Hooked on the claw: How crane games conquered Japan’s arcades
People fill Tokyo’s many bustling arcade halls to snag plush toys from claw machines.
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Chinese villagers win battle against forced cremation after protests
Cremation is commonplace in cities, but many rural communities view burials as an essential rite for the dead.
Pope Leo offers first Christmas message
Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born pope, offered his first Christmas sermon as pontiff on Thursday, praying for peace from wars and freedom from economic distress. A crowd of 26,000 gathered to hear the words of the pontiff during the annual “Urbi et Orbi” address from the
Can Indian EV makers maintain their lead in a race against Chinese players?
Chinese carmakers are catching up fast as ties between New Delhi and Beijing improve.
Wizards vs sorcerers: Stranger Things season 5 hinges on the difference
The difference between D&D spellcasters explains the powers being used in the show's final season.
The Abyss explained: Stranger Things reveals the true nature of the Upside Down with another D&D reference
What's the Abyss in Dungeons and Dragons and what does it mean for Stranger Things' finale? An explainer of the D&D lore behind Vecna's realm.
Japan’s Cabinet approves record $1 trillion budget, vows to keep debt in check
Japan has the highest debt burden in the developed world at more than twice the size of its economy.
Japan's cabinet approves record $785 billion budget, vows to keep debt in check
TOKYO, Dec 26 - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's cabinet on Friday approved a record $785 billion budget for the next fiscal year, aiming to strike a balance between her proactive fiscal policy and debt blowout concerns by limiting new bond issuance.
Myanmar to hold third phase of election voting on January 25, state media reports
Dec 26 - Myanmar will hold a third phase of voting for its general election on January 25, according to an announcement on state media on Friday, outlining a poll plan that comes amid a raging civil war in the Southeast Asian nation.
Indonesia celebrated Christmas with prayers for Sumatra
Churches across the country urged prayers for Sumatran provinces hit by deadly floods in November.
Immersive theme park in Tokyo to close after less than 2 years
Immersive Fort Tokyo opened in March 2024.
I have no regrets - What to do with unwanted Christmas presents
How to regift without getting caught and other options for dealing with unwanted presents.
Batam foils attempt to smuggle in 148 doctored vape pods from Malaysia
A K-9 team detected the contraband during a routine search of passengers onboard the ferry.
Feeling burnt out? A bush blessing for the end of the year | Jess Harwood
Now is the time to think of new beginnings Continue reading...
Bolsonaro endorses son’s presidential election bid
Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro on Thursday endorsed his son Flavio Bolsonaro for the 2026 presidential election from a hospital bed in Brasilia after undergoing treatment for a hernia. “With the commitment of not allowing the popular will to be silenced, I make the
Ben Folds Does Holiday Music Right, Offering Fans a Very Ho-Ho-Holistic Christmas: Concert Review
Christmas albums still have a bit of a stigma among fans of higher-cred artists. It can be difficult, first, to overcome the expectation that they’re either cash grabs or sops to sentimentality, and secondly, to come up with an original take on seasonal music, even with the
United States, Florida: A man fatally stabs a Barnes & Noble bookstore shopper, claims 'no cause' to police
Crime and law Related articles 26 December 2025: United States, Florida: A man fatally stabs a Barnes & Noble bookstore shopper, claims 'no cause' to police 25 December 2025: Protests erupt in New Delhi, envoy summoned following lynching of Hindu man in Bangladesh 25
Don’t embarrass Malaysia: Minister slams public littering in city centre
"It is so shameful to see such irresponsible behaviour," he said.
Snoop Dogg, Lainey Wilson, Huntr/x and Andrea Bocelli Deliver Christmas-Themed Halftime Show for Netflix’s NFL Lions-Vikings Telecast
It was a holiday-tastic mix of Snoop Dogg’s greatest hits and Christmas favorites that livened up Minneapolis’ U.S. Bank Stadium during the halftime break for Netflix’s Christmas Day telecast of the NFL’s Detroit Lions game against the Minnesota Vikings. Snoop Dogg, Lainey
Bangladesh’s elections frontrunner Tarique Rahman ends exile
Mr Rahman is favoured to win polls slated for Feb 12.
US launches strike against ISIS in Nigeria
The United States on Thursday launched strikes against ISIS in Nigeria, President Trump announced, citing the targeting of Christians in the region. “Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist
Mexican Navy medical plane with children transported for Michou and Mau Foundation crashes off Texas coast
United States Related articles 26 December 2025: Mexican Navy medical plane with children transported for Michou and Mau Foundation crashes off Texas coast 25 December 2025: United States, Maryland: Baltimore Police Department detective hospitalized 25 December 2025:
Snoop Dogg Brings a Christmas Dream Blunt Rotation to Lions-Vikings Halftime Show
The rapper enlisted Lainey Wilson and the singers behind HUNTR/X for the performance — and brought out Andrea Bocelli, too?
Protests erupt in New Delhi, envoy summoned following lynching of Hindu man in Bangladesh
Asia Related articles 25 December 2025: Protests erupt in New Delhi, envoy summoned following lynching of Hindu man in Bangladesh 19 December 2025: NBI seeks Interpol Red Notice for former lawmaker Zaldy Co 15 December 2025: Battery explosion triggers fatal office fire in
‘Anaconda’ Director on Those Original Cast Cameos, Making Fun of Hollywood Reboots and Reusing a Cyclone-Destroyed Set
SPOILER ALERT: This story discusses spoilers for “Anaconda,” now playing in theaters When co-writers Tom Gormican and Kevin Etten first pitched what would become their reimagined take on the so-bad-it’s-good 1997 classic “Anaconda,” they never thought Sony would be on board
Jimmy Kimmel says ‘tyranny is booming’ in US in ‘alternative’ UK Christmas message
Comedian Jimmy Kimmel on Thursday delivered an "Alternative Christmas Message" to a British audience, saying that "tyranny is booming" in the United States and aiming criticism at President Trump. The filmed remarks aired on Channel 4 in line with the holiday tradition that
Indonesians raise white flags as anger grows over slow flood aid
Weeks after floods ravaged the island of Sumatra, many still do not have access to clean water and food.
Malaysia’s Najib Razak: From prime minister to prison
Najib, who served as prime minister for nine years, is now serving a six-year sentence for graft
Former Malaysian PM Najib to face verdict in mega 1MDB graft trial
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak faces four counts of abuse of power and 21 counts of money laundering relating to the plunder of hundreds of millions of dollars from Malaysia's 1MDB sovereign wealth fund.
Malaysia’s Najib to face verdict in mega 1MDB graft trial
Najib faces four counts of abuse of power and 21 counts of money laundering.
US urges Cambodia and Thailand to end weeks of deadly violence
Thailand and Cambodia are talking for the first time since clashes began on Dec 7.
Heavy rain storms in California leave three dead as of Christmas night
The storms have brought flash flooding and mudslides during a time of busy holiday travel.
Louisiana boss hands workers $240M in bonuses after selling his company for $1.7B
Graham Walker said he would not agree to sell his company if buyer did not earmark 15% of the proceeds to employees.
2 hospitalized after ICE officers shoot driver during operation in Maryland
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers on Wednesday shot a migrant who drove a van toward them while fleeing an immigration enforcement operation, resulting in a crash that injured his passenger, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The DHS
Africa: Afcon 2025 Day 4 Roundup - Zidane Watches Algeria Cruise As Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon Secure Vital Wins
[Premium Times] In Casablanca, Burkina Faso produced the most dramatic moment of the day, scoring twice deep into stoppage time to overturn Equatorial Guinea 2-1 in Group E.
Commentary: An assassination raises the stakes for Bangladesh and India
The danger of an unstable Bangladesh should not be underestimated, says former foreign correspondent Nirmal Ghosh.
North Korea’s Kim orders more missile production in 2026: State media
Analysts say this is aimed at improving precision strike capabilities.
North Korea's Kim Jong Un signals continued missile development in next 5 years
SEOUL, Dec 26 - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signaled the country will continue to develop missiles in the next five years, as he visited major munitions enterprises in the last quarter of 2025, state media KCNA said on Friday.
Mohammad Bakri, Palestinian Actor and Director Known for ‘Homeland,’ ‘Beyond the Walls’ and Docu ‘Jenin, Jenin,’ Dies at 72
Mohammad Bakri, a prominent Palestinian actor and director who was known for his work in “Homeland” and the Oscar-nominated 1984 drama “Beyond the Walls,” died Dec. 24 in Israel. He was 72. CNN and other outlets reported that Bakri had been suffering from heart problems. As an
Daniel Lopatin Shares Marty Supreme Soundtrack, Lizzi Bougatsos (Gang Gang Dance) And Wiki Cameo In The Film
Marty Supreme , Josh Safdie’s much-hyped new film about a real life 1950s table tennis champion, is out today. Last week we got star Timothée Chalamet rapping about it on EsDeeKid's viral hit "4 Raws," and now longtime Safdie brothers collaborator Daniel Lopatin (aka Oneohtrix
There’s an itsy-bitsy fear I want to overcome. I will never be a fan, but can I at least be Normal about spiders? | Rebecca Shaw
In order to be less scared, I imagine the huge Australian huntsman as a girlie, just chilling and listening to us yap. It sounds dumb, but it worked (a little bit) Read more summer essentials I am someone who believes it is never too late to change. I think you can in fact
Box Office: ‘Marty Supreme’ Almost Beats ‘Anaconda’ in Christmas Eve Surprise; ‘Avatar 3’ Jumps $500M Globally
Timothée Chalamet has stopped at nothing to market A24's acclaimed awards hopeful 'Marty Supreme' — including becoming the first person to stand atop The Sphere in Las Vegas on Dec. 22 — and it's paying off.
Zelensky hails 'new ideas' on peace after talks with US envoys
Ukraine's leader gives an upbeat assessment after discussing the plan with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Sale of Warner Bros. Discovery heats up as Ellisons weigh ‘DefCon 1’ litigation over selection of Netflix bid
The Ellisons and RedBird, run by savvy media dealmaker Gerry Cardinale, are mulling something known internally as "DefCon 1.”
Martin Scorsese Remembers Longtime Friend Rob Reiner: “It Breaks My Heart”
The pair previously worked together in 2013's 'The Wolf of Wall Street,' where Reiner played Jordan Belfort's (Leonardo DiCaprio) dad.
Fine wine prices slide for third year in a row as tariffs and stocks sap demand
Wine prices have fallen 2.8% this year through the end of November on Liv-ex’s Fine Wine 100 index.
Jimmy Kimmel Hits Trump, Begs Britain ‘Don’t Give Up on Us’ in Christmas Message
"From a fascism perspective, this has been a really great year," Kimmel said on Britain's Channel 4. "Tyranny is booming over here"
United States, Maryland: Baltimore Police Department detective hospitalized
Thursday, December 25, 2025 United States Related articles 25 December 2025: United States, Maryland: Baltimore Police Department detective hospitalized 25 December 2025: Domestic call in Rochester, New York leads to three police officers being shot 23 December 2025: