The world according to Park: a blacklist and placenta shots in South Korea
SEOUL (Reuters) – In a tumultuous four years in power, South Korean President Park Geun-hye has been criticized for her handling of a ferry disaster and the running of the economy, and also for bizarre episodes involving beauty treatments and bulk buyi…
Vietnam police halt anti-China protest over islands
HANOI (Reuters) – Police in Vietnam’s capital stopped an anti-China protest within minutes on Thursday at a ceremony to commemorate a clash between the two countries in the South China Sea more than four decades ago.
China says Philippines’ Duterte to visit again as ties warm up
BEIJING (Reuters) – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will visit China in May to attend a multilateral summit, China’s foreign ministry said on Thursday, making his second visit to Beijing since taking office as he seeks to further distance himself …
Islamic State kills 12 in Palmyra, among them teachers, soldiers: monitor
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Islamic State militants put at least 12 people to death in execution-style killings in the ancient city of Palmyra, which they re-captured from the government for a second time in December, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights rep…
Malaysian PM tells Myanmar to ‘stop the killing’ of Rohingya, as Muslims meet
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak called on Myanmar on Thursday to stop all discrimination and attacks on Rohingya Muslims, and urged the world’s Islamic countries to act to end an unfolding “humanitarian tragedy”.
Pope to bless Philippines’ Duterte, aide says
MANILA (Reuters) – Pope Francis will bless the Philippines and its leader Rodrigo Duterte, an aide to the president said, in a gesture of goodwill to a controversial figure known for his lurid lambasting of priests and bishops.
Turkish parliament approves more constitutional reform articles
ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkey’s parliament approved the first seven articles in a second round of voting overnight on a constitutional bill that will extend President Tayyip Erdogan’s powers, keeping the reform on course for a spring referendum.
Lebanon gets a new government, now it needs a new economy
BEIRUT (Reuters) – After years of political deadlock, Lebanon finally has a new government. Now it needs a new economy.
North Korea may test-launch ICBM soon: South Korean media
SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea may be preparing to test-launch a new, upgraded prototype of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), South Korean media reported on Thursday, citing military sources.
China says police and judges need absolute loyalty to party
BEIJING (Reuters) – Law enforcement and judicial officials in China must be absolutely loyal to the ruling Communist Party, state media said, in the latest warning about loyalty in the wake of the jailing of former domestic security chief Zhou Yongkang…
