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Japanese brewing giant Asahi aims to restore its systems after a major cyberattack that disrupted its operations by February, media reports said on Friday.The maker of Asahi Super Dry, one of Japan’s most popular beers, started experiencing system troubles on September 29, stopping its ability to receive orders and to ship products. It has blamed a ransomware attack.The brewer has informed its business partners of plans to return to normal product orders and shipments as early as February, public broadcaster NHK reported, citing unnamed sources.A source familiar with the issue, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, said that “the company is explaining to its business partners it aims to restore the system in February.”Asahi plans to hold a press conference next week to explain the cyberattack’s impact on business and to what extent personal information was leaked, and to share information about restoring its systems, NHK said.The business daily Nikkei reported similar details.Output at Asahi’s 30 domestic factories was not directly affected by the system shutdown but production had to stop due to the company-wide problem.The brewer said early last month production at six beer factories resumed, while it was processing orders by hand in an effort to swerve potential drinks shortages.

Japanese local authorities approved the restart of the world’s biggest nuclear plant on Friday for the first time since the 2011 Fukushima disaster.Hideyo Hanazumi, governor of Niigata province where the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant is located, told a news conference he “would approve” the resumption, which will need final permission by Japan’s nuclear regulator.The plant was taken offline when Japan pulled the plug on nuclear power after a colossal earthquake and tsunami sent three reactors at the Fukushima atomic plant into meltdown in 2011.However, the resource-poor nation now wants to revive atomic energy to reduce its heavy dependence on fossil fuels, achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and meet growing energy needs from artificial intelligence.Fourteen reactors, mostly in western and southern regions, have resumed operation since the post-Fukushima shutdown under strict safety standards.The 400-hectare (1,000-acre) Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant on the Sea of Japan coast facing the Korean peninsula would be the first restart for Fukushima operator Tepco since the disaster.The huge facility in central Japan has been fitted out with a 15-metre (50-foot) wall in case of tsunamis, new power backup systems on higher ground and other measures.Before the 2011 quake and tsunami, which killed around 18,000 people, nuclear power generated about a third of Japan’s electricity, with fossil fuels contributing most of the rest.Yoko Mulholland of climate think-tank E3G said that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who came to power last month, is more focused than previous leaders on restarting nuclear power.”Takaichi places nuclear power capacity build-out and energy self-sufficiency more centrally in energy policy, without much emphasis on renewables expansion,” she said.Power company Kansai Electric said in July it was taking an initial step towards building the nation’s first new nuclear reactor since the Fukushima disaster.- Rising wind costs -Japan is the world’s fifth-largest single-country emitter of carbon dioxide, after China, the United States, India and Russia, and is heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels.Nearly 70 percent of Japan’s power needs in 2023 were met by power plants burning coal, gas and oil — a figure Tokyo wants to slash to 30-40 percent over the next 15 years.Almost all these fossil fuels must be imported, at a cost of around $500 million per day.Tokyo aims to make renewables its top power source by 2040.Under a plan approved by the government in February, nuclear power will account for around 20 percent of Japan’s energy supply by fiscal year starting in April 2040 — up from 8.5 percent in 2023/24.The country has also laid out ambitious new targets that should see wind’s contribution to the energy mix rise to between four and eight percent by the 2040 fiscal year — up from around one percent today.But costs for wind power are rising sharply; at the end of August Japanese conglomerate Mitsubishi pulled out of three key wind power projects deemed no longer profitable.Japan still faces the daunting task of decommissioning the Fukushima plant, a project that is expected to take decades.In August, Japanese technicians sent in remote-controlled robots to one of the damaged reactor buildings as part of preparations to remove radioactive debris.Dangerously high radiation levels make removing melted fuel and other debris a particularly tough challenge.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi insisted that a $135-billion stimulus package approved Friday was fiscally responsible and that she would reduce the country’s colossal debt burden.The 21.3-trillion yen outlay comes as the government looks to kickstart growth in the world’s number-four economy, ease the pain of inflation for households and restore the ruling party’s flagging popularity.However, expectations that the new premier would embark on a big-spending spree have pushed yields on Japanese government bonds to record highs this week and put pressure on the yen.”Responsible proactive fiscal policy means a forward-looking fiscal strategy and does not aim to pursue scale recklessly or expansively,” Takaichi said.”By thoroughly implementing the concept of wise spending, we will strategically deploy fiscal measures to protect the lives of our citizens and build a strong economy,” she added.”While fostering a strong economy and increasing the growth rate, we will reduce the government debt-to-GDP ratio, achieve fiscal sustainability and secure trust from the market.”Japan’s current debt amounts to around 250 percent of gross domestic product ratio, the highest among major economies.The bundle of measures from Japan’s fifth premier in as many years includes a one-off 20,000-yen ($127) cash handout per child and 7,000 yen per household for energy bills.Takaichi came to power last month pledging to fight inflation after anger over rising prices helped undo her predecessor, Shigeru Ishiba, who was in office barely a year.”Ordinary people are having it tough these days,” financial services employee Kazuo Kaitsuka, 75, told AFP on Friday near the Tokyo stock exchange.”I worry future generations might have to deal with the consequences of (the size of the stimulus). So I think a more moderate scale would have been better,” he said.A weaker yen raises prices of imports for resource-poor Japan, which relies heavily on foreign food, energy and raw materials to power its economy. “Japan has been engaged in expansionary economic policies for so long without being able to stimulate the economy,” said Margarita Estevez-Abe, an analyst at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School.”Meanwhile, Japan’s public debts increased. We are already seeing the negative reactions from the market… Further depreciation of the yen will hit ordinary Japanese households with higher prices,” she told AFP.Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama on Friday dropped the strongest hint yet that the government may intervene to support the yen, saying it will take “appropriate action against disorderly (foreign exchange) moves”.- Diplomatic spat -Official data earlier showed core inflation, which excludes fresh food, rose 3.0 percent year-on-year in October from 2.9 percent in September.Illustrating the strain on consumers, rice prices were 40 percent higher than last year, although the rate of inflation for the staple has slowed considerably in recent months.The reading came days after figures showed the economy shrinking 0.4 percent in the third quarter, the first contraction since the first three months of 2024.Further concern for the economy comes from Japan’s ongoing diplomatic spat with China following comments by Takaichi about Taiwan.Takaichi, seen as a China hawk, suggested earlier this month that Japan could intervene militarily in the event of any attack on Taiwan.China has summoned Tokyo’s ambassador and advised its citizens against travel to Japan, where Chinese account for the largest number of foreign tourists.China claims democratic Taiwan as part of its territory and has threatened to use force to bring the self-ruled island under its control.Takaichi on Friday insisted Tokyo’s stance on Taiwan was “unchanged” and that she wanted “constructive and stable” relations with Beijing.”(The) erroneous remarks made by… Takaichi regarding Taiwan, which imply the possibility of military intervention in the Taiwan Strait, have aroused public outrage and condemnation among the Chinese people,” China’s foreign ministry said in response on Friday.Japan should “immediately retract its erroneous remarks, and earnestly demonstrate its commitments to China through concrete actions”, said spokeswoman Mao Ning.burs-hih-tmo-stu/dan

Tech firms led more steep losses across Asian markets Friday as investors struggled to shake off fears about an AI bubble and after a sell-off on Wall Street sparked by jobs data dealt a further blow to hopes for a US interest rate cut.A blockbuster earnings report from chip bellwether Nvidia on Wednesday seemed to settle nerves that vast investments in the artificial intelligence sector may have been overdone.But the euphoria was short-lived as warnings grow that the tech-led rally across equities — which has seen several markets hit records and companies clock eye-watering capitalisations — may have run its course, and a correction could be in hand.In unveiling Nvidia’s forecast-topping report, boss Jensen Huang dismissed fears of a bubble that has caused global equities to wobble. “From our vantage point, we see something very different,” he said.After his firm sparked an Asia rally on Thursday, Wall Street began on a strong note, but later went into sharp reverse, with selling compounded by worries over the US labour market.Data showed that while more jobs were created in September, the unemployment rate crept higher. The reading did little to alter investors’ belief that the Federal Reserve will stand pat on borrowing costs when it meets next month, with officials more focused on stubbornly high inflation.Expectations had already been dampened by recent comments from decision-makers, including boss Jerome Powell, that were on the hawkish side.Tracking New York, Asian markets were a sea of red, with tech giants leading the way.Seoul-listed Samsung Electronics sank nearly five percent and rival SK hynix more than nine percent — the firms are two of the world’s leading memory chip makers.Another chip titan, TSMC, tanked nearly four percent in Taiwan, while Japan’s SoftBank plunged more than 10 percent in Tokyo.That led broader markets lower.Tokyo, Hong Kong, Seoul, Sydney and Taipei were all down between 1.6 percent and 3.2 percent. There were also losses in Shanghai, Singapore and Wellington.The rush from risk assets also saw bitcoin fall below the $93,000 mark for the first time since April, extending a sell-off suffered since its record high above $126,200 touched just last month.”The price action across markets has been prolific, and we’ve seen some truly impressive reversals in risk assets,” said Chris Weston at Pepperstone.”Sentiment in so many markets remains highly challenged, and we’ve seen new evidence that managers are dumping their 2025 winners — raising expectations that the path of least resistance is for risk to trade lower in the near-term.”The market seems far more sensitive and ready to de-risk on emerging news, almost seeking reasons to take positioning down when that news could easily be seen as a positive in a more bullish set-up.”Eyes are also on Tokyo, where there is talk that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will unveil a huge stimulus package worth around $130 billion to boost the stuttering economy.But government bond yields have soared in recent days on warnings that the spending will likely need even more borrowing, fanning concerns about the country’s fiscal state and putting huge pressure on the yen.The Japanese currency has fallen this week to its lowest level against the dollar since January, though it got a little support from data showing core inflation ticked up last month, giving the Bank of Japan some room to hike interest rates.- Key figures at around 0200 GMT -Tokyo – Nikkei 225: DOWN 1.8 percent at 48,947.66Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: DOWN 1.7 percent at 25,393.93Shanghai – Composite: DOWN 1.0 percent at 3,892.76Dollar/yen: DOWN at 157.38 yen from 157.55 yen on ThursdayEuro/dollar: UP at $1.1535 from $1.1525Pound/dollar: UP at $1.3083 from $1.3070Euro/pound: DOWN at 88.15 from 88.18 penceWest Texas Intermediate: DOWN 1.1 percent at $58.36 per barrelBrent North Sea Crude: DOWN 1.0 percent at $62.73 per barrelNew York – Dow: DOWN 0.8 percent at 45,752.26 (close)London – FTSE 100: UP 0.2 percent at 9,527.65 (close)

Stock markets were mixed Thursday as a rally lost momentum after US jobs data clouded hopes of further interest rate cuts and fears of an AI bubble persisted.Europe’s main equity indices closed higher but Wall Street slumped following a strong open. Asia’s leading stock markets were mixed.Investors cheered an earnings report released late Wednesday by AI bellwether Nvidia, which topped expectations on fierce demand for its advanced chips.Chief executive Jensen Huang brushed off fears of an artificial intelligence bubble that has caused global equities to wobble.Jim Reid, managing director at Deutsche Bank, said Nvidia’s results had temporarily stalled some fears.But Adam Sarhan of 50 Park Investments warned: “When you have valuations that are this high, they’re not sustainable.”Shares in the chip giant — which last month hit a $5 trillion valuation — slipped after rallying at the start of Wall Street trading Thursday. They closed 3.2 percent down.The upbeat earnings were offset by data showing the US jobless rate crept higher in September, even as hiring exceeded analyst expectations. “This report is unlikely to massively shift the needle for the December Fed meeting which looks like a pause,” said Joshua Mahony, chief market analyst at traders Scope Markets. He was referring to the Federal Reserve’s next interest rate decision due in December.The dollar traded mixed against its main rivals following the update.Thursday’s jobs publication marked the first official snapshot of the labor market’s health in more than two months, owing to a 43-day US government shutdown that ended last week.The report is set to deepen divisions within the Fed, with underlying job market weakness adding to the case for another rate cut — but solid hiring potentially encouraging some officials to hold off for longer.Oil prices ticked down, and a US Treasury official told reporters that Chinese and Indian refineries and banks were moving to comply with recently announced US sanctions on Russia’s two biggest oil producers — Lukoil and Rosneft.China and India are key buyers of Russian oil, and the sanctions were aimed at cutting off revenues fueling war in Ukraine.The US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said many such institutions are conscious of these sanctions and risk averse, while recognizing the importance of relationships with the West.- Key figures at around 2110 GMT -New York – Dow: DOWN 0.8 percent at 45,752.26 points (close)New York – S&P 500: DOWN 1.6 percent at 6,538.76 (close)New York – Nasdaq Composite: DOWN 2.2 percent at 22,078.05 (close)London – FTSE 100: UP 0.2 percent at 9,527.65 (close)Paris – CAC 40: UP 0.3 percent at 7,981.07 (close)Frankfurt – DAX: UP 0.5 percent at 23,278.85 (close)Tokyo – Nikkei 225: UP 2.7 percent at 49,823.94 (close)Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: FLAT at 25,835.57 (close)Shanghai – Composite: DOWN 0.4 percent at 3,931.05 (close)Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1525 from $1.1526 on WednesdayPound/dollar: UP at $1.3070 from $1.3048Dollar/yen: UP at 157.55 yen from 157.01 yen Euro/pound: DOWN at 88.18 from 88.33 penceBrent North Sea Crude: DOWN 0.2 percent at $63.38 per barrelWest Texas Intermediate: DOWN 0.6 percent at $59.14 per barrelburs-ajb-bys/jgc

Stock markets mostly climbed Thursday but a rally lost momentum after mixed US jobs data offset bumper earnings from chip titan Nvidia that had eased fears of an AI bubble.Europe’s main equity indices closed higher as Wall Street came off the boil following a strong open. Asia’s leading stock markets ended mixed.Investors cheered an earnings report from AI bellwether Nvidia, released after US markets closed Wednesday, which topped expectations on fierce demand for its advanced chips.Chief executive Jensen Huang brushed off fears of an artificial intelligence bubble that has caused global equities to wobble.”Nvidia’s results have completely changed the market mood and pushed out any bubble fears for another day,” said Jim Reid, managing director at Deutsche Bank. Shares in the chipmaker — which last month became the world’s first $5 trillion stock — eased after rallying at the start of Wall Street trading Thursday. The upbeat earnings were offset by data showing the US jobless rate creeping higher in September and hiring exceeding analyst expectations. “This report is unlikely to massively shift the needle for the December Fed meeting which looks like a pause,” Joshua Mahony, chief market analyst at traders Scope Markets, said of the Federal Reserve’s next interest-rate decision due in December.The dollar traded mixed against its main rivals following the update.Thursday’s jobs publication marked the first official snapshot of the labour market’s health in more than two months, owing to a 43-day government shutdown in the United States, that ended last week.Minutes from the Fed’s October policy meeting, released Wednesday, suggested officials are against cutting rates for the third time in a row next month.- Key figures at around 1645 GMT -New York – Dow: UP 0.5 percent at 46,383.31 pointsNew York – S&P 500: UP 0.6 percent at 6,678.42 New York – Nasdaq Composite: UP 0.7 percent at 22,712.03 London – FTSE 100: UP 0.2 percent at 9,527.65 (close)Paris – CAC 40: UP 0.3 percent at 7,981.07 (close)Frankfurt – DAX: UP 0.5 percent at 23,278.85 (close)Tokyo – Nikkei 225: UP 2.7 percent at 49,823.94 (close)Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: FLAT at 25,835.57 (close)Shanghai – Composite: DOWN 0.4 percent at 3,931.05 (close)New York – Dow: UP 0.1 percent at 46,138.77 (close)Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1536 from $1.1526 on WednesdayPound/dollar: UP at $1.3087 from $1.3048Dollar/yen: UP at 157.31 yen from 157.01 yen Euro/pound: DOWN at 88.14 from 88.33 penceBrent North Sea Crude: UP 0.3 percent at $63.33 per barrelWest Texas Intermediate: UP 0.3 percent at $59.27 per barrelburs-ajb/bcp/tw

Germany’s finance minister said Thursday Beijing had made a “clear” commitment on ensuring rare earth supplies, following the first visit to China by a minister from Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government.Germany and China have long had deep economic ties, but those have frayed in recent times over issues ranging from claims of unfair trade practices to protectionism.One particularly thorny issue has been China’s moves to restrict exports of rare earths, crucial to many sectors worldwide from automotive to electronics.But after wrapping up a visit to Beijing and Shanghai, Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said he had received a “clear commitment from the Chinese side that there will be reliable access and supply chains for rare earths and critical raw materials, and that the Chinese side stands by this”.”This was a very important point, publicly committed to, and we will remind the Chinese side of this,” added Klingbeil, who is also German vice chancellor, as he visited Singapore following his China trip.China dominates the mining and processing of rare earths but has been tightening control over their export this year, against the backdrop of rising geopolitical tensions, especially with Washington.Beijing introduced sweeping new measures last month, before it agreed to suspend some export restrictions following talks between the US and Chinese presidents.Manufacturers in Germany, Europe’s industrial powerhouse, had been particularly hit by the export curbs.The difficulties in the China-Germany relationship were illustrated last month when Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul cancelled a visit to China at the last minute, saying that meetings with key officials could not be arranged. But there are signs that both sides want to improve their crucial economic relationship, particularly as the United States pursues its “America first” agenda under President Donald Trump.Klingbeil took part in an annual “financial dialogue” between German and Chinese officials in Beijing on his trip.This had sent “a clear signal of German-Chinese cooperation”, he said. “That was my goal in coming here, and it worked well. I believe I was able to contribute to ensuring good German-Chinese relations.”

Stock markets rallied on Thursday after bumper earnings from chip titan Nvidia eased fears of an AI bubble and overshadowed a mixed US jobs report.All three major Wall Street indices jumped at the open, following gains in Europe and Asia.Investors cheered an earnings report from AI bellwether Nvidia, released after US markets closed Wednesday, which topped expectations on fierce demand for its advanced chips.Chief executive Jensen Huang also brushed off fears of an artificial intelligence bubble that had recently caused global equities to wobble.”Nvidia’s results have completely changed the market mood and pushed out any bubble fears for another day,” said Jim Reid, managing director at Deutsche Bank. Shares in the chipmaker — which last month became the world’s first $5 trillion stock — rose around four percent on Thursday.The upbeat report overshadowed a delayed US September jobs report, which showed that hiring exceeded analyst expectations while the jobless rate crept up. Due to the record-long government shutdown, Thursday’s figures were the last official major labour market data released ahead of the Federal Reserve’s meeting in December.Minutes from the Fed’s October policy meeting, released Wednesday, suggested officials are against cutting rates for the third time in a row next month.”For as much focus as this jobs report garnered … it’s being overshadowed by Nvidia’s blowout earnings results,” said eToro US investment analyst Bret Kenwell.London, Paris and Frankfurt all advanced on Thursday after a largely positive session in Asia, which saw Japan surge nearly three percent.Tech stocks led the gains in Asia. South Korea’s Samsung and SK hynix, Taiwan’s TSMC and Japanese investment giant SoftBank all enjoyed a strong day.In company news, shares in US retail giant Walmart rose around four percent after it reported higher quarterly revenue and raised its outlook.- Key figures at around 1445 GMT -New York – Dow: UP 1.3 percent at 46,757.92 pointsNew York – S&P 500: UP 1.6 percent at 6,751.19 New York – Nasdaq Composite: UP 2.2 percent at 23,050.65 London – FTSE 100: UP 0.7 percent at 9,571.77Paris – CAC 40: UP 1.0 percent at 8,029.24Frankfurt – DAX: UP 1.1 percent at 23,418.09Tokyo – Nikkei 225: UP 2.7 percent at 49,823.94 (close)Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: FLAT at 25,835.57 (close)Shanghai – Composite: DOWN 0.4 percent at 3,931.05 (close)New York – Dow: UP 0.1 percent at 46,138.77 (close)Dollar/yen: UP at 157.61 yen from 157.01 yen on WednesdayEuro/dollar: UP at $1.1541 from $1.1526Pound/dollar: UP at $1.3115 from $1.3048Euro/pound: UP at 88.98 from 88.33 penceWest Texas Intermediate: UP 0.8 percent at $59.92 per barrelBrent North Sea Crude: UP 0.7 percent at $63.96 per barrel

Clothing items sold by Asian e-commerce giant Shein contain dangerous chemicals at levels well in excess of EU rules, Greenpeace charged in a report published on Thursday.A spokesman for Shein told AFP that “as a precaution we will withdraw the articles that we can identify from our marketplace worldwide”.Greenpeace Germany said 18 clothing items out of 56 that it sent for testing “contained dangerous chemicals that exceed the limits in the EU’s REACH chemical regulation, sometimes severely”.Among the products was a children’s mermaid costume which exceeded the REACH limits on formaldehyde, the group said.It also said adult jackets had high amounts of phthalates, chemicals used to make plastics more flexible which have been linked to numerous health problems.Greenpeace said in a statement that the substances “especially affected workers and the environment in the countries of production”.”However consumers are also exposed to the chemicals through skin contact, sweat or breathing in fibres,” the campaign group said.When the garments are “washed or disposed of, the substances enter rivers, soils and the food chain”.The spokesman for Shein said the company “takes product safety very seriously and is committed to offering customers safe products that meet the relevant rules”.”As Greenpeace did not provide the test results in advance, we have not yet been able to evaluate them,” he said, adding that the company was investigating Greenpeace’s claims.Shein has faced various controversies over its business model and products.Earlier this month France moved to suspend Shein’s online platform following outrage over its sale of childlike sex dolls.European retailers say they face unfair competition from overseas platforms, such as Shein, AliExpress and Temu, which they claim often do not comply with the EU’s stringent rules on products.The European Commission has said it will propose a draft law next year to tackle these issues.Last week EU states also agreed to scrap a bloc-wide duty exemption on low-value orders from the likes of Shein to help tackle a flood of cheap imports into the bloc.In October a German consumer organisation said its tests of a selection of products sold by Temu and Shein found that most of them did not conform to EU safety standards, with some of them potentially “poisonous” and others posing fire risks.At the time Shein said the products in question had been withdrawn.

Most stock markets rallied on Thursday after strong earnings from chip titan Nvidia eased fears of an AI bubble.Investors’ attention turned to the delayed US September jobs report, due later in the day, for clues about the outlook for interest rates.London, Paris and Frankfurt all advanced after a largely positive session in Asia.Japan surged around three percent, while Hong Kong ended flat and Shanghai closed slightly lower.Global equities have struggled recently on warnings that tech valuations may be due a pullback after this year’s record-breaking rally.But Wednesday’s report from AI bellwether Nvidia topped expectations on fierce demand for its advanced chips, with chief executive Jensen Huang brushing off fears of a bubble.”Nvidia’s results have completely changed the market mood and pushed out any bubble fears for another day,” said Jim Reid, managing director at Deutsche Bank. Shares in the firm — which last month became the world’s first $5 trillion stock — rose more than five percent in post-market trade, while S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures also soared.Tech stocks led the gains in Asia. South Korea’s Samsung and SK hynix, Taiwan’s TSMC and Japanese investment giant SoftBank all enjoyed a strong day.However, SPI Asset Management’s Stephen Innes warned: “This is still a market balancing on a wire stretched between AI euphoria and debt-filled reality.”The upbeat report helped counterbalance minutes from the Federal Reserve’s October policy meeting, which suggested officials are against cutting rates for the third time in a row next month.A run of soft labour market reports had previously boosted bets on a string of rate reductions, lifting equities in turn.But Fed boss Jerome Powell dampened the mood last month when he warned that a December cut was “not a foregone conclusion”.Thursday’s release of US jobs data for September — delayed by the government shutdown — will be closely watched.”Unless we see a particularly concerning jobs report today, it looks likely that the next rate cut comes in 2026,” said Joshua Mahony, chief market analyst at Scope Markets.The data carries extra weight as the Bureau of Labor Statistics said it would not publish its October figures, instead rolling them into November’s full report on December 16.The pullback in US rate cut expectations sent the dollar to its strongest level against the yen since January, spurring talk of an intervention by Japanese authorities.The yen was already under pressure from concerns about Japan’s fiscal outlook before the expected release of a stimulus package by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Worries that she will push for more borrowing have hit the currency and sent bond yields to record highs.In company news, shares in Games Workshop jumped more than 10 percent on London’s FTSE 100 after it forecast strong earnings and increased dividends.- Key figures at around 1115 GMT -London – FTSE 100: UP 0.8 percent at 9,579.48 pointsParis – CAC 40: UP 0.8 percent at 8,020.69Frankfurt – DAX: UP 1.1 percent at 23,408.01Tokyo – Nikkei 225: UP 2.7 percent at 49,823.94 (close)Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: FLAT at 25,835.57 (close)Shanghai – Composite: DOWN 0.4 percent at 3,931.05 (close)New York – Dow: UP 0.1 percent at 46,138.77 (close)Dollar/yen: UP at 157.47 yen from 157.01 yen on WednesdayEuro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1518 from $1.1526Pound/dollar: UP at $1.3066 from $1.3048Euro/pound: DOWN at 88.14 from 88.33 penceWest Texas Intermediate: UP 0.9 percent at $59.95 per barrelBrent North Sea Crude: UP 0.7 percent at $63.97 per barrel