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(Reuters) -Warner Music Group is nearing an agreement with Netflix to create a variety of movies and documentaries based on the label's artists and songs, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter. Reuters could not immediately verify the report. Warner Music, the label behind artists such as Bruno Mars and Ed Sheerean, and Netflix did not respond to Reuters' request for comments outside regular business hours. Warner Music CEO Robert Kyncl, speaking at the Bloomberg Screentime conference in Los Angeles, declined to comment on any specific deal. "It makes a lot of sense for us to partner with a company that can bring it alive all around the world," Kyncl said, referring to the catalog of rights to songs by legendary artists. "The stories we have are incredible, and they have not been told." In July, Warner Music and Bain Capital announced a joint venture aimed at acquiring up to $1.2 billion worth of music catalogs. (Reporting by Anusha Shah in Bengaluru; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu and Sherry Jacob-Phillips)

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BEIJING (Reuters) -Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba Group announced on Thursday a multi-year partnership with the National Basketball Association to provide artificial intelligence and cloud computing services. Under the agreement, Alibaba will develop applications to enhance fan experiences on the NBA app in China, while NBA China will leverage Alibaba's technologies including a proprietary AI model based on the Qwen series of foundational models, the company said in a statement. The partnership also designates Alibaba Cloud as an official cloud computing and AI partner of NBA China. (Reporting by Liam Mo and Brenda Goh; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)

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(Reuters) -Warner Music is nearing an agreement with Netflix to create a variety of movies and documentaries based on the label's artists and songs, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter. Reuters could not immediately verify the report. (Reporting by Anusha Shah in Bengaluru; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu)

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BEIJING (Reuters) -China tightened its rare earth export controls on Thursday, expanding restrictions on processing technology, barring unauthorised overseas cooperation and spelling out its intention to limit exports to overseas defence and semiconductor users. The announcement from the Ministry of Commerce clarifies and expands sweeping controls announced in April that caused massive shortages around the world before a series of deals with Europe and the U.S. resumed shipments. China accounts for about 60% of global mine production and 90% of processed and permanent magnet output. Rare earths are vital materials in products from electric vehicles to aircraft engines and military radars. Restrictions on exporting the technology to make rare earth magnets will be expanded to more types of magnets. Equipment used to recycle rare earths will now also require a licence to export, adding it to the long list of rare earth processing technology China has restricted. Manufacturers overseas using any Chinese components or machinery must also apply for licences to export controlled items, the ministry said. The announcement also clarified for the first time some of the targets of China's restrictions. Overseas defence users will not be granted licences, the ministry said, while applications related to advanced semiconductors will only be approved on a case-by-case basis. Chinese companies working overseas are also barred from working with companies overseas on rare earths without permission from the ministry. (Reporting by Lewis Jackson in Beijing; Editing by Christian Schmollinger and Kate Mayberry)

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By Jessica DiNapoli NEW YORK (Reuters) -Ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's is set to switch corporate owners next month, but for Ben Cohen, the counterculture brand's co-founder, it is a case of meet the new boss, same as the old boss. As of November, Ben & Jerry's will be owned by Magnum Ice Cream Co when Magnum is officially spun out from its current parent, London-based Unilever. Cohen expects the simmering conflict between Ben & Jerry's and Unilever to continue as he carries on a quest to try to buy back the brand he co-founded in 1978. Cohen said Magnum is censoring Ben & Jerry's ability to speak out on progressive causes like Palestinian rights and U.S. immigration. The brand last year claimed in a lawsuit that Unilever had violated a hands-off policy it had agreed to under which it acknowledged the ice cream maker's independent board and its responsibility for its social mission. "There is no difference between how Unilever is muzzling Ben & Jerry's and Magnum," Cohen told Reuters in an interview, saying the same executives are demonstrating a similar "muzzling prowess." Magnum said in a statement that it has had discussions on only about 2% of the brand's social media posts over the years. "We have always striven to work together with the Ben & Jerry’s teams to craft balanced messages in line with the original agreement around the progressive, non-partisan social mission," Magnum said. Together with Unilever, the companies previously said they have sought to engage both co-founders in a conversation on how to strengthen Ben & Jerry's values-based position. Unilever did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday. Unilever's former president of its ice cream business, Peter ter Kulve, is now the CEO of Magnum. Filings in the lawsuit assert that he banned the brand from making any statements criticizing U.S. President Donald Trump. Unilever previously did not respond to a request for comment on the matter. Cohen added that the conflict will grow when the Magnum spinoff is complete, because Ben & Jerry's will account for a larger percentage of the company's business. "The ongoing conflict is more problematic for Magnum than Unilever," he said. Cohen has previously met with ter Kulve in Vermont, where the company is headquartered, and Europe. Efforts to settle the lawsuit have been unsuccessful. Ben & Jerry's brought in about 1.1 billion euros ($1.28 billion) in revenue in 2024, making it third-largest of the brands in Magnum, which brought in 7.9 billion euros in revenue in that time, according to a June 2025 company presentation. Unilever posted revenue of 60.8 billion euros in 2024. Cohen is trying to buy back Ben & Jerry's for $1.5 billion to $2 billion with a group of investors, but said Unilever and Magnum will not hand over key financial information. He did not name the investors. Magnum said in its statement that Ben & Jerry's is not for sale. Cohen plans to keep trying to buy back the brand.  "What they believe is that they can have the benefits of owning Ben & Jerry's in terms of sales and profitability … without dealing with the stands that Ben & Jerry's is driven to take based on its social mission," he said. Founded by Cohen with business partner Jerry Greenfield, Ben & Jerry's became nationally known for whimsically named flavors that drew on 60s-era psychedelia. "Cherry Garcia" was named after the Grateful Dead's lead guitarist Jerry Garcia. Another flavor, the discontinued "Wavy Gravy," was named for the entertainer-peace activist who made announcements at the Woodstock music festival in 1969. Cohen and Greenfield sold the brand to Unilever in 2000. Greenfield quit his role as brand ambassador last month in a protest against Unilever's actions. Strife between Ben & Jerry's and Unilever erupted in 2021, when Ben & Jerry's decided to stop selling in the West Bank. (Reporting by Jessica DiNapoli in New York; Editing by David Gregorio and Christopher Cushing)

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By Wayne Cole SYDNEY (Reuters) -Asian stock markets resumed their ascent on Thursday as investors doubled down on all things AI-related, while gold held atop $4,000 and the dollar retained its recent hefty gains. Oil prices dipped as geopolitical tensions eased a little on news that Israel and Hamas had agreed to the first phase of a ceasefire plan to end the two-year conflict. U.S. President Donald Trump said he might travel to Egypt this weekend to discuss further steps in the deal. In equity markets, a resumption of the bull run in AI-related tech saw the S&P 500 and Nasdaq reach record highs as funds were again rewarded for buying the dips. "The AI Theme remains intact as we see another stream of multi-$bn investment come into the space," wrote analysts at JPMorgan in a note. "Investors can talk all they want about the 'circularity' of this AI investment cycle, but these daily headlines are being rewarded with strength until proven otherwise." They noted estimates for earnings growth in the tech sector had risen to 20.9% for the looming reporting season, from 15.9% back in June. Some 81% of the stocks in the tech sector have seen estimates increase, led by Nvidia and Apple. Earnings overall are expected to grow 8% for the third quarter, with revenue up 6.3%. A jump in tech pushed Japan's Nikkei up 1.4% and back toward all-time peaks. Data showed offshore funds bought a net 2.5 trillion yen ($16.40 billion) worth of Japanese shares in the week through October 4. Stocks in Taiwan climbed 1.2% to a fresh record, while MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan firmed 0.3%. Chinese blue chips added 0.4% as they reopened from a week-long holiday. Beijing announced new restrictions on the export of rare earth minerals and equipment that have been a sticking point in trade talks with the United States. S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq futures steadied after Wednesday's gains. EUROSTOXX 50 futures eased 0.2% as did FTSE futures and DAX futures. FED STILL SEEN CUTTING Bond markets were largely unruffled by minutes of the last Federal Reserve meeting that showed a majority of members cautioned about upside risks to inflation even as they sanctioned an easing in policy. Futures continue to imply a 94% chance of another quarter-point cut in November, and have 44 basis points of easing priced in by year-end. "While most Fed officials want to cut further, some participants want to approach further cuts with caution," economists at Citi wrote in a note. "We expect that further labour market weakening will push most Fed officials to support cutting the policy rate at each of the next four meetings." Yields on 10-year Treasuries were down a fraction at 4.115%, having also shrugged off a middling auction of new notes on Wednesday. In currencies, the dollar held near eight-month highs on the yen at 152.54, having surged 3.5% so far this week amid concerns about more Japanese government borrowing. The euro steadied at $1.1641, after touching a six-week low of $1.1598 overnight when data showed German industrial output suffered the biggest monthly fall in over three years in August. Gold eased 0.2% to $4,031 an ounce, but remains 3.9% higher on the week so far. The metal has been buoyed by the prospect of a series of U.S. rate cuts, along with investor demand for assets that cannot be debased by governments and buying by central banks for reserves. There is also in part a desire to hedge against the risk of a sustained decline in the U.S. dollar and a selloff in bond markets as governments need to borrow ever more. [GOL/] Oil prices slipped as news of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire lessened one potential threat to supplies. [O/R] Brent dropped 0.6% to $65.89 a barrel, while U.S. crude eased 0.7% to $62.12 per barrel. ($1 = 152.4800 yen) (Reporting by Wayne Cole; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)

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By Makiko Yamazaki and Kentaro Sugiyama TOKYO (Reuters) -The yen's current weakness benefits the economy and the hit to households from rising import costs can be offset by aggressive fiscal spending, said Takuji Aida, an economist advising the policy circle of Japan's likely new premier Sanae Takaichi. In an interview with Reuters, Aida brushed off concern that aggressive spending could further weaken the yen, which in turn would push up import costs, potentially accelerate inflation and weigh on consumption. "We've developed a defeatist mindset, thinking that a weaker yen is bad. That's a major mistake," Aida, chief Japan economist at Credit Agricole, said on Wednesday. The yen's current depreciation is beneficial, as it coincides with rising stock prices and growing investor confidence in Japan, he said, adding that burdens from rising import costs could be eased by proactive fiscal policy. The Japanese currency's sharp appreciation after the burst of an asset-inflated bubble prompted companies to cut or shift overseas jobs and investment, Aida said. "At 140 or 150 yen to the dollar, it becomes viable to manufacture goods domestically. This exchange rate level is helping drive the capital investment cycle upward and also serves as a buffer against U.S. tariffs," said Aida, who advises a group of reflationist-minded ruling party lawmakers. Takaichi's economic platform strongly reflects the group's policy principles advocating aggressive government spending to revitalise the economy. On monetary policy, Aida said the BOJ is likely to keep interest rates steady until 2027 after one more hike possibly by early next year. "Obviously, the BOJ has already set itself on a path toward tightening, so it will likely raise the policy rate to 0.75% by January," he said. The BOJ will then pause to support the government's spending plans and resume a gradual tightening in 2027, Aida said. "In 2027, the effects of (Takaichi's) proactive fiscal policy will start to kick in, and we'll see a clear expansion in domestic demand," he said. "Inflation is then likely to pick up in line with domestic demand, prompting the BOJ to begin small, incremental rate hikes." The BOJ ended a decade-long, massive stimulus last year and raised interest rates to 0.5% in January on the view Japan was on the cusp of durably achieving its 2% inflation target. Governor Kazuo Ueda has signaled the BOJ's readiness to keep raising interest rates if economic and price developments move in line with its forecasts. (Reporting by Makiko Yamazaki and Kentaro Sugiyama; Editing by Sam Holmes)

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By Makiko Yamazaki and Kentaro Sugiyama TOKYO (Reuters) -The yen's current weakness benefits the economy and the hit to households from rising import costs can be offset by aggressive fiscal spending, said Takuji Aida, an economist advising the policy circle of Japan's likely new premier Sanae Takaichi. In an interview with Reuters, Aida brushed off concern that aggressive spending could further weaken the yen, which in turn would push up import costs, potentially accelerate inflation and weigh on consumption. "We've developed a defeatist mindset, thinking that a weaker yen is bad. That's a major mistake," Aida, chief Japan economist at Credit Agricole, said on Wednesday. The yen's current depreciation is beneficial, as it coincides with rising stock prices and growing investor confidence in Japan, he said, adding that burdens from rising import costs could be eased by proactive fiscal policy. The Japanese currency's sharp appreciation after the burst of an asset-inflated bubble prompted companies to cut or shift overseas jobs and investment, Aida said. "At 140 or 150 yen to the dollar, it becomes viable to manufacture goods domestically. This exchange rate level is helping drive the capital investment cycle upward and also serves as a buffer against U.S. tariffs," said Aida, who advises a group of reflationist-minded ruling party lawmakers. Takaichi's economic platform strongly reflects the group's policy principles advocating aggressive government spending to revitalise the economy. On monetary policy, Aida said the BOJ is likely to keep interest rates steady until 2027 after one more hike possibly by early next year. "Obviously, the BOJ has already set itself on a path toward tightening, so it will likely raise the policy rate to 0.75% by January," he said. The BOJ will then pause to support the government's spending plans and resume a gradual tightening in 2027, Aida said. "In 2027, the effects of (Takaichi's) proactive fiscal policy will start to kick in, and we'll see a clear expansion in domestic demand," he said. "Inflation is then likely to pick up in line with domestic demand, prompting the BOJ to begin small, incremental rate hikes." The BOJ ended a decade-long, massive stimulus last year and raised interest rates to 0.5% in January on the view Japan was on the cusp of durably achieving its 2% inflation target. Governor Kazuo Ueda has signaled the BOJ's readiness to keep raising interest rates if economic and price developments move in line with its forecasts. (Reporting by Makiko Yamazaki and Kentaro Sugiyama; Editing by Sam Holmes)

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(Reuters) -Australian lender ANZ announced three senior leadership appointments to its Group Executive Committee on Thursday, as part of efforts to strengthen its retail, risk management, and technology operations. Pedro Rodeia will join as group executive for Australia Retail, Christine Palmer as group chief risk officer, and Donald Patra as group chief information officer, ANZ said in a statement. CEO Nuno Matos said the appointments would help the lender improve customer outcomes, enhance risk management and build stronger technology capabilities. Rodeia, a former senior partner at McKinsey & Co and co-leader of its Global Banking Practice, brings more than 30 years of experience advising banks in more than 20 markets, including 15 years working with Australian lenders. He will join ANZ on November 17. Palmer, who joins from Santander UK, where she served as chief risk officer since 2020, has held senior roles at Aldermore Group, ING, Erst & Young, and the Royal Bank of Scotland. She will assume the new role on December 1, 2025. Patra, who joins from HSBC, where he most recently served as CIO for the UK and Europe, has more than 30 years of experience in financial services and technology and will join ANZ on November 24. The appointments come at a time when ANZ is focusing on boosting its retail presence in Australia and advancing its digital transformation initiatives. (Reporting by Roshan Thomas in Bengaluru; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips and Rashmi Aich)

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BEIJING (Reuters) -China's Ministry of Commerce tightened its export controls on rare earths on Thursday, restricting exports of a range of processing and manufacturing technology as well as barring companies from unauthorised overseas cooperation. (Reporting by Liz Lee in Beijing; Editing by Christian Schmollinger)

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