Author: AFP

ROME: The UN World Food Programme (WFP) on Friday warned of an “unprecedented crisis” as a 40 per cent funding drop threatens food aid for 58 million people in 2025. Despite continued support from some governments and individuals, WFP said it is seeing sharp declines in funding from major donors.

SEOUL: Rival protests swelled in central Seoul on Saturday as the Constitutional Court nears a decision on whether to formally remove impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol from office. Yoon was impeached in December over his surprise declaration of martial law. Lawmakers accused him of insurrection, and the court has since

TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Saturday called for a stronger US-Japan alliance at a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima, attended by new US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. “I’d like to pay my respects to the souls who fought on Iwo Jima and

BANGKOK: A construction worker described how a Bangkok skyscraper crumbled “in the blink of an eye” after a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar and rippled into Thailand on Friday. The unfinished 30-storey tower, slated to house government offices, collapsed within seconds, trapping up to 100 workers. At least five are

OSAKA: Only seven years into her marriage did Yuki Niimi first touch her husband — at a morgue where she collected his body after he was executed, and kissed him in a coffin. Before that a glass screen had always separated her from her death-row spouse Tomomitsu Niimi, a notorious

BEIJING: US Senator Steve Daines met China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng on Saturday, who sharply criticised Washington’s economic policies while urging dialogue. He, responsible for economic affairs, welcomed Daines, emphasising that the US and China can be “friends” despite trade disputes. Daines, visiting Beijing to ease tensions from the ongoing

BEIJING: China has introduced new measures to simplify the marriage registration process and reduce financial burdens on couples as part of efforts to increase births. The changes allow couples to register their marriages locally, eliminating the need to travel to their registered hometowns, which had previously created logistical and financial

BAGHDAD: Amid the cheers and rhythm of drums, Iraqis aren’t watching football but celebrating a centuries-old tradition—mheibes. Played during Ramadan, the game sees one team hide a ring, and the opposing captain must guess who has it within 10 minutes. Mheibes, dating back to the 16th century, unites Iraqis across