Top Asian News 3:41 a.m. GMT

India and Pakistan again teeter on the brink of conflict over Kashmir. Here’s why

NEW DELHI (AP) — A deadly attack on tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir has again moved India and Pakistan closer to war as the two rivals downgraded diplomatic and trade ties, closed the main border crossing and revoked visas for each other’s nationals. Pakistan has denied it was behind Tuesday’s attack that killed 26 mostly Indian tourists at a scenic spot in the Himalayan region, where India claimed it restored a sense of calm despite a decadeslong rebellion. A previously unknown militant group calling itself Kashmir Resistance has claimed responsibility for the attack. India and Pakistan have fought two of their three wars over Kashmir, which is split between them and claimed by both in its entirety.

India and Pakistan ramp up tit-for-tat spat as tensions mount over Kashmir attack

SRINAGAR, India (AP) — India and Pakistan cancelled visas for their nationals to each other’s countries and Islamabad warned New Delhi for suspending a water-sharing treaty Thursday. The moves came after India blamed Pakistan for a deadly attack by gunmen that killed 26 people in disputed Kashmir. India said all visas issued to Pakistani nationals will be revoked with effect from Sunday, adding that all Pakistanis currently in India must leave before their visas expire based on the revised timeline. The country also announced other measures, including cutting the number of diplomatic staff, closing the only functional land border crossing between the countries and suspending a crucial water-sharing agreement.

Australians and New Zealanders commemorate war dead on Anzac Day

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Hundreds of thousands of people gathered across Australia and New Zealand on Friday for dawn services and street marches to commemorate their war dead on Anzac Day. At least two Australian services were disrupted by protests. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and opposition leader Peter Dutton took a day off campaigning ahead of general elections on May 3 as a mark of respect. April 25 is the date in 1915 when the newly formed Australia and New Zealand Army Corps landed on the beaches of Gallipoli, in northwest Turkey, in an ill-fated campaign that was the soldiers’ first combat of World War I.

PHOTO ESSAY: 2 girls survived Nepal’s 2015 earthquake. Each lost a leg but found a friendship

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — The devastating 2015 Nepal earthquake that killed thousands changed the lives of many in the Himalayan nation. But it was the beginning of a friendship for two girls who each lost a leg in the tremor. Nirmala Pariyar and Khendo Tamang were 7 and 8 years old when they met at the hospital in Kathmandu after they were brought there for treatment. Both were injured during the April 25, 2015, earthquake, which damaged more than 1 million houses and buildings in Nepal. They shared the same hospital bed and supported each other. They went on to attend the same boarding school.

Spaceship carrying 3 Chinese astronauts docks with Tiangong space station in latest crew rotation

JIUQUAN, China (AP) — A spaceship carrying three astronauts docked Thursday with China’s space station in the latest crew rotation, marking a further step in the country’s ambitions for a crewed mission to the moon and explore Mars. The Shenzhou 20 spaceship took off as planned atop China’s workhorse Long March 2F rocket at 5:17 p.m. local time (0917 GMT). It reached the Tiangong space station about 6.5 hours later, according to the China Manned Space Agency. The rocket lifted off from the launch center in Jiuquan, on the edge of the Gobi Desert in northwestern China. The spaceship will remain in space before returning with the current three-person crew.

Automakers focus on the global market, chide the US over tariffs at Shanghai’s auto show

SHANGHAI (AP) — Booths of big Chinese, German and Japanese automakers were bustling at Shanghai’s auto show this week as the industry kept its focus on a wider global market not subject to steep U.S. tariffs on imports of cars and auto parts. Signs are that U.S. President Donald Trump’s 25% tariffs on auto imports is causing companies to recalibrate their strategies, and in some cases find new opportunities. “When governments up above are at odds, it’s going to impact the businesses down below,” Ma Lihua, general manager at Soling, a Chinese maker of domain control units and other electronics used in such things as rearview camera displays.

From banning tech to ending sister-city ties, US states have at least 240 anti-China proposals

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — State lawmakers across the U.S. have introduced at least 240 anti-China proposals this year, aiming to ensure public funds don’t buy Chinese technology or even T-shirts, coffee mugs and key chains for tourists. They’re also targeting sister-city relationships between American and Chinese communities. After years celebrating trade ties with China, states don’t want police to buy Chinese drones, government agencies to use Chinese apps, software or parts, or public pension systems to invest in Chinese companies. A new Kansas law covers artificial intelligence and medical equipment, while in Arkansas, the targets include sister-city ties and state and local contracts for promotional items.

South Korea’s former President Moon indicted for alleged bribery

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean prosecutors indicted former liberal President Moon Jae-in on bribery charges Thursday, saying that a budget airline gave his son-in-law a lucrative no-show job during Moon’s term in office. Moon’s indictment adds him to a long list of South Korean leaders who have faced trials or scandals at the close of their terms or after leaving office. Prosecutors allege that Moon, who served as president from 2017-2022, received bribes totaling 217 million won ($151,705) from Lee Sang-jik, founder of the budget carrier Thai Eastar Jet, in the form of wages, housing expenses and other financial assistance provided to Moon’s then-son-in-law from 2018-2020.

South Korean truth commission halts probe into adoption fraud, hundreds of cases in limbo

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The South Korean government’s fact-finding commission suspended its groundbreaking investigation into the extensive fraud and abuse that tainted the nation’s historic foreign adoption program, a decision stemming from internal disputes among commissioners regarding which cases warranted recognition as problematic. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission confirmed human rights violations in just 56 of the 367 complaints filed by adoptees before suspending its investigation Tuesday evening, about a month before its May 26 deadline. The fate of the remaining 311 cases, either deferred or incompletely reviewed, now hinges on whether lawmakers will establish a new truth commission through legislation during Seoul’s next government, which takes office after the presidential by-election on June 3.

China’s fast-growing EV makers pursuing varied routes to global expansion

SHANGHAI (AP) — The world’s auto industry is getting a shake-up from Chinese automakers that are quickly expanding across the globe, offering relatively affordable electric vehicles designed to wow car buyers with sleek designs and the latest high-tech interiors. Companies like BYD, Great Wall, Geely and Chery Automobile are reaching outward as they build the scale they need to survive cut-throat competition in their home market. These generally are not state-run giants like SAIC, BAIC and Guangzhou Automotive. The founder of Geely started out making refrigerators. BYD first built up its expertise in battery technology, now its biggest advantage as the world’s largest-selling EV maker.