Japan’s Cabinet Office reported that the country’s economy shrunk to an annual rate of 5.1 percent in January-March. The preliminary adjusted gross domestic products (GDP) showed household consumption dropped at an annualized rate of 5.6 percent and government spending declined 6.9 percent. According to the Associated Press, the GDP drop over the last fiscal year is the worst Japan has seen since the end of World War II. Robert Carnell, regional head of research Asia-Pacific at ING, told AP that the latest results show the negative impact of the government restrictions put in place during the pandemic....

According to the Aichi Prefectural Police—via Asahi—a man was arrested on suspicion of violating Japan’s Unfair Competition Prevention Act. The police say that the 23-year-old man from Nagoya City illegally rewrote the abilities of Pokémon for customers in Sword and Shield for the Nintendo Switch. The man later admitted to the charges. Last April, the man responded to a request from a 36-year-old male office worker in Kyoto to obtain the Pokémon “Messon” or “Sobble” in English....

MLB and Nippon Professional Baseball's new posting system caps the fee for players at $20 million, less than half what Japanese teams received for pitchers Yu Darvish and Daisuke Matsuzaka. "I informed my team that I would like them to allow me to test my abilities in Major League Baseball next season," Tanaka said at a news conference on Tuesday after a meeting with Rakuten Eagles President Yozo Tachibana. Tanaka, a 25-year-old right-hander, went 24-0 with a 1....

Radamel Falcao’s 78th-minute goal secured a 1-0 away win and moved the champions one clear of the previous best of 14 set by Bordeaux in 2009. Monaco’s run began back in February and has been completed without Kylian Mbappe, who was left out of Friday’s squad amid rumours of an impending move away from Stade Louis II. The visitors were made to work for their piece of history by a resilient Metz before Falcao’s late intervention made it 23 league matches unbeaten....

“I thought we battled really well over the course of these last six games,” Garrett told reporters after the game. “I thought we’ve done a lot of good things. I love how our team plays — we scratch, we claw, we fight really in all aspects of our football team.” PHOTOS: Defining Week 9 images | MORE: Eagles O-line goes at Greg Hardy Despite the encouraging words, the Cowboys are in trouble and are past the “when Tony Romo comes back” stage....

In an exclusive interview with the New York Post, the Giants defensive lineman discussed his fiancée, son and fans before giving us a glimpse into his July 4 fireworks accident that left him with a mangled right hand and threatened to bring his football career to an end. MORE: Week 13 Start and Sit | Year of the ref: NFL’s questionable calls | Week 13 picks “It wasn’t scary at all....

Witten’s lone season as a prime-time NFL game analyst was met with mixed reviews at best. Now he’s back contributing to Dallas’ repeat division-winning cause in 2019. While his former broadcast partner Joe Tessitore has moved on with former field analyst Booger McFarland as the new color commentator in the MNF booth, Witten returned to the Cowboys on a one-year, $2 million deal for his age 37 season. How did it come about for Witten to give a TV career a try, and why didn’t it work out?...

The video was published by the Austin American-Statesman and KVUE-TV in June last year after months of record requests about Ambler’s death. Ambler had been driving home after playing poker with friends in the early hours of March 28, 2019, when Williamson County Deputy James Johnson started chasing him for failing to dim his headlights, the newspaper reported at the time. The 40-year-old Black postal worker crashed near downtown Austin after a 22-minute pursuit....

Michael Cavallari — the brother of Cutler’s wife, former reality-TV star Kristin Cavallari — hasn’t been heard from since before his 2014 Honda Civic was found abandoned with the driver’s side airbag deployed about 200 miles south of Salt Lake City and 5 miles off Interstate 70, in a part of the state where several national parks are located. MORE: 5 reasons why Cam is the MVP | Jerry Jones knew the Cowboys could win without Romo...

NBA League Pass: Sign up to unlock live out-of-market games (7-day free trial) The absence of Jaylen Brown, who was averaging a career-high 25.6 points per game this season has certainly been felt as the swingman has now missed eight straight games with a right hamstring strain, putting more pressure on Jayson Tatum to carry the lions share of the offense. While Tatum has been putting up solid numbers, his efficiency has taken a hit this season as opponents continue to send extra defensive attention his way....

Werth was originally sentenced in December to 10 days in jail for driving his Porsche 105 mph on I-495 in Fairfax County, Va., last July. Werth, who has a .276 career batting average and 186 home runs over 12 years, had surgery earlier this month to repair a torn AC joint in his right shoulder. He is expected to miss up to three months, five days of which will now be spent in jail....

Hood stopped a fan from from recording his walk to the locker room after he was ejected Wednesday night in Washington. Hood had picked up a second technical foul for arguing with official Tony Brothers. Hood recorded seven points and six rebounds in 15 minutes of playing time. MORE: Raptors’ Ibaka, Heat’s Johnson suspended for fighting Fans anticipated a fine or suspension for Hood, but they also stood behind him....

Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) moved back to their favourite spot in the Super League standings - right on top of the pile, after handing Kelantan a 2-3 home defeat on Wednesday night. Playing at Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium in Kota Bahru, the Southern Tigers produced an inspiring came from behind win, much to the disappointment of the home crowd. The Red Warriors started like a house on fire and got themselves to a magnificent start....

Bezos made the announcement while speaking at the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland, which is also attended by world leaders hoping to address the crisis. He told conference attendees the vulnerability of Earth was emphasized as he looked back on it while aboard his New Shepard rocket ship during his 10-minute suborbital flight. “I was told that seeing the Earth from space changes the lens from which you view the world....

Jeff Burton is expected to compete in at least five races this season in addition to testing for Michael Waltrip Racing. Steve Letarte will be working his final season as crew chief for Dale Earnhardt Jr. That will give the race-day booth a unique, fresh perspective next year. MORE: NASCAR’s Chase proposal | Pockrass: Chase plan a gimmick | Drivers support Chase changes But that wasn't their main attribute, according to NBC Sports executive producer Sam Flood....

He isn’t exactly sure how to accomplish it, but he’ll do his best as the replacement for driver Tony Stewart at Michigan International Speedway. Stewart is still overcome with grief following a tragic accident Saturday in which his car struck and killed Kevin Ward Jr. in a sprint-car race at Canandaigua (N.Y.) Motorsports Park. MORE: Stewart grieving | Stewart, team in crisis mode | Stewart future: What he must do | Drivers banned from walking onto track...

It was wise and best for team and organization that Gordon didn’t rush home from France and hop into Junior’s No. 88 car to race at New Hampshire. Now, Gordon is in a better position to drive the next two weeks — at least — as a Hendrick Motorsports replacement. MORE: Gordon to replace Junior | Gordon’s 2015 season | Junior’s Chase chances Jeff Gordon after his 2014 Indianapolis victory (Getty Images)...