Japan takes step toward resuming beef imports

Japan's food-safety panel recommended yesterday that the government stop testing cattle younger than 21 months for mad-cow disease, a step toward making U.S. beef eligible for import after a 15-month ban.

Japan banned U.S. beef in December 2003 after the United States found its first mad-cow case, at a Mabton, Yakima County, dairy.

Japan's Food Safety Commission's scientific experts said research has shown that rogue proteins linked to the disease don't show up in tests on cattle younger than 21 months, and that easing the testing standards wouldn't put consumers at risk.

The recommendation marked the first time Japanese experts have agreed with the assessment of U.S. scientists, a key step that allows Japan to begin debating standards for U.S. beef imports.

United Nations

Official's legal fees will not be covered

The United Nations yesterday reversed a commitment to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees for a senior U.N. official accused of ethical lapses while administering the $64 billion oil-for-food program in Iraq.

The U.N. decision came after U.S., British and Iraqi officials expressed concern about U.N. plans to use surplus Iraq oil revenues to defend Benon Sevan against accusations that he was paid $150,000 to steer lucrative Iraqi oil contracts to an Egyptian businessman.

Jerusalem

Sharon wins round in withdrawal fight

Israel's parliament yesterday swept aside another potential obstacle to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan to withdraw Jewish settlements from the Gaza Strip, overwhelmingly rejecting a proposal for holding a national referendum on the pullout.

Opponents of the withdrawal had latched onto the plebiscite as a last-ditch legislative effort to delay and ultimately scuttle the withdrawal, set for the summer. Sharon says it is no longer feasible to protect the settlements, which are in areas the Palestinians claim for a future independent state.

Approval of a referendum could have brought down Sharon's government and forced new elections.

Katmandu, Nepal

Anti-government protesters arrested

In a nationwide sweep, police arrested about 120 anti-government activists yesterday for defying a ban on protests over last month's seizure of power by King Gyanendra.

Nearly 50 people were arrested in front of the government offices in Katmandu and another 72 people were detained in demonstrations in nine other cities.

Gyanendra says his Feb. 1 takeover and suspension of civil liberties was needed to defeat an escalating anti-monarchy communist insurgency.

Bamako, Mali

Soccer spectators go on rampage

Enraged Mali soccer fans set cars ablaze and looted shops early yesterday, hours after rushing onto the field and forcing the suspension of a World Cup qualifying match against Togo.

"There are many people injured, and many arrests have been made," Interior Minister Col. Sadio Gassama said.

The fans at the sold-out 70,000-seat stadium were angered Sunday after Togo took a 2-1 lead late in the game. Dozens of fans rushed onto the field, and police fired tear gas. Officials stopped the match, and state television immediately cut its live transmission. Togo later was awarded the victory.

Beirut, Lebanon

Syria withdraws 2,000 more troops

Syria has withdrawn 2,000 more troops from Lebanon, a military official said yesterday. The withdrawal brought its military presence in the country to the lowest level since it began three decades ago.

Responding to Lebanese and international pressure after the Feb. 14 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, Syria has been withdrawing about 6,000 of its 14,000 troops piecemeal over the past month.

Kabul, Afghanistan

2 air bases getting $83 million upgrade

The United States is spending $83 million to upgrade its two main air bases in Afghanistan, an Air Force general said yesterday in the latest indication that American forces will remain in the country for years.

Brig. Gen. Jim Hunt said the money was being spent on construction projects already under way at Bagram Air Base, north of Kabul, and Kandahar Air Field in the south. A new runway is being built at Bagram, the biggest Afghan airfield used by the U.S. military.

Afghan leaders have said they want a long-term "strategic partnership" with the United States.