KATHMANDU -- Nepali Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali said on Saturday that Nepal is keen to work with China to enhance cross-border connectivity under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.
The foreign minister, who returned home on Saturday after a five-day visit to China, told media here that the Nepali government has sought assistance from China to develop connectivity projects. (China-Nepal-Blet and Road)
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KUALA LUMPUR -- Malaysian police said on Saturday that a 35-year-old Palestinian man, who is reported to be an electrical engineer and had lived in Kuala Lumpur for more than 10 years, was shot to death near his residence early in the morning by two unidentified gunmen.
Kuala Lumpur police said in a statement that the man was gunned down by two gunmen in a motorbike who ambushed him with more than 10 bullets. The victim was believed to be going to attend the morning prayer. (Malaysia-Palestinian-Attack)
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MANILA -- The Philippines on Saturday slammed the United States for raising concerns anew about alleged extrajudicial killings in the country and increase on police impunity in connection with President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs.
"The Philippines is a sovereign state with a fully functioning democracy led by a legitimately elected government that is getting things done for the Filipino people," said Philippine Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano in a statement. (Philippines-US-Human Rights Report)
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NEW DELHI -- India's federal government Saturday approved an ordinance (emergency executive order) to allow courts to award death penalty to child rapists, officials said.
"Today, the cabinet approved the promulgation of an ordinance to allow courts to award death penalty to those convicted of raping children up to 12 years of age," an official said. (India-Death Penalty-Rapists)
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SEOUL -- South Korea's presidential Blue House hailed the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s announcement of discontinuing nuclear and missile tests as a "meaningful progress."
Yoo Young-chan, senior presidential press secretary, said in a statement that the Blue House welcomed the DPRK's decision to close its nuclear testing facility and discontinue nuclear and missile tests. (South Korea-DPEK-Hail) Enditem
