International

SYDNEY — Prosecutors dropped a charge against a 92-year-old retired surgeon on Friday that alleged he had smuggled 1 million Australian dollars (25.15 million baht) in cocaine hidden in bars of soap into Sydney airport.

PAJU, South Korea — North Korea on Thursday ordered a military takeover of a factory park that was the last major symbol of cooperation with South Korea, saying Seoul's suspension of operations at the jointly run facility was a "dangerous declaration of war."

MADRID — A Spanish court on Wednesday released two puppeteers jailed since last week for allegedly praising terrorism in a controversial Carnival show funded with public money.

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had his military chief executed for corruption and other charges, a South Korean official said Thursday.

KOLKATA, India — A wild elephant rampaged through a west Indian town on Wednesday, smashing homes and sending frightened residents running.

SYDNEY — A 93-year-old World War II veteran from the United States embraced his wartime girlfriend in Australia in their reunion Wednesday after more than 70 years apart.

NAYPYITAW, Myanmar — Four Myanmar military personnel were killed and one survived Wednesday when an air force utility aircraft crashed after taking off from the airport in the capital Naypyitaw, officials said.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate has confirmed President Barack Obama's nominee to serve as ambassador to Myanmar.

WEST PALM BEACH, Florida — Alligators have been used as shoes, briefcases, university mascots, lunch and now, authorities say, a deadly weapon.

BERLIN — German police say the death toll in the train crash in southern Germany has risen to eight. Police spokesman Stefan Sonntag said 150 people were injured in the Tuesday morning crash, including 50 severely.