Asia

Tokyo: Japanese convenience store chain FamilyMart has enlisted Lady Gaga for a recruitment campaign, convincing the pop icon to trade vocal registers for cash registers in an effort to plug staffing shortages at thousands of outlets. The global star appeared in a stylish black-and-white video for the retail chain's part-time worker recruitment campaign and can be seen performing tasks typically set out for staff working at the franchise. FamilyMart boasts a network of more than 16,000 stores across Japan, and roughly 30 percent of them are short-staffed, a company spokesman told AFP on condition of anonymity on Monday. LADY GAGA FOR FAMILYMART (JAPAN) pic.twitter.com/LXbpTIXxRW — pop culture gal (@allurequinn) September 24, 2026 The spokesman added that featuring one of the world's biggest selling artists would attract and retain recruits at a time when Japanese businesses are competing to hire new workers. "When people decide to work at a convenience store, we want FamilyMart to be the place they choose," he said. "By having Lady Gaga appear in the commercial, we thought we might be able to convey the appeal and excitement of working at FamilyMart." Relaxed dress codes Sporting a futuristic leather-textured suit, Lady Gaga can be seen working behind the counter, offering fried chicken to customers and restocking bottled tea in the video clip released on Friday. "Famima de hataraku? (Want to work at FamilyMart?) " she asks in the video. Traditionally, Japanese convenience stores have also required workers to adhere to relatively conservative dress codes, including bans on certain hair dyes and large earrings. Read Also Qatar to host first edition of trading card and collectibles convention Eala blasts into Asian Games quarters in just 55 minutes Nothing to seal here: NZ police help stranded pup home FamilyMart started to relax those rules this year in an attempt to lure workers, including young people who want to maintain their own style. FamilyMart is also offering shopping vouchers worth 200 yen ($1.3) or more to those who enquire about positions or go through interviews at the retail chain. "We want people to come to interview, and we hope they will go through the training and stay," the spokesman said.

Europe

Wellington: New Zealand police came to the rescue of a seal crossing a busy road, helping the perplexed pinniped pup back safely into the water, they said Monday. The slightly soggy marine mammal was spotted by locals "dangerously" crossing Hutt Road in Wellington on Sunday afternoon, police said. The creature then attempted to get back to the water, sparking swift action from police and Department of Conservation officials to make sure it did so unharmed. "The pup appeared grateful for the assistance," a police statement added. "Our staff were able to uplift the seal and drive it to a safe place where it was released into the water," Senior Sergeant Miriam Bentley from Wellington Police said. "This was collaborative problem-solving which prevented any further issues for the young seal and for road users." "When I joined police 15 months ago they said to be ready for anything, so I guess this demonstrates that's true!" said Constable Taylor, who escorted the pup. The seas around New Zealand are populated with multiple species of seals, who do occasionally wander ashore. The Department of Conservation reported this weekend a 200 percent increase in sightings on land around Wellington, local media said, describing it as "seal silly season". Police urged the public to alert them to more runaway seals and not attempt to intervene themselves.

Gulf

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Schools across the Saudi capital Riyadh returned to in-person classes on Monday, as officials remained silent about a decision a day earlier to close schools that appeared to be reversed only hours later. There was no official reason given for the reversal to Sunday's announcement that schools would close for a week. Read Also Three years in jail, QR100,000 fine for online blackmail in Qatar: MoI Special delivery: Indian state hands out gold for newborns More Asian Games transport woes as bus takes Pakistan to wrong venue Saudi authorities shift schools in Riyadh to remote learning for week: emails to parents "Please be advised that pursuant to a ministry directive just received, all Riyadh campuses will be open for in-person learning tomorrow. We look forward to welcoming students back on campus," read one message sent to parents late Sunday night. Parents in the Saudi capital told AFP the ordeal left them largely confused. "Both announcements came late at night. It was very confusing for parents and kids. We weren't prepared for Monday and the kids slept late thinking school would be online," one parent in Riyadh told AFP on the condition of anonymity. "What changed their minds so fast," asked another.