TOKYO, April 2, 2008 (AFP) - Japan's Emperor Akihito and other members of the royal family are unlikely to attend the Beijing Olympics amid concerns here about China's crackdown in Tibet and other issues, a report said Wednesday.

LONDON, April 1, 2008 (AFP) - The coroner examining the death of Diana, Princess of Wales launched a scathing attack Tuesday on her former butler, telling the jury at her inquest it was 'blindingly obvious' he lied as a witness.

AMMAN, April 1, 2008 (AFP) - Jordan's Queen Rania has launched her own Internet channel on YouTube in a bid to encourage young people to help tackle stereotypes of Muslims and Arabs, her office said on Tuesday.

LONDON, March 31, 2008 (AFP) - The coroner investigating the death of Princess Diana said Monday there is no evidence she was murdered by British intelligence, as claimed by her boyfriend's father.

The assessment by Lord Justice Scott Baker came as he began summing up the inquest into the death of Diana and Dodi Fayed, which began in October.

LONDON, March 31, 2008 (AFP) - The coroner in the inquest into the death of Princess Diana and her boyfriend Dodi Fayed said Monday there was no evidence she was murdered by British secret services, as claimed by Fayed's father.

KATHMANDU, March 30, 2008 (AFP) - Allies of Nepal's embattled king have warned that the Himalayan nation could slide back into civil war if landmark elections next month lead to abolition of the monarchy.

KATHMANDU, March 28, 2008 (AFP) - Nepal's royal family allegedly took cash from a nature conservation fund to pay for foreign trips, lavish parties and health check-ups abroad for family members, a report charged on Friday.

MBABANE, March 26, 2008 (AFP) - The government of Swaziland, one of Africa's poorest and most AIDS-ridden countries, has defended plans to spend nearly 2.5 million dollars on celebrations to mark the 40th anniversary of independence.

TOKYO, March 24, 2008 (AFP) - Japan's Empress Michiko is suffering from a stomach problem, the palace said Monday, in the latest health condition expected to slow down the schedule of the imperial couple.

THIMPHU, March 21, 2008 (AFP) - As the tiny Himalayan state of Bhutan readies for its first major polls next week, many people are still apprehensive of the changes that the country's shift to democracy will bring.