Asia Pacific

South Korea Plans to Join Regional Development Bank Led by China

By CHOE SANG-HUN

The United States has expressed misgivings about the proposed lender, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, which it sees as a threat to the World Bank.

China Raids Offices of Rights Group as Crackdown on Activism Continues

By ANDREW JACOBS

Employees say the police raided the Beijing Yirenping Center, which champions gender equality and fights discrimination against people with H.I.V., hepatitis and physical disabilities.

Sri Lankan President’s Brother Is Wounded in Ax Attack

By DHARISHA BASTIANS

The police said the assailant of Priyantha Sirisena, the brother of President Maithripala Sirisena, later surrendered.

China Central Bank Calls for More Loans to Farms

By REUTERS

Officials say more financing should be made available to help a sector that produces about 9 percent of the country's gross domestic product.

Memo From Washington

Ghani Addresses Congress, Eager to Rebuild Afghan-U.S. Ties

By MATTHEW ROSENBERG

President Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan, addressing a joint meeting of Congress, said he wanted to repair a partnership that had frayed badly.

Car Bomb Kills Several Near Kabul Taxi Stand

By JOSEPH GOLDSTEIN

At least seven people were killed and dozens injured in the attack, the authorities said.

2 Indian Naval Officers Missing After Plane Crashes in Arabian Sea

By HARI KUMAR

The aircraft crashed during a routine mission off the coast of Goa State, and the flight commander was rescued by fishermen.

Pakistani Army Begins Offensive to Drive Militants From Tirah Valley

By ISMAIL KHAN

Dozens of pro-Taliban militants and at least 16 soldiers have died in fighting in the Tirah Valley, on the border with Afghanistan, officials said.