The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.
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Japan wholesale inflation posts record 10% in April on war, yen fall
TOKYO - Wholesale prices in Japan surged 10.0 percent in April from a year earlier, marking the sharpest gain on record, amid surging energy and raw-material costs following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the yen's steep fall, Bank of Japan data showed Monday.
The prices of goods traded between companies increased for the 14th straight month, in fresh evidence of inflationary pressures in Japan, reinforcing the view that consumer inflation will further accelerate in the coming months.
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North Korea's Kim slams lack of medical supplies as likely COVID cases surge
BEIJING - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has strongly criticized his Cabinet for not providing medicines to citizens according to their needs, state-run media reported Monday, as suspected coronavirus cases continue to explode in the country.
The Korean Central News Agency said more than 392,900 new cases of fever were reported during a 24-hour period through late Sunday afternoon, an increase of over 90,000 from the previous day, with eight new deaths.
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Yoon repeats South Korea's readiness to support North's COVID-19 fight
SEOUL - South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Monday reiterated a willingness to support North Korea with necessary medical supplies and medicines to help it battle its ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
"I have repeatedly been saying that I'll always be open to humanitarian aid regardless of political or military issues that lie between South and North Korea," Yoon said during his first policy speech at the National Assembly after taking office last week.
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Ukrainian singer Tina Karol highlights role of music in war against Russia
TOKYO - Renowned Ukrainian singer Tina Karol on Monday highlighted the importance of "cultural frontlines" as she called for the world to continue supporting her country against Russian aggression.
"Ukraine is right now having its identity shaken by Russia," the 37-year-old performer said through an interpreter at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan in Tokyo. "My weapon is language and music."
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Baseball: Shohei Ohtani homers in 2nd straight game as Angels beat A's
OAKLAND, California - Shohei Ohtani crushed a two-run homer for the second straight game Sunday, giving the Los Angeles Angels an early lead in their 4-1 victory over the Oakland Athletics.
A day after becoming the third Japanese player ever to hit 100 home runs in Major League Baseball, Ohtani sent No. 101 soaring deep to right-center in the first inning at Oakland Coliseum.
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Nikkei rises as Shanghai aims to end COVID lockdown in June
TOKYO - The Nikkei stock index closed higher Monday as investors took heart from Shanghai's deputy mayor saying the Chinese commercial and financial hub will aim to bring life back to normal next month following weeks of COVID-19 restrictions.
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average ended up 119.40 points, or 0.45 percent, from Friday at 26,547.05. The broader Topix index finished 0.94 point, or 0.05 percent, lower at 1,863.26.
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Sumo: Terunofuji beats Tobizaru, stays 1 win off lead on Day 9
TOKYO - Lone yokozuna Terunofuji kept pace with the leading pack Monday at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament by overpowering rank-and-file opponent Tobizaru.
The Mongolian-born grand champion improved to 6-3 by forcing out No. 5 maegashira Tobizaru (5-4) in the final bout of Day 9 at Ryogoku Kokugikan, using brute strength to pick up and deposit his opponent over the edge.
