Forbidden from moving or making noise, Japanese hostage recounts Syrian torment
During 40 months of captivity at the hands of Syrian militants, Japanese journalist Jumpei Yasuda was forbidden from moving or making any noise, even while sleeping. Guards told him daily he’d be released, or gave him canned food but no opener.
China willing to advance ties with Japan: Chinese premier
China is willing to advance its relations with Japan and return to healthy and normalized two-way ties, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said on Friday.
China, Japan sign agreements to strengthen cooperation
China and Japan on Friday signed a broad range of agreements on strengthening bilateral ties, pledging to step up cooperation in areas from finance and trade to innovation and securities listings, according to a Reuters witness.
Greece jolted by powerful quake but virtually unscathed
A powerful quake of magnitude at least 6.4 struck off western Greece early on Friday, earthquake monitors said, causing slight damage but no casualties in a tremor felt as far away as Libya.
South Korea to conduct military drills amid stalled exercises with U.S.
South Korea will stage two military drills next week amid a thaw in relations with North Korea, which have prompted Seoul and Washington to suspend joint exercises with the United States to spur nuclear talks.
Peru opposition vows to halt clashes as leader faces jailtime
Peru’s most powerful conservative party vowed on Thursday to stop engaging in disputes with other political groups, a dramatic opposition shift that could help President Martin Vizcarra pass legislation.
Japan court clears way for restart of Shikoku Electric reactor
A court in Japan on Friday paved the way for Shikoku Electric Power Co to restart its only operable nuclear reactor, rejecting a lawsuit from residents to close the unit.
UK said Assange would not be extradited: Ecuador’s top attorney
The United Kingdom told Ecuador in August that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange would not be extradited if he left the country’s London embassy, where he has lived under asylum since 2012, Ecuador’s top government attorney said on Thursday.
Brazil presidential candidate Bolsonaro’s lead over leftist narrows: poll
Brazil’s far-right presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro’s lead over leftist rival Fernando Haddad has narrowed, according to a survey of voter intentions published on Thursday night ahead of this weekend’s run-off ballot.
South Africa’s Ramaphosa seeks new investment pledges as economy struggles
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will seek billions of dollars of new spending pledges from foreign investors and local firms at an investment summit on Friday, as he seeks to haul the economy out of recession before next year’s election.
