Plans to move Tsukiji fish market put on ice

TOKYO • Plans to move Tokyo's Tsukiji fish market were put on hold yesterday over fears of toxic contamination at the new site, as the cost of the move continued to soar.

Newly elected Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said she would postpone the move - originally planned for November - until at least early next year, as she awaits the results of final groundwater tests at the new site, where a gas plant used to sit.

Plans to uproot the 80-year-old market - the largest in the world - have been in the works for years.

The authorities have said that the popular tourist attraction needs to upgrade its ageing facilities.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

India eyes another record satellite launch

NEW DELHI • India is likely to launch a record 68 foreign satellites in a single space mission next year, said Antrix head Rakesh Sasibhushan on Tuesday.

Antrix is the commercial arm of the state-owned Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro).

Isro made history in June when it successfully launched 20 satellites in a single mission from the southern space centre of Sriharikota.

XINHUA

Beijing, Shanghai ban e-scooters, Segways

BEIJING • Beijing and Shanghai have banned electronic scooters and Segways on public roads after there were several reports of injuries and deaths involving the two-wheeled vehicles.

The two biggest Chinese cities started issuing verbal warnings and fines of 10 yuan (S$2) to offenders this week, the BBC reported.