China exploits diplomat's 'woman issue,' Aso says
February 18, 2006The 2004 suicide of a staff member at the Japanese Consulate General in Shanghai came after the Chinese had forced him, by exploiting an illicit relationship he was allegedly having with a woman, to hand over random numbers to break government codes, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso suggested Saturday. ''He killed himself as he could not sell out his country. It is clear as he left a suicide note,'' Aso told a public meeting in Tokyo. ''It is natural (for Japan) to deal with the issue in a determined manner.''
N. Korea orders entities to stay away from illegal acts: sources
February 18, 2006North Korea has recently ordered its embassies and trading entities to stay away from any kind of illegal activities, sources close to the matter said Saturday, in what may be an attempt to dispel international criticism over its alleged wrongdoings. The order, issued earlier this year through the channels of the nation's Foreign Ministry, specifically tells the entities not to engage in any money-laundering, counterfeiting or drug trafficking activities, according to the sources.
Italy sacks Cabinet minister for wearing Prophet Mohammad T-shirt
February 18, 2006Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said Friday he will dismiss Roberto Calderoli, a Cabinet minister who wore a T-shirt featuring cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammad that have triggered protests around the world, media reports said. In Libya, nine people were killed in a clash with police while demonstrating at the Italian consulate in Benghazi, according to the Associated Press.
U.S. lawmakers, industry leaders urge Japan to resume beef imports
February 18, 2006U.S. lawmakers and meat industry leaders urged Japan on Friday to resume imports of American beef now that the U.S. government has released an official investigation report and promised to take additional corrective measures following a veal shipment last month that contained banned material. The lawmakers and leaders also stressed that the shipment, which violated a safety agreement with Japan and led Tokyo to reimpose its import ban last month, had posed no risk of mad cow disease under U.S. safeguard standards.
Annan welcomes Iran-Russia talks on uranium enrichment
February 18, 2006U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan welcomed Friday reports confirming that Iran will hold talks in Moscow this coming Monday to discuss a Russian proposal on uranium enrichment. ''As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, Russia's contribution to bringing all sides back to the negotiating table is vital,'' Annan said in a released statement.
Sapporo gives up seeking to host 2016 Summer Olympics
February 18, 2006The city of Sapporo will not seek to host the Summer Olympics in 2016 on grounds of likely financial burden, leaving Tokyo and the city of Fukuoka as the remaining declared Japanese candidates, sources close to Sapporo Mayor Fumio Ueda said Saturday. The mayor of the Hokkaido capital is expected to officially announce the decision next Tuesday at a session of the city assembly.