ICY THRILLS TO SEE OFF THOSE WINTER CHILLS

Despite the frigid temperatures engulfing parts of the United States, winter does have unique charms, whether it's getting cozy by a fireplace with a mug of hot chocolate in a mountain inn or heading outdoors to a magical landscape of forests and mountains sparkling with snow.

AIIB project hailed in rural Bangladesh

DHAKA - A power sector project of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank has been hailed as a transformative milestone for rural Bangladesh, improving life for millions of people in areas who previously had no access to the national power grid.

Tillerson downplays reports of US-led border force in Syria

The training of an armed force by the United States in Syria will raise tensions in the region, and may cause another round of military reactions by Russia, experts said.

After US aid cuts, Palestinian refugee agency woos international donors

JERUSALEM, Middle East - The UN agency that serves Palestinian refugees said on Wednesday it would launch a global fundraising appeal in hopes of making up for funding cuts announced by the United States.

France to loan legendary tapestry to UK

Chinese tourists have been drawn to the United Kingdom in increasingly large numbers in recent years and they will soon have one more reason to visit - the legendary 11th century Bayeux Tapestry.

Indian boy shot dead in police crossfire

LUCKNOW, India - An eight-year-old boy was shot and killed in police crossfire in northern India, an officer said on Thursday.

Trump's party calls out inaccurate news reports

WASHINGTON - The US Republican Party announced 11 inaccurate news reports on US President Donald Trump on its website on Wednesday, with most US main stream media being included in the list.

UK offers money for border security

LONDON - Britain said it would pay an extra $62 million to boost security around Calais following a demand for more money from President Emmanuel Macron ahead of a key summit on Thursday.

US Navy ship collisions prompt rare criminal charges

WASHINGTON - The US Navy's decision to charge five officers with negligent homicide for their involvement in two fatal ship crashes marks a rare legal move that, if proven, could send them to jail for up to three years.

Bus inferno in Kazakhstan kills 52

ASTANA, Kazakhstan - Fifty-two people were killed on Thursday when the bus they were traveling on caught fire, the central Asian nation's emergency services ministry said in a statement.

Pact with Australia leads to claims of Japan expansion

Visiting Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe agreed on Thursday to speed up negotiations on a defense pact and sign it at an early date, an act regarded by a Chinese expert as evidence of Japan's plan to expand its military power.

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