Zimbabwe

Mugabe sworn in for new term

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, Africa's oldest leader at 89, was sworn in on Thursday for a new five-year term. Mugabe, who has ruled since independence from Britain in 1980, has told critics of his re-election to "go hang" and has vowed to press ahead with nationalist policies forcing foreign firms to turn over majority stakes to Zimbabweans.

The Philippines

Ferry death toll disaster rises

The confirmed death toll from a Philippine ferry disaster rose to 75 on Thursday as divers pulled more bodies, including those of children, from the sunken wreck. Despite finding only corpses in recent days, navy and coast guard ships and helicopters continued to scour the waters for the 45 still missing.

Thailand

Iranian gets life for bomb plot

An Iranian man who blew off his own legs was sentenced to life in prison by a Thai court on Thursday for his involvement in a botched bomb plot that rocked Bangkok last year and brought condemnation from Israel. A court found Saeid Moradi, 29, guilty of attempted murder in an attack intending to target Israeli diplomats.

Japan

Russian planes breach airspace

Japan scrambled fighter jets on Thursday after a pair of Russian bombers briefly intruded into the country's airspace, officials said. The two Tu-95 planes breached airspace near the isle of Okinoshima off Fukuoka in southern Japan for nearly two minutes shortly after midday, a defense ministry spokesman said.

Yemen

Govt apologizes for past wars

Yemen's government has apologized to southern separatists and northern rebels for wars against them, seeking to encourage a national dialogue aimed at drafting a new constitution and holding elections.

Reuters-AP-AFP

(China Daily 08/23/2013 page10)