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Japan PM says Trump tariffs a 'national crisis'

US President Donald Trump's tariffs on Japanese goods are a "national crisis", Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Friday ahead of cross-party talks on mitigating the impact.

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.

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Stocks mostly fall on tepid Walmart outlook, geopolitical worries

Global stock markets mostly fell on Thursday and gold hit a record high as traders fretted over the impact of US President Donald Trump's tariffs and a pivot in Washington's policy on Ukraine.

Bond franchise shake-up moves spy into Amazon stable

In a move that looks set to shake -- and maybe even stir -- one of Hollywood's most bankable franchises, Amazon MGM Studio is to take creative control of James Bond, as the fictional British spy's long-time producers step back.

New York seeks hundreds of millions of dollars in 'vaping epidemic' case

The top law officer in the US state of New York said Thursday she would seek hundreds of millions of dollars in penalties from 13 top e-cigarette makers, distributors and sellers for "fueling the youth vaping epidemic."

Spotify adds more AI-generated audiobooks

Spotify on Thursday began accepting audiobooks narrated by digital voices created by artificial intelligence software firm ElevenLabs, pitching it as a cost-effective option for authors.

Stocks in the red as investors worry about growth and inflation

Global stock markets turned lower on Thursday and gold hit a record high as traders fretted over the impact of US President Donald Trump's tariffs and immigration measures on growth and inflation.

Bond franchise shifts to Amazon as Broccoli family steps back

Amazon MGM Studios will take creative control of the James Bond franchise following a landmark joint venture agreement with longtime producers Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, the parties announced Thursday.

Unfair? Figures belie Trump's claims on EU trade balance

President Donald Trump repeatedly claims that US-EU trade ties are unfair and that Europe is abusing the United States as justification for threatening tariffs.

Stock markets mostly lower on Fed concerns over Trump policies

Global stock markets turned mostly lower 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.

France moves to ban marriage for undocumented migrants

France's Senate on Thursday backed a bill to ban undocumented immigrants from getting married in France as the government seeks to clamp down on illegal immigration, in a draft law the left has described as unconstitutional.

Walmart sales rise but shares tumble on forecast

Walmart reported solid fourth-quarter results Thursday behind higher US sales, but shares tumbled after its quarterly and annual projections missed estimates.

Spain court convicts ex-football chief for sexual assualt over forced kiss

A Spanish court on Thursday convicted former football chief Luis Rubiales of sexual assault over the forced kiss he gave star forward Jenni Hermoso and fined him 10,800 euros ($11,300).

Mercedes-Benz flags cost cuts, tough year ahead after torrid 2024

Mercedes-Benz warned of looming cost cuts Thursday and gave a bleak outlook for 2025 after its profits plunged almost a third last year amid a slump in China and slowing electric car sales.

ECB rate hikes result in record loss in 2024

The European Central bank on Thursday reported a record loss in 2024 after it had aggressively hiked eurozone interest rates in response to soaring inflation.

Romanian director Jude shoots latest film in 10 days on an iPhone

Romanian director Radu Jude is hoping for a second victory at the Berlin film festival with his latest production which was shot on an iPhone in just 10 days.

Stock markets mixed on Fed concern over Trump policies

Global stock markets were mixed 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.

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.

The Japan Times - Economy (English)