UN warns 200,000 more Afghan children face acute malnutrition in 2026

UN warns 200,000 more Afghan children face acute malnutrition in 2026

World

Hundreds of thousands more children face acute malnutrition in Afghanistan this year amid a hunger crisis exacerbated by foreign aid cuts and violence on the border with Pakistan, a U.N. official said on Tuesday.

Amazon launches 15 minute grocery delivery in 'priority' market Brazil

Amazon launches 15 minute grocery delivery in 'priority' market Brazil

World

SAO PAULO - Amazon launched its Amazon Now service in Brazil on Tuesday, pledging to deliver essentials and groceries in 15 minutes, with its country head calling the Latin American country one of the firm's top priorities for new investments.

Geopolitical storm leaves isolated Greenlanders hanging by a telecoms thread

Geopolitical storm leaves isolated Greenlanders hanging by a telecoms thread

World

In the Greenlandic village of Kapisillit, a crisis meeting has just begun.

Australia economy picks up speed in Q4 but headwinds intensifying

Australia economy picks up speed in Q4 but headwinds intensifying

World

SYDNEY -- Australia's economy grew at the fastest annual pace in almost three years in the December quarter, data showed on Wednesday, a pickup that reignited inflation and required a hike in interest rates to tamp demand down.

Stricter screenings halve Japan driver's license conversion pass rates

Stricter screenings halve Japan driver's license conversion pass rates

World

TOKYO -- The pass rates for tests required to convert driver's licenses issued abroad to Japanese ones fell by more than half following the introduction of stricter screenings last October, the National Police Agency said Monday.

El Nino may return in 2026 and make planet even hotter

El Nino may return in 2026 and make planet even hotter

World

PARIS, France -- The warming El Nino weather phenomenon could form later this year, potentially pushing global temperatures to record heights.

Japan eyes Pacific island for nuclear waste disposal site

Japan eyes Pacific island for nuclear waste disposal site

World

TOKYO -- The Japanese government is considering Minamitorishima, a remote Tokyo island in the Pacific, as a possible site for the final disposal of highly radioactive waste from nuclear power plants, it was learned Tuesday.

Japan govt may compile extra budget if Iran conflict continues

Japan govt may compile extra budget if Iran conflict continues

World

TOKYO -- Japan may compile a supplementary budget for fiscal 2026 if the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran continues for a prolonged period, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Tuesday.

Global oil, gas shipping costs surge as Iran vows to close Strait of Hormuz

Global oil, gas shipping costs surge as Iran vows to close Strait of Hormuz

World

SINGAPORE - Global oil and gas shipping rates soared, with supertanker costs in the Middle East hitting all-time highs, as the U.S.-Iran conflict intensified after Tehran targeted ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, according to shipping data and industry sources on Tuesday.

Amazon cloud unit's data centers in UAE, Bahrain damaged in drone strikes

Amazon cloud unit's data centers in UAE, Bahrain damaged in drone strikes

World

Amazon said on Monday some of its data centers in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain were damaged by drone strikes in the Middle East conflict, disrupting cloud services and making a recovery "prolonged".