Asia
US assessment raises concerns over China attacking Taiwan
Washington, Jan 16 (AP/UNB) — Amid increasing tensions with Beijing, the Pentagon on Tuesday released a new report that lays out U.S. concerns about China's growing military might, underscoring worries about a possible attack against Taiwan.
Fight against India joins 2 Kashmir teens in life and death
Hajin, Jan 16 (AP/UNB) — On a hot day in August, members of a Kashmiri youth soccer team watched their 16-year-old captain, Saqib Bilal Sheikh, and goalkeeper Mudassir Rashid Parray, two years his junior, walk off the field toward a man on a motorcycle. The two teenagers were not seen again until months later, when they were returned to their hometown in body bags.
Japanese grand champion Kisenosato retires from sumo
Tokyo, Jan 16 (AP/UNB) — Grand champion Kisenosato, the only Japanese wrestler at sumo's highest rank, has decided to retire after three straight losses at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.
Malaysia's Sultan Abdullah ascends throne of Pahang state
Kuala Lumpur, Jan 15 (Xinhua/UNB) -- Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah ascended the throne of Malaysia's Pahang state on Tuesday, ahead of the country choosing its new head of state.
Death penalty for Canadian escalates China-Canada tensions
Toronto, Jan 15 (AP/UNB)— A Chinese court sentenced a Canadian man to death in a sudden retrial of a drug smuggling case and Beijing said that it has denied a Canadian diplomatic immunity, ratcheting up tensions since Canada's arrest of a top Chinese technology executive last month.
Millions of Indians begin holy dip in Kumbh Mela
Prayagraj, Jan 15 (AP/UNB) —Thousands of portable toilets line roads constantly swept clean, drinking water flows from newly installed taps, electric substations power a massive tent city and billboards encourage a "clean Kumbh," an extension of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's huge push to improve sanitation across the country.
Indonesia recovers Lion Air jet's cockpit voice recorder
Jakarta, Jan 14(AP/UNB) — Navy divers have recovered the cockpit voice recorder of a Lion Air jet that crashed into the Java Sea in October, Indonesian officials said Monday, in a possible boost to the accident investigation.
Heavy smog, worsened by weather, raises alarm across Asia
Bangkok, Jan 14(AP/UNB) — Unusually high levels of smog worsened by weather patterns are raising alarm across Asia, with authorities in Thailand's hazy capital Bangkok opting to hand out face masks and step up enforcement of pollution controls.
1 killed, 16 injured in minibus crash in Hong Kong
Hong Kong, Jan 14 (Xinhua/UNB) -The driver of a minibus died and 16 passengers were injured after the vehicle they were traveling in flipped and crashed onto a boundary wall in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Monday morning.
At least six killed in police station attack in W. Afghanistan
Afghanistan, Jan 13 (Xinhua/UNB) - At least six people, including an assailant, were killed after Taliban gunmen attacked a police station in Herat city, capital of western Afghan province of Herat overnight, provincial government spokesman said Sunday.