Japanese policymakers expressed diplomatic interest in the Arctic – a region rapidly being transformed by climate change –as early as 2009, when the country officially submitted an application to become a Permanent Observer in the Arctic Council. Japan’s bid (supported by, surprise, Russia), was approved in May 2013, along with China and South Korea’s. This instance of Russo-Japanese cooperation, particularly …

Five years ago, a magnitude nine earthquake off the east coast of Japan triggered a tsunami that killed almost 20,000 people and led to meltdowns and release of radioactive material at Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The disaster inflicted nearly half a trillion dollars in economic losses and caused the shutdown of more than 50 nuclear reactors, depriving Japan …

Bloomberg Qatar Airways said it could soon give up on Airbus Group SE’s revamped A320neo jetliner if Pratt & Whitney fails to resolve a cooling issue with the plane’s engines, erasing a 2011 order worth a potential $6.4 billion to the manufacturer. Delivery delays requested by Qatar Air because of the hitch, which means planes must sometimes be idled to …

CORAOPOLIS / AP Dick’s Sporting Goods fiscal fourth-quarter performance missed Wall Street’s view as warmer-than-usual winter weather crimped the sporting goods retailer’s sales. It also provided guidance below analysts’ estimates. The stock dropped more than 5 percent this week. Many people are wondering how Dick’s will fare now that rival Sports Authority has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Last …

NAIROBI / Bloomberg Kenya Airways Ltd., sub-Saharan Africa’s third-largest airline, is planning a 70 billion-shilling ($690 million) restructuring programme that includes reducing its fleet and cutting staff, Chief Executive Officer Mbuvi Ngunze said. The carrier, based in the capital, Nairobi, has been working on a turnaround plan after reporting the largest loss in Kenyan corporate history last year. The carrier plans …

NEW YORK / AP Amazon is taking to the skies. The e-commerce powerhouse has finalised an agreement to lease 20 Boeing jets from Air Transport Services Group Inc. as it builds out its US delivery capabilities. Amazon has been investing heavily in its shipping infrastructure, adding sorting centers, which sort packages by zip code and deliver them to post offices. …

Bloomberg Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd., Asia’s largest international airline by passengers, will soon start using Airbus Group SE’s most fuel-efficient plane as it tries to trim costs in the face of mounting competition. Cathay will receive 12 new A350 aircraft this year, with the first one due in May, Chief Executive Officer Ivan Chu said after a briefing Wednesday afternoon. …

Our Correspondent / EMIRATES BUSINESS Established in 1993, and headquartered in Valletta, Malta, InfiNet is one of the world’s largest privately owned Fixed Broadband Wireless Access (FBWA) design and manufacturing companies. In addition to their headquarters in Malta, the company have a state-of-the-art R&D facility in Ekaterinburg, Russia and a direct presence in sixteen countries (including the UAE and Saudi …

Sunaina Rana / EMIRATES BUSINESS Kalyan Jewellers is one of most sought after jewellery brands in the Middle East. Starting its journey with a jewellery showroom in 1993 in India, it has enjoyed a long-standing presence in the market for over two decades. The brand has set a benchmark in quality, transparent pricing and innovation. Kalyan Jewellers made its foray …

London / WAM Europe’s main stock markets pushed higher on Wednesday, shrugging off losses across Asia on the eve of a key meeting of the ECB as traders look for policy action from central bankers. The European Central Bank will almost certainly announce new stimulus measures at its policy meeting on Thursday, analysts said, as eurozone inflation turns negative and …