SBS News

"Return the Tariff Refunds": Japanese Companies Facing Successive Lawsuits by US Consumers According to Kyodo News on the 13th, US local subsidiaries of Japanese companies, including Toyota Motor, Fast Retailing , Nintendo, and Sony, have been slapped with such lawsuits. SBS Aug 13, 2026 2:03 PM

PBOC Says Impact of Potential Rate Hikes by U.S. and Others Will Be Smaller Than in the Past In June, the European Union and Japan raised their benchmark interest rates, while the U.S. SBS Aug 13, 2026 2:00 PM

Up to 2 Years in Prison for Desecrating Rising Sun Flag... Japan Enforces 'National Flag Desecration Act' Amid Controversy The "National Flag Desecration Act," which penalizes the desecration of Japan's national flag, the Hinomaru, took effect today amid controversy. SBS Aug 13, 2026 1:45 PM

Wildfires Rage Across Indonesia, Closing 108 Schools in Neighboring Malaysia Due to Smog According to local media outlet Bernama and Reuters on the 13th , 108 schools in the Serian district of Sarawak, Malaysia, were recently closed. SBS Aug 13, 2026 1:22 PM

"Trash Can on Head"... 'Count Binface' Runs in UK By-election This is the candidate running in the by-election in Clacton, southeastern England, known as Count Binface. SBS Aug 13, 2026 12:45 PM

US Forms Task Force to Eradicate Birth Tourism... Cancels Over 600 Visas The U.S. Department of State has announced the formation of a dedicated task force to eradicate so-called "birth tourism," identifying cases of birth tourism aimed at securing U.S. SBS Aug 13, 2026 12:18 PM

China's Locally Developed Passenger Jet Operates First International Route... Global Market Expansion Remains a Challenge While China is challenging the global passenger aircraft market dominated by Boeing and Airbus, critics note that significant hurdles remain before it can make a full-fledged entry into overseas markets, as it has yet to secure airworthiness certification from European and U.S. SBS Aug 13, 2026 11:44 AM

US Immigration Enforcement Agents to Be Issued 'Electroshock Gloves' As the U.S. administration under Donald Trump steps up its crackdown on illegal immigration, it is moving to provide frontline agents with electroshock gloves. SBS Aug 13, 2026 11:23 AM

U.S. State Department Forms Task Force to Eradicate 'Birth Tourism,' Revokes About 600 Foreign Visas The U.S. State Department announced on the 12th that it has formed a dedicated task force to eradicate so-called birth tourism. SBS Aug 13, 2026 10:36 AM

Trump Secretly Swapped Planes Over Assassination Threat Intel, But CIA Deemed It Low Credibility President Donald Trump boards Air Force One after concluding the NATO summit. U.S. SBS Aug 13, 2026 10:36 AM