Japan births in 2024 fell below 700,000 for first time

Representative image (AI) TOKYO: The number of births in Japan last year fell below 700,000 for the first time on record, government data showed Wednesday.The fast-ageing nation welcomed 686,061 newborns in 2024, 41,227 fewer than in 2023, the data showed. It was the lowest figure since records began in 1899.Japan has the world’s second-oldest population […]

‘Peace always cheaper than war’: South Korea’s new leader Lee Jae-myung vows to pursue talks with North Korea

New South Korean President Lee Jae-myung (AP) Just a day after being sworn in as South Korea’s new president, Lee Jae-myung pledged on Wednesday to pursue dialogue with North Korea while maintaining strong military deterrence. In a powerful inaugural address delivered at the National Assembly’s Rotunda Hall, Lee called for peace and reconciliation on the […]

Trump administration reverses deportation order of four-year-old child undergoing life-saving treatment

Four-year-old Mexican girl, her mother and lawyers leave a press conference in Los Angeles (Image credits: AP) The Trump administration reversed its decision to revoke the legal status of a four-year-old girl receiving life-saving treatment in the US, following widespread backlash.“This is to advise you that effective June 2, 2025, you have been granted humanitarian […]

Moscow security chief in Pyongyang for talks with Kim Jong Un: Russian news agencies

Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and North Korean President Kim Jong Un (AP) MOSCOW: Moscow’s top security official Sergei Shoigu arrived Wednesday in Pyongyang, where he will meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for talks, Russian news agencies reported.Shoigu arrived on orders from Russian President Vladimir Putin, TASS reported, with RIA Novosti saying it […]

South Korea’s President Lee Jae-myung says he’ll bolster US-Japan ties, pursue talks with North

South Korea’s newly-elected President Lee Jae-myung (AP) SEOUL: South Korea’s new President Lee Jae-myung vowed Wednesday to restart dormant talks with North Korea and bolster a trilateral partnership with the US and Japan, as he laid out key policy goals for his single, five-year term. Lee, who rose from childhood poverty to become South Korea’s […]

‘Potential agroterrorism weapon’: How dangerous is ‘toxic fungus’ Chinese researchers allegedly tried to smuggle into US?

In a “national security” threat, two Chinese nationals have been charged by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for allegedly conspiring to smuggle a toxic fungus into the United States terming it a “potential agroterrorism weapon”. During the investigation, the FBI found that one of them was a member of the Chinese Communist Party.Yunqing Jian, 33, […]

Mass shooting in Toronto: At least one dead, 5 hospitalised; probe on

At least one person died and five others were injured on Tuesday night following a shooting in Lawrence Heights, Toronto.Toronto police and paramedics responded to reports of gunfire just after 8.30 pm (local time) near Flemington and Zachary Roads, in the area of Ranee Avenue and Allen Road. Police said one man was pronounced dead […]

Manhunt for father accused of killing three young daughters during planned visit in Central Washington

Travis Decker, left, and three young daughters (Image credits: X @901Lulu, @TheIOGuy) A manhunt is underway in central Washington for 32-year-old Travis Decker, who is accused of murdering his three daughters and leaving their bodies near a campground in Leavenworth.The girls, Paityn Decker, 9; Evelyn Decker, 8; and Olivia Decker, 5, were found with plastic […]

‘Agroterrorism’: FBI arrests Chinese researcher for smuggling deadly fungus in US

FBI director Kash Patel (Image credits: PTI) FBI chief Kash Patel on Tuesday claimed to have arrested a Chinese national in US for allegedly smuggling a dangerous biological pathogen into the country.In a social media post on X, Patel said that Yunqing Jian expressed loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party and had received funding from […]

Ukraine says it struck Crimea bridge

KYIV: Ukraine said on Tuesday that it had struck the Crimean bridge for the third time since the start of Russia’s invasion, after spending months planting explosives on support structure beneath the water. The extent of the damage was not immediately clear, but the Security Service of Ukraine, the intelligence agency known as the SBU, […]