Morning news brief
Israel's military says it has been battling Hamas fighters around Gaza's hospitals. President Biden this week attends a summit of Asian leaders. U.S. government funding is set to run out on Friday.
Asia
At least 39 Thai migrant workers were killed in the Hamas attacks on Israel
In addition, more than two dozen migrant workers are thought to have been abducted. The wife of one worker explains why her husband went to southern Israel, and what he had hoped to achieve.
Long-jailed former Philippine senator who fought drug crackdown is granted bail
The European Union Parliament, some U.S. lawmakers and U.N. human rights experts have long demanded the release of Leila de Lima, who was detained as an opposition senator in February 2017.
Myanmar military suffers major setback against opposition
An attack by an alliance of insurgent armies has dealt Myanmar's military a serious setback.
She studies 'sensitive topics' in Chinese history. Hong Kong denied her work visa
In Hong Kong, the rejection of a Canadian scholar's visa highlights the erosion of academic freedom.
What makes Mongolia the world's most 'socially connected' place? Maybe it's #yurtlife
A Gallup survey ranks countries based on degree of "social connectedness" people feel with friends, family, neighbors, colleagues, even strangers. We asked Mongolians why they think they top the list.
Snakes on a plane? How about snakes on a pizza?
In Hong Kong, Pizza Hut teamed up with one of the city's oldest restaurants to offer a snake soup pizza. Some believe snake meat warms up the body so this is a seasonal item.
Biden and China's Xi will meet next week. Don't expect it to be a game changer
The meeting will follow months of back-and-forth diplomacy to smooth over disagreements and set stage for first interaction since they sat down together in Bali, Indonesia last year
Pakistan is planting lots of mangrove forests. So why are some upset?
Pakistan is reforesting its river delta with mangrove forests nearly the size of Rhode Island. But why are some upset?
Thai farmhands in Israel face a grim choice: work in a war zone or go home to poverty
Some 30,000 Thais were working in Israel prior to the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks. More than 7,000 have left Israel since. More than 50 Thai citizens were killed or taken hostage in the attacks.