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Trump signs executive order establishing 'Strategic Bitcoin Reserve'

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday establishing a "Strategic Bitcoin Reserve," forcefully endorsing a currency once shunned as a tool for money launderers.

Australian casino firm scrambles for cash to survive

Troubled Australian casino operator Star Entertainment said Friday it is trying to sell its stake in a major resort to raise desperately needed cash.

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France asks EU to delay rights, environment business rules

France on Friday asked the European Union to suspend "indefinitely" landmark new rules on environmental and human rights supply chain standards, saying they were too burdensome for businesses.

Troubled Burberry shows sign of recovery despite sales drop

British fashion house Burberry announced Friday a further decline in sales, hit by weak demand in China, but the troubled group is showing signs of recovery under new leadership.

Italy's Monte dei Paschi bids 13.3 bn euros for Mediobanca

Italian bank Monte dei Paschi di Siena said Friday that it was launching a bid for its larger rival Mediobanca in a potential 13.3 billion euro ($13.9 billion) deal that could help reshape the country's banking sector.

How the Taliban restrict women's lives in Afghanistan

The Taliban authorities that rule Afghanistan have imposed a severe interpretation of Islamic law on the population, heavily restricting all aspects of women's lives.

Bank of Japan hikes interest rate to 17-year high, boosts yen

The Bank of Japan increased interest rates on Friday to their highest in 17 years and signalled more hikes to come, sending the yen higher against the dollar.

Catalonia eyes reversal of business exodus after big bank returns

Spanish business circles believe banking giant Sabadell's decision to return its headquarters to Catalonia will entice back the thousands of firms that fled after the region's botched 2017 independence bid.

Tajikistan launches crackdown on 'witchcraft' and fortune-telling

In a block of flats in Tajikistan's capital Dushanbe, a turbaned woman cautiously opened the door of her apartment a chink, letting out a waft of incense.

Bank of Japan hikes interest rate to 17-year high, signals more

The Bank of Japan hiked interest rates on Friday to their highest level in 17 years and signalled more were in the pipeline despite fears of turmoil under US President Donald Trump.

Asian markets build on Trump rally, yen climbs after BoJ cut

Asian markets rose Friday after a record day on Wall Street in response to Donald Trump's tax-cut pledge, while the yen strengthened after a widely expected interest rate hike by the Bank of Japan.

Asian markets build on Trump rally, yen steady ahead of BoJ

Asian markets rose Friday after a record day on Wall Street in response to Donald Trump's tax-cut pledge, while the yen weakened slightly ahead of an expected interest rate hike by the Bank of Japan later in the day.

Fear in US border city as Trump launches immigration overhaul

Venezuelan Josnexcy Martinez, who is staying at a shelter in a Texas border city, said she's afraid of getting swept up in a raid targeting migrants even though she entered the country legally.

242 mn children's schooling disrupted by climate shocks in 2024: UNICEF

Extreme weather disrupted the schooling of about 242 million children in 85 countries last year -- roughly one in seven students, the UN children's agency reported Thursday, deploring an "overlooked" aspect of the climate crisis.

US Republicans pressure Democrats with 'born-alive' abortion bill

US House Republicans approved a bill on Thursday that would ensure medical care for infants born alive during abortion procedures, in a vote largely labeled a gimmick by Democrats since such laws already exist.

Trump Davos address lifts S&P 500 to record, dents oil prices

The S&P 500 finished at a fresh all-time record Thursday as US stocks shrugged off early weakness, welcoming President Donald Trump's pledge to cut corporate taxes.

Between laughs and 'disaster', Trump divides Davos

As Donald Trump appeared on giant screens at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the world's rich and powerful rapturously applauded and snapped photos of the US leader. But by the end, the crowd had mixed feelings.

Hundreds of people protest ahead of Swiss Davos meeting

Some 300 people including two millionaires protested in Davos Sunday ahead of next week's gathering of the global elite at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in the Swiss Alps.

Sacklers, Purdue to pay $7.4 bn over opioid crisis

Several US states have reached a $7.4 billion settlement with the Sackler family and their pharmaceutical company Purdue over the opioid crisis that has ravaged the lives of millions of Americans, officials said Thursday.

US falling behind on wind power, think tank warns

The United States is falling behind the European Union in the rollout of wind power and risks being overtaken by China, a think tank said Thursday, days after Trump announced a crackdown on new wind projects.

US news giant CNN eyes 200 job cuts, streaming overhaul

US news network CNN will shed six percent of staff, some 200 people, the outlet said Thursday as it embarks on a major shakeup of staffing and programing amid a deluge of political news.

Rubio chooses Central America for first trip amid Panama Canal pressure

Marco Rubio will pay his first trip as US secretary of state to Central American nations including Panama, where President Donald Trump has threatened to seize the Panama Canal, a spokeswoman said Thursday.

Wall Street's AI-fuelled rally falters, oil slumps

A tech-fuelled rally on Wall Street faltered on Thursday as concerns about interest rates and high stock valuations sapped investor confidence.

Trump tells Davos elites: produce in US or pay tariffs

US President Donald Trump issued a blunt warning to global elites in a video message to the World Economic Forum on Thursday: Make your product in the United States or pay tariffs.

American Airlines shares fall on lackluster 2025 profit outlook

Shares of American Airlines plunged Thursday after the carrier released a disappointing 2025 profit outlook even as its earnings topped expectations in the most recent quarter.

Wall Street's AI-fuelled rally falters

A tech-fuelled rally on Wall Street faltered on Thursday as concerns about interest rates and high stock valuations sapped investor confidence.

Drinking water in many French cities contaminated: study

A type of "forever chemical" linked to health problems and birth defects has been found in the tap water of many French cities and towns including Paris, according to a study released on Thursday.

After Musk gesture, activists project 'Heil' on Tesla plant

Political activists in Germany said Thursday they had projected an image of Elon Musk's infamous raised-arm salute and the word "Heil" onto the outside of his Tesla plant.

Nearly 2,000 LGBTQ couples wed as Thai same-sex marriage law comes into force

Almost 2,000 same-sex and transgender couples married in Thailand on Thursday as the kingdom's equal marriage law went into effect in a first for Southeast Asia.

ICC prosecutor seeks arrest of Taliban leaders over persecution of women

The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor on Thursday said he was seeking arrest warrants against senior Taliban leaders in Afghanistan over the persecution of women, a crime against humanity.

Syria's economy reborn after being freed from Assad

When Bashar al-Assad ruled Syria, merchants like Youssef Rajab kept much of their imported stock hidden for fear of arrest for breaking the law.

Stocks mainly rise after Wall Street's AI-fuelled rally

Global stock markets mostly rose Thursday following a tech-fuelled rally on Wall Street spurred by US president Donald Trump's massive AI-investment announcement.

J-pop star Nakai to retire after sexual misconduct allegations

One of Japan's best-known pop stars and TV hosts announced his retirement Thursday after sexual misconduct allegations, in the latest scandal to rock the country's entertainment industry.

Leaky, crowded and hot: Louvre boss slams her own museum

The head of the Louvre in Paris has warned the government about leaks, overcrowding and sub-standard catering in a confidential note that has raised alarm about the state of the world's most-visited museum.

The Japan Times - Economy (English)