IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Malaysia

DPRK leader's half-brother dies

The half-brother of Kim Jongun, leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, has died in Malaysia, a Republic of Korea government source said on Tuesday. Kim Jongnam (pictured) spent much time outside the country and had spoken out against his family's control of the state. Malaysian police confirmed the death of a 46-year-old man from the DPRK who held a passport under the name of Kim Chol. A police official said the cause of death had not been determined.

Republic Of Korea

Arrest mulled on Samsung chief

ROK special prosecutor's office said it will decide by no later than Wednesday on whether to request an arrest warrant for Samsung Group chief Lee Jae-yong. Lee was questioned for 15 hours after being summoned as a suspect by the special prosecution on Monday. He is accused of pledging payments to a company and organizations backed by President Park Geun-hye's confidant, Choi Soon-sil, to win support for a 2015 merger of two affiliates.

The Philippines

Marcos loses bid to reclaim jewels

Former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos has lost a long fight to reclaim jewels confiscated when her dictator husband was ousted, with the Supreme Court ruling she acquired them illegally. The items worth $150,000 are the property of the state, the court ruled.

Turkey

500 detained over PKK links

Turkish police detained more than 500 people on Monday in operations across Turkey targeting suspects linked with the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, militant group, state-run Anadolu news agency reported. It said senior members of the group were among the 544 suspects held in operations across 25 provinces, including the major western cities of Istanbul and Izmir.

Brazil

Schools reopen after police protest

Children returned to school and most public transport began operating again on Monday in Espirito Santo state, which had been paralyzed by a protest that prevented military police patrols. Amid fears a similar protest could erupt ahead of Carnaval, the Brazilian government said troops will police the state of Rio de Janeiro.

Australia

Spider found with 'lock, key' genitals

A new species of spider has been discovered off Australia's east coast by arachnologist Barbara Baehr. What makes the ant-eating spider unlike others is its unique genitalia. "The genitals work like a lock and key together making each one specific to the species," Barbara said.

(China Daily 02/15/2017 page12)