FIFA World Cup 2026: The best pictures from the latest qualified teams
The latest round of qualifiers around the globe for the FIFA World Cup 2026 has seen the number of entrants rise to 28.
Japan’s imported baby boom spotlights a political and demographic timebomb
Rise in births to non-Japanese comes as politicians keep dodging the choice between economic decline and a more diverse population
This week brought encouraging news for Japan’s long battle to defuse its demographic timebomb: in 2024, the number of babies born to one sector of the population rose to a record of more than 22,000 – that’s about 3,000 more than the previous year and a 50% increase on a decade ago.
But none of the women who answered calls – invariably issued by conservative male politicians – to have more children were Japanese.
Continue reading...Who are the latest teams to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026?
Full list of teams in the World Cup and those knocked out after the latest round of qualifiers.
ChatGPT will soon allow erotica for verified adults, says OpenAI boss
CEO Sam Altman says upcoming versions of the popular chatbot would enable it to behave in a more human-like way - "but only if you want it".
US, China roll out port fees, threatening more trade turmoil
Analysts have warned the tit-for-tat trade fees risk 'distorting global freight flows' for goods including petrol, toys.
Trump says US will not ‘waste our time’ helping Argentina if Milei loses
Trump warns if Milei's coalition is defeated in this month elections, "we are not going to be generous".
The Indian woman who stood up to moral policing – and won a pageant
Muskan Sharma, who won the Miss Rishikesh contest, said it made her feel like Miss Universe.
Chicago ‘Splatatouille’ was probably a squirrel, say researchers
Scientists from University of Tennessee, Knoxville, look at 37 species to identify cause of ‘rat hole’ in pavement
With a front paw outstretched and its tail at an angle, the creature that fell on to wet concrete in Chicago left quite the memento mori.
Now, researchers say they have unmasked the identity of the victim, revealing the famous “rat hole” was most probably made by a squirrel.
Continue reading...South Africa says ICJ genocide case will continue despite Gaza ceasefire
President Cyril Ramaphosa says progress and healing hinge on the case against Israel being heard.
‘Coming back to life’: Freed hostages’ families give updates, thank yous; some snub PM – The Times of Israel
How will Donald Trump enforce his plan for Gaza?
The US President has urged leaders in the Middle East to move past conflict.
Syria’s al-Sharaa to meet Russia’s Putin in Moscow on Wednesday
The trip will be Ahmed al-Sharaa's first official visit to Russia, a longtime ally of the former Bashar al-Assad regime.
‘Not going to waste our time’: Trump hinges US aid to Argentina on election
The US president has said a $20bn currency swap with Argentina depended on the success of Javier Milei's coalition.
What Gaza has been like since the ceasefire – vox.com
- What Gaza has been like since the ceasefire vox.com
- Sorry, Donald Trump, but that’s not what I call a peace deal The Independent
- How to make Trump’s 20-point plan work in Gaza The Hill
- How to End the War in Gaza for Good Foreign Affairs
- “No Actual Plan”: Why the Ceasefire Does Not Mean Peace Mother Jones
Crowds in Madagascar cheer as military unit seizes power
Crowds celebrated in the streets of the capital Antananarivo after an elite army unit said it had seized power from the president.
Border failings in Europe are eroding trust in nation states, warns Mahmood
Home secretary to tell meeting of interior ministers that international cooperation is way to curb irregular migration
The failure to bring order to European borders is eroding trust in politicians and the concept of nation states, Shabana Mahmood will warn.
As she hosts a meeting of fellow interior ministers to discuss migration routes through the western Balkans on Tuesday, the home secretary will say that international cooperation is the way to curb irregular migration.
Continue reading...A look at the hostages left in Gaza, by the numbers – AP News
- A look at the hostages left in Gaza, by the numbers AP News
- Hamas says it has handed over all Israeli hostage remains it could recover CBS News
- Freed hostage’s dad: ‘Of course’ we wanted him back earlier but gov’t also has security concerns The Times of Israel
- Released Israeli hostages give accounts of torture, torment and extraordinary danger The Guardian
- Who are the 20 hostages Hamas released from Gaza? NBC News
Israel imposes new Gaza aid restrictions, keeps Rafah crossing closed
Israeli forces kill several Palestinians in Gaza as the Israel-Hamas ceasefire comes under growing strain.
US strikes another vessel off Venezuela coast, killing six
President Trump said the vessel belonged to "narcoterrorists" and that it was "trafficking narcotics." US officials have not provided evidence to this claim.
Trump slams Time magazine photo as “Worst of All Time” – Axios
- Trump slams Time magazine photo as "Worst of All Time" Axios
- Trump bemoans his Time magazine cover. ‘The picture may be the Worst of All Time’ USA Today
- Trump complains about ‘really weird’ Time magazine photo The Washington Post
- Russia blasts ‘freaks’ at Time magazine over cover that Trump hated politico.eu
- Trump blasts Time Magazine cover as ‘worst of all time’ The Times