OSAKA: Only seven years into her marriage did Yuki Niimi first touch her husband — at a morgue where she collected his body after he was executed, and kissed him in a coffin. Before that a glass screen had always separated her from her death-row spouse Tomomitsu Niimi, a notorious
BEIJING: US Senator Steve Daines met China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng on Saturday, who sharply criticised Washington’s economic policies while urging dialogue. He, responsible for economic affairs, welcomed Daines, emphasising that the US and China can be “friends” despite trade disputes. Daines, visiting Beijing to ease tensions from the ongoing
BEIJING: China has introduced new measures to simplify the marriage registration process and reduce financial burdens on couples as part of efforts to increase births. The changes allow couples to register their marriages locally, eliminating the need to travel to their registered hometowns, which had previously created logistical and financial
BAGHDAD: Amid the cheers and rhythm of drums, Iraqis aren’t watching football but celebrating a centuries-old tradition—mheibes. Played during Ramadan, the game sees one team hide a ring, and the opposing captain must guess who has it within 10 minutes. Mheibes, dating back to the 16th century, unites Iraqis across
PARIS (France): Wales kicked off their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a 3-1 victory over Kazakhstan on Saturday, while Erling Haaland starred in Norway’s dominant 5-0 win over Moldova. Wales, aiming for a second consecutive World Cup appearance after Qatar 2022, took control early in Cardiff. Daniel James opened
SHANGHAI (China) : Oscar Piastri (pic) led from pole to win the Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday as McLaren used a one-stop strategy to complete a dominant one-two with Lando Norris second. George Russell was third in a Mercedes with Red Bull’s world champion Max Verstappen snatching fourth place after
COSTA NAVARINO, Greece: Boxing has been officially confirmed as part of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics after a unanimous vote by International Olympic Committee (IOC) members on Thursday. This decision follows the recognition of World Boxing as the governing body for the sport, a key move after years of division
MADRID (Spain): Barcelona battled back from two goals down to beat Atletico Madrid 4-2 and land an important blow in the Spanish title race on Sunday. Lamine Yamal struck in the 92nd minute and Ferran Torres in the 98th to help take the Catalans back top of the table after Real Madrid beat Villarreal
NEW YORK: President Donald Trump has granted a one-month exemption from auto tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico following an outcry from Detroit, underscoring the clout of US automakers. The “Big Three”—Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis—operate on an integrated North American model, leaving them highly vulnerable to the proposed
INDIAN WELLS (United States): Two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz powered past in-form Canadian Denis Shapovalov 6-2, 6-4 on Monday to continue his march toward a rare Indian Wells ATP Masters three-peat. The world number three from Spain booked his place in the last 16 with a clinical victory, breaking Shapovalov