The death toll in Syria has risen to more than 2,900 since pro-democracy protests began in March, the United Nations human rights office said on October 6 as activists warned that the country could descend into armed conflict.

Steve Jobs, co-founder and former chief executive of US technology giant Apple, has died at the age of 56.

A week after the senior Haqqani network leader in Afghanistan was captured, a coalition air strike killed one of his associates, NATO's International Security Assistance Force said on October 5.  

Riot police fired teargas at stone-throwing youths in central Athens on October 6 as thousands of striking Greek state sector workers marched against cuts the government says are needed to save the nation from bankruptcy.

Thousands of protesters have marched on New York's financial district, with rallies also held in other US cities.  

NATO nations met in Brussels on October 5 under mounting pressure to expand cooperation in defense projects given big cuts looming in the US defense budget.

The leaders of Afghanistan and India have signed a strategic partnership agreement during a visit by President Hamid Karzai to Delhi.

More than 200 people have died in monsoon flooding in Thailand since mid-July, officials say.

Libyan interim government forces have pledged to mount a final decisive attack on Muammar Gaddafi's hometown.

China and Russia have vetoed a UN Security Council resolution condemning Syria over its crackdown on anti-government protesters.