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Latest News

Members of Syrian security forces stand on a road as vehicles transporting other Syrian security forces make their way out of the predominantly Druze city of Sweida, Syria, on Wednesday.
WORLD
Jul 18, 2025
U.S. does not support Israel's Syria strikes as Sharaa vows to protect Druze
Israel launched airstrikes in Damascus on Wednesday, saying it aimed to protect Syrian Druze, a part of a minority that also has followers in Lebanon and Israel.
The Cape Town International Convention Center during the G20 Finance Ministers meeting in South Africa in February. Washington is still seen planning to assume the G20 presidency at the end of the year, which coincides with the 250th anniversary of the United States.
WORLD
Jul 18, 2025
U.S. eyes 'back to basics' revamp of G20 when it assumes presidency next year
Washington has scaled back its participation this year, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent skipping a G20 event twice this year so far.
Newly appointed Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko attends a session of Ukrainian parliament in Kyiv on Thursday.
WORLD / Politics
Jul 18, 2025
Ukraine reshuffles Cabinet with wartime economy struggling
The reshuffle reflects Ukraine’s effort to spend more on its war effort and to strengthen sometimes strained relations with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance said Thursday that it will sell to local governments a policy to cover property damage caused by bullets fired during wild bear extermination.
JAPAN
Jul 17, 2025
Japan insurer to launch policy linked to bear culling
The move comes as the revised wildlife protection and management law is set to take effect in September.
Pasona Group has relocated some of its headquarters functions from Tokyo to Awaji Island, developing leisure, restaurant and other facilities there.
BUSINESS
Jul 17, 2025
Pasona to open resort on Awaji Island
The opening ceremony for Hatake no Resort Sansan Villa was held on Wednesday.
One out of every 5,000 births is affected by mitochondrial diseases, which cannot be treated, and include symptoms such as impaired vision, diabetes and muscle wasting.
WORLD / Science & Health
Jul 17, 2025
World-first IVF trial reduces risk of babies inheriting diseases
The results raise hopes that women with mutations in their mitochondrial DNA could one day have children without passing debilitating or deadly diseases on to the children.
Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan leader Yoshihiko Noda said it is obvious that Japanese society could not function without the help of foreign workers in manufacturing, health care, construction and public transportation.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 17, 2025
CDP leader criticizes ‘Japanese First’ policy and calls for inclusive society
Foreign residents are critical to maintaining Japan’s economy, said Yoshihiko Noda, as he issued a call on the campaign trail for a multicultural society that respects minorities.
Sanseito head Sohei Kamiya makes a stump speech in Tokyo on July 3.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 17, 2025
Sanseito third-most popular party in Upper House race: poll
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party remained the front-runner at 20.9%, albeit down 3.6 points from June.
A former company employee who posts highlight videos on YouTube prepares to livestream Shinji Ishimaru's stump speech in Tokyo in June.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 17, 2025
Highlight videos online playing big role in Upper House election
Social media is increasingly impacting election results in Japan amid the growing popularity of YouTube and other video-sharing sites.
Campaign posters in Tokyo. Voters in Japan put immediate economic issues ahead of longer-term concerns about the effects of tariffs.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 17, 2025
Trump tariffs fail to register with Japanese voters ahead of key election
Only 8% of voters surveyed by NHK rated tariffs as their top priority.
Items collected by people who hunt for coins and other valuables in the Yamuna River in New Delhi on June 26
ASIA PACIFIC / Society
Jul 17, 2025
New Delhi's river divers risk health in polluted waters, seeking treasures
Hundreds of divers hunt for coins, trinkets, discarded bottles and shards of metal and wood that can be sold in the capital's booming scrap market.
Mayu Ushida, a former NHK newscaster running for election in the Tokyo electoral district on the Democratic Party for the People ticket, signs an autograph for a voter after a public rally at Shinjuku Station in Tokyo on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 17, 2025
From stalking to death threats, female candidates still face harassment
As Japan aims to increase the number of women in politics, addressing the issue of unwanted attention from men remains a challenge.
A statue of Park Chung-hee, the former South Korean dictator, in Gumi, South Korea, in 2016.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jul 17, 2025
South Korea retries ex-spy chief over 1979 presidential assassination
Park had ruled the country with an iron fist for more than 15 years when he was shot and killed by his head of intelligence and trusted aide Kim at a dinner in 1979.
Masako Wada, assistant secretary-general of Nihon Hidankyo, urged policymakers around the world to "take the leadership ... toward human society free of nuclear weapons."
JAPAN
Jul 17, 2025
Nuclear deterrence 'cannot save humanity,' Nihon Hidankyo member says
Masako Wada urged policymakers around the world to "take the leadership ... toward human society free of nuclear weapons."
Kiyoshi Shibata stands in front of one of the rice paddies in Murayama, Yamagata Prefecture, where he produces the prefecture's signature rice brand Tsuyahime.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jul 17, 2025
Japan's rice farmers are confounded by Shinjiro Koizumi’s policies
Farming communities, a key base for the Liberal Democratic Party, are increasingly voicing their distress at how the rice situation is being handled.
The crash site of Air India flight AI171 in Ahmedabad, India, on June 12
ASIA PACIFIC / Society
Jul 17, 2025
Air India junior pilot asked why captain turned off fuel switches, sources say
While fuel supply to the engines was restored about 10 seconds later, it was too late to avert the June 12 crash that killed 260 people.
The Tigers' Tarik Skubal pitches for the American League during the MLB All-Star Game in Atlanta on Tuesday.
BASEBALL / MLB
Jul 17, 2025
Tigers focused on getting back to playoffs and contending for World Series
At 59-38, Detroit owns the majors' best record and sent six All-Stars to Atlanta.
Samsung Electronics Chairman Jay Y. Lee arrives at a court in Seoul on Feb. 3.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jul 17, 2025
South Korea's top court clears Samsung chairman Lee in 2015 fraud case
The Supreme Court's verdict permanently removes a long-running legal distraction for Lee as Samsung plays catch-up in a global race to develop cutting-edge AI chips.
Japanese companies are heading overseas to borrow as their local market is becoming too volatile and rates are rising.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jul 17, 2025
Japan Inc. takes global credit by storm with record sales
More and more Japanese companies are heading overseas to borrow as their local market is becoming too volatile and rates are rising.
A guilty ruling on a Japanese employee of Astellas Pharma in China for a spying charge has shocked Japanese firms operating in China.
JAPAN
Jul 17, 2025
Japanese firms in China wary after Astellas employee spy conviction
"We don't know what actions (by the Astellas employee) were considered a problem" by Chinese authorities, a senior official of a Japanese manufacturer stationed in Beijing said.
Italy's players celebrate after their quarterfinal win over Norway  at Euro 2025 in Geneva on Wednesday.
SOCCER
Jul 17, 2025
Italy celebrates after ending 28-year wait to return to Euro semifinals
The raucous Italian crowd urged their players on, with chants of "forza Italia" and the Stade de Geneve lit up when Cristiana Girelli found the net twice in the second half.
The United Nations Command-Rear, which operates from Yokota Air Base, plays a critical role in maintaining peace and stability in Asia.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Jul 17, 2025
Little-known U.N. Command bases in Japan play a critical security role in Asia
The United Nations Command-Rear is a small multinational team that works quietly to ensure peace and stability in the region.
Tadej Pogacar rides during Stage 11 of the Tour de France in Toulouse, France, on July 16.
MORE SPORTS / Cycling
Jul 17, 2025
Race favorite Tadej Pogacar escapes unscathed after crash at Tour de France
Pogacar went down about five kilometers from the line, and the peloton eased off to allow the overall race favorite to rejoin.

Longform

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