Asia
US hails talks with Taliban, denies troop withdrawal window
Kabul, Jul 6 (AP/UNB) — The latest round of talks with the Taliban __ now in their second week __ has been "very productive," a member of the American negotiating team said Friday, while strenuously denying Washington sought a fixed deadline for the withdrawal of its estimated 14,000 troops from Afghanistan as part of a final peace deal.
North Korea says released Australian student was spying
Seoul, Jul 6 (AP/UNB) — North Korea said Saturday that an Australian student who it detained for a week had spread anti-Pyongyang propaganda and engaged in spying by providing photos and other materials to news outlets with critical views toward the North.
China locks down Xinjiang a decade after deadly ethnic riots
Istanbul, Jul 6 (AP/UNB) — A decade after deadly riots tore through his hometown, Kamilane Abudushalamu still vividly recalls the violence that left him an exile.
UN condemns attack on migrants, calls for Libyan cease-fire
United Nations, July 5 (AP/UNB) — The U.N. Security Council on Friday called on Libya's warring parties to urgently de-escalate fighting and commit to a cease-fire, and it condemned a deadly attack on a detention center for migrants near the capital Tripoli.
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.