"Selfie Craze Linked to Rising Fatalities Globally"

A Japanese appeals court upheld the conviction of former Nissan executive Greg Kelly on Tuesday, rejecting prosecutors' requests to overturn acquittals on other charges related to helping fugitive ex-chairman Carlos Ghosn conceal his income. Kelly was found guilty in 2022 for underreporting Ghosn's pay for one year and received a six-month prison sentence, which is suspended for three years, allowing him to remain in Tennessee. Kelly's legal team stated intentions to appeal the ruling to the Japanese Supreme Court. In a statement, Kelly expressed disappointment but maintained confidence in ultimately prevailing. Ghosn, arrested in 2018 alongside Kelly, fled to Lebanon while out on bail and denies any wrongdoing. The legal proceedings highlight the fraught nature of international corporate governance, especially with Ghosn's management style contrasting sharply against Japan's traditional practices. Meanwhile, Nissan, facing financial struggles, is looking to integrate operations with Honda Motor Co. amid broader industry challenges. According to the Japan Federation of Bar Associations, less than 1% of criminal cases in Japan result in acquittals.

The trend of taking selfies in dangerous locations has led to a significant increase in fatalities, with estimates suggesting around 480 deaths related to selfie-related accidents since 2008. According to a Wikipedia report, this figure reflects a sharp rise in such incidents in recent years, compared to an average of 5-6 deaths caused by shark attacks globally each year. The alarming statistics have prompted some cities to take action. Otaru, a city in Japan made famous by the 2015 movie "Cities in Love," has announced plans to hire security guards to monitor tourists. Officials stated that there have been multiple cases where individuals, so focused on capturing the perfect shot, have ignored safety warnings, leading to tragic accidents. Experts note that falls from heights, drowning, and other hazards are frequent in selfie-related injuries. Steve Cole from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents urged the public to practice caution and follow safety guidelines, highlighting that "the allure of social media recognition often drives individuals to take unnecessary risks" in pursuit of likes and attention.

Rescue operations are intensifying in Yashio, Saitama prefecture, Japan, as emergency workers strive to save a 74-year-old truck driver trapped in a large sinkhole that opened on January 28, 2025. The sinkhole, measuring approximately 10 meters across and 10 meters deep, initially engulfed the driver and his two-tonne vehicle. According to local media, the situation has escalated due to a second sinkhole that formed on January 29, 2025. Rescue efforts were temporarily halted due to hazardous conditions, with water leaking into the sinkhole, complicating the recovery of the driver, who reportedly communicated with rescue workers shortly after the incident but has since ceased responding. Saitama governor Motohiro Ono remarked that the first sinkhole was likely caused by a ruptured sewage pipe, with additional concerns surrounding an underground gas line, prompting nearby evacuations. Efforts to manage water flow have included discharging wastewater into a local river while advising approximately 1.2 million residents to conserve water. Local officials continue to monitor the area closely due to the potential for further collapses.