One month on, Malaysia embalms Kim Jong Nam’s body, awaiting next of kin
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – The body of the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was embalmed this week in Kuala Lumpur, with no family member coming forward to claim the remains and as a diplomatic spat with Pyongyang drags on.
Somali pirates hijack first commercial ship since 2012
NAIROBI (Reuters) – Pirates have hijacked an oil tanker with eight Sri Lankan crew on board, Somali authorities said on Tuesday, the first time a commercial ship has been seized in the region since 2012.
South Korean prosecutors to summon ousted president Park
SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korean prosecutors will summon ousted president Park Geun-hye for questioning as a suspect in a corruption case that led to her impeachment, a prosecution official said on Tuesday, amid a political crisis that has gripped the co…
China’s Panchen Lama calls for patriotism, says greed taints Tibetan Buddhism
BEIJING (Reuters) – Patriotism is the “mission” of religion in China, but greed is tainting Tibetan Buddhism, says the government-appointed second-highest spiritual leader of the faith, who was chosen by Beijing to win the hearts and minds of Tibetans….
Dozens of Myanmar soldiers killed in rebel clashes near China border
YANGON (Reuters) – Dozens of Myanmar soldiers have been killed in several clashes between ethnic rebels and the army along the border with China, state media reported on Tuesday, threatening leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s chief goal of ending decades of eth…
China says Taiwan tensions affecting some imports
BEIJING (Reuters) – Political tension between China and Taiwan has affected cooperation on safety standards leading to a large number of cosmetic and food imports being stopped from entering China, the head of China’s quality watchdog said on Tuesday.
U.S. carrier joins South Korea drills, North Korea warns of ‘merciless’ strikes
ABOARD THE USS CARL VINSON (Reuters) – As the USS Carl Vinson plowed through seas off South Korea on Tuesday, rival North Korea warned the United States of “merciless” attacks if the carrier infringes on its sovereignty or dignity during U.S.-South Kor…
Sunni politician warns U.S. of mounting civilian casualties in Mosul
AMMAN (Reuters) – A prominent Iraqi Sunni politician on Monday warned Washington the acceleration in a military campaign in western Mosul to drive out Islamic State jihadists was causing a sudden surge in civilian casualties that threatened to undermin…
Jailed Samsung chief can get plenty of visitors, may still play a corporate role
SEOUL (Reuters) – The head of South Korea’s Samsung Group [SAGR.UL], Jay Y. Lee, may be languishing in a jail cell but he is allowed plenty of visitors, which may allow him to play a key role in corporate decisions even if he isn’t running the conglome…
Exclusive: Russia appears to deploy forces in Egypt, eyes on Libya role – sources
WASHINGTON/CAIRO (Reuters) – Russia appears to have deployed special forces to an airbase in western Egypt near the border with Libya in recent days, U.S., Egyptian and diplomatic sources say, a move that would add to U.S. concerns about Moscow’s deepe…
