IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Asia-pacific

Abe and Pence to visit Australia

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will visit Australia on Friday for talks on trade, investment, and the two countries' reconciliation after World War II. Abe will meet Australian counterpart Scott Morrison in Darwin, becoming the first Japanese leader to visit the city since its bombing by Japanese forces in 1942. US Vice-President Mike Pence, who met Abe on Tuesday, will also be in Australia this weekend.

United Nations

Eritrea sanctions to be lifted

The UN Security Council was scheduled on Wednesday to vote to lift sanctions on Eritrea following a landmark peace deal with Ethiopia and a diplomatic thaw that have buoyed hopes for positive change in the region. Diplomats said they expect the council to adopt a resolution that would lift the arms embargo and all travel bans, asset freezes and targeted sanctions on Eritrea.

Afghanistan

Taliban kill 12 security forces

Officials said on Wednesday that the Taliban have killed 12 members of the security forces, including nine soldiers who died in a battle in the Maidan Wardak province near Kabul. Hekmat Durani, spokesman for the provincial police chief, said five insurgents were killed in the exchange late on Tuesday. The Taliban, who in recent years have taken over nearly half the country, claimed both attacks.

United States

Game of Thrones returning in April

The eighth and last season of Game of Thrones finally has a date with destiny. HBO said on Tuesday that the series will return in April with six episodes to conclude its run. The fantasy series based on the George R.R. Martin novels has been one of HBO's most successful shows. A video touting the show's return next year included clips from seasons past showing both living and dead competitors for the crown of Westeros.

Germany

Ex-SS guard says he is 'innocent'

A former Nazi concentration camp guard said at his trial on Tuesday that he was ashamed at having been part of the SS and that he was unaware of the systematic killings there. But prosecutor Andreas Brendel said there were "ways out" of serving at the camp for guards. "We believe that the guards knew a lot more than what has been recounted today," he said.

Ap - Reuters - Afp

(China Daily 11/15/2018 page12)