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Laos: Trunk road
Driving Mr Naimoon, Paul Rush gets an entertaining lesson in pachyderm psychology.

Gutsier Navara? Now you're torqueing
Revised turbo-diesel firmly regains most powerful Japanese ute title for Nissan, says Phil Hanson.

Australia launches court action over whaling
Australia will initiate action in the International Court of Justice, seeking to prevent Japanese whaling in the Southern Ocean.

iPad mania overshadowed by human cost concerns
Apple has been embarrassed by publicity surrounding 11 suicide attempts at the vast Foxconn facility which produces iPad and other products.

Medic shot dead in Red Shirt protesters' refuge
Kamolket Akahad was treating an injured man, dressed as a medic, when she was shot and killed.

<i>Crisis in Bangkok:</i> Behind the barricades
Andrew Buncombe of The Independent describes the visceral scenes of death and destruction behind the Red Shirts' barricade.

Showing off in Shanghai
The New Zealand pavilion at the Shanghai Expo should attract lots of attention thanks to its unique roof garden, writes Brian Fallow

Shanghai surprise: Exploring a great city
The best thing about the Shanghai Expo is that it's in Shanghai. The city itself is the greater attraction.

Thailand: Confounded in sweltering Bangkok
At Lumphini Park, the lungs of the city, the early morning tai-chi sessions are coming to a graceful conclusion...

Kiwi confirmed injured in Bangkok riots
Kiwi visitors in Bangkok have yet to contact authorities or fly out early despite escalating violence and reports of one Kiwi being injured.

Indian census puts caste issue in spotlight
The decision to include caste in India's national census has triggered intense controversy about a painful, vexing subject.