News Headlines - 11 January 2019

▽Kim's China visit to be positive factor for 2nd US-NK summit: Seoul

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's recent visit to China will have positive effects on prospects for a successful second summit between Washington and Pyongyang, South Korea's National Security Council said Thursday.
This week, Kim made a surprise visit to China and held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. During the meeting, Kim vowed efforts to draw positive results from a possible second summit with US President Donald Trump, and Xi expressed his support, according to Chinese media.

▽After meeting UK's May, Japan's Abe says world does not want no-deal Brexit | Reuters

Japan’s Shinzo Abe said on Thursday that the world did not want to see a disorderly Brexit and that he fully supported British Prime Minister Theresa May’s withdrawal deal from the European Union now facing defeat in parliament.

▽Japanese magazine apologises over university 'sex listing' - BBC News

A Japanese men's magazine has had to issue an apology after publishing a list ranking universities on how easy it is to convince female students to have sex at drinking parties.
The list in the issue of the weekly magazine Spa! prompted outrage... The article in the 25 December issue said the parties were popular among female college students and included an interview with the developer of an app intended to help men and women find potential attendees.

▽NGT48's Yamaguchi Maho Apologizes for Discussing Assault | Billboard

A member of J-pop girl group NGT48 apologized Thursday (Jan. 10) for publicly addressing an assault against her. Yamaguchi Maho, a member of the AKB48-associated act, apologized Thursday night in Japan for “causing trouble,” according to fan-captured videos from the act’s third-anniversary concert.

▽Japan wrestling star Yoshida taps out before Olympics - Channel NewsAsia

Japan's Saori Yoshida, a three-time Olympic gold medallist, confirmed Thursday (Jan 10) she is retiring from wrestling despite "wavering" at the thought of missing the Tokyo 2020 Games... She admitted "wavering, with the feeling that I want to participate in the Tokyo Olympics," but said she had ultimately decided it was time to pass the baton to younger athletes.
The 36-year-old topped the podium in the women's 55kg division at three straight Summer Games between 2004 and 2012, but fell short of a fourth straight gold medal at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, settling for silver in the 53kg division.