In Australia, nearly 23 people are feared dead after a boat carrying about 40 suspected asylum seekers sank, hundreds of nautical miles off the Cocos Islands, west of the country. At least 17 people have been rescued, but the rest are still missing. It is feared there were at least 40 suspected asylum seekers on board and they were trying to reach Australian waters.<br/><br/>A passing merchant ship and a Taiwanese fishing craft came to the rescue following a plea by Australian authorities after the boat got into trouble late last night. <br/><br/>Australian Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor said, the government is doing everything it can to rescue any remaining passengers and provide whatever other support is required to assist the commercial vessels.<br/>