Top Asian News 3:24 a.m. GMT
India blames Pakistan for a deadly attack in Kashmir and suspends a key water treaty
SRINAGAR, India (AP) — India blamed Pakistan on Wednesday for a militant attack that killed 26 people in Indian-held Kashmir, downgrading diplomatic ties and suspending a crucial water-sharing treaty that has withstood two wars between the nuclear-armed rivals. The spray of gunfire at tourists Tuesday in a scenic, mountain-ringed valley was the worst assault in years targeting civilians in the restive region that is claimed by both countries. The unidentified gunmen also wounded 17 other people. India’s foreign secretary, Vikram Misri, announced the diplomatic moves against Pakistan at a news conference in New Delhi late Wednesday, saying a special cabinet meeting called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided that the attack had “cross-border” links to Pakistan.
Bridge collapses in Beijing after fire breaks out, but no casualties reported
BEIJING (AP) — A bridge in Beijing’s northeastern Shunyi district collapsed Wednesday morning after a fire broke out in its structure, according to authorities and images circulating on social media. No casualties were reported on the bridge, which was already closed to traffic, the Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport wrote on the social media platform Weibo. The Chaobai River Bridge was damaged after a fire broke out in the morning, the commission said. The fire was later put out, and authorities were investigating its cause. A person answering the phone at Shunyi District Emergency Bureau said they didn’t have extra details about the incident.
US Treasury secretary says trade war with China is not ‘sustainable’
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a Tuesday speech that the ongoing tariffs showdown against China is unsustainable and he expects a “de-escalation” in the trade war between the world’s two largest economies. But in a private speech in Washington for JPMorgan Chase, Bessent also cautioned that talks between the United States and China had yet to formally start. U.S. President Donald Trump placed import taxes of 145% on China, which has countered with 125% tariffs on U.S. goods. Trump has placed tariffs on several dozen countries, causing the stock market to stumble and interest rates to increase on U.S.
Disputed Kashmir witnesses deadliest attack on civilians in years, sparking fears of rising tensions
NEW DELHI (AP) — At least 26 people were killed and 17 others wounded after gunmen opened fire on a group of tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir, the worst assault in years targeting civilians in the restive region that has seen an anti-India rebellion for more than three decades. Tuesday’s attack took place in the picturesque town of Pahalgam in the Himalayan mountains, popular with Indian visitors. Police accused rebels of masterminding the attack, which sparked outrage and drew international condemnation, including from U.S. President Donald Trump. Pahalgam is in the Baisaran meadow, locally known as “mini Switzerland” and is accessible only on foot or horseback.
Indian-controlled Kashmir has been the scene of many violent attacks in past decades
NEW DELHI (AP) — At least 26 people were killed Tuesday and more than a dozen injured after gunmen opened fire on a group of tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir. It was the worst assault targeting civilians in years, but the restive region has been the scene of much violence in the past. The attack came as U.S. Vice President JD Vance was in India, which evoked memories of an even deadlier attack in 2000 shortly before a visit to India by then-President Bill Clinton. Police called Tuesday’s incident in Pahalgam, in the Jammu-Kashmir territory, a “terror attack” and blamed militants fighting against Indian rule.
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.
Militants kill at least 26 tourists at a resort in Indian-controlled Kashmir
SRINAGAR, India (AP) — Gunmen shot and killed at least 26 tourists Tuesday at a resort in Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said, in what appeared to be a major shift in a regional conflict in which tourists have largely been spared. Police blamed militants fighting against Indian rule for the attack in Baisaran meadow, some 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the disputed region’s resort town of Pahalgam. At least three dozen people were wounded, many of them seriously, according to two senior police officers. “This attack is much larger than anything we’ve seen directed at civilians in recent years,” Omar Abdullah, the region’s top elected official, wrote on social media.
Vance calls for greater ties with India, hails progress on trade talks
NEW DELHI (AP) — U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday called for enhanced engagement with India and said the South Asian country should buy more defense equipment and energy from the U.S. and allow Washington greater access to its market, lending momentum to an expected bilateral trade deal. Vance, on a four-day visit to India, said he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi made progress on trade talks during their discussions on Monday, and confirmed that both sides had finalized the terms of reference for the trade negotiation — a vital step towards setting the road map for the final agreement.
A new Netflix film features a hurtling Japanese bullet train with a ticking bomb
TOKYO (AP) — The highspeed bullet train says Japan as much as Godzilla, sushi and Mount Fuji. And it takes center stage in Shinji Higuchi’s new film, “Bullet Train Explosion,” which premieres on Netflix Wednesday. Higuchi, the director of the 2016 “Shin Godzilla” (or “New Godzilla,”) has reimagined the 1975 Japanese film “The Bullet Train,” which has the same premise: A bomb will go off if the train slows down below 100 kph (62 mph.) That original movie also inspired Hollywood’s “Speed,” starring Keanu Reeves, which takes place mostly on a bus. Higuchi recalls being fascinated by the aerodynamically shaped bullet trains growing up as they roared by, almost like a violent animal.