2005.12.07

Japan-Asteroid (Kyodo) Japan's space probe now reported to perhaps not have collected asteroid rock after all; officials are optimistic it might bring back to Earth some specks of meteor dust. 2005.12.07

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Japan-Economic Policy (Dow Jones). Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Bank of Japan Governor Toshihiko Fukui held a lunch meeting this afternoon. Later Koizumi says it's premature to end super easy money lending policy. 2005.12.07

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ROK fines Microsoft the equivalent of Bill Gates' lunch money. [BBC ] Microsoft is fined $32 million following an antitrust ruling by South Korean regulators. 2005.12.07

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USA stands firm as DPRK threatens nuke talk boycott (AFP). The United States refuses to budge from financial sanctions against North Korea for counterfeiting despite its threat to boycott nuclear disarmament talks. 2005.12.07

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Japan-USA Beef (Agriculture Online) Japan's Ambassador in Washington says Japanese market will re-open to American beef later this month. 2005.12.07

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Japan-Philippines (Daily Tribune) Some 75,000 Filipino entertainers have been thrown out of work in Japan. 2005.12.07

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USA Fears Spread of Deadly Weapons by DPRK. [RFA ] North Korea is engaged in numerous criminal activities, including drug trafficking and counterfeiting, but its role in spreading deadly weapons is Washington's biggest worry. 2005.12.07

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Weaponeer on Nagasaki A-Bomb Dies (AP). Frederick L. "Dick" Ashworth, the weaponeer aboard the B-29 that dropped the atomic bomb on Nagasaki in 1945, has died at 94. 2005.12.07

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