Acclaimed Russian ballet choreographer, Yuri Grigorovich, received top Soviet and Russian honours.

Acclaimed Russian ballet choreographer, Yuri Grigorovich, received top Soviet and Russian honours.

France, the UK and Canada are among nations that have sharpened their criticism of Israel's ground offensive.

France, the UK and Canada are among nations that have sharpened their criticism of Israel's ground offensive.

With rice prices continuing to hover at historically high levels and empty store shelves becoming more common, the Japanese government is under increasing pressure to implement consumer- and producer-friendly policies. In response, authorities are revising the bidding system for releasing reserve rice stocks, aiming to make it more accessible to smaller wholesalers. (News On Japan)

With rice prices continuing to hover at historically high levels and empty store shelves becoming more common, the Japanese government is under increasing pressure to implement consumer- and producer-friendly policies. In response, authorities are revising the bidding system for releasing reserve rice stocks, aiming to make it more accessible to smaller wholesalers. (News On Japan)

Starting in 2027, the number of giant snow sculptures produced by Japan’s Self-Defense Forces (SDF) for the Sapporo Snow Festival will be reduced from two to one, due to increasing demands on personnel for disaster response and winter training. (News On Japan)

For much of Japan’s history, particularly in rural areas, a now-banned tradition called yobai—or “night crawling”—was a common courtship practice. Until the early 1900s, it was socially accepted for young men to sneak into women’s homes at night for consensual sex, with variations depending on the region. (News On Japan)

The former Miss Grand International winner had heavily touted the gummies on social media.

The former Miss Grand International winner had heavily touted the gummies on social media.

A group of around 220 Ainu from across and beyond Hokkaido performed traditional dances at the Osaka-Kansai Expo on May 17th, conveying the Ainu spirit of mutual support and the importance of diversity and coexistence. (News On Japan)

In Okinawa, the construction industry is exploring the potential of 3D printing as a solution to pressing labor shortages and to reduce project timelines. A demonstration event showcasing this emerging technology was held in the prefecture for the first time. (News On Japan)

A 15-year-old junior high school student arrested for fatally stabbing an 84-year-old woman on a street in Chiba City was found to have purchased 'monkshood' seeds of the highly toxic plant aconite before the incident, according to police. (News On Japan)

A Peruvian man has been arrested for a hit-and-run incident after driving the wrong way on the Shin-Meishin Expressway and triggering a four-car accident that left four women injured. (News On Japan)

The former US president has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, his office says.

Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking trial heard more allegations of violence against his former girlfriend.

Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking trial heard more allegations of violence against his former girlfriend.

Pakistan's Chinese-made fighter jets were battle tested for the first time during hostilities with India.

The US president holds talks with leaders of both countries in the latest efforts to end the fighting.

Temporary Protected Status allows people to live and work in the US legally if their home countries are deemed to be unsafe.