Electric vehicles, which run without gasoline and emit no carbon dioxide while driving, are drawing fresh attention as two of the world’s biggest manufacturers from the United States and China move into Hokkaido one after another. (News On Japan)

A new law designed to promote free competition in the smartphone app market came into full effect on December 18th, with Apple and Google designated as its primary targets. (News On Japan)

As part of a postwar 80th-anniversary project titled “Passing On, Staying Connected,” this article looks back on the Battle of Okinawa through the memories of Higa Tomiko, who survived one of the fiercest ground battles of World War II by holding up a white flag, reflecting on what she saw as a seven-year-old girl who wandered alone through a devastated battlefield and the feelings she now hopes to entrust to future generations. (News On Japan)

The extraordinary session of the Diet has closed, with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi using a press conference to highlight what she described as concrete achievements by her administration. (News On Japan)

Lina Chernykh tells the BBC her niece Matilda was a joyous child who spread love everywhere she went.

It comes a week after the US seized an oil tanker off the country's coast, intensifying pressure on Nicolás Maduro.

Measures include fresh penalties for 'those who spread hate' as well as new powers to cancel or refuse visas.

The leaders are to decide whether to loan tens of billions of euros in frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine's military and economic needs.

The ex-podcaster's announcement comes after US President Donald Trump said he "wants to go back to his show".

The BBC goes to a secret Ukrainian factory, where they are manufacturing new long-range missiles.

Scientists have warned H5N1 bird flu could make a dangerous leap to humans, triggering a global health crisis.

Jake and Romy Reiner say they are in "unimaginable pain", as their brother faces first-degree murder charges over their parents' death.

Jake and Romy Reiner say they are in "unimaginable pain", as their brother faces first-degree murder charges over their parents' death.

Footage shows a man believed to be the 32-year-old wandering in a shop before his arrest in the deaths of his parents, Rob and Michele.

Footage shows a man believed to be the 32-year-old wandering in a convenience store before his arrest in the deaths of his parents, Rob and Michele.

Shizuoka Prefecture announced that it held a public auction on December 16 for the governor’s official residence in Aoi Ward, Shizuoka City, with housing manufacturer Sekisui Heim Tokai winning the bid at 710.35 million yen. (News On Japan)

The grand prize has been announced in the annual Creative Four-Character Idiom Awards, which capture the social mood of the year through newly coined expressions, with the winning works unveiled this year through a dynamic calligraphy performance by high school students. (News On Japan)

Gaza's health ministry says one baby has died from hypothermia and 11 other people have died in building collapses over the past week.

Gaza's health ministry says one baby has died from hypothermia and 11 other people have died in building collapses over the past week.

The launch of Japan’s H3 Rocket No. 8 was aborted just seconds before liftoff on December 17th at the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture after an abnormality was detected in ground equipment, prompting an automatic halt to the countdown 17 seconds before launch. (News On Japan)