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The Netherlands and Denmark have led a monthslong push to train Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16's and ultimately to deliver the jets to help them counter Russia's air superiority.
WORLD / Politics
Aug 21, 2023

Netherlands and Denmark pledge to give Ukraine F-16s next year

The pledge is the first real promise of F-16's for Ukraine's armed forces and comes days after the United States approved the possible delivery.
While most players in the field of neurotechnology are exclusively concerned with medical uses, Elon Musk is touting the possibility of telepathy, using the technology to store memories or to enable humans to continue their existence without their bodies.
WORLD / Science & Health
Aug 21, 2023

The race to link our brains to computers is heating up

Brain implants have long been trapped in the realm of science fiction, but medical trials suggest the devices could play a big part in humanity's future.
BUSINESS
Aug 21, 2023

Japan paper industry to develop new wood fiber material

With demand for paper in the doldrums, the industry is looking to expand the use of wood, a renewable resource, beyond paper products.
Ecuadorian presidential candidate Luisa Gonzalez (left), celebrates with her supporters in Quito on Sunday.
WORLD / Politics
Aug 21, 2023

Ecuador heads to presidential runoff pitting left against right

The left-right duel to replace conservative leader Guillermo Lasso comes after a chaotic campaign marred by violence.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Aug 21, 2023

My Number and beyond: What's holding back Japan’s digitalization?

The transition from analog to digital in the public sector has been a long-standing challenge for the country, spanning at least the past two decades.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (left) meets with Masanobu Sakamoto (right), head of the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperative Associations, and other representatives at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Monday.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 21, 2023

Japan's release of Fukushima treated water could start Thursday

The government is set to announce Tuesday when the release of tritium-laced water from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant will begin.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks during a ministerial meeting in Tokyo on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 22, 2023

Japan to begin releasing treated Fukushima water Thursday

Despite fishing cooperatives' lingering worries of reputational damage, the government will go ahead with its plan.
The initial public offering for Arm Holdings is set to be the biggest in the United States this year.
BUSINESS / Markets
Aug 22, 2023

SoftBank’s planned IPO for Arm set to be biggest of 2023

Arm didn’t disclose proposed terms for the share sale in the document, but it’s expected to seek a valuation of $60 billion to $70 billion.
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra waves after arriving at Don Mueang airport in Bangkok on Tuesday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Aug 22, 2023

Thailand's Thaksin returns to jail after years in exile

Thaksin, who was found guilty in absentia in four corruption cases and still faces 10 years in prison, was taken into custody by the police.
Sha'carri Richardson celebrates winning gold at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest on Monday.
MORE SPORTS / Athletics
Aug 22, 2023

Sha’Carri Richardson is the fastest woman in the world

Richardson on Monday won her first title at a world track and field championships, running 10.65 seconds to win the 100 meters.
Jenni Hermoso celebrates with Spanish Football Federation President Luis Rubiales after Spain's victory in the World Cup final on Sunday.
SOCCER / Women's World cup
Aug 22, 2023

Spanish soccer boss apologizes for kissing World Cup star

Luis Rubiales planted the kiss on Jenni Hermoso after she collected her medal following the final in Sydney, provoking outrage in Spain.
A bulk carrier at the Panama Canal on April 19
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 22, 2023

Historic drought and hot seas slow Panama Canal shipping

Restrictions already are sending China-U.S. spot shipping prices up as much as 36% amid soaring sea temperatures.
Supermarket owner Takashi Nakajima, 67, prepares raw fish to sell at his store, near the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant in Soma, Fukushima Prefecture.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 22, 2023

For Fukushima shop owner, water release spells battle for survival

Japan said on Tuesday it would start discharging more than 1 million metric tons of the treated water on Thursday
Spanish midfielder Alexia Putellas (left) battles for the ball against English forward Lauren James during in the final of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Sydney on Sunday. Spain won the match 1-0.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 22, 2023

FIFA boss should read the pitch on women’s pay

More than 2 billion people are expected to have tuned in. About 2 million attended matches in person. Both records. The FIFA Women’s World Cup generated more than $570 million to break even.
U.S. and Japanese authorities are concerned that purchases of farmland near military bases and other critical facilities will allow China and other governments to spy on or interfere with their operations.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 22, 2023

For the best espionage, it’s location, location, location

Efforts by Chinese companies to purchase land — often, but not exclusively, agricultural — has authorities in Japan and the United States up in arms.
Leaders from the BRICS group of major emerging economies are set to meet this week in South Africa, but internal divisions are likely to slow any plans to expand the bloc, experts say.
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
Aug 22, 2023

Divergent interests likely to slow BRICS expansion

Plans to expand the bloc and boost payments in local currencies will top the agenda at the group's summit this week.
Former U.S. President and 2024 Republican Presidential hopeful Donald Trump walks off stage after speaking at an event in Las Vegas on July 8.
WORLD / Politics
Aug 23, 2023

Trump set to upstage Republican rivals despite debate no-show

Five months ahead of the start of primary elections to choose the party's flag-bearer, the runaway front-runner's grassroots support is as strong as ever.
BUSINESS
Aug 23, 2023

Goldman, KKR and Blackstone join investor rush for Japan hotels

Compared with before the pandemic, visitors to Japan are spending more, with most of that money going on lodgings and hospitality.
Anthony Edwards dunks during a friendly between the U.S. and Germany in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
BASKETBALL
Aug 23, 2023

U.S. bank on youth as they eye Basketball World Cup redemption

Head coach Steve Kerr has picked an up-and-coming group of players to gain redemption for four years ago when the U.S. slumped to seventh.
Artificial intelligence is likely to help Big Tech companies cement their industry dominance as they are the ones with the resources to develop and maintain the most powerful AI models.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 23, 2023

Unlocking AI’s potential for everyone

The tech industry’s dominant players are now deploying artificial-intelligence models to reinforce their positions in the market.
Hiromi Yamaji, chief executive officer of Japan Exchange Group, says the yen is too weak and its benefits for Japanese stocks are diminishing.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 24, 2023

Yen’s too weak and benefits are waning, Japan bourse chief says

The yen has slipped below the levels where Japanese officials intervened last September to rein in the weakness in the currency.
Thailand's new Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin meets with media at the Pheu Thai Party headquarters in Bangkok on Wednesday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Aug 24, 2023

After limbo, Thailand's new prime minister faces weakened economy

Srettha Thavisin, the country's new prime minister, must now work fast to deliver on his promises to fix Thailand's economy and boost household incomes.
A customer shops at a sushi counter at the Food Le Parc supermarket in Hong Kong.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 24, 2023

Hong Kong restaurants brace for cost jump after Japan seafood ban

The saga is yet another headache for the city’s restaurant industry, which is still suffering from the effects from pandemic curbs and a worker shortage.
JAPAN
Aug 24, 2023

Local governments tap big data on spending by foreign visitors

Such data allows authorities to analyze consumption trends in detail, "visualize" markets and place targeted advertisements.
The HMAS Canberra sails to the main harbor in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in March 2019. The vessel participated in a bilateral exercise between Australia's navy and the Maritime Self-Defense Force on the way to the Philippines, an Australian defense spokesperson said Wednesday.
JAPAN
Aug 24, 2023

Australian navy holds exercise with MSDF en route to Philippines

There was no indication of a hotly anticipated trilateral drill in the South China Sea that had been expected the same day.
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (left), former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence (center) and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at the first debate between Republican candidates on Wednesday in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
WORLD / Politics
Aug 24, 2023

Absent Trump still steals show at raucous Republican debate

Trump's snubbing of the event deprived a chasing pack of rivals, whom he leads in polls, of the opportunity to direct shots at him live on stage.
As long as there’s a power plant sitting on its coast and as long as the treated water is being disposed of locally, Fukushima will continue to battle the same problems it has faced for the past 12 years, says Sakurai.
JAPAN / Society
Aug 24, 2023

Fukushima water plan 'complete opposite' of recovery: former mayor

Discharging treated water from the plant only communicates a drive to sustain nuclear power and profit while dismissing the concerns of locals, he said.
Roofers sport hats to take cover from the sun during a heat wave in Eagle Pass, Texas, late last month.
WORLD
Aug 24, 2023

Heat wave led to huge release of methane from fossil fuel plants

Imagery shows operators in the largest U.S. energy basin released hundreds of tons of gas into the air as crucial equipment was forced to shut down.
New Zealand coach Ian Foster is not concerned about former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen helping Australia prepare for the Rugby World Cup.
MORE SPORTS / Rugby
Aug 24, 2023

All Blacks coach Ian Foster has no issues with Steve Hansen helping Australia

New Zealand head coach Ian Foster insisted Wednesday he had known for a month that predecessor Steve Hansen had agreed to help rival Australia prepare for the Rugby World Cup.
A woman stands on one side of the wall texting in front of a nightclub while, on the other side of the wall, a man works in an izakaya.
PODCAST / deep dive
Aug 24, 2023

One night out in Tokyo

As the last trains leave the central hubs of Shinjuku and Shibuya for the suburbs, much of the city heads home. However, Tokyo never sleeps.

Longform

Construction equipment sits idle in a park near Shiba Toshogu shrine in Tokyo's Minato Ward. While Japan has a history of treating its trees with reverence, green coverage is said to be lacking in most of the major cities.
Do Japan's trees no longer occupy the sacred space they used to?