Speed skating: 10-time Olympic medalist Takagi to retire

Speed skating: 10-time Olympic medalist Takagi to retire

Japanese speed skater Miho Takagi, 15, is pictured at the Vancouver Olympics on Feb. 21, 2010, in Richmond, Canada. The 10-time Olympic medalist said on March 4, 2026, she will retire following the upcoming world championships.

Myanmar premier Thein Sein elected president

Myanmar premier Thein Sein elected president

BANGKOK, Thailand - File photo taken in March 2010 shows Thein Sein, who was elected as Myanmar's president on Feb. 4, 2011.

Gigantic lantern march in Aomori

Gigantic lantern march in Aomori

GOSHOGAWARA, Japan - A gigantic ''matagi'' hunter lantern proceeds along a street in Goshogawara, Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 4, 2010. The five-day Tachi-neputa summer festival began the same day, featuring 16 lanterns including three over 20 meters tall.

Matsui engages in spring training

Matsui engages in spring training

TEMPE, United States - Outfielder Hideki Matsui of the Los Angeles Angels stretches with his teammates during the club's spring training in Tempe, Arizona, on March 4, 2010.

Chile quake aftermath

Chile quake aftermath

CONCEPCION, Chile - People wait in front of a condominium building for friends and relatives to return home in Concepcion, Chile, on March 4, 2010, following the massive earthquake that struck the country on Feb. 27.

Chile quake aftermath

Chile quake aftermath

CONCEPCION, Chile - The owner of a supermarket remains in his store to protect it from looters in Concepcion, Chile, on March 4, 2010, following the massive earthquake that struck the country on Feb. 27.

Chile quake aftermath

Chile quake aftermath

CONCEPCION, Chile - An old man walks in rubble in Concepcion, Chile, on March 4, 2010, following the massive earthquake that struck the country on Feb. 27.

Chile quake aftermath

Chile quake aftermath

CONCEPCION, Chile - Firefighters look for survivors in a collapsed condominium building in Concepcion, Chile, on March 4, 2010, following the massive earthquake that struck the country on Feb. 27.

Chile quake aftermath

Chile quake aftermath

CONCEPCION, Chile - A man pushes his car after running out of gas in Concepcion, Chile, on March 4, 2010, following the massive earthquake that struck the country on Feb. 27.

Chile quake aftermath

Chile quake aftermath

CONCEPCION, Chile - An electricity pole leans near a destroyed building in Concepcion, Chile, on March 4, 2010, following the massive earthquake that struck the country on Feb. 27.

Ichiro plays preseason game

Ichiro plays preseason game

PEORIA, United States - Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki practices fielding at the club's spring training in Peoria, Arizona, on March 4, 2010.

Ex-N. Korea agent goes public after 15 years of hiding in Austria

Ex-N. Korea agent goes public after 15 years of hiding in Austria

VIENNA, Austria - Kim Jong Ryul, former North Korean procurement agent and colonel, who defected to Austria in 1994, speaks during a press conference in Vienna on March 4, 2010. During the conference, Kim presented his book which was published recently and talked about his life under the dictatorship.

Quake-hit Chile sees recovery signs

Quake-hit Chile sees recovery signs

CONCEPCION, Chile - Rescue workers look for survivors in a destroyed building in Concepcion, Chile, on March 4, 2010. Chilean authorities have begun shifting to helping quake-affected people from finding possible survivors, five days after a massive earthquake struck the country.

Ichiro plays preseason game

Ichiro plays preseason game

PEORIA, United States - Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki practices batting during the club's spring training at Peoria, Arizona, on March 4, 2010.

Quake-hit Chile sees recovery signs

Quake-hit Chile sees recovery signs

CONCEPCION, Chile - Police on horseback patrol in front of a collapsed building on March 4, 2010 in Concepcion, Chile. Chilean authorities have begun shifting to helping quake-affected people from finding possible survivors, five days after a massive earthquake struck the country.

Matsui engages in spring training

Matsui engages in spring training

TEMPE, United States - Outfielder Hideki Matsui of the Los Angeles Angels practices batting during the club's spring training in Tempe, Arizona, on March 4, 2010. ''I'm getting better,'' Matsui said ahead of his first preseason game of the season.

Matsui engages in spring training

Matsui engages in spring training

TEMPE, United States - Outfielder Hideki Matsui of the Los Angeles Angels stretches during the club's spring training in Tempe, Arizona, on March 4, 2010. ''I'm getting better,'' Matsui said ahead of his first preseason game of the season.

Quake-hit Chile sees recovery signs

Quake-hit Chile sees recovery signs

CONCEPCION, Chile - An employee wears a helmet for protection in case of aftershocks as she helps shoppers at a supermarket in Concepcion, Chile, on March 4, 2010. Aftershocks kept residents on their guard but many went out to acquire supplies at a few stores which reopened following a massive earthquake.

Quake-hit Chile sees recovery signs

Quake-hit Chile sees recovery signs

CONCEPCION, Chile - A solider guards against looters inside a supermarket that reopened in Concepcion, Chile, on March 4, 2010, five days after a massive earthquake struck the country. While most stores remained closed, three supermarkets reopened after electricity was restored in the town.

Braves Kawakami pitches in preseason game

Braves Kawakami pitches in preseason game

ORLANDO, United States - Kenshin Kawakami of the Atlanta Braves pitches during a preseason game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Orlando, Florida, on March 4, 2010. Kawakami gave up no runs in a two-innings start.

U.S. deputy sec'y of state arrives in Tokyo on nuclear issues

U.S. deputy sec'y of state arrives in Tokyo on nuclear issues

NARITA, Japan - U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg responds to questions from reporters after arriving at Narita airport, east of Tokyo, from Beijing on March 4, 2010. Steinberg will hold talks with Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada and other officials on nuclear issues related to Iran and North Korea.

China's defense budget to rise 7.5% in 2010

China's defense budget to rise 7.5% in 2010

BEIJING, China - Li Zhaoxing, a spokesman for the annual session of the National People's Congress, speaks during a news conference in Beijing on March 4, 2010. China said it plans to increase military spending this year by 7.5 percent to 532.1 billion yuan ($77.94 billion), marking the first time in 22 years that the margin of growth in the defense budget will have fallen below double digits.

Japan to come up with Futemma relocation plan by March end

Japan to come up with Futemma relocation plan by March end

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, in answering questions from reporters at his office on March 4, 2010, said Japan will come up with a government plan for the relocation of a U.S. Marine base in Okinawa Prefecture by the end of this month.

Laotian Pres. Choummaly meets with Hatoyama

Laotian Pres. Choummaly meets with Hatoyama

TOKYO, Japan - Visiting Laotian President Choummaly Sayasone (L) shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama at the premier's office in Tokyo on March 4, 2010 ahead of their talks.

1st H&M store in western Japan to open in Osaka

1st H&M store in western Japan to open in Osaka

OSAKA, Japan - Photo taken March 4, 2010 shows Swedish casual clothes chain H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB's first Western Japan store in Osaka. The company said the new store will open March 6 to offer fashionable clothes at reasonable prices.

'Pluthermal' power generation begins at Japan plant

'Pluthermal' power generation begins at Japan plant

MATSUYAMA, Japan - Seen here is the No. 3 reactor at the Ikata nuclear power plant in Ehime Prefecture in western Japan on March 4, 2010. The nuclear plant became Japan's second ''pluthermal'' power-generating facility, using plutonium-uranium mixed oxide fuel.

Scandal-tainted Asashoryu calls it quits

Scandal-tainted Asashoryu calls it quits

TOKYO, Japan - This photo, taken in March 2008, shows Mongolian yokozuna (grand champion) Asashoryu in fighting mood before a bout. Asashoryu said on Feb. 4, 2010, that he has decided to bring an end to his illustrious but trouble-laden sumo career.