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Japan Today

March 2026

Italy to miss third straight World Cup after shoot-out defeat to Bosnia

Four-time world champions, Italy took the lead through Moise Kean in the 15th minute but then folded under the weight of expectation in Zenica after having to play more than half the match with 10 men

Czech Republic beats Denmark on penalties to reach World Cup

Michal Sadilek's penalty sent the Czech Republic to the World Cup as they beat Denmark in a shootout in Prague on Tuesday following a 2-2 draw after extra time

Meta, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube aren't fully complying with child account ban, Australia says

Social media platforms are choosing to do the absolute bare minimum because they want these laws to fail,
We’ve also been clear that accurately determining age online is a challenge for the whole industry,
Snapchat remains fully committed to implementing reasonable steps under the legislation and supporting its underlying goal of improving online safety for young Australians,
This is the world-leading law. We’re the first in the world to do it. Of course they don’t want these laws to work because they want that to be a chilling effect on the dozen countries that have come out since Dec. 10 to follow Australia’s step,
If a tech company has said: look, we put in age assurance, we’ve done all these steps. That’s reasonable. Even though the aged assurance technologies are flawed, whose fault is that? Should they be held accountable for a piece of technology that is not 100% and likely not going to be 100% foolproof any time soon

Eurovision Song Contest is expanding with an Asian edition later this year

Martin Greeneurovision Director
As we mark the 70th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest, it feels especially meaningful to open this next chapter with Asia, a region rich in culture, creativity and talent,

Tiger Woods pleads not guilty to DUI in car crash where authorities say he was found with opioids

Based on my observations of Woods, how he performed the exercises and based on my training, knowledge, and experience, I believed that Woods' normal faculties were impaired, and he was unable to safely operate the motor vehicle,
I take a few."

Hosono throws no-hitter as Fighters rout Marines for 1st win

The 24-year-old Hosono (1-0) celebrated his first professional shutout in style, helping the Fighters win for the first time this season after three straight losses, in their first home game of the campaign at Es Con Field Hokkaido east of Sapporo

It's gradually starting to sink in that I've done something amazing,

Look at Hong Kong and don't be naive about China, U.S. senator says on Taiwan trip

While we ​may have ideals about peace, we should not harbour illusions,
And I think my biggest worry for Taiwan is that they underestimate the intentions of China, which I think were made very, very clear by what happened to Hong Kong. And so, yes, we would love peace, but please don't be naive,

King Charles to make state visit to U.S. despite calls to cancel due to Iran war

King Charles III is going ahead with a state visit to the United States this month, despite calls for the ceremonial event to be called off due to U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated criticism of the British government for failing to support the war in Iran

On advice of His Majesty's Government, and at the invitation of The President of the United States, The King and Queen will undertake a State Visit to the United States of America.
Donald Trumppresident
It’s a great, great honor,

American journalist kidnapped in Baghdad, police officials say

The Iraqi interior ministry confirmed the abduction of a female journalist but did ‌not disclose her nationality

Citing First Amendment, federal judge blocks Trump order to end funding for NPR and PBS

Citing the First Amendment, a federal judge on Tuesday agreed to permanently block the Trump administration from implementing a presidential directive to end federal funding for National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service, two media entities that the White House has said are counterproductive to American priorities

Randolph Mossjudge
It is difficult to conceive of clearer evidence that a government action is targeted at viewpoints that the president does not like and seeks to squelch,
Theodore Boutrousattorney
The First Amendment draws a line, which the government may not cross, at efforts to use government power — including the power of the purse — ‘to punish or suppress disfavored expression’ by others,
Randolph Mossjudge
The message is clear: NPR and PBS need not apply for any federal benefit because the President disapproves of their ‘left-wing’ coverage of the news,
The Federal Defendants fail to cite a single case in which a court has ever upheld a statute or executive action that bars a particular person or entity from participating in any federally funded activity based on that person or entity’s past speech,
Randolph Mossjudge
But that does not end the matter because the Executive Order sweeps beyond the CPB,
Katherine MahernPR CEO
Public media exists to serve the public interest — that of Americans — not that of any political agenda or elected official,
Abigail Jacksonwhite House spokesperson
NPR and PBS have no right to receive taxpayer funds, and Congress already voted to defund them. The Trump Administration looks forward to ultimate victory on the issue,

Golden toilet statue mocks Trump near renovated White House

Steve Toulottefriend
I think it definitely needs to poke fun at the President,
Donald Trumpimage in gallery The
A throne fit for a king."
I wanted to see this statue before it disappeared, and I think it epitomizes perfectly the guy in the White House, he's just a vulgar display,
I came to Washington to take this photo because I hate Trump,

Zelenskyy says he will ask U.S. to relay Easter energy truce offer to Russia

We reiterate: Zelenskyy must take responsibility and make the appropriate decision so that we can achieve peace, not a ceasefire,
In the statements by Zelenskiy ​that we ​have read, ⁠we have not seen any clearly formulated initiative regarding an Easter truce,
I will definitely ask them to pass it on to the Russian side,

London mayor asks diplomats to push back against Trump's 'lies' about UK capital

London Mayor Sadiq Khan called on British diplomats stationed around the world on Tuesday ‌to help counter what he described as "disinformation and lies" about the capital amplified by U.S. President Donald Trump

Sadiq Khanlondon Mayor
A lot of this misinformation, disinformation and lies comes from the United States ‌of ⁠America,
One of the things that we've got to do better is to rebut these lies that exist across the globe,
Sadiq Khanlondon Mayor
Left-wing policies... have made once-great cities like London unrecognizable."

Judge orders Trump administration to halt White House ballroom construction

The President of the United States is the steward of the White House for future generations of First Families. He is not, however, the owner!”
This clearly is not how Congress and former Presidents have managed the White House for centuries, and this Court will not be the first to hold that Congress has ceded its powers in such a significant fashion
Carol Quillenceo
We are pleased with Judge Leon’s ruling today to order a halt to any further ballroom construction until the Administration complies with the law and obtains express authorization to go forward,
Thaddeus Heuerattorney
We are two weeks away,
This is an iconic symbol of this nation,
Jacob Rothjustice Department attorney
I don’t think it’s a new theory,
Many of those projects were highly controversial in their time yet have since become accepted — even beloved — parts of the White House,

Israel to destroy all houses in Lebanese villages near border, defense minister says

All houses in villages near the Lebanese border will be destroyed, in accordance with the model used in Rafah and Beit Hanoun in Gaza, in order to permanently remove the threats near the border to northern residents,
The unnecessary destruction of property can qualify as a war crime,

U.S. says Iran war at decisive moment; Tehran threatens U.S. companies in region

Pete Hegsethdefense Secretary
We ⁠have more and more options, ​and they have less... in ​only one month we set the terms, the upcoming days will be decisive,
Hopefully he's looking for a way to decrease the amount of violence,

23-year-old police officer apparently commits suicide with handgun

We deeply regret that an incident has occurred in which an officer is suspected of committing suicide using a handgun. We are currently investigating the details and will strive to clarify the facts and prevent a recurrence in the future.”