Indonesian submarine with over 50 aboard missing, int'l help sought

Indonesia says it has lost contact with a submarine that has 53 people aboard.

The German-made vessel was reportedly conducting a torpedo drill in waters north of the resort island of Bali when losing contact early Wednesday.

It is believed to be at the depth of about 700 meters.

The Indonesian military has sought help from Singapore and Australia in the search mission.

Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend climate summit via video link

Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend a virtual summit on climate change on Thursday and deliver a speech at the invitation of U.S. President Joe Biden.

Around 40 world leaders are expected to attend the summit.

China and the United States issued a joint statement on climate change cooperation on Sunday.

The statement was made after a four-day visit to China from U.S. special climate envoy John Kerry, during which he held talks with his counterpart Xie Zhenhua.

Aside from boosting each nation's climate action, the two sides will also cooperate with each other under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement.

UN official emphasizes health at BFA

The UN Resident Coordinator in China says it is never too much to emphasize the importance of health.

Siddharth Chatterjee made the remarks on the sidelines of the now-concluded annual conference of the Boao Forum for Asia.

"A deficit in health, I think, unless we address the issue of universal health coverage, unless we are able to protect ourselves against the future pandemic, we will not succeed as humanity, as human race."

This year's Boao forum identified four development deficits that restrict the sustainable recovery of Asia, including health, infrastructure, green and digital.

China urges Japan to reflect upon history of aggression

China is urging Japan to reflect upon its history of aggression and take practical steps to win trust from neighboring countries.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga sent a ritual offering on Wednesday to the notorious Yasukuni Shrine, seen as a symbol of Japan's past militarism.

The facility honors Class-A convicted war criminals in World War II who were directly responsible for Japan's war of aggression.

Putin says Russia should have collective COVID-19 immunity by autumn

President Vladimir Putin says Russia should attain collective immunity from COVID-19 by this autumn.

"Vaccination has core meaning now. I ask the government, the ministry of health and head of the regions to deal with those issues daily. Everyone must have the opportunity to be vaccinated, as this will allow for so-called collective immunity to be developed in the autumn."

Putin was speaking at an annual address to both houses of parliament.

He also called on Russians to get vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Son of Chad's late president named as new president

The son of Chad's late president Idriss Deby has been named as the country's new president.

Deby was killed on Tuesday while visiting troops on the frontlines in the fight against a rebel group.

Following his death, a transitional military council was established with his son Mahamat Idriss Deby as the head.

It's also been announced that a transitional period will last for 18 months until new elections are held.

Columbus police release video of fatal shooting

Police in the US city of Columbus shot and killed a teenage girl Tuesday afternoon just as the verdict was being announced in the trial for the killing of George Floyd.

Police has showed bodycam footage of the officer shooting the girl, who was Black, as she appeared to attempt to stab two people with a knife.

The girl's name and age are being withheld while her family has been notified.

State law allows police to use deadly force to protect themselves or others. Police say investigators will determine whether this shooting was such an instance.

SKorea FM comments on Fukushima plant water

South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong is calling on Japan to clarify its definition of "treated water" and be clear about the process to discharge radioactive waste water from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea.

"The US has conclusively called it 'treated water.' So what we are asking for is the definition of 'treated water' and its scientific evidence. We are still seeing this as 'contaminated water.' "

Washington has backed Japan's plan to release radioactive water.

Tokyo has said the water has been "treated" and is the safest option.

But Chung said Japan hasn't provided proper evidence to show that its plan is safe.

Chinese "Steel Roses" falls in tough group at Tokyo Olympic football tournament

China's national women's football team has been drawn into Group F with Brazil, the Netherlands and Zambia for the Tokyo Olympics.

The women's football tournament will kick off on July 21 and the final is scheduled on August 6.

Hosts Japan is in Group E with Canada, Britain and Chile.