Asia
Zakir Naik apologises, says he isn't racist
Dhaka, Aug 20 (UNB) - Fugitive preacher Dr Zakir Naik apologised today for causing any “misunderstanding” after being questioned twice by the police for his alleged racial and religious remarks during a recent lecture in Kelantan, reports Malay Mail.
Die-hard Hong Kong protesters defend tactics as unity cracks
Hong Kong, Aug 20 (AP/UNB) — On a recent sweltering Saturday, a day now reserved for protest in Hong Kong, a demonstrator named Wayne stepped past a row of plastic barricades, lifted a pair of binoculars and squinted.
Twitter shuts Chinese accounts targeting Hong Kong protests
Washington, Aug 20 (AP/UNB) — Twitter said Monday it has suspended more than 200,000 accounts that it believes were part of a Chinese government influence campaign targeting the protest movement in Hong Kong.
24 killed in Himachal, 3 in Punjab as heavy rain lashes north India
Dhaka, Aug 19 (UNB) - At least 24 people were killed in Himachal Pradesh and three people died in Punjab in rain-related incidents on Sunday as the two states received rainfall over ten times more than normal, officials said, reports The Indian Express.
Islamic State claims bombing at Kabul wedding that killed 63
Kabul, Aug 18 (AP/UNB) — The suicide bomber stood in the middle of the dancing, clapping crowd as hundreds of Afghan children and adults celebrated a wedding in a joyous release from Kabul's strain of war. Then, in a flash, he detonated his explosives-filled vest, killing dozens — and Afghanistan grieved again.
Hong Kong protesters disperse peacefully
Hong Kong, Aug 18 (AP/UNB) — Protesters gathered outside Hong Kong's government headquarters have peacefully dispersed after fellow demonstrators urged them to go home.
Restrictions continue in Kashmir despite security ease
New Delhi, Aug 18 (AP/UNB) — Restrictions continued in much of Indian-administered Kashmir on Sunday, despite India's government saying it was gradually restoring phone lines and easing a security lockdown that's been in place for nearly two weeks.
Massive turnout at march in latest Hong Kong protest
Hong Kong, Aug 18 (AP/UNB) — Protesters turned Hong Kong streets into rivers of umbrellas Sunday as they marched from a packed park and filled a major road in the Chinese territory, where mass pro-democracy demonstrations have become a regular weekend activity this summer.
Hong Kong's divide: Protests for democracy, rally for China
Hong Kong, Aug 17 (AP/UNB) — Pro-democracy protesters marched on one side of Hong Kong's famous harbor on Saturday to demand the government heed their demands. Across the water, a pro-government rally called for an end to the often violent protests.
Major fire breaks out in New Delhi hospital; no casualties
New Delhi, Aug 17 (AP/UNB) — Authorities evacuated dozens of patients and visitors after a fire broke out Saturday in a major government-run hospital in the Indian capital.