Japanese Emperor Akihito has started a day of ceremonies in the Imperial Palace as he prepares to step down from the throne on Tuesday.
It'll make him the first monarch to abdicate in more than 200 years.
His son, Crown Prince Naruhito, will ascend the Chrysanthemum throne the next day.
Akihito had expressed a desire to abdicate in 2016 due to his age and declining health.
Fire in rebel-held east Congo kills 24 schoolchildren
A fire in Congo's rebel-controlled city of Bukavu killed at least 24 children as it destroyed two schools and burned down around 300 wooden houses, an official from the rebel administration told Reuters on Thursday.
Trump touts $5,000 payout if Republicans win as Vance waits in wings
President Donald Trump capped the first day of his Republican Party's first-ever midterm convention by proposing to pay every US adult a $5,000 "Trump dividend" if his party wins November's congressional elections.
Search expands after Philippine ferry fire kills five and leaves dozens missing
A large-scale search and rescue operation was underway off the western Philippine island of Palawan on Thursday after a passenger ferry caught fire, killing five people and leaving dozens of passengers missing.
Trump says Iran war to end after US midterm elections
President Donald Trump said he expected the war with Iran to end after the November US midterm elections after the two sides launched their biggest wave of attacks on shipping since the start of the six-month-old war.
At least 20 killed in cargo vessel fire at China shipyard, state media reports
At least 20 people have been killed in a fire aboard a foreign cargo vessel undergoing repairs at a state-owned shipyard in the eastern Chinese city of Qingdao on Thursday, state media reported, with five others still missing.
The UAE has announced plans to invest 40 billion euros in Germany, targeting key sectors including industry, advanced technology, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure and energy.
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have witnessed the announcement of a series of agreements, memoranda of understanding and letters of intent aimed at expanding cooperation.
The UAE has expressed hope that Algeria’s decision to sever diplomatic relations will be temporary, while reaffirming its commitment to strong relations with all countries.
