THIMI / AP For generations, the residents of the ancient Nepali town of Thimi supplied the rest of the Himalayan country with everything from tiny clay lamps used in temples to massive grain storage jars. Locals still mix clay and throw it on potters’ wheels, then leave pots to dry and harden in the sun. But not for long. …

  TOKYO/ AP Japanese automakers Toyota and Suzuki, which began discussing a partnership in October, said they would work together in ecological and safety technology — a rapidly growing area in the industry. Toyota Motor Corp., the maker of the Camry sedan, Prius hybrid and Lexus luxury models, and Suzuki Motor Corp., which specializes in tiny cars, announced the decision, …

  Bloomberg Microsoft Corp. persuaded a judge not to let the US government out of a lawsuit alleging the company’s free-speech rights are violated by a law that blocks it from alerting users to the clandestine interception of their e-mails. The judge said Microsoft has at least made a plausible argument that federal law muzzles its right to speak about …

  Bloomberg New York Times Co., looking for ways to persuade readers to pay for news, is working with Spotify Ltd. to give new digital subscribers to the newspaper free access to the world’s largest music-streaming service. Readers who buy one-year online subscriptions to the Times will also get unlimited access to Spotify’s premium service, which costs $120 annually, the …

  AP The head of the International Monetary Fund said on Sunday that US President Donald Trump taking office is likely good for the American economy in the short term, though rising interest rates and a strengthening dollar will challenge global trade. Christine Lagarde said Trump’s plans for additional investment in US infrastructure and his likely tax reforms will boost …

  Bloomberg Luxury timepiece maker Vacheron Constantin will start selling its new watches online for the first time in its 262-year history as the Richemont-owned brand seeks younger customers. The Geneva-based company designed a limited edition of 36 Cornes de Vache 1955 timepieces with New York-based watch news website Hodinkee — the first such collaboration for the watchmaker, said Vincent …

  Bloomberg Wittingly or not, major global corporations are helping fund sites that traffic in fake news by advertising on them. Take, for instance, a story that falsely claimed former President Barack Obama had banned Christmas cards to overseas military personnel. Despite debunking by The Associated Press and other fact-checking outlets, that article lives on at “Fox News The FB …

  Bloomberg Spurred by technology advances and demand for transportation alternatives in increasingly congested cities, entrepreneurs around the globe are vying to become the first to develop a commercially viable “flying car.” The designs vary greatly, and most aren’t actually cars capable of driving on roads. Here are some examples: VAHANA European aircraft manufacturer Airbus is working at its Silicon …

  Bloomberg Microsoft Corp. and other major technology companies and banks are forming an alliance to advance the adoption of Ethereum blockchain database technology in corporations, potentially offering better security for recording transactions, according to two people familiar with the plans. The companies have been working on the Enterprise Ethereum Alliance for months, according to one of the people, and …

  Dubai / WAM The role of governments is to create an enabling environment where people can flourish and achieve their dreams, stated Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, UAE Minister of State for Happiness. Laying the groundwork for a free exchange of ideas among experts from around the world, the Minister invited delegates to assemble at different tables to discuss the …