Asia
Iraq celebrates naming Babylon a UNESCO World Heritage site
Baghdad, July 5 (AP/UNB) — Iraq on Friday celebrated the UNESCO World Heritage Committee's decision to name the historic city of Babylon a World Heritage Site in a vote held in Azerbaijan's capital, years after Baghdad began campaigning for the site to be added to the list.
Hong Kong students reject closed-door talks with city leader
Hong Kong, Jul 5 (AP/UNB) — Student unions from two Hong Kong universities said Friday that they have turned down invitations from city leader Carrie Lam for talks about the recent unrest over her proposal to allow the extradition of suspects to mainland China.
India plans infrastructure investment to lift economy
New Delhi, July 5 (AP/UNB) — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has proposed to invest heavily in infrastructure, digital economy and job creation to lift a slugging economy that's burdened with a 45-year-high unemployment rate of 6.1 percent.Unveiling the budget after a major victory in national elections, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday set a target of a $5 trillion economy by 2025 from the present $2.7 trillion.
India facing worst water shortage
Dhaka, July 5 (UNB) - Chennai is often called the "Detroit of India" as it is home to some of the world's top automobile brands. It is also famous for topnotch schools and hospitals, and the Marina Beach, reports ChinaDaily.com
Australian student released in North Korea says 'I'm OK'
Tokyo, Jul 4 (AP/UNB) — An Australian student released after a week in detention in North Korea arrived in Tokyo on Thursday after telling reporters he was in "very good" condition, without saying what happened to him.
Tornado in northeast China kills 6 people, injures 190
Beijing, July 4 (AP/UNB) — A tornado blew through a city in northeast China, damaging factories and buildings, killing six people and injuring another 190, state media reported Thursday.
US, Taliban scramble to rewrite draft on troop withdrawal
Islamabad, Jul 4 (AP/UNB) — Taliban and U.S. negotiators are scrambling to rewrite a draft agreement that will outline the withdrawal of American and NATO troops from Afghanistan and a verifiable Taliban guarantee to fight terrorism ahead of an all-Afghan peace conference Sunday.
Tornado in northeast China kills 6 people, injures 190
Beijing, Jul 4 (AP/UNB) — A tornado blew through a city in northeast China, damaging factories and buildings, killing six people and injuring another 190, state media reported Thursday.
Hong Kong lawmaker: China may boost pressure after violence
Hong Kong, Jul 4 (AP/UNB) — A pro-democracy lawmaker who tried to stop Hong Kong protesters from breaking into the legislature this week says China will likely use the vandalizing of the building as a reason to step up pressure on the Chinese territory.
Death toll in western India dam breach climbs to 15
Mumbai, Jul 4 (AP/UNB) — Rescuers in western India say they have recovered three more bodies, raising the death toll to 15 after a small dam breached and flooded half a dozen villages following heavy monsoon rains.