Tokyo, 2 April, /AJMEDIA
EU urges China’s Xi not to help Russia evade sanctions over Ukraine
BEIJING – The European Union on Friday urged Chinese President Xi Jinping not to support Russia in any efforts it may make to evade economic sanctions, with Western countries such as the United States seeking to prevent Moscow from escalating its war with Ukraine.
During his virtual summit with European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, however, Xi indicated his opposition to punitive sanctions on Russia, which has been deepening its economic cooperation with China.
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Hayashi to take 30 Ukraine evacuees to Japan after touring Poland
TOKYO – Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi plans to take about 30 Ukrainian evacuees to Japan on a government plane when he completes a five-day mission to Poland next week, sources familiar with the matter said Friday.
Hayashi visits Poland as a special envoy of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida as the international community steps up assistance to Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion of the East European country, as well as Poland and other neighboring countries that host a large influx of Ukrainian evacuees.
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Japan to allow up to 10,000 arrivals daily from April 10: spokesman
TOKYO – Japan will raise its daily cap on overseas arrivals to around 10,000 from April 10, up from the current 7,000, the top government spokesman said Friday, as the country gradually relaxes its coronavirus border controls.
The latest move reflects the growing need for entry among returning Japanese nationals and foreign visitors, including students who wish to stay in Japan. But it still does not apply to foreign tourists.
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U.S. economy adds 431,000 jobs in March, jobless rate falls to 3.6%
WASHINGTON – The U.S. economy created 431,000 nonfarm jobs in March, while the unemployment rate fell 0.2 percentage point from the previous month to 3.6 percent, the Labor Department said Friday.
Growth in nonfarm payrolls fell short of the market consensus of an increase of about 490,000. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate hit the lowest level since the coronavirus pandemic accelerated in March 2020.
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Japan expands sanctions against N. Korea over missile development
TOKYO – The Japanese government on Friday expanded sanctions against North Korea by newly freezing the assets of four organizations and nine individuals for their involvement in Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile development programs.
Japan’s top government spokesman, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno, said the measure, approved at a Cabinet meeting in the morning and to take effect the same day, is part of Japan’s efforts to comprehensively resolve issues involving North Korea.
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U.S. sanctions 5 N. Korea-linked entities following ICBM test
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Treasury Department on Friday sanctioned five North Korea-linked entities following Pyongyang’s tests of an intercontinental ballistic missile system and an ICBM, while indicating it will add more pressure should weapons tests continue.
The sanctions target the North Korean Ministry of Rocket Industry, which researches and develops weapons of mass destruction and is directly linked to the development of new ICBMs, along with four of its revenue-generating subsidiaries, the department said.
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U.S., Japan, other energy consumers to release oil reserves again
TOKYO – An international body consisting of Japan, the United States and other energy-consuming countries agreed Friday to release more oil from their emergency reserves to curb surging energy prices amid Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The International Energy Agency made the decision during an online meeting. The move will be a second coordinated action by its 31 members in a month following their decision to release a total of 60 million barrels.
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Thai gov’t, Muslim rebels agree to truce during holy month of Ramadan
KUALA LUMPUR – The Thai government and Muslim separatist insurgents in southern Thailand agreed Friday in their fourth round of peace talks to a truce during the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan, in what they hope could lead to a more lasting solution.
“Both main parties agreed to stop violent activities throughout the month of Ramadan from April 3 to May 14,” Anas Abdulrahman, who leads the rebel group, Barisan Revolusi Nasional, to the talks, told a press conference. He added the agreement is a “confidence-building measure” to pave the way for a concrete peace deal.
