Japan: The trial of Shoko Asahara, accused of involvement in the 1995 sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway, ends in Japan with final statements from lawyers. The next court session is to be held in mid-February 2004. [1]
Russia: The furor surrounding Yukos deepens with an outspoken statement from the RussianPrime Minister expressing deep concern about the freezing of Yukos shares. [2]