Tag: business

Tokyo shares fall by break as N. Korea worries linger

TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Tokyo stocks dropped Monday morning as lingering worries about the war of words between the United States and North Korea offset better-than-expected Japanese economic growth. The market headed south as investors returned from a three-day holiday weekend in Japan, after geopolitical tensions dented overseas markets on Friday. Central Intelligence Agency director Mike Pompeo tried to lower the temperature at the weekend, offering assurances there was “nothing imminent” in the escalating stand-off […]

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Qatar visa move aims to decrease diplomatic row’s impact on economy: researcher

DOHA, Qatar (Reuters) — Qatar’s recent move to grant visa-free entry for nationals of 80 countries is aimed at decreasing the impact of its diplomatic row with Saudi Arabia and other regional nations, said a researcher on Thursday. Brookings Doha Center researcher Adel Abdel Ghafar said the sanctions on Qatar following the rift have brought many negative impacts on the country’s economy. “First of all, in the financial system, in terms of the trading between […]

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Tokyo stocks flat by noon; eyes on US-N. Korea tensions

TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Tokyo stocks were flat Thursday morning after a sell-off the previous day sparked by fears over United States-North Korea tensions, while Japanese cosmetic giant Shiseido surged on upbeat earnings. Global markets tumbled Wednesday as US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un ratcheted up their confrontational rhetoric, with the nuclear-armed North rolling out a plan to launch missiles towards the US Pacific territory of Guam. Trump had stunned the world […]

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Russia: Fishing beyond the arctic circle

Protected from icy winds by the fjords, the Barents Sea does not freeze even though it is located beyond the Arctic Circle in northern Russia, making it an ideal spot to raise trout and Atlantic salmon. (AFP Video) https://youtu.be/ROIe84igs1o

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Toshiba shares jump as delisting fears ease

TOSHIBA, Japan (AFP) — Toshiba shares jumped Wednesday on expectations it will meet a deadline to submit long-delayed earnings to financial regulators, easing fears the troubled conglomerate’s stock will be yanked from the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The stock soared more than nine percent in early trading, before settling back at 293 yen at the lunch break, up 4.27 percent. There were growing worries that Toshiba, one of Japan’s best-known firms, may not make Thursday’s deadline […]

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McDonald’s to nearly double outlets in China

BEIJING, China (AFP) — Fast food giant McDonald’s said Tuesday it would almost double the number of restaurants in China over the next five years as it refocuses on international markets amid slowing United States sales. The Illinois-based burger chain will add 2,000 stores to its current 2,500 in China and aim for double-digit sales growth in each of the next five years, McDonald’s said in a statement. In particular, it will launch a foray […]

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Toyota discussing stronger alliance with Mazda

TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Toyota said Friday it would discuss strengthening its partnership with Mazda as reports said they were close to a deal on a capital tie-up and building a $1.6 billion factory in the United States. The move comes as the Japanese auto industry is facing uncertainty over President Donald Trump’s drive to support US firms over foreign imports. He had earlier strongly criticized Toyota over its ongoing project to build a new […]

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Paris’ urban rooftop hives hope to preserve honeybees

by Isabel Malsang and Solange Uwimana Agence France-Presse PARIS, France (AFP) — To check the beehives he has set up on the roof of the sprawling Monnaie de Paris on the banks of the River Seine, Audric de Campeau slips on a harness over tan-colored trousers. The beekeeper then hooks his leg harness to a metal cable anchored to the roof’s edge, running the length of the entire structure. “It’s not dangerous, but my insurance […]

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Asian traders take stock after fresh Wall Street record

HONGKONG, China (AFP) — Asian markets paused for breath Thursday after Wall Street smashed through 22,000 for the first time, with regional traders focused on fresh clues on the health of the United States economy. Strong Apple earnings propelled the Dow above the barrier to mark its sixth straight record close — but the tech-heavy Nasdaq closed marginally lower. Tokyo ended a two-day rally to sit 0.4 percent lower by the break, with several tech […]

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Honda motorcycle sales boost quarterly net profit

TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Japanese vehicle maker Honda on Tuesday said net profit for the second quarter rose by double digits boosted by strong motorcycle sales, revising up its full-year forecast. The Tokyo-based company said “solid sales of two-wheel vehicles in Asia and cost reduction efforts” contributed to increased profits. Motorcycle sales volume grew in India and Vietnam, Honda said, while four-wheel vehicle sales volume increased in Japan and China but declined in North America. […]

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Bodies of seven loggers abducted, beheaded by Abu Sayyaf recovered in Basilan

The bodies of seven loggers who were beheaded by members of the Abu Sayyaf Group have been found in Basilan. Local police chief John Cundo told AFP Nestor Divinagracia, 50; his son Ily, 25; Berto Lacastesantos, 48; Hernando Sally, 53; Renato Casiple Jr., 36; Rene Sanson, 28; and Mamerto Falcasantos, 55; who were abducted last July 20 at Lower Mahayahay, Maluso town, were found over the weekend in a mountainous village, in Barangay Switch Yakal, Lantawan. […]

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HSBC pre-tax profit up 5% to $10.2 bn in first half 2017

HONGKONG, China (AFP) — HSBC said profits were up Monday in the first half of the year in what it called an “excellent” result after a turbulent 2016. The Asia-focused giant has been on a recovery drive over the past two years to streamline the business and slash costs, and has laid off tens of thousands of staff. Pre-tax profit for the six months to June rose five percent to $10.2 billion compared with $9.7 […]

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