‘Let’s talk’: Japan hopes low-key strategy averts U.S. trade flare-up
TOKYO (Reuters) – Economic talks between the United States and Japan, tackling topics from persimmons and potatoes to energy and infrastructure, have helped keep Tokyo clear of protectionist moves such as those that recently hit Chinese solar panels an…
Court hands Vietnam oil official another life sentence for corruption
HANOI (Reuters) – A high-profile former Vietnamese oil executive was sentenced to life in jail for embezzlement on Monday, two weeks after was also imprisoned for life on similar charges in a separate case, state media reported.
South Korea bans 36,000 foreigners from entering for Winter Olympics: Yonhap
SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korea has banned 36,000 foreigners from entering the country ahead of the Winter Olympics, citing security concerns, Yonhap News Agency said on Monday.
Conservative Christian leads Costa Rica presidential vote, run-off likely
SAN JOSE (Reuters) – Conservative Christian singer and TV anchor Fabricio Alvarado held a strong lead in Costa Rica’s presidential election on Sunday, after galvanizing the campaign with his sharp opposition to gay marriage, but a run-off vote looked c…
Hopes for talks grow with North Korea’s ceremonial leader to visit South Korea for Olympics
SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea’s ceremonial leader will make an unprecedented visit to South Korea this week, officials said on Monday, as hopes grew for high-level inter-Korean talks during the Winter Olympics that begin in four days.
Ecuadoreans back limits on presidential re-election in blow to Correa
QUITO (Reuters) – Ecuadoreans on Sunday voted to prevent presidents from holding more than two terms in office, according to the elections council, a win for President Lenin Moreno that blocks his mentor-turned-adversary Rafael Correa from returning to…
North Korea’s ceremonial leader to visit South Korea amid hopes for high-level talks
SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea’s ceremonial leader will visit South Korea this week as Seoul boosts hopes for high-level inter-Korean talks during the Winter Olympics that begin in four days.
Ecuador votes for re-election limits, likely dashing Correa comeback
QUITO (Reuters) – Ecuadoreans on Sunday voted to prevent presidents from holding more than two terms in office, according to the elections council, a win for President Lenin Moreno that blocks his mentor-turned-adversary Rafael Correa from returning to…
Support for Australian PM hits 10-month high, raises prospect of an early election
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Support for Australia’s Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is at a near 10-month high, a widely watched poll showed on Monday, a boost for the center-right government that could use an early election to settle a constitutional crisis.
Japan’s PM vows to proceed with U.S. base relocation in Okinawa after poll
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe welcomed on Monday the victory of a ruling party-backed candidate in a mayoral election on Okinawa, vowing to press ahead with a controversial plan to move a U.S. Marines air base on the southern isl…
