Saturday 4 May 2013

U.K. anti-immigration party surges in vote

The anti-immigration U.K. Independence Party brakes through as a major political force in local elections, averaging a quarter of the vote and bloodying the ruling ...

Murakami delivers message to Boston

Author and keen runner Haruki Murakami sends a "personal message" to the victims of the Boston bombing and says he felt personally wounded by the ...

U.S. jobless rate lowest since 2008

The U.S. unemployment rate falls to its lowest in more than four years, sending stock markets to new heights and dispelling fears that the recovery ...

Active seabed faults spanning 100 km found off Izu Peninsula: study

Active faults stretching over 100 km are identified near the coast of the Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka Prefecture, and could generate a major quake affecting areas ...

Generators likely caused Bangladesh factory disaster

A top investigator probing the recent garment factory disaster in Bangladesh on Friday blamed vibrations from four illegal generators for the collapse of the building, ...

Abe would be first to laud Istanbul for 2020 Games win

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he would be the first to congratulate Istanbul if the city is chosen to host the 2020 Olympics at a ...

Mr. Inose does not understand

The Tokyo governor's remarks about Olympic Games rival Istanbul shows that he is not yet quite ready to participate in international society, let alone host ...

Tokyo Rainbow Week

Tokyo Rainbow Week, inaugurated April 27 and financially backed by several corporations, saw events aimed at supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender individuals.

The West’s absurd beliefs about Syria’s needs

Western notions of channeling assistance to certain elements of the Syrian opposition are absurd, as is the concept of "nonlethal" aid. Syria is now an ...

Japan’s ‘samurai hurdler’ keeps rising to new challenges

When Dai Tamesue arrived for our recent interview in Tokyo smartly dressed in a dark business suit and toting a brown leather briefcase, the only ...

Our tree dragon fires new hopes for tsunami survivors

Ever since the massive Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011, and the catastrophic tsunami it triggered, badly hit villages, towns and cities in ...

Yagyu: Nara’s hidden village of the shoguns’ sword masters

Legend has it that while roaming the wooded hills around his village one day, Yagyu Munetoshi encountered a tengu — a mythical creature, part human ...

Second-person narration brings home realities of poverty

Mohsin Hamid's new novel comes with a ringing endorsement on its back cover from Jay McInerney, a writer one doesn't readily associate with subcontinental fictions ...

Two documentaries on the rougher side of sports; CM of the week: Bandai Namco’s Gundam games

The life of a pro athlete can be grueling, but 37-year-old soccer player Dan Ito has a perverse determination to make his even more so.

LeBron joins rare company with fourth MVP award

Miami Heat star LeBron James is poised to become the fifth NBA player with at least four MVP awards.

Giants maintain home dominance against Carp

If you're looking for the key to beating the Yomiuri Giants at home, the Hiroshima Carp are probably not the team to ask. Hisayoshi Chono hit ...

Shimane advances to second round; Iwate, Toyama earn historic wins

Three historic achievements were achieved in the bj-league on Saturday. The Shimane Susanoo Magic won a playoff series for the first time in franchise history, defeating ...

Sharks down Canucks in overtime, move out to 2-0 lead

A minute from defeat, the San Jose Sharks dug deep. Patrick Marleau scored in the final minute of regulation and Raffi Torres won it at 5:31 ...

Indians edge Twins, stretch win streak to five

The Cleveland Indians have received contributions from the entire roster in their five-game winning streak. Drew Stubbs took his turn Friday night. Stubbs' one-out double in the ...

Mickelson halfway home at Wells Fargo

Phil Mickelson putted superbly to shoot a 5-under 67 on Friday and take a two-stroke lead going into weekend play at the Wells Fargo Championship. Mickelson ...