Japan’s Emperor Akihito expresses ‘deep remorse’ for war
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japanese Emperor Akihito marked the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two with an expression of “deep remorse” over the conflict, a departure from his annual script which could be seen as a subtle rebuke of conservative Prime M…
North Korea demands South halt loudspeaker broadcasts, threatens action
SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea on Saturday demanded that the South halt anti-North propaganda broadcasts via loudspeakers along the border or face military action, a day after it denied Seoul’s accusation that it planted landmines that wounded two South…
Kerry urges ‘genuine democracy’ in Cuba as U.S. raises its flag
HAVANA (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry called for political change in Cuba on Friday, telling Cubans they should be free to choose their own leaders, as he watched the U.S. flag fly at the American embassy in Havana for the first time in…
Japan PM Abe sends ritual offering to Yasukuni Shrine on WW2 anniversary
TOKYO (Reuters) – Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sent an offering to a shrine for war dead on Saturday, the 70th anniversary of Japan’s World War Two defeat, but had not made a personal visit to the shrine, seen in China and South Korea as a symbol of Tokyo…
Japan PM expresses ‘utmost grief’ over WW2 but no fresh apology
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed the “utmost grief” on Friday for the “immeasurable damage and suffering” Japan inflicted during World War Two, but said future generations should not have to keep apologizing for the mistak…
Islamic State fights rival group and eastern forces in Libya
BENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) – At least 46 people have been killed in clashes between Islamic State, a rival Islamist group and forces loyal to the official government in two Libyan cities, residents and medics said on Friday.
China says human rights should not dominate U.S. ties
Washington (Reuters) – Human rights should not dominate the U.S.-China relationship, a senior Chinese official said on Friday, ahead of a visit to Washington next month by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Kerry urges ‘genuine democracy’ at U.S. flag ceremony in Cuba
HAVANA (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry declared a new era in relations as he celebrated restored diplomatic ties in Havana on Friday, but he also urged political change in Cuba, telling Cubans they should be free to choose their own lead…
Euro ministers give blessing to Greek bailout, wooing IMF on debt
BRUSSELS/ATHENS (Reuters) – Euro zone finance ministers agreed on Friday to lend Greece up to 86 billion euros ($96 billion) after Greek lawmakers accepted their stiff conditions despite a revolt by supporters of leftist Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.
Cuba says won’t move ‘one millimeter’ to placate enemies in U.S.
HAVANA (Reuters) – Cuba’s lead negotiator in talks with Washington told Reuters on Friday that the island’s internal affairs would never be on the table and Havana would never move “one millimeter” to placate enemies in the United States.
