. >> the country's envoy for normalizing relations with japan, son il ho, said they have the authority to investigate all government institutions. he's calling for the two nations to share necessary information. he says the probe will require reciprocal interviews and trips to japan. son says the visits are needed to speak to relevant people and see pertinent places. analysts say his request is in response to one made by the japanese government to send a delegation to the north to check on the progress, and they say leaders in pyongyang are trying to show that their probe is credible. past investigations have revealed that a set of remains returned by north korea were not those of an abducted japanese national. leaders in tokyo are keeping a close eye on the north's investigation, even after they decided to lift some of its sanctions. they're expecting north korean officials to issue their first report in late summer or early fall. and they'll also establish communication channels between the two countries. japanese officials are also preparing for the eventual return of the abductees

the country's envoy for normalizing relations with japan son il ho said they have authority to investigate all government institutions. the japanese government responded by lifting some of its sanctions. leaders will keep a close watch on the investigation. they're expecting the north koreans to issue their first report in late summer or early fall. they'll establish communication channels with north korea and they'll consider whether to send a team to interview sources and visit relevant locations. >>> iraqi prime minister nuri al maliki is vowing to seek a third term in power. he's defying a chorus of critics demanding he step down. some iraqis blame maliki for allowing sunni insurgents to gain ground across the country. militants and government forces have been fighting since last month. troops are trying to retake the northern city of tikrit. insurgents there are fighting back. the battle has reached a stalemate. sunnis and kurds are urging maliki to resign. both groups accuse him of making the sectarian confrontation worse by favoring shias. maliki issued a statement on state tv. he s

the country's envoy for normalizing relations with japan son il ho said they have authority to investigate all government institutions. the japanese government responded by lifting some of its sanctions. leaders will keep a close watch on the investigation. they're expecting the north koreans to issue their first report in late summer or early fall. they'll establish communication channels with north korea and they'll consider whether to send a team to interview sources and visit relevant locations. >>> japanese officials are also preparing for the eventual return of the an ductees. they're looking into ways of supporting the victims and their families after they come home. under the plan, abductees age 65 years and over will receive their accumulated pension in one lump sum payment. the authorities are also considering a special benefit system for abductees and their spouses. officials from the ruling liberal democratic party and junior coalition partner new komeito will compile the plan by the end of the month. >>> iraqi prime minister nuri al maliki is vowing to seek a third term in pow