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Japan resumes commercial whaling, seen as face-saving end

TOKYO (AP) — Japan has resumed commercial whaling after 31 years, meeting a long-cherished goal of traditionalists that’s seen as a largely lost cause.

Whaling boats embarked Monday on their first commercial hunts since 1988, when Japan switched to so-called research whaling, but will stay within the country’s exclusive economic waters. Japan’s six-month notice to withdraw from the International Whaling Commission took effect Sunday.

Japan to restrict exports to South Korea, citing less trust

TOKYO (AP) — Japan is imposing restrictions on exports to South Korea, citing a decline in “relations of international trust” between the Asian neighbors.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said a review soliciting public comments starts Monday on the move to effectively remove South Korea from a list of so-called “white nations,” like the U.S. and European nations, that have minimum restrictions on trade.

Facebook to make jobs, credit ads searchable for US users

BOSTON (AP) — Facebook says it will make advertisements for jobs, loans and credit card offers searchable for all U.S. users following a legal settlement designed to eliminate discrimination on its platform.

The plan disclosed in an internal report Sunday voluntarily expands on a commitment the social medial giant made in March when it agreed to make its U.S. housing ads searchable by location and advertiser.

Ads were only delivered selectively to Facebook users based on such data as what they earn, their education level and where they shop.

Vietnam, European Union sign free trade agreement

HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Vietnam and the European Union signed a free trade agreement on Sunday, opening opportunities to further boost trade between the euro bloc and one of Southeast Asia’s biggest manufacturing nations.

The agreement, which was signed by European Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmstrom and Vietnamese Trade Minister Tran Tuan Anh in Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital, will eliminate almost all tariffs for goods traded between Vietnam and the EU’s 28 member countries.

Putin says Russia, US looking into new nuclear talks

30 June 2019; DW: Moscow and Washington are mulling new talks on limiting their nuclear arsenals, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Osaka on Saturday.

Putin was commenting on his meeting with US President Donald Trump the day before, most of which took place behind closed doors.

"We have tasked our respective foreign minister to start lower-level talks on [nuclear disarmament]," Putin said.

Trump meets Kim at Korean Demilitarized Zone

30 June 2019; DW: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has met US President Donald Trump at the Demilitarized Zone that divides South and North Korea for a "handshake for peace." It is the third time Kim and Trump have met in over a year.

US President Donald Trump has shaken hands with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Trump is the first sitting US president to visit the DMZ.

India: 340 infra projects show cost overruns of Rs 3.3 lakh cr

New Delhi, Jun 30 (PTI) As many as 340 infrastructure projects, each worth Rs 150 crore or more, have shown cost overruns to the tune of over Rs 3.3 lakh crore owing to delays and other reasons, a report said.

"Total original cost of implementation of the 1405 projects was Rs 18,09,681.47 crore and their anticipated completion cost is likely to be Rs 21,39,924.38 crore, which reflects overall cost overruns of Rs 3,30,242.91 crore (18.25% of original cost)," the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation's latest report for March 2019 said.

'Back on track': Trump, Xi agree to resume trade talks

Osaka, Jun 29 (AFP) US President Donald Trump said trade negotiations with China were "back on track" after "excellent" talks Saturday with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in which Washington reportedly agreed to hold off on new tariffs.

The crunch talks on the damaging trade war between the world's top two economies came on the sidelines of a meeting of the G20 in Japan's Osaka, with all eyes on whether the pair would agree a truce.

US, Taliban resume talks on ending war

Doha, Jun 29 (AFP/PTI) The United States and the Taliban opened fresh negotiations in Doha on Saturday, a Taliban spokesman said, as Washington eyes a breakthrough before Afghanistan's September presidential election.

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid tweeted that the "seventh round of talks between US representatives and the negotiation team of the Islamic Emirate have begun in Doha".

The talks mark the seventh round of negotiations aimed at ending America's longest war.

India: Goa govt mulling interest-free loan scheme for farmers

Panaji, Jun 29 (PTI) The Goa government Saturday announced introduction of an interest-free loan scheme for farmers for varying durations.

The scheme would be formulated after tabling of Budget in Parliament next week, Deputy Chief Minister Vijai Sardesai said.

"The Goa government wants to take up all possible measures to help the farming community and also to encourage more people take this profession. Our aim is to bring fallow land under cultivation," Sardesai said while addressing a gathering after inaugurating the Zonal Agricultural Office in Sanguem in south Goa.

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