World Briefs

SOUTH CHINA SEA Beijing said it will send a warship and special forces for a multinational exercise next month that is also expected to include troops from the Philippines and other rival claimants in the South China Sea. The May 2-12 maritime security and counterterrorism exercise will feature the militaries of the 10 countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, along with those of the U.S., India and six other dialogue partners.

CHINA For the second time in a week, a Chinese city announces it will halt plans for a garbage incinerator project following angry protests by residents that underscore growing concern over threats to public health. The government of Nanxian, Hunan said that it would cease all work related to the project and would not start up again without public support.

PHILIPPINES Manny Pacquiao pressed on with his campaign for a seat in the Philippine Senate yesterday, in a province south of Manila despite a reported militant plot to kidnap him. Pacquiao had few visible security escorts as he campaigned in Laguna province, shaking hands and allowing mobs of villagers to take selfies with him. “I doubt [the threat], but I’m not ignoring it,” he told reporters.
CAMBODIA A member of an elite Cambodian military unit being tried on charges of beating up two opposition lawmakers admits the act but says he was insulted by the victims and did not know they were members of Parliament.

NORTH KOREA A suspected intermediate-range North Korean missile crashes moments after liftoff, South’s Defense Ministry says, in what would be the second such embarrassing failure in recent weeks. The report of the launch failure comes ahead of a major ruling party meeting next week at which leader Kim Jong Un is believed to want to place his stamp more forcefully on a government he inherited after his dictator father’s death in 2011.

PAKISTAN An ancient stone sculpture of Buddha’s footprints that was smuggled into the United States and had been expected to sell for more than USD1 million is returned to the government of Pakistan.

AUSTRALIA’s prime minister says a review of national gun laws would not weaken strict regulations that have kept Australians safer since 35 people were shot dead by a mass murderer 20 years ago.

GOLF Hennie Otto had seven birdies and an eagle in an opening round of 63 yesterday to lead the China Open at 9 under. The 39-year-old South African started on the 10th and had three birdies before turning in 33, then added birdies at the 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 7th before chipping in for eagle on the par-5 8th.

USA Prescription drugs were discovered with Prince when he was found dead in his Paisley Park home in suburban Minneapolis, several news organizations reported yesterday.