Asia
Hong Kong protesters don cartoon masks to defy face mask ban
Hong Kong, Oct 18 (AP/UNB)— Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters are donning cartoon character masks as they form a human chain across the semiautonomous Chinese city, in defiance of a government ban on face coverings.
In protest clouds, Hong Kong tourists see silver lining
Hong Kong, Oct 18 (AP/UNB) — No tiresome wait for hugs and kisses from Mickey and Minnie Mouse. No queue at all for Hyperspace Mountain, where thrill-seekers are so scarce that Star Wars' Admiral Ackbar speaks to himself in the dark.
Pakistan silences army's critics with raids, terror charges
Islamabad, Oct 17 (AP/UNB) — A dozen plainclothes Pakistani security forces attempted Thursday to raid the former home of a human rights activist who recently fled to the United States seeking asylum.
UN: Afghan insurgents responsible for most 2019 casualties
Kabul, Oct 17 (AP/UNB) — Afghan civilians are dying in record numbers in the country's increasingly brutal war, noting that more civilians died in July than in any previous one-month period since the U.N. began keeping statistics, according to a U.N. report released Thursday.
Japan PM visits storm-hit areas; royal parade may be delayed
Tokyo, Oct 17 (AP/UNB) — Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday visited northern towns devasted by the deadly typhoon and promised residents his government's support for their speedy recovery.
Philippine president bruised, scratched from motorcycle fall
Manila, Oct 17 (AP/UNB) — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte fell off his parked motorcycle on the palace grounds, suffering bruises and scratches, but the minor injuries won't affect his schedule, his spokesman said Thursday.
Opposition lawmakers again shout down Hong Kong leader
Hong Kong, Oct 17 (AP/UNB) — Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam was forced from the legislature for the second day on Thursday by opposition members protesting a bloody attack on a leader of the nearly 5-month-old pro-democracy movement.
Bio Farma hosts Cold Chain Management System Workshop for OIC member states
Bandung, Oct.17 (Antara-AsiaNet/UNB)- Indonesian state-owned enterprise specialized in vaccine production, Bio Farma, hosted Cold Chain Management System workshop for the member states of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia, on October 1-2, 2019.
Troops in Kashmir exchange fire, 4 civilians killed
Islamabad, Oct 17 (AP/UNB) — Pakistani and Indian troops exchanged gunfire in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir, killing four civilians and wounding nearly a dozen others, officials from both sides said Wednesday, as tensions remain high between the two South Asian countries.
Pakistan says Saudis, Iran willing to pursue diplomacy
Islamabad, Oct 17 (AP/UNB) — Pakistan's foreign minister says Iran and Saudi Arabia have indicated a willingness to pursue diplomacy to end their disputes after Pakistan's prime minister traveled to both countries to try and ease tensions.