KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — A Malaysian state has defended its decision to give an honorary title to an Indian movie star, news reports said Oct. 12.
Philippines slams BBC comedy
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippine government protested a popular BBC comedy sketch in which a Filipino maid was told to have sex with a neighbor, officials said Oct. 7.
North Korean leader appears in public
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea’s state news agency reported a public appearance by reclusive leader Kim Jong Il for the first time in nearly two months, an absence that prompted speculation he was seriously ill.
Green card applicants mandated to get HPV vaccine
DALLAS (AP) — A new requirement that girls as young as 11 be vaccinated against a sexually transmitted virus before they can become legal U.S. residents is unfair, immigration advocates say.
Japanese aid worker killed in Afghanistan
ABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — A Japanese aid worker kidnapped in eastern Afghanistan has been killed, police officials said.
Kazuya Ito, 31, was abducted near the city of Jalalabad early Aug. 26. Japan set up a task force in Kabul to seek his release, according to Japan’s foreign ministry. A Taliban spokesman claimed responsibility for the kidnapping.