Voting has begun in Myanmar in a controversial referendum pushed by the government despite international appeals for the rulering military to focus on recovery efforts after last weekend's devastating cyclone.

 

Zimbabwe's main opposition party is set to announce whether it will contest a run-off election against Robert Mugabe, the country's president, party officials have said.

   

A Sri Lankan navy cargo vessel has been sunk by a Tamil Tiger attack in the eastern port town of Trincomalee.

 

The Chinese Mountaineering Team has been given a hero's welcome as they went down Mount Qomolangma to the 5,200-meter-high Base Camp after nine hours' trek on Friday.