Yangon / AFP A total of 72 people died when an overloaded ferry sank in central Myanmar, local officials said Thursday, calling for an overhaul of the creaking boats that ply the river as the search effort ended. Scores of teachers, students and workers were packed into the crowded boat when it capsized in the early hours of Saturday as …

  Beijing / AFP Philippines’ President Rodrigo Duterte and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping pledged to enhance trust and deepen cooperation on Thursday, Chinese officials said, as Manila’s new leader seeks to rebalance his country’s diplomacy away from the US. China welcomed Duterte—who donned a suit and tie for the occasion—with an official ceremony outside the Great Hall of the People …

  Edinburgh / AFP Scotland’s government published a draft independence referendum bill on Thursday as a fallback plan if it is not able to keep strong ties with the EU and win more powers from London as part of Brexit talks. The bill would give non-British EU citizens living in Scotland, who were not allowed to take part in the EU …