International

BEIJING (Xinhua) — China's aerospace industry will see a busy year in 2020, with the number of space launches expected to exceed 40, according to the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).

TOKYO (Kyodo) — Japan has earmarked a combined 1.78 billion yen ($16 million) in the state budget for boosting promotion of sake and other Japan-made alcoholic beverages abroad, especially when the country hosts the Olympics and Paralympics this year.

SYDNEY (AP) — Navy ships plucked hundreds of people from beaches and tens of thousands were urged to flee Friday before hot weather and strong winds in the forecast worsen Australia's already-devastating wildfires.

TOKYO (Kyodo) — Emperor Naruhito offered greetings on Thursday in his first New Year's address since taking the throne, expressing hope for a "peaceful" year without natural disasters in Japan and for the happiness of people around the world.

NEW YORK (AP) — When a machete-wielding attacker walked into a rabbi’s home in Monsey, New York, during Hanukkah and a gunman fired on worshippers at a Texas church 14 hours later, the two congregations in different regions of the country joined a growing list of faith communities that have come under attack in the U.S.

HONG KONG (Xinhua) — Rioters took advantage of a protest to wreak havoc again in Hong Kong on New Year's Day, trashing an HSBC branch, setting fire on streets, and spray-painting insulting words on the outer wall of the High Court.

TOKYO (Kyodo) — Few hotels in the world actively encourage guests to have sleepless nights, but one manga-themed establishment in Tokyo does just that -- and it is proving very popular with Japanese and foreigners alike.

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iran-backed militiamen withdrew from the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad on Wednesday after two days of clashes with American security forces, but U.S.-Iran tensions remain high and could spill over into further violence.

BEIJING (Xinhua) — China on Wednesday began a 10-year fishing ban on key areas of the Yangtze River to protect biodiversity in the country's longest river, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

ASAHIKAWA, Japan (Kyodo) — Penguins at Asahiyama Zoo in northern Japan's Hokkaido waddled through the snow during a "rehearsal" on Dec. 27 ahead of the start of their daily winter strolls through mid-March.