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☆ Hong Kong's economy shrinks for third straight quarter, outlook dims
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

HONG KONG, Nov 11 (Reuters) - Hong Kong's economy contracted 4.5% in the third quarter from a year earlier, advance government data showed on Friday, weighed down by rising global interest rates and a slump in trade. It was the third consecutive quarter of year-on-year contraction for the Asian financial hub's gross domestic product (GDP), and marked the worst contraction since the second quarter of 2020. "Looking forward, the markedly deteriorating external environment will continue to pose immense pressure on Hong Kong's export performance," a government spokesman said in a statement, adding that geopolitical tensions and uncertainties over COVID-19 will add downside risks. Cases of negative equity in Hong Kong's residential mortgage loans registered a near nine-fold increase in the third quarter from the previous one, with a fall in house prices accelerating during the period. "(Hong Kong) economic outlook remains cloudy on all fronts if the border remains partially opened in the fourth quarter," said Samuel Tse, an economist at DBS Bank.

☆ Brazil election marked by disinformation networks, says Carter Center
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SAO PAULO, Nov 4 (Reuters) - The Carter Center said on Friday that Brazil's presidential election was marked by a proliferation of sophisticated disinformation attacking the voting system and then questioning the impartiality of the national electoral authority. The U.S.-based non-profit group, a pioneer of international election observation since the 1980s, said that both the winning leftist candidate Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and far-right President Jair Bolsonaro were targets of disinformation. In the second round of the election, the focus shifted to questioning the impartiality of the TSE, the Carter Center said. In the final weeks of the campaign, the court decided to expand its ability to rapidly remove content from social media platforms, a move the Carter Center said "raised concerns about interference with fundamental rights." Lula, a former president, narrowly won the run-off by 50.9% against 49.1% for Bolsonaro in Brazil's most divisive election in decades.

☆ Asia markets slip ahead of U.S. jobs report
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-04 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Pedestrians cross a road in front of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), operated by Japan Exchange Group Inc. (JPX), in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020. Asia-Pacific markets opened lower on Friday as markets continued to process the U.S. Federal Reserve's 75 basis point interest rate hike. The monthly U.S. employment report is scheduled to be released later. Economists expect 205,000 jobs were added in October, and forecast the unemployment rate remained at 3.5%, according to Dow Jones. The S&P 500 lost 1.06% to finish at 3,719.89, while the Nasdaq Composite shed 1.73% to settle at 10,342.94.

☆ Brazil gives flagging climate fight a timely boost
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-31 | by ( George Hay | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

As such, the election of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as Brazil’s president counts as a tangible boost. Tree planting and restoration could then absorb the annual emissions caused by the so-called Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) sector by 2040. Curbs on environmental enforcement and illegal mining declined, and LULUCF emissions jumped. As such, Lula’s victory has international importance. That makes political developments like Lula’s victory all the more vital.

SAO PAULO/BRASILIA, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Brazilian leftist leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva narrowly defeated President Jair Bolsonaro in a runoff election, but the far right incumbent did not concede defeat on Sunday night, raising concerns that he might contest the result. The Supreme Electoral Court (TSE) declared Lula the next president, with 50.9% of votes against 49.1% for Bolsonaro. It was a stunning comeback for the leftist former president and a punishing blow to Bolsonaro, the first Brazilian incumbent to lose a presidential election. [1/6] Brazil's former President and presidential candidate Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva reacts at an election night gathering on the day of the Brazilian presidential election run-off, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, October 30, 2022. "A former union leader born into poverty, Lula organized strikes against Brazil's military government in the 1970s.

☆ Brazil election authority calls presidential race with Lula ahead
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

SAO PAULO, Oct 30 (Reuters) - Brazil's Supreme Electoral Court (TSE) on Sunday said the country's presidential election was "mathematically defined" with former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva taking more votes than incumbent Jair Bolsonaro. Lula had 50.8% of votes compared with 49.2% for Bolsonaro with 98.8% of voting machines voting machines counted, according to date published on the TSE website. Reporting by Sao Paulo newsroomOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Brazil votes in heated Bolsonaro vs. Lula presidential runoff
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-30 | by ( Anthony Boadle | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Bolsonaro has vowed to consolidate a sharp conservative turn in Brazilian politics after a presidency marred by the pandemic. Lula promises more social and environmental responsibility, recalling the rising prosperity of his 2003-2010 presidency, before corruption scandals tarred his Workers Party. Several polls showed the race between them tightening in the final week, with Bolsonaro eroding a slight lead for Lula. Bolsonaro outperformed opinion polls in the first round of voting on Oct. 2 among a field of 11 candidates. POST-ELECTION CONCERNSBrazil's electoral authorities are preparing for a narrow result, which Bolsonaro may contest if he loses.

☆ Brazil highway police blockades fan voter-suppression fears
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-30 | by ( Gabriel Stargardter | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

RIO DE JANEIRO, Oct 30 (Reuters) - Widespread allegations of illegal roadblocks by Brazil's Federal Highway Police (PRF) in the poor northeast of Brazil sparked fears of potential vote suppression that could benefit far-right President Jair Bolsonaro in Sunday's tense runoff election. Brazilians cast their votes on Sunday in a fraught second-round vote between Bolsonaro and leftist rival Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The president wants to consolidate his conservative overhaul of the country, while Lula vows more social spending and state-run economic policies. In a news conference shortly before voting ended, Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who is also head of the TSE, poured cold water on allegations of vote suppression. Local media reported that the director general of the PRF, Silvinei Vasques, had published a Twitter post, since deleted, advocating for the re-election of Bolsonaro.

Financial markets have largely priced in a Lula victory, but the uncertainty about a contested result has some on edge. "There is apprehension about whether the election result will be respected," said J.P. Morgan equity strategist Emy Shayo. The TSE rejected the complaint in a Wednesday ruling due to lack of evidence and asked Brazil's top prosecutor to investigate the Bolsonaro campaign for possible intent to disrupt the election. Another son, Congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro, told journalists that to address the issue properly might require postponing the election. Senior Bolsonaro campaign officials have said publicly that a postponement of the election is not up for discussion.

☆ Social media failing to keep up with Brazil electoral disinformation, rights groups say
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-28 | by ( Steven Grattan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SAO PAULO, Oct 28 (Reuters) - Human rights groups and researchers have raised concerns in Brazil that social media platforms are failing to effectively police disinformation ahead of a highly polarized presidential vote on Sunday. Brazil's Superior Electoral Court (TSE) bolstered measures this month to tackle disinformation around the election, especially on video sharing platforms. "Social media platforms are failing Brazil's voters," said Deborah Brown, a senior researcher on digital rights at Human Rights Watch, who called the platforms and messaging apps "extremely important" spaces for electoral debate. "That space has been riddled with electoral disinformation, such as baseless allegations of electoral fraud," she said. "Social media companies bear some responsibility for the country being on tenterhooks about this year's election," Friedrich said.

☆ Brazil's Bolsonaro to appeal to top court ahead of Sunday's election runoff
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( Anthony Boadle | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

This further raised concerns about disruptions before or after Sunday's vote pitting Bolsonaro against former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. In its ruling on Wednesday, the TSE asked Brazil's top public prosecutor to investigate the possible intention of the Bolsonaro camp to disrupt the election in its final days. Now he has claimed fraud involving campaign radio spots, adding to expectations that he will contest the result if he loses to Lula. Neither the Defense Ministry nor the Army replied to a request for confirmation that the military commanders met with Bolsonaro on Wednesday night. O Globo newspaper reported two weeks ago that Bolsonaro had ordered the military not to publish that finding.

☆ Asia-Pacific markets mostly rise after Wall Street's second positive session
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Abigail Ng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

A man walks past the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), operated by Japan Exchange Group Inc. (JPX), in Tokyo, Japan, on Monday, Nov. 30, 2020. Stocks in the Asia-Pacific rose in early trade Tuesday after Wall Street's second straight positive session. South Korea's Kospi was just above the flatline, while the Kosdaq gained 0.44%. The MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan ticked up 0.14%. Singapore is due to release inflation data on Tuesday, while HSBC is reporting earnings.

☆ 6 critical areas where sustainable companies should invest their time, resources, and money
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( Sponsor Post | Created Hitachi With Insider Studios | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Following this, Hitachi released their "Hitachi Sustainability Report 2022." The "Hitachi Sustainable Report 2022" highlights the specific measures the company is taking to promote sustainable management under the newly strengthened sustainability management structure. Within, Hitachi clarifies six critical issues (material topics) in sustainable management considering global initiatives and the expectations and needs of stakeholders. 6 critical issues in sustainable managementHitachiFor a recap of Hitachi's presence at Climate Week NYC, click here. To view the comprehensive report, see Hitachi's Sustainability Report 2022.

☆ Asia-Pacific markets rise; Japan's yen weakens despite reports of intervention
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( Abigail Ng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

The Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), operated by Japan Exchange Group Inc. (JPX), in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020. Shares in the Asia-Pacific climbed Monday after U.S. stocks soared on Friday following a Wall Street Journal report that some Fed officials are concerned about tightening policy too much. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was 0.7% higher. Authorities in Japan reportedly intervened in the forex market on Friday, causing the yen to strengthen sharply. On Monday in Asia, the currency briefly strengthened to 145-levels but was last at 148.27 per dollar.

☆ Brazil electoral court cracks down on online disinformation ahead of Lula-Bolsonaro runoff
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

BRASILIA — Brazil’s national electoral authority is announcing moves to crack down harder on online disinformation in a fierce presidential campaign between far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro and leftist challenger Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The Superior Electoral Court (TSE) said the measures are intended to curb the “distribution and sharing of knowingly untrue or gravely decontextualized information affecting the electoral process,” according to the resolution. The tougher stance, defined by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who currently runs the TSE, reflects a more aggressive approach to a tidal wave of dirty campaigning that has engulfed Brazil ahead of the Oct. 30 runoff. Brazilian broadcasters have also said they have been prohibited from using the words “ex-convict,” “thief” or “corrupt” when speaking about Lula. Moraes said the platforms had helped keep disinformation within reasonable bounds ahead of the election’s first-round vote on Oct. 2.

The Superior Electoral Court (TSE) said the measures are intended to curb the "distribution and sharing of knowingly untrue or gravely decontextualized information affecting the electoral process," according to the resolution. The tougher stance, defined by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who currently runs the TSE, reflects a more aggressive approach to a tidal wave of dirty campaigning that has engulfed Brazil ahead of the Oct. 30 runoff. The TSE has already ordered some disinformation videos to be taken down, including ones that say Lula consorts with Satan and Bolsonaro embraces cannibalism. The campaigns have also been ordered by the court to pull online ads saying the leftist will legalize abortion and the incumbent entertains pedophilia. Moraes said the platforms had helped keep disinformation within reasonable bounds ahead of the election's first-round vote on Oct. 2.

☆ Asia-Pacific markets trade lower; China's offshore yuan hits record low overnight
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( Abigail Ng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

An employee works at the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), operated by Japan Exchange Group Inc. (JPX), in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. Shares in the Asia-Pacific traded lower on Thursday as economic fears weigh. The MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was down 0.37%. The offshore yuan touched a record low against the U.S. dollar overnight, weakening to 7.2745 per dollar. The Japanese yen reached yet another fresh 32-year low of 149.90 against the greenback, and was last at 149.85.

☆ Asia-Pacific markets rise after Wall Street's jump; yen hovers near 149-levels
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( Abigail Ng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), operated by Japan Exchange Group Inc. (JPX), in Tokyo, Japan, on Monday, Nov. 30, 2020. Shares in the Asia-Pacific traded higher on Tuesday after Wall Street's rally overnight. Japan's yen touched 149.08 against the dollar and was last trading near 148.90. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan added 0.46%. The unusual move comes as the Communist Party of China holds its 20th National Congress.

☆ Asia-Pacific markets open higher following negative start to the week
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-27 | by ( Abigail Ng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Visitors stands in front of an electronic ticker at the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), operated by Japan Exchange Group Inc. (JPX), in Tokyo, Japan, on Monday, Nov. 30, 2020. Shares in the Asia-Pacific were higher on Tuesday after sharp falls on Monday. The Nikkei 225 in Japan rose 0.65%, and the Topix index gained 0.66%. South Korea's Kospi was marginally up, and the Kosdaq gained 0.64%. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was about flat.

☆ China's biggest air show could take off again without C919 narrowbody jet
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A display of VT5 light main battle tank is seen at the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, or Airshow China, in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, China September 29, 2021. REUTERS/Aly SongBEIJING/SYDNEY, Sept 27 (Reuters) - China will show off its homegrown civil and military aviation technology at the country's biggest air show in November, the mayor of host city Zhuhai said on Tuesday, though there was no confirmation that would include the C919 narrowbody jet. Western suppliers are behind some of the key technology in the C919, including the avionics and engines. Two C919 jets arrived in Beijing on Sept. 13, in a move widely viewed as preparation for certification by the aviation regulator on Sept. 19, a symbolic date given the model number. But that did not happen and the two jets remain parked in Beijing, according to flight tracking websites.

☆ Analysis: Crowd of dollar bulls raises risk of violent pullback
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-26 | by ( Saqib Iqbal Ahmed | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Some investors worry the dollar trade has become excessively crowded, raising the risk of a sharp unwind if the case for owning the currency changes and investors try to exit their positions all at once. International Monetary Market speculators held a net long U.S. dollar position of $10.23 billion for the week ended Sept. 20. Barring a brief period of peak pandemic-related uncertainty, broad net options positioning data going back to 2014 shows U.S. dollar long positions are the most stretched ever, according to Morgan Stanley. While a hotter-than-expected u.s. inflation report in August dashed those hopes and sent the dollar higher, the dangers stemming from the crowded dollar trade have only grown, investors said. But with the dollar scaling new multi-decade highs, positioning for a pullback can be painful.

☆ Nikkei, Kospi fall 2%; Asia-Pacific markets drop as negative sentiment remains
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-26 | by ( Abigail Ng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

The Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), operated by Japan Exchange Group Inc. (JPX), in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020. Shares in the Asia-Pacific fell sharply on Monday as negative sentiment continues to weigh in on markets. The Nikkei 225 in Japan dropped 2.19% in early trade, and the Topix slipped 2%. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was 1.19% lower. Onewo, a subsidiary of property developer China Vanke, is set to debut on the Hong Kong stock exchange this week as well.

☆ Asia markets trade lower ahead of Federal Reserve’s expected rate hike
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-21 | by ( Abigail Ng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

The Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), operated by Japan Exchange Group Inc. (JPX), in Tokyo, Japan, on Monday, Nov. 30, 2020. The Nikkei 225 in Japan dropped 1% in early trade, while the Topix index fell 0.94%. Shares in the Asia-Pacific opened lower Wednesday, following Wall Street's negative lead ahead of the Federal Reserve's expected rate hike . "A sourer tone took hold over the past 24 hours, with equities lower and haven currencies, including the dollar, stronger," Taylor Nugent, economist at National Australia Bank, wrote in a Wednesday note. The dollar index strengthened above the 110 level.

☆ Explainer: What is driving tensions ahead of Brazil's presidential election?
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-19 | by ( Anthony Boadle | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro gestures during a military parade to celebrate the bicentennial independence of Brazil, in Brasilia, Brazil September 7, 2022. ELECTRONIC VOTINGBrazil adopted electronic voting machines in 1996 to end widespread fraud involving paper ballots. THIN PAPER TRAILStill, some election experts say the lack of a paper record for each vote does limit opportunities to conduct audits if the election is contested. Voters punch their choices into electronic voting machines at 477,000 voting stations across Brazil. Last year, Congress voted down Bolsonaro's proposal to reintroduce a paper record for each vote cast.

Demonstrators take part in a protest for democracy and free elections and against Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro, at Paulista Avenue in Sao Paulo, Brazil, August 11, 2022. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register"One thing is certain about this election: President Bolsonaro will only accept one result – victory. When pressed in interviews, Bolsonaro says he will respect the election result as long as voting is "clean and transparent," without defining any criteria. Demonstrators cited the big crowds as evidence that opinion polls are skewed and electoral fraud is Lula's only hope. The Brazilian president has warned that the aftermath of Brazil's election this year could be worse than the fallout from that contested U.S. vote.

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