Japan's 1st dolphin conceived from frozen sperm dies
December 28, 2005Japan's first dolphin conceived from frozen sperm died at Kamogawa Sea World in Kamogawa, Chiba Prefecture, on Tuesday, the amusement park said Wednesday. The 2.3-meter-long dolphin named Will, who was born in September last year, stopped eating from Saturday and was removed to a special treatment pool along with his mother Norma, but died around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, they said.
Lawmaker indicted on additional charge over illegal practice
December 28, 2005Prosecutors indicted lawmaker Shingo Nishimura on Wednesday on an additional charge of receiving remuneration by illegally allowing an unqualified employee to provide attorney services in his name. Nishimura is the first Diet member to be indicted on charges of violating the Organized Crime Offenses Law, which bans receipt of proceeds from crime activities.
Rescuers resume search for victims under crashed train cars
December 28, 2005Local authorities used cranes to hoist up two of the carriages of an East Japan Railway Co. train that derailed Sunday in Yamagata Prefecture as they continued their search Wednesday for victims of the fatal accident. The first and second cars from the front of the train were lifted but no passengers were found underneath, according to police and firefighters.
Japan protested 4 times over death of Shanghai consular staffer
December 28, 2005Japan has lodged protests with China four times over the death of a staff member at the Japanese Consulate General in Shanghai, a senior Japanese official said Wednesday. Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe declined to comment on details, but the official said Japanese diplomats protested twice last year and twice again this month over the death of the consular official, who reportedly committed suicide because of pressure from China to reveal consular information.
Norway sounds alarm over increasing violence in Sri Lank
December 28, 2005Sounding an urgent alarm over escalating violence in Sri Lanka, Norway warned Wednesday that a cease-fire agreement between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tiger rebels is at risk and the peace process is endangered. A statement issued by the Norwegian Embassy in Colombo quoted Oslo's International Development Minister Erik Solheim as saying, ''The high level of violence and the tragic loss of life are putting the Ceasefire Agreement at risk and will make it very difficult to secure further progress in the peace process.''