U.S., Japan to ease flight limits
Pending agreement likely to foster airline alliances
The U.S. and Japan reached a landmark agreement Friday to relax limits on flights between the two countries, opening up the possibility of broader cross-border airline alliances and more options for air travelers.
Under the agreement, which still must be finalized by both governments, airlines from both countries would be allowed to select routes and destinations based on consumer demand for both passenger and cargo services without limitations on the number of U.S. or Japanese carriers that can fly between the two countries or the number of flights they can operate.
The agreement also would remove restrictions on capacity and pricing, and provide unlimited opportunities for cooperative marketing arrangements between U.S. and Japanese carriers.
Delta and United Airlines are already allowed to serve Japanese cities, and Delta’s acquisition of Northwest Airlines last year increased its Asian presence. But U.S. passenger airlines generally have been limited in the routes and number of flights they can operate to Japan.
United Chief Executive Glenn Tilton said his airline soon would file an antitrust immunity application for a trans-Pacific joint venture with All Nippon Airways and Continental Airlines.
The U.S.-Japan agreement likely will also prompt Japan Airlines to seek a joint venture with a U.S. carrier.
The U.S.-Japan agreement also would provide opportunities for growth of U.S. carrier operations at Narita International Airport near Tokyo and ensure fair competition regarding the new opportunities at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, which is close to the city center, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Hometown honors police officer slain in Washington state
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Led by a lone drummer and 17 police motorcycles, a horse-drawn caisson on Friday carried the flag-draped casket of police Sgt. Mark Renninger through his hometown of Bethlehem.
Renninger, who was killed with three fellow officers by a gunman last month in Washington state, was honored by more than 1,000 police officers in ceremonies that wound throughout the city.
More than 200 residents braved numbing cold to watch a state police honor guard solemnly place Renninger’s casket on the caisson. For the remaining 1.6 miles to Renninger’s grave, the caisson was followed by a riderless, black police horse.
Renninger, 39, was one of four Lakewood, Wash., police officers killed Nov. 29 in a coffee shop. The alleged gunman, Maurice Clemmons, was killed two days later by a Seattle patrolman.
— Pamela Lehman and Michael Duck, Tribune Newspapers
WORLD
Ousted Honduran leader set to meet successor
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — The leader of the Dominican Republic said Friday that ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya will meet with his elected successor this week in his Caribbean nation.
There was no indication, however, that a deal for allowing such a meeting had been reached with the interim government that replaced Zelaya after a coup June 28.
Dominican President Leonel Fernandez told reporters he expected Zelaya and President-elect Porfirio Lobo to meet Monday in Santo Domingo to talk about ways for resolving the political crisis that has gripped Honduras since Zelaya was deposed.
Crown prince returns
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Arabia’s crown prince returned home Friday after a yearlong absence for treatment of an undisclosed illness that sparked rumors about his health and raised questions about the complicated issue of royal succession in the oil-rich kingdom.
Crown Prince Sultan arrived to a royal reception at Riyadh’s airport. He looked healthy and shook hands with hundreds of well-wishers led by King Abdullah, his half brother. Sultan joked with the king, and the two kissed and embraced in greetings that were aired live on state TV.
Sultan is one of the most powerful figures in Saudi Arabia. The kingdom’s defense minister for 47 years, he closed several multibillion-dollar deals to establish the modern Saudi armed forces. He was appointed crown prince in 2005 and is first deputy prime minister.
NATION
Congress’ ACORN cuts ruled unconstitutional
NEW YORK — The U.S. government’s move this fall to cut off funding to ACORN was unconstitutional, a federal judge ruled Friday, handing the embattled group a legal victory.
U.S. District Judge Nina Gershon issued the preliminary injunction against the government, saying it is in the public’s interest for the organization to continue receiving federal funding.
ACORN claimed in its lawsuit that Congress’ decision to cut off its funding was unconstitutional because it punitively targeted an individual organization.
Gershon said in her ruling that ACORN had raised a “fundamental issue of separation of powers. They have been singled out by Congress for punishment that directly and immediately affects their ability to continue to obtain federal funding, in the absence of any judicial, or even administrative, process adjudicating guilt.”
Baby’s death sparks probe
LAS VEGAS — Six University Medical Center employees have been suspended while the county investigates claims that a woman was ignored for so long in the emergency room that she went home and gave birth to a premature baby who later died.
Clark County released a statement Friday from hospital Chief Executive Kathy Silver expressing condolences to the 25-year-old woman, Roshunda Abney, and promising a thorough investigation.
“All of our employees are expected to treat patients with dignity, respect and kindness,” Silver said. “We will uncover what happened that day and will not stand for the mistreatment of our patients or their families.”
Nursing home slaying
NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — A 98-year-old woman was indicted Friday on a second-degree murder charge that alleges she strangled her 100-year-old nursing home roommate after making the victim’s life “a living hell” because she thought the woman was “taking over the room.”
Laura Lundquist was sent to a state mental hospital for a competency evaluation before her arraignment. Her defense attorney, Carl Levin, said she has a “long-standing diagnosis of dementia, as well as issues of cognitive impairment.”
She is believed to be the oldest murder defendant in state history, but might never go to trial because of her mental health issues.
THE NEWSMAKER
Nephews vs. Larry Flint
LOS ANGELES — The porn family feud that played out in federal court last week ended in a draw Friday when a jury ruled that Larry Flynt’s estranged nephews infringed on his trademark when they launched their own smut business but did not invade his privacy and were not liable for the substantial attorney fees both sides rang up.
The jury of four men and four women rendered its verdict after a four-day trial.
