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US economy unexpectedly shrinks in first quarter, Trump blames Biden

The US economy unexpectedly contracted in the first three months of the year on an import surge triggered by Donald Trump's tariff plans, although the president pinned the blame squarely on his predecessor.

Renewable energy in the dock in Spain after blackout

Fierce debate raged in Spain on Wednesday over the role its reliance on renewable energy may have had in this week's blackout which disrupted millions of lives, though officials sought to downplay any potential link.

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Macron hosts Europe's 'coalition of willing' to protect Ukraine

French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday was hosting European leaders including Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday for a summit aimed at boosting Ukrainian security ahead of any potential ceasefire with Russia.

Rubio offers US security for oil-rich Guyana as Venezuela looms

Secretary of State Marco Rubio heads Thursday to Guyana to offer to put the newly oil-rich nation under the US security umbrella as neighboring Venezuela asserts claims.

Global outcry as Trump heaps 25% tariffs on foreign-built vehicles

World powers on Thursday blasted US President Donald Trump's steep tariffs on imports of vehicles and car parts, vowing retaliation as a widening trade war intensifies.

Autos lead market losses after Trump's latest tariffs salvo

A plunge in automakers hit Asian and European equities on Thursday after Donald Trump announced painful tariffs on all imported vehicles and parts as he presses hardball trade policies many fear will spark a recession.

China rebuffs Trump offer of tariff concessions if Beijing agrees TikTok deal

China rebuffed on Thursday a suggestion from US President Donald Trump that he might offer to reduce tariffs on the country to get Beijing's approval for the sale of popular social media platform TikTok.

Pressing matters: White House shake-up boosts pro-Trump media

It was a moment that instantly went viral -- a White House reporter asking Volodymyr Zelensky why he wasn't wearing a suit in the Oval Office just before his huge row with Donald Trump.

Japan warns of 'significant impact' from US tariffs

Japan's government warned Thursday of a "significant impact" on its economic ties with the United States and on global trade, after President Donald Trump announced import tariffs on cars.

Lesotho fears Trump shake-up could tear threadbare economy

In a sweltering factory in Lesotho, rows of workers hunch over thrumming sewing machines churning out piles of jeans for the global market from a country that US President Donald Trump has mocked as unknown.

Pakistan's Parsi community dwindles as young migrate

From a gated community for her Zoroastrian faith in Pakistan's megacity Karachi, 22-year-old Elisha Amra has waved goodbye to many friends migrating abroad as the ancient Parsi community dwindles.

UK town motors on as historic Vauxhall plant to shut

At regular intervals, vehicle transporters exited the front gates of the historic Vauxhall plant in the English town of Luton, loaded with white electric vans straight off the assembly line.

AI's impact on jobs, tech's touchy topic

"Stop Hiring Humans" read a provocative sign at an AI conference in Las Vegas, where the impact of new artificial intelligence models on the world of work had sparked some unease.

Market tracker expects brands' fear of Musk to boost X ad revenue

Emarketer on Wednesday forecast that ad revenue at X, formerly Twitter, will grow this year as brands fear retaliation by politically connected owner Elon Musk if they stay away.

Tesla troubles: Speed bump or early signs of impending crash?

Tesla, the Elon Musk-run auto company, has had a turbulent time recently, fueled by its chief executive's close ties to Donald Trump and increased electric vehicle competition.

Trump set to announce tariffs on auto imports

US President Donald Trump will announce tariffs on auto imports Wednesday, the White House said, in a move set to fuel tensions with trading partners ahead of further promised levies next week.

Trump tariffs could push up inflation: senior Fed official

US President Donald Trump's tariff plans could increase inflation by as much as 1.2 percentage points if they are fully implemented, a senior Federal Reserve official said Wednesday.

White House says Trump to announce auto tariffs Wednesday

US President Donald Trump will announce tariffs on auto imports to the country Wednesday, the White House said in a move set to fuel tensions with trading partners ahead of further promised levies next week.

Global stocks drop as US tariff uncertainty lingers

Global stock markets mostly slipped Wednesday as investors digested conflicting signals from President Donald Trump about his coming wave of tariffs.

Canada PM Carney details fund to protect auto industry against Trump

Prime Minister Mark Carney on Wednesday announced support for "all-in-Canada" auto manufacturing, escalating trade protection in response to US President Donald Trump's threat to "shut down" the northern country's auto industry.

Laughs, scandals, politics? France's most shocking TV host moves on

Barely a week goes by in France without headlines about Cyril Hanouna, a scandal-plagued talkshow host with possible political ambitions who is set to end his hit broadcast on Wednesday.

Prince Harry resigns from Africa charity after 'devastating' row

Prince Harry said he had quit as patron of a charity he founded in southern Africa almost 20 years ago with a "heavy heart" amid a bitter boardroom battle, in a new blow to the royal living in self-exile.

Apple says Indonesia iPhone sales ban ends in April

Teach giant Apple announced on Wednesday the iPhone 16 will be available in Indonesia from next month, indicating the sales ban in Southeast Asia's biggest economy had been lifted.

UK slashes growth forecast, cuts public spending

The UK government halved its 2025 growth forecast on Wednesday as it made billions of pounds of spendings cuts to shore up the public purse in the face of economic headwinds.

US may miss out on green tech boom: Germany

Europe must seize on the "huge economic opportunities" offered by the green technology boom, Germany said Wednesday -- adding it was up to the United States if it decided to miss out.

China drinks chain Mixue profits spike 40% in 2024

Chinese drinks company Mixue Group, which has surpassed McDonald's and Starbucks in store count to become the world's largest food and beverage chain, reported a spike in profits on Wednesday as it laid out further expansion plans.

Prince Harry resigns from southern Africa charity

Prince Harry has quit as patron of a charity he founded in southern Africa almost 20 years ago in honour of his mother Princess Diana after a bitter boardroom battle.

Global stocks mixed as US tariff uncertainty lingers

Global stock markets diverged Wednesday as investors remained cautious ahead of the coming wave of US President Donald Trump's tariffs.

China chip insiders eye stronger global ties despite trade tensions

Industry insiders at a semiconductor trade fair in Shanghai urged more cooperation between the Chinese chip sector and the rest of the world, despite growing trade tensions with Washington.

S. Korea govt responsible for international adoption fraud: inquiry

A South Korean official enquiry said Wednesday the government was responsible for abuse in international adoptions of local children, including record fabrication and inadequate consent, and recommended an official state apology.

Over a billion pounds of Coke plastic waste to enter waterways: study

By 2030, Coca-Cola products will account for an estimated 1.33 billion pounds (602,000 metric tons) of plastic waste entering the world's oceans and waterways each year, according to a stark new analysis published Wednesday by the nonprofit Oceana.

UK set to cut public spending by billions of pounds

Britain's finance minister Rachel Reeves is set to detail billions of pounds of spending cuts in her Spring Statement on Wednesday to address the country's ailing public finances.

Lula urges Mercosur-Japan deal to counter Trump protectionism

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called Wednesday for a trade deal between South America's Mercosur bloc and Japan to counter growing US protectionism.

Stocks mostly rise on trade optimism, but Trump uncertainty lingers

Lingering hopes that Donald Trump's planned tariff blitz next week will not be as painful as feared lifted most Asian markets Wednesday, though uncertainty about the president's policies and the US economy tempered optimism.

The Japan Times - Economy (English)