介绍:
Chinese official urges "basketball diplomacy" to enhance China-U.S. people-to-people exchanges
Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong has called for more "basketball diplomacy" to strengthen people exchanges between China and the United States.
Liu made the appeal during a visit to NBA basketball team the Houston Rockets' home court of Toyota Center.
Chinese student athletes are working on a basketball training program there.
She says sports play an important role in people-to-people exchanges, and play a unique role in Sino-US ties.
Liu also says she hopes students can promote the two countries' friendship by means of sports.
Anti-Japan protest on diplomatic anniversary
Some 50 anti-Japan activists have gathered in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul in protest of South Korea's relationship with Japan.
Protesters have insisted that Japan recognise its past wrongdoings and compensate any South Koreans who suffered under Japanese colonial rule.
The protest took place on Monday as the two countries were commemorating 50 years of diplomatic ties.
Also on Monday, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe spoke at a meeting with South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se in Tokyo.
Abe has also admitted that bilateral ties between Japan and South Korea remain strained, despite the anniversary.
So far, Abe and South Korean President Park Geun-hye have yet to hold fully fledged bilateral talks since taking office.
Philippine vice president quits from Aquino's cabinet
Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay has resigned from President Benigno Aquino III's Cabinet.
Binay has also quit as the Chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and as Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers' Concern.
Binay's media affairs chief says his resignation from the Cabinet will be effective immediately.
But the reason behind it remains unknown.
Binay is reportedly facing corruption allegations for alleged overpriced projects in Makati City while he was mayor there.
He also expressed his intention to run for president in the 2016 elections.
U.S. MERS experts visit S. Korea for technical cooperation
An U.S. team of infectious disease experts are visiting South Korea to help local scientists prevent the MERS spread.
The group is composed of seven experts on contagious diseases and epidemiological study at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The 10-day visit involves various activities, including discussion, laboratory analysis and on-site inspections.
It mainly focuses on technical cooperation.
Up to now, 27 people in South Korea have died from the virus since the first case has been confirmed in May, with 172 infections.
The fatality rate of the current outbreak is nearly 16 percent.
Death toll in Mumbai's spurious liquor tragedy rises to 100
Nearly 100 people have been confirmed dead in Mumbai's spurious liquor tragedy.
Local authorities say the death toll may rise as over 40 are still undergoing treatment in hospitals.
More than 150 people bought spurious alcohol from a illegal liquor shop on Wednesday.
Police have so far arrested five persons in connection with the deaths.
They have also suspended eight law enforcement officers for colluding with the suspects.
A probe has been ordered into the incident.
Afghan parliament skirmish ends with 6 attackers killed
Six attackers have been killed and several others injured after a bomb attack at the Afghan parliament in Kabul.
The attack began with suicide bombs on Monday morning local time, followed by gun shots.
It has been reported that at least 21 civilians were hurt as the blast hit the parliament.
Taliban militants have claimed of responsibility for the attack.
Currently the situation appears to be under control.
An investigation is underway.
Myanmar, EU reaffirm strengthening dialogue, cooperation in human rights
Myanmar and the European Union have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen cooperation in the area of human rights.
The two sides made the announcement today in a joint press release following the second Myanmar-EU human rights dialogue in Yangon.
The EU has underlined its support for Myanmar's democratic transition and reform in a move to further deepen bilateral ties.
Meanwhile, Myanmar has expressed its determination to conduct free and fair elections in accordance with relavent international standards.
DPRK cancels participation of S.Korea-hosted Summer Universiade
North Korea has canceled its planned participation in the Summer Universiade to be held in South Korea.
The North has reportedly cited the launch of the Seoul branch of the United Nations' North Korea human rights affairs office as the reason for the cancellation.
The office is slated to open on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, a South Korean Unification Ministry spokesperson says the office launch should not present any problem in improving inter-Korean relations.
He urges North Korea to cooperate with the UN and the international community to enhance the quality of life of people in the country.
Chinese women players may receive "historic-high bonus" for World Cup
Chinese women's soccer team may benefit from China's increasing efforts to revive the sport.
Vice President of the Chinese Football Association Yu Hongchen says a historic-high bonus has been set for the team.
The soccer team has qualified for the last eight of the World Cup for the first time in eight years.
The incentive, reported to amount to nearly one million yuan for the entire team, is still far less than what the men's soccer team has received in the past.
But this World Cup bonus is said to be the highest ever for the women's national team in history.
