1. The White House says it is in communication with Iran on holding more nuclear talks, while the Iranian foreign minister says no agreement has been made on the matter. The question now is whether the two countries will be able to agree on a resumption of talks.
2. Japan’s Supreme Court has ruled that the government’s decision to lower benefits for people on welfare was illegal, but denied state compensation for the plaintiffs. The court’s third petty bench rendered the decision on Friday. It nullified the benefit reductions that were in place in the three years from 2013.
3. About 3,000 visitors to a theme park in western Japan attended a farewell ceremony for four giant pandas on Friday, the day before their departure for China. The four female pandas – Rauhin and her daughters Yuihin, Saihin and Fuhin – are part of a joint conservation project with China that is set to expire. They are scheduled to be sent to China from the park in the town of Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture.