ASIA

Photo Credit: Getty Images

In a devastating escalation of violence in Kashmir, 26 tourists were killed and 17 injured in a militant attack in Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam on April 22, 2025. The assailants, emerging from nearby forests, opened fire on the unsuspecting visitors, marking the deadliest assault on civilians in the region in recent years .

Photo Credit: Getty Images

In its most significant trade deal since leaving the European Union, the UK has agreed to a free trade agreement with India, following negotiations that were relaunched in February amid US tariff threats. Britain has been actively pursuing new trade partnerships worldwide since its departure from the EU, a need that has become even more critical after the United States implemented tariffs that risk weakening global economic growth.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Science-fiction-sounding rumor that China’s disrupted Earth’s rotation now can spread like crazy, but one should keep its sense of proportion in its place. NASA reports that China’s stunning Three Gorges Dam did slow down the rate at which Earth was spinning on its axis by mere minutes.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

If you ever book a flight to Japan's Oita Prefecture and see "Hello Kitty" listed as your destination, don't panic—you're absolutely on track. In a bold and adorable tourism move, Oita Airport has officially transformed into Oita Hello Kitty Airport for a six-month rebranding blitz, running through October 13. This isn't just another PR stunt—it's a full-on kawaii invasion. From the moment you land, Hello Kitty is there to greet you on the boarding bridge, and she'll follow you through baggage claim, posters in tow, dragging her suitcase and riding a cartoon plane.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

In an effort to improve safety and reduce overcrowding on Mount Everest, Nepal will only issue climbing permits to those with experience scaling at least one of the Himalayan nation's 7,000-meter peaks, according to a draft of a new law. The move comes after criticism of Nepal for allowing too many climbers, including inexperienced ones, to attempt the 8,849-meter peak.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

During a visit to Vietnam, China's President Xi Jinping urged the country to resist "unilateral bullying" and uphold free trade, in an apparent criticism of the United States. The call comes as Xi embarks on a "charm offensive" across Southeast Asia, with planned stops in Malaysia and Cambodia. Vietnam had been facing US tariffs of up to 46% before the Trump administration issued a 90-day pause last week.