South Korea

The heavily fortified no man's land separating North and South Korea, largely untouched by humans, has become an ecological niche for the region's flora and fauna, including endangered species.

The North Korean leader shunted aside a pair of long-serving senior officials and seated a newly elected parliament. The move is thought to be aimed at helping Kim ride out U.S. sanctions.

The country's Constitutional Court overturned the ban enacted in 1953. Despite South Korea's heavily Christian population, in recent years anti-abortion sentiment has softened.

"I escaped from the burning house right after I brought out my dog. I couldn't bring anything else with me," one man says of the rush to flee the fire.

A source says the president was referring to future penalties, not those imposed Thursday against two Chinese companies for illicit support of North Korea in violation of international sanctions.

The product promises to moisturize skin with mineral water from North Korea, but some say it trivializes tensions on the Korean Peninsula.