November 15, Friday, 2024

1. Japan’s Princess Mikasa, whose given name is Yuriko, passed away at the age of 101. The princess was the widow of Prince Mikasa, a younger brother of the late Emperor Showa. She was hospitalized at St Luke’s International Hospital in Tokyo on March 3 after suffering a stroke and aspiration pneumonia. Officials with the Imperial Household Agency said that the princess passed away of old age at around 6:30 on Friday morning. 2. President-elect Donald Trump has announced that he has picked Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary of health and human services. Kennedy ran for president as an independent in the election before dropping his bid in August. He has since thrown his support behind Trump. Kennedy is known for being an anti-vaccine activist who has questioned the safety of vaccines and has said that childhood vaccines can cause autism. He is the son of former US Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and a nephew of former President John F. Kennedy. 3. Ministers at the APEC forum have wrapped up their meetings, but without issuing a joint statement. The officials will make adjustments to a draft at working-level talks, although it wasn’t clear what specific issues need fixing. The officials from 21 APEC member economies have been discussing trade, boosting investment and realizing sustainable economic growth in the region. But concern is mounting around the globe that the election of Donald Trump may lead to more protectionist policies in the US, and further intensify trade friction between Washington and Beijing.