Princess Kiko's pregnancy likely to intensify succession debate
February 7, 2006Princess Kiko, the wife of Emperor Akihito's second son Prince Akishino, is pregnant, the Imperial Household Agency said Tuesday in an announcement almost certain to add a new twist to a national debate over whether to allow females to ascend Japan's imperial throne. Agency chief Shingo Haketa announced the news at a press conference, saying officially that the princess had ''shown signs of pregnancy.'' According to agency sources, Princess Kiko, who had an ultrasound Tuesday morning, is about six weeks pregnant and is expected to give birth in September or October.
Myanmar delegation to visit China on Feb. 14-18
February 7, 2006A Myanmar delegation including Prime Minister Soe Win will make an official visit to China on Feb. 14-18 to try to fortify long-standing friendly relations, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Tuesday. The prime minister's delegation, invited by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, will visit Beijing and the provinces of Guangdong in the south and Shaanxi in the north, ministry spokesman Kong Quan said.
Princess Kiko pregnant, set to intensify debate over succession
February 7, 2006Princess Kiko, the wife of Emperor Akihito's second son Prince Akishino, is pregnant, the Imperial Household Agency said Tuesday in an announcement almost certain to add a new twist to a national debate over whether to allow females to ascend Japan's imperial throne. Agency chief Shingo Haketa said at a press conference that the princess has shown signs of pregnancy. According to agency sources, Princess Kiko, who had an ultrasound Tuesday morning and felt the fetus move, is expected to give birth in September or October.
Ex-Philippine President Aquino renews call for Arroyo to step down
February 7, 2006Former Philippine President Corazon Aquino on Tuesday urged President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo anew to step down, saying her resignation is the ''best way'' to resolve the political crisis rocking the country. ''Unless the issue clouding the legitimacy of the presidential mandate is resolved in a transparent manner, our democracy will continue to flounder,'' Aquino, 73, told a news conference.