Japan, N. Korea to begin 3-track talks in Beijing
February 3, 2006Japan and North Korea will begin later Saturday bilateral talks in Beijing under a new three-track format to try to solve sticky problems preventing them from normalizing diplomatic relations. In the talks, expected to last about five days, three panels will separately address diplomatic normalization, North Korea's past abductions of Japanese nationals and Pyongyang's nuclear and missile development.
Blair-Bush pact to invade Iraq came before U.N. consultation: book
February 3, 2006British Prime Minister Tony Blair faced new allegations Friday that he and U.S. President George W. Bush were set on invading Iraq long before diplomatic efforts by the United Nations had failed. The claims over the timing of events in the run-up to the U.S.-led war on Iraq came in an updated version of a book by human rights lawyer Philippe Sands, ''Lawless World,'' which caused prior controversy when it was first published in February 2005.
Mitsubishi Motors, Proton sign new partnership agreement
February 3, 2006Japan's Mitsubishi Motors Corp. and Malaysia's national carmaker Proton Bhd. inked a preliminary pact Friday to expand their current collaboration beyond supplying auto parts to Proton. Both parties agreed in a memorandum of understanding to work on product development of new Proton vehicles, supply of components, technical support for product engineering and quality control, and the use of Proton's manufacturing facilities.
Egyptian cruise ship carrying 1,300 sinks, at least 15 dead
February 3, 2006An Egyptian passenger ship carrying around 1,300 people, mostly Egyptians, sank in the Red Sea overnight, and rescue ships arriving at the scene Friday pulled 15 dead and 12 survivors out of the water, the Associated Press reported, quoting officials. The ship Salaam 98 went down 70 kilometers off the Egyptian port of Hurghada, the head of the Egyptian Maritime Authority, Mahfouz Taha Marzouk, told AP.
Bird flu now endemic in southern China including H.K.
February 3, 2006Bird flu is now endemic among wild birds in the southern region in China, including Guangdong Province and Hong Kong, the territory's health chief said Friday. Health, Welfare and Food Secretary York Chow, however, said that the risk of humans contracting the H5N1 virus from infected birds is still limited.
Soccer: Zico glad to have Ono back in the groove
February 3, 2006Japan coach Zico said Friday he was satisfied with his squad and picked out Shinji Ono for special praise as the first national team training camp in World Cup year draws to a close. Injury-weary Ono, who has rejoined the squad for the first time since last October, looked sharp in an attacking midfield role as Zico put his players through their paces against a local high school team in Miyazaki ahead of next week's friendly away to the United States.
E. Timor demands Indonesia inquiry into rape case
February 3, 2006East Timor's Interior Ministry on Friday summoned Indonesia's ambassador in Dili to express concern over the alleged rape of an East Timorese woman last month by Indonesian soldiers in the border area. Meanwhile, about 70 people representing civic organizations demonstrated outside the Indonesian Embassy in the East Timor capital, demanding the Indonesian government and military take responsibility for the incident.
Diet passes FY '2005 extra budget, to shift to 2006 budget
February 3, 2006Japan's parliament on Friday endorsed a 4.52 trillion yen supplementary budget for the period through March and is set to move on to the budget for fiscal 2006 starting April. The extra fiscal 2005 budget includes 180.4 billion yen to deal with asbestos-induced health problems and 37.1 billion yen for measures related to bird flu.
Tennis: Sharapova, Hingis to clash in Toray Open semifinals
February 3, 2006Top seed and defending champion Maria Sharapova of Russia outclassed Australian Samantha Stosur 6-1, 6-4 to reach the semifinals at the Toray Pan Pacific Open on Friday. Sharapova set up a clash Saturday with former world No. 1 Martina Hingis, a 6-2, 6-1 winner over Maria Kirilenko of Russia.
Japan, N. Korea to talk under new format in Beijing from Saturday
February 3, 2006Japan and North Korea are set to hold bilateral talks under a new three-track format in Beijing beginning Saturday to try to solve sticky problems preventing them from normalizing diplomatic relations. In the talks, expected to last about five days, three panels will separately address diplomatic normalization, North Korea's abductions of Japanese nationals and Pyongyang's nuclear and missile development.