IN BRIEF (Page 11)

Japanese leader's foreign policy looks to past

PM would alter Constitution to 'restore former status' of nation

Climate change increases conflict risk, floods, hunger

Soaring carbon emissions will amplify the risk of conflict, hunger, floods and mass migration this century, the UN's expert panel said on Monday in a landmark report on the impact of climate change.

Peace first, then inquiry, Colombia tells rebels

A truth commission to probe abuses during Colombia's half-century-old conflict should be held after, not before, peace is reached with leftist rebels, Bogota's top negotiator said on Sunday.

Geneva seeks $50m missing diamond

Geneva authorities are investigating the disappearance of a pink diamond estimated to be worth about $50 million from a reputable storage firm for gems, according to a news report on Sunday.

Israeli court convicts former leader Olmert of bribery

An Israeli court on Monday convicted former prime minister Ehud Olmert in a wide-ranging bribery case, a verdict that could send him to prison and is likely to rule out any immediate hopes for a political comeback.

Erdogan warns enemies will pay price after poll

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan declared victory in local polls that had become a referendum on his rule and said he will "enter the lair" of enemies who have accused him of corruption and leaked state secrets.

Ukraine reports gradual Russian troop pullback

Ukraine reported a gradual withdrawal of Russian troops from near its border on Monday, a development that may be linked to recent negotiations between Washington and Moscow on the crisis in the former Soviet state.

New 'blue book' on Japan outlines troubled ties with China

The Sino-Japanese relationship faces thorny challenges, but Tokyo is not keen on having a serious strategic dialogue with Beijing, a senior Chinese scholar on Japan studies said.

Foreign Ministry response

Beijing voiced serious discontent and protested the "unreasonable attitude" of Japan toward President Xi Jinping's Berlin speech about Japan's wartime atrocities, the Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

French Socialists suffer huge losses in local polls

France's ruling Socialist Party suffered humiliating losses on Sunday in local polls marked by breakthrough successes for the far-right National Front and the historic election of the first female mayor of Paris.

A victory to savor for Hidalgo

As she bid to become the first female mayor of Paris, Spanish-born Socialist Anne Hidalgo had to endure taunts from her opponents about her modest origins and lack of Parisian roots.