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Certain foreign firms must 'self-certify' with Trump diversity rules: US embassies

The United States is not planning to verify foreign firms over their diversity programmes but needs certain companies to self-certify compliance with new US rules, two of its main European embassies said Wednesday, after a furore over an apparent warning sent to European companies.

Nigerian president sacks board of state oil company

President Bola Tinubu dismissed the entire leadership of Nigeria's state-run oil company Wednesday, naming a former Shell executive to lead the outfit in a sweeping overhaul that one commentator described as "long overdue".

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Birkenstock sandals are not art, German court rules

They may be the trendy footwear of choice for Hollywood A-listers and pop stars, but Birkenstock sandals are not works of art, Germany's top court ruled Thursday.

Markets drop, gold hits record on Fed concern over Trump policies

Equity markets turned negative on Thursday and gold hit a record high amid Federal Reserve concerns that US President Donald Trump's tariffs and immigration measures could reignite inflation.

Airbus profit climbs in 2024, aims to accelerate output

European aircraft maker Airbus said Thursday net profits rose in 2024 as it boosted plane deliveries and set a goal of accelerating them further.

Airbus proft climbs in 2024, aims to accelerate output

European aircraft maker Airbus said Thursday net profits rose in 2024 as it boosted plane deliveries and set a goal of accelerating them further.

Trump says trade deal with China 'possible'

US President Donald Trump suggested on Wednesday that a trade deal was "possible" with China -- a key target in the US leader's tariffs policy.

Mercedes-Benz profits plunge as German carmakers reel

Mercedes-Benz said Thursday it planned hefty cost cuts after its 2024 profits plunged by almost a third amid a slump in China and weak electric car sales, as Germany's auto sector reels.

Berlin film festival nurtures portraits of messy motherhood

Films laying bare the strains and difficulties of modern motherhood are grabbing the spotlight at this year's Berlin film festival, with three fresh takes on an age-old theme all produced by women directors.

Renault revs up profitability in 2024

Renault confirmed on Thursday it defied headwinds in the car industry by boosting revenue and attaining record profitability in 2024 thanks to the success of its new line up of vehicles, although net profit sank as it scaled back its partnership with Nissan.

Japan's trade minister arranging US trip: reports

Japan's trade minister is arranging a visit to the United States in coming weeks to seek exemptions from President Donald Trump's tariffs, local media said Thursday.

Eyeing China and US, EU hopes clean tech boost will spark growth

How do you solve Europe's lagging economic growth and reverse its industrial decline? That is the challenge the EU faces as the bloc comes under fierce pressure from US President Donald Trump's tariffs and a rising China.

Trump considering 'alternatives' to Boeing for Air Force One contract

Donald Trump said Thursday his administration was "looking at alternatives" to Boeing following delays in delivering two new models of the US presidential Air Force One plane.

Afghanistan problem 'can be solved': former women's affairs minister

Afghanistan has been cloaked in "darkness" since the return of the Taliban government three and a half years ago, but the country's former women's affairs minister insists the problem "can be solved".

Lights out for Indonesia civil servants as Prabowo cuts budgets

From office lights switched off to out-of-service lifts, Indonesian civil servants are feeling the pinch after President Prabowo Subianto ordered sweeping budget cuts across government that he said will fund his big-ticket campaign pledges.

London Fashion Week launches with ode to gender fluid designs

London Fashion Week opens Thursday with designer Harris Reed's striking silhouettes celebrating gender fluid fashion, kicking off a slimmed down schedule with several absentees.

Asian markets drop as Fed flags concern over Trump policies

Asian markets turned negative Thursday amid Federal Reserve concerns that US President Donald Trump's tariffs and immigration measures could reignite inflation.

Heated immigration debate complicates Germany's search for workers

Hospital manager Kathrin Leffler says she worries Germany's tense pre-election debate on immigration will make it harder to recruit enough skilled workers from abroad to fill a growing labour shortage.

Australia seeks to turn failing steel plant into 'green' hub

A failing Australian metals plant will be transformed into a hub for making "green iron and steel", Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Thursday as the government stepped in with a billion-dollar rescue package.

Conservative Merz leads Germany's turbulent election race

When Germans vote on Sunday, conservative Friedrich Merz is the strong favourite to become the next chancellor after a bitterly fought campaign roiled by the rise of the AfD, a far-right party vocally backed by Team Trump.

After rocky road, Havana's 'Cathedral of Ice Cream' back in from the cold

For three months, residents of Havana were deprived of a rare affordable treat when their beloved state-owned Coppelia ice cream parlor closed its doors -- another victim of tough economic times.

Indonesia industrial coal power plans undercut emissions pledge: report

Indonesia's planned expansion of "captive" coal plants used to power industry is threatening its pledge to cut CO2 emissions by 2030 and close all coal-fired plants by a decade later, said a report published Thursday.

Trump moves to end New York congestion pricing, sparking legal challenge

The US government on Wednesday moved to kill New York's nascent congestion pricing scheme designed to ease traffic and finance public transport by imposing tolls on drivers in Manhattan -- a first-in-the-nation plan President Donald Trump had vowed to quash.

Stock markets pressured by Trump auto tariff threat

Global stocks were under pressure Wednesday after US President Donald Trump broadened his tariff threats, leaving European bourses lower even as the S&P 500 notched a fresh record.

Trump's labor nominee walks back pro-union stances

Donald Trump's labor secretary nominee on Wednesday distanced herself from previous pro-union stances that sparked Republican criticism, as she called herself a champion of the US president's "America First agenda."

Apple adds lower-price iPhone 16e to line-up

Apple on Wednesday introduced a new iPhone 16e model with a lower price tag as the company seeks to revive sales of its iconic device.

Ikea hopes for furniture market improvement in 2026

World number-one furniture retailer Ikea is hoping the market will improve next year from a decline in consumer spending on furnishing their homes, one of its senior leaders told AFP.

Game, set, hate: WTA stars reveal fears after Raducanu's Dubai shock

Iga Swiatek on Wednesday praised the WTA's "solid" action after a fearful Emma Raducanu broke down in tears at the sight of a "fixated" fan in Dubai while teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva admitted she regularly receives "hateful messages" whenever she loses.

Tajikistan to publish new dress 'guidelines' for women

Tajikistan said Wednesday it would publish a new book updating the country's dress "guidelines" for women, tightening the secular state's policing of women's clothing.

Stock markets skid after Trump threatens auto tariffs

Global stock markets mostly fell Wednesday after US President Donald Trump broadened his tariff threats, stoking wider trade war fears.

Glencore looks to leave London Stock Exchange as falls into loss

Swiss mining and commodity trading giant Glencore said Wednesday it was considering shifting its stock listing from London after it stumbled into a net loss last year on falling coal prices and writing down the value of assets.

Stock markets fall as traders assess latest tariffs volley

European and Asian markets mostly fell Wednesday after US President Donald Trump broadened his tariff threats stoking wider trade war fears.

BAE profits boosted by defence spending amid Ukraine war

British military equipment maker BAE Systems on Wednesday announced a five percent rise in annual net profit, boosted by government defence spending amid the war in Ukraine.

Asset writedowns push Glencore into $1.6 bn loss for 2024

Swiss mining and commodity trading giant Glencore said Wednesday that falling coal prices and writedowns to the value of its assets pushed it into a net loss for 2024.

The Japan Times - Economy (English)