2005.03.08

Japan-Sony (Kyodo) Sir Howard, the new boss at flailing Sony wants the consumer brand to be "cool again," but has decided that the commute to corporate headquarters is a bit much, so he will operate the multi-billion dollar empire by remote control from the far more hip cities of New York and London. (NGG note: Can you imagine the backlash if a Japanese were hired to run an American company and said he wanted to run the firm from Tokyo rather than New York?) 2005.03.08

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Japan-Fischer (Mainichi) Rabble-rousers, speaking on behalf of former chess champ Bobby Fischer, threaten to sue Japan's Justice Ministry if it does not accept the lunatic's offer to drop his legal challenges against the ministry in exchange for his freedom. Meanwhile it emerges that Fischer, in immigration detention, was put into solitary confinement after he punched a guard because the hate-spewing lunatic was not given his customary egg for breakfast. 2005.03.08

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Missing UK Photographer ID'd in Thailand (AP). Officials in Thailand have formally identified the body of a British fashion photographer who was killed by the Asian tsunami while holidaying with his girlfriend, Czech supermodel Petra Nemcova. 2005.03.08

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Fuji TV Secures One-Third Stake in contested radio broadcaster (AP). Fuji TV says it has secured a 36.47 percent stake in Nippon Broadcasting in a high-profile battle against an Internet service provider over control of the radio broadcaster. 2005.03.08

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Japan Antitrust Agency to Find Against Intel -Source (Reuters). Japan's antitrust regulator has determined that Intel violated the country's anti-monopoly laws and tried to undermine the competitive position of smaller rival AMD. 2005.03.08

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Asia-Animal Diseases (VOA) Regional steering committee holding first meeting in Tokyo to step up battle against bird flu. 2005.03.08

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DPRK-USA (AFP) The White House rejects direct talks with North Korea. 2005.03.08

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