BC-AS--Asian News Digest, AS
ASIA:
KOREAS-TENSION - North Korea's vice foreign minister tells AP in an exclusive interview that President Donald Trump's tweets are adding fuel to a "vicious cycle" of tensions on the Korean Peninsula, and warns of war if the U.S. shows any sign of "reckless" military aggression. By Eric Talmadge. With CHINA-NORTH KOREA - Chinese foreign minister: No winners if Korea war breaks out. By Christopher Bodeen. SENT: 480 words, photos; KOREAS-TENSION-THE LATEST; KOREAS-TENSION-QUOTES.
NKOREA-FOUNDER'S BIRTHDAY - N. Korea gears up to celebrate birthday of country's founder on Saturday. UPCOMING: 180 words by 1400 GMT, photos.
AFGHANISTAN - Afghan officials say 36 fighters with the Islamic State group were killed in a U.S. attack on a tunnel complex in a remote eastern part of the country, near the Pakistan border. By Amir Shah. SENT: 400 words, photos.
PHILIPPINES-CRUCIFIXIONS - Filipinos re-enact Christ's crucifixion in gory spectacle. SENT: 230 words, photos.
PENCE-ASIA - Vice President Mike Pence is opening his trip to the Asia-Pacific region amid increasing tensions in North Korea over the regime's nuclear and missile programs. By Ken Thomas. SENT: 120 words, photo.
JAPAN-VIETNAM-GIRL MURDER - Police arrested a Japanese man in connection with the death of a 9-year-old Vietnamese girl near Tokyo, weeks after her naked body was found near a trench. SENT: 180 words, photo.
THAILAND-STREET FOOD - Efforts by authorities in military-ruled Thailand to impose order on the chaotic capital city have a fresh target: cheap and tasty pad thai. By Kaweewit Kaewjinda. SENT: 740 words, photos.
CHINA-BEIJING FILM FESTIVAL - The lack of South Korean films at this year's Beijing film festival has nothing to do with politics, an organizer says. By Louise Watt. SENT: 440 words, photo.
BUSINESS AND FINANCE:
FINANCIAL MARKETS - Asian stocks are lower as investors fret over rising geopolitical tensions and the situation on the Korean Peninsula. Many markets were closed for public holidays. By Youkyung Lee. SENT: 370 words, photos.
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