Government borrowing costs are hitting multi-decade highs around the world, reflecting anxiety about debt levels, deficits and inflation.

© Brendan Mcdermid/Reuters

Flash flooding and mudslides in Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures, while convective storms hit western Europe

After an “unprecedented” deluge in Chiba in mid-August, Japan has experienced further extreme rainfall in recent days. Moisture from the Sea of Japan brought relentless heavy rain to the prefectures of Ishikawa and Toyama on Thursday.

In Himi, Toyama, 361.5mm of rain fell in 24 hours, equivalent to half the average annual rainfall in London and Paris. Several rivers burst their banks, triggering flash floods and mudslides, felling and damaging buildings.

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© Photograph: Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images

© Photograph: Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images

© Photograph: Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images

Artists, scholars and fans celebrated Ms. Kusama as a cultural giant who helped bring Japanese art to the masses.

© Noriko Hayashi for The New York Times

The Japanese artist’s polka-dot-covered paintings, phallic sculptures and public performances caused a stir in New York City and Europe in the 1960s.

Japanese space startup Letara is betting its hybrid rocket technology can move beyond small satellite thrusters into a broader market for space, defense and security, after raising ¥2.6 billion ($16 million).