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US Republicans pressure Democrats with 'born-alive' abortion bill

US House Republicans approved a bill on Thursday that would ensure medical care for infants born alive during abortion procedures, in a vote largely labeled a gimmick by Democrats since such laws already exist.

Trump Davos address lifts S&P 500 to record, dents oil prices

The S&P 500 finished at a fresh all-time record Thursday as US stocks shrugged off early weakness, welcoming President Donald Trump's pledge to cut corporate taxes.

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Hungarian Lego artist wows with his very grand designs

To build his giant Lego structures which usually take hundreds of thousands of bricks, Hungarian artist Balazs Doczy first must solve major "engineering challenges".

Cuba's 'invisible' tragedy: US-bound migrants who disappear in the Caribbean

In the early hours of January 3, 2023, 32 people climbed onto a makeshift raft off southern Cuba and set out across the Caribbean for Florida, 170 kilometers (100 miles) away.

'Everybody wants to be my friend': Trump feels the love

A shock outsider when he was first elected president eight years ago -- and a pariah when he left office -- Donald Trump appears to be the most popular person in America as far as the rich and powerful are concerned.

Japan's Honda and Nissan in preliminary merger talks: reports

Japanese auto giants Honda and Nissan are in preliminary merger talks, media reports said Wednesday.

Japan's Honda and Nissan to begin merger talks: report

Japanese auto giants Honda Motor and Nissan Motor will enter talks on a merger aimed at helping them compete against Tesla and other electric vehicle makers, newspaper Nikkei reported early Wednesday.

Stock markets mostly drop ahead of Fed policy update

Major stock markets mostly fell Tuesday as attention turned to the Federal Reserve's upcoming policy decision, with traders hoping for guidance on its interest rate plans as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office.

US Fed begins final 2024 rate meeting with cut expected

The US Federal Reserve began its last interest rate meeting of the year on Tuesday, with expectations high for another rate cut and a signal from policymakers that the pace of cuts will slow next year.

How ramshackle housing made Mayotte vulnerable to cyclone assault

The dismal quality of housing across Mayotte has compounded the devastating impact of Cyclone Chido on the poverty-stricken French Indian Ocean territory where hundreds, or maybe thousands, are feared dead.

Spurs fail in appeal to reduce Bentancur ban for Son comments

Tottenham's appeal to reduce Rodrigo Bentancur's seven-match ban for an alleged racist remark he made about teammate Son Heung-min has been dismissed, the Football Association said on Tuesday.

Father, stepmother of murdered UK-Pakistani girl jailed for life

A UK court on Tuesday handed life sentences to the father and stepmother of a murdered 10-year-old British-Pakistani girl who died after being subjected to a prolonged "campaign of torture" and "despicable abuse".

Stock markets mostly drop awaiting Fed policy update

Major stock markets mostly fell Tuesday as attention turned to the Federal Reserve's upcoming policy decision, with traders hoping for guidance on its interest rate plans as president-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office.

Markets mostly down as Fed gears up for interest rate decision

Most markets fell Tuesday as attention turned to the Federal Reserve's upcoming policy decision, with traders hoping for guidance on its interest rate plans as president-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office.

Restoring Milan's Duomo, one statue at a time

In a workshop in the Milan suburbs, sculptor Giovanni Calderino completes his latest project -- a battered statue from the top of the Italian city's gothic cathedral, and its gleaming white replacement.

Asian markets drop as Fed gears up for interest rate decision

Most Asian markets fell Tuesday as attention turned to the Federal Reserve's upcoming policy decision, with traders hoping for guidance on its interest rate plans as president-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office.

Chinese casino hub Macau struggles to evolve beyond gaming

In the shadow of the Grand Lisboa, the Macau casino world-famous for its "golden lotus" design, fashion boutique owner Suzanne Leong wonders if the economic miracle that initially made her fortune has now cast her aside.

Asian markets mixed as Fed gears up for interest rate decision

Asian markets fluctuated Tuesday as attention turned to the Federal Reserve's upcoming policy decision, with traders hoping for guidance on its interest rate plans as president-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office.

UK court to sentence father, stepmother for killing daughter

A UK court will Tuesday hand down its sentences on the father and stepmother of a British-Pakistani girl, who died from prolonged and horrific abuse in a case which shocked the UK.

ChatGPT search opens to all users in challenge to Google

OpenAI on Monday said it is making ChatGPT-powered internet search available to all users, escalating its threat to Google's dominance.

Global stocks mostly fall, bitcoin soars to new peak

Global shares mostly retreated Monday as markets awaited a Federal Reserve interest rate decision while concerns over political battles in Europe and China's struggling economy pressured equities.

After budget row, French MPs pass 'special law' to keep show on the road

More than a week after a historic no-confidence vote brought down a prime minister unable to secure backing for an austerity budget, French lawmakers Monday unanimously passed a law to keep tax and social security machinery running.

Global stocks stall, bitcoin soars to new peak

Global shares stalled Monday ahead of an expected US interest-rate cut later this week while concerns over political battles in Europe and China's struggling economy sent other world markets lower.

Canada deputy PM quits in tariff rift with Trudeau

Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland quit Monday in a surprise move after disagreeing with Justin Trudeau over US President-elect Donald Trump's tariff threats.

Anglican Church hit by new abuse row

A senior UK bishop, who will soon take over temporarily as leader of the world's Anglicans after a sex abuse scandal, faced calls to quit on Monday over his own handling of another case.

UK approves Royal Mail takeover by Czech billionaire

Britain's centuries-old Royal Mail is set to pass into foreign ownership after the UK government Monday approved the takeover of its parent company by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky's EP Group.

Spinoffs of French tycoon's media empire make market debut

Three spinoffs from French right-wing tycoon Vincent Bollore's Vivendi media empire debuted on stock markets on Monday, with mixed results as shares in the Canal+ television and film group tanked in London.

Lagarde says ECB will continue to cut interest rates

European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde said Monday eurozone policymakers would keep cutting interest rates and warned that higher US tariffs under President-elect Donald Trump could hit growth in the bloc.

Ex-husband in French rape trial asks 'forgiveness' from family

The French man who has admitted to enlisting dozens of strangers to rape his heavily-sedated wife on Monday asked forgiveness from his family and hailed the courage of his now ex-spouse during his trial.

Equity markets struggle after more weak China data

Most markets fell on Monday after an unexpected slowdown in retail sales reinforced worries about China's economy, with the latest batch of weak data compounding the disappointment of Beijing's latest stimulus pledges.

Fiji says seven 'stable' after drinking hotel cocktails

Seven guests hospitalised after drinking cocktails in a luxury Fiji hotel -- including four Australians and an American -- are in a stable condition, the Pacific island government said Monday.

Chinese firms take on EV truck challenges

Dominant in the electric car sector, Chinese companies have been quietly consolidating their position in the lesser-watched trucking scene -- but foreign tariffs and a perceived quality gap could signal roadblocks ahead, experts warn.

Oldest Miss France clinches crown, aged 34

A 34-year-old flight attendant from the French Caribbean island of Martinique on Saturday became the oldest contestant to win the Miss France pageant.

Rare foreign-born CEO says Japan needs immigration to thrive

The Indian-born head of one of Japan's most famous snack brands has warned that the country must change its mindset and admit more immigrants to get the economy back to the glory of its boom years.

The Japan Times - Economy (English)