Japan, Russia remain apart on territorial issue

Feb 17,2019
The foreign ministers of Japan and Russia have failed to narrow their differences over four Russian-held islands claimed by Japan. But they agreed to continue negotiations.Taro Kono and Sergey Lavrov met for about 90 minutes on Saturday in Munich, Germany, on the sidelines of a security conference. The ministers are in charge of negotiations on concluding a peace treaty that would include a solution to the islands issue. Kono said at the start of the meeting that he wants to have thorough discussions based on the agreement reached between Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin in November.
Nauert withdraws from UN envoy consideration
Feb 17
The US State Department says Spokesperson Heather Nauert has withdrawn her name as a possible candidate for ambassador to the United Nations.
Nigeria opposition criticizes election delay
Feb 17
Nigeria's opposition parties have reacted sharply to the abrupt postponement of the presidential election.
Pence stresses need to keep N.Korea sanctions
Feb 17
US Vice President Mike Pence has stressed the necessity of maintaining sanctions against North Korea ahead of the second US-North Korea summit scheduled for later this month.
8 gold miners rescued in Zimbabwe
Feb 17
Rescue workers in Zimbabwe have pulled eight gold miners out of a tunnel that became flooded after a nearby dam collapsed on Tuesday, following heavy rain.
US, Russia at odds over arms reduction pacts
Feb 17
US Vice President Mike Pence and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov have traded barbs over their countries' bilateral arms reduction treaties.
US-China battle over Huawei heats up
Feb 17
The dispute between the United States and China over Chinese telecom giant Huawei is escalating.