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Japan revises law to ban parents from physically punishing children
The Diet on Wednesday enacted a revised law banning parents and other guardians from physically punishing children following several fatal cases of abuse dealt out in the name of discipline. Another law was also amended to strengthen the ability of child welfare centers to "intervene" in abuse cases by separating… Read
EU worried about rise in whale exports to Japan from Iceland, Norway
The European Union has expressed concerns that Japan's resumption of commercial whaling in July following its withdrawal from the International Whaling Commission may lead to increased exports of whale products to Tokyo from the whaling countries of Iceland and Norway. "We hope that the decision of Japan to limit its… Read
M6.7 quake strikes off northeast Japan; at least 26 injured
A strong 6.7 magnitude earthquake rocked Japan Tuesday night, sparking a tsunami advisory that was later lifted with no reports Wednesday of major damage. At least 26 people were injured. The Japan Meteorological Agency had warned Tuesday that a wave of one meter could hit the coast of the Sea… Read
Man held for pushing commuter off Osaka subway platform
A 49-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after he pushed a 46-year-old man off the platform at Nakatsu Station on the Midosuji subway line in Osaka. According to police, the incident occurred at around 11:30 p.m. on Monday. Police said that before the incident, the suspect,… Read
Arctic could face another record hot year
Scientists say 2019 could be another annus horribilis for the Arctic with record temperatures already registered in Greenland -- a giant melting icicle that threatens to submerge the world's coastal areas one day. "It's possible that we could break the records set in 2012 for both lowest Arctic sea ice… Read
Euthanasia law comes into effect in Australian state
Euthanasia laws for terminally ill patients came into effect in Australia's second-most populous state in a "bold change" Wednesday, the only place in the nation where the practice will be legal. Assisted suicide is illegal in most countries and was banned in Australia until Victoria state introduced laws to legalise… Read
Trump launches re-election campaign, presenting himself as outsider and victim
U.S. President Donald Trump formally launched his 2020 re-election campaign on Tuesday by presenting himself as the same political insurgent who shook up the Washington establishment four years ago and who is now a victim of an attempted ouster by Democrats. At a packed rally at an arena in Orlando,… Read
Russia, China, block U.S. effort to halt N Korea fuel deliveries
Russia and China on Tuesday blocked an American initiative that aimed to halt fuel deliveries to North Korea, which Washington accuses of exceeding its annual ceiling for 2019, diplomatic sources said. Moscow and Beijing said more time was needed to study the U.S. request, which was backed by 25 U.N.… Read
Japan's exports slide for sixth month as trade troubles knock demand
Japan's exports fell for a sixth straight month in May as China-bound shipments of semiconductor manufacturing equipment and car parts weakened, underlining persistent pressure on the trade-reliant economy from slowing external demand. Sluggish exports have been a source of concern among Japanese policymakers, especially as a bruising U.S.-China tariff war… Read
DeGrom, Alonso lead Mets to 10-2 rout of 1st-place Braves
Jacob deGrom took a shutout into the ninth inning, Pete Alonso homered to highlight the first four-hit game of his young career, and the New York Mets routed the first-place Atlanta Braves 10-2 on Tuesday night. Bouncing back from an ugly 12-3 loss in the series opener, the Mets pounded… Read
