In North Korea, Kim Jong-Un is poised to take over power following his father's death. Also, a population in shock deals with the gruesome consequences of the floods in the Philippines. And finally, we take a look back at 2011 across Asia.
The Philippine government declared a national disaster Tuesday and shipped hundreds of coffins to the flood-stricken south of the country as the death toll neared 1,000 and was expected to rise further as rescuers continued to discover bodies.
As authorities struggled to deliver aid to communities devastated by last week’s flash floods in the southern Philippines, officials on Monday said the death toll had risen to 927.
The death toll from devastating flash floods in the southern Philippines climbed to more than 650 on Sunday as rescuers continued to search for around 800 people still missing after entire villages had been swept away overnight on Friday.
Flash floods triggered by tropical storm Washi have left more than 400 people dead and hundreds more unaccounted for in the southern Philippines island of Mindanao. Soldiers have been deployed to carry out rescue efforts.
Thailand, the world's biggest producer of rice, has been hit hard by floods with 3.5 million tonnes of rice thought to have been damaged. But even before the floods hit, there was another problem: the government is offering to buy rice at a 50% premium. Their plan is to stockpile the rice to increase the price then to sell the produce at a higher rate to alleviate poverty among farmers.
With flood waters still covering large swathes of Thailand, we look at the fate of the many illegal migrant workers, who have nowhere to flee. Also, our reporters meet the independent candidates running for election in China. They are using the internet to run against the ruling Communist party. Finally, we explore the rebirth of a Japanese tradition which is proving a smash hit. Ear cleaning, believe it or not, is the latest way to relax.
The death toll from Thailand's five months of flooding surpassed 500 on Sunday, the government said. At least 20 per cent of Bangkok is submerged in floodwater despite efforts to push the floods through waterways away from the capital.
Flood waters encroached on Bangkok's business and tourist districts Friday, threatening the capital city's underground train system. Floods have killed 442 people, damaged homes and affected the livelihoods of millions in Thailand since late July.
Angry residents in flooded parts of Bangkok scuffled with Thai security forces on Monday to force open the Klong Sam Wa floodgate that left much of the city swamped while keeping its commercial centre dry.
