Coal mine accident in China kills 19

BEIJING • At least 19 people died in a coal mine accident, state media and officials said yesterday, in what is thought to be one of the deadliest such incidents in China this year.

The accident happened on Wednesday night at a mine in the northern province of Shanxi owned by Datong Coal Mine Group, the official Xinhua news agency said, without giving further details.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Foreigners flock to fill listing for ninja troupe

TOKYO • Hundreds of foreign applicants have deluged tourism officials in Aichi prefecture looking for six full-time ninjas, vastly outnumbering local hopefuls.

Period dramas have immortalised ninjas as martial arts masters and stealth assassins of feudal times.

A job advertisement earlier this month drew more than 200 applications - 85 per cent were from foreigners even though finalists have to pay their own way to Japan for the auditions next week.

Those hired will need to do backflips, use the trademark shuriken (ninja star) and pose for photographs with tourists.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE