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France's Bardella slams 'hypocrisy' over return of brothels

French far-right leader Jordan Bardella has thrown his support behind a proposal to bring back brothels, denouncing what he said was "hypocrisy" over sex work.

Tokyo-bound United plane returns to Washington after engine fails

A United Airlines Boeing 777 bound for Tokyo had to turn back to Washington's Dulles International Airport on Saturday after an engine failed during takeoff, igniting a brush fire near the runway, officials said.

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Last fluent speaker on a quest to keep ancient S.African language alive

In her humble home on the red soil of the Green Kalahari, 92-year-old Katrina Esau listened intently as her two great-grandchildren practised the ancient N|uu language of South Africa's indigenous San people.

Asian markets limp into weekend as AI bubble fears grow

Asian equities staggered into the weekend Friday following a mixed week that saw a Middle East ceasefire and huge new AI investments play off against the US shutdown and concerns about a tech bubble.

Morocco youth ask for king's ear at fresh protests

Young Moroccan protesters took to the streets again to demand reforms and a change of government on Thursday, the eve of a keenly anticipated annual speech by King Mohammed VI.

Death of 'sweet king': AI chatbots linked to teen tragedy

A chatbot from one of Silicon Valley's hottest AI startups called a 14-year-old "sweet king" and pleaded with him to "come home" in passionate exchanges that would be the teen's last communications before he took his own life.

Judge halts Trump's Chicago troop deployment as Portland decision looms

A federal judge on Thursday ordered a temporary halt to President Donald Trump's deployment of hundreds of National Guard troops in the Chicago area as part of his sweeping crime and immigration crackdown.

US finalizes $20 bn economic lifeline for Argentina, buys pesos

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Thursday that Washington had bought Argentine pesos and finalized a $20 billion economic support program to help prop up the South American nation's faltering finances.

Troops deploy in Chicago as US courts hears challenges

Five hundred US troops deployed in the Chicago area on Thursday as courts heard challenges to the use of the National Guard as part of President Donald Trump's sweeping crime and immigration crackdown.

Police clash with protesters as thousands rally in Madagascar

Several thousand anti-government demonstrators marched on Thursday through Madagascar's capital, several of them injured when police cracked down on the latest youth-led protest of the past two weeks.

Serbia faces 'extremely serious' impacts as sanctions hit oil firm

Serbia's president warned that US sanctions on the Russian-controlled operator of the Balkan nation's only oil refinery that took effect on Thursday put it in an "extremely serious" position.

At German auto crisis meet, Merz vows to fight EU gas guzzler ban

Chancellor Friedrich Merz vowed Thursday to do everything in his power to fight EU plans to ban combustion-engine car sales from 2035 after crisis talks with the struggling German car industry.

French court ups jail term for man in Pelicot rape case appeal

A French appeals court Thursday handed a man a 10-year prison term for raping Gisele Pelicot, increasing his original nine-year sentence.

Nepal's youth vow to keep up pressure, one month after unrest

Nepalis lit candles outside the fire-damaged parliament on Thursday, marking one month since anti-corruption protests toppled the government, with fresh vows to keep up pressure ahead of elections.

Silver price hits decades high as gold rush eases

The price of silver hit a three-decade high on Thursday as investors kept flocking to safe havens amid geopolitical and economic uncertainty, but gold eased off a record run.

Ferrari goes electric with four-seat coupe but shares get shocked

Ferrari will begin its cautious shift to electric vehicles in 2026 with its first battery-powered four-seat coupe, but shares plummeted Thursday over a long-term profit outlook that fell short.

500 US troops deploy in Chicago ahead of court hearing

Five hundred US troops deployed in the Chicago area on Thursday as part of President Donald Trump's hardline immigration crackdown, despite strenuous objections of local leaders seeking a judge's order to block the mobilization.

Danish wind giant Orsted to cut workforce by a quarter

Danish offshore wind energy giant Orsted announced Thursday plans to cut 2,000 jobs, or a quarter of its workforce, by 2027 as its business struggles in the United States.

Pope hails role of news agencies in 'post-truth', AI world

Pope Leo XIV Thursday hailed the work of news agencies as a bulwark in an increasingly "post-truth" world, and warned of the dangers of relying on artificial intelligence for information.

Shein's Paris store kicks up a storm in France

Asian e-commerce giant Shein's decision to set up shop in a historic Parisian department store has ruffled feathers in the fashion capital.

Markets diverge tracking AI concerns, Gaza deal

European and Asian stock markets traded mixed Thursday as investors assessed the outlook for the global AI-fuelled rally, Federal Reserve interest rates and the US government shutdown.

Pope Leo puts poor, marginalised centre stage in first major text

Pope Leo XIV called Thursday for the poor and marginalised, including migrants, to be at the centre of the Catholic Church's mission, in the first major publication of his papacy.

Ferrari goes electric with four-seat coupe 'Elettrica'

Ferrari's first electric sports car, to be released next year, will be a four-seat coupe with over 1,000 horsepower and a range of 530 kilometres (329 miles), the company announced Thursday.

French prosecutors seek 12-year term in Gisele Pelicot rape appeal

French prosecutors on Thursday sought a 12-year jail term for the only man among 50 who claims he is innocent after being convicted of sexually abusing Gisele Pelicot.

Markets mixed as traders eye AI rally, US rates and shutdown

Markets were mixed on Thursday as investors tried to assess the outlook for the global AI-fuelled rally, Federal Reserve interest rates and the US government shutdown.

Merz to host German auto sector crisis meeting

Chancellor Friedrich Merz will Thursday host crisis talks with German auto industry leaders in a bid to navigate myriad challenges, from a looming EU combustion-engine ban to growing Chinese competition.

French court to rule in Gisele Pelicot rape appeal trial

A French appeal court is to rule on Thursday in the case of the only man among 50 who claims he is innocent after being convicted of sexually abusing Gisele Pelicot.

Stocks mixed as traders assess AI rally, US rates and shutdown

Asian markets were mixed Thursday as investors tried to assess the outlook for the global AI-fuelled rally, Federal Reserve interest rates and the ongoing US government shutdown.

US faces travel delays as government shutdown wears on

Concerns over flight delays and missed paychecks due to the US government shutdown escalated Wednesday, as senators rejected yet another bid to end the standoff.

Macron to name new French PM within 48 hours

French President Emmanuel Macron will name a new prime minister within the next 48 hours, his office said on Wednesday, after the resignation of outgoing premier Sebastien Lecornu tipped the country deeper into political crisis.

New 'Knives Out' spotlights Trump-era US political landscape

The latest "Knives Out" movie may be another whodunit but the expanding franchise's creator insists he also wanted to confront the current US political climate with the star-studded film.

BBVA, Sabadell clash heats up ahead of takeover deadline

Tensions mounted ahead of the closing on Friday of Spanish banking giant BBVA's hostile takeover bid for smaller national rival Sabadell whose uncertain outcome will be announced on October 17.

Germany raises growth forecasts, but warns reforms needed

Germany's economy will eke out meagre growth in 2025 before picking up speed next year, the government Wednesday said as it raised forecasts, but called for "decisive reforms" for a sustained recovery.

Gold tops $4,000 for first time on political, economic worries

Gold topped $4,000 an ounce for the first time Wednesday as investors flocked to the safe investment on worries over the US government shutdown, France's political crisis and global economic uncertainty.

The Japan Times - Economy (English)