'Kennedy should visit'

A local fisheries official said on Tuesday that US Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy should visit Taiji to see the "humane" killing methods used in the dolphin hunt, days after Kennedy tweeted her disapproval of the slaughter.

Thai rice farmers threaten to support protesters

Some Thai rice farmers have threatened to switch sides and join protesters trying to topple the government if they do not get paid for their crops, a worrying development for Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra whose support is based on the rural vote.

Memorial hall reflects on Japan's aggression

By unveiling a memorial hall on Sunday to a Korean national hero who shot to death a key Japanese figure during Japanese occupation in the early 1900s, China and South Korea are urging Japan to face up to its militarist history, observers said.

Life of Ahn Jung-geun

Ahn Jung-geun was born in 1879 in an area currently named Haeju, Hwanghaenam-do, in what is now the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Danish minister tours Beijing on her bicycle

Danish Transport Minister Pia Olsen Dyhr began her three-day visit to China in Monday's morning rush hour by riding a red bicycle from the hotel she stayed in to the Danish embassy in Beijing, a city plagued by traffic congestion and air pollution.

Kiev protests turn into street battles

Flames from buses set ablaze lit up the night sky, protesters dug up stones from the pavement to hurl at police and the stench of tear gas hung thick in Kiev.

Iran to activate nuclear deal

World powers and Iran were due to start implementing a landmark deal on Monday curbing Teheran's nuclear program, amid hopes that it will pave the way for a broad settlement of a decade-old standoff and ease fears of a new Middle East war.

Bangkok considers state of emergency as violence surges

Thai authorities are "very seriously" considering declaring a state of emergency after a weekend of violence in the capital where protesters have been trying for more than two months to bring down the government, the security chief said on Monday.

IN BRIEF (Page 11)

Jailed missionary pleas for help

US missionary Kenneth Bae, imprisoned in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea for more than a year, said on Monday that he wants to return to his family as soon as possible and hopes the United States will help, Japan's Kyodo News Agency reported.

China urges dialogue to resolve Syrian issue

China called for all relevant parties on Monday to resolve conflicts in Syria through dialogue, after the political opposition threatened to withdraw from international peace talks.

Qingdao Special: Industrial area reborn as center for commerce, living

Leveraging the advantages brought by its new train station and the Jiaozhou Bay Bridge, Qingdao is planning to transform an old industrial area at its northwest end into a comprehensive high-end business area featuring modern services and headquarters facilities for enterprises.