A little bit of hunger is good for you," says Serge Pizzorno. "Keeps you going. The Kasabian frontman is describing a typical day in his home recording studio. Snacks and phones are banned, but he might screen a film in the background (typically something by David Lynch) while he tinkers with his
Three killed in separate wall collapse incidents in Odisha amid heavy rainfallOdisha recorded 1,154.3 mm of rainfall between June 1 and August 31 against its normal seasonal rainfall of 1,150.2 mm Updated on: Sep 2, 2026, 07:49:44 IST By Debabrata Mohanty Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link
Vaishnavi Patil, 26, was supposed to share the stage with Rahul Gandhi at a Congress party event for women in Pune last month. She could not address the crowd because of time constraints but was far from disappointed. “This was the first event where a political party head was talking about
ICTS 2026: Centre says Delhi set to get comprehensive road-grid plan within 3-4 monthsThe Capital is set to get a comprehensive road-grid plan within months as the Centre moves to implement the city’s new master plan, a senior Union housing and urban affairs ministry official said on Tuesday
Fact check: Is Dollywood closing permanently after a fire? Could Disney buy the park for $200 billion?Rumors that Dollywood burned down and is permanently closing are false. The park remains open. While, Disney takeover claims are also untrue. Published on: Sep 2, 2026
As India moves from AI experimentation to real-world application, the ET AI Awards 2027 recognise organisations, teams and leaders driving AI innovation, business transformation and measurable impact. Across AI startups, SMEs and enterprises, the awards spotlight excellence in AI products
Erin Piacenti’s killer posted about ‘stabbing others for no reason’ months before attackMonths before killing Bank of America VP Erin Piacenti, Pamela Cisneros shared a series of posts where she rambled about religion, the meaning of life and more Updated on: Sep 2, 2026
Ariana Grande made an emotional exit on Tuesday night, as she wrapped up her Eternal Sunshine tour, and prepared to step back from public life. The singer was occasionally close to tears - most notably during One Last Time, the song that took on extra meaning as an anthem for survivors of the 2017
A mayor in Japan announced her maternity leave - and got the whole country talking
When the mayor of a small town in western Japan announced she was taking maternity leave, she expected some raised eyebrows.
But the reaction was far stronger - and more divided - than Shoko Kawata had ever anticipated.
The 35-year-old has been plunged into a national debate about whether elected officials should take time off for childbirth, in a country that's struggling to lift birth rates.
"I was so surprised because the reaction was so big," Kawata tells the BBC.
Sitting on a blocky, cushioned armchair, she's flanked by two older men - her deputies - in a fifth-floor meeting room at City Hall in Yawata, a town south of Kyoto known for its shrines and cherry trees.
As there is currently no legal framework for local elected officials to take time off when they have babies, Kawata won't be taking maternity leave officially. Instead, she is assigning the man on her left, Shigeto Nose, to temporarily carry out her role.
She laid out her plans at a news conference in May, where she said she'd be off two months before and two months after her mid-September due date. She will be making history as Japan's first ever mayor to take maternity leave.
Everyone at work, where the average age is 39, was supportive, she says.
But that wasn't the case among members of the public, who've expressed varying views in thousands of X posts and several YouTube videos.
Some say having a baby is tough and Kawata is doing her best. Japanese society has failed to design systems with pregnancy in mind, one claims.
Another says Kawata is setting a wonderful example by putting her family first and making it easier for other women to enter politics.
But critics argue that stepping away from public duties is "irresponsible", and if she wanted to get pregnant "she should have done so before taking office". One says top officials wanting to take extended leave "should resign". Others insist salaries should be cut during maternity leave.
Kawata has brushed off the criticisms, proudly declaring she enjoys her job and believes now is the time for her to have a child and start a family.
If we were to criticise politicians taking maternity leave, it means we are effectively excluding all women in their 20s through 40s - women who are capable of becoming pregnant - from public office.
Shinji Ishimaru, the former mayor of Akitakata city in the Hiroshima prefecture, believes the real issue is figuring out how to make sure duties are carried out during maternity leave.
People agree maternity leave is good, he suggests on his YouTube channel, but he wants this case to spark a constructive discussion on finding a solution that doesn't disrupt municipal work.
Kawata became Japan's youngest-ever female city mayor aged 33. She graduated from Kyoto University with a degree in economics before pursuing a career in local government and politics. She enjoys tea ceremonies, wearing kimonos and visiting shrines and temples, according to her official profile page.
And she's risen through the ranks in a very male political scene. As of last year, only about 4% of Japan's 1,720 municipal leaders were women.
While the country may now have its first female prime minister, the government has regularly come under fire for not doing enough to encourage more women into politics.
Some say the male-dominated cabinet and ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which has governed Japan for much of its post-war history, are part of the problem.
A Cabinet Office survey released in July 2025 identified several barriers preventing women from entering politics: pregnancy, an assumption politics is a man's job and harassment.
Japan is the world's fourth-largest economy but consistently ranks low on the gender gap index. In the most recent report released by the World Economic Forum in June 2025, Japan ranked 118th out of 146 countries. It is the worst performing G7 nation when it comes to gender equality.
Although there is statutory maternity and paternity leave - which guarantees time off and partial income compensation - not everyone takes it.
Women can get six weeks before their due date and eight weeks after giving birth. Fathers get up to four weeks of flexible paid leave within eight weeks of a child's birth.
Both parents are also entitled to childcare leave until the child turns one, during which eligible employees receive 67% of their wages for the first 180 days and 50% thereafter. Since April 2025, some parents can receive more support for the first 28 days if both parents take leave.
"I do think many people are watching to see how situations like this - when a woman gives birth while serving as a mayor - can be handled in practice," Deputy Mayor Shigeto Nose says.
The 62-year-old father-of-two is set to exercise all mayoral authority during Kawata's absence, discussing major matters with her remotely once a week.
He never took any parental leave himself and left virtually all of the childcare to his wife. "When I came home, I was tired. Even if the baby cried during the night, I left it to my wife. Looking back now, I genuinely feel that's something I should reflect on."
Now, his son-in-law is taking six months off work to help his daughter take care of their second child. "Seeing that makes me happy. Times have really changed and it's great to see them working together like that."
Kawata says part of the criticism against her stems from the strongly held belief that those in certain positions - like public office - must abandon their private life and devote themselves entirely to the people.
When asked what her future child will think about the attention surrounding her pregnancy, she says: "I really hope they will be surprised."
I think we really need to create a society where it's so common for women to do both - and not have to choose between working and having a family.
Source: BBC
Related Posts: Newly elected mayor found with multiple stab wounds in western Germany How budget fast fashion is taking small-town India by storm How a small-town brand caught global attention Small-town India to cricket World champions Skipper said that she does not want to again lose by a small margin Strong earthquake hits western Japan but no risk of tsunami Explained | Mumbai’s New Mayor Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass advances to run-off in race to run California's biggest city Mayor Sadiq Khan invites embattled AI firm Anthropic to expand in London Images of NYC mayor with Jeffrey Epstein are AI-generated
About a century ago, long before environmental degradation became the crisis of our times, Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore had sounded early warning bells about the destruction of forests. Though Tagore was born in the city of Kolkata, he had a deep and abiding contact with nature from childhood
1 days ago
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.The joy of drawing anywhere starts with the right tablet, and these six options make a strong case for leaving the deskLarge canvases
1 days ago
Cops quiz witnesses to form ‘watertight’ case over Greater Noida-Delhi bus gangrapeA police officer associated with the probe said that they have written to the Forensic Science Laboratory to expedite the report. Updated on: Sep 2, 2026, 07:21:59 IST By Hemani Bhandari Prefer HTon Google Share
1 days ago
The Supreme Court quashed several first information reports against protesters. It invoked constitutional powers to ensure complete justice for young participants. The court also directed that similar cases in other states shall not be pursued
1 days ago
Orry reveals he went to Khatron Ke Khiladi 15 without informing his parents: ‘Not fragile Barbie doll people paint me’Orry has impressed one and all with his performance in multiple stunts on Khatron Ke Khiladi 15. Updated on: Sep 2, 2026, 06:15:26 IST By Santanu Das Prefer HTon Google Share
1 days ago
Manchester City have completed the signing of Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea for a joint-British transfer record £125m. The Fernandez deal takes City's spending to a Premier League record £458m for a single transfer window, surpassing Liverpool's £415m from last summer
1 days ago
Gurgaon woman busts myth of ‘lavish corporate life’, says salary disappears after paydayA Gurgaon woman shared how bills and daily expenses left her with little of her salary soon after payday. Published on: Sep 1, 2026, 14:24:23 IST By Mahipal Singh Chouhan Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy
2 days ago
A 25 groove philosophy: John Ternus built his way to Apple’s top jobThe parts nobody sees are exactly the ones worth getting right. That has always been Apple’s approach. That is also the John Ternus way Published on: Sep 1, 2026, 12:11:04 IST By Vishal Mathur Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy
2 days ago
US army secretary Dan Driscoll resigns after reported tensions with Pete HegsethDan Driscoll's departure is the latest high-profile exit at the US defense department under defense secretary Pete Hegseth. Updated on: Sep 1, 2026, 14:18:54 IST Bloomberg Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link US Army
2 days ago
Who is Hannah Israel? Heartbroken owner speaks out after beloved donkey HeeHaw is killed by cop: ‘He was my son!’Hannah Israel, the owner of a donkey, HeeHaw, was left heartbroken after a Cedartown police officer allegedly shot the animal dead in Polk County. Published on: Sep 1, 2026
2 days ago
India is preparing a framework that would let AI agents make small digital payments without approval for every transaction, three sources familiar with the matter said, potentially making UPI one of the world's largest networks with agentic payments
2 days ago
The Delhi High Court sought a response from the Wrestling Federation of India. Olympian Vinesh Phogat challenged two show-cause notices issued against her. She alleges arbitrary and discriminatory disciplinary actions by the federation. Phogat also seeks a fair framework for women athletes
2 days ago
Mirzapur: The Movie, starring Ali Fazal and Pankaj Tripathi, is all set to hit theatres on September 4, and fans of the popular web series are eagerly waiting to see the Mirzapur universe expand to the big screen. The film has been passed with an ‘A’ certificate by the CBFC and has a runtime of
2 days ago
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday once again appealed to Indians not to travel abroad and refrain from buying gold. “Avoid organising destination weddings in foreign countries,” said Modi in a video posted from Kyrgyzstan. The prime minister is in the country for the Shanghai Cooperation
2 days ago
A dark wall appears from behind the buildings at Gyirong, on the Chinese side of the Nepal-Tibet border. At first, it looks almost like a black cloud. Then it gathers shape and speed: water, mud, boulders, ice and rock surging down the valley
2 days ago
Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said the BJP’s 10-day ‘Ballari Chalo’ padayatra gives Congress an opportunity to counter the opposition and that his party will plan a response. He also discussed drought assessment across Karnataka and criticised the FIR against Rahul Gandhi as
2 days ago
A content creator from China attempted to experience life as a woman in Delhi, but it took an unsettling turn after he started getting unwanted attention from men. Dressed in women’s clothing and walking through the city, the blogger claimed that several men approached him
2 days ago
Founder who survived on bread, water at 18 thinks everyone should go ‘completely broke’ onceA Mumbai-based founder claimed that surviving on bread and water at 18 removed his fear of startup failure and financial losses. Updated on: Sep 1, 2026
2 days ago
What the robots are telling usWhile setting their own athletic records at the robot Olympics, humanoid robots underline a visible shift from an engineering spectacle to being a commercial and trade leverage Published on: Sep 1, 2026, 11:48:03 IST By Vishal Mathur Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy
2 days ago
Sleeping until 9 am is often linked with laziness or a lack of discipline in Indian homes. But Gurgaon-based entrepreneur Jasveer Singh believes the idea needs to be questioned. The co-founder and CEO of Knot Dating said waking up early should not be treated as an achievement
2 days ago
Did you know the term 'Artificial Intelligence' was coined 71 years ago?The term “Artificial Intelligence” was coined by computer scientist in 1955, when he used it in a proposal for a summer research project at Dartmouth College. Updated on: Sep 1, 2026
2 days ago
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and 22 states sued Amazon on Monday for allegedly "manipulating" online auctions for digital advertising, resulting in more than $20 billion in overcharges for 1.2 million customers. Amazon "has secretly and systematically overcharged its approximately 1
2 days ago
The death toll in Nepal from devastating floods on the border with Tibet has crossed 1,000, according to the country's disaster agency. More than 3,900 people remain missing - of whom more than 600 are workers believed to be trapped in a vast network of mud-filled tunnels at hydropower sites along
2 days ago
‘Prove my role, I’ll retire’: Karanataka minister Priyank Kharge challenges HD Kumaraswamy over KPSC rowKarnataka minister Priyank Kharge claimed Kumaraswamy was asked by the RSS or Amit Shah to target him. Updated on: Sep 1, 2026, 14:28:17 IST PTI Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link
2 days ago
Always looking for a sweet treat after dinner? Fitness coach Eric Roberts shares 3 reasons for late-night sugar cravings Published on: Sep 1, 2026, 14:09:20 IST By Eshana Saha Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Read more to find out why your sugar cravings intensify at the end of the day!
2 days ago
3-year-old kidnapped from Delhi found 1,000 km away in Bihar; accused woman had 6 daughters, wanted a sonThe child went missing while he was playing near his mother, who had gone to the hospital to collect medicines, police said. Updated on: Sep 1, 2026
2 days ago
63-year-old grandmother shares 1 exercise senior citizens must do to stay independent as they age: 'Knee pain is tricky' Published on: Sep 1, 2026, 14:05:05 IST By Sanya Panwar Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Think you should skip squats due to knee pain? This 63-year-old fitness coach says
2 days ago
