The Japan Times - Boulevard

Featured

Nintendo to launch Switch 2 console on June 5

Japanese video game giant Nintendo announced Wednesday that its new Switch console would be available on June 5, starting the countdown for one of the most hotly awaited gaming launches in years.

Spain prosecutors to appeal ruling overturning Alves' rape conviction

Spanish prosecutors said Wednesday they would a appeal a court ruling that overturned former Brazil international footballer Dani Alves' rape conviction, a verdict criticised by the government and women's groups.

Last news

Myanmar quake survivors plead for more help

Desperate Myanmar earthquake survivors pleaded for more aid Wednesday as the death toll rose and calls grew for the junta to halt attacks on rebels as the country battles the crisis.

Singapore detains teenage boy allegedly planning to kill Muslims

A Singaporean teenager allegedly planning to kill dozens of Muslims outside several mosques has been detained, the city-state's Internal Security Department said on Wednesday.

What is the 'Qatargate' scandal roiling Israel?

Israel has been gripped by allegations linking aides of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to financing from Qatar, which hosts Hamas leaders and helped broker the release of hostages from Gaza.

Like 'living in hell': Quake-hit Mandalay monastery clears away rubble

Bare-handed monks slowly pick away the rubble that was once the wall of a historic Buddhist monastery in Mandalay, its exposed side a searing reminder of the deadly earthquake that rocked the city five days ago.

Trump faces first electoral setback after Wisconsin Supreme Court vote

Donald Trump's second presidency was dealt a spinning blow by voters in Wisconsin Tuesday as they elected a liberal judge to the state's Supreme Court, despite his powerful advisor Elon Musk pouring millions into the race to sway the polls.

Myanmar quake victim rescued after 5 days as aid calls grow

Rescuers on Wednesday pulled a man alive from the rubble five days after Myanmar's devastating earthquake, as calls grew for the junta to allow more aid in and halt attacks on rebels.

Nintendo's megahit Switch console: what to know

Gaming giant Nintendo is set to unveil the successor to its phenomenally popular Switch console on Wednesday.

Nintendo to unveil upgrade to best-selling Switch console

Japanese video game giant Nintendo is set to unveil the new version of its hugely popular Switch console on Wednesday, with the update eagerly awaited by both gamers and investors.

Oil, sand and speed: Saudi gearheads take on towering dunes

Wearing a helmet and strapped securely into his four-wheel-drive, Abdelilah al-Rabea tore off across the Saudi desert, kicking up clouds of sand as a crowd of hundreds cheered him on.

Other governments 'weaponising' Trump language to attack NGOs: rights groups

Language used by President Donald Trump and his government to slash US-funded foreign aid is being adopted by other governments to attack NGOs and independent media, rights groups warn.

Boeing chief to acknowledge 'serious missteps' at US Senate hearing

The head of US aerospace giant Boeing will on Wednesday tell senators that the company has made "serious missteps in recent years" and commit to restoring consumer and investor confidence, according to an advance copy of his remarks.

No 'eye for an eye' approach to US tariffs: Mexico

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Tuesday there will be no "eye for an eye" approach as the country braces for new US import tariffs kicking in this week.

French court says Le Pen appeal ruling could come before presidential vote

A French appeals court said Tuesday it would examine Marine Le Pen's case within a timeframe that could potentially allow the far-right leader to contest the 2027 presidential election if her conviction is overturned.

Myanmar quake toll passes 2,700, nation halts to honour victims

Emergency workers in Myanmar rescued a woman on Tuesday who had been trapped for more than 90 hours under the rubble of a building after a devastating earthquake that has killed at least 2,700 people.

UK govt moves to block sentencing guidelines for minority defendants

Britain's government on Tuesday introduced legislation to block new sentencing guidelines taking into account a defendant's ethnic or cultural background, on the grounds it would give the impression of preferential treatment for minority defendants.

Chinese developer under scrutiny over Bangkok tower quake collapse

A Chinese construction company is facing questions over the deadly collapse of a Bangkok skyscraper -- the only major building in the capital to fall in a catastrophic earthquake that has killed more than 2,000 people in Thailand and neighbouring Myanmar.

Sirens wail and families cry at Myanmar disaster site

As the sirens wailed outside the ruins of Mandalay's Sky Villa condominium and Myanmar began a minute's silence for its more than 2,000 earthquake dead, Shwe Sin thought of her missing child.

Trumpets, guns, horses: northern Nigeria's Durbar ends Ramadan in style

Veiled women ululated as the blare of trumpets and booms of hunting guns filled the air, heralding the approach of the emir in a huge procession of horseback riders draped in colourful robes and turbans.

Defiant French far right insists 'we will win' despite Le Pen ban

The French far right on Tuesday insisted it could still win 2027 elections after the movement's long time leader Marine Le Pen was banned from standing for office as part of an embezzlement conviction.

Israel PM drops security chief nominee under fire from Trump ally

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Tuesday he had reversed a decision to appoint former navy commander Vice Admiral Eli Sharvit as security agency chief following criticism, including from a key US senator.

'Can collapse anytime': Mandalay quake victims seek respite outdoors

After a night sprawled out on cardboard panels under hastily erected plastic tarps, hundreds of Mandalay residents awoke Tuesday to more earthquake recovery work, wondering when they can return safely to permanent shelter.

Myanmar holds minute of silence for more than 2,000 quake dead

Myanmar held a minute's silence on Tuesday in tribute to victims of a catastrophic earthquake that has killed more than 2,000 people, buckling roads and flattening buildings as far away as Bangkok.

'Heartbreaking' floods swamp Australia's cattle country

Whole herds of cattle have drowned in vast inland floods seeping across the Australian outback, officials said Tuesday as the muddy tide drenched an area the size of France.

Myanmar to hold minute of silence for more than 2,000 quake dead

Myanmar will hold a minute of silence on Tuesday in tribute to victims of a catastrophic earthquake that has killed more than 2,000 people, buckling roads and flattening buildings as far away as Bangkok.

France's Le Pen seeks to keep presidency hopes alive after election ban

Far-right leader Marine Le Pen fought Tuesday to keep alive her dream of winning the French presidency after a court handed her a five-year ban on running for office.

US robbers who touted crime on Instagram jailed

Bumbling robbers who left behind a cell phone during a $2.6 million heist and later boasted on Instagram about being part of a criminal gang have been jailed in California, authorities said Monday.

Syrians rejoice during first Eid after Assad's fall

Eid al-Fitr in Syria was charged with newfound joy this year, as thousands freely celebrated the holiday for the first time after the fall of Bashar al-Assad.

Iran will have 'no choice' but to acquire nukes if attacked: Khamenei adviser

Iran would have no alternative but to acquire a nuclear weapon if attacked by the United States or its allies, an adviser to the country's supreme leader warned on Monday, following a threat by Donald Trump.

France's Le Pen defiant after five year election ban

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen on Monday slammed a "political decision" and insisted she had not abandoned hope of standing in presidential elections in 2027 after a court handed her a five-year ban on running for office.

Israel's Netanyahu slams Qatargate probe as 'political witch hunt'

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu testified Monday in a probe involving alleged payments from Qatar to some of his aides, an investigation he denounced as politically motivated.

Myanmar to mark minute of silence as quake toll passes 2,000

Myanmar will mark a minute of silence Tuesday in tribute to victims of the country's devastating earthquake that has killed more than 2,000 people, as hopes dim of finding more survivors in the rubble of ruined buildings.

Spain coal mine blast kills five

Five people died and another four were seriously injured in a blast Monday at a coal mine in northern Spain's Asturias region, the nation's deadliest mining accident in decades.

The Japan Times - Boulevard (English)