THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) – The Dutch branch of French-based luxury goods maker Louis Vuitton has agreed to pay half a million euros ($595,000) in an out-of-court settlement linked to a money laundering investigation, the Netherlands’ national public prosecution office announced Thursday.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) – Dubai International Airport maintained its crown as the world’s busiest airport last year as officials said Wednesday that a record 95.2 million passengers transited through its terminals, part of the emirate’s continued economic boom.

HONG KONG (AP) – Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison Holdings warned of legal action on Thursday against a Danish logistics and ports group, after the latter was tapped by Panamanian authorities to temporarily take over the operation of two critical ports at both ends of the Panama Canal from the Hong Kong conglomerate.

PARIS (AP) – Europe’s Ariane 6 rocket is scheduled to make a powerful debut with a new equipment configuration Thursday, flying with four boosters to carry Amazon’s internet satellites. The launch will take place at Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

NEW DELHI (AP) – An Indian government panel Thursday gave its preliminary approval for the purchase of additional Rafale fighter jets and maritime patrol aircraft in deals valued at billions of dollars, India’s defense ministry said.

PARIS (AP) – As a French teetotaler, Justine Bobin knows how challenging it can be to not drink in a country where wine, beer and other boozy beverages still lubricate many social interactions, even if France is less hooked on alcohol than it used to be.

Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad:

WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. employers added a surprisingly strong 130,000 jobs last month, but government revisions cut 2024-2025 U.S. payrolls by hundreds of thousands. The unemployment rate fell to 4.3%, the Labor Department said Wednesday. The report included major revisions that reduced the number of jobs created last year to just 181,000.