China revamps national technology leadership group, tech shares rise
China has revamped a national leadership group charged with planning and studying its key technological development strategies, signaling potential policy shifts are underway as its technological ambitions fueled a backlash abroad.
BHP says Brazilian court approves settlement for Samarco dam disaster
(This version of Aug. 8 story has been refiled to correct the spelling of ‘court’ in first paragraph)
U.S. airlines say further amending websites to change Taiwan references
The United States’ three largest airlines said they are in the process of amending their systems to address Chinese requests over how they refer to Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, after Chinese state media reported that they had yet to complete revisions …
Japan to raise maximum age for new recruits to boost dwindling military ranks
Japan’s military plans to raise the maximum age for new recruits in a bid to cope with a shrinking pool of potential soldiers due to the country’s low birth rate and fast-ageing population.
Ecuador declares state of emergency over Venezuelan migrants at border
Ecuador on Wednesday declared a state of emergency in three provinces due to an unusually high volume of Venezuelan migrants crossing over the northern border with Colombia after fleeing the OPEC nation’s economic crisis.
U.N. refugee agency welcomes Thai move to give cave boys citizenship
The U.N. refugee agency welcomed on Thursday a decision by Thailand to grant Thai citizenship to three boys and their soccer coach from among a group of 13 who were rescued from a flooded cave last month.
New Colombia government to review decision to recognize Palestine
Colombia’s new government said it would review former President Juan Manuel Santos’ recognition of Palestine after the previously unreleased decision was made public on Wednesday.
Saudi-Canada dispute will not affect oil supplies: Saudi minister
Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic dispute with Canada will not affect state oil firm Aramco’s clients in Canada, the country’s energy minister said.
Brazil prosecutors file charges against GE executive
Brazilian prosecutors have formally charged General Electric Co’s chief executive for Latin America for alleged involvement in a healthcare cartel, officials said on Wednesday, though a judge ruled that he should be released from jail for now.
Canada PM says will press Saudi Arabia on rights, offers olive branch
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday said he would keep pressing Saudi Arabia on civil liberties amid a major diplomatic dispute but also offered an apparent olive branch, saying the kingdom had made some progress on human rights.
