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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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Lebanon meets to finally elect president after two-year vacancy

Lebanese lawmakers could elect army chief Joseph Aoun as president Thursday after more than two years of deadlock, in a much-needed step to help lift the war-battered country out of financial crisis.

Ukraine allies to hold last defence meet before Trump takes office

Ukraine's Western allies will gather with President Volodymyr Zelensky at a US base in Germany on Thursday in their last such meeting before Donald Trump returns to the White House in less than two weeks.

CES tech looks to help world's aging population

From an adorable robot puppy that soothes dementia patients to an in-toilet gadget for testing urine, tech at CES caters to seniors around the world.

Political chess or true beliefs? Zuckerberg's surprise Trump pivot

The clean cut hair has grown, his college kid's hoodie is now a gold chain, and his politics have swerved hard right.

US Fed officials concerned over 'stalled' disinflation, tariffs: minutes

US Federal Reserve officials raised concerns in December that the fight against inflation may have "stalled" in recent months, and weighed the likely impact of Trump's trade policies, according to minutes of the meeting published Wednesday.

Several US Fed officials concerned over 'stalled' disinflation: minutes

Several senior US Federal Reserve officials raised concerns in December that the fight against inflation may have "stalled" in recent months, according to minutes of the meeting published Wednesday.

US tech titans ramp up pressure on EU

Mark Zuckerberg's U-turn on Meta's content rules piles pressure on the EU -- already in the crosshairs of Donald Trump ally Elon Musk -- to prove it still calls the shots when it comes to Big Tech's behaviour in Europe.

Award-winning migrant actor earns visa to stay in France -- as a mechanic

An undocumented 23-year-old Guinean migrant living in France who won a prize at the Cannes film festival last year has been granted a work permit, enabling him to avoid deportation, his lawyer said Wednesday.

US tariff and inflation fears rattle global markets

Stock markets were rattled Wednesday by worries about incoming US President Donald Trump slapping tariffs on imports and the fading prospects for interest rate cuts.

US private sector hiring undershoots expectations: ADP

The US private sector added fewer jobs than anticipated in December, payroll firm ADP said Wednesday, with hiring and wage increases both cooling.

US tariffs unlikely to have 'significant' inflation impact: Fed official

The effect of new tariffs under consideration by US President-elect Donald Trump is unlikely to be "significant or persistent," a senior Federal Reserve official said Wednesday.

Lebanon leaders in talks for new bid to elect president

Lebanese political heavyweights held talks Wednesday a day ahead of a parliamentary session to elect a president, but even with key player Hezbollah weakened by war, there is no guarantee of consensus.

Can EU stand up to belligerent Big Tech in new Trump era?

Facing charges of "censorship" from both Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, the EU will need its full legal arsenal -- and political will aplenty -- to stand up to US Big Tech once Donald Trump is back.

US, Canadian and Australian travellers now face UK entry fee

Visitors to the UK from dozens of countries, including the United States, Canada and Australia, must now pay to enter Britain after a new visa-waiver entry system took effect on Wednesday.

Samsung warns fourth-quarter profit to miss forecasts

South Korea's Samsung Electronics said Wednesday it expected fourth-quarter profits to fall sharply from the previous quarter and miss forecasts as it struggled to meet robust demand for chips used in artificial intelligence servers.

No proof fentanyl produced in Mexico, president says

Mexico has found no proof that fentanyl is being produced in the country, its president said Tuesday, following threats from US President-elect Donald Trump to impose tariffs over drug trafficking.

Invisible man: German startup bets on remote driver

With no one in the driver seat, the SUV pulling up resembles an autonomous robotaxi like those becoming increasingly present in some cities -- but the car from German startup Vay is something else.

US urged to do more to fight bird flu after first death

The first human death from bird flu in the United States has intensified calls for the government to ramp up efforts to stave off the threat of another pandemic -- particularly ahead of Donald Trump's return to the White House.

Inflation concerns pull rug out from Wall Street rally

US survey data rekindled inflation concerns and rising bond yields helped pull the rug out from under a rally on Wall Street on Tuesday.

US trade deficit widens in November on imports jump

The US trade gap widened in November according to government data released Tuesday, as imports rose faster than exports ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's return to the White House.

Key dates in the rise of the French far right

Here is a short history of the French far-right National Front, whose historic leader and co-founder Jean-Marie Le Pen died on Tuesday aged 96.

Hundreds of young workers sue McDonald's UK alleging harassment

More than 700 young workers are suing McDonald's UK after widespread harassment claims were exposed in the media in 2023, law firm Leigh Day said on Tuesday.

Eurozone inflation rises, likely forcing slower ECB rate cuts

Eurozone inflation rose in December as energy prices slightly ticked up, official data showed Tuesday, which experts said will likely push the European Central Bank to pursue its rate-cutting cycle more cautiously.

French far-right figurehead Jean-Marie Le Pen dies

Jean-Marie Le Pen, who died Tuesday aged 96, was the far-right bogeyman of French politics, infamously dismissing the Holocaust as a detail of history and spending half a century whipping up anger over immigration.

Pope names Sister Brambilla to head major Vatican office

Pope Francis has appointed Sister Simona Brambilla to lead a Vatican department, naming the first woman head of the office that oversees the world's Catholic religious orders and congregations.

Eurozone inflation picks up in December

Eurozone inflation rose in December as energy prices slightly ticked up, official data showed Tuesday, rebounding for a third straight month but unlikely to stop another interest-rate cut by the European Central Bank.

Taiwan says Chinese-owned ship suspected of damaging sea cable goes dark

A Chinese-owned cargo ship suspected of damaging a subsea telecoms cable off Taiwan has stopped transmitting its location on the high seas, Taiwan's coast guard said Tuesday.

McDonald's rolls back some of its diversity practices

McDonald's said Monday it will roll back some of its diversity practices, becoming the latest US organization to rethink its policies following a Supreme Court ruling that ended affirmative action in university admissions.

Asian markets mostly rise after tech-fuelled Wall St rally

Most markets rose in Asia on Tuesday following another rally on Wall Street sparked by tech giants as traders try to asses Donald Trump's tariff plans following a report he may take a more targeted approach.

Homes talk and tables walk at AI dominated CES

Home appliances that do chores, cars that know your favorite cafe, and robot pets aiming to please are among artficial intelligence-infused offerings at the Consumer Electronics Show opening Tuesday.

Meta Names UFC boss Dana White, a Trump ally, to board

Social media giant Meta announced Monday the appointment of three new directors to its board, including Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) head Dana White, a close ally to US President-elect Donald Trump.

US Steel and Nippon Steel sue over Biden's decision to block merger

Nippon Steel and US Steel filed suit Monday over US President Joe Biden's decision to block the Japanese giant's proposed acquisition of its American rival, accusing his administration of "illegal interference" in the huge transaction.

The Japan Times - Economy (English)