News

LGBTQ groups cheer Tokyo’s same-sex partnership move

Published

4 years ago

December 9, 2021

Tokyo is moving to introduce a same-sex partnership system, an announcement welcomed by many

Japanese LGBTQ rights activists on Wednesday hailed Tokyo’s move to introduce a same-sex partnership system as a huge step in their fight for equality in the only G7 country that does not fully recognize same-sex marriage. Emer McCarthy reports.

Japanese LGBTQ rights activists are hailing Tokyo’s move to introduce a same-sex partnership system as a huge step in their fight for equality, in the only G7 country that does not fully recognize same-sex marriage.

Tokyo’s governor Yuriko Koike announced on Tuesday (December 7) that partnerships would be allowed early next year and made legal in the fiscal year beginning April 2022.

The partnership system allows same-sex partners to register their relationship and gain some of the privileges enjoyed by married couples, like being allowed to rent places to live together and gain hospital visitation rights.

“I think it is very revolutionary. I think diversity will continue to progress, so I think what the Tokyo governor said was good.”

“In rural areas, there are long-standing cultures and way of living, so I think those kinds of things are kind of difficult to root in immediately. I think Tokyo can set itself as a good example, and that can spread nationwide.”

Activists have long lobbied for the capital to adopt the system, and pushed its efforts ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

LGBTQ rights activist Gon Matsunaka said the Olympics helped sway public opinion.

“We had the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, and I think Tokyo is thinking about what to it should do in regards to the legacy of the Games. In fact, the United Kingdom legalized same-sex marriage after the London Olympics. In that sense, since Koike made the announcement in the year of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, in which ‘diversity and harmony’ was the theme, although she said she would introduce it next year, I think the Games had an influence.”

Activists say the next goal is making marriage possible, though this probably requires more local areas to adopt same-sex partnership regulations, creating enough pressure that the national government can no longer ignore it.

News

Trump declares US ready to support Iranian protesters

Trump pledges US support for Iranian protesters as regime arrests 100 amid escalating crackdown on dissent

Published

22 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Ahron Young

Trump pledges US support for Iranian protesters as regime arrests 100 amid escalating crackdown on dissent

In Short:
– Trump supports Iranian protesters and promotes their quest for freedom amid government crackdowns.
– Iran reports arrests and increased military threats against protesters, with international demonstrations in solidarity emerging.

Donald Trump has warned Iran’s clerical regime that the US is “ready to help” anti-government protesters facing a crackdown. He stated on his social media platform, Truth, that the nation is witnessing a push for freedom like never before.On Saturday, Iran’s government reported the arrest of 100 “armed rioters” amid ongoing demonstrations. Rights groups claim at least 116 protesters have been killed, with unrest erupting over Iran’s currency collapse and demands for the overthrow of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.

The Iranian military has intensified threats against protesters, warning that anyone participating could be deemed “enemies of God”, carrying a potential death sentence. There have been claims of “terrorist agents” linked to the US and Israel stirring unrest.

Protester Responses

International protests have also emerged in solidarity with Iranian demonstrators.

In London, an individual was seen tearing down the Iranian flag from the embassy, drawing attention to the global dissent. Iranian state media has accused “rioters” of violence and targeting military bases, amidst a climate of increased government scrutiny and restrictions.

With the internet down in Iran, accurate assessment of the situation remains challenging. Reports indicate scattered protests continue, but fear of government retaliation complicates participation.

The Iranian government’s response highlights the volatility of the political situation, and the growing international pressure on Tehran.

News

Minneapolis protests erupt after fatal ICE shooting

Tensions rise in Minneapolis after fatal shooting by ICE agent, sparking protests and unrest as investigations unfold.

Published

3 days ago

January 9, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Tensions rise in Minneapolis after fatal shooting by ICE agent, sparking protests and unrest as investigations unfold.

Tensions in Minneapolis have escalated following the fatal shooting of a mother by a U.S. Immigration agent. The incident has sparked outrage across the city, with residents taking to the streets to demand justice. Authorities are struggling to contain the unrest as public anger continues to mount.

State and federal officials are now at odds over the investigation. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has stepped back after the FBI assumed control, while the state attorney general has warned that state-level charges could still be pursued independently. The political divide adds another layer of complexity to an already volatile situation.

In response to the protests, schools in Minneapolis have closed and the National Guard has been activated to maintain order. Citizens are being urged to stay safe as tensions remain high and the city braces for further demonstrations.

Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker

#MinneapolisProtests #ICEShooting #USNews #FBIInvestigation #NationalGuard #StateVsFederal #JusticeForAll #TickerNews

News

Iran protests escalate as economy crumbles

Iran faces widespread protests as currency collapse and soaring inflation strain household budgets, fueling public anger.

Published

3 days ago

January 9, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Iran faces widespread protests as currency collapse and soaring inflation strain household budgets, fueling public anger.

Protests are spreading across Iran after the country’s currency suffered a dramatic collapse, pushing inflation to more than 42 percent in December. Rising prices are squeezing household budgets, with basic goods becoming increasingly unaffordable for millions of Iranians.

What began as frustration over the cost of living has quickly grown into widespread public anger, as families struggle to keep up with soaring expenses amid a weakening rial and economic uncertainty.

These economic pressures have become the catalyst for demonstrations across major cities, marking one of the most serious waves of unrest linked directly to inflation in recent years.

Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker

#Iran #Inflation #GlobalEconomy #MiddleEast #Protests #CurrencyCrisis #WorldNews #Ticker