Unusually high levels of smog worsened by weather patterns are raising alarm across Asia, with authorities in Thailand's hazy capital Bangkok handing out face masks and preparing to seed clouds for rain to clear the air.
A combination of construction dust, auto exhaust and other pollutants, lingering over Bangkok due to prevailing weather patterns, has taken air quality to unhealthy levels in recent days.
"I admit these are temporary solutions but we have to do it. Other long term measures will also be implemented, Police Gen. Aswin Kwanmuang told a meeting of army, police, pollution control and other officials on Monday.
The city was handing out some 10,000 face masks, spraying water to help settle dust and tightening controls on when big trucks can use city streets  the Thai Pollution Control Department said that about half of the high levels of PM 2.5, tiny particulate matter that can dangerously clog lungs, was due to diesel engine emissions.
The Department of Royal Rainmaking and 

Heavy smog, worsened by weather, raises alarm across Asia

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Bryan Cranston has said that he would agree to featuring in the big-screen adaptation of "Breaking Bad" "in a second".
It was announced last November that a film on the hit drama series is underway with creator Vince Gilligan.
The AMC show, headlined by Cranston, centred around the transformation of his Walter White, a chemistry teacher into a methamphetamine-making drug lord.
Talking to Entertainment Weekly Radio on SiriusXM, the actor also gave a shout-out to the series spin-off "Better Call Saul".
"From a realistic standpoint, if I got called to do the movie or 'Better Call Saul' which I don't know would ever happen - I really don't - I would do it in a second," he said.
Cranston also called working on the show a life-changing experience.
"My experience on 'Breaking Bad' changed my life and my professional life. It gave me opportunities that would not have come," he said.
The show ran for six seasons till 2013 and ended with White's death.

Bryan Cranston would star in 'Breaking Bad' film 'in a second'

Low levels of physical activity can put healthy weight adults at the same risk for cardiovascular diseases as those who are overweight, a study has found.
"Our study demonstrates that a sedentary lifestyle counters the benefit of being at a normal weight when it comes to heart disease risk," said Arch G Mainous from University of Florida in the US.
"Achieving a body mass index, or BMI, in the normal range shouldn't give people a false sense of confidence they're in good health. If you're not exercising, you're not doing enough," Mainous said.
The study, published in the American Journal of Cardiology, found that 30 per cent of US adults at a normal weight are at increased risk of heart attack or stroke.
These adults had higher levels of belly fat, shortness of breath upon exertion, unhealthy waist circumference or less than recommended levels of physical activity, the researchers said.
"We have traditionally thought that people with a normal BMI are healthy and at low risk for heart ..

Sedentary lifestyle cancels out heart benefits of having normal weight: Study

Defiant Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir said Monday that ongoing protests will not lead to a change in government, as he addressed a rally of cheering supporters in war-torn Darfur.
"Demonstrations will not change the government," Bashir told crowds of supporters gathered in Niyala, the capital of South Darfur state, where just a day ago police had broken up an anti-government demonstration.
"There's only one road to power and that is through the ballot box. The Sudanese people will decide in 2020 who will govern them," said Bashir, who is planning to run for the presidency for the third time in elections to be held next year.
Deadly protests have rocked Sudan since December when angry crowds took to the streets in towns and villages against a government decision to raise the price of bread.
At least 24 people have died in the protests, which swiftly turned into nationwide anti-government rallies, with protesters calling on Bashir to step down.
"Sudan has many enemies and those ...

Sudan protests 'will not change government': Bashir

Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has identified sites for the construction of a cremation ground for the Hindu and Sikh community and a graveyard for Christians.
Nearly 1.25 acre of land has been identified in Samarbagh near Northern bypass Peshawar of which 0.5 acre will be allocated for the construction of the cremation ground and 0.75 acre for the graveyard, sources in the Department of Auqaf & Religious Affairs, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said.
The provincial government has enforced Section-IV for the procurement of land at the sites identified for the cremation ground and the graveyard in Peshawar, Nowshera and Kohat districts of the province.
Efforts are on to release the funds for the construction of the cremation ground and the graveyard.

Hindus, Sikhs in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to get cremation grounds

Nepal SBI Bank, a subsidiary of State Bank of India, has posted a net profit of Rs 202.35 crore in 2017-18 and mobilised total deposit of Rs 8,422.73 crore, the bank announced at its Annual General Meeting concluded here on Monday.
During the 25th Annual General Meeting, the bank announced 10.79 per cent cash dividends and 5 per cent bonus shares to its shareholders out of the profit earned last year.
"The bank has attained the present position in banking gradually but steadily in the past 25 years," said a statement issued by the bank on the occasion.
The bank, said, it will leverage its position to expand the customer base by exploring new market segments and expanding delivery channels for its products while at the same time, providing customer service of high standard by enabling its employees.
"The bank's large network of branches and ATMs will help serve people residing in all areas of Nepal. This wide range of presence helps the bank build up larger customer base with low cost .

Nepal SBI Bank earns a net profit of Rs 202 crore

A military cargo plane overshot a runway, crashed and caught fire during a botched landing near the Iranian capital Tehran, killing 13 people, the army said Monday.
The plane was carrying meat from Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan when it crashed near the capital Tehran, the army said in a statement, adding that "13 of the plane's personnel were killed".
The charred remains of a plane's fuselage with Iranian Air Force colours, its nose wedged through the wall of what appeared to be a house, were seen in photographs obtained by AFP.
Wreckage including a landing gear and a mangled jet engine were scattered nearby.
"A (Boeing) cargo 707 place carrying meat took off from Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan and had an emergency landing at Fath airport this morning," the army said in a statement on its website.
"It exited the runway during the landing and caught fire after hitting the wall at the end of the runway." Fath airport is in Alborz province, just northwest of Tehran.
The Fars news agency, considered close 

Cargo plane crashes in Iran, killing 13: army

Singapore's CapitaLand said Monday it has agreed to buy two real estate holding firms in a USD 8.1 billion deal that will create Asia's biggest property group with assets in dozens of countries.
Under the agreement, CapitaLand will acquire two units from a subsidiary of state investment firm Temasek.
If approved, the new entity will have assets under management of more than 116 billion Singapore dollars, including businesses, industrial parks, hotels, commercial, retail and residential properties in over 30 countries.  The agreement is subject to approval by CapitaLand's independent shareholders at a meeting in the first half of this year, the group said in a statement.
The company is buying the real estate units from Temasek subsidiary Ascendas-Singbridge Group, which develops towns, industrial parks, offices, hotels and warehouses across the world.
The deal comes as new CapitaLand president and group chief executive Lee Chee Koon, who took over in September, seeks to steer the ...

Singapore's CapitaLand in $8 bn deal creating Asia property giant

Cricket's governing body has long dreamed of spreading the game to China, but the latest performance by its women's team is unlikely to inspire many in the world's most populous nation to take up the bat and ball.
China were skittled out for just 14 runs at a tournament in Bangkok on Sunday -- the lowest ever score in a Twenty20 international match, for men or women.
In reply to the United Arab Emirates' massive 203 for 3, China were bowled out in under an hour and with 10 overs to spare at the Thailand T20 Smash.
Hin Lili led their fleeting resistance to the UAE's unsparing attack, top-scoring with four.
The Thailand T20 Smash includes fellow cricketing underdogs Malaysia, Indonesia and Myanmar.
It is not the first embarrassment to befall Chinese cricket against Asian nations who Beijing dominates in economic and political terms, but struggles to match on the wicket.
In October last year, China's men made a dismal 26 against Nepal at a World Twenty20 qualifier, a total bested in just 

14 all out: China cricket hopes stumped by record

Pakistan's Evacuee Property Trust Board (EPTB),  which manages the shrines of Hindus and Sikhs, has stopped the district administration of Peshawar from taking control of temples in Panj Tirath, a Hindu religious site which has been declared as the national heritage.
The EPTB said that no one can take control of the temples in Panj Tirath unless two cases pending in the Peshawar High Court are decided.
EPTB Deputy Director Peshawar in an official communique to the Deputy Commissioner said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Archaeological Department has declared temples in Panj Tirath as the national heritage, but the EPTB has not been informed in writing till date about it.
Temples are property of the EPTB and declaring the temples as the national heritage without taking the EPTB into confidence is beyond any logic, it said.
"The EPTB is a federal department which has its own rules and regulations and no provincial government can prove that its law has an edge over the federal government laws. ...

Pak minority shrine body bars Peshawar admin from taking control of Panj Tirath

Duanne Olivier sparked a Pakistan collapse as South Africa completed a series clean sweep with a 107-run win on the fourth day of the third and final Test at the Wanderers Stadium on Monday.
Starting the day on 153 for three, Pakistan lost their remaining seven wickets for 120 runs to be bowled out for 273.
Olivier effectively ended Pakistan's hopes when he took two wickets off successive balls in the third over of the morning.
Babar Azam received a fast, lifting ball angled in towards his throat, which he gloved to wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock. Azam (22) had helped Asad Shafiq add 58 for the fourth wicket.
Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed was bowled first ball. Seemingly expecting another short-pitched delivery from Olivier, he was deep in his crease when he had his off stump knocked back by a fast, full delivery.
With Vernon Philander gaining unpredictable bounce from a good length just outside off stump, Shafiq advanced down the pitch and was caught at second slip off a ball which ...

Olivier sparks South Africa to sweep of Pakistan

Two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray is likely to be honoured with a statue at the historic Grand Slam venue, the All England Club's chief executive told the BBC.
The 31-year-old Scot -- who won the grasscourt Grand Slam in 2013 and 2016 -- announced last Friday retirement was on the cards due to a chronic hip injury.
He then choked back tears and broke down as he revealed he hoped to end his career at Wimbledon, but admitted the Australian Open which began Monday could be his last event because the constant pain was so bad.
Richard Lewis, chief executive of the All England Club, said Murray could well be honoured in the same manner as fellow Briton and multiple Wimbledon men's singles champion Fred Perry.
Perry -- who won three successive Wimbledon titles from 1934-36 -- had a statue unveiled in 1984.
"We always felt that when Andy retired, that would be the appropriate time to recognise his extraordinary career," said Lewis.
"I am sure something like (a statue) will be done, but .

Murray likely to have statue erected - Wimbledon

Scientists have genetically engineered rice plants to boost photosynthesis and significantly increase grain yield.
The approach, called GOC bypass, enriches plant cells with CO2 that would otherwise be lost through a metabolic process called photorespiration.
According to a study published in the journal Molecular Plant, the genetically engineered plants were greener and larger and showed increased photosynthetic efficiency and productivity under field conditions, with particular advantages in bright light.
"Food shortage related to world population growth will be a serious problem our planet will have to face," said Xin-Xiang Peng of South China Agricultural University.
"Our study could have a major impact on this problem by significantly increasing rice yield, especially for areas with bright light," said Peng.
Bioengineering improvement of rice, a staple food crop worldwide, has high practical importance, particularly in light of the need for increased crop productivity due to ...

GM rice plants that produce high yields developed

Brazil midfielder Fabinho impressed Jurgen Klopp enough in central defence in Saturday's 1-0 win over Brighton to reassure the Liverpool manager he can be a reliable stop-gap partner for Virgil van Dijk.
Croatian Dejan Lovren added to the problems in central defence when the World Cup finalist suffered a hamstring injury in the FA Cup defeat by Wolverhampton Wanderers last Monday.
Joe Gomez is still out with a foot injury although Cameroon international Joel Matip has returned to training after recovering from a broken collarbone.
Klopp, though, enthused over Fabinho's performance against an admittedly limited Brighton attack which leaves his side seven points clear of Manchester City, although the champions can reduce it to four if they beat Wolves later on Monday.
"He is a brilliant player and I am happy that he can play (against Brighton) -- it's now pretty clear (that he can play in defence)," said Klopp.
"It's not like it came one attack after the other from Brighton.
"We had the 

Klopp delighted Fabinho gives him options in central defence

Unai Emery says his players are in dire need of a win to regain their confidence and reboot their challenge for a Champions League spot for next season.
The Gunners' bid to return to the Champions League after a two-year hiatus has hit the rocks of late -- Saturday's 1-0 defeat by West Ham left them six points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea.
Emery, who once again omitted 2014 World Cup winner Mesut Ozil from the squad despite his recovery from a knee injury, admitted confidence was low although they could go a long way to restoring it if they beat Chelsea at home next Saturday.
"Now it's more difficult, it's clear," the Spaniard replied when asked if a top-four finish was still a possibility.
"I think the most important thing for us is to recover our confidence and be more competitive. We need consistency over 38 matches.
"Now it isn't enough at the moment. West Ham was a bad result.
"If we can win today (Saturday) we are playing against Chelsea with a three-point maximum ...

Confidence key for Arsenal to make Champions League, says Emery

A Pakistani university is rebranding Valentine's Day as "Sister's Day", and debating marking the holiday widely seen as a Western import by handing out headscarves and shawls to its female students.
The University of Agriculture in Faisalabad (UAF), in central Punjab province, said the change was taken to promote "eastern culture and Islamic traditions among the youth".
"In our culture, women are more empowered and earn their due respect as sisters, mothers, daughters and wives," UAF vice chancellor Zafar Iqbal is quoted as saying on the institution's website.
"We were forgetting our culture, and Western culture was taking root in our society," he continued.
"UAF was mulling a plan to distribute scarves, shawls and gowns printed with the UAF insignia among female students" on February 14, the statement on the website added.
University spokesman Qamar Bukhari told AFP Monday that UAF is seeking donations as it aims to give headscarves to at least 1,000 of its 14,000 female ...

Pakistan university rebrands Valentine's Day as 'Sister's Day'

China on Monday ridiculed Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's claim that a former Canadian embassy official detained in Beijing still held diplomatic immunity.
Chinese authorities arrested former diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor last month, accusing them both of endangering national security.  The move was widely seen as retaliation for Canada's arrest of a top Chinese executive from telecom giant Huawei.
Trudeau on Friday accused China of "arbitrarily and unfairly" detaining the two men and of ignoring Kovrig's "diplomatic immunity" -- earning a scornful rebuke from Beijing.
"The accusations that the Chinese side arbitrarily detains Canadian citizens are unfounded," said foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying at a regular press briefing.
"The relevant people on the Canadian side should seriously learn and study the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations... Don't make specious statements that make a fool of oneself," Hua added.
Persons carrying a ...

China says detained Canadian lacks diplomatic immunity

Anirban Lahiri rounded off the week with a four-under 66 that included six birdies and a double bogey to finish tied 43rd in the Sony Open in Hawaii.
Lahiri totaled seven-under 273 with rounds of 68, 68, 73 and 66.
Matt Kuchar turned in an amazing display of front-running to win the title with a final card of 22-under 258 and win his second title in three starts. He beat his playing partner Andrew Putnam by four strokes after leading by two going into the final round.
In his final round, Lahiri starting from 10th, birdied 12th, 14th, 16th, 18th, 3rd and 9th. In between, he suffered a three-putt double bogey on Par-3 seventh.
Kuchar was 1-over 36 for the front nine and that gave a lot of others a chance to get into the hunt. Then he had five birdies on the back nine and then he was comfortable and romped home to the win. After a 36 on front nine, he had a 30 on back nine.
Kuchar began the week 63-63 in the first two rounds and then it was 66-66 over the weekend to become the second ...

Lahiri rounds off with 66, finishes T-43rd; Kuchar wins Sony

Japan captain Maya Yoshida has warned the Blue Samurai they will need to find an extra gear to challenge co-favourites Iran and South Korea for the Asian Cup title.
The Southampton defender admitted Japan had benefited from two controversial penalty decisions after a 1-0 victory over Oman in Abu Dhabi at the weekend sent the Blue Samurai into the last 16.
"We have to be more clinical," Yoshida told AFP after Japan's second straight win in Group F.
"We should have scored two or three more. Our performances are still not good enough clearly."
Genki Haraguchi converted from the spot after 28 minutes after tumbling theatrically under little or no contact.
Oman then had a legitimate penalty shout waved off after Yuto Nagatomo appeared to use his hand to block a shot just before half-time.
"We were a little bit lucky with the penalty we had -- and the one not given as well," shrugged Yoshida.
"But the most important point for us was to get through the group." Nagatomo likened his lucky ...

'Not good enough!' Japan captain Yoshida sounds Asian Cup alarm

A decades-old Iranian Boeing 707 military cargo plane reportedly carrying meat from Kyrgyzstan crashed on Monday while trying to land west of Iran's capital, killing 15 people on board and leaving a sole survivor, authorities said.
The crash of the jetliner marked just the latest aviation disaster for Iran, which hoped to replace its aging fleet under terms of the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.
But instead, President Donald Trump's withdrawal from the accord in May scuttled billions of dollars in planned sales by Airbus and Boeing Co. to the Islamic Republic, only increasing the danger for passengers in Iran planes.
The aircraft, which bore the paint scheme of the Iranian air force's Saha civilian airline, was making emergency landing around 8:30 am Monday at Fath Airport, an airfield controlled by Iran's powerful paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. The plane skidded off the runway, crashed through a perimeter fence and into a residential neighbourhood.
Iranian state television ...

Cargo plane crash in Iran kills 15, leaves 1 survivor

The foreign ministers of Russia and Japan met in Moscow on Monday pushing ahead with efforts to strike a peace deal and end a decades-old dispute over four strategic islands.
Meeting his Japanese counterpart Taro Kono, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the resources for cooperation were "truly inexhaustible" and should be used to work towards a peace agreement.
Japan and Russia have never signed a treaty ending World War II. The USSR invaded the far-eastern Kuril chain in the final days of the war and Japan refuses to give up its claim to them although the United Nations formally recognises them as Russian territory.
"It's a difficult issue, we have to deal with the legacy of World War II, whose outcomes have been codified in the UN charter and Allied documents," Lavrov said.
In November, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed to accelerate talks on a peace agreement which would build on a 1956 Japan-USSR declaration which restored ...

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