Heavy snow hits northern Japan, disrupting daily life

A police officer in Springfield, Ohio, discovered a pet raccoon named Chewy playing with a meth pipe in a car during a routine traffic stop. The driver, Victoria Vidal, was detained for an active warrant and driving with a suspended license; upon returning to the vehicle, the officer humorously noted the raccoon's antics. Following the incident, Vidal was charged with drug possession and paraphernalia, while the raccoon was confirmed safe, and authorities ensured proper documentation...

Amnesty International has urged Israel to halt plans to annex the Gaza Strip and forcibly transfer Palestinians, warning that such actions would violate international law. Following Israel's Security Cabinet's approval to expand military actions in Gaza, Amnesty condemned potential displacement of Palestinians as a war crime and emphasized the dire humanitarian situation, with 2.3 million people reliant on aid amid a full siege since March 2. The organization called for international rejection of these dangerous...

Volvo has revived the XC70 as a plug-in hybrid crossover, utilizing its new Scalable Modular Architecture (SMA) aimed at extended range hybrid drivetrains. CEO Hakan Samuelsson emphasized that the XC70 serves as an appealing option for those not ready for full electric vehicles, featuring a claimed EV range of 200km based on China's CLTC standard. Set to launch in China with potential expansion to other markets, the XC70 is part of Volvo's strategy to adapt...

Trump to Rename Persian Gulf on Saudi Trip President Donald Trump plans to announce during his upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia that the U.S. will officially refer to the Persian Gulf as the Arabian Gulf or Gulf of Arabia, a change advocated by Arab nations but resisted by Iran. This naming dispute reflects historical tensions, with Iran asserting its cultural ties to the term "Persian Gulf." Trump's visit aims to strengthen U.S. relations with Gulf...

SummaryDuring a meeting at the Élysée Palace, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced the formation of a Franco-German defence and security council to enhance cooperation amidst rising threats from Russia and uncertainties regarding U.S. support. Merz emphasized the need for increased European defense spending and continued backing for Ukraine, while both leaders expressed a desire to strengthen their nations' partnership and address challenges in trade and energy. Macron and Merz aim...

SINGAPORE has established a new government entity, Singapore GasCo, to centralize the procurement and supply of natural gas, aiming to enhance energy security as 95% of the country's electricity relies on imported gas. GasCo will negotiate better gas contracts and source from diverse suppliers to stabilize prices amid expiring contracts with Malaysia and Indonesia. Mr. Alan Heng has been appointed CEO, and the initiative aligns with Singapore's transition to net-zero emissions by 2050. Full Article