Exclusive: Gold worth billions smuggled out of Africa
Billions of dollars’ worth of gold is being smuggled out of Africa every year through the United Arab Emirates in the Middle East – a gateway to markets in Europe, the United States and beyond – a Reuters analysis has found.
Japan’s Heisei era: Changes, growth and tragedies
Japanese Emperor Akihito’s abdication on April 30 will end the three-decade Heisei era that began on Jan. 8, 1989, one day after he inherited the throne upon the death of his father, Hirohito.
U.S. believes there is ongoing terrorist plotting in Sri Lanka: envoy
The United States had no prior knowledge of the Easter Sunday suicide bombing attacks on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka, but now believes there is ongoing terrorism plotting in the country, Washington’s ambassador to Colombo said on Wednesday.
Sri Lanka deputy defense minister one of nine bombers was a woman
One of the nine bombers that detonated explosives in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday was a woman, deputy defense minister Ruwan Wijewardene told reporters on Wednesday.
Japan nuclear regulator to halt reactors without anti-terrorism systems
Japan’s nuclear regulator on Wednesday said it would start ordering shutdowns on any reactors for which power companies have not met deadlines for installing anti-terrorism safety features.
Italy approves growth plan after cabinet infighting
Italy’s government approved an economic growth plan in the early hours of Wednesday after an extraordinarily bad-tempered cabinet meeting that exposed deep divisions in the ruling coalition.
North Korea’s Kim enters Russia for summit with Putin
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un crossed the border into Russia on Wednesday by train, Russian media reported, for his first trip there aimed at galvanizing support from President Vladimir Putin while nuclear talks with Washington are in limbo.
More detentions as death toll in Sri Lanka attacks rises to 359
Sri Lankan police said on Wednesday they had detained 18 more people for questioning over the Easter Sunday attacks on churches and hotels, claimed by the Islamic State group, as the death toll climbed again to 359.
Sri Lanka says 60 people arrested since Easter Sunday blasts
More than 60 people have been arrested since the rash of Easter Sunday suicide bombing attacks on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka that killed at least 359 people, the leader of the country’s parliament said on Wednesday.
Japanese to compensate victims of forced sterilization
Japan on Wednesday passed a law compensating tens of thousands of people who were sterilized, often without their consent, under a government program to prevent the birth of “inferior descendants” that remained in effect until 1996.
