Pyongyang poker: N. Korea ups the ante with the U.S., Japan, S. Korea and China

By on    China, Columnists, COMMENTARY, Exclusives, Japan, John Metzler, LIFE, NE Asia, North Korea, South Korea, Stateside, Top Stories, U.S. Intelligence, United Nations, Washington  

Pyongyang poker: N. Korea ups the ante with the U.S., Japan, S. Korea and China

John J. Metzler UNITED NATIONS — Shortly after the Security Council unanimously condemned the recent North Korean missile launch and demanded that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea abandon nuclear testing, Pyongyang’s rulers decided to up the political ante. They announced that they are on the verge of a third nuclear test and for good […]

As Japan’s birthrate drops, pets outnumber children

By on    Japan, LIFE  

As Japan’s birthrate drops, pets outnumber children

Times247.com As Japan’s birthrate plummets, the estimated worth of its pet industry has risen to $10bn, with pampered pooches enjoying holidays at hot spring resorts, yoga classes and designer clothes. While the birthrate has been falling dramatically and the average age of Japan’s population has been steadily climbing, Japan has become a pet superpower. Official […]