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☆ Japan launches bullet train service to a region that 'guidebooks rarely mention'
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Rob Goss | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Japan is launching a new high-speed bullet train, or shinkansen, extension on Saturday that will make an under-the-radar prefecture far more accessible to travelers. The new train will pass through the city of Fukui, the town of Awara and other places guidebooks rarely mention, before reaching the port town of Tsuruga, adding some 78 miles to the Hokuriku Shinkansen's existing Tokyo-to-Kanazawa service. A Geisha walks through a performance hall in Awara, Japan. The end of the lineThe new shinkansen service ends in the town of Tsuruga. Kehi-no-Matsubara in Tsuruga, Japan.

Persons: dino, Juratic, Dogen, it's, Buddhika Weerasinghe, Arief, Sugihara Chiune, Sugihara, Matsuo Basho Organizations: Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, Zen, Getty, Humanity Museum, Mixa Locations: Japan, Fukui Prefecture, Tokyo, Fukui, Awara, Tsuruga, Kanazawa, Katsuyama, Kanaz, Suishouhama, Poland, Lithuania, Nazi

☆ If you've always dreamed of wandering the alleys in the famous geisha district in Kyoto, your time might be running out
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Marielle Descalsota | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Gion, a historic district in Kyoto, is set to bar tourists from entering its private streets from April. Gion is famed for its traditional teahouses where geisha work and entertain guests. AdvertisementGion, Japan's popular geisha district in Kyoto, will be barring tourists from entering certain alleys, the news agency AFP reported on Friday. The district council comprises several residents of Gion. While Gion's private streets will be closed, tourists will still be allowed to enter the main Hanamikoji Street, which is public, per AFP.

Persons: Gion, —, Isokazu Ota, Ota, It's, Kotaro Nagaski Organizations: Service, AFP, Asahi Shimbun Locations: Kyoto, Gion, Ota, Japan, Yamanashi, Fuji

☆ Why this snowy Japanese island is a food lover’s paradise
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-07 | by ( Milly Chan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Hokkaido, Japan CNN —Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost main island, is unlike anywhere else in the country. Chef Tomoyuki Takao in the kitchen of his eponymous Hokkaido restaurant. “I realized that the indigenous Ainu people were the most knowledgeable about the forest,” Takao says. It was the first Japanese wine ever served in the iconic restaurant Noma in Copenhagen, and is a firm favorite on Takao’s wine list. The ocean’s winter bountyVideo Ad Feedback Discover why these clams taste best in winter 06:25 - Source: CNNSeafood is an integral part of Hokkaido’s food culture.

Persons: Tomoyuki Takao, CNN “, “, ” Takao, Takao, ”, Sonoko Fukae, “ I’ve, Yu Uchida, Uchida, ” Uchida, Japow isn’t, Soga, Yoichi, Soga’s, ” Takahiko, Akio Kashiwamura, ” Kashiwamura, Kashiwamura, doesn’t, Akemi Yokoyama, Kazuki Akazawa, Akazawa, it’s Organizations: CNN, Japan CNN, Michelin, European, Ebetsu, ”, CNN Seafood Locations: Hokkaido, Japan, Sapporo, French, Honshu, Shikisai, Copenhagen, Takao, Burgundy, France, Okhotsk, ”, Notsuke, Tomakomai

☆ Seven-year-old girl drowns after small boat capsizes in northern France
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-03 | by ( Eve Brennan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —A seven-year-old girl has drowned after a boat capsized on the Aa canal in Watten, northern France, local authorities said. The small boat was carrying 16 migrants including the seven-year-old girl’s parents, whose nationality is unknown. The small boat had likely been stolen and was not designed to carry so many people, the prefecture said. The incident took place in the early hours of Sunday morning, around 30km from the English channel. A press officer told CNN that the fatal capsizing took place between two locks, an area which is “very, very dangerous.”An investigation is underway.

Organizations: CNN, Police Locations: Watten, France, France’s prefecture, country’s Nord, Dunkirk, French

☆ A government employee bought a wildly expensive sex doll to promote kimonos to tourists. Now the scandal's blowing up.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Kwan Wei Kevin Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Read previewAuditors have rapped the Tokushima Prefectural Government for purchasing an "extremely expensive" sex doll to promote the city's tourism. The exhibition was meant to promote the prefecture's traditional indigo-dyeing art, so the doll was clad in an indigo-dyed summer kimono, per the Mainichi. Officials initially used a pair of cheaper mannequins — not the sex doll — at the exhibition in June 2017. AdvertisementBut in July, an unnamed male official decided to replace the mannequins with the sex doll. The auditors dismissed the prefecture's claims that the sex doll was more effective at drawing tourists than the mannequins.

Persons: —, he'd, Masazumi Gotoda Organizations: Service, Tokushima Prefectural Government, Business, Tokushima Awaodori Airport, Mainichi Shimbun, Mainichi . Officials, Mainichi, COVID, Yahoo Japan Locations: Tokushima Prefectural, Tokushima, Noto

☆ These Japanese beef croquettes are so popular there’s a 43-year waitlist
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Maggie Hiufu Wong | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Founded in 1926, Asahiya sold meat products from Hyogo prefecture – Kobe beef included – for decades before adding beef croquettes to the shelf in the years following WWII. An unprofitable business ideaThe highly coveted “Extreme Croquettes” are one of four types of Kobe beef croquettes available at Asahiya. The shop’s Premier Kobe Beef Croquettes currently have a more palatable four-year waitlist. Our shop only sells meat that was produced in Hyogo Prefecture, whether it’s Kobe beef, Kobe pork or Tajima chicken. Production boosted but popularity growsThe cheap price tag of the Extreme Croquettes flies in the face of the quality of the ingredients.

Persons: Asahiya, Shigeru Nitta, “, ” Nitta, Nitta, ”, Sanda –, Asahiya’s croquettes, Nitta chuckled, “ I’m Organizations: CNN, Premier Kobe Beef, ”, “, Asahiya Locations: Kobe, Asahiya, Takasago City, Japan’s Hyogo Prefecture, it’ll, Hyogo, Hyogo Prefecture, Kobe city

☆ TSMC delays its $40 billion chip project in Arizona, now to be completed in 2027 or 2028
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

It’s the second time TSMC (TSM), the world’s largest chipmaker, has been forced to push back its plans in the western US state. It announced in 2022 that it would build a second semiconductor plant in Arizona, adding to plans for an existing fab and raising its overall investment in the state from $12 billion to $40 billion. TSMC is also considering whether to open a second facility in Japan. “The second fab in Japan is in serious evaluation stage,” and the firm is holding talks with the government, according to Liu. It cited a boon for the global semiconductor industry from “the rising emergence of generative AI-related applications,” which include popular platforms such as ChatGPT.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN — TSMC, Joe Biden’s, Mark Liu, Liu, Biden, TSMC, “, C.C, Wei Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Global, Apple, Nvidia Locations: Hong Kong, Arizona, Hsinchu, Taiwan, Dresden, Germany, Europe, Japan, Kumamoto, New York, Taipei

☆ La Reunion Lifts Red Alert After Cyclone Belal Moves Away
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS (Reuters) - The French island of La Reunion lifted a cyclone alert at noon (0800 GMT) on Tuesday, as cyclone Belal that struck the Indian Ocean island a day earlier had moved away and no longer posed a threat, local authorities said. "(The cyclone) no longer represents a danger to our territory," the authorities said, still advising a degree of caution even though weather conditions were improving. The lifting of the red alert means local businesses can restart activities but residents were advised to stay at home if possible. Nurseries would open from Wednesday but schools would remain closed until Monday, the Prefecture of La Reunion said. Almost 130 firefighters, 10 gendarmes and 15 power network specialists were scheduled to arrive to La Reunion from neighbouring Mayotte and from continental France.

Persons: Piotr Lipinski, Ros Russell Organizations: PARIS, La Reunion Locations: La, Prefecture, Mayotte, France

☆ Gripped by drought, this French island is running out of drinking water
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( Claudia Colliva | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

In a country like France this is ‘unimaginable’Though 5,000 miles away from mainland France, under French law, Mayotte is as French as the suburbs of Paris. A dried up reservoir in Dzoumogne on the French Indian Ocean island of Mayotte on October 15, 2023. Gregoire Merot/APAs the water crisis continues, so do the health risks. ‘It’s not a normal life’A man fills a bucket with water in Dzaoudzi, on the French Indian Ocean island of Mayotte, Nov. 7, 2023. Marion Joly/AFP/Getty ImagesMahorais continue to struggle with the financial repercussions of the dire water crisis.

Persons: Racha Mousdikoudine, ”, Mousdikoudine, Douainda Attoumani, “ I’m, “, Cook, Olivier Brahic, Estelle Youssouffa, it’s, Marion Joly, Gregoire Merot, Soumeth Abasse, Abasse, “ We’ve, “ We’re, ” Abasse, Youssouffa, that’s, ‘ It’s, Elsa Leduc, ” Leduc, we’ve Organizations: CNN, Mayotte –, Getty, Regional Health Authority, French National Assembly, Mayotte’s, “, European Commission, Prefecture, BFMTV Locations: Mayotte, Africa, Mozambique, Madagascar, Prefecture, France, Paris, Chafion Madi, AFP, La, Dzoumogne, M'tsamoudou, Bandrele, Dzaoudzi

☆ Marseille v Lyon rescheduled game returns to Marseille, no disciplinary action
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The disciplinary commission said it would not take any action following the incident. The ruling has annoyed Lyon, who said they would appeal the decision. On Nov. 2, the LFP announced the date for the rescheduled game, but no venue was named, with Lyon's director of football, Vincent Ponsot, calling for the game to be played at a neutral venue. The LFP has instead rescheduled the game for Marseille. Lyon are bottom of Ligue 1 with four points after 10 matches.

Persons: Lyon, Fabio Grosso, Vincent Ponsot, Trevor Stynes, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Olympique de Marseille, Olympique Lyonnais, Lyon, Marseille's Stade Velodrome, French League, Stade Velodrome, LFP, Marseille, Ligue, Thomson Locations: Prefecture, Bouches, Marseille, Lyon

☆ Chinese officials urge calm after Evergrande fears reportedly spark small bank run
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Depositors lined up at the bank in Cangzhou, in Hebei province, to withdraw their money, according to photos and videos circulated online this week, prompting an appeal for calm by officials. The bank has a statement from the city government posted at its entrance, assuring the public that their deposits are safe, Yicai said. It was unclear how many depositors took part in the bank run or how much they withdrew. Central Huijin Investment, an arm of China’s sovereign wealth fund, bought tens of millions of shares in Bank of China, Agricultural Bank of China, China Construction Bank and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, according to separate stock exchange filings made by the banks. The best performer has been China Construction Bank, which was up 5.6% in Hong Kong and 2.7% in Shanghai.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, ”, Evergrande, Xu Jiayin, Yicai, Weeks, ’, —, Martha Zhou Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Police, CNN, Bank of Cangzhou, Bank, Huijin Investment, Bank of China, Agricultural Bank of, China Construction Bank, Industrial, Commercial Bank of China Locations: China, Hong Kong, Cangzhou, Hebei province, city’s, Beijing, Henan, Bank, Agricultural Bank of China, Shanghai

Paris CNN —It’s 6.30 a.m. on a late summer morning in Paris. “We heard they were coming to take us today but I am not sure where to,” Obsa, a 31-year-old political refugee from Ethiopia, told CNN. Obsa was relying on emergency housing in a hotel but says it kicked him out after his wife joined him. Some 10 regional temporary shelters, known as SAS, have been set up around the country to welcome the new arrivals outside of Paris, according to the Dihal. The other problem is the lack of emergency housing spaces available in the regions where migrants are being transferred to.

Persons: they’ll, “, ”, Obsa, Dalal Mawad, CNN Obsa, Paul Alauzy, “ Marseille, Claudia Colliva, Yann Manzi, Gerald Darmanin, Emmanuel Macron, Harmonie Lecerf, Meunier, Brice, Meunier of Bordeaux, Sandrine Runel, ” Brice, Abdullatif Organizations: Paris CNN —, CNN, Du, Federation of Solidarity Actors, BFMTV, Paris Prefecture, Ministry of Housing, Paris, Staff, ” Police, Interministerial, of Interior, SAS, Olympic, Utopia, Games, Rugby World, ”, Medecins Du Monde Locations: Paris, Stalingrad, France, Ethiopia, Sudan, Libya, Italy, de, Bordeaux, ”, Marseille, French, “, ” Bordeaux, Lyon, Afghanistan

Paris CNN —At least nine people were killed and two are missing after a fire broke out at a vacation home in eastern France early Wednesday morning, authorities said. Christophe Marot, a senior official in Haut Rhin, told CNN affiliate BFMTV that those inside the building could not escape from the blaze. “It’s very tragic.”The 500 square-meter (5,400 square-foot) house had been hosting people with disabilities during the summer holidays. Authorities do not have any leads on what caused the blaze, but an investigation has been opened, Hauwiller said. Sebastien Bozon/AFP/Getty ImagesOne official said that those inside the building could not escape from the blaze.

Persons: Firefighters, Philippe Hauwiller, Hauwiller, hadn’t, Christophe Marot, ” Marot, “, Leroy, Sebastien Bozon, Gerald Darmanin, Emmanuel Macron, Elisabeth Borne, ” Organizations: Paris CNN —, Authorities, CNN, BFMTV, Getty, Getty Images, Solidarity Locations: France, Wintzenheim, Paris, Haut Rhin, Nancy, AFP

CNN —Severe flooding in Beijing was caused by the heaviest rainfall in 140 years, according to local meteorologists, and there’s little reprieve for the region as Typhoon Khanun lashes Japan with wind and rain. Meanwhile, Typhoon Khanun packed winds of 220 kilometers per hour (137 mph) – the equivalent of a Category 4 Atlantic hurricane – as it made its nearest pass to Japan’s southwestern Okinawa islands early Wednesday. In the past 24 hours, many locations in Okinawa have received 175 to 220 millimeters (6 to 8 inches) of rainfall, according to CNN Weather on Wednesday morning. People evacuate Tazhao village in Zhuozhou city, Hebei province of China on August 1, 2023. Zhai Yujia/China News Service/VCG/Getty ImagesOn Tuesday, more than 300 people were stranded in a residential building in Hebei’s Zhuozhou city, state-run outlet The Paper said.

Persons: Khanun, Zhai Yujia, Xi Jinping Organizations: CNN, Beijing Meteorological Service, CNN Weather, Okinawa Electric Power Company, Beijing Daily, CCTV, Xinhua, People, China News Service Locations: Beijing, Japan, Okinawa, Khanun, East, Ryukyu Islands, Zhejiang, Shanghai, Hebei, Tazhao, Zhuozhou city, China, Hebei’s Zhuozhou, Zhuozhou, Jilin, Heilongjiang, Inner Mongolia

☆ Japan's population falls while foreign residents rise to record
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TOKYO, July 26 (Reuters) - The population of Japanese citizens decreased at the fastest pace ever while the number of foreign residents rose to a record at nearly 3 million people, government data showed on Wednesday. The data underscores that foreign nationals are playing an even bigger role in Japanese society to make up for a shrinking population. For the first time, the number of Japanese residents fell in all 47 prefectures, the data showed. Japan's population peaked in 2008 and has declined since then because of its low birth rate, which hit a record low last year. Tokyo was the home to the largest share of foreign residents with 4.2% of the population, or 581,112 people.

Persons: Fumio Kishida, Satoshi Sugiyama, Christian Schmollinger Organizations: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, Japan, Tokyo

CNN —Japan will soon begin releasing treated radioactive water into the ocean following approval from the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog for a controversial plan that comes 12 years after the Fukushima nuclear meltdown. Radioactive wastewater contains some dangerous elements, but the majority of these can be removed from the water, said TEPCO. The real issue is a hydrogen isotope called radioactive tritium, which cannot be taken away. A survey by Asahi Shimbun in March found that 51% of 1,304 respondents supported the wastewater release, while 41% opposed it. People in Tokyo protest against the Japanese government's plan to release nuclear wastewater into the sea on May 16, 2023.

Persons: Rafael Grossi, Fumio Kishida, Daniel Campisi, Grossi, ” Robert H, Richmond, ”, ” Grossi, “, Han Duck, Yonhap, aren’t, Tim Mousseau, Wang Yiliang, Zhang Xiaoyu Organizations: CNN, United Nations, International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, UN, Tokyo Electric Power Company, TEPCO, Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Kewalo, Laboratory, University of Hawaii, Forum, World Health Organization, State Department, Atomic Energy Council, Pacific Islands Forum, Korean, US, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, University of South, Reuters, Getty, Asahi Shimbun, – Locations: Japan, Fukushima, China, Manoa, Richmond, Asia, Pacific, California, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, University of South Carolina, South Korea, Seoul, Xinhua, Tokyo

☆ Tottori Sand Dunes: Japan’s disappearing desert
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( Claire Hannum | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

But these are the Tottori Sand Dunes, wedged along the coast of Japan’s sparsely populated San’in region, the country’s very own slice of desert. A dwindling treasureThe Tottori dunes are located on the western coast of Honshu, Japan’s largest and most populous island. The Tottori Sand Dunes are just 12% of the size that they were 100 years ago. “The environmental conditions of the Tottori Sand Dunes are different from those of arid lands because of its humid climate,” Nagamatsu says. “But Tottori University is promoting arid land research using the ‘sand’ conditions of the Tottori Sand Dunes and experimental facilities.”Down the road from the research center, tourists are experiencing an otherworldly adventure in the sand.

Persons: you’d, They’ve, Takeo Arishima, ”, Dai Nagamatsu, Akira Miyawaki, — Buddhika, Nagamatsu, shiba, sandboarders, Anya Jarilla, “, it’s, amulapo, Kengo Kuma Organizations: Japan CNN, Sand Museum, Tottori University’s Faculty of Agriculture, Local, Brazilian Amazon ., Research Center, ” Staff, Associates Locations: Tottori Prefecture, Japan, Tottori, Honshu, Japan’s, Osaka, Hiroshima, Chūgoku, Sendai, Tottori University’s, Tottori City, Brazilian, Paragliders, Tottori Sand, Tokyo, ”

☆ Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan: What it’s like to stay at the world’s oldest hotel
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( Mayumi Maruyama | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Minobu, Japan CNN —Tucked deep in the mountains of Japan’s Yamanashi prefecture, the Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan has tatami floors, kimono-sporting staff and signs in handwritten calligraphy. But its popularity received a huge boost in 2011 when the Guinness Book of World Records designated Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan as the oldest hotel in the world. The front entrance of Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan. Courtesy Nishiyama Onsen KeiunkanLearning to let goStandard rooms at Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan have three sections: two sitting areas and one living space. To solve this, he took over the original shares of the business and created the Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan Limited company.

Persons: Japan CNN —, that’s, Fujiwara, Naruhito, ”, Michiyo Hattori, Mayumi Maruyama, they’re, Kenjiro Kawano, CNN Kawano, Kawano, “, Kawano couldn’t, ” Kawano Organizations: Japan CNN, World Records, Mount, ”, Staff, CNN, Keiunkan Limited Locations: Minobu, Japan, Yamanashi, Tokyo, Shizuoka, Mount Fuji, It’s

CNN —Children were among six people injured Thursday in a knife attack in Annecy, in southeast France, triggering a wave of panic in the small alpine town. French police secure the area after several children and an adult were injured in Annecy. Denis Balibouse/ReutersFrench MPs hold a minute's silence after the knife attack in Annecy. Health Minister François Braun tweeted that his thoughts were with the victims of the knife attack. “All my thoughts go immediately to the people injured by an individual armed with a knife in Annecy, and to their loved ones,” Braun tweeted.

Persons: Elisabeth Borne, Gérald Darmanin, Ferdinand, “, ” Ferdinand, ”, George, Denis Balibouse, Ludovic Marin, Emmanuel Macron, ” Macron, François Braun, ” Braun, François Astorg, Astorg Organizations: CNN, French, Interior, BFMTV, Reuters, Getty Images, Annecy . Children, Health, Aid Service, Annecy, Lawmakers, French National Assembly Locations: Annecy, France, Haute, Savoie, AFP

Rome CNN —Pope Francis was recovering well in a Rome hospital on Thursday, the day after the 86-year-old had abdominal surgery that renewed health fears. “This wasn’t an urgent surgery,” Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the surgeon who operated on Pope Francis, said at a press conference. Pope Francis, seated in a wheelchair, attended a weekly general audience at the Vatican on June 7. Pope’s fragile healthThis operation is the latest in a series of health scares surrounding Pope Francis. Medical sources say that the intervention was likely related to the surgery Francis underwent in 2021, which removed half of his colon.

Persons: Rome, Rome CNN — Pope Francis, “, ”, Matteo Bruni, Francis, ” Dr, Sergio Alfieri, Pope Francis, ” Alfieri, Andreas Solaro, Alfieri, he’s “, –, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Bruni, Francis ’, Pope Francis now, Annatuli, Carina, State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Tarcisio Bertone, ’ ”, Pope Benedict XVI, Gregory XII, Volodymyr Zelensky Organizations: Rome CNN, Vatican, Gemelli, Reuters, Catholic, Papal, Getty, CNN, Spanish, ABC, State, Catholic Church Locations: Rome, AFP, The Prefecture, Mexico, Myanmar, Iraq, Ukraine

☆ Beyond Kyoto: Japan recommends 11 lesser-known spots to visit
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( Rob Goss | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Japan wants travelers to go beyond the country's iconic tourist sites — and consider spending their yen in lesser-known locations. CNBC Travel takes a look at what each of the 11 spots has to offer travelers — whether or not they're wealthy. Koichi Kamoshida | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesIse-shima is arguably the "model destination" most ready to welcome the JTA's wealthy targets. Kagoshima, Aso and UnzenThe island of Kyushu in western Japan feature everything from active volcanoes to glimpses of samurai culture. Okinawa and AmamiIn 2021, Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, the northern part of Okinawa's main island, and Iriomote Island were given joint UNESCO Natural World Heritage status for their biodiversity and endemic wildlife.

☆ Trump accuses France's Macron of pandering to China
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Ludovic Marin/Pool via REUTERS/File PhotoWASHINGTON, April 12 (Reuters) - Former U.S. President Donald Trump accused Emmanuel Macron of pandering to China leader Xi Jinping during the French president's recent closely watched visit to Beijing. "You got this crazy world is blowing up and the United States has absolutely no say. And Macron, who's a friend of mine, is over with China kissing his ass," Trump said in an interview with Fox News late on Tuesday. As president, Trump upended some tenets of America’s post-World War Two foreign policy by questioning the NATO alliance, alienating European partners and indulging autocrats. Trump himself was accused of pandering to world leaders, autocrats in particular, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korea's Kim Jong-Un.

☆ Italian government tells Milan to stop registering same-sex couples' children
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( Federico Maccioni | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MILAN, March 14 (Reuters) - Italy's right-wing government has told Milan's city council to stop registering same-sex parents' children, re-igniting a debate around Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's conservative agenda. In the absence of clear legislation on the issue some courts have ruled in favour of allowing same sex couples to adopt each others' children, and mayors of some cities, including Milan, have registered surrogate births to same-sex couples. Milan's centre-left mayor Giuseppe Sala said on Monday he had received a letter from the interior ministry telling him to stop registering the children of same-sex couples. Sala said in a podcast on Tuesday he would respect the prefecture's order but would keep fighting politically to guarantee that the rights of same-sex parents and their children are recognised. Fabrizio Marrazzo, a leading gay rights campaigner, called for Sala and other mayors to keep registering the birth certificates.

☆ Minors from controversial migrant ship flee French refugee centre
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Migrants disembark at the port of Pozzallo after spending nearly two weeks on board the Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)-operated Ocean Viking, on the island of Sicily, Italy, October 30, 2019. REUTERS/Antonio Parrinello/File PhotoPARIS, Nov 17 (Reuters) - More than half of the 44 minors that were on board the controversial Ocean Viking refugee rescue ship have fled the French social services who were taking care of them, authorities said on Thursday. On Thursday, the Var prefecture said that 26 of the 44 minors on the ship had fled the Toulon hotel where they had been housed. The adults who were aboard the ship, operated by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), are held in a social centre and are not allowed to leave. The prefecture said that social services would continue to provide temporary shelter, medical care and schooling for the remaining Ocean Viking minors in its care.

☆ Japan's best castles to visit at least once
▼ + stars: | 2022-01-20 | by ( David Mcelhenney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

CNN —During Japan’s Sengoku “Warring States” era (1467-1615), castles were constructed, bolstered and fortified all across the Japanese archipelago, resulting in approximately 5,000 individual keeps. Here are some of Japan’s best castles that you can still visit. Edo CastleEdo Castle, bearing the former name of Tokyo, has one of the longest lineages of all Japan’s castles. Edo Castle was huge in its prime, surrounded by a 15-kilometer outer moat crossed by over 30 gates and bridges. Bicchu Matsuyama CastleThe 13th-century Bicchu Matsuyama Castle, perched above quiet Takahashi City in Okayama prefecture, is thought to be Japan’s original yamajiro (mountain castle).

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