Japan

The death in February of a killer-whale trainer at SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida, made headlines all over the world. As has been widely reported, Dawn Brancheau, an experienced orca trainer, was dragged by her hair into the whale's pool, where she died of traumatic injuries and drowning. The incident has led to a chorus of disapproval about keeping cetaceans in captivity, and debate about whether captive animals should be freed. Anti-whaling campaigners from the United States who complain about Japan's whaling program might want to reflect on how their own country treats cetaceans next time they criticize Japan.

Mongolian grand champion Hakuho pounced on Aminishiki to start off in the winner's column at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday -- the first meet after the retirement of former yokozuna Asashoryu. Hakuho threw the komusubi off-balance with a series of well-placed shoves before sending him packing from the rear in the day's final bout at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium.