Thousands of birds die at Indian lake

Nearly 17,500 migratory birds have died in just under two weeks at Sambhar Lake, India's largest saltwater lake, in what experts are calling one of the worst avian tragedies in recent memory in the country.

Scientists shed light on solar mystery

Why is the sun's outer atmosphere far hotter than its surface? This question has baffled scientists for more than 70 years, and is widely regarded as one of the biggest unsolved mysteries in astrophysics.

Magic of Dickens casts its spell on Chinese readers

Increasing numbers of Chinese visitors to the Charles Dickens Museum in London have led to specially printed visitor guides being produced to meet demand.

Teens urged to ditch screens for exercise

GENEVA - Four in five adolescents worldwide do not get enough physical activity, to the detriment of their health, the World Health Organization said on Friday, warning that girls especially need more exercise.

How music took center-stage in ties

When dozens of US students sang the chorus of a popular Chinese song, followed by a guqin performance featuring a traditional instrument with a history of more than 3,500 years, the audience was riveted at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center on Thursday night.

ROK pulls back from ending pact with Japan

SEOUL - The Republic of Korea will suspend the expiry of a critical military intelligence-sharing agreement with Japan, Seoul said on Friday, just hours before the pact was due to expire as the two US allies row over history and trade.

Malaysia arrests 680 over scam targeting Chinese

KUALA LUMPUR/BEIJING - Malaysia's Immigration Department said on Thursday it has broken up a China-based online investment scam syndicate with the arrest of 680 suspected Chinese citizens after officers stormed a building where they were operating. A further 100 managed to flee.

Israeli crisis deepening as premier charged

JERUSALEM - Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday became Israel's first prime minister to be indicted in office, on corruption charges, but defiantly condemned the "coup" against him and vowed to hold on to power.

IN BRIEF (Page 8)

US top officials linked to Ukraine probes

WASHINGTON - The US ambassador to the European Union testified that top officials of the administration of President Donald Trump were involved in efforts to pressure Ukraine to conduct two probes that would benefit Trump in the 2020 presidential election.

Smoke blankets Sydney amid spreading wildfires

PERTH, Australia - Hazardous smoke blanketed Sydney on Thursday as wildfires burned across eastern and southern Australia.

Strong quake strikes near Thai-Lao border

BANGKOK - A 6.1-magnitude earthquake hit a border area between northern Thailand and Laos on Thursday morning, with tremors felt in the Thai province of Nan bordering Laos.