Australian officials warn Cyclone Yasi, approaching Queensland with winds of up to 295 km/h (183 mph), could be the deadliest storm in living memory.

Queensland residents in vulnerable areas are urged to flee quickly before Cyclone Yasi strikes with winds of up to 295km/h (183mph).

The crew of the Mars500 simulated mission to the Red Planet have gone into "orbit" around their target.

Five-time Olympic champion Ian Thorpe says a visit to London has inspired him to come out of retirement in a bid to compete at the 2012 Olympics.

The US can win the Afghan war even if Pakistan does not shut down militant safe havens on its side of the border, a top US commander says.

Protesters vow to continue demonstrations despite an announcement by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak that he will not stand for a sixth term.

At least nine people are killed in a bomb attack near a police station in north-western Pakistan, police say.

Japan's Sumo Association calls an emergency board meeting after media allegations of match-fixing, further tarnishing the scandal-plagued sport.