North Korea launched a ballistic missile Friday, the Pentagon said, just weeks after Pyongyang tested an intercontinental rocket capable of hitting parts of the United States. South Korea’s military and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also confirmed the launch. In Seoul and Tokyo, the governments convened meetings of their national security councils. Pentagon spokesman Navy … Read more
Virtual reality games usually promise shoot ’em up adventures, but today in Hong Kong, lovelorn tech fans are donning the headsets to go on imaginary dates. The city’s annual Ani-Com and Games fair sees thousands queue to try out the latest consoles or buy up comic book collectibles, often dressed up as their favourite characters. … Read more
Freestyle queen Katie Ledecky on Friday cruised towards her fifth gold at the world championships as the fastest into the women’s 800m final in Budapest on Friday. Despite only turning 20 in March, Ledecky is already the most decorated female swimmer in world championships’ history. She earned the 13th title, spanning three championships, by anchoring … Read more
Virtual reality games usually promise shoot ’em up adventures but in Hong Kong Friday lovelorn tech fans donned headsets to go on imaginary dates. The city’s annual Ani-Com and Games fair sees thousands queue to try out the latest consoles or buy up comic book collectibles, often dressed up as their favourite characters. But for … Read more
Hawkish Japanese defence minister Tomomi Inada on Friday announced her resignation over a long-brewing scandal involving the handling of military documents, in a political blow to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. “I decided to resign as defence minister,” Inada told a press conference at the defence ministry. “I submitted my resignation to the prime minister and … Read more
Sarah Sjostrom says there is more in the tank, with the women’s 100m freestyle world-record again under threat after powering her way into Friday’s final at the world championships. The 23-year-old Swedish sprinter became the first woman to swim under 52 seconds last Sunday during a powerful first leg in the 4x100m freestyle. In the … Read more
Japan’s defence minister Tomomi Inada will resign over an alleged coverup involving military documents, local media reported on Thursday, potentially dealing a fresh political blow to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Public broadcaster NHK reported that Inada, 58, will submit her resignation to Abe as early as Friday before a cabinet reshuffle expected next week. Inada, … Read more
The head of Japan’s reeling main opposition party announced her resignation on Thursday, less than a year after becoming the first woman to lead the group. Renho, a former model and TV anchor, took the reins of the Democratic Party (DP) last September in a landslide party election victory. But her brief spell was dogged … Read more
Customers will finally get behind the wheels of Model 3 cars on Friday as Tesla tries to veer from its high-end image with a more affordable electric car. Tesla founder and boss Elon Musk planned to mark the occasion with a ceremony at the company’s plant in the city of Fremont near San Francisco. An … Read more
Four Japanese detained in China in March for alleged “illegal activities” have safely returned home, officials said Thursday, though two others are still being held. Tensions regularly mar Japan-China relations, with a maritime territorial dispute and lingering tensions over Tokyo’s history of aggression in the first half of the 20th century the major irritants. China … Read more
Cameron McEvoy expects a “very fast” men’s 100m freestyle final at the world championships on Thursday with a “dog-fight” on the cards and the blue riband event wide open. France’s Mehdy Metella clocked the fastest time from Wednesday’s semi-finals of 47.65 seconds, but all of the top five swam under 48 secs. With both Olympic … Read more
Britain plans to play a bigger role in Asia after Brexit, including deploying its military to the area if necessary, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said Thursday. Johnson backed the campaign to quit the EU and said the decision had given his country the opportunity to “think afresh” about its international role, while maintaining close ties … Read more
Wasabi and Okinawan sweet potato may not be everyone’s preferred type of Kit Kat but booming demand for exotic flavours in Japan has prompted bar-maker Nestle to open a new factory. The Switzerland-based food giant announced Wednesday that it will on August 1 open its first new Japanese Kit Kat production site in 26 years, … Read more
Some of the most impressive health benefits of coffee include its ability to improve cognitive health, protect the cardiovascular system, reduce the chances of developing diabetes, aid in weight loss efforts, boost energy levels, maximize fitness efforts, increase liver protection, optimize the metabolism, and protect against certain types of cancer. Known around the world for its wide variety of taste … Read more
Divorces are known to break a heart or two but in one case in Japan, an extra 54 violins were left in tatters. A woman has been arrested for destroying her former partner’s violin collection and 70 bows, together worth 105.9m yen ($950,700, £770,000). The 34-year-old suspect broke into his apartment in Nagoya and wrecked … Read more
A woman has been arrested in Japan on suspicion of destroying 54 violins and 70 bows worth around $950,000 that were owned by her ex-husband, police and media said Wednesday. The 34-year-old was arrested Tuesday for allegedly breaking into a man’s home and wrecking the instruments, with reports that the violins had been made or … Read more
Britain’s defence secretary Wednesday made a strong push to build Australia’s next fleet of warships, saying the frigates he proposes are best placed to hunt “Russian and Chinese submarines” amid regional tensions. Australia earlier this year detailed a massive Aus$89 billion (US$70.4 billion) shipbuilding strategy, including constructing new submarines and frigates, in the nation’s largest … Read more
Britain’s Adam Peaty warned the men’s 50m breaststroke world record could fall again in a fierce battle over the sprint distance in Wednesday’s final. The British ace broke his own world record from 2015 by clocking 26.10 seconds in Tuesday’s heats, then lowered it again to 25.95sec in the evening’s semi-finals. The record is under … Read more
The Pentagon has picked up signs that North Korea is prepping for another missile test, a US defense official said Tuesday, as the United States cited progress in pushing China to impose tough new UN sanctions. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official told AFP that if the test goes ahead, it would “probably” occur … Read more
China on Tuesday called on the United States to stop “unfriendly” and “dangerous” military flights after two Chinese fighter jets intercepted an American surveillance plane over the East China Sea. The US Navy EP-3 reconnaissance aircraft took evasive action Sunday after a Chinese J-10 warplane zoomed underneath it, slowed down and pulled up in front … Read more