Disasters threat to poor in Asia-Pacific

NEW YORK - Disaster risk is outpacing resilience in the Asia-Pacific and putting people in the region at risk of being pushed back into poverty, the latest report from a United Nations regional commission has said.

Kenya's opposition leader demands fresh elections

NAIROBI - Kenya's opposition leader Raila Odinga on Tuesday pulled out of a scheduled presidential rerun and demanded fresh elections in the next three months.

Kobe Steel's scandal is a blow to 'Made-in-Japan'

TOKYO - More companies have said that they had used problematic aluminum products supplied by Kobe Steel, the third largest steel-maker in Japan, which admitted last week to yearslong data-fabrication.

Chinese performing best in UK education

Chinese students outperform learners from all other ethnic groups in the United Kingdom between the ages of 14 and 18, according to a government survey published on Tuesday.

Erdogan blames US envoy for diplomatic crisis

ISTANBUL - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed on Tuesday that the government will boycott the US ambassador, deepening one of the worst rifts in decades between the NATO allies.

EU's Tusk sees next Brexit step this year

BRUSSELS - European Union Council President Donald Tusk said Brexit negotiations will not move to the next stage before December at the earliest, not later this month, as Britain was hoping.

IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Chinese help propel record for UK tourism

The fall in sterling's value that followed Britain's referendum decision to leave the European Union coupled with an increase in the number of visitors from China contributed to a record year for the country's tourism sector, according to the United Kingdom's tourism authority.

Bike sharing becomes new way of transport, exercise in Phuket

PHUKET, Thailand - Since Chinese bike sharing company Ofo launched its service in the Thai resort island of Phuket, smart bikes have become a new alternative mode of transport and exercise for locals and tourists.

Myanmar wall climbers take latest yoga trend to dizzying new heights

YANGON - First there was beer and paddleboard yoga. Then someone added goats to the mix. Now fitness buffs in Myanmar are taking the latest body-bending trend to whole new heights - pulling off yoga poses on a climbing wall.

SpaceX puts 10 next-generation satellites into orbit

LOS ANGELES - US private spaceflight company SpaceX launched its Falcon 9 rocket on Monday carrying 10 satellites to bolster the global data communications network for Virginia-based company Iridium.

Sniffing out secrets of pungent fruit's puzzle

WASHINGTON - Scientists have answered one of nature's most pungent questions: What gives the world's smelliest fruit its distinctive aroma.