Rule change may let Abe extend term

TOKYO • Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is set for a rule change that may allow Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to remain in office until after the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Party lawmakers accepted yesterday a proposal by LDP vice-president Masahiko Komura to permit party leaders to serve three consecutive three-year terms - a change that would become official after a party convention in March.

BLOOMBERG

China holding drills in South China Sea today

BEIJING• China will carry out military drills in the South China Sea all day today, its maritime safety administration said yesterday, ordering all other ships to stay away.

China routinely holds drills in the disputed waterway, and the latest exercises come less than a week after a US navy destroyer sailed near the Paracel Islands, prompting a warning from Chinese warships to leave the area.

REUTERS

Rise in lese majeste cases after King's death

BANGKOK • Thailand's police chief has said insulting the monarchy would not be tolerated, and anyone considering doing so should get out of the country, after a spike in cases following the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Oct 13. General Chakthip Chaijinda said yesterday that police were investigating 20 cases of lese majeste, and arrest warrants have been issued for eight out of 20 suspects.

REUTERS

KL-Selangor task force to fight river pollution

SHAH ALAM • Malaysia's federal government and the Selangor state administration have agreed to form a joint task force to tackle river contamination issues, The Star reported Natural Resources and Environment Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar as saying.

Selangor and Kuala Lumpur share the same rivers for fresh water, with supply disrupted last weekend after the discovery that a toxic solvent had been dumped into a river.