The Japan Times

Two men publicly flogged in Indonesia for gay sex

Two men were publicly flogged in Indonesia's conservative Aceh province on Thursday after they were found guilty of sexual relations by a court operating under strict Islamic law.

The women brewing change in India, one beer at a time

As a fixture of India's burgeoning craft beer scene, Varsha Bhat is a rarity twice over: first as a woman who brews alcohol, and second as a woman who drinks it.

Asian markets mixed after latest Trump tariff threat

Asian markets fluctuated Thursday as investors tried to assess US President Donald Trump's latest tariffs salvo, while earnings from chip titan Nvidia failed to impress, despite another record performance.

7-Eleven owner shares plunge as family buyout fails

Shares in the Japanese owner of 7-Eleven plunged as much as 12 percent on Thursday after the convenience store giant said its founding family failed to put together a white-knight buyout.

US Fed will 'adapt' to any policy changes, Chicago's Goolsbee says

The US Federal Reserve will "adapt" to policy changes made by the administration of US president Donald Trump, but would struggle to "disentangle" how those changes affect inflation from other factors impacting the American economy, a senior bank official said Wednesday.

US stocks mixed as investors weigh latest Trump tariff broadside

Wall Street stocks were mixed at the end of a choppy session Wednesday as US President Donald Trump signaled plans for tariffs on the European Union.

AI chip giant Nvidia reports blockbuster revenue

Nvidia on Wednesday said it finished its fiscal year with record high revenue of $130.5 billion, driven by demand for its chips to power artificial intelligence in data centers.

EU was born to 'screw' US, Trump says

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the European Union was born to "screw" the United States, laying bare his hostility to the longtime US partner as he detailed new tariffs.

Trump's trade envoy Jamieson Greer confirmed by lawmakers

US lawmakers voted Wednesday to confirm lawyer Jamieson Greer as Donald Trump's trade envoy, rounding out the president's top economic team with a key figure in tariff policy as the president threatens levies on friend and foe alike.

Eyeing Trump trade policy shakeup, Eli Lilly to build 4 US factories

US pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly announced Wednesday that it will build four additional new manufacturing sites in the United States in a committment designed to influence upcoming Trump administration decisions on trade and other issues.

G20 leaders say global stability threatened by declining cooperation

The erosion of multilateralism threatens global growth and stability, President Cyril Ramaphosa warned Wednesday at a G20 finance meeting in South Africa marked by the absence of the US treasury secretary.

Stock markets climb with tech in focus

Global stock markets climbed on Wednesday, helped by renewed interest in the tech sector.

US new home sales miss expectations in January on cold weather

Sales of new US homes slumped more than expected in January, government data showed Wednesday, with cold weather and stubborn cost-of-living pressures weighing on buyers as Donald Trump returned to office.

EU vows to slash red tape but stick to climate goals

The EU on Wednesday proposed paring back its environmental rules to give businesses breathing room faced with US and Chinese competition -- while still vowing to decarbonise Europe's economy.

France court orders retrial of Chilean over alleged murder of ex-girlfriend

France's top court on Wednesday ordered a retrial of a Chilean accused of killing his Japanese ex-girlfriend in the eastern city of Besancon in 2016, ruling that investigators had withheld evidence from his defence team.

Dreadlocks and downward dogs: Oslo's new bishop takes unorthodox approach

The day before she was ordained the Bishop of Oslo in the presence of Norway's king, Sunniva Gylver stretched out barefoot in front of the altar, leading a service that combined liturgy and yoga exercises.

Indonesia agrees deal with Apple that could end iPhone sales ban

Indonesia has struck a deal with Apple for the tech giant to invest in the country, its industry minister and the company said Wednesday, in a move that could end a ban on iPhone 16 sales in Southeast Asia's biggest economy.

Global stability threatened by backslide in cooperation: S.Africa

The erosion of multilateralism threatens global growth and stability, President Cyril Ramaphosa warned Wednesday at a G20 finance meeting in South Africa marked by the absence of the US treasury secretary.

BP ditches climate targets in pivot back to oil and gas

British energy giant BP launched a major pivot back to its more profitable oil and gas business Wednesday, shelving its once industry-leading targets on reducing carbon emissions and slashing clean energy investment.

EU seeks to balance business needs, climate goals

The EU on Wednesday unveiled a push to "simplify" its environmental rules to give businesses breathing room faced with competition from the United States and China -- while still vowing to decarbonise Europe's economy.

Stock markets rally with tech in focus

Asian and European stock markets rallied Wednesday, helped by renewed positivity over the tech sector, analysts said.

BP to up oil and gas output, slash clean energy spend in overhaul

BP plans to increase production of its more profitable oil and gas business and slash investment in cleaner energy, the British energy giant announced Wednesday to the dismay of environmentalists.

Los Angeles wildfires costliest in history: Munich Re

German reinsurance giant Munich Re said Wednesday that last month's huge wildfires in Los Angeles had been the costliest "in the history of the insurance industry".

AB InBev posts record sales in 2024 despite beer volumes slipping

AB InBev, the world's leading brewer whose portfolio includes Budweiser, Corona and Stella Artois, said revenue hit a record level in 2024 although beer volumes slid.

Aston Martin cuts jobs as weak China demand weighs

Aston Martin Lagonda announced Wednesday it would cut about five percent of its workforce as weak Chinese demand contributed to losses widening at the luxury car group last year.

Stellantis says 2024 profits fall 70% on N. America troubles

The Stellantis car giant -- which includes Fiat, Chrysler, Jeep and Peugeot -- on Wednesday reported a 70 percent fall in 2024 profits against the previous year because of troubles in North America.

'Joyful' South Koreans hope rising births will continue

South Koreans rejoiced Wednesday at news that the number of births had risen for the first time in about a decade -- a rare bright spot for a country facing a deepening demographic decline.

Indonesia agrees deal with Apple that could end iPhone sales ban: reports

Indonesia has struck a deal with Apple for the tech giant to invest in the country, local media reported a minister as saying Wednesday, in a move that could end a ban on iPhone 16 sales in Southeast Asia's biggest economy.

Tech surge helps Hong Kong lead most Asian markets higher

Hong Kong stocks resumed their impressive start to the year on Wednesday as they rocketed more than three percent on the back of a surge in tech firms fuelled by fresh optimism over the sector in China.

Hong Kong to slash public spending, build AI institute

Hong Kong will cut public spending and restore fiscal balance by mid-2027 after a string of huge deficits, the city's finance chief said Wednesday as he unveiled growth plans including an artificial intelligence institute.

Most Asian markets rebound as Hong Kong tech rally resumes

Asian markets mostly rose on Wednesday after a poor start to the week, with Hong Kong boosted by a rebound in tech firms that had taken a hit from US moves to curb Chinese investments in the country.

Under pressure, EU to take axe to green rules

The EU is expected to roll back a slew of environmental rules on Wednesday as it charges ahead with a deregulation drive in a bid to keep up with the United States and China.

The Japan Times - Economy (English)

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