Damaged cable led to Tokyo Skytree elevator incident
WorldTOKYO -- A recent incident in which an elevator at Tokyo Skytree stopped and 20 people were trapped inside for about six hours was caused by damage to a cable that supplies electricity and transmit signals to the elevator car, the operator of the 634-meter-tall tower has said.
TEPCO unveils new robot arm for nuclear debris removal
WorldFUKUSHIMA -- Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. on Wednesday unveiled a new robot arm to be used in the project to remove nuclear fuel debris at its tsunami-crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant in northeastern Japan.
Child victims of social media crimes in Japan hit 10-year high
WorldTOKYO -- The number of elementary school children in Japan who became victims of sex crimes and other offenses through social media totaled 167 in 2025, the highest level in the past 10 years for which data are available, the National Police Agency said Thursday.
Where AI lives: Southeast Asia's data centre boom
WorldKARAWANG, Indonesia -- Nonstop buzzing fills a windowless Microsoft data centre near Jakarta, part of a tech construction boom sweeping Southeast Asia that promises economic opportunities but is also hungry for resources.
Samsung unveils Galaxy S26; lifts prices in key markets amid chip price surge
WorldSEOUL - Samsung Electronics on Thursday launched its flagship Galaxy S26 smartphones with higher prices for some models in the United States and South Korea, testing demand as soaring memory chip costs pressure margins.
Google to test changes to search results, source says as EU fine looms
WorldBRUSSELS -- Alphabet's Google is poised to start testing changes to its search results to give rivals more prominence, a person with direct knowledge of the matter said on Wednesday, seeking to avoid an EU fine for allegedly favouring its own services in searches for hotels, flights and restaurants.
Bill Gates admits affairs but denies involvement in Epstein crimes
WorldBill Gates has admitted making a "huge mistake" in associating with Jeffrey Epstein, telling staff at his charity foundation that he had affairs with two Russian women but denying involvement in the disgraced financier's crimes.
Death toll from Brazil floods rises to 46; 21 people still missing
WorldSAO PAULO/JUIZ DE FORA, Brazil -- The death toll from the heavy rains in Brazil's southeastern state of Minas Gerais has risen to 46, according to figures released by the state fire department on Wednesday.
S.Korea central bank holds rates, adopts dot-plot path signalling extended pause
WorldSEOUL -- South Korea's central bank stood pat on interest rates on Thursday and signalled policy would stay unchanged for the next six months as a chip boom in exports and steady inflation allow policymakers more time to assess financial stability risks.
Canada tells OpenAI to boost safety measures or be forced to by government
WorldOTTAWA - Canadian ministers told OpenAI that if it did not quickly boost its safety protocols in the wake of a recent school shooting, Ottawa would effect the change through legislation, a top official said on Wednesday.
