Australia

The Quad is going beyond military exercises — and China is watching
Over the years, the Quad has been incorrectly called an “Asian NATO,” especially when it comes to security concerns about another big power in the region — China. The Quad, or the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, comprises four big, democratic economies: the United States, Japan, India and Australia. Over the years, the Quad has been incorrectly […]
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Asia-Pacific markets set to open higher; central bank decisions ahead this week
SINGAPORE — Asia-Pacific futures pointed to a higher open on Monday ahead of Australia and Malaysia central bank decisions this week. The Nikkei futures contract in Chicago was at 26,285 while its counterpart in Osaka was at 26,320. That compared against the Nikkei 225’s last close at 25,935.62. In Australia, SPI futures were at 6,545, […]
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Asia-Pacific markets slip; China PMI data ahead
SINGAPORE — Shares in the Asia Pacific fell at the market open on Thursday as investors await data from China. The Nikkei 225 in Japan dropped 0.72% in early trade, while the Topix slipped 0.76% In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.33%. South Korea’s Kospi declined 0.76%, while the Kosdaq was 0.19% lower. MSCI’s broadest index […]
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Australia’s retail sales beat forecasts again in May
Shoppers around Pitt Street Mall on June 7, 2022, in Sydney, Australia. Australian retail sales again beat expectations in May as consumers spent more on eating out and in department stores, suggesting demand is proving resilient in the face of surging inflation and rising interest rates. Brendon Thorne | Getty Images News | Getty Images […]
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Shares in the Asia Pacific fall; Australia retail sales rise
SINGAPORE — Shares in the Asia-Pacific fell on Wednesday after Wall Street’s negative performance on Tuesday. Investors will also be looking forward to Japan’s consumer confidence data release. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index declined about 1% in early trade, while the Hang Seng Tech index dropped 1.44%. In South Korea, the Kospi dropped 1.55%, while […]
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NATO countries gather as Ukraine war overshadows Europe; Russian attack on shopping mall kills at least 15 people
NATO alliance set to meet in Spain as Russia’s aggression increases NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg has already previewed new moves by the alliance, announcing on Monday that it would increase its rapid response force and will bolster its battlegroups in eastern Europe. Yves Herman | Reuters The NATO military alliance is all set to meet […]
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Australia’s central bank flags more rate rises, 75 basis point moves unlikely
The Reserve Bank of Australia building in Sydney on June 7, 2022. Australia’s top central banker on Tuesday flagged a lot more policy tightening ahead as rates were still “very low” and it was important that higher inflation did not feed into public expectations and wage claims. Muhammad Farooq | Afp | Getty Images Australia’s […]
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‘The system is rusty’: Executives defend industry as airlines cancel scores of flights
Air travel is roaring back, but not without some significant hiccups. Particularly in North America and Europe, travelers have described chaos at airports, with scores of flights canceled or delayed, luggage lost and wait times to board planes exceeding four hours. That’s partly the result of labor shortages from the pandemic, as layoffs have put […]
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Oil giant BP buys 40.5% stake in massive renewables and green hydrogen project
A BP logo photographed in London on May 12, 2021. The International Energy Agency recently reported that 2021 saw energy-related carbon dioxide emissions rise to their highest level in history. Glyn Kirk | Afp | Getty Images Oil and gas supermajor BP has agreed to take a 40.5% equity stake in the Asian Renewable Energy […]
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