Asia
Protesters gather again outside Hong Kong government offices
Hong Kong, Jun 21 (AP/UNB) — Several hundred mainly student protesters gathered outside Hong Kong government offices Friday morning after a deadline passed for meeting their demands related to controversial extradition legislation that many see as eroding the territory's judicial independence.
India creates new ministry to tackle growing water crisis
New Delhi, Jun 20 (AP/UNB) — India's government has created a new ministry to respond to a growing water crisis, with more than 60% of the country's 1.3 billion people dependent on farming and favorable monsoon rains.
Malaysia: 'No proof' of Russian involvement in MH17 downing
Putrajaya, Jun 20 (AP/UNB) — Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Thursday rejected the implication that Russia may have been involved in the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over Ukraine, after international prosecutors charged with murder four men — three of them Russians with military or intelligence backgrounds — in the 2014 missile attack that killed all 298 people aboard.
China’s Xi arrives in North Korea for talks with Kim Jong Un
Beijing, June 20 (AP/UNB) — Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived Thursday morning for a two-day state visit to North Korea, where he’s expected to talk with leader Kim Jong Un about the stalled negotiations with Washington over North Korea’s nuclear weapons.
UN aid chief says 'humanitarian disaster' unfolding in Idlib
United Nations , Jun 19 (AP/UNB) — The U.N. humanitarian chief declared Tuesday that "a humanitarian disaster" is unfolding in Syria's last rebel-held territory where Bashar Assad's forces have launched an offensive, ending a cease-fire negotiated by Turkey and Russia in September.
Pakistani army helicopter saves 6 climbers hit by avalanche
Islamabad, Jun 19 (AP/UNB) — A Pakistani army helicopter rescued on Tuesday four Italian and two Pakistani climbers stranded at an altitude of around 5,300 meters (17,390 feet) in the country's north, after an avalanche struck the team the previous day, a mountaineering worker said. A Pakistani member of the team was killed.
More than 100 children die in India in encephalitis outbreak
Patna, Jun 19 (AP/UNB) — More than 100 children have died in an encephalitis outbreak in India's eastern state of Bihar, authorities said Tuesday.
Hong Kong protests fade as activists mull next steps
Hong Kong, Jun 18(AP/UNB) — Hong Kong's leader planned to speak to the media Tuesday afternoon after protests over legislation that sparked fears of Beijing's increasing control in the former British colony.
Japan pushes 300 North Korean boats out of fishing grounds
Tokyo, Jun 18(AP/UNB) — The Japanese coast guard said Tuesday its patrol boats have been pushing back hundreds of North Korean boats trying to poach in fishing grounds rich with squid off Japan's northern coast.
Turkey: 12 dead, 31 rescued after migrant boat sinks
Ankara, Jun 17 (AP/UNB) — A boat carrying migrants to Greece sank off the Turkish coast on Monday, leaving at least 12 migrants dead, Turkey's coast guard said.