Lawyers for South Korea’s Park say impeachment vote is groundless
SEOUL (Reuters) – Lawyers for embattled South Korean President Park Geun-hye struck a defiant note on Friday, saying a parliamentary vote to impeach her had no legal basis and should be overturned by the Constitutional Court.
Thousands of Filipinos gather to cheer Duterte in Singapore
SINGAPORE (Reuters) – Thousands of Filipinos gathered in Singapore on Friday to catch a glimpse of their president, Rodrigo Duterte, in a big show of support for a leader whose bloody war on drugs has horrified global rights groups but won support at h…
As Trump riles China, Taiwan tallies defense costs
TAIPEI (Reuters) – Before getting too carried away with Taiwan’s elevated status under a Donald Trump presidency, President Tsai Ing-wen might want to check her bank balance.
Singapore jails second BSI banker on charges linked to 1MDB probe
SINGAPORE (Reuters) – A Singapore court on Friday jailed a second former banker from Swiss wealth manager BSI on charges stemming from a money laundering investigation linked to state investor 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
Yemen edging nearer famine as war, ‘shredded economy’ take toll: U.N. official
GENEVA (Reuters) – Yemen’s humanitarian catastrophe is set to worsen as the war has ruined the economy and is stopping food supplies getting through, driving the country to the brink of famine, the top U.N. aid official in the country told Reuters.
Philippines says won’t protest China actions in Spratly Islands
MANILA (Reuters) – The Philippines would not protest China’s moves to militarize its man-made islands in the South China Sea, Foreign Minister Perfecto Yasay said on Friday, amid Manila’s efforts to improve ties with Beijing.
Pakistan says children hurt, driver killed in Indian firing in Kashmir
MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan (Reuters) – A Pakistani school bus driver was killed and several children were wounded on Friday in Indian firing along the frontier in the disputed Kashmir region, Pakistan said.
China wants 23 northern cities put on red alert for smog
BEIJING (Reuters) – Environmental authorities in China have advised 23 northern cities to issue red alerts, the highest possible air pollution warning, on Friday evening, against the “worst” smog the country has experienced since autumn, state media sa…
China holds first live-fire drills with aircraft carrier, warships
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s military has carried out its first ever live-fire drills using an aircraft carrier and fighters in the northeastern Bohai Sea close to Korea, state media said.
Thailand charges 19 ‘red shirt’ leaders with violating junta ban
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s military-appointed attorney-general on Friday charged 19 leaders of the opposition “red shirt” group with violating a junta ban on political gatherings.
