Hong Kong launches campaign to woo global visitors

STORY: Hong Kong launches campaign to woo global visitors DATELINE: Feb. 3, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:06 LOCATION: HONG KONG, China CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Hong Kong 2. SOUNDBITE (English): JOHN LEE, HKSAR Chief Executive STORYLINE: The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Thursday launched the "Hello Hong Kong" campaign to lure tourists, business travelers and investors to the city, with a series of incentives announced. SOUNDBITE (English): JOHN LEE, HKSAR Chief Executive "Today, I am happy to tell you that Hong Kong is welcoming every one of you to join us on our center stage, for Hong Kong is now seamlessly connected to the mainland of China and the whole international world. First and foremost, we have prepared 500,000 free air tickets to welcome tourists from every part of the world to come to Hong Kong. This, ladies and gentlemen, is probably the world's biggest welcome ever!" Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Hong Kong, China. (XHTV)

(SP)CROATIA-ZAGREB-WRESTLING-ZAGREB OPEN

(SP)CROATIA-ZAGREB-WRESTLING-ZAGREB OPEN

(230202) -- ZAGREB, Feb. 2, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Abubakr Abakarov (R) of Azerbaijan competes against Mark John Hall II of the United States during the Men's Freestyle 86kg United World Wrestling Ranking Series bronze medal match at Zagreb Open in Zagreb, Croatia, on Feb. 1, 2023. (Igor Kralj/PIXSELL via Xinhua)

New Zealand: Elton John Auckland Concert Cancelled Due To Heavy Rain 2

Heavy rains across the North Island in New Zealand forced the cancelation of Elton John's concert at Mt Smart in Auckland on Friday, January 27. Wild weather with heavy rain and high winds swept through the North Island causing flash flooding, power outages, and road closures in parts of Auckland.

New Zealand: Elton John Auckland Concert Cancelled Due To Heavy Rain

Heavy rains across the North Island in New Zealand forced the cancelation of Elton John's concert at Mt Smart in Auckland on Friday, January 27. Wild weather with heavy rain and high winds swept through the North Island causing flash flooding, power outages, and road closures in parts of Auckland.

ISU European Figure Skating Championships in Espoo, Finland

ISU European Figure Skating Championships in Espoo, Finland

Greta Crafoord and John Crafoord of Sweden perform during pairs' free skating at the ISU European Figure Skating Championships in Espoo, Finland, on January 26, 2023. LEHTIKUVA / ANTTI HÄMÄLÄINEN - FINLAND OUT. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. (Credit:Antti Hämäläinen/Lehtikuva/Kyodo News Images)

ISU European Figure Skating Championships in Espoo, Finland

ISU European Figure Skating Championships in Espoo, Finland

Greta Crafoord and John Crafoord of Sweden perform during pairs' free skating at the ISU European Figure Skating Championships in Espoo, Finland, on January 26, 2023. LEHTIKUVA / ANTTI HÄMÄLÄINEN - FINLAND OUT. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. (Credit:Antti Hämäläinen/Lehtikuva/Kyodo News Images)

ISU European Figure Skating Championships in Espoo, Finland

ISU European Figure Skating Championships in Espoo, Finland

Greta Crafoord and John Crafoord of Sweden perform during pairs' free skating at the ISU European Figure Skating Championships in Espoo, Finland, on January 26, 2023. LEHTIKUVA / ANTTI HÄMÄLÄINEN - FINLAND OUT. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. (Credit:Antti Hämäläinen/Lehtikuva/Kyodo News Images)

ISU European Figure Skating Championships in Espoo, Finland

ISU European Figure Skating Championships in Espoo, Finland

Greta Crafoord and John Crafoord of Sweden perform during pairs' free skating at the ISU European Figure Skating Championships in Espoo, Finland, on January 26, 2023. LEHTIKUVA / ANTTI HÄMÄLÄINEN - FINLAND OUT. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. (Credit:Antti Hämäläinen/Lehtikuva/Kyodo News Images)

ISU European Figure Skating Championships in Espoo, Finland

ISU European Figure Skating Championships in Espoo, Finland

Greta Crafoord and John Crafoord of Sweden perform during the pairs' short program of the ISU European Figure Skating Championships in Espoo, Finland, on January 25, 2023. LEHTIKUVA / HEIKKI SAUKKOMAA - FINLAND OUT. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. (Credit:Heikki Saukkomaa/Lehtikuva/Kyodo News Images)

ISU European Figure Skating Championships in Espoo, Finland

ISU European Figure Skating Championships in Espoo, Finland

Greta Crafoord and John Crafoord of Sweden perform during the pairs' short program of the ISU European Figure Skating Championships in Espoo, Finland, on January 25, 2023. LEHTIKUVA / HEIKKI SAUKKOMAA - FINLAND OUT. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. (Credit:Heikki Saukkomaa/Lehtikuva/Kyodo News Images)

ISU European Figure Skating Championships in Espoo, Finland

ISU European Figure Skating Championships in Espoo, Finland

Greta Crafoord and John Crafoord of Sweden perform during the pairs' short program of the ISU European Figure Skating Championships in Espoo, Finland, on January 25, 2023. LEHTIKUVA / HEIKKI SAUKKOMAA - FINLAND OUT. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. (Credit:Heikki Saukkomaa/Lehtikuva/Kyodo News Images)

ISU European Figure Skating Championships in Espoo, Finland

ISU European Figure Skating Championships in Espoo, Finland

Greta Crafoord and John Crafoord of Sweden perform during the pairs' short program of the ISU European Figure Skating Championships in Espoo, Finland, on January 25, 2023. LEHTIKUVA / HEIKKI SAUKKOMAA - FINLAND OUT. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. (Credit:Heikki Saukkomaa/Lehtikuva/Kyodo News Images)

ISU European Figure Skating Championships in Espoo, Finland

ISU European Figure Skating Championships in Espoo, Finland

Greta Crafoord and John Crafoord of Sweden perform during the pairs' short program of the ISU European Figure Skating Championships in Espoo, Finland, on January 25, 2023. LEHTIKUVA / HEIKKI SAUKKOMAA - FINLAND OUT. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. (Credit:Heikki Saukkomaa/Lehtikuva/Kyodo News Images)

(SP)AUSTRALIA-MELBOURNE-TENNIS-AUSTRALIAN OPEN-DAY 3

(SP)AUSTRALIA-MELBOURNE-TENNIS-AUSTRALIAN OPEN-DAY 3

(230118) -- MELBOURNE, Jan. 18, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Daniil Medvedev of Russia hits a return during the men's singles 2nd round match against John Millman of Australia at Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, on Jan. 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)

(SP)AUSTRALIA-MELBOURNE-TENNIS-AUSTRALIAN OPEN-DAY 3

(SP)AUSTRALIA-MELBOURNE-TENNIS-AUSTRALIAN OPEN-DAY 3

(230118) -- MELBOURNE, Jan. 18, 2023 (Xinhua) -- John Millman of Australia hits a return during the men's singles 2nd round match against Daniil Medvedev of Russia at Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, on Jan. 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)

(SP)AUSTRALIA-MELBOURNE-TENNIS-AUSTRALIAN OPEN-DAY 3

(SP)AUSTRALIA-MELBOURNE-TENNIS-AUSTRALIAN OPEN-DAY 3

(230118) -- MELBOURNE, Jan. 18, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Daniil Medvedev of Russia waves to spectators after winning the men's singles 2nd round match against John Millman of Australia at Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, on Jan. 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)

(SP)AUSTRALIA-MELBOURNE-TENNIS-AUSTRALIAN OPEN-DAY 3

(SP)AUSTRALIA-MELBOURNE-TENNIS-AUSTRALIAN OPEN-DAY 3

(230118) -- MELBOURNE, Jan. 18, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Daniil Medvedev of Russia serves during the men's singles 2nd round match against John Millman of Australia at Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, on Jan. 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)

Special counsel appointed to look into Biden's handling of classified documents

STORY: Special counsel appointed to look into Biden's handling of classified documents DATELINE: Jan. 13, 2023 LENGTH: 0:02:30 LOCATION: Washington D.C. CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of Merrick Garland at the press conference 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): MERRICK GARLAND, U.S. Attorney General 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): MERRICK GARLAND, U.S. Attorney General STORYLINE: U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland on Thursday appointed a special counsel to review President Joe Biden's handling of classified documents. Garland named former U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert Hur to "investigate whether any person or entity violated the law in connection with this matter." SOUNDBITE 1 (English): MERRICK GARLAND, U.S. Attorney General "I will ensure that Mr. Hur receives all the resources he needs to conduct his work." Garland said Biden's personal counsel on Thursday called U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois John Lausch, who conducted initial investigations into the matter, sta

UN-WORLD SOCIAL REPORT 2023-LAUNCH

UN-WORLD SOCIAL REPORT 2023-LAUNCH

(230112) -- UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 12, 2023 (Xinhua) -- John Wilmoth (C), Director of the Population Division of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), speaks at a press briefing on the World Social Report 2023 at the UN headquarters in New York, Jan. 12, 2023. The United Nations calls on countries to rethink policies and expand opportunities as the world ages, the world body said in a new report launched on Thursday. (Xinhua/Xie E)

CHINA-HONG KONG-ASIAN FINANCIAL FORUM (CN)

CHINA-HONG KONG-ASIAN FINANCIAL FORUM (CN)

(230111) -- HONG KONG, Jan. 11, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Chief Executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) John Lee delivers a speech at the opening of the 16th Asian Financial Forum in Hong Kong, south China, Jan. 11, 2023. The 16th Asian Financial Forum opened here Wednesday, with participants highlighting the importance of cooperation in promoting economic growth. TO GO WITH "Forum in Hong Kong highlights cooperation on economic growth" (Xinhua/Wang Shen)

CHINA-HONG KONG-JOHN LEE-BORDER REOPENING-DAILY QUOTA (CN)

CHINA-HONG KONG-JOHN LEE-BORDER REOPENING-DAILY QUOTA (CN)

(230105) -- HONG KONG, Jan. 5, 2023 (Xinhua) -- John Lee, chief executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), speaks at a press conference in south China's Hong Kong, Jan. 5, 2023. Lee said on Thursday that a daily quota of 60,000 Hong Kong residents are allowed to enter the mainland in the first phase of border reopening from Jan. 8. TO GO WITH "John Lee says 60,000 daily quota to enter mainland after border reopens on Jan. 8" (Xinhua/Chen Duo)

John Lennon's 1969 letter to Japan PM Sato

John Lennon's 1969 letter to Japan PM Sato

Photo taken in December 2022 shows a letter dated Dec. 17, 1969, sent from Beatles member John Lennon and his peace activist wife Yoko Ono to then Japanese Prime Minister Eisaku Sato. In the letter, held by the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan in Tokyo, the couple asked Sato to permit overseas release of an unedited scientific documentary film on the aftermath of the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, taken one month after they occurred in August 1945.

John Lennon's 1969 letter to Japan PM Sato

John Lennon's 1969 letter to Japan PM Sato

Photo taken in December 2022 shows a letter dated Dec. 17, 1969, sent from Beatles member John Lennon and his peace activist wife Yoko Ono to then Japanese Prime Minister Eisaku Sato. In the letter, held by the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan in Tokyo, the couple asked Sato to permit overseas release of an unedited scientific documentary film on the aftermath of the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, taken one month after they occurred in August 1945.

John Lennon's 1969 letter to Japan PM Sato

John Lennon's 1969 letter to Japan PM Sato

Photo taken in December 2022 shows a letter dated Dec. 17, 1969, sent from Beatles member John Lennon and his peace activist wife Yoko Ono to then Japanese Prime Minister Eisaku Sato. In the letter, held by the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan in Tokyo, the couple asked Sato to permit overseas release of an unedited scientific documentary film on the aftermath of the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, taken one month after they occurred in August 1945.

John Lennon's 1969 letter to Japan PM Sato

John Lennon's 1969 letter to Japan PM Sato

Photo taken in December 2022 shows a letter dated Dec. 17, 1969, sent from Beatles member John Lennon and his peace activist wife Yoko Ono to then Japanese Prime Minister Eisaku Sato. In the letter, held by the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan in Tokyo, the couple asked Sato to permit overseas release of an unedited scientific documentary film on the aftermath of the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, taken one month after they occurred in August 1945.

(SP)SERBIA-BELGRADE-BASKETBALL-EUROLEAGUE-CRVENA ZVEZDA VS BARCELONA

(SP)SERBIA-BELGRADE-BASKETBALL-EUROLEAGUE-CRVENA ZVEZDA VS BARCELONA

(221231) -- BELGRADE, Dec. 31, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Crvena Zvezda's John Holland (L) vies with Barcelona's Oscar Da Silva during the regular season round 16 match at Euroleague basketball tournament in Belgrade, Serbia on Dec. 30, 2022. (Photo by Predrag Milosavljevic/Xinhua)

Xinhua Headlines: China's global cooperation in fighting COVID-19 bears fruits

Xinhua Headlines: China's global cooperation in fighting COVID-19 bears fruits

(221230) -- BEIJING, Dec. 30, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Chinese doctor Sun Shuang (C) and intern doctor Karen Gurure (R) talk with patient John Mbondoza at the Zimbabwe-China Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Center in Harare, Zimbabwe, April 20, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuliang)

Hong Kong to lift social distancing measures, nucleic acid testing upon arrival

STORY: Hong Kong to lift social distancing measures, nucleic acid testing upon arrival DATELINE: Dec. 29, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:16 LOCATION: HONG KONG, China CATEGORY: HEALTH SHOTLIST: 1. various of the press conference STORYLINE: John Lee, chief executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), announced on Wednesday that all social distancing measures will be lifted from Thursday. Lee told a press conference that starting from Thursday, all social distancing measures, including outdoor gathering limits, will be lifted. The Vaccine Pass and nucleic acid testing upon arrival will be canceled. Quarantine orders will be axed and "close contacts" will no longer be defined. However, mask-wearing in public places will still be mandatory. Travelers entering Hong Kong from overseas, and China's mainland, Macao and Taiwan will be exempted from compulsory nucleic acid tests upon arrival and during their stays. Instead, they are advised to do rapid antigen tests for five days in a roll. Lee said

CHINA-HONG KONG-JOHN LEE-PRESS CONFERENCE (CN)

CHINA-HONG KONG-JOHN LEE-PRESS CONFERENCE (CN)

(221228) -- HONG KONG, Dec. 28, 2022 (Xinhua) -- John Lee, chief executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), attends a press conference in Hong Kong, south China, Dec. 28, 2022. TO GO WITH "Hong Kong to lift social distancing measures, nucleic acid testing upon arrival" (Xinhua/Li Gang)

CHINA-HONG KONG-JOHN LEE-PRESS CONFERENCE (CN)

CHINA-HONG KONG-JOHN LEE-PRESS CONFERENCE (CN)

(221228) -- HONG KONG, Dec. 28, 2022 (Xinhua) -- John Lee, chief executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), attends a press conference in Hong Kong, south China, Dec. 28, 2022. TO GO WITH "Hong Kong to lift social distancing measures, nucleic acid testing upon arrival" (Xinhua/Li Gang)

China's economy to grow more rapidly in 2023: British expert

STORY: China's economy to grow more rapidly in 2023: British expert DATELINE: Dec. 27, 2022 LENGTH: 00:03:10 LOCATION: Beijing CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of street views 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): JOHN ROSS, Former director of Economic and Business Policy of London 3. various of China's economic development 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): JOHN ROSS, Former director of Economic and Business Policy of London 5. various of China's green development 6. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): JOHN ROSS, Former director of Economic and Business Policy of London STORYLINE: The Chinese government has rolled out a string of modified measures based on the evolving pandemic situation and Beijing's drive to better align anti-COVID efforts with economic and social development. China has shifted the focus of its COVID-19 response strategy from infection control to case treatment to prevent severe cases. The shift was made following the weakened pathogenicity of the virus. A British analyst said that the Chinese economy has mainta

CHINA-BEIJING-LI KEQIANG-HKSAR-JOHN LEE-MEETING (CN)

CHINA-BEIJING-LI KEQIANG-HKSAR-JOHN LEE-MEETING (CN)

(221223) -- BEIJING, Dec. 23, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Premier Li Keqiang meets with Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) John Lee, who is currently paying a duty visit to Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 22, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

CHINA-BEIJING-LI KEQIANG-HKSAR-JOHN LEE-MEETING (CN)

CHINA-BEIJING-LI KEQIANG-HKSAR-JOHN LEE-MEETING (CN)

(221223) -- BEIJING, Dec. 23, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Premier Li Keqiang meets with Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) John Lee, who is currently paying a duty visit to Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 22, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

CHINA-BEIJING-LI KEQIANG-HKSAR-JOHN LEE-MEETING (CN)

CHINA-BEIJING-LI KEQIANG-HKSAR-JOHN LEE-MEETING (CN)

(221223) -- BEIJING, Dec. 23, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Premier Li Keqiang meets with Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) John Lee, who is currently paying a duty visit to Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 22, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

CHINA-BEIJING-XI JINPING-HKSAR-JOHN LEE-MEETING (CN)

CHINA-BEIJING-XI JINPING-HKSAR-JOHN LEE-MEETING (CN)

(221223) -- BEIJING, Dec. 23, 2022 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping meets with Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) John Lee, who is on a duty visit to Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 23, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

CHINA-BEIJING-XI JINPING-HKSAR-JOHN LEE-MEETING (CN)

CHINA-BEIJING-XI JINPING-HKSAR-JOHN LEE-MEETING (CN)

(221223) -- BEIJING, Dec. 23, 2022 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping meets with Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) John Lee, who is on a duty visit to Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 23, 2022. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

CHINA-BEIJING-WANG YI-ASIA SOCIETY-MEETING

CHINA-BEIJING-WANG YI-ASIA SOCIETY-MEETING

(221222) -- BEIJING, Dec. 22, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with John L. Thornton, co-chair of the Board of Trustees of the Asia Society, in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 22, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)

CHINA-HAINAN-GHANAIAN MAN-BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY(CN)

CHINA-HAINAN-GHANAIAN MAN-BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY(CN)

(221222) -- HAIKOU, Dec. 22, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Kingsford John, from Ghana, works in his office in Haikou, capital of south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 9, 2022. TO GO WITH "Across China: Ghanaian man seeks business opportunity in Hainan" (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

US: British Airways Flights From U.S. Delayed Due To Technical Issues

British Airways flights from the U.S. were delayed on Monday, December 19, due to technical issues, according to reports. The airline said, “Our flights due to depart the USA tonight are currently delayed due to a technical issue with our third-party flight planning supplier, which we are urgently investigating.”

U.S., N. Korea agree to push 6-way denuke talks

U.S., N. Korea agree to push 6-way denuke talks

MANILA, Philippines - U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte (far left) and North Korean Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chun (right fore) walk into a room for an ASEAN Regional Forum dinner in Manila on Aug. 1. During their brief talks earlier in the day, the U.S. and North Korea agreed to implement their respective commitments made within the framework of six-party talks on the North's denuclearization and press ahead with the multilateral talks.

U.S. Secretary of State Kerry at COP20

U.S. Secretary of State Kerry at COP20

LIMA, Peru - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry addresses a meeting of the 20th session of the Conference of the Parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, or COP20, in Lima, Peru, on Dec. 11, 2014.

IOC's Coates arrives in Tokyo

IOC's Coates arrives in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan - International Olympic Committee Vice President John Coates, also the chairman of the IOC's Coordination Commission for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, arrives at Tokyo's Haneda Airport on June 22, 2014, for an inspection of the candidate venues.

Germany, Ghana battle to 2-2 draw at World Cup

Germany, Ghana battle to 2-2 draw at World Cup

FORTALEZA, Brazil - Ghana's John Boye (L) battles for the ball with Germany's Thomas Mueller in the first half of a World Cup Group G match at Estadio Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, on June 21, 2014. Germany and Ghana drew 2-2.

U.S. Navy 5th Fleet commander in Japan

U.S. Navy 5th Fleet commander in Japan

TOKYO, Japan - Vice Adm. John Miller (front L), commander of the U.S. Navy 5th Fleet, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe shake hands prior to their talks at Abe's office in Tokyo on Dec. 19, 2013.

N. Korea conducts 3rd nuclear test

N. Korea conducts 3rd nuclear test

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (R) and U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos shake hands ahead of their talks at the premier's office in Tokyo on Feb. 12, 2013, in the wake of a nuclear test conducted by North Korea. Abe and Roos condemned North Korea's third nuclear test as a serious threat to international peace and security.

New Hampshire to commemorate Portsmouth Peace Treaty

New Hampshire to commemorate Portsmouth Peace Treaty

CONCORD, United States - New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch (front) signs a bill on Aug. 17, 2010, at Concord, New Hampshire, to designate Sept. 5 as Portsmouth Peace Treaty Day, commemorating the treaty which ended the 1904-1905 Russo-Japanese War. The memorial day was designated 105 years after Portsmouth, a city in the state, hosted representatives from Japan and Russia to conclude the treaty mediated by then U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt.

Museum in memory of John Manjiro to open in U.S. on May 7

Museum in memory of John Manjiro to open in U.S. on May 7

TOKYO, Japan - This undated file photo shows a house in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, where John Manjiro, the first Japanese to live in America, resided in the mid-19th century. The house, owned by William Whitfield, captain of a whaling ship and who rescued fisherman Manjiro in 1841 in the Pacific, has been rebuilt into a museum, the Captain Whitfield-Manjiro Friendship Memorial House. The museum will open to the public on May 7.

APEC pledges 'political will' to finalize WTO talks by year-end

APEC pledges 'political will' to finalize WTO talks by year-end

SYDNEY, Australia - Australian Prime Minister John Howard speaks at a press conference in Sydney on Sept. 9 after hosting the two-day summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.

Abe, Howard, Bush agree to beef up cooperation

Abe, Howard, Bush agree to beef up cooperation

SYDNEY, Australia - U.S. President George W. Bush (L), Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (C) and Australian Prime Minister John Howard pose for photos at a hotel in Sydney on Sept. 8 prior to their trilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum summit.

Ichiro reaches 200 hits for 7 years in row, tying AL mark

Ichiro reaches 200 hits for 7 years in row, tying AL mark

NEW YORK, United States - Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki (L) and manager John McLaren celebrate their 7-1 victory over the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in New York on Sept. 3. Ichiro hit a homer in the third inning and reached the 200-hit plateau for the seventh consecutive season.