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Mel B, Trump and Milei: What happened at Davos Wednesday

Even when Donald Trump wasn't in the room or even the main theme, the US president kept coming up again Wednesday at the gabfest of global elites in the Swiss resort of Davos.

Argentina's Milei says would leave Mercosur for US trade deal

Argentina's President Javier Milei said Thursday he would be willing to leave the South American Mercosur bloc if necessary to secure a coveted trade agreement with the United States.

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Job cuts report worries employees at Germany's Commerzbank

Suggestions that German lender Commerzbank was considering cutting thousands of jobs as it fights off an unwanted advance from Italy's UniCredit had unsettled employees, a senior trade union official said Monday.

X and Facebook toughen EU pledge to combat hate speech

Social media giants including X and Facebook have agreed to step up efforts to tackle hate speech in the EU, the bloc said Monday as its digital rules face scrutiny with Donald Trump's return to the White House.

'Y.M.C.A.' journeys from gay anthem to Trump theme tune

After performing at Donald Trump's pre-inauguration rally, the Village People underscored their journey from disco-era gay icons to MAGA favourites having seen their "Y.M.C.A" anthem co-opted by the US hard-right.

French mother on trial accused of starving teen daughter to death

A woman went on trial in France on Monday accused of starving to death her daughter who died of a heart attack aged 13 in 2020.

Bitcoin hits record above $109,000 awaiting Trump

Bitcoin hit a record high above $109,000 on Monday as Donald Trump, who has signalled plans to deregulate the cryptocurrency sector, prepares to be sworn in as US president.

Markets extend global rally as Trump-Xi talks boost sentiment

Most Asian markets rose Monday following a rally on Wall Street and a record-breaking day in Europe, with sentiment boosted by positive talks between Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping that soothed worries about the incoming US leader's second term.

Marcos denounces 'woke' sex education bill in Catholic Philippines

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos denounced on Monday a proposed law to make sex education mandatory in schools in the conservative mainly Catholic nation, alleging it would teach four year-olds to pleasure themselves.

Trade wars, culture wars, and anti-immigration: Trump's big promises

A sweeping deportation program, "drill, baby, drill," and peace for Ukraine: President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to move big and fast when he returns to the White House on Monday.

'Mufasa' claws its way back atop N.America box office

Disney's "Mufasa: The Lion King" topped the North American box office on a long holiday weekend after ceding the top spot a week earlier, analysts said Sunday.

Mexican authorities to seal secret tunnel on US border

A clandestine tunnel discovered on the US-Mexico border allowing entry from Ciudad Juarez into the Texan city of El Paso will be sealed by Mexican authorities, an army official said Saturday, adding that its construction was under investigation.

Vaccine misinformation: a lasting side effect from Covid

A fringe anti-vaccine movement took advantage of the Covid-19 pandemic to bring conspiracy theories to a much wider audience, propelling dangerous misinformation about life-saving jabs that still endures five years later, experts warn.

Indian court finds man guilty in notorious hospital rape case

An Indian court on Saturday found a 33-year-old man guilty for the rape and murder of a doctor, a crime that sparked nationwide protests and hospital strikes last year.

TikTok's journey from fun app to US security concern

As a law that could get TikTok banned in the United States is poised to go into effect, here is a look at the rise of the video-sharing social media platform.

The video games bedeviling Elon Musk

Skepticism rages about whether Elon Musk actually put in the hours to become a top player of video games "Diablo IV" and "Path of Exile 2."

Global equities rally, pushing London and Frankfurt to new records

Global equities rallied on Friday as traders digested corporate results and prepared for US President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration next week, pushing London's benchmark FTSE 100 and Frankfurt's DAX 40 index to new all-time highs.

US to tighten trade rules to hit low-cost China shipments

The United States unveiled a new rule Friday to tighten an exemption allowing low-value imports to enter the country duty-free, taking aim at Chinese shipments that might be benefiting from it.

IMF raises global growth outlook and flags rising economic divergence

Global growth is expected to increase slightly this year while remaining stuck below its pre-pandemic average, the IMF said Friday, flagging the growing economic divide between the United States and European countries.

London, Frankfurt hit record highs as global equities rally

London's benchmark FTSE 100 and Frankfurt's DAX 40 index reached all-time highs Friday as global equities rallied and the dollar climbed on renewed optimism for the global economy.

EU deepens probe into X after Musk outbursts

The EU on Friday demanded X provide more details about its algorithms as part of its wide-ranging probe into the platform, as Elon Musk's outbursts on European politics ramp up pressure for the bloc to act.

London stock market hits record high as global equities rally

London's benchmark FTSE 100 index reached an all-time high Friday as global equities rallied and the dollar climbed on renewed optimism for the global economy.

'No money': gloom on Beijing streets as economic growth slows

Consumers pinching pennies, businesses seeing fewer customers, and a pervading sense that the economy just isn't bouncing back -- the mood was grim in Beijing as China posted some of its lowest growth in decades.

Nintendo shares tumble as Switch 2 teaser disappoints

Nintendo shares tumbled as much as seven percent on Friday after the Japanese games giant failed to impress with a teaser video of its hotly awaited Switch 2 console.

China says population fell for third year in a row in 2024

China said Friday its population fell for the third year running in 2024, extending a downward streak after more than six decades of growth as the country faces a rapidly ageing population and persistently low birth rates.

Asian traders give mixed reaction as China's economic growth slows

Asian markets were mixed Friday as data showing China's economy grew slightly quicker than expected last year failed to inspire investors, with Beijing battling to revive consumption and boost the battered property sector.

Chinese economic growth among slowest in decades

China recorded one of its slowest rates of economic growth in decades last year, data showed Friday, as leaders nervously eye a potential trade standoff with incoming US president Donald Trump.

Nintendo shares tumble as Switch 2 preview disappoints

Nintendo shares tumbled more than six percent Friday after the Japanese games giant failed to impress with a brief video preview of its new Switch 2 console.

Insurance access for US homeowners with higher climate risks declines

Homeowners in areas of the United States with the highest climate-related risks saw declining access to insurance, a Treasury Department report released Thursday said.

Wall Street rally loses steam as European luxury shares advance

Wall Street equities finished lower Thursday following a mixed US retail sales report, while European luxury stocks pushed higher following strong results from Cartier owner Richemont.

China set to post sluggish growth as doldrums deepen

China is set on Friday to post some of its weakest growth in decades, as leaders grapple with economic doldrums and nervously eye a potential trade standoff with incoming US President Donald Trump.

Surf star Slater pays tribute as Quiksilver co-founder Green dies

Surf star Kelly Slater paid tribute on Thursday to Alan Green, the man who launched his career, after the co-founder of the iconic Quiksilver brand died aged 77.

LIV Golf sign United States broadcast deal with Fox Sports

LIV Golf has signed a multi-year broadcast deal in the United States with Fox Sports, the first time the Saudi-backed league will be shown on mainstream sports television in the game's biggest market.

Slovak entrepreneur funding rescue of German flying taxi startup

A Slovak entrepreneur is providing most of the funds to rescue a German flying taxi startup that came close to collapse last month, the firm's new backers said Thursday.

The Japan Times - Economy (English)