While these huge sums are deployed daily for military activities, hundreds of millions of people still lack access to basic food.

According to the UN World Food Programme, ending global hunger by 2030 could cost around $93 billion per year, which is less than 1% of what the world has spent on military budgets over the past decade.

Yet, the U.S. alone spends roughly $2.7–$3 billion per day on defence when annual budgets are broken down into daily figures.

In simple terms, a fraction of global military expenditure could fund large-scale hunger reduction programmes.

In fact, the same conflicts that drive military spending often worsen hunger directly by displacing populations and disrupting agriculture.

A UN Development Programme report warns that rising military budgets are “diverting resources from the very foundations of stability,” including food systems and development.

The Boston Consulting Group notes that investment in sustainable agriculture can be four times more cost-effective than direct food aid, yet it receives only a small share of global funding.

So could the U.S. “solve world hunger” by redirecting war spending?

Reallocating hundreds of billions of dollars could dramatically reduce hunger. But ending it entirely would require sustained global coordination, institutional reform and long-term investment beyond emergency feeding.

But although the world can afford to end hunger, is it willing to prioritise it?

Vitaly’s video showed him grabbing a security guard’s cap, attempting to seize another guard’s firearm, and threatening to rob a woman — acts prosecutors said merited three counts of unjust vexation.

On Thursday, the Philippines’ Bureau of Immigration (BI) said its Board of Commissioners has issued a deportation order against the 33-year-old Russian national, following the resolution of criminal cases filed against him.

He was charged with three counts of the offence before courts in Taguig, cases that have since been settled, thereby clearing the way for his removal from the country, according to immigration officials.

After 9 months in jail

Earlier, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla had insisted that Vitaly would serve his sentence locally , saying deportation was not immediately possible.  Neither Russia nor the United States — where the vlogger holds a green card — had agreed to receive him.

At the time, Remulla said Vitaly had written to him seeking the dismissal of the charges, citing mental health concerns, but stressed that the law would take its course.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had also condemned the vlogger’s action, warning that abuse disguised as entertainment would not be tolerated in the Philippines.

Remulla later clarified that while Vitaly holds US residency, he remains a Russian citizen travelling on a Russian passport, underscoring where responsibility for his return ultimately lies.

Tourists welcome, but…

Vitaly’s case has drawn attention to the limits of prank culture in the age of viral content, particularly when performed in foreign countries.

“Let this be a reminder to all our visitors here in the Philippines that we always welcome tourists and visitors,” Remulla said. “We treat them with respect and we expect them to follow the same rules as we follow the same rules when we travel.” 

Vitaly has more than 10 million subscribers on YouTube and is known for provocative stunts across the world . Because of his actions, he has been declared persona non grata , or an “unwelcome person,” in several countries, including the Philippines. 

“We are here precisely to protest. This approval of this bill cannot happen. This is an attack on the Constitution. They are not better than us. And we, as the Brazilian people , are outraged by a ‘shielding’ amendment proposal that exempts them from any crime and even gives them a power that no other constitution has. This is an attack on our Constitution. This is an attack on the Brazilian people,” said De la Vega, a protester.

Another demonstrator, Tchaka, added, “Today we show the world that yes, we are plural and diverse, but we shake the world so that it can also see us as active and as political and show that the National Congress does not fully represent us. We want criminals to go to jail. Against the ‘Shielding’ amendment proposal, against amnesty. No amnesty for coup plotters.”

Reports confirmed that confrontations broke out between protesters and Bolsonaro supporters during the march. 

Last week. Brazil’s lower house approved an urgent procedure to discuss an amnesty bill for those involved in the January 2023 riots, when government buildings were stormed. 

Lawmakers have considered extending the measure to cover Bolsonaro himself, following his 27-year prison sentence for attempting a coup.

The Chamber of Deputies voted 311 in favour, 163 against, and 7 abstentions, allowing the bill to bypass committee review. The decision came hours after Bolsonaro’s doctors announced he had been diagnosed with early-stage skin cancer.

More than 600 people have already been sentenced for their involvement in the January 8 riots.

On August 7, the U.S. Department of State and the Department of Justice announced an increase in the reward offer under the Narcotics Rewards Program (NRP) for “information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Nicolás Maduro for violating U.S. narcotics laws.”

U.S. officials accuse Maduro of being “one of the largest narco-traffickers in the world ” and link him to major drug smuggling operations. Washington claims he has been a leader of the Cartel de los Soles, which is alleged to have trafficked drugs into the United States for over a decade.

Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration seized 30 tons of cocaine tied to Maduro and his associates, with nearly seven tons allegedly connected directly to him.

“Every year, this event is celebrated on Adi Amavasai day to commemorate the death anniversary of Paradesi Sithar. The highlight of this event is the highest number of childless couples who come here to participate in the ritual. This year, around 1,500 have participated in the event,” said Paramanandham, a local resident.

The ceremony includes women eating “blessed” food placed on the floor, and a symbolic act where temple priests, believed to be temporarily possessed by the goddess Angaarmoti, step over the women’s backs to offer spiritual blessings.

“Trust is the key to success. People who come here with the belief are seeing success. I see this practically every year,” Paramanandham told Viory.

Several couples shared personal stories of their struggles with infertility. “There is a belief that if you visit this temple on Adi Amavasai day and eat rice on the floor, then you will be blessed with a child. So we have come here because we heard about this from others,” said one hopeful couple.

Another added, “This is the first time we are coming here. We believe that we will come here with a child next year. Those who have come here in the past are saying they have been blessed with a child after visiting this temple.”

One couple, married for 13 years without children , shared their emotional journey, saying that, “We struggled a lot in our life. We are so sad, as everyone keeps asking us why we don’t have children. We see recently married couples having a child in a year, but even after 13 years we still don't have a child. So we have come here with the hope.”

Featuring iconic destinations and hidden gems alike, the 2025 rankings, compiled by global travel experts and beach enthusiasts, celebrate natural beauty, accessibility, sustainability, and overall wow factor.

Let’s dive into some of the standout destinations that made waves this year, as visualised by World Visualized .

Cala Goloritzé (Italy)

A UNESCO-listed natural monument in Sardinia, Cala Goloritzé is famed for its jagged cliffs, bright blue waters, and hiking access. It’s a beach lover’s dream with an adventurous twist.

Entalula Beach ( Philippines )

A crown jewel of El Nido, Palawan, Entalula Beach captivates with its crystal-clear turquoise waters, lush limestone cliffs, and pristine white sands. Often accessible only by boat, this beach offers a secluded tropical paradise perfect for snorkelling and photography.

PK 9 Beach (French Polynesia)

PK 9 Beach, near Fakarava Atoll , stuns with its line of swaying palms and gentle lagoon tides. Renowned for its untouched beauty and biodiversity , this beach is a favourite for eco-tourists and snorkelers exploring French Polynesia’s marine sanctuaries.

The blackout, which began around 12:30 p.m. local time, affected major cities including Madrid, Lisbon, and Barcelona, leading to halted transportation systems, grounded flights, and widespread communication failures. Authorities are investigating the cause, with possibilities ranging from technical failures to cyberattacks.​

In Spain, the outage brought public transportation to a standstill . Madrid's metro system was evacuated, and traffic lights ceased functioning, causing significant congestion. Airports operated on backup generators, leading to flight delays nationwide.

Hospitals suspended routine operations, relying on emergency power to treat critical patients. Retailers like IKEA closed stores or limited access, and oil refineries , including those operated by Moeve and Petronor, halted operations due to the power failure.​

Portugal faced similar challenges. Lisbon's metro and train services were suspended, and traffic signals failed across the country. Water supplier EPAL warned of potential disruptions, and residents rushed to purchase emergency supplies. All IKEA stores in Portugal closed for the day, and airports operated on limited capacity.​

The exact cause of the outage remains unclear. Spanish grid operator Red Eléctrica and Portuguese operator REN are investigating, with initial reports suggesting a possible technical failure in the high-voltage network. Authorities have not ruled out a cyberattack, and Spain's National Cybersecurity Institute (INCIBE) is examining the possibility.​

A fire in southwest France, between Perpignan and Narbonne, damaged a high-voltage power line, which some speculate may have contributed to the outage. However, French grid operator RTE stated that the incident was unrelated to the blackout.​

Power restoration efforts began within hours in some regions. By early afternoon, electricity returned to parts of the Basque Country and Barcelona. However, full restoration across affected areas is expected to take longer, with Portuguese utility EDP unable to provide a definitive timeline.​

The outage also impacted cultural events. At the Madrid Open tennis tournament, matches were suspended as electronic systems failed, leaving players and spectators in the dark.

From explosive celebrations to sacred rituals, here are 10 of the most unique Easter traditions practised around the world.

Sweden: Easter witches

Forget the Easter Bunny—in Sweden, children dress up as “Easter witches,” donning colourful clothes and painted cheeks as they go door to door trading drawings for sweets, a whimsical blend of Halloween and Easter.

Germany: Easter egg trees and bonfires

Germans bring colour to their gardens with Ostereierbaum—trees decorated with hand-painted eggs. The season is also marked by towering Easter bonfires, meant to chase away the dark of winter and welcome spring.

Slovakia: Whipping tradition

In Slovakia, Easter Monday comes with a quirky and controversial custom: men playfully whip women with decorated willow branches, believed to bring beauty and vitality for the year ahead.

Greece: Rocket wars and clay pots

On the island of Chios, two rival churches engage in a thrilling "rocket war ," firing thousands of homemade fireworks across the night sky. Meanwhile, in Corfu, residents hurl clay pots from balconies to ward off evil spirits.

France: Giant omelette for a thousand

In the town of Haux, chefs cook a giant omelette made with over 4,000 eggs—enough to feed an entire village. Legend has it that Napoleon once ordered a massive omelette here, and the tradition stuck.

Guatemala: Flower carpets

In Antigua, streets bloom with intricate alfombras—vibrant carpets of dyed sawdust, flowers, and fruit that line the roads for Easter processions. These temporary artworks are as fleeting as they are breathtaking.

Philippines : Self-crucifixion

In a dramatic and controversial act of faith, some Filipino devotees reenact Christ’s crucifixion —complete with nails and crosses—as a form of penance. Though discouraged by the Church, the practice draws large crowds each year.

Papua New Guinea: Cigarette trees

Churches in Papua New Guinea hang tobacco leaves and cigarettes on trees around Easter, encouraging congregants, especially men, to attend services and receive their “reward.”

The legislation, passed on Thursday, is part of a broader effort to address a recent spike in antisemitic incidents across the country.

The law was invoked during major conflicts, including the War of 1812 and World Wars. During World War II, President Franklin Roosevelt used it to justify the internment of people of Japanese, German, and Italian descent.

The Supreme Court has upheld the act as constitutional and ruled it can be applied even after wartime, as seen in the 1948 deportation of former Nazi Kurt Ludecke.

Trump's current focus is on whether foreign drug cartels operating in the U.S. could be classified as an "invasion" — a key condition for invoking the act. Courts have previously ruled that determining what constitutes an invasion is a political decision for the government, not the judiciary.

Critics argue the law has a troubling history, pointing to its use in interning American citizens during World War II. Some lawmakers have introduced efforts to repeal it, calling it a threat to civil rights.

As Trump's administration explores its options, questions remain about how the law could be implemented and its implications for immigration policy.

According to Lee, what sets DeepSeek apart is its decision to release the model as open-source, allowing researchers, developers, and users unrestricted access to the underlying code. “It’s not just a competition between the United States and China,” he told AFP, “but a battle between open-source and closed-source.”

Speaking at the Generative AI Conference, Lee elaborated on DeepSeek’s innovative advancements. “DeepSeek has launched an incredibly affordable model using an open-source approach. They’ve discovered a way to outpace other companies in the industry,” he said. While acknowledging OpenAI’s leading o1 model, Lee emphasised that DeepSeek not only matches it in several respects but also introduces a critical functionality: internet connectivity during inference—a feature o1 has yet to offer.

Lee praised DeepSeek’s efficiency in resource management during AI training. “Typically, training AI models requires a tremendous amount of GPU resources. DeepSeek has figured out how to squeeze the most out of a limited GPU allocation, focusing it effectively on AI model training. This optimization is something they’ve done remarkably well,” he explained.

A notable aspect of DeepSeek’s success is its development team, comprised solely of local Chinese university students. “None of the team members returned from overseas,” Lee remarked. “Their success stems from two key aspects: a strong financial and quantitative background, and a strategic approach to user engagement.”

Lee also addressed concerns about government influence on the AI model’s outputs. According to him, DeepSeek’s network service operates in two stages: the primary AI model generates an output, and a secondary model checks for alignment with Chinese government values.

"The idea of us leaving our country and abandoning it to the Jews [Israelis], it's absolutely impossible," says Nafiz Halawa, displaced from Al-Shati camp.

"The conclusion that a laboratory leak is extremely unlikely was reached by the China-WHO joint expert team based on field visits to relevant laboratories in Wuhan," foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said.

Trump could invoke the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, a law that gives the president broad powers during emergencies. He could argue that keeping TikTok running is crucial for national security — to prevent Chinese apps like RedNote from gaining ground in the U.S.

"If I were repatriated, it would be a disaster for my family and I," said Huang Haimin, 42, who entered the United States in early 2023. Many Chinese immigrants end up in Queens, New York, where Ma Ju started a private shelter nearly two years ago. "Everyone worries, and I worry for them," Ma said of potential deportations under Trump.

Despite these, the are employees in various parts of the who give out their all at the workplace in terms of work hours.

According to data provided by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), there are some 5 countries in the world that work the most hours annually.

Here is the list:

Mexico

Topping the list is Mexico, where the average worker clocks in an impressive 2,207 hours per year. This high number reflects the country's labour dynamics, which often involve a six-day workweek.

Costa Rica

Following closely is Costa Rica, with an average of 2,171 hours worked annually. Known for its "Pura Vida" lifestyle, Costa Rica's high working hours might come as a surprise. However, the country frequently ranks high on the World Economic Forum’s Happy Planet Index, indicating a unique blend of hard work and overall well-being.

Chile

In third place is Chile, where the average annual hours worked is 1,953. Chile's economy is one of the most stable in Latin America, and its workforce is known for its dedication and productivity.

Greece

Greece which is the fourth place has an annual work hours of 1897. Like the rest of the countries on the list, Greece has a stable workforce which drives its innovation and development.

Israel

Rounding out the top five is Israel, with an average of 1,880 hours worked per year. Israel's workforce is known for its high productivity and innovation, contributing to the country's strong economic performance.