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OpenAI chief Altman inks deal with S. Korea's Kakao after DeepSeek upset

OpenAI chief Sam Altman inked a deal with tech giant Kakao in South Korea on Tuesday as the US firm seeks new alliances after Chinese rival DeepSeek shook the global AI industry.

How China could respond to Trump's new tariffs

From retaliatory tariffs on US goods like car parts and soy beans to controls on raw minerals essential for American manufacturing -- analysts say China has plenty of options if it wants to reply to fresh US levies.

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Energy prices push Spanish inflation to 37-year high

Spanish inflation has surged to a near 37-year high due to soaring energy prices following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, official data showed Wednesday, adding pressure on the government.

Most markets rally on Russia pledge, but traders cautious

Most stocks rose again Wednesday as investors gave a cautious welcome to Russia's pledge to "radically" wind down military activity around two cities including Kyiv, lifting hopes for a ceasefire in the month-long Ukraine war.

10-hour power cuts in Sri Lanka as crisis worsens

Sri Lanka on Wednesday began imposing record nationwide 10-hour daily power cuts as it ran out of hydro-electricity on top of a severe shortage of fuel.

Muslims face frugal Ramadan as Ukraine war drives up food prices

Russia's Ukraine invasion, which has already exacerbated food woes in parts of Africa and the Middle East, is marring preparations for the holy month of Ramadan and forcing a turn to frugal iftar sunset meals.

US to stress economic independence to counter 'unfair' China trade practices

The US should focus on achieving economic independence from China rather than pressuring Beijing to change "unfair" trade practices, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai will suggest Wednesday, as a shift in strategy toward the Asian giant.

Russia accused of causing 'global food crisis' at UN

Russia was accused before the UN Security Council on Tuesday of having caused a "global food crisis" and putting people at risk of "famine" by starting the war in Ukraine, which serves as a breadbasket for Europe.

Thousands march in Haiti in anger over surge in kidnappings

Thousands of people demonstrated Tuesday in Haiti to denounce a surge in kidnappings and the lack of action by the government of Prime Minister Ariel Henry to protect the population from crime gangs.

European, US stocks rise on hopes for Ukraine peace talks

European and US stocks rallied while oil prices retreated on Tuesday as apparent progress in peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv fueled hopes of an end to the Ukraine conflict.

Oil prices sink, stocks surge on Ukraine hopes after talks

World oil prices dived and European and US stocks rallied on Tuesday as apparent progress in peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv sparked hope of an end to the Ukraine conflict.

Struggling Everton post £120m losses

Premier League strugglers Everton recorded losses of £120.9 million ($157 million) in the last financial year, but are set to avoid being held in breach of profit and sustainability rules.

France's Decathlon shuts Russian stores as others defy pressure

French sports retailer Decathlon said Tuesday it was suspending sales at its stores in Russia following calls to boycott the group and other French companies for keeping their operations running.

Cathay plans world's longest passenger flight, avoids Russian airspace

Cathay Pacific is planning the world's longest passenger flight by rerouting its New York to Hong Kong service over the Atlantic instead of the Pacific, the airline said Tuesday, in a new path that steers clear of Russia.

Becker doesn't know where his Wimbledon trophies are

Former Wimbledon champion Boris Becker has told a London court he does not know the whereabouts of his All England Club trophies.

Oil prices sink, stocks surge on Ukraine talks 'progress'

World oil prices dived and European stocks rallied on Tuesday as apparent progress in peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv sparked hope of an end to the Ukraine conflict.

French family leapt off balcony one by one: Swiss police

A French family gripped by conspiracy theories jumped one after the other from their seventh-floor apartment in the Swiss town of Montreux, police investigating the mystery said Tuesday.

Oil volatility 'worse' without OPEC+ bloc that includes Russia: Saudi

Volatility on oil markets sparked by Russia's invasion of Ukraine would be worse without OPEC+, the Saudi energy minister said on Tuesday, insisting the alliance that includes Russia deserves credit.

World stock markets rally as Ukraine peace talks resume

Stock markets mostly rallied Tuesday on investor optimism as the latest peace talks kicked off between Ukraine and Russia.

Saving nature: Conserving 30% of the land, sea just the start

Expanding nature reserves to cover at least 30 percent of the planet by 2030 is the flagship proposal of high-stakes talks to rescue Earth's animals and plants from human destruction.

Asian, European markets rise as ceasefire talks begin

Equities mostly rose Tuesday in Asia and Europe on optimism over talks between Ukraine and Russia aimed at ending their month-long war, while there was further support from another drop in oil prices.

Asti Spumante bubbles popped by Ukraine war

Its sweet bubbles made Asti Spumante a favourite in Russia -- but the Ukraine war threatens to cripple Italy's producers, with sales of millions of bottles now at risk.

Cairo to Kyiv: Social media's rocky ride through conflict zones

When Yarema Dukh set up Ukraine's official Twitter account in 2016, he knew that social media was the best way for his country to get its message out.

Rio launches clean-up of gorgeous, filthy bay -- again

Cold beer in hand, the sun shining, Edson Rocha seems to have everything for a beautiful day at the beach.

Bolsonaro ousts Petrobras president after fuel increases: official

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro decided on Monday to replace the president of state-owned oil giant Petrobras, Joaquim Silva e Luna, amid strong pressure due to recurrent increases in fuel prices.

Oil sinks over China demand fears, stocks mixed on Ukraine talks

World oil prices dived Monday as Shanghai's phased Covid lockdown reignited fears over Chinese energy demand.

Spain unveils economic plan to ease Ukraine war impact

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez unveiled plans Monday to offer 16 billion euros ($17.5 billion) in direct aid and loans for families and companies hit by the impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Oil sinks over China demand fears, as stocks rise on Ukraine talks

World oil prices dived Monday as Shanghai's phased Covid lockdown reignited fears over Chinese energy demand.

UAE reaffirms OPEC+ commitment, says West must be 'reasonable'

The United Arab Emirates on Monday urged Western countries to be "reasonable" in their expectations, underlining its commitment to the global OPEC+ energy alliance.

Heineken exits Russia in wake of Ukraine war

Dutch brewer Heineken on Monday joined the foreign business exodus from Russia over the war in Ukraine, saying it was "deeply saddened" to see the conflict intensify.

Huawei reports record net profit as exec Meng makes public return

Chinese telecoms giant Huawei on Monday reported record profit for 2021, defying the US sanctions aimed at it as executive Meng Wanzhou made her first public appearance since returning to China from Canadian custody.

Britain cedes control of bailed-out NatWest bank

Britain announced Monday that it has ceded control of bailed-out bank giant NatWest, cutting its stake to below 50 percent for the first time since the global financial crisis.

Markets mostly rise, eyes on Ukraine talks and Shanghai lockdown

Stock markets mostly rose Monday with traders hoping for progress in ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine this week, though gains were tempered by a phased lockdown in Shanghai that led to fresh concerns about already strained supply chains.

Markets mixed, eyes on Ukraine talks and Shanghai lockdown

Stock markets were mixed Monday with hopes for some progress in ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine this week tempered by a phased lockdown in Shanghai that led to fresh concerns about already strained supply chains.

Taliban ban Afghan women from flying without male relative

The Taliban have ordered airlines in Afghanistan to stop women from boarding flights unless accompanied by a male relative, aviation officials told AFP.

Asian markets mixed, eyes on Ukraine talks and Shanghai lockdown

Asian markets fluctuated Monday with traders hopeful for some progress in ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine this week, though a phased lockdown in Shanghai led to fresh concerns about already strained supply chains.

Last EU train out of Russia arrives in Helsinki

Just after 7pm on Sunday, the Allegro express train from St Petersburg pulled into the Finnish capital, marking the closure of the last rail link between Russia and the EU.

Thousands protest in Madrid against abortion

Thousands of people marched though Madrid on Sunday to protest against abortion, as Spain's leftist government prepares a law to guarantee access to the procedure at public hospitals.

NFT of Mandela's arrest warrant auctioned for $130,000

An NFT version of an arrest warrant for anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela has raised $130,550 at auction, with proceeds going towards a museum preserving the history of South Africa's anti-apartheid struggle.

Mykolaiv residents dare to hope after Russian threat eases

For three weeks, 13-year-old Sofia has been stuck in bed in the basement of a hospital in the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv undergoing three operations that have still not removed all the shrapnel from her skull.

Activists mobilise over Hungary election fraud fears

As Hungary's April 3 general election looms, civil society activists are gearing up to combat what they say are dirty tricks which have been normalised under nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

The Japan Times - Economy (English)