Search - u_times

 
 
A surveillance drone is seen in midair during the G7 foreign ministers' summit in Lucca, Italy, in 2017.
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Feb 13, 2024

'Intrusive' drones? U.S. surveillance case tests privacy law

Evidence suggests police departments are increasingly using drones, including as first responders to emergency calls.
Exiled Russian historian Tamara Eidelman delivers a lecture titled “The Judgment of History” at the Bender JCC of Greater Washington community center in Rockville, Maryland, on April 25.
WORLD / Politics
May 6, 2024

Exiled Russian historian rallies fellow emigrants in dark times

Tamara Eidelman, who was declared a "foreign agent" by the government in Moscow, is one of many who are rebuilding their careers abroad.
Soldiers and police stand guard outside a South Korean Army boot camp in Yeoncheon county before the arrival of K-pop's BTS band member Jin, in December 2022. South Korea's economic success is often  overshadowed by its cultural exports.
COMMENTARY / World
May 10, 2024

A surprise South Korean boom is going unnoticed

Despite its robust economic performance, South Korea often takes a backseat to neighboring giants like Japan and China.
The University of Tokyo is ranked 28th in the latest World University Rankings, advancing one place from the previous rankings.
JAPAN / Society
Oct 9, 2024

University of Tokyo moves up a spot to 28th in World University Rankings

Many of Japan’s top universities moved up in the latest rankings announced on Wednesday, with five of them in the top 200.
Democratic presidential nominee and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris along with Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff attend a rally on the National Mall in Washington one week before the Nov. 5 national election.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 30, 2024

The U.S. election is happening too soon

The upcoming U.S. election is unlikely to lead to national renewal or a decisive defeat of MAGA populism.
While NATO membership is unlikely until the war concludes, some NATO members are open to allowing Ukraine to strike deep into Russia, though U.S. President Joe Biden remains hesitant.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 4, 2024

Biden has a crucial decision to make on Ukraine

Biden may not be the U.S. president to make the congratulatory call to Ukraine's leader when peace is declared, but he can help keep him in the fight until it happens.
While the U.S. referenced China 20 times in its October announcement of semiconductor export controls targeting Chinese companies, Japan has chosen broad equipment controls not specifically aimed at its bigger neighbor.
BUSINESS
Jul 24, 2023

As Japan aligns with U.S. chip curbs on China, some in Tokyo feel uneasy

Tokyo remains worried that targeting China will provoke damaging retaliation, such as a ban on Japanese electric cars.
U.S. President Joe Biden, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and South Korean leader Yoon Suk-yeol greet each other ahead of a trilateral meeting during the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima on May 21.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 29, 2023

U.S. announces trilateral summit with Japan and South Korea

The leaders of the three countries will use the summit at the Camp David presidential retreat to expand trilateral cooperation “across the Indo-Pacific and beyond.”
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stands for the U.S. national anthem before a meeting with his Australian counterpart ahead of the Australia-U.S. Ministerial Consultations in Brisbane on Friday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jul 31, 2023

U.S. defense tieup efforts pay dividends with Australia deals

The agreements will mean not only more U.S. troops in Australia, but also the integration of Japan into more military initiatives between the two.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Tuesday called the downgrade of the United States' top-tier sovereign credit grade by Fitch Ratings "arbitrary” and "outdated.”
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 2, 2023

U.S. credit rating downgraded from AAA by Fitch 

Fitch Ratings criticized the country’s ballooning fiscal deficits and an "erosion of governance” that have led to repeated debt limit clashes.
Signs hang on a gate as people hike in the Pen y Pass at the foot of Mount Snowdon near Llanberis, Wales, in 2020. For residents of deprived urban areas, going to natural green spaces can be prohibitively expensive.
WORLD
Aug 2, 2023

Isolated from nature, U.K.'s ethnic minorities hit harder by heat

Experts say ethnic minorities will be affected most as they often live in dense, poorly insulated households near fewer parks and less vegetation.
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris meets with Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene at her ceremonial office in Washington on Wednesday.
WORLD
Aug 3, 2023

Mongolia and U.S. to sign 'Open Skies' deal ahead of talks

Deal would also provide easier options for cargo flights between the nations.
A market in Kolkata, India. Developing nations are demanding control of their resources, in part by insisting on factories in their own countries.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 8, 2023

The Global South breaks away from the U.S.-led world order

Developing nations are demanding control over their resources and reordering relationship that date back to colonial times.
The Pentagon on Tuesday looked to soften the blow of an explosive report that Chinese hackers had infiltrated Japan's most sensitive defense networks, saying that it was "confident” about sharing intelligence with Tokyo.
JAPAN
Aug 9, 2023

U.S. ‘confident’ in Japan intel sharing, but Taiwan concerns linger

The Pentagon has moved to soften the blow of a report that said that “shockingly bad” hacking had been uncovered by the U.S. in the fall of 2020.
People buy food at stalls promoting China's digital yuan, or e-CNY, during the 2022 China International Fair for Trade in Services in Beijing in September 2022.
BUSINESS / Markets
Aug 10, 2023

With blockchain 'bridge', China challenges U.S. dollar dominance

A Beijing-backed digital prototype for sending money around the world without relying on U.S. banks is advancing quickly.
The impact of China's latest metal curbs will likely be limited, experts say, as the United States is already looking for alternative supply chains.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS
Aug 11, 2023

China’s gallium curbs to have limited impact on U.S. defense

China said the recent export controls are necessary to safeguard national security, but experts believe this is a way for the country to hit back at U.S.
Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally in Windham, New Hampshire, on Tuesday.
WORLD / Politics
Aug 11, 2023

U.S. prosecutors propose January start for Trump election trial

The suggested date falls just two weeks before the first votes are cast in the 2024 Republican presidential primary.
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks at an event in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Wednesday.
WORLD / Politics
Aug 11, 2023

New U.S. rules on China investments fail to offer clear guidance

The Treasury Department’s 46-page notice released alongside the order includes at least 80 separate questions about how it should structure the program.
A United Nations Command soldier conducts a media tour of the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas as a South Korean soldier and other UNC soldiers stand guard at the Joint Security Area in the truce village of Panmunjom last October.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Aug 16, 2023

North Korea claims U.S. soldier seeking refuge from mistreatment

Pyongyang said U.S. Army Pfc. Travis King had “admitted that he illegally intruded” into North Korea last month.
U.S. President Joe Biden walks with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean leader Yoon Suk-yeol as the three arrive for a joint news conference during a trilateral summit at Camp David, near Thurmont, Maryland, on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 19, 2023

Japan, South Korea and U.S. inaugurate a 'new era' of cooperation

The three countries' leaders also announced a plan to create a hotline for coordinating responses to regional challenges and threats.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis speaks to the media on Aug. 14 after a grand jury brought back indictments against former President Donald Trump and his associates over their alleged attempt to overturn Georgia’s 2020 election results.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 20, 2023

Trump’s hollow free-speech defense

The fact that Trump’s actions consisted of words does not make them constitutionally protected.
U.S. President Joe Biden, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean leader Yoon Suk-yeol shake hands during a trilateral summit at Camp David, Maryland, on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Aug 20, 2023

Japan, South Korea and U.S. hail ties, but staying power questioned

While the three nations agreed to bolster ties in an array of areas, inevitable political change could prove to be a stumbling block for trilateral ties.
A 2023 Toyota Prius. Hybrids have accounted for less than 10% of total U.S. sales, with Toyota’s long-running Prius among the most popular models.
BUSINESS
Aug 28, 2023

Gas-electric hybrids get boost in the U.S. from Ford and others

Ford is the latest of several top automakers planning to build and sell hundreds of thousands of hybrid vehicles in the U.S. over the next five years.
Serbia's Novak Djokovic plays a backhand return against France's Alexandre Muller during the U.S. Open tennis tournament men's singles first round match in New York on Monday.
TENNIS
Aug 29, 2023

Djokovic back on top after U.S. Open return as Swiatek advances

Djokovic shrugged off a late-night start on the Arthur Ashe Stadium to demolish France's Alexandre Muller 6-0, 6-2, 6-3 in just 1 hour 35 minutes.
Then Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and U.S. President Donald Trump meet during their final debate ahead of the 2020 election, in Nashville, Tennessee, in October of that year.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 29, 2023

Trump vs. Biden: Do American voters want either?

Confidence among the American public in their leaders and in their political system continues to erode.
Serbia's Novak Djokovic during his second round match against Spain's Bernabe Zapata Miralles at the U.S. Open in New York on Wednesday.
TENNIS
Aug 31, 2023

Djokovic ramps up U.S. Open bid as Swiatek and Gauff stroll

Djokovic climbed through the gears against 76th-ranked Bernabe Zapata Miralles, winning 13 of the last 15 games to ease through 6-4, 6-1, 6-1.
Ons Jabeur defeated Marie Bouzkova to reach the fourth round of the U.S. Open in New York on Saturday.
TENNIS
Sep 3, 2023

Ons Jabeur beats Marie Bouzkova to reach fourth round at U.S. Open

Jabeur said she was feeling like a "zombie" due to illness but came back from the dead to overcome Bouzkova.
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain celebrates after beating Matteo Arnaldi of Italy on day eight of the 2023 U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York on Monday. Alcaraz is aiming to defend his title after winning the U.S. Open last year.
TENNIS / Tennis
Sep 5, 2023

Alcaraz into U.S. Open last eight as Pegula and Jabeur crash out

The 20-year-old Alcaraz is bidding to become the first man since Roger Federer in 2008 to successfully defend the U.S. Open.
Novak Djokovic of Serbiaeacts during his U.S. Open men’s singles quarterfinal match against Taylor Fritz of the U.S. in New York on Tuesday. Djokovic won 6-1, 6-4, 6-4.
TENNIS / Tennis
Sep 6, 2023

Djokovic and Gauff steam into U.S. Open semifinals

Djokovic will appear in a record 47th major semi-final, eclipsing the mark he shared with longtime nemesis Roger Federer.
An Indian security officer on patrol in New Delhi ahead of the Group of 20 Summit
WORLD / Politics / FOCUS
Sep 7, 2023

With G20, U.S. welcomes India's rise while accepting differences

The United States has viewed the fellow democracy as a natural ally that can rival an autocratic and increasingly assertive China.

Longform

Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
A boom for business tourism in Japan?