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TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan will make its own decision on whether to send diplomatic representatives to the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Tuesday, after news that the United States had decided not to send its officials. Japan will consider a number of factors when it decides, including the purpose …

Japan will make its own decision on Beijing Olympic participation, says PM Kishida Read More »

GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) – Guatemala’s president on Monday called his country a U.S. ally that backs Taiwan over China, emphasizing his government’s alignment with U.S. policy at a time of uncertainty over how the incoming Honduran government will handle China relations. In a speech in Washington, President Alejandro Giammattei also appeared to take a jab …

Guatemalan president underscores ties to U.S.-backed Taiwan in Washington visit Read More »

SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said the country’s military education system must redouble efforts to turn out officers who “remain absolutely loyal” to the country’s ruling party, state media reported on Tuesday. Kim made the remarks at the Eighth Conference of Military Educationists of the Korean People’s Army held in Pyongyang …

N.Korea’s Kim calls for ‘absolutely loyal’ military officers Read More »

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – South Korean superstar pop band BTS will take an “extended period of rest” following U.S. appearances this month before returning to the stage in Seoul in March, the group’s management company said. Bighit Music, the group’s management company, said in a statement on Sunday that the musicians would take a break …

K-pop band BTS to take extended break ahead of March concert Read More »

DAKAR (Reuters) – Healthcare disruptions linked to the coronavirus pandemic helped malaria kill 69,000 more people in 2020 than the previous year, but a worst-case scenario was averted, the World Health Organization said on Monday. In total over 627,000 people globally – most of them babies in the poorest parts of Africa – were killed …

Malaria deaths rise by 69,000 in 2020 due to COVID-19 disruptions, says WHO Read More »

GENEVA (Reuters) – The U.N. human rights investigator on Myanmar urged countries on Monday to increase economic pressure on Myanmar’s junta after the de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi was sentenced to jail on charges of incitement and breaching coronavirus restrictions. “Today’s sentencing demonstrates why the international community must take stronger action to support …

U.N. rights expert urges states to raise economic pressure on Myanmar junta Read More »