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Chinese property giant Vanke warns of huge loss, CEO resigns

Indebted Chinese property giant Vanke said Monday that its CEO had resigned due to "health reasons", after state-backed media reported he had been taken away by authorities.

Taiwan identifies 52 'suspicious' Chinese ships for close monitoring

Taiwan has identified 52 "suspicious" Chinese-owned ships flying flags of convenience that require close monitoring if detected near the island, the coast guard said Monday, as Taipei seeks to protect its subsea telecoms cables.

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Canadian fund drops bid for Spanish pharma firm Grifols

Canadian investment fund Brookfield said Wednesday it has dropped its bid for Spanish pharmaceutical firm Grifols following disagreement over its valuation.

Mexico says Trump tariffs would cost 400,000 US jobs

Mexico said Wednesday the United States will be shooting itself in the foot if President-elect Donald Trump implements his threats to impose 25-percent tariffs on Mexican imports.

Car-centric Saudi to open first part of Riyadh Metro

Saudi Arabia announced Wednesday it is ready to open the first part of the Riyadh Metro, a major project intended to help shift the car-centric kingdom to public transport.

Spain factory explosion kills three, injures seven

An explosion in a plastics factory near the southeastern Spanish city of Alicante killed three people and injured seven on Wednesday, emergency services said.

US Fed's favored inflation gauge ticks up in October

US inflation -- set to be a key issue for incoming president Donald Trump -- accelerated slightly last month, according to data published Wednesday, underscoring price pressures in the world's largest economy.

Volkswagen to sell operations in China's Xinjiang

German car giant Volkswagen said Wednesday it would sell its operations in China's Xinjiang region, where Beijing has been accused of widespread human rights abuses including forced labour.

EasyJet annual profit rises 40% on package holidays

British no-frills airline EasyJet on Wednesday reported a 40-percent rise in annual net profit on strong demand for its package holidays.

Greeks finally get Thessaloniki metro after two-decade wait

Greece's second city Thessaloniki will unveil its new subway system more than a decade late on Saturday after the project was dogged by archaeological challenges and financial difficulties.

New EU commission to get all clear with big push on defence and economy

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen warned Wednesday that Europe has "no time to waste" to boost its defences and competitiveness, as European lawmakers prepared to greenlight her new executive to start work.

Australia takes step to ban under 16s from social media

Australian lawmakers moved a step closer to banning under 16s from social media platforms Wednesday, threatening companies that fail to comply with multimillion-dollar fines.

Volkswagen says to sell operations in China's Xinjiang

German car giant Volkswagen said Wednesday it would sell its operations in China's Xinjiang region, where Beijing has been accused of widespread human rights abuses including forced labour.

Ireland has a cultural moment, from rock and books to cinema

From Sally Rooney's bestsellers to actor Paul Mescal, Ireland, which holds a general election this week, has been enjoying a cultural and creative renaissance in recent years.

Vietnamese EV maker Vinfast reports $550 million Q3 loss

Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer VinFast reported a net loss of $550 million for the third quarter, less than the same period last year as the firm recorded an uptick in sales.

Five forgotten conflicts of 2024

The wars in the Mideast and Ukraine-Russia have dominated world headlines in 2024 but several other conflicts are ravaging countries and regions.

Trump names trade envoy, top economic advisor to fill policy team

Donald Trump on Tuesday named Jamieson Greer his trade representative, a key figure in implementing the president-elect's economic agenda, particularly his plans to use tariffs to raise revenue and help bring more manufacturing to US shores.

China expected to hit peak coal consumption in 2025: report

China's coal consumption could peak by 2025 as the world's top consumer of the fossil fuel ramps up its push for clean energy, a report published on Wednesday said.

What to expect from the new EU top team's first 100 days

Ursula von der Leyen's new European Commission is expected to officially start its work next week, with the European Parliament set to give it the all-clear in Strasbourg on Wednesday.

New EU commission to get all clear as daunting task awaits

The European Parliament is set Wednesday to give the final greenlight for EU chief Ursula von der Leyen's new executive to start work, as the bloc faces mounting challenges.

German family winery taps into zero-alcohol trend

Alcohol-free drinks are becoming ever more popular, especially with health-conscious younger people -- a trend cheered by a small German winery based in a Rhine Valley castle.

Paddington: the affable bear who became a lucrative business

Paddington, the affable clumsy bear from British children's books, has transformed into an international sensation over the past decade, thanks to a clever film strategy and with the help of the royal family.

Asian markets mixed as traders eye fresh trade tensions

Asian markets were mixed Wednesday as traders tried to gauge the economic outlook after Donald Trump picked a tough-negotiating hawk as his trade envoy the day after saying he would hit China, Canada and Mexico with hefty tariffs.

Bolivia announces $1 bn deal with China to build lithium plants

Bolivia said Tuesday it had signed a $1 billion deal with China's CBC, a subsidiary of the world's largest lithium battery producer CATL, to build two lithium carbonate production plants in the country's southwest.

Austria's "Breaking Grounds - Social Change through Sport" Receives Recognition from UNAOC-BMW Group's Intercultural Innovation Hub

"Breaking Grounds - Social Change through Sport", based in Austria, is one of ten global grassroots initiatives recognized by the prestigious Intercultural Innovation Hub, a joint initiative of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and the BMW Group, implemented with the support of Accenture, during a Ceremony held in the framework of the 10th UNAOC Global Forum in Cascais, Portugal under the theme "United in Peace: Restoring Trust, Reshaping the Future - Reflecting on Two Decades of Dialogue for Humanity". The Forum convened prominent figures, political leaders, UN officials including the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, as well as representatives from civil society, academia, and the private sector, to share insights and reflect on the 20 years of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations' impactful work.

Trump tariffs threat casts chill over Canada

Canada was scrambling Tuesday to blunt the impact of US President-elect Donald Trump's threat to implement steep tariffs once he takes office, as experts warned of a potentially "catastrophic" hit to the Canadian economy.

Trump tariff vow drives choppy day for markets

European markets closed lower on Tuesday while Wall Street bounced as investors digested incoming US president Donald Trump's warning that he would impose huge new tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada, raising fears of a trade war.

Prosecutors seek up to 15-year terms for French rape trial defendants

French prosecutors on Tuesday demanded sentences of up to 15 years for the remaining co-defendants in the trial of a man charged with enlisting dozens of strangers to rape his wife while she was drugged and unconscious.

Carrefour attempts damage control against Brazil 'boycott'

French supermarket group Carrefour attempted Tuesday to end a supplier "boycott" of its stores in Brazil by apologizing for refusing to sell Mercosur-origin meat in its outlets in France.

Namibians heads to the polls wanting change

The mix of people milling around Windhoek's Zoo Park reflect the hopes and disappointments of Namibians who head to the polls Wednesday in a test for the party that brought independence 34 years ago but has left many feeling let down.

Sales of new US homes lowest in around two years: govt

New home sales in the United States fell short of analyst expectations in October, hitting the lowest rate since late 2022, according to government data released Tuesday, with mortgage rates ticking up during the month.

Stocks, dollar mixed on Trump tariff warning

Choppy trading hit stock markets on Tuesday as investors digested Donald Trump's warning that he would impose huge new tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada when he takes over as US president in January.

Stocks retreat, dollar mixed on Trump tariff warning

Stock markets retreated and the dollar was mixed Tuesday after Donald Trump warned he would impose huge new tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada immediately on taking over as US president in January.

No regrets: Merkel looks back at refugee crisis, Russia ties

Germany's former chancellor Angela Merkel gives a spirited defence of her 16 years at the helm of Europe's top economy in her memoir "Freedom", released in 30 languages on Tuesday.

The Japan Times - Economy (English)