IN BRIEF (Page 11)

Chinese initiative boosts integration

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - The Belt and Road Initiative is a golden opportunity to bring about regional integration and sustainable economic growth for Africa, said Berhane Gebre-Christos, special envoy of the Ethiopian prime minister, on Tuesday.

For Pakistan, a win-win situation

Pakistan's participation in the Belt and Road Initiative will help the nation achieve balanced development across all its provinces and bring about economic stability, said Pakistan's permanent representative to the United Nations.

Poland benefits from rail cargo connection

WARSAW - The rail cargo service between the Chinese city of Chengdu and Poland's Lodz, which began operating in 2013, has become a popular logistics route for Chinese trade with Europe, as well as the fastest direct freight route between the two regions.

Push to deploy THAAD sparks protests

SEOUL - Protesters and major presidential candidates condemned the push to deploy the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missile system just weeks before the Republic of Korea elects a new leader.

Thai media rebuked over Facebook killing

BANGKOK - Thai media came under fire on Wednesday for publishing images of a man killing his infant daughter in a Facebook Live video, a grim case that sparked outrage and raised fears of copycat killings.

Japan minister resigns after quake gaffe

TOKYO - Japanese disaster reconstruction minister resigned over his remark that "it was good" that the March 2011 quake and tsunami had hit northern Japan instead of areas closer to Tokyo.

Shutdown threat ebbs as Trump retreats on wall funding

WASHINGTON - Donald Trump and US lawmakers inched closer to a deal on Tuesday avoiding a government shutdown, as the president, eager to showcase a win marking his first 100 days, retreated from a demand to fund a border wall.

IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Japan starts work on US Marine base

TOKYO - The Okinawan chapter of Japan's Defense Ministry on Tuesday started constructing seawalls to surround an area in a coastal region on the island for the controversial relocation of a US military base amid uproar from local residents.

Armed gang steals millions in stunning Paraguay heist

ASUNCION, Paraguay - Dozens of suspected Brazilian gangsters blasted into a secure vault containing millions of dollars in southeastern Paraguay on Monday, leaving a policeman dead in what officials called the "robbery of the century".

Cuba touts urban farming to boost food production

HAVANA - Not far from Havana's iconic Revolution Square, a green plot of land offers a welcome break from the uniform skyline and hubbub of Cuba's capital. More importantly, it guarantees an assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables year-round.