December 8, Friday, 2017 (2:00 p.m.) Read by Mr. Raja Pradhan and Ms. Mariko Kojima

1. The Japanese government has formally decided that Emperor Akihito’s abdication will take place on April 30th, 2019.
2. Japan’s economy grew at annualized 2.5 percent in the July to September period in real terms, according to revised data.
3. Palestinian’s Red Crescent says more than 100 people have been injured in clashes between Palestinians and Israeli troops in the West Bank and Gaza.