Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 0600 GMT, Nov. 20

Cool gift! Dad makes 1.5-tonne transformer

It will take something huge to beat Yao Zihan's 18th birthday present: The diehard "Transformers" fan was made an almost lifesize "Optimus Prime" by his father. Over the course of three months, Yao Fuxing crafted the 4.3-meter high character out

China, New Zealand agree to deepen exemplary ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping met here Thursday with New Zealand Governor-General Jerry Mateparae and the two pledged to promote the paradigm-setting relations between their countries. Expressing his pleasure in visiting New Zealand again, Xi said

Singapore's domestic wholesale trade up 0.4 pct on-quarter in Q3

Singapore's domestic wholesale trade grew by 0.4 percent in the third quarter this year compared with the previous quarter, driven by increase of sales in most industries, the Singapore Department of Statistics (DOS) announced on Thursday. Exclud

Roundup: Ukraine approves unilateral demarcation of border with Russia

The Ukrainian government on Wednesday approved a draft presidential decree on unilateral demarcation of its border with Russia. Ukraine will unilaterally demarcate the Ukraine-Russia border and the government has been authorized to take related m

Victorians face increased bushfire fears as phone problems remain unfixed

Mobile phone blackspots in Australian bushfire-ravaged areas will remain unfixed in the near future - leading to widespread anxiety ahead of summer - despite an Australian government program set up to improve coverage. Many residents in bushfire-

1st LD Writethru: Fire breaks out at furniture market in Indian capital

A fire broke out at a furniture market here and over 20 fire engines have rushed to the spot, local media reported on Thursday. "The fire took place due to short circuit. No injuries have been reported yet," said Rajendra Prasad, a fire officer.

DPRK rejects UN human rights resolution, indicating new nuclear test

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Thursday strongly denounced the UN resolution on human rights in the country and indicated it might conduct a new nuclear test to counter "U.S. hostile policy" toward Pyongyang. The Third Commit

UN urges innovation for all children

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Thursday calls for addressing the most pressing problems facing children and driving innovations for the most disadvantaged ones. Marking 25 years of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, UNIC