Snow-related incidents claim 71 lives since start of season
January 9, 2006The death toll from snow-related incidents since the start of the snow season in early December rose to 71 in 16 prefectures after three people were found dead Monday, according to data compiled by Kyodo News. The three apparently died due to accidents that occurred during work to remove snow.
At least 15 killed in suicide attacks at Iraqi ministry
January 9, 2006At least 15 people were killed and 35 wounded in two apparent suicide attacks on Iraq's Interior Ministry on Monday, the ministry said. The two male suicide bombers detonated explosives at checkpoints outside the ministry's headquarters in eastern Baghdad. Police were among those killed.
Japan, China fail to bridge gap over gas row, agree on next talks
January 9, 2006Japan and China failed to bridge their differences over gas and oil exploration rights in the East China Sea in informal talks Monday, agreeing only to hold full-fledged negotiations on the topic in late January or early February in Beijing, a Japanese Foreign Ministry official said. Kenichiro Sasae, head of the Japanese Foreign Ministry's Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, and Cui Tiankai, head of the Chinese Foreign Ministry's Asian Affairs Department, remained apart over a Japanese proposal to jointly explore the area in their talks in the Chinese capital, according to the official.
Beijing shopping mall appeals copyright violation ruling
January 9, 2006The management of Beijing's famed Silk Alley market has appealed a ruling ordering payment of 200,000 yuan (about $24,700) in compensation for allowing merchants to sell knock-offs on its premises, the plaintiff's lawyer said Monday. Beijing Silk Alley Haosen Co. on Friday appealed the Dec. 20 decision by the Beijing No. 2 Intermediate Court, which found that the company had allowed five vendors to violate the trademarks of five luxury brand companies.
Police send 3 suspected baby kidnappers in Sendai to prosecutors
January 9, 2006Police sent Nobuyasu Nemoto and two others to prosecutors on Monday, a day after arresting them on suspicion of kidnapping a newborn baby in Sendai. According to police investigations, Nemoto has some 60 million yen in debts, which is about the same amount as the ransom that the three suspects had demanded.
Japan, China hold talks over strained ties, gas dispute
January 9, 2006Japan and China began senior-level talks in Beijing on Monday morning in an attempt to mend bilateral ties strained by a host of issues including Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visits to the war-linked Yasukuni Shrine. Kenichiro Sasae, head of the Japanese Foreign Ministry's Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, met with Cui Tiankai, head of the Chinese Foreign Ministry's Asian Affairs Department, to discuss overall bilateral ties, an official at the Japanese Embassy in Beijing said.
Honda awarded North American car, truck of the year
January 9, 2006Honda Motor Co.'s Civic sedan and Ridgeline pickup won the North American Car of the Year awards Sunday. It is the first time that a Japanese automaker has been awarded for both car and truck of the year simultaneously.