Explosion rocks Saudi oil refinery, pipeline damaged
February 24, 2006An explosion rocked an oil refinery in Abquaiq in eastern Saudi Arabia, a result of failed suicide bomb attacks on Friday, damaging a pipeline, the satellite channel Al-Arabiya TV reported. The report said two vehicles packed with explosives tried to storm the refinery but Saudi forces foiled the attempted suicide attacks.
Prosecutors demand court dismiss appeal from AUM's Asahara
February 24, 2006Prosecutors asked the Tokyo High Court on Friday to turn down an appeal filed by the defense counsel for Shoko Asahara, founder of the cult formerly known as AUM Shinrikyo, against a death sentence given to him two years ago for his role in 13 criminal cases, including the 1995 sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway system. Asahara's death sentence may stand if the three-judge high court panel decides not to open hearings and reject the appeal, judicial experts say.
Horie won't return to Livedoor no matter outcome of trial: Hiramatsu
February 24, 2006Livedoor Co. President Kozo Hiramatsu said Friday Takafumi Horie, the founder of the Internet firm who has been arrested over alleged securities law violations, will not be able to come back to the company, no matter the outcome of his trial. ''Horie will not return to this company irrespective of the judicial authorities' decision in the future,'' said Hiramatsu, who replaced Horie as president of the embattled Internet firm last month.
Noda hints at resigning as DPJ's Diet affairs chief over e-mail
February 24, 2006The e-mail-related fuss in the Democratic Party of Japan continued Friday, with Yoshihiko Noda hinting at resignation as the party's Diet Affairs Committee chief as the committee has failed to prove the credibility of an e-mail which the DPJ claims indicates a money transfer to a son of a senior Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker from an indicted Internet executive. Asked about how he will take responsibility if there is no evidence to back up the credibility of the e-mail involving LDP Secretary General Tsutomu Takebe and Takafumi Horie, the disgraced founder of Livedoor Co., that was brought to light by Hisayasu Nagata, a DPJ lower house member, Noda told reporters, ''My responsibility over the matter is the heaviest.''
Japan demands N. Korea hand over agents via embassy in Beijing
February 24, 2006Japan, via its embassy in Beijing, demanded Friday that North Korea hand over two agents suspected of abducting four Japanese nationals in two separate cases in 1978, Japanese Foreign Ministry officials said. The action follows Japanese police obtaining on Thursday arrest warrants for Sin Guang Su and Choe Sung Chol.
Horie won't return to Livedoor no matter outcome of trial: Hiramatsu
February 24, 2006Livedoor Co. President Kozo Hiramatsu said Friday Takafumi Horie, the founder of the Internet firm who has been arrested over alleged securities law violations, will not be able to come back to the company, no matter the outcome of his trial. ''Horie will not return to this company irrespective of the judicial authorities' decision in the future,'' said Hiramatsu, who replaced Horie as president of the embattled Internet firm last month.