Japan, N. Korea discuss normalization of ties on 3rd day of talks
February 5, 2006Japan and North Korea on Monday began discussing the key specifics that need to be worked out to normalize their diplomatic relations, as talks between the two countries in Beijing entered the third day. A bilateral panel tasked with the issue met at a Beijing hotel for negotiations that are expected to include issues such as economic benefits that North Korea would receive if and when the two countries normalize their relations.
WHO confirms 4 more bird flu cases in Indonesia, including 2 deaths
February 5, 2006A World Health Organization reference laboratory in Hong Kong has confirmed four more cases of bird flu in Indonesia, including two fatalities, an Indonesian health official said Saturday. Hariadi Wibisono, a senior Health Ministry official, told Kyodo News that the H5N1 strain of bird flu killed a 22-year-old market vendor in Jakarta and a 15-year-old boy from the West Java town of Padalarang.