Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 1600 GMT, April 7

A Japanese civic group called criticized the Japanese government for approving controversial middle school textbooks, requesting the government to reword them,local media reported Tuesday.

The "Children and Textbooks Japan Network 21," a non- governmental organization formed in 1998 to resist historical revisionism, said the Japanese people need to cultivate independent ability to judge by learning views different from the government. (Japan-Middle School Textbook)

- - - -

BANGKOK -- Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev is paying an official visit to Thailand until Wednesday, said a senior Thai government official on Tuesday.

The Russian prime minister will meet with his Thai counterpart Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha alongside other high-level Thai government officials on Wednesday, Thai government spokesman Yongyut Mayalarp said. (Thailand-Russia-Visit)

- - - -

SYDNEY -- The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA)kept interest rates unchanged at 2.25 percent on Tuesday but hinted a cut could happen later in the year.

Despite widespread speculation that the central bank would cut rates at its monthly board meeting, it kept the rates on hold. ( Australia-Interest Rate)

- - - -

NEW DELHI -- An Indian navy vessel on Tuesday evacuated 74 evacuees, mostly Indians, from Yemen, the last batch of people being evacuated from the war-torn country by India, said local media.

Navy vessel INS Yakarsh sailed out of Al Hudaydah Tuesday evening with 74 evacuated people onboard and will reach Djibouti on Wednesday. (India-Yemen-Evacuee) Endi