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Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at the White House in Washington, U.S., on Feb. 7, 2025.Kent Nishimura | ReutersEmbattled Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba will resign to avoid a split within his ruling party, Japanese media reported on Sunday, pitching the world’s fourth-largest economy into fresh political uncertainty.A spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office did not immediately have a comment when contacted by Reuters, but the government said Ishiba would hold a press conference at 6 p.m. (0900 GMT).Since he came to power in September last year, Ishiba’s coalition has lost its majorities in elections for both houses of parliament…

Two types of story dominated the chatter in the newsroom this week.The watercooler favourite? The antics of high-profile CEOs, with the departure of Nestle’s boss over an undisclosed affair with a subordinate and the resignation of Suntory’s CEO over the possible purchase of illegal substances both causing a stir in the London and Singapore newsrooms.But what kept the news desks busiest was bond market volatility, which could well spill over into next week. Over the last few days, we’ve had a slew of guests sharing their views on some of the most significant yield moves seen in the U.K. gilt…

London’s $930-billion gold market could be set for a “transformative” shake-up, as the World Gold Council (WGC) looks to digitalize the metal. On Wednesday, the WGC — a trade body that represents the gold industry — launched a proposal for the roll-out of Pooled Gold Interest (PGI) tokens backed by physical gold bars held in London, which could be used to trade bullion and use it as collateral. The tradeable PGIs would give market participants legally enforceable ownership of vaulted gold and allow traders to buy fractions of 400-ounce bars for the first time, according to Mike Oswin, global head…

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV was set to declare a 15-year-old computer whiz, Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint on Sunday, giving the next generation of Catholics a relatable role model who used technology to spread the faith and earn the nickname “God’s influencer.”An open-air Mass in St. Peter’s Square, the first saint-making ceremony of Leo’s pontificate, was expected to draw hundreds of thousands of people and was also set to canonize another popular Italian figure who died young, Pier Giorgio Frassati.Both ceremonies were scheduled for earlier this year, but were postponed following Pope Francis’ death in April.…

NEW YORK (AP) — There is a lot at stake when No. 1 Jannik Sinner meets No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz in the U.S. Open men’s final on Sunday — with President Donald Trump expected to be at Arthur Ashe Stadium.Sinner, a 24-year-old from Italy, is trying to become the first repeat men’s champion at Flushing Meadows since Roger Federer won five championships in a row there from 2004 through 2008.He’s also bidding for his third Grand Slam title of the season, after the Australian Open and Wimbledon, and fifth of his career.Alcaraz, a 22-year-old from Spain, is seeking his sixth…

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced Sunday he will step down following growing calls from his party to take responsibility for a historic defeat in July’s parliamentary election.Ishiba, who took office in October, had resisted demands from mostly right-wing opponents within his own party for more than a month, saying such a step would cause a political vacuum when Japan faces key challenges in and outside the country.The resignation comes one day before his Liberal Democratic Party makes a divisive decision on whether to hold an early leadership election, a virtual no-confidence motion against him if approved.Ishiba…

VATICAN CITY (AP) — A 15-year-old computer whiz, Carlo Acutis, was declared the first millennial saint Sunday. Acutis, who died in 2006 after an acute case of leukemia, has been dubbed “God’s Influencer” because of his savvy use of information technology to spread the Catholic faith. It was Pope Leo XIV’s first canonization ceremony.An ordinary life that became extraordinaryAcutis was born on May 3, 1991, in London to a wealthy, but not particularly observant Catholic family. His Italian parents, Antonia Salzano and Andrea Acutis, had moved to London from Italy in 1988 when his father was appointed corporate finance executive…

BANGKOK (AP) — Anutin Charnvirakul, a veteran politician best known for successfully lobbying to decriminalize cannabis in Thailand, became the country’s prime minister after receiving a royal endorsement Sunday, two days after he was chosen by Parliament following a court order that removed his predecessor.Anutin, 58, succeeds Paetongtarn Shinawatra of the Pheu Thai Party, dismissed last week after being found guilty of ethics violations over a politically compromising phone call with neighboring Cambodia’s Senate President Hun Sen before a border dispute between the two nations turned into a deadly five-day armed conflict in July that raised fears of a full-blown…

United States men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino said that his team was “better than South Korea” and showed a “massive improvement” despite a 2-0 home loss on Saturday in Harrison, New Jersey.Pochettino’s side found themselves down 2-0 by halftime in the friendly after goals from LAFC star Son Heung-Min and Lee Dong-gyeong.Despite a flurry of substitutions in the second half from Pochettino, which increased his roster’s attacking pressure, the U.S. remained scoreless in the defeat. It was the USMNT’s fourth shutout loss in 17 matches under Pochettino.- USMNT player ratings vs. South Korea- Pochettino, Pulisic must reconcile for USMNT…

The United States men’s national team slumped to a 2-0 loss against South Korea in a friendly at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, on Saturday.The exhibition kicked off with an 18th-minute goal for the visitors when LAFC star Son Heung-min slotted the ball into the back of the net. Hindered by a poor defensive performance from its backline, the U.S. then found itself down 2-0 by the 43rd minute after Lee Dong-gyeong backheeled a shot from short range.- Pochettino, Pulisic must reconcile for USMNT to be at its best going into World Cup- USMNT transfer grades: Analyzing every…