News Headlines - 17 May 2013

▽Japan: Abe’s master plan | The Economist

WHEN Shinzo Abe resigned after just a year as prime minister, in September 2007, he was derided by voters, broken by chronic illness, and dogged by the ineptitude that has been the bane of so many recent Japanese leaders. Today, not yet five months into his second term, Mr Abe seems to be a new man.

▽Alexander Litvinenko widow accuses William Hague of sabotaging inquest | guardian.co.uk

The widow of Alexander Litvinenko has launched a blistering attack on William Hague and David Cameron, accusing them of sabotaging the inquest into her husband's murder and hiding the Russian state's role in his death.

▽Iijima briefing to wait until his return

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Friday the administration will be briefed by Isao Iijima, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s adviser currently visiting North Korea, after he returns to Japan later this week.

▽AFP: 'Persons of interest' identified in Madeleine McCann case

British detectives said they had identified a number of "people of interest" in connection with the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, who went missing on holiday in Portugal in 2007. But Scotland Yard said it had not asked Portuguese police to make any arrests in connection with the missing girl.

▽HS2 rail project has ￡3.3bn funding shortfall, warns spending watchdog | The Guardian

The HS2 high-speed rail project is facing a shortfall of an estimated ￡3.3bn which the government has yet to decide how to pay for, a critical report from Whitehall's independent auditors has concluded.