Japan’s Abe sticks to denials as scandal doubts keep swirling
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe denied on Wednesday that he had intervened to secure preferential treatment for a friend’s plan to set up a veterinary school despite new reports he had discussed the matter with the friend.
South Korea prosecutors say ousted Park unfairly avoided charges, appeal
SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korean prosecutors said on Wednesday former president Park Geun-hye had unfairly dodged some bribery charges in her trial and they appealed against her jailing for only 24 years, after they had demanded a 30-year sentence, media…
Senior Chinese official to lead art troupe to North Korea
BEIJING (Reuters) – Senior Chinese diplomat Song Tao will lead a Chinese art troupe to North Korea, Chinese state media said on Wednesday, in a further sign of improving ties after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s visited Beijing last month.
Panama to temporarily ban Venezuelan airlines in retaliation
PANAMA CITY/CARACAS (Reuters) – Panama will ban several Venezuelan airlines from working in the country for at least 90 days, the government said on Tuesday, the latest twist in a dispute that began when Venezuelan officials were put on a “high risk” m…
Eurocontrol warns airlines of possible missile strikes into Syria
SINGAPORE (Reuters) – Pan-European air traffic control agency Eurocontrol on Tuesday warned airlines to exercise caution in the eastern Mediterranean due to the possible launch of air strikes into Syria in next 72 hours.
Panama to suspend Venezuelan airlines in retaliation
PANAMA CITY (Reuters) – Panama will ban several Venezuelan airlines from working in the country for at least 90 days, the government said on Tuesday, the latest twist in a dispute that began when Venezuelan officials were put on a “high risk” money lau…
Facebook’s Zuckerberg vows to work harder to block hate speech in Myanmar
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg said on Tuesday his company would step up efforts to block hate messages in Myanmar as he faced questioning by the U.S. Congress about electoral interference and hate speech on the platfor…
Mexican independent candidate put back on presidential ballot after expulsion
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Independent Mexican presidential candidate Jaime Rodriguez will be on the ballot for July’s vote, the country’s electoral regulator said on Tuesday, weeks after he was dramatically excluded for not reaching the required number o…
Palestinian journalist shot in Gaza was cleared for U.S. grant: official
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States had approved a grant for a media company started by a Palestinian journalist who died last week after being wounded by Israeli fire while covering protests along the Israel-Gaza border, the U.S. State Department…
In ageing Thailand, developers race to supply locals and elderly expats
BANGKOK (Reuters) – At 79, Thai businessman Boon Vasin’s latest $500 million venture is a bet on a market he knows well – looking after Thailand’s rapidly growing population of old people.
