Ageing Japan: Prisons cope with swelling ranks of elderly inmates
TOKUSHIMA, Japan (Reuters) – A gaunt, 92-year-old man in a wheelchair sunbathes in a narrow courtyard, motionless, his eyes closed. Nearby, a few dozen other elderly men with short grey hair exercise slowly as an instructor gently calls out, “Don’t str…
Japan PM Abe denies involvement by him, wife in discount land sale
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday remained steadfast that he and his wife were not involved in a discount land-sale deal that has seen the opposition call for the resignation of his ally, Finance Minister Taro Aso.
Former South Korean president Lee appears for questioning over graft charges
SEOUL (Reuters) – Former South Korean president Lee Myung-bak appeared for questioning on Wednesday over allegations he took bribes when he was in office, following months of investigations into his family and acquaintances over the graft charges.
Britain and Russia brace for showdown as deadline expires for nerve attack explanation
LONDON (Reuters) – Britain braced for a showdown with Russia on Wednesday after a midnight deadline set by Prime Minister Theresa May expired without an explanation from Moscow about how a Soviet-era nerve toxin was used to strike down a former Russian…
Irish PM calls for fresh Northern Ireland talks next month
DUBLIN (Reuters) – The British and Irish governments should redouble efforts next month to broker a deal that would restore a power-sharing government in Northern Ireland after a year of political stalemate, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said on Tu…
White House hosts meeting on Gaza crisis without Palestinians present
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The White House on Tuesday hosted 19 nations, including Israel and Arab Gulf states, to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, but the Palestinian Authority boycotted the meeting, angered by the Trump administration’s policies …
With Pompeo’s rise, uncertainty deepens for Iran nuclear deal
WASHINGTON/PARIS/BRUSSELS (Reuters) – It is unclear how Mike Pompeo becoming U.S. secretary of state may affect the Iran nuclear deal given that there is only one voice that counts in President Donald Trump’s administration: his own.
Britain’s May wins backing of Trump, EU leaders in showdown with Russia
LONDON (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Theresa May agreed on Tuesday that Russia must provide “unambiguous answers” after London gave Moscow until midnight to explain how a Soviet-era nerve weapon was used against a f…
Nigerian campaign group threatens to sue government over abducted girls
ABUJA (Reuters) – A Nigerian group that sparked a global campaign for the safe return of schoolgirls kidnapped in 2014 said on Tuesday it would sue the government if it failed to provide answers over a similar mass abduction last month.
Israeli government ends feud that sparked snap election talk
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel’s government settled a dispute on Tuesday that had threatened its survival and prompted speculation that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was seeking a snap election to help him dodge a corruption probe.




