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Mel B, Trump and Milei: What happened at Davos Wednesday

Even when Donald Trump wasn't in the room or even the main theme, the US president kept coming up again Wednesday at the gabfest of global elites in the Swiss resort of Davos.

Argentina's Milei says would leave Mercosur for US trade deal

Argentina's President Javier Milei said Thursday he would be willing to leave the South American Mercosur bloc if necessary to secure a coveted trade agreement with the United States.

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Markets track Wall St losses after blockbuster US jobs report

Asian and European markets sank Monday after an outsized US jobs report dealt another blow to hopes for more interest rate cuts, while oil extended a rally sparked by new sanctions on Russia's energy sector.

Billion-pound lawsuit against Apple over App Store opens in UK

Did US tech giant Apple abuse the dominant position of its app store in the UK? A trial opening Monday in which plaintiffs want more than one billion pounds is set to answer that question.

Japan PM tells Biden 'strong' concerns over steel deal

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba told US President Joe Biden that his blocking of Nippon Steel's takeover of US Steel raised "strong" concerns in both countries, local media reported Monday.

China saw booming exports in 2024 as Trump tariffs loom

China's exports surged to a record high in 2024, providing a much-needed boost for the economy as the prospect of biting tariffs imposed by US president-elect Donald Trump looms.

Asian markets track Wall St losses after blockbuster US jobs report

Asian markets tumbled Monday after an outsized US jobs report dealt another blow to hopes for more interest rate cuts, while oil extended a rally sparked by new sanctions on Russia's energy sector.

Toll from French tram crash rises to 68 injured

The toll from a collision of two trams in Strasbourg has risen to 68 injured in a rare accident that sowed panic near the eastern French city's main train station, authorities said Sunday.

Apple wants to keep diversity programs disavowed by other US firms

Apple's board of directors has recommended shareholders vote against a proposal to end the company's diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, going against the grain of decisions by other large US corporates.

China's women e-sports players defy sexism for love of the game

For women e-sports players in China, mastering the game is just the first hurdle to carving out a space for themselves in the male-dominated field.

Germany battles to secure stricken 'Russian shadow fleet' oil tanker

Germany was battling Saturday to secure a heavily loaded tanker stranded off its northern coast, towing the stricken ship that it said was part of Russia's sanctions-busting "shadow fleet" away from shore to avert an oil spill.

'Education apartheid': schooling in crisis in Pakistan

Aneesa Haroon drops off her tattered school bag at her rural home in Pakistan and hurriedly grabs lunch before joining her father in the fields to pick vegetables.

Supreme Court looks poised to uphold TikTok ban

The US Supreme Court appeared likely on Friday to uphold a law that would force TikTok's Chinese owner ByteDance to sell the wildly popular online video-sharing platform or shut it down.

US hikes reward for Maduro arrest after 'illegitimate' swearing-in

The United States hiked its reward for information leading to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's arrest to $25 million Friday, saying his swearing-in was illegitimate after he "clearly lost" last year's election.

Robots set to move beyond factory as AI advances

Today's robots perform safety checks at industrial plants, conduct quality control in manufacturing, and are even starting to keep hospital patients company.

Pro-Russian disinformation makes its Bluesky debut

The first symptoms of disinformation are emerging on the social media network Bluesky, with echoes of the pro-Russian "Matryoshka" campaign that flooded Elon Musk's X -- but with a few twists.

UK gas reserves 'concerningly low', warns biggest supplier

Britain's biggest gas supplier on Friday said UK storage levels are "concerningly low" owing to high demand caused by freezing weather and after Ukraine ended Russian gas transit to Europe.

Meta policy reversal puts question mark on future of fact-checking

Media outlets around the world have been left scratching their heads over the future of their fact-checking operations after Meta's shock announcement that it will halt its US programme.

Meta policy reversal puts question mark on furure of fact-checking

Media outlets around the world have been left scratching their heads over the future of their fact-checking operations after Meta's shock announcement that it will halt its US programme.

Strong US jobs report sends stocks sliding, dollar rising

Wall Street stocks slid and the dollar climbed Friday as a blockbuster US jobs report dimmed hopes of further interest-rate cuts.

US hiring beats expectations in December to cap solid year

US job gains soared past expectations in December, according to government data released Friday, in a sign the labor market remains healthy just shortly before President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration this month.

UK gas reserves 'concerningly low': Biggest supplier

Britain's biggest gas supplier said Friday UK storage levels are "concerningly low" owing to high demand caused by freezing weather and after Ukraine ended Russian gas transit to Europe.

Global stocks mostly fall before US jobs data

Stock markets mostly retreated and the dollar steadied Friday as traders awaited key US jobs data for signals on the health of the world's largest economy and the outlook for interest rates.

Ubisoft: the 'Assassin's Creed' maker targeted by suitors

From its founding in 1986, French video game maker Ubisoft has grown into a giant of the sector with operations in 20 countries and an uber popular franchise, "Assassin's Creed".

Stock markets drift lower as US jobs data looms

Equities fell Friday as traders prepared for the release of US jobs data that could play a key role in the Federal Reserve's decision-making on interest rates, with several officials indicating the cutting has finished for now.

Pakistan flight departs for Paris after EU ban lifted

Pakistan's state-owned airline, plagued by a history of deadly crashes and a pilot licence scandal, resumed flights to Europe on Friday after a four-year ban was lifted by EU regulators.

Tajikistan bets on giant dam to solve electricity crisis

In a remote village in Tajikistan's soaring mountains, Muslikhiddin Makhmudzoda relies on a mobile phone to light his modest home as his family spends another winter without electricity.

US Fed's December rate cut should be its last for now: official

The US Federal Reserve should proceed cautiously before supporting any future rate cuts, a senior bank official said Thursday, adding that she saw December's rate cut as a final step for now.

Airbus boosts plane deliveries in 2024

European plane maker Airbus said Thursday it increased aircraft deliveries to 766 as the company still struggles to return to pre-pandemic production levels.

Ubisoft reviews restructuring options, postpones new Assassin's Creed

Ubisoft said Thursday it would take decisive steps to reshape itself as the French video game publisher announced it would delay the release of the latest title in its top "Assassin's Creed" franchise.

Lamborghini sets new sales record amidst hybrid push

Lamborghini set a new sales record in 2024, the Italian sportscar maker said on Thursday, defying the gloom that has hit mass-market car companies.

Lebanon army chief Aoun becomes president after two-year vacancy

Lebanon's lawmakers elected on Thursday army chief Joseph Aoun as president after a two-year vacancy of the position, in a step towards lifting the war-battered country out of financial crisis.

Lebanon army chief short of required majority in first round of president vote

Lebanon's army chief Joseph Aoun on Thursday fell short of the two-thirds majority to become president in the first round of a parliamentary vote, but could still become head of state.

Global stock markets mixed tracking US rates outlook

European and Asian stock markets diverged Thursday, with investors tracking the outlook for inflation and US interest rates as Donald Trump's second presidency looms.

The Japan Times - Economy (English)