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☆ California just hiked minimum wage for fast food workers. Some restaurants are replacing them with kiosks
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Parija Bhatnagar | Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

New York CNN —California just raised the minimum wage for the state’s fast food sector workers by $4 to $20. And, although many casual observers disagree, higher wages for fast food workers could actually help fast food owners, Dongoski said. The employment level in fast food restaurants still hasn’t reached pre-pandemic levels. This has nothing to do with minimum wage.”However, the minimum wage increase serves as an accelerant, Brown said. The changes are necessary, said Ghai, who employs 3,700 fast food workers in California.

Persons: ”, Rob Dongoski, Dongoski, hasn’t, ” Dongoski, McDonald’s, Katie Fogerty, “, David Paul Morris, Burger, Marbue Brown, we’ve, ” Brown, that’s, Brown, “ It’s, Taco, Ghai, “ Everyone’s, ” Ghai, he’s, Harsh Ghai, Condie, ” Condie Organizations: New, New York CNN, Bloomberg, Getty, Burger, Taco Bell, CNN, California Restaurant Association Locations: New York, California, Kearney, Larkspur , California, New York City

☆ EIG Global Energy Partners Expects New LNG Acquisition Within Months
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Stuart Condie | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

EIG CEO R. Blair Thomas said the investment firm is closing in on a deal for a liquefied natural gas asset worth several billion dollars. Photo: F. Carter Smith/Bloomberg NewsSYDNEY—U.S. investment firm EIG Global Energy Partners is closing in on a deal for a liquefied natural gas asset worth several billion dollars, as it raises bets on demand for the fuel amid a reordering of energy supply chains triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Chief Executive R. Blair Thomas said EIG’s MidOcean Energy unit is working on the deal in parallel with an effort to buy Australia’s Origin Energy as part of a consortium led by Brookfield Asset Management. MidOcean would acquire Origin’s 27.5% stake in the Australia Pacific LNG project in eastern Australia if the consortium’s nearly $11 billion offer for the company is successful.

Persons: Blair Thomas, Carter Smith, EIG’s, MidOcean Organizations: Bloomberg News SYDNEY —, EIG Global Energy Partners, Energy, Brookfield Asset Management, Australia Pacific LNG Locations: Bloomberg News SYDNEY — U.S, Ukraine, Australia

☆ Aristocrat Leisure Raises Dividend After FY Profit Jumps 53%
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Stuart Condie | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Aristocrat Leisure reported a net profit for the 12 months through September of A$1.45 billion. Photo: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg NewsSYDNEY—Australian gaming company Aristocrat Leisure lifted its annual profit 53% and raised its final dividend following a strong performance in its slot-machine business. The ASX-listed company on Wednesday reported a net profit for the 12 months through September of 1.45 billion Australian dollars (US$924.8 million), compared with A$948.5 million a year earlier. Revenue rose 13% to A$6.30 billion.

Persons: David Paul Morris Organizations: Leisure, Bloomberg News SYDNEY —, Revenue Locations: Bloomberg News SYDNEY — Australian

☆ Xero Swings to 1H Profit, Maintains FY Costs Forecast
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Stuart Condie | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Chief Executive Sukhinder Singh Cassidy said the New Zealand company will “focus on Xero’s key levers of growth.” Photo: s. cassidy/anastasiia sapon/ReutersSYDNEY— Xero swung to a first-half profit and maintained its full-year expense target after the cloud-accounting software provider lifted revenue by 21%. The New Zealand-based company on Thursday reported a net profit of 54.1 million New Zealand dollars (US$32.1 million) for the six months through September, compared with a NZ$16.1 million loss a year earlier.

Persons: Sukhinder Singh Cassidy, cassidy, anastasiia sapon, Reuters SYDNEY — Xero Organizations: New, Reuters SYDNEY, Zealand, NZ Locations: New Zealand, Zealand

☆ Stuart Condie — Reporter at The Wall Street Journal
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-04 | by ( Stuart Condie | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Stuart CondieStuart Condie covers corporate news for The Wall Street Journal in Sydney, Australia. Previously, he led the financial news desk at Australian Associated Press. A former sports writer for the AP and Bloomberg, Stuart has an English degree from University of Leicester.

Persons: Stuart Condie Stuart Condie, Stuart Organizations: Wall Street, Australian Associated Press, AP, Bloomberg, University of Leicester Locations: Sydney, Australia

☆ Google, Lendlease Scrap Agreement for $15 Billion Real-Estate Development in Silicon Valley
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Stuart Condie | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

A Lendlease construction site in Sydney. Photo: david gray/ReutersSYDNEY—Four years ago, Google and Australia’s Lendlease rolled out a vision for a more than $15 billion real-estate investment in the San Francisco Bay Area featuring apartments, shops and new office space. Now, those plans are on the scrapheap, the latest example of U.S. tech leaders dumping office space at a rapid clip as they reassess commitments to the workplace.

Persons: Lendlease Organizations: SYDNEY —, Google Locations: Sydney, San Francisco Bay

☆ Californian Vineyard Founded by Lebanese Migrants Sells for Up to $1 Billion
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Stuart Condie | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Treasury Wine Estates, an Australia-based producer, will buy California-based DAOU Vineyards. Photo: David Gray/REUTERSSYDNEY—A Californian vineyard set up by two Lebanese migrants who got their first break making wines in a garage in rural San Diego has been acquired by Australia’s Treasury Wine Estates, one of the world’s largest vintners. DAOU Vineyards, owned by Georges and Daniel Daou, has agreed to be bought by Treasury Wine Estates for up to $1 billion in a move the Australian company said provides it with scale to potentially launch a luxury wine division covering the Americas. Treasury is among major producers seeking to generate more revenue from premium wines, which can sell for hundreds of dollars per bottle, as data suggest consumers are buying less bulk wine.

Persons: David Gray, Georges, Daniel Daou Organizations: Wine Estates, REUTERS SYDNEY, Australia’s Treasury Wine Estates, Treasury Wine Estates, Treasury Locations: Australia, California, San Diego, DAOU, Americas

☆ Albemarle Drops $4.16 Billion Offer for Lithium Miner Liontown Resources
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( Stuart Condie | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/business/energy-oil/albemarle-drops-4-16-billion-offer-for-lithium-miner-liontown-resources-11316172

Persons: Dow Jones Locations: albemarle

☆ Bristol Myers Squibb to Acquire Mirati Therapeutics in Deal Worth Up to $5.8 Billion
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Stuart Condie | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/health/pharma/bristol-myers-squibb-to-acquire-mirati-therapeutics-in-deal-worth-up-to-5-8-billion-7d83106

Persons: Dow Jones Organizations: bristol, myers, squibb

☆ The Success of Mormon Fantasy Writers
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-03 | by ( Lauren Jackson | More About Lauren Jackson | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

An epic origin story, a charismatic leader, a generational saga: Is this the description of a fantasy novel, or a religion’s history? For Mormon authors, the line is blurry. Drawing inspiration from their religion, Mormon writers have filled young adult best-seller lists with fantasy and sci-fi novels, Abby Aguirre reported for The Times. First, the church, officially called the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, encourages members to become strong readers and public speakers from a young age. The religion also embraces the family-friendly entertainment that the Y.A.

Persons: Abby Aguirre, Stephenie Meyer’s, Orson Scott Card’s, ”, Ally Condie’s “, of Jesus Christ, churchgoers Organizations: The Times, of Jesus

☆ Woodside Heads Off Australian Labor Dispute Roiling Gas Markets
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Stuart Condie | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/finance/commodities-futures/woodside-heads-off-australian-labor-dispute-roiling-gas-markets-6fbc9da8

Persons: Dow Jones Locations: woodside

☆ Countries Raid Each Others’ Health Systems in Global Battle for Nurses
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( Stuart Condie | Gabriele Steinhauser | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/articles/countries-raid-each-others-health-systems-in-global-battle-for-nurses-b2de0429

Persons: Dow Jones

☆ Global Migration Boom Keeps Housing Costs High
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-15 | by ( Stuart Condie | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/articles/global-migration-boom-keeps-housing-costs-high-5fc84b7f

Persons: Dow Jones

☆ Diners are shocked to see a 4% 'employee healthcare' fee on their bills at an LA restaurant — but the owner says it's common
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Diners are increasingly noticing restaurant surcharges. A Los Angeles eatery received blowback after a diner tweeted about its 4% healthcare surcharge. Some questioned if the owner would cancel an employee's health insurance on a slow night. If the restaurant has a slow day or u opt-out, do staff not get health insurance that day?" "As most LA diners will know, Alimento's 4% healthcare surcharge is hardly unique," he wrote.

Persons: Dave Anthony, Mr Dave Anthony, Lord, Anthony, Alimento, Zach Pollack, Instagram, Pollack, Condie, surcharges, Vinny's Organizations: Industry, Service, Twitter, Affordable, ACA, California Restaurant Association, Restaurant Association, Jon, Daily Mail, CRA Locations: Los Angeles, Wall, Silicon, Italian, Silver Lake, North America, California, San Francisco, Dallas

☆ Australia Bans TikTok From Government Devices Amid Security Concerns
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Stuart Condie | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

SYDNEY—Australia said it will ban TikTok on all government-issued digital devices, following the U.S. and other intelligence-sharing allies in response to concerns about data security on the app. The decision announced by Australia’s attorney general means all members of the so-called Five Eyes intelligence alliance have restricted government access to the video-sharing app through full or partial bans. Lawmakers worry that the Chinese government could force TikTok parent ByteDance Ltd. to hand over user data, or to influence the videos they view.

☆ New Zealand Declares National Emergency After Cyclone Gabrielle Lashes North Island
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-14 | by ( Stuart Condie | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

New Zealand declared a national emergency as Cyclone Gabrielle battered the country’s North Island, washed away roads and forced residents to flee to higher ground. More than 225,000 people were without electricity on Tuesday after fallen trees brought down power lines and blocked roads across large parts of the island. Winds of up to 90 miles an hour lifted roofs from houses and blew trees onto homes, while the cyclone dumped almost 8 inches of rain on some areas in just 12 hours.

☆ Cyclone Gabrielle Threatens More Torrential Rain in Flood-Hit New Zealand
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-13 | by ( Stuart Condie | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

A damaged road near central Auckland. Ground across the region is waterlogged after the wettest January on record. Hundreds of flights were canceled and schools closed as a cyclone bore down on Auckland on Monday, two weeks after New Zealand’s largest city experienced severe flooding caused by torrential rain. Thousands of properties lost power and many train services were halted as meteorologists forecast up to 8 inches of rain for the city from Monday through Tuesday’s early hours. Authorities warned of potential landslips, with ground across the region still waterlogged after the wettest January since records began.

☆ Cyclone Threatens More Torrential Rain in Flood-Hit New Zealand
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-13 | by ( Stuart Condie | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Authorities in New Zealand warned of potential landslips, with ground across the region still waterlogged after the wettest January on record. Hundreds of flights were canceled and schools closed as a cyclone bore down on Auckland on Monday, just two weeks after New Zealand’s largest city experienced several flooding caused by torrential rain. Thousands of properties lost power and many train services were halted as meteorologists forecast up to 8 inches of rain for the city from Monday through Tuesday’s early hours. Authorities warned of potential landslips, with ground across the region still waterlogged after the wettest January since records began.

☆ Heavy Rain in New Zealand’s Biggest City Leads to State of Emergency
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-28 | by ( Stuart Condie | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Cars on a flooded street during heavy rainfall in Auckland, New Zealand, in an image posted on Twitter. New Zealand’s largest city declared a state of emergency after heavy rain inundated large areas and forced the closure of Auckland International Airport, where one aircraft had hit and damaged runway lights while landing. More than 2,000 people sheltered overnight at the Auckland airport’s terminal buildings after dozens of flights were diverted or canceled. The rain triggered landslides, including in at least one residential area, and stranded motorists on a flooded freeway near the city. New Zealand’s national weather service said a record 9.8 inches of rain fell on the airport in 24 hours and forecast more to come.

☆ New Zealand’s Tourism Rebound Strains Labor Market, Fuels Inflation
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( Stuart Condie | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

When New Zealand began reopening its border last year, officials urged people to visit. New Zealand’s Taco Medic restaurant chain hasn’t been able to keep up with the rapid influx of tourists. About half of its jobs are vacant despite a $640 sign-on bonus. The company has cut store hours. One of its two taco trucks is out of commission because there isn’t anyone to run it.

☆ George Pell, Powerful Australian Cardinal Who Was Charged, Acquitted of Child Sex Abuse, Dies at 81
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-11 | by ( Robb M. Stewart | Stuart Condie | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Cardinal George Pell , who cast an imposing shadow over the Roman Catholic Church from the gold-mining town he grew up in, across Australia and to Rome before a fall from grace in his 70s, has died. “It is with deep sadness that I can confirm His Eminence, George Cardinal Pell, passed away in Rome in the early hours of this morning,” Anthony Fisher , archbishop of Sydney, wrote in a post on Facebook. “This news comes as a great shock to all of us.”

☆ George Pell, Powerful Australian Cardinal Who Fell From Grace, Dies at 81
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-11 | by ( Robb Stewart | Stuart Condie | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

☆ Australia Joins Countries Requiring Covid Tests From China Travelers
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-01 | by ( Stuart Condie | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

China was the largest source country for visitors to Australia before the pandemic. SYDNEY—Australia has joined the growing list of countries to implement Covid-19 testing for travelers from China, citing a lack of information from China following its relaxation of measures designed to slow the spread of the virus. Starting Jan. 5, travelers to Australia from China will have to submit a negative Covid-19 test before departure, Australia’s government said Sunday. China is a key trading partner for Australia and was its largest source country for visitors before the pandemic, accounting for 1.4 million of 9.5 million arrivals in 2019.

☆ A Central Bank That Raised Rates Early Now Talks Up Recession
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( Stuart Condie | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

SYDNEY—New Zealand’s central bank was among the first in the developed world to raise interest rates to restrain a surge in inflation. Fourteen months on and the bank says it is now trying to cause a recession to bring prices under control. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s hard-line approach shows how difficult it can be for policy makers to tame inflation once it has become entrenched. It comes as the Federal Reserve and other central banks adopt a different strategy by pivoting toward smaller interest-rate rises, partly because they fear crashing their economies if they act too aggressively.

☆ Adobe Challenger Bets Economic Downturn Will Propel Sales
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( Stuart Condie | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

SYDNEY—As layoffs in the tech sector mount, one highly valued startup is attempting to persuade businesses that its products offer better value when many are seeking to cut costs. Australian design-software startup Canva Pty. Ltd. hopes businesses will switch from more expensive products such as Adobe Inc.’s Creative Cloud. The risk is that potential customers, fearing a fall in revenue as the economy softens, will curb spending or even use more-limited design software available free.

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