Briefs, January 14, 2013

Fuel spills add to woes of Boeing's Dreamliner

TOKYO - A Japan Airlines Boeing 787 suffered a fuel spill for the second time in a week, a report said. The latest incident happened at Tokyo's Narita Airport, Jiji Press newswire reported, while the aircraft was being checked following a fuel spill on Tuesday in Boston. The airline could not be reached for comment. On Friday, US regulators announced an in-depth safety review of the 787 Dreamliner after a recent spate of incidents involving the new hi-tech aircraft. AFP

Thai media criticises protest by soldiers

BANGKOK - Thai journalists called on the country's powerful military not to pressure the media after uniformed soldiers protested outside a television station over comments critical of the army chief. The Thai Journalists Association raised concerns after around 30 troops held a two-day protest calling for an apology. Thailand's military, which has a long history of intervening in politics, said it had instructed the soldiers involved to end their protest. AFP

US sailor arrested over curfew incident

TOKYO - Japanese police arrested an American sailor for allegedly trespassing on property near Tokyo during a nighttime curfew imposed after recent crimes linked to US servicemen. Kanagawa police said Richard Lawton, 24, was suspected of having entered a home near his base in Yokosuka. Lawton reportedly was drunk when arrested after a resident called police. Since an alleged rape of a woman on the southern island of Okinawa by two sailors in October, a curfew has been in place for all US servicemen in Japan. AP

Three killed in army helicopter crash

YANGON - Myanmar's state media said three army personnel were killed when a helicopter crashed in conflict-torn northern Kachin state, rebutting rebel claims that the aircraft was shot down. The helicopter was on a "security and administrative mission" when engine failure forced it to make an emergency landing, according to the English-language New Light of Myanmar newspaper. Meanwhile, more than 50 Kachin protesters gathered outside the Myanmese embassy in Bangkok to urge an end to aerial bombardments of Kachin rebels. AFP