AP - German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed regret Saturday that Chinese police blocked a human rights lawyer from meeting her and said the Communist government should have the confidence to allow dissent.

AP - Pakistan's prime minister will travel to Qatar next week to talk with leaders there about the prospect of a peace deal to end the war in Afghanistan, a government official said Saturday, a trip that suggests some progress in a process long stymied by mistrust.

Reuters - India's beleaguered government won some rare relief on Saturday when a court threw out a corruption case against one its top ministers ahead of crucial state elections next week.

AP - Last year was the deadliest on record for civilians in the Afghan war, with 3,021 killed as insurgents ratcheted up violence with suicide attacks and roadside bombs, the United Nations said Saturday.

AP - Indonesian police say they have arrested an airline pilot on suspicion of using illegal drugs three hours before flying.