Japan executed three death row prisoners today, prompting condemnation from human rights activists.

Japan’s top court today rejected an appeal by doomsday cult founder Shoko Asahara, reportedly finalising his death sentence for the 1995 nerve-gas attack on Tokyo’s underground rail system.

North Korea declared today it is free to conduct missile tests, saying it is not bound by prior agreements to refrain from testing and that outsiders do not have right to interfere, a news report said.

North Korea today warned that US moves to build a missile shield were fuelling a dangerous arms race in space, as countries in the region urged the communist nation to halt apparent plans to launch a long-range missile.