Republic of Korea

Free trade talks conclude

China, Japan and the Republic of Korea ended the first round of trilateral talks on a free trade agreement, setting up rules for future negotiations, Seoul's trade ministry said on Thursday. "At this round of talks, the three countries adopted detailed rules on the negotiation that include basic principles and guidelines, while discussing overall administrative issues such as the scope of the three-way FTA negotiations and the formation of working groups that will be the foundation of future negotiations," the ministry said.

Pakistan

Shot girl writing book about event

Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani teenager shot in the head by the Taliban as she returned home from school, is writing a book about the traumatic event and her long-running campaign to promote children's education. Publisher Weidenfeld and Nicolson announced that it would release I am Malala in Britain and Commonwealth countries this fall.

Turkey

600 refugees from Syria

Turkey has deported at least 600 Syrians staying at a refugee camp near the border after clashes with Turkish military police in a protest over living conditions, a Turkish official said on Thursday. "These people were involved in yesterday's violence, they were seen by the security cameras in the camp," an official in the camp said.

Kenya

8 killed in attack on casino

Eight people were killed when dozens of machete-wielding raiders struck a casino popular with tourists and local Italian residents in the coastal Kenyan town of Malindi early on Thursday morning, police said. Armed officers shot dead six of the attackers suspected to be members of a banned coastal separatist group, and two policeman were also killed.

Thailand

Bomb claims 3 military rangers

Suspected Muslim rebels killed three military rangers in a roadside bomb attack in southern Thailand on Thursday before security officials sat down to talks with rebel groups aimed at ending the bloody insurgency.

Reuters-Xinhua-AP

(China Daily 03/29/2013 page11)