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EU leaders push for influence at Central Asia summit

Top EU leaders were in Uzbekistan on Friday for a major summit with the heads of five Central Asian states, seeking to press their influence and boost ties in the face of Russian and Chinese competition.

Asian stocks extend global rout after Trump's shock tariff blitz

Equities extended losses in Asia on Friday, extending a global rout inflicted by Donald Trump's tariff blitz that has inflamed a trade war and ramped up recession and inflation fears.

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ECB chief warns of 'risks all over' as rates cut again

European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde warned Thursday the eurozone faces "risks all over" amid US tariff threats and massive German spending plans, as policymakers cut rates again but signalled future monetary easing was in doubt.

US trade gap hits new record in January as tariff fears loomed

The US trade deficit surged to a new record in January, government data showed Thursday, as imports spiked while tariff worries flared in the month of President Donald Trump's inauguration.

ECB lowers rates again but hints more cuts in doubt

The European Central Bank cut interest rates again Thursday to boost the struggling eurozone but suggested easing could be nearing an end and warned of "rising uncertainty" amid massive German spending plans and US tariff threats.

World's sea ice cover hits record low in February

Global sea ice cover fell to a historic low in February when the world continued to experience exceptional heat and temperatures reached 11 degrees Celsius above average near the North Pole, Europe's climate monitor said on Thursday.

Philippines' Palawan approves 50-year ban on new mining permits

The local government in a resource-rich Philippine province has unanimously voted in favour of a 50-year ban on new mining permits, a decision its supporters said cannot be overridden by Manila.

Prosecutors demand Rubiales forced kiss trial be re-run

Prosecutors on Thursday requested that the trial of Spain's ex-football federation chief Luis Rubiales for his forced kiss on Jenni Hermoso be annulled and re-run, notably questioning the judge's impartiality.

European rocket aims for first commercial launch after delays

After several false starts, Europe's new rocket Ariane 6 is aiming to finally blast off on its first commercial mission Thursday, carrying with it the continent's hopes of bolstering its security and independent access to space.

Ukraine titanium mine hopes US deal will bring funds

In a barren, yellow-and-grey moonscape, heavy machinery grinds away at a titanium mine in the heart of Ukraine.

China vows to fight US trade war 'to the end'

China vowed to fight a trade war with the United States "to the end" on Thursday, as tariffs from Washington buffeted the global economy and threatened to hit Beijing's lagging growth.

7-Eleven owner seeks to fend off takeover with buyback, US IPO

The Japanese owner of 7-Eleven announced on Thursday a raft of new measures to fend off a takeover by a Canadian rival, including a huge share buyback and an IPO of its US unit.

Asian markets rally on US tariff reprieve, possible China stimulus

Asian stocks climbed on Thursday as investors welcomed US President Donald Trump's auto tariff delay and were expecting China to announce a large stimulus package.

Chinese economy faces rising international 'uncertainty', official says

China's economy is facing growing "uncertainty" in the international environment, as well as insufficient domestic demand, a top economic official said on Thursday.

Strikes hit Lufthansa profits, Olympics dent Air France

German airline giant Lufthansa said Thursday its 2024 profits dived during a turbulent year marked by strikes, rising costs and delays in aircraft deliveries, but vowed a turnaround plan will boost earnings this year.

Rohingya refugee food aid to be halved from next month: UN

Rations will be halved for around one million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh from next month due to a lack of funds, the United Nations food agency has said.

Lufthansa 2024 profits dive amid strikes, rising costs

German airline giant Lufthansa said Thursday its 2024 profits dived during a turbulent year marked by strikes, rising costs and delayed aircraft deliveries, as a post-pandemic rebound petered out.

Asian markets rise on Trump auto tariff reprieve

Asian markets climbed on Thursday after US President Donald Trump announced a one-month tariff delay on auto imports from Mexico and Canada.

Debate over rates pause mounts as ECB set to cut again

Massive German spending pledges and uncertainty caused by US trade policy are fuelling expectations the European Central Bank could on Thursday signal that a pause in interest rate cuts is in sight, analysts said.

Tajik women speak out against government fashion advice

Women in Tajikistan are being advised by the government to dress more "Tajik-style" and not wear either revealing Western clothes or Islamic head coverings -- supposedly to reinforce national identity.

Global stocks rally on German defense push, US pause on auto tariffs

Global stocks rallied on Wednesday, buoyed by Germany's plan to massively boost spending on defense and a move by the White House to pause tariffs on auto imports from Mexico and Canada.

Trump tariffs reverberate through Mexico's industrial belt

For decades, Mexico's industrial borderlands boomed thanks to growing trade with the world's largest economy next door. Today, US tariffs cast a long shadow over a region home to thousands of factories employing armies of workers.

Deluge of Trump tariffs seen hitting household budgets

Consumer items ranging from avocados and strawberries to electronics and gasoline look poised for price hikes in the wake of President Donald Trump's tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China.

Trump suspends tariffs for autos as Trudeau call yields no breakthrough

Automakers received a temporary reprieve Wednesday from US President Donald Trump's tariffs targeting Canada and Mexico, as concerns mounted over consumer impacts and talks with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau yielded no immediate breakthrough.

Supreme Court rejects Trump bid to freeze $2 bn in foreign aid

A divided US Supreme Court handed a legal defeat to President Donald Trump on Wednesday, rejecting his bid to freeze some $2 billion in foreign aid payments.

Mind the wage gap: China's subway farmers highlight inequality

Elderly Chinese farmers carrying enormous baskets of vegetables squeezed into a subway station as its doors opened before dawn on Wednesday, on the outskirts of megacity Chongqing.

Stocks rally on tariff relief hopes, German spending plan

Stock markets rallied Wednesday, buoyed by Germany's plan to massively boost spending on defence, signals that US President Donald Trump could ease huge tariffs and China's economic targets.

Stocks rally on hopes of China stimulus and tariff relief

Markets rallied Wednesday as investors welcomed China's economic targets and a US official signalled that President Donald Trump could dial down tariffs on Canada and Mexico.

Trump tariffs leave Mexican tequila producers with sour taste

Mexico's booming tequila industry was left reeling Wednesday after US President Donald Trump slapped sweeping tariffs on the Central American nation that producers say threaten the popularity of its most famous liquor.

Asian stocks rally on hopes of China stimulus

Asian markets rallied on Wednesday as investors welcomed China's economic targets which they hope will offset the impact of a global trade war.

China eyes five percent growth despite US trade war

China set an ambitious annual growth target of around five percent on Wednesday, vowing to make domestic demand its main economic driver as an escalating trade war with the United States hit Beijing's exports.

What TSMC's $100 bn investment in the US means for Taiwan

Taiwanese chip-making giant TSMC plans to invest a whopping $100 billion in the United States, after US President Donald Trump threatened to slap tariffs on overseas-made chips.

Trump says tariffs will bring 'a little disturbance' to US economy

The US economy is set to experience some "disturbance" from tariffs, President Donald Trump said Tuesday, as trade tensions flare after he imposed sweeping levies on Mexico, Canada and China.

Asian stocks rebound on China stimulus package

Asian markets were mostly up Wednesday as investors weighed bullish growth targets announced by China despite its sluggish economy and the looming prospect of a global trade war.

The Japan Times - Economy (English)