TOKYO -- Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Friday expressed concern over the United States' decision to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO), Jiji Press reported.

"The U.S. has played a crucial role in global health. From Japan's perspective, we do not welcome any move that weakens this role," Ishiba stated during a parliamentary budget committee meeting. (Japan-Ishiba-U.S.)

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NEW DELHI -- At least nine people were killed and 15 others critically injured Friday in a collision between a pickup van and canter truck in the northern Indian state of Punjab, police said.

The accident took place near Golu ka Mour village in Ferozepur district, about 142 km southwest of Amritsar, the Sikh holy city in Punjab. (India-Road Accident)

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PHNOM PENH -- Cambodia has halted mine clearance projects in eight provinces after the United States has frozen funding, a mine clearance chief said on Friday.

Heng Ratana, director-general of the Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC), said the U.S.-funded mine clearance projects in Ratanakiri, Mondulkiri, Stung Treng, Kratie, Tboung Khmum, Kampong Cham, Prey Veng, and Svay Rieng provinces have been suspended for 85 days from Jan. 25 onwards. (Cambodia-U.S.)

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MELBOURNE -- Two Chinese nationals were killed and three others injured in a traffic accident on the Great Ocean Road, a popular tourist attraction in Australia, the Chinese Consulate General in Melbourne said on Friday.

After the accident took place on Tuesday, the Chinese Consulate General immediately activated its emergency response mechanism and verified the situation with police in the state of Victoria as soon as possible. (Australia-China-Deaths) Enditem

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