Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 0600 GMT, April 21
Xinhua, April 21, 2017 Adjust font size:
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sent a ritual offering to the notorious Yasukuni Shrine, which honors 14 Class-A convicted war criminals among 2.5 million Japanese war dead from WWII.
Along with Abe's offering, Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Yasuhisa Shiozaki and the speakers of both houses of the Diet also sent ritual offerings to the shrine on the occasion of its annual spring festival.
The war-linked Yasukuni Shrine is regarded as a symbol of past Japanese militarism.(Japan-Shrine Visit)
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MANILA -- A soldier was abducted by suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits in southern Philippines on Thursday, the military said.
The Philippine local media reported that the Western Mindanao Command identified the soldier's name is Anni Siraji and he has been helping the government in the peace and development efforts in Sulu province. (The Philippines-Soldier-Behead)
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NEW DELHI -- Several coaches of a passenger train derailed Friday in southwestern Indian state of Karnataka, railway officials said.
No loss of life of life or injuries to anyone were reported in the accident. The train derailed near Bidar district, about 680 km north of Bengaluru, the capital city of Karnataka. (India-Train-Derail) Enditem