POLITICS

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in Japan is now requiring home appliance manufacturers to report serious accidents caused by their products, according to a report by Asashi Shimbun on Monday.

The world’s oldest ocean-going passenger vessel, two years younger than the ill-fated Titanic, arrived in Japan's southernmost island over the weekend as part of a global tour.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made an offering to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine during a Shinto festival in late April, a chief Cabinet official revealed Tuesday, reigniting a dispute among Japanese leaders, some who believe the act may harm foreign relations.

The Supreme Court upheld the nationwide ban on a controversial abortion procedure Wednesday, handing abortion opponents the long-awaited victory they expected from a more conservative bench.

Virginia Tech's president said Tuesday that a student was the gunman in at least the second of the two campus attacks that claimed 33 lives to become the deadliest shooting rampage in modern U.S. history.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told Congress on Wednesday that growing troubles in the market for risky mortgages thus far doesn't appear to be spreading to the overall economy but the situation bears close watching.

Orders to factories for big-ticket manufactured goods rose modestly in February, helped by a rebound in sales of commercial aircraft and autos. Durable goods demand rose by 2.5 percent last month after having plummeted by 9.3 percent in January.

There may be something to siestas after all. Office workers feeling a bit drowsy during the day may feel better about themselves knowing that midday napping seems to reduce fatal heart problems by about one third among men and women, according to new research.

The total number of U.S. households with televisions will jump nearly 50 percent by the year 2050, according to new estimates from The Nielsen Company.

The million dollar club is becoming less exclusive, as the number of millionaire households in the U.S. has risen 56 percent since 2003, reaching 5.4 million, according to a new study.

California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa threw their support behind city's effort to host the 2016 Olympic games.

The manufacturing sector grew again in December after a one-month decline. The latest figures from Institute for Supply Management are a three month high for factory production growth after the sector lost steam following steady gains early in 2006.

While the new prices are below market value, it still is likely to deal a blow to Belarus.

The European Union (EU) yesterday weighed in on the row between Gazprom, Russia's state-controlled energy group, and Belarus over gas exports, warning the two sides against interrupting sales. Russia and Belarus are haggling over terms to end a gas price dispute that could disrupt supplies to Europe.

Agriculture experts urged India to ensure to ensure cheaper bank loans for farmers to help them avoid local money lenders with high interest rates.

The United Nations (UN) has called for a review of the country's fuel supply management in Nigeria after an oil pipeline explosion killed at least 260 this Tuesday in Lagos, the commercial capital of the West African nation.

China's LCD-TV market is poised for a sharp growth, with one research firm expecting a 49 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) into 2010.

An index of leading U.S. economic indicators rose in October, driven by growing optimism among consumers and gains in stock prices, a report released Monday said.

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, or Comesa, agreed to eliminate non-tariff barriers and end conflicts that weaken trade within the 21-member grouping, a statement issued at the close of a two-day summit of member countries said Monday.

Environment ministers from over 180 nations gathered on Friday in Nairobi to mark the end of a two-week UN climate summit. Delegates agreed to review the Kyoto Protocol in 2008 in order to expand the fight against global warming beyond 2012.

The European Commission proposed on Tuesday to cut the administrative burden for companies by 25 percent by 2012 which will result in an estimated 1.5 percent increase in EU GDP.

China supply levels are in line with demand needs, noted a report released on Tuesday, however policymakers remain concerned over its short term macro imbalance which results from its swelling trade surplus which skyrocketed to$24 billion in October and has urged reforms to be implemented.

The German Chancellor urged security and trade co-work ahead of her nation's EU presidency.

Oil exports were among the few bright spots for an otherwise darkening picture for global trade expansion in 2005, according to a new report released on Thursday by the World Trade Organization.

The average employment rate for the EU climbed 0.5 percent last year to 63.8 percent which is similar to the increase recorded in 2004 following the increase of skilled workers, the commission said on Monday.

Reports say leader regrets earlier test and would negotiate again if U.S. eases financial pressure.

The European Commission said on Thursday that it will host the international development community in Brussels next month at a conference to discuss ways to improve business and development in Africa.

Domestic airlines in China switched to electronic air travel tickets on Monday, but will continue to use paper tickets in a few situations.

The demand for patents is increasing, with applications for patents doubling in the last 20 years, the UN Intellectual Property Agency said on Monday.