Euro zone economy ends 2025 with solid growth despite low exports, US trade strife
WorldFRANKFURT -- The euro zone economy grew quicker than expected last quarter as consumption and investments kicked into higher gear, offsetting low exports and the exceptional uncertainty emanating from U.S. trade policy, Eurostat data showed on Friday.
Indonesia vows market reform after $80 billion rout; bourse chief quits
WorldJAKARTA/SINGAPORE -- Indonesia's chief economic minister promised increased financial market transparency and improved corporate governance on Friday, after the stock exchange chief resigned to take responsibility for a $80 billion share rout.
Foreign workers in Japan hit record 2.57 million
WorldTOKYO -- The number of foreign workers in Japan as of the end of October 2025 jumped 11.7 pct from a year before to 2,571,037, hitting a record high for 13 years in a row amid the country's labor shortages, the labor ministry said Friday.
Japan man suspected of involvement in Laos child prostitution blog
WorldTOKYO -- Tokyo police have arrested a 61-year-old man for allegedly registering a fake address to rent an internet server, with the suspect also believed to be involved in a blog suggesting child prostitution in Laos, it was learned Thursday.
Winter Games in Italy attract luxury brands seeking global stage
WorldMILAN - The Milano Cortina Winter Olympics have caught the eye of a number of luxury brands, as the Italian fashion capital and the exclusive Alpine destination prepare to host wealthy tourists from around the world and attract a huge broadcast audience.
420mn yen robbed in Tokyo; similar assault follows
WorldTOKYO -- A group of Japanese and Chinese people were robbed of an estimated 423 million yen in Tokyo on Thursday night, quickly followed by an assault on a different group also carrying a lot of cash.
Vietnam designer makes history as Paris Haute Couture wraps up
WorldVietnam's Phan Huy became the youngest-ever designer to present a collection on the official Haute Couture calendar in Paris aged just 27 on Thursday, rounding out a week of major fashion debuts and celebrity sightings.
Sumo diplomacy: Japan's heavyweight 'soft power' ambassadors
WorldTOKYO -- Two giants stare each other down before colliding with a dull thud. After years on the sidelines, sumo is back center stage as part of Japan's soft power arsenal overseas.
Asia stocks choppy, on track for best month in three years
WorldSINGAPORE - Stocks were volatile in early Asian trading on Friday after U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed a bipartisan deal to avert a fresh government shutdown and said he has decided who he will nominate to lead the Federal Reserve.
Apple forecasts strong sales growth as iPhone demand in Asia rebounds
WorldApple on Thursday forecast higher-than-expected revenue growth of up to 16% for the March quarter, powered by strong demand for its iPhones and a sharp rebound in China and accelerating demand in India.
