Digest

MOTORCYCLING

Scrutiny mounts on Abe over school links

The Osaka-based ultra-conservative educational group Moritomo Gakuen may be the "Watergate" for Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Food, drink giants plot fightback as India looks to tighten rules

NEW DELHI - Several food and drink multinationals and trade groups met in recent weeks to discuss how to lobby more effectively against Indian proposals for higher taxes and stricter labeling rules on fatty or sugary foods, sources familiar with the talks said.

S. Korean prosecutors call in SK Group officials for questioning

SEOUL - Prosecutors questioned three officials linked to South Korea's third-largest conglomerate, SK Group, on Thursday as part of a widening corruption scandal that led to the dismissal of President Park Geun-hye.

Military removes mocked tiger statue

BANDUNG, INDONESIA - The Indonesian military has removed a statue of a grinning, cartoonlike tiger from outside an army base after it sparked a flood of online mockery.

Trump suffers setback as judge blocks travel ban

HONOLULU - A federal judge blocked President Donald Trump's revised travel ban hours before it was to take effect, marking the second time courts have thwarted Trump's efforts to freeze immigration by refugees and citizens of some predominantly Muslim nations.

Beijing criticizes Tokyo's 'mischief'

China will adopt resolute measures against Japan if it insists on interfering in the South China Sea with military power, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Thursday.

Interpol seeks DPRK citizens in KL death

KUALA LUMPUR - Interpol has issued a red notice, the closest to an international arrest warrant, for four people from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in connection with the murder of a DPRK man at Kuala Lumpur's airport last month, Malaysia's police chief said on Thursday.

Brazilians protest social security reforms

RIO DE JANEIRO - Hundreds of thousands of Brazilians took to the streets on Wednesday to protest against a social security reform which is being pushed by the government. There were protests in all state capitals and a number of smaller cities.

IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Winter storm paralyzes much of US Northeast

NEW YORK - A strong late winter storm lashed the northeast of the United States with blizzard on Tuesday, grounding more than 6,000 flights and knocking out power to about 250,000 customers.

Bee thefts leave sting on honey producers

WELLINGTON - New Zealand's bees are being stolen and traded by organized crime syndicates seeking to profit from skyrocketing honey prices, police and beekeepers said on Tuesday, proving that bees make money.