Japan’s emperor speaks to public in remarks suggesting he wants to abdicate
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japanese Emperor Akihito, 82, in a rare video address to the public on Monday, said he worried that age may make it difficult for him to fully carry out his duties, remarks widely seen as suggesting he wants to abdicate.
Third Spanish election would extend political gridlock, poll suggests
MADRID (Reuters) – A third election in Spain would do nothing to resolve a deadlock that has left the country without a new government for over seven months, an influential survey suggested on Monday, piling pressure on leaders to find another way out …
Bangladesh expels North Korean diplomat for smuggling
DHAKA (Reuters) – Bangladesh has expelled a senior North Korean diplomat after accusing him of smuggling almost half a million dollars worth of banned cigarettes and electronic goods, a government minister said on Monday.
No to Trump: Philippine lawmaker seeks to ban U.S. presidential candidate
MANILA (Reuters) – A Philippine lawmaker is seeking to permanently ban U.S. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump from visiting the Southeast Asian nation after the billionaire called it one of the “terrorist nations.”
Japan orders military to be ready for North Korea missile launch at any time
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan ordered its military on Monday to be ready at any time to shoot down any North Korean missiles that threaten to strike Japan, putting its forces on a state of alert for at least three months, a defense ministry official and medi…
Dozens of Philippine officials surrender after being linked to drugs trade
MANILA (Reuters) – Dozens of Philippine government and police officials turned themselves in on Monday, a day after President Rodrigo Duterte linked them to the drugs trade, stepping up a war on narcotics that has killed hundreds since he took office i…
Murder of former leading Northen Ireland militant sparks fresh fears
BELFAST (Reuters) – A leading member of a major Northern Ireland paramilitary group that was supposed to have disbanded was shot dead in Belfast on Sunday, sparking fears of a fresh feud that could raise tensions in the British-controlled province.
Thailand, seeking stability, approves military constitution
BANGKOK (Reuters) – A democratically elected government will take power in Thailand at the earliest by December 2017, a senior Thai official said on Monday, after the country endorsed a military-backed constitution paving the way for a general election…
Indonesian group behind Singapore plot has ‘dozens of members’: police
JAKARTA (Reuters) – Indonesian authorities said on Monday that several suspected radicals arrested on Batam island last week were part of a group that has “dozens of members” and has been active for two years.
Ex-Philippine leader Ramos travels to Hong Kong as ‘icebreaker’ with China
MANILA (Reuters) – Former Philippine President Fidel Ramos on Monday departed on a five-day trip to Hong Kong to meet “old friends” and rekindle ties with China soured by a maritime dispute in the South China Sea.
