Suicide bombers hit Afghan city
Taliban suicide bombers strike government targets in Khost, eastern Afghanistan, the latest attack ahead of August polls.

Pakistan court delays Mumbai case
A brief hearing is held in the Pakistani city of Rawalpindi for five men accused of a role in last year's Mumbai attacks.

IMF grants Sri Lanka $2.6bn loan
The International Monetary Fund approves a $2.6bn (£1.6bn) loan to help Sri Lanka weather the global economic crisis.

New lizard species found in India
Scientists discover a new species of lizard in the lush Western Ghats mountain range in the Indian state of Maharashtra.

Transport strike in Calcutta over
Operators of private buses and taxis in Calcutta - India's third most populous city - call off an indefinite strike.

Afghan woman MP lists 'enemies'
A female member of the Afghan parliament strongly criticises Nato forces in the country - and the Taliban and Afghan "warlords".

Karzai 'to review foreign forces'
Afghan President Hamid Karzai says he will will review agreements with foreign forces in Afghanistan if re-elected.

Monsoon wreaks havoc in Pakistan
At least 15,000 people are made homeless after heavy monsoon rains lash parts of Pakistan's Balochistan province

Court backs Gujarat riot probe
A court in the western Indian state of Gujarat rejects a petition seeking to delay a probe into the role of the chief minister in riots of 2002.

India to set up school for rogue monkeys
Wildlife officials in India plan to build a special school to discipline delinquent monkeys.

FROM BBC SPORT >>
Malik ton puts Pakistan in charge
A brilliant century from Shoaib Malik puts Pakistan firmly on course for a morale-boosting victory in the third Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo.

Silent guns
What is Pakistan's army up to in South Waziristan?

Air spectacular
Aboard a special flight to watch the solar eclipse

Afghan plan
The US looks to make progress in a troubled country

Defying militants
One moderate cleric's legacy of peace in Lahore

Fading democracy
Why Pakistani local government is grinding to a halt

Damp squib
Why the eclipse eluded people in India village

Nepal probes elephant 'attacks'
Nepalese officials go to the far east of the country to investigate attacks by elephants migrating from neighbouring India.

Bangladesh rare leopard cub freed
A clouded leopard, previously thought to be extinct in Bangladesh, is released after being caught by tribes people in a remote area of the country.

Pakistan displaced returns resume
The return of people displaced by fighting in the Swat valley resumes after a one day suspension, officials say.

TV debate for Afghan contenders
A TV debate between Afghan presidential candidates goes ahead, despite incumbent Hamid Karzai's withdrawal.

Mumbai suspect trial to proceed
An Indian court rules that the trial of the main suspect in the Mumbai attacks will continue despite his guilty plea.

Bin Laden son 'probably killed'
US defence officials say they are all but certain that Osama bin Laden's son was killed by a US strike in Pakistan this year.

Nepal to save royal home
The Nepalese government will restore the house in which King Birendra and his family were gunned down eight years ago, PM Madhav Kumar Nepal says.

Taliban say Swat leader 'alive'
The Taliban deny reports that their leader in Pakistan's Swat valley, Maulana Fazlullah, is close to death.

Afghan war is 'worth the effort'
The war against the Afghan Taliban is in the national interest of the US and Europe, US Vice-President Joe Biden tells the BBC.

Bangladesh rare leopard found
A clouded leopard previously thought to be extinct is captured by tribespeople in Bangladesh, a leading zoologist tells the BBC.

Strong profits at India's Wipro
Indian outsourcing firm Wipro announces higher quarterly profits, despite the global economic downturn.

Sri Lanka agrees $2.5bn IMF loan
Sri Lanka agrees a $2.5bn loan from the International Monetary Fund to help it weather the global economic crisis.

Lessons for Karachi sex workers
Karachi sex workers talk health and safety

Shock confession in Mumbai
Mumbai suspect's plea took everyone by surprise

Headless cause
Who can lead Tamils now Tigers are defeated?

Clinton's diplomatic test
Hillary Clinton's balancing act in India

Nepal widows' wrath
Nepali women's anger at cash marriage incentive

Plight of Pakistan displaced
Plight of displaced on Pakistan's other frontline