TOKYO: There is a crowdfunding drive underway in Japan to help preserve a rare patch of woodland: the forest that served as inspiration for the “My Neighbor Totoro” animation. A municipal official told AFP that just a tiny amount of the 2.6 billion yen (US$19 million) price tag for the 3.5-hectare Totoro Forest would be raised via crowdsourcing. As a …

PARIS: France’s antitrust authorities announced on Tuesday that Google has agreed to resolve a copyright dispute in France regarding online material, as demand grows for giant online media to share more of their earnings with news organizations. In addition, Alphabet’s Google has withdrawn its appeal of a $528 million penalty, according to the authorities. Last year, the fine was paid. …

PARIS: FIA proposals to implement improvements to lessen or eradicate the “porpoising” issue plaguing Formula One vehicles this season have confused Lando Norris, McLaren’s director of racing, who stressed on Monday that driver safety was important. As a result of this year’s drastic regulation change in Formula 1, vehicles now produce the majority of their downforce from the bottom. Thus, …

US: “I no longer live with or wish to be related to my biological father in any way, shape, or form,” said Elon Musk’s transgender daughter as she filed a request to change her name. An application for a new birth certificate and a name change was submitted to the Los Angeles County Superior Court in Santa Monica in April …

DOHA: At a time when pricing pressures and labor shortages strain the pandemic-hit industry’s recovery, global airlines are facing a double whammy from the uncommon combination of a strong currency and high oil costs. Due to their inverse connection, oil prices tend to fall as the dollar rises, which helps to alleviate financial pressure on airlines that operate in other …

UAE: Transboundary issues are becoming more common as the globe becomes more interconnected. These have an influence on a wide range of nations, regions, and economic sectors at the same time.  An example is the COVID-19 epidemic, which started with health difficulties and spread through the economy, state and society. As a result of its broad impact, it has prompted …

The Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) said on Tuesday that Japan and the UAE had confirmed their partnership in the energy sector. “To address efforts to promote stability in the global crude oil market, METI Minister Hagiuda Koichi conducted a video conference with Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, UAE’s Minister of Energy and Infrastructure. The two ministers also talked …

COLOMBO: As the island nation struggled through its worst economic downturn in seven decades, Sri Lanka’s overall inflation increased in May to the highest level since 2015 as a result of rising food and transportation expenses. The statistics office said on Tuesday that the consumer price index increased to 45.3% in May from the year earlier, up from 33.8% in …

PHILIPPINES: As the West and China continue to compete for their strategic pillars, the island states of the Pacific, from the massive Papua New Guinea to the smaller island nations, find themselves in a much more powerful position. Since climate change is the greatest threat to the region, their negotiating prowess may provide them greater leverage to entice foreign funding. …

ENGLAND: FIFA, the world ruling body of football, has begun taking actions to safeguard foreign players directly impacted by the Ukrainian crisis by allowing them to pause their contracts until June 2023. Andriy Pavelko, president of Ukraine’s football federation, disclosed earlier this month details of talks with FIFA and UEFA officials about continuing men’s and women’s games in the country …