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Rakuten is working with eBay to market Japan's used fashion and accessories in the United States, taking advantage of the weak yen.
BUSINESS / Companies
May 24, 2024

Rakuten and eBay team up to test U.S. market for used Japanese fashion goods

The tie-up aims to capitalize on the currency effect and is also a move toward bargain hunting as cost-of-living pressures around the world crimp spending.
Demonstrators during a protest outside the Legislative Yuan in Taipei on Friday
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
May 25, 2024

Taiwan protesters gather against bill aimed at president

Tens of thousands of people gathered outside the legislature in Taipei on Friday, while smaller demonstrations were reported in other cities around the democratic island.
Richard Grenell speaks at a Donald Trump rally in Florence, Arizona, on Jan. 15, 2022.  Grenell has a good chance of landing a top foreign policy job in a second Trump administration — if not as secretary of state, which requires Senate confirmation, then perhaps as national security adviser, which does not.
WORLD / Politics
May 26, 2024

He threw ‘spaghetti at the wall’ for Trump. Now he’s after a top job.

If Donald Trump wins the U.S. presidency, Richard Grenell hopes to be secretary of state. But his work raises questions, even from his former boss.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak inspects troops at a military base in North Yorkshire, Britain, on May 3. Sunak is making the question of protecting Britain and navigating dangerous geopolitical conditions central themes of his election campaign.
COMMENTARY / World
May 27, 2024

War is at the heart of the U.K.’s summer election

British Prime Minister Sunak is nevertheless right to inject defense into the heart of the election campaign.
A man looks on as Palestinians inspect a tent camp damaged in an Israeli strike during an Israeli military operation, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday.
WORLD / Politics
May 29, 2024

U.S. says latest Rafah deaths won't change its Israel policy

Recent deaths in Rafah have tested U.S. President Joe Biden's promise to withhold weapons from Israel if it put displaced persons there at risk.
Wanxiang America’s Neapco manufacturing plant in Belleville, Michigan
BUSINESS / Companies
May 29, 2024

Once embraced, Chinese companies now shunned in U.S. on security fears

It doesn’t matter if it’s mining or health care, even Chinese furniture could one day be seen as a national security issue, a lawyer who represents Chinese clients said.
A mourner holds a picture of the late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, as she prays during a vigil to pay tribute to him and other officials who were killed in a helicopter crash, at the Iranian Ambassador's residence in Jakarta, Indonesia, on May 22.
WORLD / Politics
May 30, 2024

U.S. to boycott U.N. tribute to Iran leader killed in helicopter crash

The U.N. General Assembly traditionally meets to pay tribute to any world leader who was a sitting head of state at the time of their death.
Deputy U.S. Treasury secretary Wally Adeyemo
WORLD / Politics
May 30, 2024

China must stop aiding Russia in war, deputy U.S treasury chief says

The U.S. is "open to sanctioning” anyone helping Russia gain access to components that can be used for weapons, U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said.
A Donald Trump campaign event at Crotona Park in the Bronx borough of New York City on May 23.
WORLD / Politics
May 31, 2024

Unfazed Republican donors focus on Trump's polling, not guilty verdict

Many conservative donors already viewed the New York hush-money cash as political persecution.
Yuka Saso hits her tee shot on the first hole during the opening round of the U.S. Women's Open in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on Thursday.
MORE SPORTS / Golf
May 31, 2024

Yuka Saso on top at U.S. Women's Open after first round

Saso's search for a second U.S. Women's Open title got a boost on the first day of the tournament.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump gestures following the announcement of the verdict in his criminal trial over charges that he falsified business records to conceal money paid to silence adult-film actress Stormy Daniels in 2016, outside Trump Tower in New York City on Thursday.
WORLD / Crime & Legal / ANALYSIS
May 31, 2024

Trump guilty verdict adds twist to 2024 race: a convicted felon

While such a development may change the trajectory of the presidential race, few experts are confident it will.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers a keynote address at the Shangri-La Dialogue security conference in Singapore on Friday night.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
May 31, 2024

Marcos lays out red line in South China Sea at security conference

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivered his clearest remarks yet on his red lines in the ongoing row with China over the disputed waterway.
The dollar’s about-face came after Fed Chair Jerome Powell waved off worries that the central bank may raise interest rates again.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 1, 2024

The dollar’s rally falters as signs of cooling ease Fed fears

The dollar’s about-face came after Fed Chair Jerome Powell waved off worries that the central bank may raise interest rates again.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks at Trump Tower in New York on Friday. Some Republican strategists say they believe the news of Trump's conviction will have little influence on voters' thinking by Nov. 5.
WORLD / Politics
Jun 1, 2024

Some Republicans less likely to vote for Trump after guilty verdict, poll finds

The election is still more than five months away, however, meaning much could change between now and Nov. 5.
A Palestinian youth moves containers of water past destroyed buildings in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, on May 28.
WORLD / Politics
Jun 3, 2024

Israel pushes back against Gaza ceasefire Biden has outlined

Hamas said it welcomed any proposal "based on a permanent ceasefire" as well as "a total withdrawal from the Gaza Strip."
China’s defense minister, Dong Jun, addresses the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Sunday. Beijing says it has a long commitment to regional peace and stability. The problem is its actions speak louder than words.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 5, 2024

Great powers talk past each other in Singapore gathering

Beijing says it has a long commitment to regional and global peace and stability. The problem is that China's actions speak louder than words.
Chinese President Xi Jinping walks past members of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), at Tiananmen Square in Beijing on Sept. 30, 2023.
WORLD / Politics
Jun 6, 2024

U.S., 'Five Eyes' allies warn China courting Western military trainers

Offers sent to military personnel often entail promises of lucrative salaries or excessive flattery, the "Five Eyes" agencies said.
Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving spent two seasons with the Celtics earlier in his career.
BASKETBALL / NBA
Jun 6, 2024

Mavs' Kyrie Irving has 'no fear' about returning to Boston for NBA Finals

Dallas guard Irving and Boston big man Kristaps Porzingis find themselves pitted against their former teams during the NBA Finals.
Israeli armored personnel carriers operate near the border with Gaza in southern Israel on May 29.
WORLD / Politics
Jun 7, 2024

Russia and China wrangle with U.S. over U.N. resolution on Gaza

The council's only Arab member, Algeria, also signaled it was not ready to back the text, diplomats said.
Ambassador of Australia to the U.S. Kevin Rudd attends the 54th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 17.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jun 7, 2024

War over Taiwan would change world, says Australia ambassador to U.S.

If Chinese President Xi Jinping, who turns 71 this month, wanted to achieve "final national unification" with Taiwan, he would likely act before he reaches his 80s.
Fever guard Caitlin Clark did not make the U.S. roster for the 2024 Paris Games.
OLYMPICS
Jun 10, 2024

Caitlin Clark has no bitter feelings after being left off U.S. Olympic team

Clark's exclusion prompted a flurry of debate.
Wyndham Clark lines up a putt on the 11th green during the second round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, on May 17.
MORE SPORTS / Golf
Jun 11, 2024

Defending champ Wyndham Clark hopes to reclaim form at U.S. Open

Clark said he's been in a bit of a rut lately and tempered his expectations.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz delivers a joint press conference with Chile's president after talks at the Chancellery in Berlin on Monday.
WORLD / Politics
Jun 11, 2024

Scholz heading for another election rout in eastern Germany

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his allies in government have little choice now but to go into survival mode.
U.S. President Joe Biden
WORLD / Politics
Jun 12, 2024

U.S. to widen sanctions to curb chip sales to Russia’s war machine

Russia is still sourcing chips from third-party countries to use in missiles and other inputs critical to the battlefield.
Scottie Scheffler pumps his fist after making a putt during the final round of the Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio, on Sunday.
MORE SPORTS / Golf
Jun 12, 2024

U.S. Open field chasing Scottie Scheffler's greatness

Rory McIlroy describes Scheffler as relentless, with the American having played 14 times with only one tournament finish outside the top 10.
Wins by conservative parties and losses by their leftist green opponents in the EU elections reflect broader trends of political polarization and nationalism not only in Europe, but also the world. 
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jun 13, 2024

Impact of EU elections on global politics and Japan's foreign policy

Japan is concerned about the rise of right-leaning parties that might undermine support for Ukraine and send signals to revisionist powers like China.
Sweden's Ludvig Aberg lines up a putt during his second round on Friday on his way to the clubhouse lead at the U.S. Open.
MORE SPORTS / Golf
Jun 15, 2024

Stars align for halfway leader Ludvig Aberg at U.S. Open

The tricky Pinehurst course humbled some of the biggest names in the sport this week but could not slow down the 24-year-old Aberg.
Australia's Ariarne Titmus competes in the women's 800 meter freestyle final during Olympic trials in Brisbane on Thursday.
OLYMPICS / Swimming
Jun 16, 2024

Titmus and McKeown carry Australian Olympic swim hopes in bid to topple U.S.

The pool squad was whittled down after six intense days of trials, with bettering their haul from Tokyo three years ago the immediate target.
Bryson DeChambeau celebrates after making a putt on No. 18 to win the U.S. Open in Pinehurst, North Carolina, on Sunday.
MORE SPORTS / Golf
Jun 17, 2024

Bryson DeChambeau outduels Rory McIlroy in final round to win U.S. Open

DeChambeau parred the final three holes to complete a 1-over-par 71, and that was enough for a one-shot victory.
A courtroom sketch of Nikhil Gupta — whom U.S. federal prosecutors accused of plotting with an Indian government official to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a U.S. resident who advocated for a sovereign Sikh state in northern India —  in federal court after his extradition from the Czech Republic, in New York City on Monday
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Jun 18, 2024

Suspect in plot to kill Sikh separatist pleads not guilty in U.S.

The discovery of alleged assassination plots against Sikh separatists in the U.S. and Canada has tested relations with India.

Longform

Wealthier women in the prewar era had been the targets of various media-related health campaigns that mistakenly encouraged them to avoid everything from riding bicycles to reading novels when their monthly cycles came around.
Menstruation in Japan: Breaking the silence, slowly