Japan, Iran agree on investment pact after sanctions end
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan and Iran have reached agreement on an investment accord, which may give a boost to Japanese investments into the Islamic Republic once sanctions are lifted as early as next year, the countries’ foreign ministers said in a statem…
China tries former public security official and Zhou ally for graft
BEIJING (Reuters) – The bribery trial of another former senior official tied to ousted Chinese security tsar Zhou Yongkang opened on Wednesday, state media said, the latest in a string of graft trials and sentencings ahead of a key Communist Party meet…
Le Pen’s far right eyes gains in depressed French north
DENAIN, France (Reuters) – The northern French town of Denain has been a left-wing bastion for generations. Not any more.
Australian PM under pressure to act on asylum detention policy
SYDNEY (Reuters) – A group of Christian protesters occupied the Sydney offices of Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Wednesday, demanding an end to the long-term detention of asylum seekers in centers in the South Pacific.
Japan’s Kyushu to restart second nuke reactor in Japan
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japanese utility Kyushu Electric Power Co said it will restart the No.2 reactor at its Sendai nuclear plant on Thursday, the second unit to resume operations after dozens of reactors were shut following the 2011 Fukushima disaster.
Japan, China agree to promote dialogue despite UNESCO dispute
TOKYO (Reuters) – Senior officials of Japan and China agreed on Tuesday to pursue high-level dialogue to mend frayed relations, a Japanese government official said.
British banker accused of HK double murder to stand trial in October 2016
HONG KONG (Reuters) – The trial of a British banker accused of murdering two Indonesian women in Hong Kong last year will start in October next year, the man’s lawyer said on Wednesday.
Chile fires starting gun on new constitution
SANTIAGO (Reuters) – Chilean President Michelle Bachelet announced on Tuesday the beginning of a process that could lead to a new constitution for the South American country, one of the center-left leader’s key electoral pledges.
Palestinian ‘Day of Rage’ attacks kill three: Israeli police
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Palestinian men armed with knives and a gun killed at least three people and wounded several others in a string of attacks in Jerusalem and near Tel Aviv on Tuesday, police said, on a “Day of Rage” declared by Palestinian groups.
EU observers say Guinea vote valid; opposition protests
CONAKRY (Reuters) – European Union observers gave Guinea’s presidential elections a clean bill of health on Tuesday despite protests by opposition supporters who accuse President Alpha Conde of rigging the vote to win a second term.
