Seoul raises reward for N. Korea classified info

SEOUL • South Korea will award up to one billion won (US$860,000 or S$1.22 million) to defectors from the North with classified information on the reclusive state, reports said yesterday.

It now offers up to US$217,000 to defectors with sensitive information. This would be the first increase in reward money in two decades.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Body of Abu Sayyaf hostage recovered

MANILA • The Philippine military said yesterday it had recovered the body of Mr Jurgen Kantner, an elderly German hostage beheaded by militants last week.

The 70-year-old was killed by the Abu Sayyaf last month after demands for 30 million pesos (S$841,000) were not met.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Man beheaded in Sabah traffic accident

KOTA KINABALU • A 62-year-old man was killed on Saturday in a car accident which caused his head to be severed. Mr Lee Thien Yu had crossed the road instead of using an overhead bridge less than 100m away. He was hit by a Toyota Fortuner.

THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

Sri Lanka rejects UN war crimes appeal

COLOMBO • Vowing not to prosecute soldiers, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has rejected a fresh appeal from the United Nations to allow international judges to investigate alleged wartime atrocities.

The UN on Friday criticised Sri Lanka's "worryingly slow" progress in addressing its wartime past, urging the government to adopt laws allowing for special hybrid courts to try war criminals.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Alleged rape: Nuns flee over role in baby's birth

NEW DELHI • Five nuns and a doctor are on the run in India after being accused of concealing the birth of a baby to a teenager who alleges that a priest had raped her, police said yesterday.

The accused priest, Robin Vadakkumchery, was arrested last week, after the victim gave birth in February, prompting an investigation.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE