“Japan’s last reactor to shut down, leaving country nuclear-free for first time since 1966″

SEOUL — Japan will power down its last operating nuclear reactor this weekend, finalizing the country’s sudden turn away from a once-preferred energy source and leaving it nuclear-free for the first time since 1966.

On Saturday, at the Tomari atomic power plant in Hokkaido, engineers will begin work to shut down the No. 3 reactor, which is due for its regular maintenance checkup. By Sunday, the unit will officially come offline, [...]

WARZONE AT INTERCONTINENTAL

The BBC’s Bilal Sarwary: “We have heard explosions from 5km away”

At least seven people are reported to have been killed after a top hotel in the Afghan capital, Kabul, came under attack by gunmen and suicide bombers.

An official said three bombers had blown themselves up at the Intercontinental Hotel and another had been shot dead.

Later, Nato said two of its helicopters had killed three attackers on [...]