Latest on worldwide spread of coronavirus
* Spain will cap prices for rapid COVID-19 tests and open up its booster shot program to everyone over 18, the government said on Thursday, as infections continued to rise albeit at a slightly slower pace. * Germany’s vaccine committee recommended on Thursday that all children between 12 and 17 receive a booster shot as…
Fed speakers put rate hikes in focus
NEW YORK CITY, RAW – Wall Street’s major indexes closed lower on Thursday with Nasdaq’s 2.5 per cent drop leading the losses as investors took profits, particularly in technology stocks after a three-day rally, while multiple Federal Reserve officials were out talking about inflation and interest rate hikes. Interest-rate sensitive growth stocks such as technology…
Schools must return on time: PM
CANBERRA, AAP – Children must return to school to ease Australia’s growing workforce crisis, Prime Minister Scott Morrison says. Speaking after national cabinet met on Thursday, the PM insisted schools should not delay the start of the year until after the projected peak of COVID cases, as has been done in Queensland and South Australia….
Iron ore miners carry ASX to modest gain
SYDNEY, AAP – Mining giants benefited from a higher iron ore price and helped the Australian share market be one of the best in the region with one day of the trading week remaining. Materials shares gained 2.56 per cent and iron ore miners thrived after their rivals in Brazil stopped work due to torrential…
Unemployed could help feed rural Australia
ORANGE, AAP – Putting unemployed and older people to work could help feed regional and remote communities during the peak of the Omicron outbreak, an industry body says. Acting Small Business Minister Anne Ruston on Wednesday suggested opening up job opportunities for older Australians, the unemployed, and temporary visa holders to ease the burden on…
Tech shares bear brunt of ASX decline
SYDNEY, AAP – Australia’s share market was falling at the end of the week and technology shares were extending their wretched start to 2022. The market was down 0.84 per cent on Friday and technology shares were lower by almost three per cent after a tough night on Wall Street. The US Nasdaq dropped by…
Blackstone offer may seal Crown takeover
SYDNEY, AAP – Private equity group Blackstone has increased its bid for Crown Resorts and this time the casino operator looks likely to accept. Blackstone raised its bid by 60 cents per share to $13.10 per share, which equates to an $8.87 billion proposal. Crown on Thursday said it was in shareholders’ interests to discuss…
Jobs outlook turns uncertain due Omicron
CANBERRA, AAP – Australia’s labour market likely eked out another fall in the unemployment rate in the final month of 2021, before the COVID-19 Omicron variant made its mark. While there are signs that demand for workers is coming off the boil as the highly infectious strain disrupts business, there were still plenty of jobs…
New tech scoops plastic in Sydney Harbour
SYDNEY, AAP – A new technology being tested at defence bases on Sydney Harbour has removed nearly 3000 kilograms of rubbish from the iconic waterway in the past year. The Seabin Smart Technology will become a permanent fixture at Garden Island, with three units set to be maintained there. The Australian technology removed 2920kg of…
Latest on the worldwide spread of the coronavirus
LONDON, RAW – EUROPE * British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has apologised for attending a “bring your own booze” gathering at his official residence during the UK’s first lockdown, as a senior figure in his party and opponents said he should resign. * Denmark is to offer a fourth coronavirus vaccination to vulnerable citizens and…
