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Paris workshop delivers ultra-realistic film prop babies

In a workshop outside Paris, Celine Lallement stitched hairs into a silicone baby's skull -- the latest creation from a studio specialised in making ultra-realistic infants for the film and TV industries.

Baltics begin decoupling from Russian power grid

The Baltic states on Saturday began cutting ties with Russia's power grid in order to integrate with Europe's system, a years-long process that gained urgency with Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

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Asian markets rise on talk Biden to roll back some China tariffs

Asian markets rose Tuesday on growing speculation US President Joe Biden is about to roll back some of the Trump-era tariffs on Chinese goods as he looks for ways to rein in inflation, though sentiment remains at a premium owing to fears of a recession.

'Guerrilla' sales, crowdsourcing: Japan's game console crunch

It's still dark when the line starts forming outside an electronics store in Tokyo, as desperate gamers try to snag the latest PlayStation or Xbox despite chronic shortages in Japan.

Indigenous protests cost Ecuador $1 bn, central bank says

Eighteen days of protests over the cost of living by Indigenous Ecuadorans who blocked roads and oil wells cost the country at least $1 billion, the central bank said Monday as the movement's leader went on trial.

UK drivers in go-slow protest over surging fuel prices

Protesters snarled up major UK roads on Monday with a slow-moving procession of vehicles to demand government action against rocketing fuel prices.

Central African Republic dives into crypto with the Sango

Undeterred by the turmoil hitting crypto, the Central African Republic (CAR) -- one of the poorest and most troubled countries in the world -- has unveiled plans to launch its own digital currency.

European equities recover as optimism creeps back in

Europe's stocks recovered somewhat Monday as investors tentatively regained some optimism following the heavy losses in the financial markets last week on fears that rising interest rates could spark recession.

Russia holds key Ukraine city in setback for Kyiv

Russian troops were on Monday holding the strategic Ukrainian city of Lysychansk after Kyiv's forces retreated, in a major boost for Russia's campaign to seize the entire Donbas region of eastern Ukraine.

Stocks fluctuate as traders fret over recession

Markets swung Monday as traders fret over a possible recession caused by central bank interest rate hikes aimed at fighting soaring inflation.

Funding and politics hit N.Ireland abortion services

Campaigners in Northern Ireland are closely watching US moves to restrict abortion, particularly concerns that women will now have to travel across states for terminations.

Chinese developer Shimao misses $1 bn bond payment

Chinese developer Shimao Group said it has failed to make payment on a $1 billion bond that matured Sunday, one of the biggest such defaults so far this year in the country's troubled property sector.

Bezos slams Biden appeal for lower gasoline prices

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has criticized President Joe Biden for calling on oil companies to lower sky-high gasoline prices, prompting the White House to come to the US leader's defense on Sunday.

US officials urge calm after releasing video of police killing Black man

Authorities in the US state of Ohio appealed for calm Sunday after releasing body camera footage that showed police fatally shooting a Black man with several dozen rounds.

W.African bloc lifts Mali sanctions, agrees on Burkina transition

West African leaders on Sunday lifted sanctions on Mali's military regime, accepting a March 2024 return to civilian rule, and agreed on two years for Burkina Faso's transition back to democracy, delegates at a regional summit said.

Russia claims key Ukraine city, shelling kills 6 in Sloviansk

Russia claimed on Sunday to have captured the strategic Ukrainian city of Lysychansk and the entire frontline Lugansk region as a mayor said six people were killed by Russian shelling to the west.

Sri Lanka grinds to a halt as fuel reserves shrink

Sri Lanka has less than a day's worth of fuel left, the energy minister said Sunday, with public transport grinding to a halt as the country's economic crisis deepened.

Life resumes near Ukraine frontline despite war threat

Viktoria Miroshnichenko has just reopened her toy store in Kramatorsk, a city near the frontline in eastern Ukraine, despite the daily sound of bombing roaring in the distance.

US multinationals grapple with soaring dollar

The rapid rise of the US dollar since the start of the year is a double-edged sword for American multinational companies, pushing some of them to decide whether to hedge or reposition their activities abroad to avoid fallout.

Battle rages for Ukraine city, Belarus says downed missiles

Fighting raged for the strategic Ukrainian city Lysychansk on Saturday, as Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said his army had intercepted missiles fired on his territory by Kyiv's forces.

Tesla deliveries fall with temporary closure of China factory

Tesla's deliveries of electric vehicles fell in the second quarter compared to the previous one due mainly to a weeks-long closure of its factory in China, the company said Saturday.

London marks 50 years of Pride

London on Saturday celebrated the 50th anniversary of its first Pride parade, marking half a century of progress in the fight for equality and tolerance but with warnings that more still needs to be done.

Pro-Russia rebels claim to 'encircle' key city, Ukraine denies

Fighting raged Saturday for Ukraine's strategic Lysychansk, as Kyiv denied a claim by Moscow-backed separatists that they had encircled the eastern city.

Ukraine's Zelensky accuses Russia of 'terror' as missiles rain down

Missiles rained down on Ukraine killing many civilians and wounding dozens in built up areas as the weekend began, prompting President Volodymyr Zelensky to accuse Russia of state "terror".

Outgunned island states vow to fight deep-sea mining

A handful of postage-stamp nations in the South Pacific launched an uphill battle this week against the deep-sea mining of unattached, fist-sized rocks rich in rare Earth metals.

Global stocks mixed as eurozone inflation hits record

Wall Street stocks shrugged off early weakness to begin the second half of 2022 on a solid note Friday, but record eurozone inflation underscored the potential for more turbulence ahead.

Automakers reports lower Q2 US sales as supply chain woes persist

General Motors, Toyota and other automakers suffered a hit to US sales in the latest quarter as supply chain woes continued to crimp inventories, according to results released Friday.

History made as first same-sex couples marry in Switzerland

With smiles, pride and emotion, the first same-sex couples tied the knot in Switzerland on Friday following a referendum that changed the landscape for LGBTQ rights in the country.

Ukraine says Russian missiles kill 21 near Odessa

Missiles slammed into a Ukrainian apartment building and a recreation centre early Friday, killing 21 people and wounding dozens in the Odessa region, in attacks swiftly condemned by Germany.

GM reports lower Q2 sales as supply chain woes persist

General Motors reported a 15 percent drop in US auto sales in the second quarter as supply chain woes continued to crimp inventories.

Google to pay $90 mn in settlement with app developers

Google will fund a $90-million settlement to small app developers who had alleged the technology giant abused its market position, according to statements seen by AFP Friday.

Strikes kill 21 in Ukraine's Odessa

Missile strikes slammed into a residential building and a recreation centre early Friday, killing 21 people and wounding dozens in Ukraine's Odessa region, in attacks swiftly condemned by Germany.

Flights cancelled in Spain due to Ryanair, EasyJet strikes

Nine flights to and from Spain were cancelled on Friday and dozens of others delayed due to the latest strike by cabin crew at low-cost airlines Ryanair and EasyJet.

Strikes kill 19 in Ukraine's Odessa

Missile strikes killed 19 people and wounded dozens in Ukraine's Odessa region Friday, a day after Russian troops abandoned positions on a strategic island in a major setback to the Kremlin's invasion.

Japan warns on 'interests' after Russia gas project decree

Japan's energy "interests must not be undermined", Tokyo said Friday, after Moscow issued a decree transferring operations of a key oil and gas project to a new Russian company.

Strikes kill 18 in Ukraine's Odessa

Missile strikes killed 18 people and wounded dozens in Ukraine's Odessa region Friday, a day after Russian troops abandoned positions on a strategic island in a major setback to the Kremlin's invasion.

Asian markets drop with traders gripped by recession fear

Asian markets struggled again Friday following another selloff on Wall Street fuelled by recession fears, with warnings of a bleak outlook for the global economy as central banks slam on the brakes to battle soaring inflation.

17 dead in southern Ukraine strikes, after Russia quits Snake Island

At least 17 people were killed and dozens wounded Friday in missile strikes on Ukraine's Odessa region, a day after Russian troops abandoned positions on a strategic island in a major setback to the Kremlin's invasion.

Bankrupt Sri Lanka's inflation jumps beyond 50%

Sri Lanka's inflation hit a ninth consecutive record in June, official data showed Friday, rising to 54.6 percent a day after the IMF asked the bankrupt nation to rein in galloping prices and corruption.

Nine anti-coup protesters killed in Sudan mass rallies

At least nine Sudanese demonstrators were killed Thursday as security forces sought to quash mass rallies of protesters demanding an end to military rule, pro-democracy medics said.

Argentina's black market dollar trade: illegal but part of life

It is hard to come by but ever-present on the mind of average Argentines: the US dollar, whose value relative to the feeble peso is a barometer for an economy in crisis.

The Japan Times - Economy (English)