China, Russia express concern over N.Korea's tests
The Chinese and Russian chief negotiators to the six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear program have expressed concern over the North's latest missile launch.
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei, chairman of the six-party talks, met with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexei Borodavkin in Moscow on Saturday.
The Russian Foreign Ministry says that the two officials agree that a worsening military and political situation in Northeast Asia is a cause for concern.
The two officials are quoted as saying that tension is so high on the Korean Peninsula that it could lead to an arms race, which would jeopardize the region's security.
They also called on Japan and other members of the six-party talks to act calmly.
Biden: US diplomats will help bring peace to Iraq
US Vice President Joe Biden says that US assistance for Iraq will shift to the country's political stability now that US troops have withdrawn from Iraqi cities.
Biden celebrated the Fourth of July with his son and other American troops in Baghdad on Saturday, one day after he met the Iraqi Prime Minister and other leaders.
Speaking to a group of US soldiers, Biden hailed their efforts to hand over security to Iraqi forces. US troops pulled out of Iraqi cities this week as part of a security pact that calls for a full withdrawal by the end of 2011.
Biden then said that for a lasting peace in Iraq, US diplomats will focus on bringing the country's divided factions together to achieve national reconciliation.
Iran indicts British embassy staff, reformers
Iran has indicted a British embassy employee and key reformist leaders who have been under detention since protests began over the country's disputed presidential election.
Their lawyers say the indicted are accused of acting against national security. But the lawyers also say no other details are available.
The British embassy worker is one of 9 local staff members now in detention for alleged involvement in a series of protests that began after the June 12th election.
The reformist leaders include key figures who served under former president Mohammad Khatami. Among them are former vice president Mohammad Ali Abtahi and former deputy foreign minister Mohsen Aminzadeh.
In its editorial in the Saturday edition, the conservative daily newspaper Kayhan criticized Khatami and opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi, who ran against President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
The editorial called for them to be tried in court for what it calls horrible crimes and treason.
At least 20 people died in clashes between security forces and demonstrators. President Ahmadinejad was declared the winner by a landslide.
Public buying of bank-held shares soared in June
A Japanese public corporation bought nearly 60 times the amount of bank-held shares in June compared to the figure a month ago in a bid to prop up the stock market.
The Banks' Shareholdings Purchase Corporation has been purchasing shares from financial institutions since March to help prevent further stock index declines.
The corporation says it bought shares worth 824 million dollars last month, nearly 60 times the amount it purchased in May, amid rising share prices.
The Nikkei average hovered below 8,000 points in the spring, when the corporation's effort started.
Last month, the key index briefly surpassed 10,000 points on hopes of Japan's economic prospects, which prompted selling of bank-held shares.
The corporation will also start buying exchange-traded funds and real estate investment trusts this month.
The Financial Services Agency says Japanese shares are on a recovery track, but bank performance and financial strength are still highly vulnerable to the movement of share prices.
The agency is calling on financial institutions to further utilize the corporation.
最終更新：2009年07月06日 07:18
