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US

A screenshot image from the Whitehouse.gov website that promotes the "lab leak" theory of COVID-19’s origins. The Trump administration has replaced the government’s main portal for information about COVID-19 with a website arguing that the virus leaked from a Chinese lab, throwing its weight behind a theory of the virus’ origins that is so far not backed by direct evidence.
WORLD / Politics
Apr 19, 2025
New White House website blames China for COVID-19 'lab leak'
The website, previously focused on promoting vaccine and testing information, now includes a large image of President Donald Trump and criticizes the Biden-era pandemic policies.
Scott Bessent
WORLD / Politics
Apr 19, 2025
Bessent replaces acting IRS commissioner in power struggle with Musk
The move came hours after a report that Bessent approached President Donald Trump to complain that Musk had gone around him to get his pick appointed.
U.S. President Donald Trump listens to remarks during a swearing-in ceremony for Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Mehmet Oz in the Oval Office in Washington on Friday.
WORLD / Politics
Apr 19, 2025
Trump seeks to put more civil servants under his control
The move would give him power to directly hire and fire as many as 50,000 jobs reserved for career federal employees.
People walk past a banner picturing Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sevastopol, Crimea, on March 22. The banner reads: "The West doesn't need Russia, we need Russia!"
WORLD / Politics
Apr 19, 2025
U.S. open to recognizing Crimea as Russian in Ukraine deal
The signal comes as the Trump administration said it is prepared to move on from its peace-brokering efforts unless progress is made quickly.
Defense Minister Gen Nakatani speaks to reporters in Tokyo on April 11.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 18, 2025
Japan defense chief says 'no reason' to change current U.S. troop deal
Gen Nakatani said that spending “is appropriately shared between the Japanese and U.S. governments based on mutual agreement, with a set time frame.”
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the French Foreign Ministry in Paris on Thursday.
WORLD
Apr 18, 2025
U.S. will abandon Ukraine peace push if no immediate progress, Rubio says
"We need to figure out here now, within a matter of days, whether this is doable in the short term, because if it's not, then I think we're just going to move on," he said.
U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass speaks to reporters on Friday in Tokyo just after he arrived at Haneda Airport.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 18, 2025
New U.S. envoy arrives in Japan with focus on trade, defense and reining in China
Ambassador George Glass said Washington will aim to deepen cooperation with Tokyo on pushing back against China's economic and military moves.
Canada is standing up to American tariffs and territorial threats. The “Buy Canadian” movement has erupted and the country is brimming with expressions of patriotic zeal that are reshuffling the deck in an upcoming election for the next prime minister.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 18, 2025
Is this Canada’s moment?
Washington's tariffs and territorial threats have ignited Canadian unity and resolve, reshaping the upcoming vote to choose who will lead Ottawa through the geopolitical storm.
As the global trade war intensifies, the debt, the main investment for Japan’s life insurers, has seen wild swings along with its U.S. counterparts.
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 18, 2025
Major Japan life insurer to pile into domestic superlong bonds
Investment decisions by Japan’s life insurers can move global markets, and Fukoku Mutual Life Insurance will be the first among its major peers to report such plans.
Ryosei Akazawa (third from right), Japan's tariffs negotiator, in a meeting with U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent (second from right) and other senior government officials on Wednesday in Washington
BUSINESS
Apr 18, 2025
Trump reiterates opposition to Nippon Steel’s purchase of U.S. Steel
Whether there is interplay between the tariff negotiations and the Nippon Steel-U.S. Steel deal has never been made clear.
A video circulating on Chinese social media depicting a "U.S. sweatshop"
ASIA PACIFIC
Apr 18, 2025
Chinese vent anger at Trump's trade war with memes and mockery
Chinese online warriors have taken advantage of the massive strides in AI to create memes highlighting that many of the goods bought by Americans are made in their country.
An anti-U.S. mural on a building in Tehran earlier this month
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Apr 18, 2025
With his promises of peace unmet in Gaza and Ukraine, Trump may find Iran just as tough
Adding to regional tensions is Trump's repeated threat to bomb Iran's nuclear sites if a deal cannot be reached.
Mazda will halt production of CX-50 sport utility vehicles destined for Canada at its Alabama plant effective May 12.
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 18, 2025
Mazda to pause U.S. production of CX-50 cars destined for Canada
The Japanese automaker will halt production of CX-50 sport utility vehicles destined for Canada at its Alabama plant effective May 12.
Unsold bonds are also being covertly peddled at discounted prices, according to several market participants, including investors.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 18, 2025
Japanese municipal bond deals fail to sell as rate swings surge
This month’s heightened market volatility have also led to delays and cancellations of several Japanese corporate bond offerings.
An LA 2028 sign is seen on the Los Angeles Coliseum on Sept. 13, 2017.
OLYMPICS
Apr 18, 2025
USOPC says White House gave reassurances about visas for Los Angeles Olympics
Officials from the USOPC said they met with legislators and members of U.S. President Donald Trump's administration last week.
U.S. soldiers take part in a live-fire exercise as part of the Balikatan drills with Philippine troops, at Laoag, Ilocos Norte, Philippines, in May 2024.
JAPAN
Apr 18, 2025
In a first, Japan will join major Philippine-U.S. drills as participant
The Self-Defense Forces will dispatch about 150 personnel and a warship to the multidomain Balikatan exercises, which begin next week.
U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington on Thursday
BUSINESS
Apr 18, 2025
Trump’s tariff policies are hurting the businesses he’s trying to help
Some firms are putting hiring and expansion plans on hold while they come up with short-term plans to cope with the tariffs.
Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato listens to a question during an interview at the Finance Ministry in Tokyo on Thursday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 18, 2025
Japan's finance minister is 'deeply concerned' over impact of Trump's tariffs
The minister also voiced concern over volatile market moves that Trump's tariffs triggered, saying they could hurt Japan's economic recovery.
Container ships at the Port of Los Angeles on April 7. U.S. President Donald Trump has long argued that China’s dominant role in the maritime industry has made the U.S. overly dependent on the Asian nation.
BUSINESS
Apr 18, 2025
Trump moves to levy Chinese vessels in trade war shakeup
The proposal follows a monthslong investigation ordered by the Biden administration into whether Chinese shipbuilding threatens U.S. national security.
Luigi Mangione, who is charged in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, arrives for his arraignment at the New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan on Dec. 23.
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Apr 18, 2025
Luigi Mangione faces federal charges in health executive’s killing
Mangione has separately been charged by New York state prosecutors with Brian Thompson’s murder and awaits trial.

Longform

Sumadori Bar on Shibuya Ward's main Center Gai street targets young customers who prefer low-alcohol drinks or abstain altogether.
Rethinking that second drink: Japan’s Gen Z gets ‘sober curious’