Japan's famed animal cafes are under threat amid welfare fears

The Independent - Sep 30, 2026

Japan lacks specific standards governing cafes and handling of exotic ​species

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Pakistan vows to defend Saudi Arabia against Iran-backed Houthis by 'whatever means'

Sep 30, 2026

Pakistan vows to defend Saudi Arabia against Iran-backed Houthis by 'whatever means'

ROME — Pakistan will use “whatever means are available” to defend Saudi Arabia against Iran-backed Houthi rebels, the country’s defense minister said Tuesday, offering one of Islamabad’s clearest indications yet that it could become directly involved in the widening regional conflict. Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif declined to say whether Pakistani forces had already participated in airstrikes. He said, however, that Pakistan’s military capabilities would be available to Saudi Arabia under a new mutual defense pact with Saudi Arabia and Turkey. “I’m not going into detail, but obviously when I say that we are bound by this arrangement to defend Saudi Arabia, that means whatever means are available at our disposal, they’ll be available to Saudi Arabia also. I think that’s a categoric statement,” Asif told reporters during a visit to Rome when asked whether Pakistan had been involved in airstrikes against Iranian operators in Yemen . His response did not explicitly confirm Pakistani participation in any strikes. He also did not say whether Saudi Arabia, which

Why are more Japanese women drawn to Korean men?

Sep 30, 2026

Why are more Japanese women drawn to Korean men?

Marriages between Korean men and Japanese women are rising, the Tokyo Shimbun reported. The newspaper cited the Korean wave, Japanese women's desire to live in Korea and the financial burden of domestic marriage expenses for Korean men as possible factors. The number of cross-border marriages surged following the COVID-19 pandemic, reaching 1,483 last year, according to Korean government data. This marks the highest annual figure since 2000. MoaLove, a matchmaking agency specializing in Korean-Japanese marriages, said its Japanese female membership doubled this year from a year earlier. The agency said most members became interested in K-pop and Korean dramas before joining and many intend to move to Korea after marriage. The agency said social media has fostered greater acceptance of cross-border couples. It added that translation apps have helped ease language barriers, allowing communication even if the men do not speak Japanese. A 38-year-old Japanese freelance worker dating a Korean man cited her personal experience of receiving daily expressions of affection. "Because they treat me

Hegseth is set to announce more cuts to the military's general and admiral ranks

Sep 30, 2026

Hegseth is set to announce more cuts to the military's general and admiral ranks

WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is planning to announce further cuts to the number of generals and admirals serving in the military in an address set for Wednesday, the Pentagon confirmed. According to Pentagon officials, Hegseth will direct all the military services to double the 10% reduction that he ordered last spring to the roughly 800 flag and general officer positions, making it a 20% total decrease to be completed by Jan. 1, 2027. President Donald Trump or Hegseth already have fired or pushed to retire more than two dozen military leaders since taking office, including the Army's top uniformed officer , Gen. Randy George, in April. They also have fired the only two women serving as four-star officers, as well as a disproportionate number of other senior female officers. Hegseth plans to make the announcement in a speech to troops at the Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia, the second year in a row he will deliver what the Pentagon is calling his “State of the Force” address. Fox News earlier reported the new reductions, which could include any one-star gener

'Plane Started To Dive, We Saw Blood In Cockpit': Flydubai Passengers Recall Horror After Reported Pilot Stabbing

Sep 30, 2026

'Plane Started To Dive, We Saw Blood In Cockpit': Flydubai Passengers Recall Horror After Reported Pilot Stabbing

Flydubai passengers described screams, blood in the cockpit and a reported pilot stabbing before flight FZ1073 made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

Flydubai Flight Drops 17,400 Feet In 2 Minutes Amid Possible Hijack Alert

Sep 30, 2026

Flydubai Flight Drops 17,400 Feet In 2 Minutes Amid Possible Hijack Alert

Reports claim that the emergency signal on the plane was activated during a violent altercation between the pilots in the cockpit, but the official reason for change of course and emergency signal is yet to be determined.

'Fight Between Pilots': What Happened Inside Diverted Dubai-Tel Aviv Flight

Sep 30, 2026

'Fight Between Pilots': What Happened Inside Diverted Dubai-Tel Aviv Flight

A regional official briefed on the incident said that a fight broke out in the cockpit and apparently involved pilots.

Maldives for two: Discover three luxury island escapes made for romance

Sep 30, 2026

Maldives for two: Discover three luxury island escapes made for romance

From private-pool villas to romantic island experiences, discover three romantic Sun Siyam resorts that make for an unforgettable Maldives getaway

Ultimate Maldives family getaways: Find your perfect island adventure

Sep 30, 2026

Ultimate Maldives family getaways: Find your perfect island adventure

From a vibrant and idyllic playground to a lagoon-set paradise, these two Sun Siyam resorts make for an unforgettable escape for all ages

Why pro-Trump ads — paid for with public money — are airing on U.S. TV

Sep 30, 2026

Why pro-Trump ads — paid for with public money — are airing on U.S. TV

With crucial midterm elections just weeks away, the White House is using taxpayer funds to air campaign-style TV ads featuring U.S. President Donald Trump.

G20 trade ministers are meeting in Wisconsin. Many will be discussing deals without their U.S. host

Sep 30, 2026

G20 trade ministers are meeting in Wisconsin. Many will be discussing deals without their U.S. host

Most of the officials attending the G20 trade ministers' meeting in Milwaukee, Wisc., find themselves in challenging positions, largely because of U.S. President Donald Trump's global tariff agenda. It makes for a potentially unusual summit, with high-level meetings on the sidelines where different countries discuss plans to work around the host.

Japan's famed animal cafes are under threat amid welfare fears

Sep 30, 2026

Japan's famed animal cafes are under threat amid welfare fears

Japan lacks specific standards governing cafes and handling of exotic ​species

Trump For New AI Name, But Official Document Can't Spell United States Right

Sep 30, 2026

Trump For New AI Name, But Official Document Can't Spell United States Right

The error appeared on a document related to Donald Trump's "super intelligence" initiative.

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