Japan, South Korea leaders say ties should not be left in difficult state: South Korea
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon shared the view that the neighbours’ relations should not be left in their current difficult state, South Korea’s foreign ministry said on Thursday.
Hong Kong protesters to rally in support of Catalan activists
Hong Kong protesters plan to rally on Thursday evening to show solidarity with people demonstrating in Spain’s wealthiest region of Catalonia over jail sentences handed out to nine separatist leaders.
Wife of South Korea’s former justice minister arrested in corruption scandal
South Korean authorities arrested the wife of a former justice minister on Thursday who was at the center of a graft scandal and was a close political confidant of President Moon Jae-in after a court upheld prosecutors’ request for a warrant.
China winter smog targets not enough to offset last year’s surge: data
A new winter plan to curb emissions in northern China will not be enough to reverse last year’s sharp increase, official data shows, raising concerns that a weakening economy is eroding Beijing’s resolve to tackle pollution.
Bolivia’s Morales blasts opposition ‘coup’ as tensions build over vote count
Bolivian leader Evo Morales, again claiming victory in the country’s fraught presidential election, accused the opposition on Wednesday of trying to orchestrate a coup after anti-government protests that charged the vote counting was rigged.
Chile’s response to Pinera’s reforms: A strike and more protests
Students and state workers dispersed peacefully in cities across Chile late on Wednesday, following mass protests against inequality, even as President Sebastian Pinera pledged social reforms to try to quell days of rioting.
Costa Rican finance minister steps down amid fiscal reform push
Costa Rican Finance Minister Rocio Aguilar resigned on Wednesday in the middle of a fiscal reform push aimed at avoiding problems with future debt payments, but which has been sharply criticized over austerity measures.
New Zealand Auckland convention centre blaze under control: SkyCity
A massive fire that ripped through a convention centre under construction in Auckland has been brought under control after nearly two days, owner SkyCity Entertainment Group said on Thursday.
Chile’s Codelco resumes operations after union calls for end to strike
Chile’s Codelco, the world’s top copper miner, said it had resumed normal operations after its unionized workers struck a deal with government officials late Wednesday to end a day-long walk-off amid a week of raucous protests throughout Chile.
Thirst turns to anger as Australia’s mighty river runs dry
Reduced to a string of stagnant mustard-colored pools, fouled in places with pesticide runoff and stinking with the rotting carcasses of cattle and fish, the Darling River is running dry.
