Top Asian News 1:17 a.m. GMT

Vance set to visit India for bilateral talks on economic, trade and geopolitical ties

NEW DELHI (AP) — U.S. Vice President JD Vance will embark on a four-day visit to India on Monday as the two countries seek to unlock economic opportunities and negotiate a bilateral trade deal. Vance will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi for talks on the economy, trade and geopolitical ties. Vance’s visit is seen as an important diplomatic mission by President Donald Trump’s administration, and it coincides with a rapidly intensifying trade war between Washington and Beijing, which is New Delhi’s main rival in the region. A trade deal between India and the U.S. could significantly enhance economic ties between the two countries and potentially strengthen diplomatic ties.

Aftershocks and lack of resources hinder recovery work 3 weeks after Myanmar’s deadly earthquake

BANGKOK (AP) — Basic services have yet to be restored to the areas of Myanmar worst hit by a huge earthquake three weeks ago, and emergency workers recovering bodies and clearing debris are contending with regular aftershocks and lack of resources, humanitarian services say. A situation report issued late Friday by the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, or OCHA, said frequent strong aftershocks continue to shake central Myanmar almost daily, increasing fear and uncertainty among affected residents, disrupting response effort s and exacerbating the pressure on already limited resources and services. “Three weeks after catastrophic twin earthquakes hit Myanmar on 28 March, the worst-affected communities are still without safe shelter, clean water and sanitation, stable electricity, health care and essential services,” the report said.

Famed Sherpa guide will attempt to climb Mount Everest for a 31st time and break his own record

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — One of the greatest mountain guides will attempt to scale the world’s highest peak for the 31st time — and possibly the 32nd time as well — and break his own record. Kami Rita, 55, flew to Mount Everest on Sunday from Kathmandu to lead a group of climbers who will try to reach the 8,849-meter (29,032-foot) summit during the spring climbing season. “I am mentally, emotionally and physically prepared to climb the mountain,” Kami Rita told The Associated Press at Kathmandu’s airport. “I am in my top physical condition right now.” He holds the record for the most successful ascents of Mount Everest at 30 times.

Shohei Ohtani hitless in return to Dodgers’ lineup after birth of daughter in California

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts welcomed Shohei Ohtani back to his lineup Sunday, speculating that “dad strength” could lead to unprecedented exit velocity from the two-way star’s already imposing bat. Instead, Roberts said Ohtani appeared “a little anxious,” going 0 for 3 with a walk in the Dodgers’ 1-0 win over the Texas Rangers. The 30-year-old Ohtani was activated off the paternity list after his wife gave birth to the couple’s first child in Southern California and hit in his accustomed leadoff spot. Ohtani’s eighth-inning walk helped produce the game’s lone run. It advanced pinch-hitter Will Smith to second base.

PHOTO GALLERY: Christians around the world celebrate Easter as the pope makes a surprise appearance

Faithful Christians around the world celebrated on Sunday the resurrection of Jesus Christ, from Vatican City where Pope Francis made a surprise appearance in his popemobile, to Ukraine, where a temporary Easter truce with Russia appeared in doubt in parts of the nation. Considered the most important holiday in the Christian liturgical calendar, Easter this year falls on the same day for Catholics and Orthodox Christians. In Rome, thousands cheered and clamored to take photos of Pope Francis as he rode through St. Peter’s Square to bless the crowd. The 88-year-old pope is still recovering from a near-fatal bout of double pneumonia.

Cambodia welcomes Japanese navy ships to naval base that US suspects is for China’s special use

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Two Japanese naval ships docked Saturday at Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, whose recently completed Chinese-funded upgrade has heightened U.S. concerns that it will be used as a strategic outpost for China’s navy in the Gulf of Thailand. The visit by the two minesweepers, the 141-meter (463-foot) -long Bungo and the 67-meter (219-foot) -long Etajima, part of the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force, marks the first foreign navy visit since the base’s expansion project was completed earlier this month. Tokyo has developed increasingly close ties with Cambodia in recent years, seeking to offset China’s influence in the region, and Cambodia invited it to make the renovated port’s first port call, widely seen as an attempt to allay Washington’s concerns.

New US ambassador to Japan says he’s optimistic a tariffs deal can be reached

TOKYO (AP) — The new U.S. ambassador to Japan arrived in Tokyo on Friday and said he is optimistic that his country and its key Asian ally will reach a deal in their ongoing tariff negotiations. George Glass, a prominent businessperson known for his background in finance, investment banking and technology, arrives as Washington and Tokyo are negotiating President Donald Trump’s tariff measures, which have triggered worldwide concern about their impact on the economy and global trade. “I’m extremely optimistic ... that a deal will be get done,” Glass told reporters after landing at Tokyo’s Haneda international airport. His arrival comes a day after the two countries held their first round of tariff talks between their top negotiators in Washington where both sides agreed to try to reach an agreement as quickly as possible and hold a second round of meetings later this month.

China and Cambodia agree on financing for a 94-mile canal linking the Mekong to the Gulf of Thailand

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia and China have signed a $1.2 billion deal to finance an ambitious canal project that aims to boost trade efficiency by linking a branch of the Mekong River near Phnom Penh to a port on the Gulf of Thailand, the Cambodian government agency heading the project announced Friday. The deal to fund the Funan Techo Canal was signed Thursday during the state visit to Cambodia of Chinese President Xi Jinping, the agency said in a news release. Xi returned home Friday after a three-nation Southeast Asian tour that also included Vietnam and Malaysia. Construction of the 151.6-kilometer (94-mile) canal began last year but was halted shortly after the Aug.

China’s leader ends Southeast Asia tour touting Beijing’s reliability vs. US tariff threats

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Chinese President Xi Jinping capped a three-nation Southeast Asia tour in Cambodia on Friday, promoting Beijing’s reliability as the region faces economic uncertainty due to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff proposals. China has been strongly increasing its influence in the region over the past decade, largely by exercising its substantial economic leverage. Beijing is now presenting itself as a source of stability and certainty as Trump’s tariffs threaten the region’s export-oriented economies whose largest market is generally the United States. Cambodia faces among the highest reciprocal tariff rates proposed by Washington. In addition to Trump’s universal 10% tariff, it faces the threat of a 49% tariff on exports to the U.S.

US lawmakers’ bipartisan Taiwan visit signals support despite harsh words and tariffs from Trump

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Republican and Democratic lawmakers made their first trip to Taiwan under the new Trump administration a bipartisan one, aiming to show both Taiwan and China that U.S. support for Taiwan’s defense remains broad, despite the harsh words and heightened tariffs President Donald Trump has imposed for the Taiwanese. Taiwan’s leaders, in turn, have assured the Republican U.S. administration that they have taken in Trump’s complaints and are acting on them. Many Asia-Pacific nations are eschewing the retaliatory criticism and tariffs of some of the U.S.’s European allies after Trump earlier this month slapped broad tariffs on many countries around the world, including a 32% one for Taiwan.