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Shadow Play Inheritor Of Langzhong - China

People watch a shadow play at a museum for Wang's Shadow Play art in Langzhong City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, on February 19, 2025. Shadow play, also known as shadow puppetry, is a traditional Chinese folk art inscribed in UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity in 2011. Wang's Shadow Play is a representative genre of Langzhong Shadow Play popular in northern Sichuan in southwest China, originated with artist Wang Yuansheng during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), and has been passed on between generations since then. Wang Biao, 60, a seventh-generation inheritor of Wang's Shadow Play, takes preserving and promoting the art as his life-time course. Wang Biao started to learn the art from his grandfather in his early childhood, and he followed him to stage performances all over the country in the 1980s. He restarted his shadow play troupe in Chengdu despite a shrinking audience for this art in 2000, and started to give performances at local parks and schools. In 2004, he led his troupe

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Shadow Play Inheritor Of Langzhong - China

Wang Biao performs a shadow play at a museum for Wang's Shadow Play art in Langzhong City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, on February 19, 2025. Shadow play, also known as shadow puppetry, is a traditional Chinese folk art inscribed in UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity in 2011. Wang's Shadow Play is a representative genre of Langzhong Shadow Play popular in northern Sichuan in southwest China, originated with artist Wang Yuansheng during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), and has been passed on between generations since then. Wang Biao, 60, a seventh-generation inheritor of Wang's Shadow Play, takes preserving and promoting the art as his life-time course. Wang Biao started to learn the art from his grandfather in his early childhood, and he followed him to stage performances all over the country in the 1980s. He restarted his shadow play troupe in Chengdu despite a shrinking audience for this art in 2000, and started to give performances at local parks and schools. In 2004, he led his

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Shadow Play Inheritor Of Langzhong - China

Wang Biao colors a shadow play puppet at a museum for Wang's Shadow Play art in Langzhong City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, on February 19, 2025. Shadow play, also known as shadow puppetry, is a traditional Chinese folk art inscribed in UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity in 2011. Wang's Shadow Play is a representative genre of Langzhong Shadow Play popular in northern Sichuan in southwest China, originated with artist Wang Yuansheng during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), and has been passed on between generations since then. Wang Biao, 60, a seventh-generation inheritor of Wang's Shadow Play, takes preserving and promoting the art as his life-time course. Wang Biao started to learn the art from his grandfather in his early childhood, and he followed him to stage performances all over the country in the 1980s. He restarted his shadow play troupe in Chengdu despite a shrinking audience for this art in 2000, and started to give performances at local parks and schools. In 2004, he led

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Gena Rowlands Dies At 94

File photo - US actress Gena Rowlands and her son Nick Cassavetes movie director of -The Notebook- pictured at the 30 th american film festival in Deauville France on September 4, 2004. Oscar-nominated actress Gena Rowlands, whose screen career spanned nearly seven decades, has died at 94. Rowlands was known for both her work in early independent cinema alongside her first husband, director John Cassavetes, as well as crowd-pleasing titles later in her career, including “Hope Floats” in 1998 opposite Sandra Bullock and the hit film “The Notebook” in 2004. Photo by Bruno Klein/ABACA

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Gena Rowlands Dies At 94

File photo - US actress Gena Rowlands and her son Nick Cassavetes movie director of -The Notebook- pictured at the 30 th american film festival in Deauville France on September 4, 2004. Oscar-nominated actress Gena Rowlands, whose screen career spanned nearly seven decades, has died at 94. Rowlands was known for both her work in early independent cinema alongside her first husband, director John Cassavetes, as well as crowd-pleasing titles later in her career, including “Hope Floats” in 1998 opposite Sandra Bullock and the hit film “The Notebook” in 2004. Photo by Bruno Klein/ABACA

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Gena Rowlands Dies At 94

File photo - Gena Rowlands is honored with handprint and footprint ceremony at TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles, CA, USA on December 5, 2014. Oscar-nominated actress Gena Rowlands, whose screen career spanned nearly seven decades, has died at 94. Rowlands was known for both her work in early independent cinema alongside her first husband, director John Cassavetes, as well as crowd-pleasing titles later in her career, including “Hope Floats” in 1998 opposite Sandra Bullock and the hit film “The Notebook” in 2004. Photo by Lionel Hahn/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Gena Rowlands Dies At 94

File photo - Cast member Gena Rowlands pictured as she arrives at the Chelsea Nine theatre to attend the premiere screening of HBO's Hysterical Blindness in New York City, NY, USA on August 22, 2002. Oscar-nominated actress Gena Rowlands, whose screen career spanned nearly seven decades, has died at 94. Rowlands was known for both her work in early independent cinema alongside her first husband, director John Cassavetes, as well as crowd-pleasing titles later in her career, including “Hope Floats” in 1998 opposite Sandra Bullock and the hit film “The Notebook” in 2004. Photo by Nicolas Khayat/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Gena Rowlands Dies At 94

File photo - Gena Rowlands poses for the photocall of 'Paris, Je T'aime' during the 59th Cannes Film Festival, in Cannes, France, on May 18, 2006. Oscar-nominated actress Gena Rowlands, whose screen career spanned nearly seven decades, has died at 94. Rowlands was known for both her work in early independent cinema alongside her first husband, director John Cassavetes, as well as crowd-pleasing titles later in her career, including “Hope Floats” in 1998 opposite Sandra Bullock and the hit film “The Notebook” in 2004. Photo by Hahn-Nebinger-Orban/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Gena Rowlands Dies At 94

File photo - Cast member Gena Rowlands pictured as she arrives at the Chelsea Nine theatre to attend the premiere screening of HBO's Hysterical Blindness in New York City, NY, USA on August 22, 2002. Oscar-nominated actress Gena Rowlands, whose screen career spanned nearly seven decades, has died at 94. Rowlands was known for both her work in early independent cinema alongside her first husband, director John Cassavetes, as well as crowd-pleasing titles later in her career, including “Hope Floats” in 1998 opposite Sandra Bullock and the hit film “The Notebook” in 2004. Photo by Nicolas Khayat/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Gena Rowlands Dies At 94

File photo - Gena Rowlands attends the special screening of The Hired Hand, Peter's Fonda directorial debut in 1971 restored from the original classic and available on a special edition DVD in Los Angeles, CA, USA on October 22, 2003. Oscar-nominated actress Gena Rowlands, whose screen career spanned nearly seven decades, has died at 94. Rowlands was known for both her work in early independent cinema alongside her first husband, director John Cassavetes, as well as crowd-pleasing titles later in her career, including “Hope Floats” in 1998 opposite Sandra Bullock and the hit film “The Notebook” in 2004. Photo by Lionel Hahn/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Gena Rowlands Dies At 94

File photo - "Gena Rowlands (wearing Chopard jewellery) arrives for the screening of ""The wind that shakes the Barley"" at the 59th Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 2006. Oscar-nominated actress Gena Rowlands, whose screen career spanned nearly seven decades, has died at 94. Rowlands was known for both her work in early independent cinema alongside her first husband, director John Cassavetes, as well as crowd-pleasing titles later in her career, including “Hope Floats” in 1998 opposite Sandra Bullock and the hit film “The Notebook” in 2004. Photo by Hahn-Nebinger-Orban/ABACAPRESS.COM"

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Gena Rowlands Dies At 94

File photo - Gena Rowland and Robert Forrest arrive at the 25th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala at Palm Springs Convention Center on January 4, 2014 in Palm Springs, Ca, USA. Oscar-nominated actress Gena Rowlands, whose screen career spanned nearly seven decades, has died at 94. Rowlands was known for both her work in early independent cinema alongside her first husband, director John Cassavetes, as well as crowd-pleasing titles later in her career, including “Hope Floats” in 1998 opposite Sandra Bullock and the hit film “The Notebook” in 2004. Photo by Lionel Hahn/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Gena Rowlands Dies At 94

File photo - Gena Rowlands is honored with handprint and footprint ceremony at TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles, CA, USA on December 5, 2014. Oscar-nominated actress Gena Rowlands, whose screen career spanned nearly seven decades, has died at 94. Rowlands was known for both her work in early independent cinema alongside her first husband, director John Cassavetes, as well as crowd-pleasing titles later in her career, including “Hope Floats” in 1998 opposite Sandra Bullock and the hit film “The Notebook” in 2004. Photo by Lionel Hahn/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Gena Rowlands Dies At 94

File photo - Gena Rowlands attends the 88th Academy Awards in Los Angeles, CA, USA, February 28, 2016. Oscar-nominated actress Gena Rowlands, whose screen career spanned nearly seven decades, has died at 94. Rowlands was known for both her work in early independent cinema alongside her first husband, director John Cassavetes, as well as crowd-pleasing titles later in her career, including “Hope Floats” in 1998 opposite Sandra Bullock and the hit film “The Notebook” in 2004. Photo by Lionel Hahn/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Gena Rowlands Dies At 94

File photo - US actress Gena Rowlands and her daughter Zoe Cassavetes pose at the photocall for the film 'Broken English' at International Deauville center during the 33rd American Film Festival in Deauville, France on September 7, 2007. Oscar-nominated actress Gena Rowlands, whose screen career spanned nearly seven decades, has died at 94. Rowlands was known for both her work in early independent cinema alongside her first husband, director John Cassavetes, as well as crowd-pleasing titles later in her career, including “Hope Floats” in 1998 opposite Sandra Bullock and the hit film “The Notebook” in 2004. Photo by Denis Guignebourg/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Gena Rowlands Dies At 94

File photo - Gena Rowlands is honored with handprint and footprint ceremony at TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles, CA, USA on December 5, 2014. Oscar-nominated actress Gena Rowlands, whose screen career spanned nearly seven decades, has died at 94. Rowlands was known for both her work in early independent cinema alongside her first husband, director John Cassavetes, as well as crowd-pleasing titles later in her career, including “Hope Floats” in 1998 opposite Sandra Bullock and the hit film “The Notebook” in 2004. Photo by Lionel Hahn/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Gena Rowlands Dies At 94

File photo - US actress Gena Rowlands poses at the photocall for the film 'Broken English' at International Deauville center during the 33rd American Film Festival in Deauville, France on September 7, 2007. Oscar-nominated actress Gena Rowlands, whose screen career spanned nearly seven decades, has died at 94. Rowlands was known for both her work in early independent cinema alongside her first husband, director John Cassavetes, as well as crowd-pleasing titles later in her career, including “Hope Floats” in 1998 opposite Sandra Bullock and the hit film “The Notebook” in 2004. Photo by Denis Guignebourg/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Gena Rowlands Dies At 94

File photo - US actress Gena Rowlands and her daughter Zoe Cassavetes pose at the photocall for the film 'Broken English' at International Deauville center during the 33rd American Film Festival in Deauville, France on September 7, 2007. Oscar-nominated actress Gena Rowlands, whose screen career spanned nearly seven decades, has died at 94. Rowlands was known for both her work in early independent cinema alongside her first husband, director John Cassavetes, as well as crowd-pleasing titles later in her career, including “Hope Floats” in 1998 opposite Sandra Bullock and the hit film “The Notebook” in 2004. Photo by Denis Guignebourg/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Gena Rowlands Dies At 94

File photo - US actress Gena Rowlands and her daughter Zoe Cassavetes pose at the photocall for the film 'Broken English' at International Deauville center during the 33rd American Film Festival in Deauville, France on September 7, 2007. Oscar-nominated actress Gena Rowlands, whose screen career spanned nearly seven decades, has died at 94. Rowlands was known for both her work in early independent cinema alongside her first husband, director John Cassavetes, as well as crowd-pleasing titles later in her career, including “Hope Floats” in 1998 opposite Sandra Bullock and the hit film “The Notebook” in 2004. Photo by Denis Guignebourg/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Gena Rowlands Dies At 94

File photo - US actress Gena Rowlands and her new husband pose at the photocall for the film 'Broken English' at International Deauville center during the 33rd American Film Festival in Deauville, France on September 7, 2007. Oscar-nominated actress Gena Rowlands, whose screen career spanned nearly seven decades, has died at 94. Rowlands was known for both her work in early independent cinema alongside her first husband, director John Cassavetes, as well as crowd-pleasing titles later in her career, including “Hope Floats” in 1998 opposite Sandra Bullock and the hit film “The Notebook” in 2004. Photo by Denis Guignebourg/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Gena Rowlands Dies At 94

File photo - Gena Rowlands arrives for the screening of Hysterical Blindness during the Sundance Film Festival. Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, January 1, 2002. Oscar-nominated actress Gena Rowlands, whose screen career spanned nearly seven decades, has died at 94. Rowlands was known for both her work in early independent cinema alongside her first husband, director John Cassavetes, as well as crowd-pleasing titles later in her career, including “Hope Floats” in 1998 opposite Sandra Bullock and the hit film “The Notebook” in 2004. Photo by Lionel Hahn/ABACAPRESS.COM

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CHINA-HAINAN-SPECIAL EDUCATION-TEACHER (CN)

(230910) -- HAIKOU, Sept. 10, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Fu Yaohui gives a class at Hainan (Haikou) Special School in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Sept. 6, 2023. Fu Yaohui is a teacher at the special education school in Haikou. Since 2004, Fu has been engaged in special education for students with intellectual disabilities, cultivating their basic skills to adapt to life. Every day, Fu arrives at school early and accompanies the students with patience and encouragement. "I want my students to be self-reliant," she said. In order to achieve this goal, she tries her best to help these children, so that they can succeed in their studies and better integrate into society. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

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CHINA-HAINAN-SPECIAL EDUCATION-TEACHER (CN)

(230910) -- HAIKOU, Sept. 10, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Fu Yaohui (R) talks with students and their families at Hainan (Haikou) Special School in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Sept. 8, 2023. Fu Yaohui is a teacher at the special education school in Haikou. Since 2004, Fu has been engaged in special education for students with intellectual disabilities, cultivating their basic skills to adapt to life. Every day, Fu arrives at school early and accompanies the students with patience and encouragement. "I want my students to be self-reliant," she said. In order to achieve this goal, she tries her best to help these children, so that they can succeed in their studies and better integrate into society. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

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CHINA-HAINAN-SPECIAL EDUCATION-TEACHER (CN)

(230910) -- HAIKOU, Sept. 10, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Fu Yaohui (front) prepares for a class at Hainan (Haikou) Special School in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Sept. 6, 2023. Fu Yaohui is a teacher at the special education school in Haikou. Since 2004, Fu has been engaged in special education for students with intellectual disabilities, cultivating their basic skills to adapt to life. Every day, Fu arrives at school early and accompanies the students with patience and encouragement. "I want my students to be self-reliant," she said. In order to achieve this goal, she tries her best to help these children, so that they can succeed in their studies and better integrate into society. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

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CHINA-HAINAN-SPECIAL EDUCATION-TEACHER (CN)

(230910) -- HAIKOU, Sept. 10, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Fu Yaohui helps a student comb hair at Hainan (Haikou) Special School in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Sept. 6, 2023. Fu Yaohui is a teacher at the special education school in Haikou. Since 2004, Fu has been engaged in special education for students with intellectual disabilities, cultivating their basic skills to adapt to life. Every day, Fu arrives at school early and accompanies the students with patience and encouragement. "I want my students to be self-reliant," she said. In order to achieve this goal, she tries her best to help these children, so that they can succeed in their studies and better integrate into society. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

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CHINA-HAINAN-SPECIAL EDUCATION-TEACHER (CN)

(230910) -- HAIKOU, Sept. 10, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Fu Yaohui gives a class at Hainan (Haikou) Special School in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Sept. 6, 2023. Fu Yaohui is a teacher at the special education school in Haikou. Since 2004, Fu has been engaged in special education for students with intellectual disabilities, cultivating their basic skills to adapt to life. Every day, Fu arrives at school early and accompanies the students with patience and encouragement. "I want my students to be self-reliant," she said. In order to achieve this goal, she tries her best to help these children, so that they can succeed in their studies and better integrate into society. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

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CHINA-HAINAN-SPECIAL EDUCATION-TEACHER (CN)

(230910) -- HAIKOU, Sept. 10, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Fu Yaohui teaches a student to read at Hainan (Haikou) Special School in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Sept. 6, 2023. Fu Yaohui is a teacher at the special education school in Haikou. Since 2004, Fu has been engaged in special education for students with intellectual disabilities, cultivating their basic skills to adapt to life. Every day, Fu arrives at school early and accompanies the students with patience and encouragement. "I want my students to be self-reliant," she said. In order to achieve this goal, she tries her best to help these children, so that they can succeed in their studies and better integrate into society. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

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CHINA-HAINAN-SPECIAL EDUCATION-TEACHER (CN)

(230910) -- HAIKOU, Sept. 10, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Fu Yaohui (R) helps as a student writes at Hainan (Haikou) Special School in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Sept. 6, 2023. Fu Yaohui is a teacher at the special education school in Haikou. Since 2004, Fu has been engaged in special education for students with intellectual disabilities, cultivating their basic skills to adapt to life. Every day, Fu arrives at school early and accompanies the students with patience and encouragement. "I want my students to be self-reliant," she said. In order to achieve this goal, she tries her best to help these children, so that they can succeed in their studies and better integrate into society. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

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CHINA-HAINAN-SPECIAL EDUCATION-TEACHER (CN)

(230910) -- HAIKOU, Sept. 10, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Fu Yaohui gives a class at Hainan (Haikou) Special School in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Sept. 5, 2023. Fu Yaohui is a teacher at the special education school in Haikou. Since 2004, Fu has been engaged in special education for students with intellectual disabilities, cultivating their basic skills to adapt to life. Every day, Fu arrives at school early and accompanies the students with patience and encouragement. "I want my students to be self-reliant," she said. In order to achieve this goal, she tries her best to help these children, so that they can succeed in their studies and better integrate into society. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

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CHINA-HAINAN-SPECIAL EDUCATION-TEACHER (CN)

(230910) -- HAIKOU, Sept. 10, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Fu Yaohui (C) talks with a student's parent after class at Hainan (Haikou) Special School in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Sept. 5, 2023. Fu Yaohui is a teacher at the special education school in Haikou. Since 2004, Fu has been engaged in special education for students with intellectual disabilities, cultivating their basic skills to adapt to life. Every day, Fu arrives at school early and accompanies the students with patience and encouragement. "I want my students to be self-reliant," she said. In order to achieve this goal, she tries her best to help these children, so that they can succeed in their studies and better integrate into society. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

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CHINA-HAINAN-SPECIAL EDUCATION-TEACHER (CN)

(230910) -- HAIKOU, Sept. 10, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Fu Yaohui gives a class at Hainan (Haikou) Special School in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Sept. 5, 2023. Fu Yaohui is a teacher at the special education school in Haikou. Since 2004, Fu has been engaged in special education for students with intellectual disabilities, cultivating their basic skills to adapt to life. Every day, Fu arrives at school early and accompanies the students with patience and encouragement. "I want my students to be self-reliant," she said. In order to achieve this goal, she tries her best to help these children, so that they can succeed in their studies and better integrate into society. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

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CHINA-HAINAN-SPECIAL EDUCATION-TEACHER (CN)

(230910) -- HAIKOU, Sept. 10, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Fu Yaohui (back) instructs as students clean their tableware after a meal at Hainan (Haikou) Special School in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Sept. 6, 2023. Fu Yaohui is a teacher at the special education school in Haikou. Since 2004, Fu has been engaged in special education for students with intellectual disabilities, cultivating their basic skills to adapt to life. Every day, Fu arrives at school early and accompanies the students with patience and encouragement. "I want my students to be self-reliant," she said. In order to achieve this goal, she tries her best to help these children, so that they can succeed in their studies and better integrate into society. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

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CHINA-HAINAN-SPECIAL EDUCATION-TEACHER (CN)

(230910) -- HAIKOU, Sept. 10, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Fu Yaohui (R) gives a high-five to a student during class at Hainan (Haikou) Special School in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Sept. 6, 2023. Fu Yaohui is a teacher at the special education school in Haikou. Since 2004, Fu has been engaged in special education for students with intellectual disabilities, cultivating their basic skills to adapt to life. Every day, Fu arrives at school early and accompanies the students with patience and encouragement. "I want my students to be self-reliant," she said. In order to achieve this goal, she tries her best to help these children, so that they can succeed in their studies and better integrate into society. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

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CHINA-HAINAN-SPECIAL EDUCATION-TEACHER (CN)

(230910) -- HAIKOU, Sept. 10, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Fu Yaohui gives a class at Hainan (Haikou) Special School in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Sept. 5, 2023. Fu Yaohui is a teacher at the special education school in Haikou. Since 2004, Fu has been engaged in special education for students with intellectual disabilities, cultivating their basic skills to adapt to life. Every day, Fu arrives at school early and accompanies the students with patience and encouragement. "I want my students to be self-reliant," she said. In order to achieve this goal, she tries her best to help these children, so that they can succeed in their studies and better integrate into society. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

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CHINA-HAINAN-SPECIAL EDUCATION-TEACHER (CN)

(230910) -- HAIKOU, Sept. 10, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Fu Yaohui (L) and her colleague Meng Fan distribute cakes to students and their families at Hainan (Haikou) Special School in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Sept. 8, 2023. Fu Yaohui is a teacher at the special education school in Haikou. Since 2004, Fu has been engaged in special education for students with intellectual disabilities, cultivating their basic skills to adapt to life. Every day, Fu arrives at school early and accompanies the students with patience and encouragement. "I want my students to be self-reliant," she said. In order to achieve this goal, she tries her best to help these children, so that they can succeed in their studies and better integrate into society. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

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Japan to issue new banknotes in July 2024, 1st renewal in 20 yrs

Photo taken on April 14, 2023, at the Bank of Japan's headquarters in Tokyo shows samples of new banknotes to be issued as early as July 2024 in the first renewal since 2004.

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Japan considering Mt. Fuji, Kamakura as cultural heritage candidates

TOKYO, Japan - File photo taken in February 2004 shows the Great Buddha statue in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, which was Japan's capital between the late 12th and early 14th centuries. The Japanese government is considering recommending that UNESCO approve Mt. Fuji in central Japan and Kamakura as World Heritage cultural sites, officials said July 26, 2011.

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Fund mogul Murakami arrested over suspected insider trading

TOKYO, Japan - A car carrying Yoshiaki Murakami, Japan's most famous investment fund manager, arrives at the Tokyo Detention House June 5 after he was arrested early in the day on suspicion of insider stock trading in connection with his investment fund's purchases of Nippon Broadcasting System Inc. shares from late 2004 to early 2005.

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N. Korean refugees talk about experiences before coming to U.S.

LOS ANGELES, United States - Six North Korean refugees speak to reporters in Los Angeles on May 23. Four women and two men ranging in age from their early 20s to mid-30s were the first North Korean refugee group to arrive in the country since President George W. Bush signed the North Korean Human Rights Act in 2004.

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N. Korea agrees to hold 6-way talks in early 2004

SEOUL, South Korea - (From L to R) Fu Ying, head of Asian affairs at the Chinese Foreign Ministry, South Korean Deputy Foreign Minister Lee Soo Hyuck, and Mitoji Yabunaka, director general of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau at the Japanese Foreign Ministry, shake hands in Seoul on Dec. 29 prior to their talks on a second round of six-nation talks on North Korea's nuclear arms program. Fu reportedly said N. Korea has agreed to hold a second round of talks at an early date next year.

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Citizen Watch devises smallest PDA

TOKYO, Oct. 27 Kyodo - Photo shows what Citizen Watch Co. says is ''the world's smallest, thinnest and lightest personal digital assistant (PDA).'' The PDA is 90 by 60 millimeters with advanced e-mail functions targeting business users, Citizen Watch said. Although no bigger than a business card, the new device has a screen twice as large as a mobile phone display. The major watchmaker will release the new PDA for 20,000 to 30,000 yen early in 2004.

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Russia may decide to ratify Kyoto Protocol in Sept.

MOSCOW, Russia - Russia may make a final decision on ratifying the Kyodo Protocol on curbing global warming in September, which could lead to it entering into effect as early as the beginning of 2004, Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Khristenko indicates in Moscow on Aug. 4. ''A most decisive moment will come in the fall'' on whether to ratify the protocol, Khristenko said in an interview with Kyodo News President Toyohiko Yamanouchi.

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Nissan to launch 5 new model cars in Mexico by early 2004

MEXICO CITY, Mexico - Nissan Motor Co. will launch five new model cars in Mexico by early next year in an effort to maintain its share in the local market. Nissan officials said May 29 the five models will include the sport-utility vehicles Murano (photo) and Pathfinder Armada, and the pick-up truck Titan.

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Honda to launch car sales in S. Korea

SEOUL, South Korea - Honda Motor Co. Managing Director Katsuro Suzuki (L) poses with his firm's intelligent humanoid robot ''ASIMO'' after a news conference in Seoul on March 25. Honda announced plans to start automobile sales in South Korea by early 2004 through its local subsidiary.

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S. Korea's new bullet train unveiled

SEOUL, South Korea - South Korea's bullet train is unveiled Nov. 26 on 34 kilometers of trial railway in the central part of the country before test runs start in early December. The bullet train, backed by French technology, is expected to link Seoul with Pusan in one hour and 56 minutes at a maximum speed of 300 km per hour. The first stage of operations will begin in 2004.

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Michelin Plans To Cut 530 Jobs

Michelin will cut 530 jobs and plans to retire 670 people in the first year of its "simplification and competitiveness plan", its management said on Wednesday. The plan, announced in early January, calls for 2,300 job cuts from 17,000 employees in France over three years, with no forced departures ---- File - French tyre manufacturer Michelin's stand at the Mondial de l'Automobile held in Paris, France from September 25 to October 10, 2004. Photo by Valerian Wagner/ABACA. (Credit:Wagner Valerian/ABACA/Kyodo News Images)

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N. Korea agrees to hold 6-way talks in early 2004

SEOUL, South Korea - (From L to R) Fu Ying, head of Asian affairs at the Chinese Foreign Ministry, South Korean Deputy Foreign Minister Lee Soo Hyuck, and Mitoji Yabunaka, director general of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau at the Japanese Foreign Ministry, shake hands in Seoul on Dec. 29 prior to their talks on a second round of six-nation talks on North Korea's nuclear arms program. Fu reportedly said N. Korea has agreed to hold a second round of talks at an early date next year. (Kyodo)

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Honda to launch car sales in S. Korea

SEOUL, South Korea - Honda Motor Co. Managing Director Katsuro Suzuki (L) poses with his firm's intelligent humanoid robot ''ASIMO'' after a news conference in Seoul on March 25. Honda announced plans to start automobile sales in South Korea by early 2004 through its local subsidiary. (Kyodo)

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Fund mogul Murakami arrested over suspected insider trading

TOKYO, Japan - A car carrying Yoshiaki Murakami, Japan's most famous investment fund manager, arrives at the Tokyo Detention House June 5 after he was arrested early in the day on suspicion of insider stock trading in connection with his investment fund's purchases of Nippon Broadcasting System Inc. shares from late 2004 to early 2005. (Kyodo)

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N. Korean refugees talk about experiences before coming to U.S.

LOS ANGELES, United States - Six North Korean refugees speak to reporters in Los Angeles on May 23. Four women and two men ranging in age from their early 20s to mid-30s were the first North Korean refugee group to arrive in the country since President George W. Bush signed the North Korean Human Rights Act in 2004. (Kyodo)