
-
South Korea's Kia denies responsibility for anti-Musk ad
-
Moscow targeted by 'massive' Ukrainian drone attack: mayor
-
Buzzed: Fans lift Alcaraz as he makes bee-line into last 16
-
North Korea taekwondo supremo that Austria can't kick
-
Alcaraz powers into Indian Wells last 16, Sabalenka, Gauff, Keys advance
-
Philippines' Duterte earned international infamy, praise at home
-
Greenland votes under shadow of Trump
-
Guatemala volcanic eruption deemed over after spewing lava, evacuations
-
Australia to play England in historic day-night Test at MCG
-
Kung fu girl group puts fresh spin on ancient Chinese art
-
Ex-Philippine president Duterte arrested for crimes against humanity
-
Military chiefs in Paris to discuss Ukraine security guarantees
-
Jokic dominates Thunder as Nuggets bounce back
-
Asian markets track Wall St selloff as Trump-fuelled economy fears build
-
Indian artisans keep traditional toymaking alive
-
Arrest of pro-Palestinian activist sparks outrage, Trump says 'first of many'
-
Syrian presidency announces agreement to integrate Kurdish institutions
-
Ukraine to present US with Russia partial truce after row
-
Pelicans to become first NBA team to play in Australia
-
Dalai Lama book offers 'framework' for after his death
-
Argentina searches for baby, sister swept away by floods
-
US-bound Afghans left 'without options' as Trump travel ban looms
-
Maradona medical team on trial four years after icon's death
-
Dortmund Champions League hopes in the balance ahead of Lille return
-
Australian snowboarder Brockhoff breaks back in World Cup crash
-
120,000 properties still blacked out in storm-hit Australia
-
Sabalenka, Gauff, Keys advance at Indian Wells
-
US capital scraps Black Lives Matter mural after Trump pressure
-
Search ends for missing crew member after North Sea collision
-
Yankees ace Cole to have season-ending elbow surgery: club
-
Yankees ace Cole facing season-ending surgery: report
-
Russian oligarch's superyacht could be auctioned in US
-
Newcastle sink West Ham to boost top four bid
-
Ratcliffe underlines desire for new Old Trafford
-
Keys survives Mertens to reach Indian Wells fourth round
-
Trump's energy chief vows reversal of Biden climate policies
-
Stars hop aboard for train-inspired Louis Vuitton show
-
One missing after cargo ship, tanker collide in North Sea
-
Colombia urges UN to remove coca leaf from harmful substances list
-
French parliament adopts bill to bring back village bars
-
Carney vows 'quick' transition to new Canada government
-
Winner of PSG's Liverpool clash will reach final says Luis Enrique
-
Liverpool need best display of season to beat PSG: Slot
-
Pope still improving, Vatican eyes end of hospitalisation
-
What we know about the North Sea tanker collision
-
'Not good enough' and 'overpaid': Ratcliffe slams Man Utd flops
-
LA prosecutor asks to withdraw Menendez brothers' bid for resentencing
-
Huge fire, more than 30 injured after North Sea ships crash
-
Musk says X hit by major cyberattack
-
Los Angeles wildfires cost Lloyd's of London $2.3 bn

Yen drops as Bank of Japan maintains key interest rate
The yen weakened against the dollar Thursday after the Bank of Japan kept borrowing costs unchanged, extending a retreat for the currency that came after the Federal Reserve forecast fewer rate cuts.
The BoJ said after a two-day policy meeting that it would hold rates at around 0.25 percent, pushing the yen cheaper than 155 per dollar, compared with 153.66 on Wednesday.
Although the bank said in its policy statement that "Japan's economy has recovered moderately" and "is likely to keep growing", it also pointed to risks ahead.
These include "developments in overseas economic activity and prices, developments in commodity prices, and domestic firms' wage- and price-setting behaviour".
The Fed on Wednesday cut interest rates by a quarter point, its third straight reduction.
But it signalled a slower pace of cuts ahead as inflation remained sticky and uncertainty surrounds President-elect Donald Trump's economic plans.
Japanese businesses are also wary about the trade and investment environment, given Trump's pledge to impose tariffs on imports.
Tsuyoshi Ueno, senior economist at NLI Research Institute, told AFP ahead of Thursday's decision that one reason the BoJ did not hike was that "the picture of next year's wage increases will be clearer in January".
Political factors were another reason, according to Ueno.
"As the minority government is discussing budget and tax reforms involving the opposition... it would be bad timing for the BoJ to hike its rate" as that could cool the economy, he said.
The government recently passed an extra budget worth nearly 14 trillion yen ($90 billion) to help pay for a massive economic stimulus package.
It includes handouts for low-income households, fuel and energy subsidies and assistance to small businesses.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is hoping the funds will lift the economy but also boost his popularity after the ruling coalition's worst election result in 15 years.
Ishiba has also promised to spend 10 trillion yen through 2030 to boost Japan's semiconductor and artificial intelligence sectors to help the nation regain its tech edge.
J.Bergmann--BTB