CHINA TO US: EXERCISE CAUTION ON MILITARY PLAN

BEIJING: Beijing has urged the United States to exercise caution as it refocuses its defense policy to counter China’s rising military power and growing assertiveness in Asia.

MALAYSIA GAY FESTIVAL ORGANIZERS CHALLENGE BAN

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian gay rights activists on Tuesday mounted a court challenge to a police ban on an annual gay festival in the conservative Muslim-majority nation.

THAILAND OK’S PAYOUTS FOR VICTIMS OF UNREST

BANGKOK: Thailand has agreed to shell out a total of $ 63 million to compensate all victims of years of political unrest and aid reconciliation in the deeply divided nation, government spokesman Titima Chaisang said on Tuesday.

BOMB KILLS, WOUNDS SCORES IN PAKISTAN

PESHAWAR: A remote-controlled bomb blast killed at least 35 people and wounded more than 60 others on Tuesday in the deadliest attack in months in the Taliban-hit tribal region of northwest Pakistan.

ISRAEL APPROVES JAIL WITHOUT TRIAL FOR MIGRANTS

JERUSALEM: The Israeli parliament passed tough new legislation targeting illegal immigration on Tuesday morning, giving authorities powers to detain migrants for up to three years without charge.

NATIONWIDE STRIKE ENTERS SECOND DAY IN NIGERIA

LAGOS: A nationwide strike in Nigeria over soaring fuel costs entered its second day on Tuesday, a day after six people were killed as tens of thousands protested in Africa’s largest oil producer.

SCORSESE, FINCHER, 3 OTHERS SCORE GUILD NODS

LOS ANGELES: Academy Award- winners Martin Scorsese and Woody Allen, Oscarnominated helmers David Fincher and Alexander Payne, and French director Michel Hazanavicius are shortlisted for the Directors Guild of America award, it was announced on Monday ( Tuesday in Manila).