JAPAN BATTLES RUSSIAN OIL SPILL.

Japan’s coast guard went into action over the weekend in an effort to contain an oil slick that threatens Japan’s western coast. The oil came from the Russian oil tanker "Nakhodka," which broke apart in waters near Japan on January 2 for reasons that remain unknown. All 32 of its crew members were rescued, but the captain apparently went down with the ship. The Nakhodka was 26 years old and scheduled to be decommissioned later this year. (AP, January 4; Itar-Tass, January 5)

War Crimes Trial Set to Begin.