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Riding his tricycle with cheerful abandon, Kuranosuke Kato is the only child in his tiny, depopulated Japanese village overrun by life-sized puppets.The two-year-old wasthe first baby in two decades for Ichinono, one of more than 20,000 communities in Japan wherethe majority of residentsare aged 65 and above, according to the internal affairs ministry data.  Revitalising rural …

‘Our pride’: Lone child brings hope to Japan’s puppet village Read More »

An unexpected schism among American youth could decide the US presidential election, with young women largely leaning left to back Kamala Harris, but many men turning right to rally behind Donald Trump, according to polls.The growing gender divide means Harris is having to fight Trump for a big chunk of the youth vote — and …

Split Gen Z: Gender divide grows in US youth vote Read More »

The Amish people of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, are a throwback to another era, with their quiet farm life, horse-drawn carriages and rejection of modern technology.But the Donald Trump signs outside some of their farms serve as stark reminders that they live in today’s turbulent world — and that November 5 is Election Day for them, too, …

Loud US election barges into quiet Amish country Read More »

Shohei Ohtani will put years of disappointment behind him when he makes his long-awaited first appearance in a World Series in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ blockbuster showdown with the New York Yankees on Friday.The 30-year-old Japanese superstar was given a taste of the circus-like atmosphere surrounding this year’s baseball showpiece on Thursday as he appeared …

‘Sho-time’ arrives as relaxed Ohtani prepares for World Series bow Read More »

French ministers have raised the idea of charging tourists to enter Paris’ world-famous Notre-Dame cathedral when it opens in December after a five-year restoration, a proposal that drew a rebuke from the city’s diocese on Thursday.Culture Minister Rachida Dati said she had suggested implementing a “symbolic charge” during a conversation with Paris’ Catholic archbishop, with …

Calls to charge tourists to enter Paris’ Notre-Dame cathedral Read More »

America’s late night talk shows once were appointment viewing, but with ratings tanking and ad revenues plummeting, their coveted place on the small screen is in question.The hosts of yesterday and today — comedians from Johnny Carson and Jay Leno to Jimmy Fallon and Jon Stewart — are household names, and their jokes were once …

Drifting off – US late night talk shows no longer must-see TV Read More »

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag admitted his team lacked a “killing” instinct in their Europa League 1-1 draw at Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce on Thursday as Tottenham made it three wins from three with a 1-0 win at home to AZ.Joshua Zirkzee teed up Christian Eriksen to blast United ahead after 15 minutes from the …

Ten Hag bemoans United’s lack of ‘killing’ instinct, Spurs march on Read More »

A US judge on Thursday blocked fashion group Tapestry’s $8.5 billion deal to buy Capri, which owns luxury brands including Michael Kors and Versace, citing a potential loss of competition.The deal, seen as an attempt to create a new global fashion giant to compete with European powerhouses, was halted by a federal court in New …

US court blocks Coach owner’s $8.5 bn buyout of Versace parent Read More »

Bruce Springsteen took the stage Thursday at Kamala Harris’s star-studded campaign rally in swing state Georgia, with the rock legend warning that White House hopeful Donald Trump aims to be an “American tyrant.”Harris is cranking up the celebrity wattage — including with Beyonce in Texas on Friday, according to reports — at a series of …

Springsteen, at Harris rally, warns of ‘American tyrant’ Trump Read More »

Israel said Thursday its spy chief will attend Gaza ceasefire talks and Hamas vowed to stop fighting if a truce is reached, as long-stalled efforts to end the war appeared to gain momentum.Previous bids to stop the year-long war have failed, though the United States has voiced hope the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar last …

Israel and Hamas signal openness to talks on Gaza war Read More »