Lima - Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso said Sunday in Lima that the prospects of the Doha Round of talks at the World Trade Organization (WTO) have changed after seven years of failures.

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is aware that, in the current context of global economic and financial crisis, "the world might turn protectionistic," Aso said. This is an issue that needs "to be responded to quickly."

Tokyo  - Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo departed the western Japanese city of Osaka Saturday for a summit in Lima, leaving her husband at hospital after he fell ill on their flight, media reports said.

The condition of Jose Miguel Arroyo, 62, was not announced.

Philippine Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno had denied reports that Mr Arroyo had suffered a heart attack, saying he had "stomach cramps and back pains."

Bangkok  - Nikon Corp's unit in Thailand laid off 1,500 of its subcontracting staff amid signs that Thailand's exports are slowing, media reports said Saturday.

The Japanese camera-manufacturing giant has decided to terminate the employment of 1,500 non-permanent staff at its factory in Ayuthaya province, the Bangkok Post said, quoting provincial labour official Pongthai Musikapong.

Manila  - A plane carrying Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has made an emergency landing in Japan after her husband fell ill on the flight, officials said Friday.

Arroyo was on her way to Lima, Peru to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders' summit.

Her husband, Jose Miguel Arroyo, fell ill on the flight, with some officials saying he had a heart attack. Other officials said he suffered an upset stomach.

Mr. Arroyo underwent heart surgery in Manila last year.

"Our information is that the president's plane made an emergency landing in Osaka, Japan at 11 pm Philippine time because of the condition of the first gentleman," Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said.

Tokyo - Tokyo stocks snapped its losing streak to close Friday trading higher as investors bought back battered shares.

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average rose 207.75 points, or 2.7 per cent, to close at 7,910.79.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues was also up 20.41 points, or 2.57 per cent, to 802.69.

The Tokyo market lost more than 2 per cent in morning trading due to stronger yen and Wall Street's overnight plunges, but it erased early losses in the afternoon session with bargain-hunting.

Tokyo - The Bank of Japan decid