4 killed in train collision in Washington
Authorities in Washington DC say at least 4 people were killed and more than 60 injured when 2 commuter trains collided during evening rush hour on Monday.
The trains crashed in Takoma Park in the north of the US capital at around 5 PM. Reports suggest that one train ran on top of the other.
The cause of the collision is not yet known but the train operator says a 6-car train derailed first and collided with another.
The collision occurred on one of Washington's main subway lines and many passengers are said to have been aboard the trains.
The collision took place above ground and many passengers have been seen escaping from the site by walking along the tracks.
Fire engines and ambulances have been mobilized at the site while rescuers have cut train cars to free more passengers.
Obama signs law regulating tobacco
US President Barack Obama has signed into law a bill allowing federal government regulation of the tobacco industry.
On Monday, Obama signed the bill passed by Congress earlier this month.
Previously, only states and municipalities had regulatory powers over tobacco.
Under the new law, tobacco companies will no longer be able to add flavorings to their products or use terms like "mild" or "light" that might mislead consumers about levels of toxicity.
Obama is known to have struggled to quit smoking. In a speech before signing the law, he said that almost 90 percent of smokers begin the habit by the time they turn 18 and he was one of them.
Obama said he knows how difficult it can be to break the habit.
Russia prepares resolution for disputed islands
The Russian Parliament is considering a response to the Japanese Lower House's passage of a bill on Japan's sovereignty over 4 Russian-held islands claimed by Japan.
Sources close to Russia's Lower House, or the State Duma, told NHK on Monday that there has been opposition in Russia to the bill that stipulates the 4 islands off eastern Hokkaido are Japanese territories.
The bill, aimed at revising the current law over the territorial dispute, passed the Japanese lower chamber earlier this month.
The 4 islands, Habomai, Shikotan, Kunashiri and Etorofu, were seized by Soviet forces immediately after the Second World War.
The Russian sources say the Duma is finalizing a draft resolution to clearly state Russia's position on the issue, and expects it to pass the chamber on Wednesday.
The draft resolution is expected to include a provision stating that the territorial issue cannot be resolved until Japan withdraws the bill.
The resolution will state that Russia has a right to legally express its position, suggesting that the country may push ahead with new legislation stipulating Russian sovereignty over the disputed islands.
Observers say that Russia aims to contain Japanese campaigning over the dispute ahead of Japan-Russia summit talks in Italy scheduled for July.
Toyota president pledges performance upturn
The president of Toyota Motor has promised shareholders that the company will strive to reform and improve its performance.
Katsuaki Watanabe was speaking at Tuesday's meeting of some 3,300 shareholders at the automaker's headquarters in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan.
Watanabe also apologized for the company's first operating loss in 71 years, posted in fiscal 2008.
He said that the business environment had rapidly changed beyond imagination in the wake of the global financial crisis.
He also promised to make the company more flexible in terms of development and production to allow it to adapt quickly to fluctuations in demand.
Shareholders then endorsed the management's proposal to cut dividend payments for the first time since the company was listed in 1949.
Later, the company's board formally approved the appointment of Vice President Akio Toyoda, who is a member of the automaker's founding family, as the new president.
OECD:Signs of economic stability in many nations
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development is expected to report signs of economic stability in many countries, in a joint statement scheduled to be issued this week.
Forty OECD member countries will participate in an annual ministerial meeting in Paris starting Wednesday. From Japan, Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone and Economy Minister Toshihiro Nikai will take part.
A draft joint statement says OECD member countries continue to face many difficulties as their economic activities keep shrinking. But it says the global economic downturn that began in last fall is coming to an end.
The statement also refers to exit strategies toward economic recovery. It says it is necessary to discuss steps to withdraw from large-scale fiscal stimulus measures and return to normalcy.
OECD ministers will issue a joint statement for the first time in 7 years to show their resolve in overcoming the global economic crisis.
最終更新：2009年06月24日 08:29
