunday in another step forward for women's rights in the conservative kingdom's slow democratic process.

Activist group warns Japan against resuming whaling

Environmental activist group Sea Shepherd warned Japan on Sunday against resuming "research" whaling in the Antarctic and called on the Australian government to intervene.

Voting begins after year of upheaval

Voters in Burkina Faso began voting on Sunday for a new president and parliament, hoping to turn the page on a year of turmoil during which the west African nation's people ousted a veteran ruler and repelled a military coup.

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Russian leader slaps sanctions on Turkey

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday called for sanctions against Turkey, following the downing last week by Turkey of a Russian warplane.

US has to 'do something', Obama says

Expressing what has become regularly repeated frustration on the issue, US President Barack Obama said on Saturday that the United States needs to "do something" to make it harder for criminals and psychologically people to get guns after a shooting in Colorado killed three people and injured nine.

ROK, DPRK agree to further talks

The Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea agreed to hold talks at the vice-minister level next month, after a meeting on Thursday aimed at further easing tensions following the end to an armed standoff in August.