The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.
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Japan gov't drops immigration bill with Sri Lankan death in spotlight
TOKYO - Japan's government decided Tuesday to withdraw a bill revising rules on how to accommodate foreigners facing deportation, ruling coalition lawmakers said, amid criticism over the alleged improper treatment of a Sri Lankan woman who died while held at an immigration facility.
The abrupt decision to give up on the passage of the bill during the current parliamentary session through mid-June came amid growing concerns within the ruling camp that pushing through the amendment of the immigration law, which could worsen the conditions for asylum seekers in Japan, may invoke a public backlash.
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Japan's pandemic-hit economy logs record contraction in FY 2020
TOKYO - Japan's economy in fiscal 2020 shrank a real 4.6 percent from the previous year, the sharpest annual contraction on record, as the coronavirus pandemic dealt a debilitating blow to consumption and exports, government data showed Tuesday.
Down for the second straight year, the decrease in real gross domestic product, the total value of goods and services produced in the country adjusted for inflation, is the largest annual contraction since data began to be compiled in fiscal 1955, according to preliminary data released by the Cabinet Office.
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Japan gov't, plaintiffs of asbestos suits agree on settlement
TOKYO - The Japanese government and plaintiffs in lawsuits over damages caused by asbestos agreed Tuesday on a settlement plan after the Supreme Court held the state liable for lung cancer and other illnesses contracted by construction workers exposed to the material.
The plaintiffs signed an agreement with health minister Norihisa Tamura after Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga offered an apology in a meeting with them and their lawyers in four suits on which the top court ruled the previous day.
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India's COVID-19 cases exceed 25 million, with record 4,329 deaths
NEW DELHI - India's total COVID-19 cases exceeded 25 million on Tuesday, with a record 4,329 deaths in a one-day period, the Indian government said.
As the total number of cases reached some 25,229,000, India became the second country in which cases crossed the 25 million mark, after the United States.
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Baseball: Angels' Ohtani hits MLB-leading 13th homer of season
ANAHEIM, California - Shohei Otani took the outright lead in the MLB home run race Monday with his 13th long bomb of the season and his second in as many days, as the Los Angeles Angels overpowered the Cleveland Indians 7-4.
Ohtani extended the Angels' lead to 6-1 with the three-run blast off Sam Hentges in the second inning at Angel Stadium, one out after Juan Lagares hit a tie-breaking two-run double.
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Tokyo stocks end sharply higher on dip-buying, hopes for stimulus
TOKYO - Tokyo stocks ended sharply higher Tuesday on bargain-hunting after their sharp falls last week and growing hopes for additional economic measures following sluggish gross domestic product data for the January to March period.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended up 582.01 points, or 2.09 percent, from Monday at 28,406.84. The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange finished 28.88 points, or 1.54 percent, higher at 1,907.74.
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Over 800 killed by Myanmar security forces after coup
YANGON - The number of people killed by Myanmar's security forces following a February military coup has exceeded 800, with 4,120 others in detention, a rights group tracking deaths and detainees in the Southeast Asian country said Monday night.
The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners said 802 anti-coup protesters and others have been killed, including six in northwestern Chin State and elsewhere who were confirmed dead Monday.
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Biden backs cease-fire in clash between Israel, Palestinian militants
WASHINGTON - U.S. President Joe Biden backed a cease-fire in an escalating conflict between Israel and a Palestinian militant group during a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday.
While reaffirming Israel's right to defend itself against rocket attacks from Hamas, Biden showed "his support for a ceasefire and discussed U.S. engagement with Egypt and other partners towards that end," the White House said in a press release.
