Chief Palestinian negotiator issues statehood ultimatum
RAMALLAH West Bank (Reuters) – The Palestinians’ chief peace negotiator has laid out in the clearest terms yet plans to establish an independent Palestinian state within three years, even if it means ignoring pleas from the United States not to push ah…
China’s top diplomat to visit Vietnam again amid sea dispute
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s top diplomat will visit Vietnam next week, China said on Friday, five months after he last visited during a period of tension over a Chinese oil drilling rig working in part of the South China Sea both countries claim.
Former Japan PM Fukuda to meet China’s Xi next week: source
TOKYO (Reuters) – Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping next Wednesday in Beijing, a source familiar with the matter said, setting the stage for a possible meeting between the leaders of Japan and China in N…
Japan prosecutors delay ruling on possible Fukushima indictments
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japanese prosecutors have delayed a decision on whether to charge three former executives of Tokyo Electric Power Co for their handling of the 2011 Fukushima disaster, an official with a special panel that requested an indictment said…
Swedish military calls off hunt for suspected submarine
STOCKHOLM (Reuters) – The Swedish military said on Friday that it had called of its search for a suspected foreign submarine in waters off Stockholm after a week-long hunt, ending the country’s biggest military mobilization since the Cold War.
Saudi Arabia’s Shi’ites fear they are at mercy of region’s tumult
RIYADH (Reuters) – The Shi’ite Muslim minority in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province have long felt marginalized by the Sunni ruling dynasty, and protests for greater rights as part of the 2011 Arab Spring brought a crackdown on both protesters and demands for reform.
Bangladesh Islamist leader convicted of war crimes dies
DHAKA (Reuters) – A Bangladeshi Islamist party leader serving 90 years in prison for crimes during Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence has died, a doctor said.
Japan warns of increased activity at volcano near nuclear plant
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan warned on Friday that a volcano in southern Japan located roughly 64 km (40 miles) from a nuclear plant was showing signs of increased activity that could possibly lead to a small-scale eruption and warned people to stay away fr…
Hong Kong protesters set for the long haul at self-sustaining village
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Hong Kong protesters have created a self-sustaining village within a month of taking their call for democracy to the streets, setting up changing rooms, tents for hire, a study area, first-aid stations and even their own security …
Japan’s Suga: See no problem with trade minister holding Tepco shares
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s top government spokesman said on Friday he does not see any problem with the trade minister holding shares of Tokyo Electric Power, the operator of the tsunami-wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant.
