Goto

Indonesia's biggest tech firm soared on its market debut yesterday after a billion-dollar initial public offer (IPO) that was the world's fifth-biggest this year, defying recent heavy weather for Asian tech stocks.

Japanese-American violinist Ryu Goto (photo) and the Athens State Orchestra led by Christoph Poppen will perform works by Mendelssohn, Paganini and Brahms at the Athens Concert Hall on Friday, May 13. Prices for tickets range from 10 to 25 euros (5 euros reduced). Starts at 8.30 p.m. while an introductory talk for ticket-holders will take place at 7.45 p.m.

A Japanese journalist who was reporting on a possible prisoner swap involving the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has died in Akçakale along Turkey's border with Syria following a car accident.

Families of a Japanese journalist and Jordanian military pilot remained in limbo Jan. 30, a day after the latest purported deadline for a possible prisoner swap passed with no further word from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) holding them captive.
     

Islamic State militants appear to have beheaded one of their two Japanese hostages and are demanding the release of a convicted terrorist in Jordan in exchange for the other.