SEOUL – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry warned North Korea that it would be a “huge mistake” to test-launch a medium-range missile and said the United States would never accept the reclusive country as a nuclear power.
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WASHINGTON – The Obama administration designated 18 people under a U.S. law requiring a list of alleged human rights abusers in Russia, in a move that could cause more friction in the U.S. relationship with Moscow.
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ROME – A panel of “wise men” named by Italy’s president proposed a package of political and economic reforms, but there was little sign they would bridge the gap between feuding parties caught in deadlock since elections in February.
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DUBLIN – Austria dismissed calls for it to follow Luxembourg in ending bank secrecy but pressure grew as a group of Europe’s biggest countries prepared to outline plans to tackle tax evasion.
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TOKYO/WASHINGTON – Japan and the United States agreed on a deal paving the way for Tokyo to join talks on an Asia-Pacific free trade agreement, increasing the economic weight of the proposed pact and triggering a loud protest from U.S. automakers.
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DUBLIN – Euro zone finance ministers backed a 10 billion euro bailout for Cyprus and the European Commission said it would try to help the island’s economy grow again with better use of EU structural funds.
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YANGON – A Muslim businessman, his wife and an employee have been sentenced to prison after an altercation at their gold shop led to anti-Muslim riots in which at least 43 people were killed in Myanmar last month.
