2006.06.01

Japan Spites Whaling Ban With Gourmet Offerings. [IPS] Japan is defiantly preparing for the annual meet of the International Whaling Commission, in the West Indies this month, by going on a promotion drive for whale meat and other products. 2006.06.01

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Japan-Baka Bandit (Reuters). A would-be Japanese bank robber asked staff how he should carry out the crime before meekly obeying a request to leave and then accidentally stabbing himself in the leg with a knife he was carrying. 2006.06.01

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Marshall Islands undecided on whaling ban (AFP). The Marshall Islands government refuses to declare a position on commercial whaling even after Australia lobbies hard to convince the tiny nation to vote in favor of keeping a ban in place. 2006.06.01

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USA nuclear envoy invited to DPRK (AP). North Korea is inviting the chief U.S. nuclear envoy to visit the communist nation if Washington proves its commitment to an agreement last year in which the North pledged to abandon its nuclear weapons program. 2006.06.01

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ROK ruling party in crisis as political map redrawn in local polls (AFP). South Korea's ruling party is in crisis after its leader stepped down to take responsibility for a crushing defeat from conservatives in local elections. 2006.06.01

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DPRK-KEDO [VOA] International consortium drops plan for North Korean nuclear power plants. 2006.06.01

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ROK Opposition Wins 11 Regional Posts. (AP) South Korea's main opposition party wins 11 of 16 key regional posts in local elections, according to exit polls, riding to victory on nationwide sympathy for a leader wounded in a knife assault. 2006.06.01

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