Nine people, including four foreigners, are killed when a light aircraft crashes after taking off from Fox Glacier in New Zealand, say reports.

A state of emergency is declared in Christchurch after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake strikes New Zealand's South Island, injuring two people seriously.

Japan imposes new sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme but maintains its oil import schedule.

The first visit of Chinese warships to Burma ends as top Burmese leader Than Shwe prepares to visit Beijing, highlighting the two country's close ties.

Six recruiters are accused of luring 400 Thai workers to the US with promises of farm jobs, confiscating their passports and demanding high fees.

One of four key independent lawmakers endorses Australian PM Julia Gillard, leaving her two seats short of the majority needed to form a government.

A suicide bomber has driven a car packed with explosives into police offices in Khujand, Tajikistan, injuring 25 people.

Japanese prosecutors charge an alleged member of the Pink Panther gang of international jewel thieves with stealing a tiara and other jewellery worth £2.2m in Tokyo in 2007.

More than 10,000 vehicles are stuck in a 120km (75-mile) traffic jam on China's Beijing to Tibet motorway.

The Philippines vows to probe claims that coffins of three of Hong Kong's eight victims of last week's hijacking in Manila were wrongly labelled.

US authorities indict 11 German and Chinese executives for conspiring to illegally import $40m worth of honey from China.

An Australian head teacher is under fire after removing the word gay from the famous song Kookaburra Sits in the Old Gum Tree.

A Tasmanian Devil who experts hoped was immune to a facial cancer that threatens the marsupial species is euthanised after developing tumours.

Positive data eases concerns over the strength of the global economic recovery.

The US drops a probe of China's currency policy, averting a trade row.

Japan stocks fall after BOJ's attempts to curb the rising yen.

Australia lose thrilling Tri-Nations match in Pretoria

Championship leader Mark Webber starts the Belgian Grand Prix from pole position after a rain-affected qualifying session in Spa.

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An overview of Palau including key facts, political leaders and notes on the media

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An overview of French Polynesia, including key facts, political leaders and notes on the media

An overview of Guam, including key facts, political leaders and the media

An overview of Hong Kong, including key facts, political leaders and notes on the media

An overview of Macau, including key facts, political leaders and notes on the media

An overview of the Pacific territory, including key facts, political leaders and notes on the media

A profile of the South Pacific island - the world's smallest self-governing territory

A profile of the US commonwealth territory in the north-west Pacific

An overview of Tibet, including key facts, political leaders and notes on the media

A profile of the three-island territory in the South Pacific

An overview of Xinjiang, including key facts, political leaders and notes on the media

More than 10,000 vehicles are stuck in a 120km (75-mile) traffic jam on China's Beijing to Tibet motorway.

China gives EU lesson on rural poverty

New Zealand earthquake damages city of Christchurch

Why tensions are rising in the South China Sea

BBC Burmese marks 70 years of broadcasting

Kazakh artwork on show outside Central Asia for the first time

Is North Korea's Kim poised to name his successor?