South Korea's Unification Ministry, which handles relations with North-Korea, said it could not confirm the report. Most foreign tourists to North-Korea are Chinese or are people who travel to the North from China, its major diplomatic ally and biggest aid benefactor. Young Pioneer Tours is based in China. In its statement, it said further details had not yet been confirmed by its North-Korean partners.

Bank-of-America-Corp will recruit about 50-bankers for its investment team in Asia this year, as it pushes to bulk-up its dealmaking business and shore-up revenues from the unit globally, three-people with direct knowledge of the matter said. BofA's Asia headcount expansion comes against the backdrop of a subdued recruitment outlook for the broader investment banking business as global-lenders grapple with cost-pressures and slowing M&A momentum.

Singer Neha Kakkar has gifted Rs 2 lakh to a firefighter on the sets of Indian Idol Season 11. Neha is one of the judges on the show this season. Ahead of the 71st Republic Day, a special episode was shot for the popular talent hunt show, where several army men, police personnel, lifeguards and firefighters were invited as special guests.