Bloomberg Apple Inc, looking to address criticism of its competitive practices by the European Union, developers and US lawmakers, pointed to a report showing that third-party apps are thriving on the iPhone and other devices. In a study published by Analysis Group and touted by the iPhone maker, analysts said that Apple’s own apps are infrequently the dominant option …

  Bloomberg Spain plans to invest 11 billion euros ($12.4 billion) to develop microchips and semiconductors in a bid to modernise its tourism-dependent economy. “We want our country to be at the vanguard of industrial and technological progress,” Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said in Madrid, without giving more details. He said the project will be approved soon by his cabinet. …

  Bloomberg Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) revenue rose to a record in the first quarter on demand for chips used in smartphones, computers and cars, while a prolonged shortage helped to boost prices. Revenue jumped 36% to NT$491.1 billion ($17 billion) in the three months through March, the company said in a statement. Analysts estimated NT$469.4 billion on average. …

  Geneva / WAM The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that air travel posted a strong rebound in February 2022 compared to January 2022, as Omicron-related impacts moderated outside of Asia. Total traffic in February 2022 (measured in revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) was up 115.9% compared to February 2021. That is an improvement from January 2022, which was …

  Bloomberg Japan will ban imports of Russian coal, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said, in a bold policy shift that adds pressure on Moscow after the European Union announced its own embargo on the fuel. “Russia’s cruel and inhumane actions are coming to light one after another all over Ukraine,” Kishida told reporters in Tokyo, adding Moscow must be made …

Bloomberg European Union nations have frozen some 29.5 billion euros ($32.1 billion) in assets linked to Russian and Belarusian individuals and entities since the bloc adopted its first sanctions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The EU’s new “freeze and seize” task force said that more than half of the bloc’s 27 member nations have informed it about the measures they …

  Bloomberg The owners of an oil-production and storage ship had a history of financial problems before the vessel blew up in Nigerian waters two months ago. The Trinity Spirit, which caught fire on February 2, burned for more than 24 hours and left a stain of crude stretching for miles across the Atlantic Ocean. While the cause of the …

  Bloomberg France would first halt large gas-fired power plants if any Russian supply disruption creates a shortage, while households would be the last in line, according to the country’s main gas-transmission network operator GRTgaz SA. European governments are preparing plans to prevent a massive hit on their economies should an increasingly isolated Russia halt gas flows ahead of next …

  Bloomberg Germany will step in if gas-storage operators fail to fill facilities sufficiently to comply with new requirements, as the government takes a tougher line to secure supplies for next winter. Under the new rules — approved by the upper house of parliament on Friday and due to take effect from May 1 — operators must fill storage facilities …

  Bloomberg Kenya Airways Plc and South African Airways are planning a series of investor roadshows to help find a financial backer for a combined airline group they aim to create next year. The campaign to attract a majority investor for a holding company to be modeled on British Airways and Iberia owner IAG SA is likely to start before …