Business

Hong Kong stocks open slightly higher

HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Hong Kong shares opened slightly higher on Tuesday after the previous day’s losses but gains were muted following a weak lead from Wall Street. The Hang Seng Index added 0.15 percent, or 41.88 points, to 28,368.47. But the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index inched down 1.04 points to 3,373.34 and the Shenzhen Composite Index, which tracks stocks on China’s second exchange, was also virtually flat, dipping 0.62 points to 2,013.81. © Agence France-Presse

European stock markets diverge as traders track Brexit, Spain

by Ben Perry  Agence France-Presse NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — European stock markets were mixed Monday as investors were looking for fresh clues on Brexit talks from a speech by embattled British Prime Minister Theresa May. The euro meanwhile held firm in the face of mounting pressure against Catalonia’s push to break away from Spain, while US stocks retreated as a nine-day streak of Nasdaq gains ended. In an address to parliament, May said she expected “leadership […]

Britain and EU clash over who takes next Brexit step

  by Danny Kemp Agence France Presse BRUSSELS, Belgium (AFP) — The EU and Britain clashed Monday after British Prime Minister Theresa May said the ball was in the EU’s court as Brexit negotiations entered a critical fifth round. Officials from both sides are meeting in Brussels, but chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier and British counterpart David Davis are not attending the start, underscoring low expectations for the talks. This round of divorce discussions is […]

Japan offers more than 100,000 jobs for foreigners; Filipinos in priority list

QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News)  — More than 100,000 jobs are being offered by Japan to foreigners, and Filipinos are being prioritized. According to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), the Japanese Ministry of Health and Labor said it would prioritize hiring skilled and semi-skilled Filipino workers in Japan. It also said that the Japan government will not be strict in its language proficiency requirement.

Australia’s biggest bank vows to fight class action

SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Australia’s biggest bank, the Commonwealth, vowed Monday to fight what could become the country’s largest shareholder class action over alleged breaches of anti-money laundering laws. The open class action, filed by law firm Maurice Blackburn and litigation funder IMF Bentham in the Federal Court in Melbourne Monday, followed a civil case launched by Australia’s financial intelligence agency AUSTRAC in August. AUSTRAC alleged the bank engaged in “serious and systemic non-compliance” of anti-money laundering laws involving thousands of […]

Asia markets mixed but Shanghai reopens with a bang

SHANGHAI, China (AFP) — Shanghai soared more than one percent Monday as Chinese trading floors reopened after a long break while other Asian markets were mixed following last week’s surprising fall in US jobs. Geopolitical concerns also returned on worries North Korea will test another long-range missile and US President Donald Trump’s remarks suggesting that talking to Kim Jong-Un’s regime was a waste of time and “only one thing will work”. And the Turkish lira […]

May says ball is in EU’s court as Brexit talks resume

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — British Prime Minister Theresa May will tell the European Union on Monday that “the ball is in their court” as her divided government resumes Brexit negotiations in Brussels. She will use a speech in the House of Commons to urge both sides to show “flexibility” in seeking a deal on Britain’s withdrawal from the EU, her Downing Street office said. “A new, deep and special partnership between a sovereign United […]

Malacanang welcomes P40-billion tax settlement of Mighty Corp; funds to go to infra projects

  (Eagle News) — The country’s second largest cigarette manufacturer has entered into a P40-billion compromise settlement with the Philippine government for its multi-billion peso tax liability, the payment of which will go to the infrastructure program of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration. Malacanang on Saturday welcomed the P40 billion settlement of Mighty Corporation which had earlier made an initial payment of P3.44 billion to the Bureau of Internal Revenue. Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella, in a […]

PAL, gov’t agree to settle flag carrier’s debt issue with P6.91-billion payment

(Eagle News) — Philippine Airlines has agreed to pay the government nearly P7 billion to settle its debts, an amount the Department of Transportation has accepted. PAL and the DOTr made the announcement in a joint statement on Friday. According to the statement, the P6.91 billion covers the navigational charges the flag carrier owes the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and the Manila International Airport Authority, some of which date back to two years […]

EU

Philippines as competitive destination for EU businesses to take spotlight in investment summit

By Caesar Vallejos, EBC Correspondent Against the backdrop of controversial issues including human rights abuses and drug-related killings, the Philippines’ position as a competitive destination for businesses from the European Union (EU) will take the spotlight at the EU-Philippines Business Summit on October 17, 2017, at the Solaire Resort Hotel, Paranaque City. Reacting to the recent national headlines in the country, EU Ambassador Franz Jessen said, “mistakes happen in any system in many countries. The […]

Spanish stocks rebound as Wall Street hits fresh records

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — The Madrid stock market rebounded Thursday as the Spanish government moved to block a move by Catalonia to declare independence, while Wall Street stocks surged once again to fresh records ahead of key US jobs data. The Spanish capital’s benchmark IBEX 35 shares index jumped 2.5 percent, largely offsetting the previous day’s 3.0-percent slump. Trade was more muted elsewhere in Europe, with Frankfurt dipping, while Paris and London posted […]

World must ‘seize the opportunity’ of global recovery: IMF’s Lagarde

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde said Thursday a worldwide economic recovery is taking hold, opening a window for countries to enact reforms aimed at attaining broader, lasting prosperity. “The long-awaited global recovery is taking root,” she said in an address Thursday evening at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. Countries around the globe are seeing renewed or sustained economic expansion, coinciding with greater stability in banks and market confidence, she […]