Briefly

UNITED STATES

Commerce chief to testify in Epstein probe

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has agreed to testify in congressional inquiry into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the House Oversight Committee said on Tuesday. "Secretary Lutnick has proactively agreed to appear voluntarily before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform," said Representative James Comer, the panel's chair. The Justice Department in January released millions of new files related to Epstein, including emails that showed Lutnick visited Epstein's private Caribbean island for lunch years after he claimed to have cut off ties.

JAPAN

Sect loses appeal against dissolution

The Unification Church lost an appeal on Wednesday against a Japanese court's order to dissolve the sect. The Tokyo District Court issued a dissolution order in March last year for the Japanese chapter of the religious group, saying it had caused "unprecedented damage" to society. The church has come under scrutiny since the fatal shooting in 2022 of former prime minister Shinzo Abe by a man who said he held a grudge against the group because of financially ruinous donations made by his mother.

CUBA

Prolonged jet fuel shortage feared

Cuba's aviation authorities told airlines on Tuesday that a jet fuel shortage may extend until April 10 as the United States persists with an energy blockade on the country. Several airlines have already stopped flights to the island nation, while others have maintained service by shifting routes so they can refuel elsewhere.

Agencies - Xinhua