Philippines: Typhoon Kalmaegi Triggers Severe Flooding, Displacing Thousands 4

At least 140 people have died and 127 remain missing after Typhoon Kalmaegi struck the Philippines, with the central province of Cebu suffering the worst damage from floods and mudslides. Homes were destroyed and streets were left buried in debris, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate. In Cebu, floodwaters rose to roof level in some areas. A state of calamity has been declared in Cebu to speed up emergency response as rescue operations continue.

Court hearing for Unification Church leader

Court hearing for Unification Church leader

Hak Ja Han Moon, the leader of the Unification Church, now formally known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, leaves the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul on Sept. 22, 2025, after attending a hearing to review her arrest warrant requested by special prosecutors.

Court hearing for Unification Church leader

Court hearing for Unification Church leader

Hak Ja Han Moon, the leader of the Unification Church, now formally known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, leaves the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul on Sept. 22, 2025, after attending a hearing to review her arrest warrant requested by special prosecutors.

Court hearing for Unification Church leader

Court hearing for Unification Church leader

Hak Ja Han Moon, the leader of the Unification Church, now formally known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, leaves the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul on Sept. 22, 2025, after attending a hearing to review her arrest warrant requested by special prosecutors.

Court hearing for Unification Church leader

Court hearing for Unification Church leader

Hak Ja Han Moon, the leader of the Unification Church, now formally known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, leaves the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul on Sept. 22, 2025, after attending a hearing to review her arrest warrant requested by special prosecutors.

Court hearing for Unification Church leader

Court hearing for Unification Church leader

Hak Ja Han Moon, the leader of the Unification Church, now formally known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, leaves the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul on Sept. 22, 2025, after attending a hearing to review her arrest warrant requested by special prosecutors.

Court hearing for Unification Church leader

Court hearing for Unification Church leader

Hak Ja Han Moon (C), the leader of the Unification Church, now formally known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, leaves the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul on Sept. 22, 2025, after attending a hearing to review her arrest warrant requested by special prosecutors.

Court hearing for Unification Church leader

Court hearing for Unification Church leader

Hak Ja Han Moon, the leader of the Unification Church, now formally known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, arrives at the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul on Sept. 22, 2025, to attend a hearing to review her arrest warrant requested by special prosecutors.

Court hearing for Unification Church leader

Court hearing for Unification Church leader

Hak Ja Han Moon (C), the leader of the Unification Church, now formally known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, arrives at the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul on Sept. 22, 2025, to attend a hearing to review her arrest warrant requested by special prosecutors.

Court hearing for Unification Church leader

Court hearing for Unification Church leader

Hak Ja Han Moon (C), the leader of the Unification Church, now formally known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, arrives at the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul on Sept. 22, 2025, to attend a hearing to review her arrest warrant requested by special prosecutors.

Special prosecutors call Unification Church leader for questioning

Special prosecutors call Unification Church leader for questioning

Hak Ja Han Moon, the leader of the Unification Church, now formally known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, is surrounded by journalists after undergoing questioning at the special prosecutors' office in Seoul on Sept. 17, 2025.

Special prosecutors call Unification Church leader for questioning

Special prosecutors call Unification Church leader for questioning

Hak Ja Han Moon (C), the leader of the Unification Church, now formally known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, is pictured after undergoing questioning at the special prosecutors' office in Seoul on Sept. 17, 2025.

Special prosecutors call Unification Church leader for questioning

Special prosecutors call Unification Church leader for questioning

Hak Ja Han Moon, the leader of the Unification Church, now formally known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, is surrounded by journalists after undergoing questioning at the special prosecutors' office in Seoul on Sept. 17, 2025.

Special prosecutors call Unification Church leader for questioning

Special prosecutors call Unification Church leader for questioning

Hak Ja Han Moon, the leader of the Unification Church, now formally known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, is pictured after undergoing questioning at the special prosecutors' office in Seoul on Sept. 17, 2025.

Special prosecutors call Unification Church leader for questioning

Special prosecutors call Unification Church leader for questioning

Hak Ja Han Moon, the leader of the Unification Church, now formally known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, arrives at the special prosecutors' office in Seoul on Sept. 17, 2025.

Special prosecutors call Unification Church leader for questioning

Special prosecutors call Unification Church leader for questioning

Hak Ja Han Moon (C), the leader of the Unification Church, now formally known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, arrives at the special prosecutors' office in Seoul on Sept. 17, 2025.

Special prosecutors call Unification Church leader for questioning

Special prosecutors call Unification Church leader for questioning

Hak Ja Han Moon (C), the leader of the Unification Church, now formally known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, arrives at the special prosecutors' office in Seoul on Sept. 17, 2025.

Special prosecutors call Unification Church leader for questioning

Special prosecutors call Unification Church leader for questioning

Hak Ja Han Moon (C), the leader of the Unification Church, now formally known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, arrives at the special prosecutors' office in Seoul on Sept. 17, 2025.

Pope Francis Dies Aged 88

Pope Francis Dies Aged 88

File photo - Pope Francis inaugurated on December 13, 2019 in Rome, Italy the new Vatican headquarters of 'Scholas Occurrentes', a pontifical organization involved in education in 190 countries around the world. The foundation, a benefit Organisation, whose name means "schools that meet" in Spanish, links technology with the arts, aiming at social integration and a cultural of peace. Francis had created a similar organisation when he was Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, but Scholas has now become an international foundation working out of the Vatican. -- Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta. Photo by Eric Vandeville /ABACAPRESS.COM

Pope Francis Dies Aged 88

Pope Francis Dies Aged 88

File photo - Pope Francis inaugurated on December 13, 2019 in Rome, Italy the new Vatican headquarters of 'Scholas Occurrentes', a pontifical organization involved in education in 190 countries around the world. The foundation, a benefit Organisation, whose name means "schools that meet" in Spanish, links technology with the arts, aiming at social integration and a cultural of peace. Francis had created a similar organisation when he was Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, but Scholas has now become an international foundation working out of the Vatican. -- Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta. Photo by Eric Vandeville /ABACAPRESS.COM

US: Multiple Arrested At Pro-Palestine Protest Outside NYU Stern School Of Business

Hundreds of pro-Palestinian demonstrators, including students and faculty members, rallied outside the New York University Stern School of Business on Monday, April 22. As the protest intensified, multiple protesters were taken into custody.

China's "ice city" prepares for tourist peak season

STORY: China's "ice city" prepares for tourist peak season SHOOTING TIME: Dec. 8, 2023 DATELINE: Dec. 9, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:57 LOCATION: HARBIN, China CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of ice collecting in the Songhua river 2. various of the construction site of 25th Harbin Ice and Snow World 3. STANDUP 1 (English): SUN XIAOYU, Xinhua correspondent 4. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): WU WENQING, Tourist 5. STANDUP 2 (English): SUN XIAOYU, Xinhua correspondent 6. STANDUP 3 (English): SUN XIAOYU, Xinhua correspondent STORYLINE: STANDUP 1 (English): SUN XIAOYU, Xinhua correspondent "It's a bitterly cold morning. Now I am standing on the frozen surface of Songhua River, the mother river of Harbin, capital city of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The river flows quietly under a thick layer of ice. Suddenly, the peace is broken by a harsh sound of saws." After a ceremony and some wonderful performances of folklore, the workers are cutting giant ice blocks from the frozen river. Each block weighs hundreds of ki

BRICS summit a message of peace, harmony and development: expert

STORY: BRICS summit a message of peace, harmony and development: expert DATELINE: Aug. 19, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:07 LOCATION: Washington D.C. CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. SOUNDBITE (English): WILLIAM JONES, Washington bureau chief of U.S. publication Executive Intelligence Review 2. various of street views STORYLINE: A U.S. expert has said the 15th BRICS summit due to be held in Johannesburg next week will be a message of peace, harmony and development. William Jones, Washington bureau chief of U.S. publication Executive Intelligence Review, said the BRICS is playing a much more important role in the world economy, and it represents potentially the developing world, the global majority. SOUNDBITE (English): WILLIAM JONES, Washington bureau chief of U.S. publication Executive Intelligence Review "The BRICS now is becoming one of the most important elements for economic development worldwide. Over the past few decades, you haven't had much going on in places like Africa, Asia, aside from the fact that the

S. Korean activists call for peace ahead of 70th anniversary of armistice agreement

STORY: S. Korean activists call for peace ahead of 70th anniversary of armistice agreement DATELINE: July 23, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:07 LOCATION: Seoul CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of peace march and rally held by South Korean civic activists STORYLINE: South Korean civic activists on Saturday shouted for peace on the Korean Peninsula and in the world ahead of the 70th anniversary of the armistice agreement that ended the 1950-53 Korean War. Peace activists and ordinary people marched hundreds of meters from the Seoul plaza to the Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul to demand eased tensions on the peninsula and settlement of the peninsula issues through dialogue. The participants chanted slogans and held placards saying "Stop hostilities and go for peace now," "Let's open the door to dialogue by stopping combined South Korea-U.S. military exercises," and "Oppose South Korea-U.S.-Japan military cooperation." The march opened a peace rally, organized by the Korea Peace Appeal which is comp

Anti-war protest held in San Francisco

STORY: Anti-war protest held in San Francisco DATELINE: March 19, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:06 LOCATION: SAN FRANCISCO, U.S. CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of anti-war protest 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): MICHAEL WONG, Vice president of Veterans For Peace 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): JULIE TAN, Former judge in San Francisco STORYLINE: Hundreds of anti-war activists held an anti-war demonstration in San Francisco, U.S. state of California on Saturday. The protesters demanded that the United States should stop inciting the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, promote peace talks between the two sides, dissolve the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and cut the U.S. military spending. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): MICHAEL WONG, Vice president of Veterans For Peace "The root cause of the war in Ukraine is that the United States is trying to dominate the world that is using Ukraine, as a proxy force to fight Russia. Biden said that he wants to bleed Russia. What the United States should do now is stop trying to d

U.S. fabricates conflicts to retain unipolar hegemony: Turkish analyst

STORY: U.S. fabricates conflicts to retain unipolar hegemony: Turkish analyst DATELINE: March 2, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:34 LOCATION: ISTANBUL, Türkiye CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the U.S. 2. SOUNDBITE (Turkish): TURKER ERTURK, Turkish retired Admiral STORYLINE: A Turkish analyst says the U.S. fabricates conflicts to retain its unipolar hegemony, noting that its operations undermine world peace and stability. Turker Erturk, who served as commander of the Turkish Naval Academy between 2008 and 2010, blamed Washington for willfully prolonging the Ukraine crisis. SOUNDBITE (Turkish): TURKER ERTURK, Turkish retired Admiral "At the end of the Cold War, the U.S. emerged as the largest and only global power. And now, it makes various plans and conducts operations to maintain this unipolar world order. Our experiences are manifestations of this. The U.S. had invested much in this (crisis) to get Ukraine away from Russia and the crisis that started on Feb. 24 last year is escalating very seriously with

UN chief calls for putting peace at center of actions, words

STORY: UN chief calls for putting peace at center of actions, words DATELINE: Dec. 30, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:20 LOCATION: UN Headquarters CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. SOUNDBITE (English): ANTONIO GUTERRES, UN Secretary-General STORYLINE: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday called on all countries to place peace at the center of all their words and actions. He made the remarks in his New Year video message. SOUNDBITE (English): ANTONIO GUTERRES, UN Secretary-General "Every New Year is a moment of rebirth. We sweep out the ashes of the old year and prepare for a brighter day. In 2022, millions of people around the world literally swept out ashes. From Ukraine to Afghanistan to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and beyond, people left the ruins of their homes and lives in search of something better. Around the world, 100 million people were on the move, fleeing wars, wildfires, droughts, poverty and hungers. In 2023, we need peace, now more than ever. Peace with one another, through dialog

Citizens' peace-seeking group sends letter to Obama

Citizens' peace-seeking group sends letter to Obama

TOKYO, Japan - A participant holding a candle prays for peace during a rally sponsored by World Peace Now, a citizens' group opposed to the Iraq War, in Tokyo on Jan. 20. The group delivered a letter to President-elect Barack Obama calling for the immediate withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq and opposition to a planned increase in forces to Afghanistan.

Citizens' peace-seeking group sends letter to Obama

Citizens' peace-seeking group sends letter to Obama

TOKYO, Japan - A representative from a citizens' group of World Peace Now hands a letter addressed to President-elect Barack Obama to a U.S. Embassy staffer in Tokyo on Jan. 20. The letter calls for the immediate withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq and an opposition to a planned increase in forces to Afghanistan.

Okinawa museum gets photos taken by U.S. sailor after battle

Okinawa museum gets photos taken by U.S. sailor after battle

NAHA, Japan - Scott Fawcett (R), grandson of Harold Fawcett, now a deceased U.S. Navy sailor, donates photos taken by Harold in the days after the Battle of Okinawa during World War II to the Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum on Aug. 22.

Civic groups call on gov't to withdraw GSDF from Iraq

Civic groups call on gov't to withdraw GSDF from Iraq

TOKYO, Japan - Members of World Peace Now, a network of civic groups, call on the government to withdraw the Ground Self-Defense Force from Iraq in their rally in Tokyo on March 18, ahead of the third anniversary of the start of the Iraq war on March 20.

Civic group demands withdrawal of GSDF from Iraq

Civic group demands withdrawal of GSDF from Iraq

TOKYO, Japan - Members of the civic group World Peace Now take to the streets in Tokyo Sept. 11, calling for the pullout of Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force troops from Iraq.

Guterres underscores importance of upholding UN values, principles in today's world

STORY: Guterres underscores importance of upholding UN values, principles in today's world DATELINE: Oct. 25, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:19 LOCATION: UN Headquarters CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the UN buildings 2. SOUNDBITE (English): ANTONIO GUTERRES, UN Secretary-General 3. various of the UN buildings STORYLINE: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday said in his message for the United Nations Day that upholding UN values and principles is essential in a world under stress. SOUNDBITE (English): ANTONIO GUTERRES, UN Secretary-General "The United Nations is the product of hope. The hope and resolve following the Second World War to move beyond global conflict to global cooperation. Today, our organization is being tested like never before. But the United Nations was made for moments like these. Now, more than ever, we need to bring to life the values and principles of the UN Charter in every corner of the world. By giving peace a chance and ending conflicts that jeopardize lives, futures an

Unification Church facilities near Seoul

Unification Church facilities near Seoul

Photo taken Sept. 10, 2022, shows facilities of the Unification Church, now formally known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, near the South Korean capital of Seoul, with a billboard of its founder Sun Myung Moon (L) and his widow and current leader Hak Ja Han Moon.

Unification Church facilities near Seoul

Unification Church facilities near Seoul

Photo taken Sept. 10, 2022, shows facilities of the Unification Church, now formally known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, near the South Korean capital of Seoul.

Unification Church facilities near Seoul

Unification Church facilities near Seoul

Photo taken Sept. 10, 2022, shows a road leading to a training facility of the Unification Church, now formally known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, near the South Korean capital of Seoul.

LDP policy chief Hagiuda

LDP policy chief Hagiuda

Koichi Hagiuda, policy chief of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, meets the press at the LDP's headquarters in Tokyo on Aug. 18, 2022, after being reported to have visited a facility linked to the Unification Church, now known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, in June.

LDP policy chief Hagiuda

LDP policy chief Hagiuda

Koichi Hagiuda, policy chief of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, meets the press at the LDP's headquarters in Tokyo on Aug. 18, 2022, after being reported to have visited a facility linked to the Unification Church, now known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, in June.

Protest against Japanese media in Seoul over Unification Church coverage

Protest against Japanese media in Seoul over Unification Church coverage

Japanese people living in South Korea who belong to the Unification Church march in downtown Seoul on Aug. 18, 2022, to protest against the Japanese media's coverage of their religion, blasting it as biased. About 3,500 people, mostly Japanese women who moved to South Korea following mass weddings hosted by the Unification Church now known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, took part in the rally.

Protest against Japanese media in Seoul over Unification Church coverage

Protest against Japanese media in Seoul over Unification Church coverage

Japanese people living in South Korea who belong to the Unification Church march in downtown Seoul on Aug. 18, 2022, to protest against the Japanese media's coverage of their religion, blasting it as biased. About 3,500 people, mostly Japanese women who moved to South Korea following mass weddings hosted by the Unification Church now known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, took part in the rally.

Protest against Japanese media in Seoul over Unification Church coverage

Protest against Japanese media in Seoul over Unification Church coverage

Japanese people living in South Korea who belong to the Unification Church march in downtown Seoul on Aug. 18, 2022, to protest against the Japanese media's coverage of their religion, blasting it as biased. About 3,500 people, mostly Japanese women who moved to South Korea following mass weddings hosted by the Unification Church now known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, took part in the rally.

Protest against Japanese media in Seoul over Unification Church coverage

Protest against Japanese media in Seoul over Unification Church coverage

Japanese people living in South Korea who belong to the Unification Church march in downtown Seoul on Aug. 18, 2022, to protest against the Japanese media's coverage of their religion, blasting it as biased. About 3,500 people, mostly Japanese women who moved to South Korea following mass weddings hosted by the Unification Church now known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, took part in the rally.

China to make great contribution to world peace, prosperity under leadership of CPC: Pakistani PM

STORY: China to make great contribution to world peace, prosperity under leadership of CPC: Pakistani PM DATELINE: June 17, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:19 LOCATION: Islamabad CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the interview 2. SOUNDBITE (English): SHAHBAZ SHARIF, Pakistani Prime Minister STORYLINE: Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), China will march forward with a great contribution towards world peace, prosperity, and multilateralism. He made the remarks during an interview with Chinese media on Tuesday. SOUNDBITE (English): SHAHBAZ SHARIF, Pakistani Prime Minister "The journey of the Communist Party of China has been remarkable. You've just celebrated its 100 years' (anniversary) one year ago. And of course, now you're entering its second centenary. This is a remarkable achievement. I have no doubt that you will enter into a new phase. China is now the second-largest economy in the world. I have no doubt that, under the CPC, Chi

BRICS should become force for common development of humankind: Indian expert

STORY: BRICS should become force for common development of humankind: Indian expert DATELINE: June 8, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:30 LOCATION: New Delhi CATEGORY: POLITICS/ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of flags of BRICS countries 2. SOUNDBITE (English): SUDHEENDRA KULKARNI, Former chairman of Mumbai-based think tank Observer Research Foundation STORYLINE: Sudheendra Kulkarni, former chairman of Mumbai-based think tank Observer Research Foundation has said that as a very important multilateral forum in the world, the BRICS should become a force for stability, peace, and the common development of humankind. SOUNDBITE (English): SUDHEENDRA KULKARNI, Former chairman of Mumbai-based think tank Observer Research Foundation "BRICS has now emerged as a very important multilateral forum in the world. BRICS should become a force for stability, for peace, and for the common development of humankind. The most important area for BRICS to expand its cooperation is in creating a consensus on major political issues confronting the

17th Annual Democratic International Women's Conference kicks off in Venezuela

STORY: 17th Annual Democratic International Women's Conference kicks off in Venezuela DATELINE: April 27, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:34 LOCATION: Caracas CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the conference 2. SOUNDBITE (Spanish): LORENA PENA, President of the International Federation of Women STORYLINE: The 17th Annual Democratic International Women's Conference, under the motto "Women of the world united to eliminate inequality and violence for the peace and health of the planet," kicked off on Monday in Caracas, Venezuela. President of the International Federation of Women, Lorena Pena, affirmed that the federation can show to the world "seven fruitful decades" of tireless work in favor of women across the globe. SOUNDBITE (Spanish): LORENA PENA, President of the International Federation of Women "Now it is necessary to update our proposals, and this is the task of this conference. We have the end goal of leaving this meeting with the necessities that are demanded by the worldwide fight of women at this

GLOBALink | Turkey underlines diplomacy for peace as int'l diplomacy forum kicks off

STORY: GLOBALink | Turkey underlines diplomacy for peace as int'l diplomacy forum kicks off DATELINE: March 12, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:03 LOCATION: Ankara CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. STANDUP (English) BURAK AKINCI, Xinhua reporter STORYLINE: STANDUP (English) BURAK AKINCI, Xinhua reporter "I'm Burak Akinci with Xinhua News Agency, I'm now in the Turkish resort town of Belek. The second edition of the Antalya Diplomatic Forum kicked off today (Friday) in this small resort town with the participation of several heads of state and representatives from dozens of countries with a focus on the Ukrainian crisis. In his inaugural speech, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his country must strive for a world of peace, not war, and that the Antalya Forum has begun to achieve this purpose by establishing direct contact between the foreign ministers of Ukraine and Russia. He was referring to the face-to-face meeting held yesterday (Thursday) on the sidelines of the forum between Sergey Lavrov and Dmytro Ku

On site in Ukraine: Lviv takes protective measures on heritage buildings

STORY: On site in Ukraine: Lviv takes protective measures on heritage buildings DATELINE: March 9, 2022 LENGTH: 00:00:54 LOCATION: LVIV, Ukraine CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1 various of Lviv's city center 2 STANDUP (English): CHEN WENXIAN, Xinhua correspondent 3 various of the city center STORYLINE: The government of western Ukrainian city Lviv is taking protective measures on the city's heritage buildings to prevent damages that could be incurred amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict. STANDUP (English): CHEN WENXIAN, Xinhua correspondent "Now I'm at the city center of Lviv, a western city in Ukraine. Behind me you can see workers are busy with protecting the ancient buildings, in order to protect the building from the damage during the conflict between Russia and Ukraine." Lviv was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1998. The Russia-Ukraine conflict is still ongoing as the two countries' negotiators failed to achieve major breakthrough during their third round of peace talks in Belarus on Monday. X

IOC's Bach says Japanese public embracing Tokyo Olympics

The head of the International Olympic Committee said Friday he believes the Japanese public is embracing the Tokyo Olympics despite early skepticism over staging them amid a global pandemic. I hope that the Japanese people will not change their attitude toward the games, IOC President Thomas Bach said in a group interview, citing high TV ratings as evidence of their enthusiasm. Almost 90 percent of the Japanese population, in the meantime, has switched on the Olympic Games. These figures and these ratings, I think they speak for themselves on what the Japanese people are really feeling. Bach said the Tokyo Olympics is a symbol of hope after the turmoil caused by COVID-19. Now it's the first time that this world is coming together again and celebrating together. In all this fragile world with the news and concerns about the pandemic, about political confrontation, about aggression, about the division of this world, these games are offering this message of hope, of solidarity and of peace.

Civic group demands withdrawal of GSDF from Iraq

Civic group demands withdrawal of GSDF from Iraq

TOKYO, Japan - Members of the civic group World Peace Now take to the streets in Tokyo Sept. 11, calling for the pullout of Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force troops from Iraq. (Kyodo)

Chinese man hopes Japan to stay on path for peace

Chinese man hopes Japan to stay on path for peace

Zhang Yushu, a 90-year-old retired Chinese public servant, says in an interview in Beijing on Aug. 11, 2015, that Japan chose the path to peace after the end of World War II but that the government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe seems to pursue militarism with its package of national security bills now in parliament. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo