KDDI, Japan Post eye post offices nationwide as drone hubs

Hurricane Isaias downgraded after making landfall in Florida

Hundreds of thousands of households are without power in Florida and Alabama as Isaias continues its path across south-eastern US.

PH advises Filipinos in Saudi: Stay vigilant amid security concerns

MANILA, Philippines — Following the recent tensions in Saudi Arabia, the two diplomatic missions of the Philippines advised Filipinos in the country to remain vigilant and take precautionary measures for their safety. In an advisory on Friday, the Philippine embassy in Riyadh and the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah advised all Filipino nationals to observe

Kamala Harris faces pushback over 2028 presidential bid as husband, Democratic donors express doubts

Rihanna’s foundation teamed up with bicycle company to help girls in Malawi get to school

In an inspiring collaboration, Rihanna's Clara Lionel Foundation has teamed up with Ofo to enhance educational access for girls in Malawi through the 1 KM Action initiative. This initiative not only provides bicycles but also offers scholarships, alleviating the burdens of travel and educational expenses. Following the partnership announcement, the first bicycles arrived, significantly facilitating school attendance.

US scientists test drones to track hidden Burmese pythons in the Everglades

Innovative scientists are deploying drones powered by radio-tracking technology to track the movements of Burmese pythons in the Everglades. This pioneering approach aims to deepen the understanding of how these invasive reptiles behave within their ecosystem. Given the threat they pose to local wildlife, gathering insight into their habitat patterns is vital for developing effective management solutions.

Jamie Oliver’s cooking programme began in 2008; by 2024, his food education work had reached 115,000+ people

Jamie Oliver's Ministry of Food, established in 2008, has made significant strides in promoting culinary skills across communities. By March 2024, it successfully engaged over 115,000 participants through school and community-based initiatives. The program not only focuses on delivering practical cooking techniques but also aims at fostering healthier dietary choices for families.

Major earthquake destroys buildings, roads in Panama

PENONOMÉ, Panama—A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake rocked Panama on Friday, causing buildings and roads to collapse in the center of the country. There were no immediate reports of casualties. The shallow tremor was felt across the Central American nation of around 4.5 million people, according to the National Civil Protection System. It lasted for around a

Russian strikes kill 12 in Ukraine after Trump announces diesel deal with Putin

A recent barrage of Russian airstrikes in Zaporizhzhia claimed at least 12 lives, including those of children. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denounced a fresh diesel agreement forged by Donald Trump with Russia, highlighting concerns that such deals could fuel the persistent conflict in Ukraine. Zelenskyy emphasized that relaxing sanctions may encourage further military actions from Russia, underscoring the intricate and precarious nature of the current geopolitical landscape.

A hospital worker’s $15.99 Goodwill find was identified as a Le Pho painting worth up to $80,000

An occupational therapist found a painting for $15.99 at Goodwill while shopping to relieve stress. Notably, the piece was valued significantly higher during an appraisal on Antiques Roadshow. Fine-art expert Betty Krulik identified it as a work by Vietnamese artist Le Pho. The appraisal revealed that similar artworks could sell for between $60,000 and $80,000 at auction. This exceptional find highlights the importance of expert evaluations in determining art value.

How a Martha Stewart-backed centre is rethinking elderly care

Established by Martha Stewart, the Martha Stewart Center for Living at Mount Sinai Hospital is dedicated to transforming the landscape of elderly healthcare. Through its focus on holistic well-being and specialized programs, older adults benefit from improved health outcomes, including reduced emergency visits and shorter hospitalizations. Furthermore, the center prioritizes educating healthcare professionals in geriatric practices, reinforcing a commitment to effectively support our ageing community.

EU, China strike interim trade deal that could cut Chinese hybrid exports, EU envoy says

HONG KONG — The top trade envoys for China and the European Union agreed Friday on a broad initial deal following two days of talks aimed at calming escalating tensions over trade imbalances, the EU trade commissioner said. Neither side provided clear details on the preliminary deal, but European Commissioner for Trade Maros Sefcovic said it includes lower tariffs for some European goods to China as well as measures to stabilize rare earth supply chains. The EU trade envoy said the deal could cut up to 50 percent of Chinese electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle imports to the EU and could lower tariffs on products benefiting “almost every” EU nation. The deal would require approval from leaders across the 27-nation EU. He said that “by this step we are actually preventing several millions of car exports from China to the European Union.” The two sides were seeking to resolve key factors behind China’s growing trade surplus, which hit 360 billion euros ($410 billion) last year. China’s Commerce Ministry posted online that Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao expressed concerns

Flydubai co-pilot planned suicide attack on Tel Aviv airport: UAE prosecutor

DUBAI — The co-pilot who attacked the captain of a flydubai jet last week had planned to crash the plane into Tel Aviv's international airport, the United Arab Emirates' top prosecutor said on Friday. The Omani co-pilot had drawn inspiration from Al-Qaeda's September 11, 2001 suicide attacks on the United States, and carried out his attempt "with the aim of causing the greatest possible loss of life", according to the prosecutor's findings published by state media. "The findings showed that he had met the professional and security requirements for employment, including holding a pilot's licence, providing a certificate of good conduct and completing the required checks." Passengers described rushing the cockpit and a fight for control after the plane suddenly plunged by around 5,000 metres (17,000 feet). The plane's Indian captain was wounded when the co-pilot attacked him with an axe, but managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to overpower the attacker and force an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The passengers on board the aircraft were overwhelmingly Israel