Â鶹´«Ã½

Entertainment

    • Author Murakami criticizes Japan PM over pandemic measures

    Share
    TOKYO -

    Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami in his monthly radio show Sunday criticized the country's prime minister, saying Yoshihide Suga has ignored a growing COVID-19 surge and public concerns about the pandemic.

    Murakami quoted Suga's comment that "an exit is now in our sight after a long tunnel," made just before the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics last month. Since the games began, daily new cases have gone up nearly five times nationwide, and more than tripled in Tokyo.

    "If he really saw an exit, his eyes must be extremely good for his age. I'm of the same age as Mr. Suga, but I don't see any exit at all," said Murakami, 72.

    "It seems he doesn't listen to others, and perhaps he only has eyes that see well, or he sees only what he wants to see," he said.

    Murakami previously has criticized politicians for reading texts prepared by bureaucrats and not communicating with powerful messages that can reach people's hearts.

    "While we still don't see an exit, we must survive until we really start seeing an exit, while we make use of everything available," Murakami said.

    Suga, seen as overly optimistic about vaccine efficacy, has faced criticism for holding the Olympics and Paralympics despite widespread health concerns and public protest. Support ratings for his government have nosedived to below 30% this month, from about 70% soon after his inauguration last September.

    The prime minister last week expanded emergency COVID-19 measures to cover about three-quarters of Japan.

    As Suga expanded the emergency measures, he cited a recently launched cocktail infusion treatment as an additional weapon, and said, "We are beginning to see a light clearly," triggering a backlash. He also has praised the pace of Japan's rollout since late May to exceed a targeted 1 million daily doses, despite the delayed and slow start.

    About 44% of Japan's population is fully vaccinated. Suga says he hopes to fully vaccinate all eligible and willing people by October or November, but experts say herd immunity would be impossible due to the highly contagious delta variant.

    Murakami began writing while running a jazz bar in Tokyo after graduating from university. Following his 1979 debut novel "Hear the Wind Sing," the 1987 romance "Norwegian Wood" became his first bestseller, establishing him as a young literary star. He is also known for bestsellers such as "A Wild Sheep Chase," "The Wind-up Bird Chronicle," and "1Q84."

    His "Murakami Radio" show started in August 2018 on Tokyo FM. In Sunday's prerecorded program, "Music in Murakami," he played songs based on fan requests. Music is an important motif in Murakami's stories. An avid listener and collector of music, he has also written books on the topic, including one on classical music published in June.

    CTVNews.ca Top Stories

    Police responded to the area of Beverly Street and Dundas Street North around 6 a.m. Monday for a report of a missing two-year-old boy.

    There are 'no restrictions' on the right to receive health services in Quebec for English speakers, according to a new clarification document issued by the Quebec Health Ministry on Monday.

    A six-year-old boy from northeastern Manitoba who had been missing since last Wednesday has been found dead.

    Canada

    • A six-year-old girl who was reported missing in northern B.C. last week has been found safe, police said Sunday evening.

    • There are 'no restrictions' on the right to receive health services in Quebec for English speakers, according to a new clarification document issued by the Quebec Health Ministry on Monday.

    • Toronto police have released video footage of a suspect who allegedly stole a taxi in the city’s downtown core over the weekend.

    • More than a year after the Government of Saskatchewan introduced the pronoun policy, the constitutionality of it continues to be questioned.

    • Police responded to the area of Beverly Street and Dundas Street North around 6 a.m. Monday for a report of a missing two-year-old boy.

    • The Royal Canadian Mint has introduced its latest Gold Maple Leaf bullion coin – made entirely from gold sourced from a single mine in northern Ontario

    World

    Politics

    Health

    • There are 'no restrictions' on the right to receive health services in Quebec for English speakers, according to a new clarification document issued by the Quebec Health Ministry on Monday.

    • A new charter challenge set to get underway on Monday will test the constitutionality of a controversial Ontario law that allows hospitals to place discharged patients into long-term care homes not of their choosing or face a $400-per-day charge if they refuse.

    Sci-Tech

    Entertainment

    Business

    Lifestyle

    Sports

    Autos

    Local Spotlight

    Before influencers on social media, Canada’s Jeanne Beker was bringing the world of high fashion down to earth and as Calgary’s Glenbow Museum gets a major make-over, it will include a new exhibition showcasing the pop culture icon.

    A sea lion swam free after a rescue team disentangled it near Vancouver Island earlier this week.

    A Nova Scotian YouTuber has launched a mini-truck bookmobile.

    Cole Haas is more than just an avid fan of the F.W. Johnson Wildcats football team. He's a fixture on the sidelines, a source of encouragement, and a beloved member of the team.

    Getting a photograph of a rainbow? Common. Getting a photo of a lightning strike? Rare. Getting a photo of both at the same time? Extremely rare, but it happened to a Manitoba photographer this week.

    An anonymous business owner paid off the mortgage for a New Brunswick not-for-profit.

    They say a dog is a man’s best friend. In the case of Darren Cropper, from Bonfield, Ont., his three-year-old Siberian husky and golden retriever mix named Bear literally saved his life.

    A growing group of brides and wedding photographers from across the province say they have been taken for tens of thousands of dollars by a Barrie, Ont. wedding photographer.

    Paleontologists from the Royal B.C. Museum have uncovered "a trove of extraordinary fossils" high in the mountains of northern B.C., the museum announced Thursday.

    • The leader of the BC NDP announced several election promises around health-care reform at a literal kitchen table discussion with Burnaby residents, sending voters a clear message about how he wants them to see him.

    • More than 800 BC Hydro customers were without electricity Monday morning after a car struck a utility pole in Ladner, B.C., and rolled over into a farm field.

    • Crime and street disorder have become a key political issue in British Columbia amid a series of violent stranger attacks and other public safety incidents. Here are some of events that have made the issue prominent with the public.

    • A new charter challenge set to get underway on Monday will test the constitutionality of a controversial Ontario law that allows hospitals to place discharged patients into long-term care homes not of their choosing or face a $400-per-day charge if they refuse.

    • Toronto police have released video footage of a suspect who allegedly stole a taxi in the city’s downtown core over the weekend.

    • Some wet weather is in the forecast this week for Toronto after an extended bout of dry conditions in the city.

    • Before influencers on social media, Canada’s Jeanne Beker was bringing the world of high fashion down to earth and as Calgary’s Glenbow Museum gets a major make-over, it will include a new exhibition showcasing the pop culture icon.

    • Premier Danielle Smith on Monday is expected to make an address at the Future of Energy Summit in Banff, a meeting of energy industry leaders from around the world.

    • After winning two gold medals at the Paralympic Games in Paris, a Canadian swimmer is on top of the podium again.

    • Ottawa Police are investigating a Sunday late night shooting which sent one person to hospital.

    • Health officials across Ontario are warning of a significant spike in cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough.

    • Ottawa paramedics say one man is in critical condition after a stabbing in the village of Metcalfe.

    • There are 'no restrictions' on the right to receive health services in Quebec for English speakers, according to a new clarification document issued by the Quebec Health Ministry on Monday.

    • The family of a Quebec man killed by police in 2017 is calling on the province's justice minister to order an independent investigation after the Crown declined to charge the officers involved.

    • Swedish battery manufacturer Northvolt will lay off 1,600 employees in Sweden, a fifth of its workforce, as it seeks to 'concentrate all energy and investment on (its) core business' amid financial difficulties.

    • Charges are pending against a driver who was headed the wrong way before a crash on Anthony Henday Drive early Monday morning, police say.

    • Police are investigating a shooting in central Edmonton on Sunday.

    • WEATHER

      WEATHER

      Summer's over, but we're not done with heat just yet.

    • Two people from Charlottetown are dead and a third person is injured after a minivan collided with a truck in Melrose, N.B., Sunday afternoon.

    • A woman is dead and a man is injured after they were hit by a truck in Glace Bay, N.S., Saturday night.

    • The autumnal equinox occurred at 9:43 a.m. Sunday for the Maritimes, which was appropriate as a more typical “fall feel†returned to the air in contrast to the late summer heat of much of last week.

    • A six-year-old boy from northeastern Manitoba who had been missing since last Wednesday has been found dead.

    • A 26-year-old man wanted by police for two months in connection with the homicide of a woman found in a downtown Winnipeg apartment building has been arrested.

    • A commercial area just outside of Winnipeg near McGillivray Boulevard will be under a boil water advisory starting late Tuesday.

    • Moose Jaw police say an investigation is underway after a body was found in a burned-out vehicle Sunday night.

    • More than a year after the Government of Saskatchewan introduced the pronoun policy, the constitutionality of it continues to be questioned.

    • A total of five rural municipalities (RM) will receive an extended hunting season for the first 10 days of November as part of a pilot project aimed at helping producers who are dealing with abnormally high wildlife damage to their crops.

    • Police responded to the area of Beverly Street and Dundas Street North around 6 a.m. Monday for a report of a missing two-year-old boy.

    • Emergency services are in the area of Hessen Strasse and Greenwood Hill Road for the investigation.

    • Wage increases, new paid holidays and a big signing bonus are part of the new contract for CAMI employees in Ingersoll, Ont.

    • Fire crews are battling a blaze at the Candle Lake Golf Course clubhouse on Monday morning.

    • More than a year after the Government of Saskatchewan introduced the pronoun policy, the constitutionality of it continues to be questioned.

    • A 14-year-old girl from Flying Dust First Nation was killed after a high-speed ATV struck a ditch near Meadow Lake.

    • The sexual assault trial for Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard, the former frontman for the band Hedley, is expected to begin in northern Ontario this week, following a jury selection process.

    • Sudbury police are investigating after two men required medical attention for stab wounds following an altercation with a group in the downtown area.

    • A family dispute related to a property matter turned ugly over the weekend when a 71-year-old hit their head on the pavement after being pushed.

    • There's been no shortage of reaction to last week's announcement by Budweiser Gardens that it's going completely cashless as of Sept. 27. But one tech expert says whether we like it or not, this is a sign of the times.

    • Police have laid charges against a Woodstock man after he allegedly head-butted an officer during an arrest.

    • Two people have been arrested following a suspicious death investigation in London. As previously reported, it was around 6 p.m. on Friday when first responders were called to Kathleen avenue for a "check welfare investigation."

    • A Brampton man faces charges after police say a dispute over an unpaid bill at Blue Mountain Resort turned into a confrontation.

    • Police in Barrie are investigating an alleged armed robbery at a convenience store over the weekend that resulted in significant damage.

    • Illegal dumping has become an issue in the small township south of Shelburne.

    • Windsor police arrested two suspects after seizing numerous illegal firearms and recovered three stolen motorcycles.

    • Windsor city councillors have voted to send a second letter to the federal government — including input from city police and fire officials, the University of Windsor, the local health unit and Canada Border Services Agency — raising serious concerns about the transportation of hazardous materials across the Ambassador Bridge.

    • University of Windsor president Robert Gordon is retiring at the end of the academic year.

    • The leader of the BC NDP announced several election promises around health-care reform at a literal kitchen table discussion with Burnaby residents, sending voters a clear message about how he wants them to see him.

    • Work crews have been busy in the British Columbia legislature over the summer, prying apart desks in the historic chamber and piling them up in hallways as they tried to work out how to fit in six more seats.

    • The two top contenders in British Columbia's provincial election dove deep into the various issues plaguing the Metro Vancouver area on Sunday, in some cases hearing directly from those most affected.

    • A pair of runaway pigs are in the custody of an animal sanctuary in the Okanagan after evading police and volunteers for hours earlier this week.

    • The Red Bridge, a historic landmark in Kamloops, B.C., was completely destroyed by fire early Thursday morning.

    • Animal protection officers in British Columbia have rescued three pit bulls – including one that gave birth to 10 puppies – from a rat-infested home in Kelowna.

    • A Medicine Hat man faces charges after police say they found him in possession of drugs and a .22-calibre pen gun.

    • Despite the heavy rain, plenty of muscle turned up for United Way’s annual Pull the Bus fundraiser in Lethbridge Friday.

    • Lethbridge County has rescinded its fire restriction as a result of the recent cool, wet weathr.

    • A family dispute related to a property matter turned ugly over the weekend when a 71-year-old hit their head on the pavement after being pushed.

    • Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 36-year-old suspect with drug trafficking and other charges following a weekend raid of a residence on Robin Street.

    • The sexual assault trial for Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard, the former frontman for the band Hedley, is expected to begin in northern Ontario this week, following a jury selection process.

    N.L.

    Shopping Trends

    The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at Â鶹´«Ã½. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.

    Stay Connected
    Follow Â鶹´«Ã½