Japan

BELGRADE - Pianist Erica Crino, member of the distinguished Canadian ensemble Les Amis, will stage a concert at the Gvarnerijus Center in Belgrade on April 30.

Crino will perform together with Michael Pepa, respectable Canadian composer, founder and artistic director of the ensemble.

Obama tells Abe his country will "defend Japan"

WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Barack Obama has accused China of "flexing its muscles to advance its maritime claims against Asian neighbors," Reuters reported.

TOKYO - Serbian former football player Dragan Stojkovic has been decorated with the Order of the Rising Sun, the Japanese government stated on Wednesday.

Stojkovic is among more than 50 recipients of this decoration from Japan and Serbia, who were selected for their contribution to the relations between the two countries.

The European Commission will provide EUR 70 M to Ukraine for the return of the Chernobyl site to a safe environment.

A fifth of Japan's electricity supply should come from nuclear power generation, the country's industry ministry said April 28, despite widespread opposition in the aftermath of the Fukushima disaster.

Kemal K?l?çdaro?lu, the head of Turkey?s main opposition Republican People?s Party (CHP), pledged to end poverty at his party?s rally in the Western border city of Edirne on April 26.

A new strong earthquake hit Nepal on Sunday morning. The magnitude measured was 6.9 on the Richter scale. It happened merely a day after Saturday's catastrophic incident.

Turkey is not less courageous than other countries which have nuclear power plants, the country?s energy minister has said, as concerns lingered over the safety of Turkey?s first nuclear power plant, which is being constructed in the southern province of Mersin.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will send a clear message to the United States when he visits Washington next week: Japan is ready to take more responsibility for security on the world stage. 

Behind that message, the conservative leader will want fresh assurances that America will show up if needed in any clash with China, conversations with politicians and experts show. 

Exquisitely crafted gold, silver and bronze objects are on display at the Louvre Museum in Paris, giving visitors a rare glimpse of the ancient Thracian culture that produced them.