Japan to release emergency rice reserves to fight runaway inflation
The Japanese government said Friday it will release a fifth of its emergency rice stockpile after hot weather, poor harvests and panic buying over a "megaquake" warning nearly doubled prices over a year.
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Kusal ton steers Sri Lanka to 281 against Australia in Trophy warm-up
Sri Lankan number three Kusal Mendis came out swinging with a century as the hosts made 281-4 in Friday's second ODI against a much-changed Australia ahead of the Champions Trophy.
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Red Cross 'concerned' about hostages ahead of next Israel-Hamas swap
The Red Cross expressed concern Friday for the Israeli hostages still held in Gaza, with Hamas expected to free three captives this weekend after a crisis over the ceasefire threatened to plunge the territory back into war.
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Russian drone 'struck' Chernobyl cover, no radiation increase: Zelensky
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday that a Russian drone had struck a cover built to contain radiation at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, adding that "radiation levels have not increased".
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Writer Kamel Daoud sued in France over prizewinning book
Acclaimed writer Kamel Daoud is being sued in France for invasion of privacy by an Algerian survivor of a 1990s massacre in the north African country, a source close to the case said on Friday.
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Reed sinks wild hole-in-one, but Horsfield leads at LIV Adelaide
American Patrick Reed scored a hole-in-one to spark a wild beer-fuelled crowd celebration on LIV Golf's Adelaide leg Friday, as Britain's Sam Horsfield fired a six-under-par 66 for a one-shot first-round lead.
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China sends Olympic statement as tropics make Asian Winter Games history
The Asian Winter Games close later Friday in Harbin with hosts China dominating the medals table a year out from the Olympics and the Philippines among the tropical countries making history.
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After revolution, Bangladesh textbooks rewrite history
Bangladeshi high schooler Laiba is being educated for the future, but what she learns has been determined by the latest chapter in her country's battle over its past.
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Most Asian stocks rise as US tariff delays give breathing space
Asian markets mostly rose Friday in line with a rally on Wall Street as traders were buoyed by news that Donald Trump's latest, sweeping reciprocal tariffs would not likely be implemented until April, giving time for negotiations.
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S. Korean footballer Hwang Ui-jo gets suspended jail term in sex-video scandal
South Korean international footballer Hwang Ui-jo on Friday received a suspended jail term for filming sexual encounters with women without their consent, the country's Yonhap news agency said.
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