After historic rocket launch, Chinese startup to ramp up missions

Beijing-based startup iSpace is planning up to eight commercial rocket launches next year, after last week becoming China's first privately funded firm to put a satellite into orbit, its executives told Reuters.

from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2OtyfT5
via IFTTT

Shin Ok-ju: S Korean doomsday cult leader jailed for six years

The pastor convinced her followers to move to Fiji in 2014 where some say they were beaten.

from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/2LQ7OEY

Sign of the times: China's capital orders Arabic, Muslim symbols taken down

Authorities in the Chinese capital have ordered halal restaurants and food stalls to remove Arabic script and symbols associated with Islam from their signs, part of an expanding national effort to "Sinicize" its Muslim population.

from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2K7SJN3
via IFTTT

Roadside blast in Afghanistan kills at least 34 civilians

A bus in western Afghanistan was hit by a roadside explosion on Wednesday that killed at least 34 passengers, including children, and injured 17, officials said.

from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2ZwGvCA
via IFTTT

Germany's Scholz 'very skeptical' about joining U.S. mission for Strait of Hormuz

Germany's Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Olaf Scholz said on Wednesday he was very skeptical about a request by the United States to join a military mission for the Strait of Hormuz.

from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2GzAm11
via IFTTT

Japan heatwave: Mascot one of 11 deaths during high temperatures

Officials say 11 people have died and 5,000 have been hospitalised amid high temperatures.

from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/2yvKPWR

Hallstatt: A town of 800 people that gets a million tourists a year

Visitors have boosted the economy of Hallstatt in the Austrian Alps, but not all residents are happy.

from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/2KgBB6l

Japan actor-turned politician aims for real-life starring role

Japanese actor-turned-politician Taro Yamamoto is angling for a new real-life role in which he leads his novice party and allies to victory, ousts long-ruling conservatives and takes over as premier within the next few years.

from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2ZvmoVL
via IFTTT

Hong Kong protesters appear in court to face 'riot' charge

More than 40 people appeared in a Hong Kong court on Wednesday charged with rioting for their role in a recent protest that turned violent when thousands of activists clashed with police near Beijing's main representative office in the city.

from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2ZkqIXy
via IFTTT

North Korea fires short-range ballistic missiles for the second time in a week

North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles early on Wednesday, the South Korean military said, only days after it launched two similar missiles intended to pressure South Korea and the United States to stop upcoming military drills.

from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2Yh4YiP
via IFTTT

Mexican journalist found dead, with signs of torture, in car trunk: police

A Mexican journalist who covered the police in the violent southwestern state of Guerrero was found dead in the trunk of a vehicle with signs he had been shot and tortured, local police said on Tuesday.

from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2YBOjSE
via IFTTT

VG Siddhartha: Body found in search for Cafe Coffee Day tycoon

VG Siddhartha, founder and owner of popular Indian chain Cafe Coffee Day, had gone missing on Monday.

from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/2yoowlU

Samsung profits tumble as it warns of 'challenges' ahead

It comes as a trade row between Seoul and Tokyo creates fresh uncertainty for the electronics giant.

from BBC News - Business https://ift.tt/2Kg4Y8W
via IFTTT

VG Siddhartha: Body found in search for Cafe Coffee Day tycoon

VG Siddhartha, founder and owner of popular Indian chain Cafe Coffee Day, had gone missing on Monday.

from BBC News - Business https://ift.tt/2yoowlU
via IFTTT

Tokyo still seeks Japan-North Korea summit without conditions: Suga

Japan would continue to seek a summit with North Korea, without conditions, despite the latest missile launch by Pyongyang, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said on Wednesday.

from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/333j3z0
via IFTTT

Indian coffee tycoon Siddhartha's body found: police

Authorities on Wednesday confirmed they have located the body of Indian coffee baron VG Siddhartha from near Netravathi river, in the southern Indian state of Karnataka.

from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2ZgF4s1
via IFTTT

Japan's PM says working with allies after North Korea missile launch

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said that there was no impact on Japan's security following North Korea's latest launch of short-range ballistic missiles on Wednesday and that Japan was working with its allies over the situation in the region.

from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/330YqUl
via IFTTT

U.S. appeals court upholds ruling against Chinese banks in North Korea sanctions probe

A U.S. appeals court said on Tuesday it had upheld a ruling by a U.S. judge who held three large Chinese banks in contempt for refusing to comply with subpoenas in a probe into violations of sanctions on North Korea, opening the way for heavy daily fines.

from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2yojAO3
via IFTTT

Samoa's 'third gender' delicately balances sex and religion

Keyonce Lee Hang is busy finishing preparations for the to'ona'i, a traditional lunch served after Sunday church in Samoa, and attending to her elderly, bed-ridden grandmother.

from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2ypNGAY
via IFTTT