READY FOR INSPECTION

N. KOREA RELEASES U. S. CITIZEN OTTO WARMBIER

North Korea has released Cincinnati native Otto Warmbier, a 22- year- old college student who had been detained and imprisoned in that reclusive dictatorship for more than a year.

"At the direction of the president, the Department of State has secured the release of Otto Warmbier from North Korea," Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in a statement Tuesday. "Mr. Warmbier is en route to the United States, where he will be reunited with his family."

The Washington Post reported that Warmbier has been medically evacuated from the country in a coma. He is due to arrive home in Cincinnati on Tuesday evening, The Post reported, after being taken to an American military base in Sapporo, Japan.

PANAMA CUTS TIES WITH TAIWAN, SIDES WITH CHINA

Panama cut ties with Taiwan on Tuesday, switching allegiance to the People's Republic of China and further isolating the small island nation in favor of the "One China" policy.

China and Panama issued a joint statement saying they would immediately establish ambassador- level relations.

The Panamanian decision drew an angry response from Taiwan, formally known as the Republic of China ( ROC). Taiwan's foreign ministry said it will remove its diplomatic staff from Panama City and halt bilateral cooperation efforts. The ministry issued a statement accusing Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela of "caving in" to economic pressure from mainland China.

GA. INMATES KILL 2 GUARDS, FLEE TRANSPORT BUS

A manhunt was underway in Georgia after two inmates fatally shot two prison guards and escaped from a transport bus Tuesday, authorities said.

The Georgia Department of Corrections said Donnie Russell "Whiskey" Rowe, 43, and Ricky Dubose, 24, fled from the bus in Putnam County. The sheriff's office confirmed the prisoners overpowered the guards before killing them and escaping on Highway 16 near Eatonton, about 75 miles southeast of Atlanta.

Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Teresa Slade told the Associated Press the incident occurred about 7: 23 a. m. ET Tuesday. She said a witness saw the men escape in a dark green Honda that they apparently carjacked.

FRED DUFOUR, AFP/ GETTY IMAGES Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, right, and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang inspect members of an honor guard during a welcoming ceremony Monday at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Bettel is on a four- day visit to China.