Xinhua Asia-Pacific News Summary at 1000 GMT, Feb. 1

HONG KONG -- The government of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) said on Thursday that it has a duty to ensure all elections in Hong Kong are conducted in accordance with the Basic Law and relevant electoral laws.

A spokesman of the HKSAR government made the remarks in response to a statement by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office on the HKSAR 2018 Legislative Council by-election. (Hong Kong-By Election)

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NEW DELHI -- The Indian government Thursday unveiled its budget for the financial year 2018-19, with a focus on farmers, rural poor, healthcare and infrastructure.

This was Prime Minister Narendra Modi government's last full-fledged budget before the 2019 general elections. Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party swept to power in May 2014, with a promise to revive the country's economy and generate jobs. (India-Budget)

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HONG KONG -- Hong Kong Police bomb disposal experts on Thursday defused a second World War II bomb found at a construction site in Wan Chai after a 24-hour operation.

The bomb was discovered by workers at the construction site for Sha Tin-Central rail link on Wednesday morning. It was the second time within a week that an unexploded American bomb had been discovered at the same location. (Hong Kong-Bomb Disposal)

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TOKYO -- Eleven people died in a fire at a welfare facility for elderly and people with special needs late Wednesday night in the northernmost prefecture of Sapporo, local police said Thursday.

A total of 16 residents were staying at the facility for impoverished seniors and people with special needs when the fire broke out in the three-storey building at around 11:40 p.m. local time on Wednesday night. (Japan-Fire) Enditem