News

Canadian convenience store giant Couche-Tard remains determined to acquire Seven & i Holdings, the operator of Japan's top convenience store chain, 7-Eleven, despite the rejection of its initial offer. Couche-Tard emphasizes its desire for a friendly transaction and believes the merger would benefit 7-Eleven's business, while Seven & i Holdings remains focused on boosting its own value and addressing antitrust concerns.

Artisan Partners, a U.S. investor in Seven & i Holdings, opposes the retailer's CEO succession plan and urges engagement with Couche-Tard's $47 billion takeover offer to maximize shareholder value. The activist investor also plans to vote against the new CEO and other board members at the upcoming annual general meeting.

A study published in the journal Antioxidants has revealed that luteolin, a natural compound found in celery, broccoli, and other plants, can effectively prevent black hair from turning gray in mice. This groundbreaking discovery has sparked excitement among researchers, who believe it could pave the way for the development of novel topical and oral treatments for humans struggling with hair graying.

The LDP's decision to field Mio Sugita in the Upper House election has sparked backlash due to her past discriminatory remarks, with concerns that her candidacy could cost the party votes. Despite criticism, Sugita has gained support from conservative constituents and the backing of former senior members of the Abe faction within the LDP.

A sociable ocean sunfish at the Kaikyokan aquarium in Shimonoseki, Japan, fell sick after the aquarium closed for renovations, but perked up after staff set up human cutouts to simulate visitors. The sunfish, whose sex and age are unknown, started showing signs of distress and weight loss in December, refusing to eat jellyfish and rubbing its head against the tank.