HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Asian markets were mixed Thursday as another forecast-busting US inflation print ramped up bets on a series of sharp interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve, and other central banks race to tighten monetary policy. The keenly awaited consumer price index came in at a blistering 9.1 percent in June, the highest since November 1981, as energy costs continued to rocket on the back of rising demand and weak […]
Tag: Asia
Asian markets bounce as China eases quarantine measures; oil prices further increase
HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Most Asian markets reversed early losses Tuesday and oil continued its recent rally after China slashed the quarantine time for visitors, fuelling hope for a boost to the embattled economy. The news came as Beijing and Shanghai appeared to have contained a Covid outbreak that had forced officials to impose lockdowns that had compounded global supply chain snarls. Authorities said inbound travellers would now only have to quarantine for […]
Sri Lanka parliament shuts early after petrol runs out
by Amal JAYASINGHE Agence France Presse Sri Lanka’s parliament has cancelled its remaining sittings for the week to save fuel, officials said Thursday, with a disastrous economic crisis rapidly depleting the island nation’s already scarce petrol supplies. A foreign currency shortage has prevented the import of food, oil and medicines, while runaway inflation and regular blackouts have made life miserable for Sri Lanka’s 22 million population. Parliamentary officials said lawmakers decided to cancel sessions […]
Oil prices plunge more than 5% on recession fears
HONG KONG, June 22, 2022 (AFP) Oil prices plunged more than five percent Wednesday as traders grow increasingly worried that demand for the commodity will take a hit from a possible recession caused by a sharp hike in interest rates aimed at reining in inflation. West Texas Intermediate lost 5.6 percent to $103.31 a barrel, while Brent was off 5.2 percent at $108.62. Crude has soared in recent months to multi-year highs on concerns that […]
Singapore, South Korea report first monkeypox cases
One imported case, a British flight attendant, confirmed in Singapore; two suspected cases, including a foreign national, reported in South Korea (Eagle News) — Both Singapore and South Korea reported their first suspected monkeypox cases, the first such reported cases in Southeast and East Asia respectively In Singapore, the Ministry of Health has confirmed one imported case of monkeypox infection, a 42-year-old male British national who works as a flight attendant. He was in […]
Asian markets, oil prices extend losses on recession worries
HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Asian markets fell again Monday and oil prices extended losses on growing fears that central bank moves to rein in soaring inflation will induce a recession. The losses come after a sell-off last week fuelled by the Federal Reserve’s sharp interest rate hike last week — the biggest in nearly 30 years — and a warning of more to come, while increases in Britain and Switzerland added to the gloom. […]
Markets dive on inflation woes as dollar spikes against yen, rupee
HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Markets tumbled in Asia and Europe on Monday to extend a global rout while the dollar soared after a forecast-beating US inflation print ramped up bets on a more aggressive campaign of Federal Reserve interest rate hikes. Fresh Covid outbreaks in Shanghai and Beijing have also seen authorities reimpose containment measures soon after lifting them, leading to fears about the world’s number two economy. The possibility of more restrictions […]
Australia happy to reach World Cup finals ‘the hard way’
DOHA, Qatar (AFP) — Coach Graham Arnold is counting on “Aussie mental strength” to see his side to victory over the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday and through to another playoff battle for a place in the World Cup finals. Arnold said that Australia seem to like qualifying the “hard way” but insisted that they are ready for the showdown in the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Doha. The winner will take on Peru in the […]
Biden, Yoon signal expanded military drills due to N. Korea ‘threat’
by Sebastian Smith Agence France Presse US President Joe Biden and South Korea’s new President Yoon Suk-yeol signalled Saturday an expanded military presence in response to the “threat” from North Korea, while also offering to help the isolated regime face a Covid-19 outbreak. After meeting in Seoul on Biden’s first trip to Asia as president, the two leaders said in a statement that “considering the evolving threat posed by” North Korea, they “agree to […]
US cites ‘possibility’ of N.Korea nuclear test during Biden’s Asia trip
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States believes there is a “genuine possibility” that North Korea could conduct a nuclear test or other saber rattling while Joe Biden is on his first trip as president to Asia, a top US official said Wednesday. “Our intelligence does reflect the genuine possibility” of nuclear-capable missile tests or a nuclear weapon test around the time of Biden’s trip, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said. Biden departs […]
World champion Yamaguchi powers into Badminton Asia semis
MANILA, Philippines (AFP) — Top seed Akane Yamaguchi of Japan surged into the Badminton Asia Championships semi-finals after fighting back to defeat Thailand’s Pornpawee Chochuwong on Friday. Sixth-seeded Pornpawee romped to the first game 21-9 but the title-holder recovered to win the next two 21-15, 21-17 and wrap up the quarter-final in 55 minutes in Manila. Yamaguchi will play India’s P.V. Sindhu in the last four after the fourth seed overcame China’s fifth seed He […]
Ramos-Horta wins East Timor presidential election: officials
DILI, East Timor (AFP) — Nobel laureate Jose Ramos-Horta scored a landslide victory in East Timor’s presidential election, according to preliminary results published Wednesday by the election secretariat. The 72-year-old secured 397,145 votes, or 62.09 percent, against incumbent Francisco “Lu-Olo” Guterres’ 242,440, or 37.91 percent, the secretariat’s website showed after all ballots were counted. “The count of the district, national and regional vote has been completed,” said Acilino Manuel Branco, general director of the […]





