News Headlines - 17 August 2015

▽Japan economy shrinks in second quarter in setback for 'Abenomics' | Reuters

Japan's economy shrank at an annualized pace of 1.6 percent in April-June as exports slumped and consumers cut back spending, adding pressure on Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to step up his policy drive to lift the economy out of decades of deflation.

▽Toyota Halts Production at Two Plants in China Following Tianjin Blasts - WSJ

Toyota Motor Corp. is halting car production for three days at two plants in northeastern China following last week’s massive blasts in the port city of Tianjin, the auto maker said Sunday.

▽Family Feud at Korea’s Lotte Moves Closer to Resolution - WSJ

A public feud over control of Korean-Japanese conglomerate Lotte Group moved closer toward a conclusion on Monday as shareholders of its holding company voted to approve management plans led by the younger son of the founder.

▽The songs China doesn't want you to hear - BBC News

In China, the government has banned a list of 120 songs from the internet, including a string of karaoke favourites.

▽What was in Osama Bin Laden's tape collection? - BBC News

After the US invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, Osama Bin Laden was forced to flee the city of Kandahar, where he had been based since 1997. Several compounds were hastily vacated, including one, opposite the Taliban foreign ministry, where al-Qaeda bigwigs met. Inside it, 1,500 cassettes were waiting to be discovered.