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Asia-Pacific markets are headed for lower open on Wednesday as investors await a slew of key economic data across the region. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 was down 0.54% as the country reports its gross domestic product data for the fourth quarter of 2022 and the full year. In Japan, the Nikkei futures contract in Chicago was at 27,400, while its counterpart in Osaka was at 27,420 against the Nikkei 225's last close at 27,445.56. China, India and Japan will also all see their factory activity numbers for February come in. Elsewhere, South Korean markets are closed due to the country's independence day, but it expected to release its preliminary estimates for its trade numbers in February, as well as its industrial output figures for January.

The Sydney Opera House, foreground, and buildings in the financial district stand illuminated at dusk in Sydney, Australia Photographer: Cole Bennetts/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesAsia-Pacific markets are set to rise on Tuesday ahead of key economic releases in the region. Japan will release its retail sales data on Tuesday, which is expected come in higher at 4%, according to economists. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.35% ahead of its January retail sales data release. Economists expect retail sales to come in at 1.5% higher compared to December. India will release its gross domestic product figures for the fourth quarter of 2022 later today, forecasted to show a 4.6% rise.

☆ I asked ChatGPT to help me plan a vacation. Here’s what happened next
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( Monica Pitrelli | Chris Dwyer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

So the idea that artificial intelligence chatbots, such as ChatGPT and Bing, can research travel destinations and create itineraries is intriguing. I went to the developer's website, clicked on the word "ChatGPT," registered for an account — and started chatting. "All of the places I recommended have great online reviews," ChatGPT replied, providing ratings from Tripadvisor, Booking.com and Google for each hotel. But ChatGPT couldn't show photographs of the hotels or help book them — although it did provide ample instructions on how to do both. Every city I asked ChatGPT about resulted in the bot praising the local food scene.

☆ Asia markets set to fall after Wall St logs worst week for the year
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The Tokyo Tower, center, stands illuminated in Tokyo, Japan, on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019. Under Abenomics, as its known, the price goal was supposed to be achieved in just two years. Photographer: Keith Bedford /Bloomberg via Getty ImagesAsia Pacific markets are set to start the week lower on Monday after major indexes on Wall Street recorded their worst week for 2023. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 opened 0.95% lower, while Japanese markets are also headed for a lower open. Japan will also release its unemployment numbers later in the week.

Asia Pacific markets are set to open mixed on Friday as investors await key U.S. economic data, as well as developments in Japan. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 's opened fractionally lower, while Japanese markets are set to trade higher. Japan's consumer price index is expected to come in on Friday, with economists forecasting a CPI figure of 4.2%. In Southeast Asia, Malaysia is expected to see its CPI numbers for January released in the afternoon. Singapore will also await its January manufacturing output figures, expected to come in at 2.9% on an annualized basis.

☆ A Japan Airlines flight was turned away and had to fly 550 miles back to Tokyo after missing an airport's closing time by 10 minutes, report says
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Aditi Bharade | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A Japan Airlines flight was turned back after missing a curfew, per a Japanese newspaper. Fukuoka Airport does not allow flights to land after 10 p.m. due to noise concerns. The flight, JL331 by Japan Airlines, was turned back just outside Fukuoka Airport on Sunday February 19 after just missing the curfew for landing, The Asahi Shimbun reported. A Japan Airlines flight was turned back. In an email to Insider, Japan Airlines said it covered cab fares and hotels for everyone on board.

☆ Asia markets set to trade mixed ahead of economic data releases in week
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-20 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Asia-Pacific markets are set to trade mixed on Monday, as investors look ahead to crucial economic data releases later in the week. Minutes for the U.S. Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is slated to be released Wednesday. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 opened fractionally lower as minutes from the Reserve Bank of Australia is scheduled to be released Tuesday. The Nikkei futures contract in Chicago was at 27,480 while its counterpart in Osaka was at 27,510 against the Nikkei 225's last close at 27,513,13.

Singapore will report the budget for the coming fiscal year on Tuesday, will probably reinforce longer-term investment priorities including digitalization, green energy transition, and health services for an ageing society. Photographer: Edwin Koo/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesAsia-Pacific shares are to trade higher as investors await the release of the U.S. consumer price index report, which will shape the Federal Reserve's path ahead. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.63% in its first hour of trade as investors anticipate the release of the country's consumer sentiment survey for February. Nikkei 225 futures in Chicago were fractionally up at 27,720, while its counterpart in Osaka stood at 27,700, higher than its last close at 27,427.32. The Japanese yen stood at 132.33 against the U.S. dollar ahead of the Japanese government's expected nomination of its next Bank of Japan governor.

☆ Asia markets to fall as investors await economic data releases in week ahead
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-13 | by ( Jihye Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - A person jogging passes the Sydney Opera House as the rising sun reflects off buildings in the central business district (CBD) on September 28, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. Stocks in the Asia-Pacific were set to fall on Monday as investors look ahead to a week of crucial economic data releases, including the U.S. consumer price index that will determine the Federal Reserve's path forward. The S&P/NZX 50 fell 0.21% as New Zealand braced for further impact from tropical cyclone Gabrielle. The Japanese yen stood at 131.61 against the U.S. dollar, continuing to remain volatile after a Nikkei report that Japan's government will nominate Kazuo Ueda as the Bank of Japan's next governor to succeed Haruhiko Kuroda. The yield on the 10-year Japanese government bond stood at 0.498%, hovering around the BOJ's upper ceiling of its tolerance range.

☆ Asia-Pacific markets mixed as Fed says inflation on the decline
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( Jihye Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

People shopping along the streets of Shinsaibashi in Osaka, Japan. Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed on Wednesday, as Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell overnight acknowledged that inflation is declining — a sign the central bank may soon pause its rate hikes. The S&P/ASX 200 climbed 0.3% in its first hour of trade, as investors further digested the Reserve Bank of Australia's 25 basis point hike on Tuesday, largely in line with expectations but including hawkish commentary. The Nikkei 225 fell 0.34%, dragged down by declining shares of Nintendo and Softbank after posting disappointing results – the Topix gained 0.12%. The Kospi in South Korea rose 0.68% and the Kosdaq rose 0.63%.

☆ Asia markets to trade mixed as Wall Street extends losses; Australia rate decision ahead
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( Jihye Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Stocks in the Asia-Pacific were set to trade mixed on Tuesday, after Wall Street extended losses as investors digested last week's economic data that showed there's more room for the Federal Reserve to hike rates further. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.12% as investors await Reserve Bank of Australia's rate decision. Economists polled by Reuters are expecting a 25 basis point hike. Australia's traded data is also slated to be released later in the day. The Nikkei futures contract in Chicago was at 27,705 while its counterpart in Osaka was at 27,680 against the Nikkei 225's last close at 27,693.65.

☆ Japan's Daikin picks Manchester, UK as test bed for green tech
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] The logos of Daikin Industries Ltd are seen at the company's office in Tokyo August 29, 2012. Demand for heat pumps - which rely on electricity to transfer heat - has been booming in Europe amid soaring natural gas prices, with consumers in many countries waiting months for heat pump installations. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said the partnership with Daikin symbolised the city's industrial ambitions. Heat pumps, sometimes described as reverse air conditioners, use electricity to concentrate heat potential and are comparatively more energy efficient than gas boilers. Daikin, headquartered in Osaka, last year said it would build a heat pump factory in Poland as part of its expansion plans.

☆ Freeport to restart liquefaction train at Texas LNG export plant this week
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Feb 3 (Reuters) - Freeport LNG, the second-biggest U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter, said on Friday it plans to restart one of three liquefaction trains at its long-idled Texas export plant this week. Liquefaction trains turn natural gas into LNG for export. In a filing with Texas environmental regulators, Freeport said it "anticipates the purge and restart of Liquefaction Train 3 will begin on Feb. 3 with Trains 2 and 1 following sequentially." The Freeport plant shut after a fire in June 2022. Despite the planned Freeport restart, however, U.S. gas futures fell about 3% to a 25-month low on Friday due to forecasts for milder weather in February.

☆ Asia-Pacific markets set to climb as region awaits slew of economic data
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Asia-Pacific shares are set to climb on Thursday as the region awaits the release of a slew of economic data. The Nikkei futures contract in Chicago was at 27,415 while its counterpart in Osaka was at 27,390. Both are higher compared to the Nikkei 225's last close at 27,395.01 as investors await the Bank of Japan's summary of opinions from last week's meeting. The Japanese yen last stood at 129.32 against the U.S. dollar.

☆ Japan whaling firm pins hopes on vending machines to revive sales
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-24 | by ( Chris Gallagher | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/6] A customer buys whale meat on the opening day of the shop by a Japanese whale-hunting company with vending machines, in Yokohama, Japan, January 24, 2023. REUTERS/Androniki ChristodoulouYOKOHAMA, Jan 24 (Reuters) - A Japanese whaling firm unveiled vending machines offering whale sashimi, whale steak and whale bacon in Yokohama on Tuesday in hopes of reviving sales of a food long in decline and shunned by many supermarkets. At its peak in 1962, annual whale meat consumption was 233,000 tonnes. Conservationists say moves to promote whale meat are desperate attempts to revive interest in a struggling business. Whale meat advocates point to its high protein content and low carbon footprint compared with other meats.

☆ Asia markets fall as Japan's inflation data reaches highest since 1981
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( Jihye Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

People walk down a street in the Chinatown section of Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture, south of Tokyo, on January 7, 2023. Markets in the Asia-Pacific were set to trade lower on Friday as investors digested Japan's core inflation print, which reached the fastest pace since December, 1981. The Nikkei futures contract in Chicago was at 26,360 while its counterpart in Osaka was at 26,320 against the Nikkei 225's last close at 26,405.23. The yield on the 10-year Japanese Government Bond rose to stand at 0.415%, slightly below the central bank's upper ceiling of its tolerance range. In Australia the S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.11% in its first hour of trade.

☆ Toshiba buyout heralds a big step back for Japan
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( Una Galani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

MUMBAI, Jan 20 (Reuters Breakingviews) - The end of a long battle to wring some value from Toshiba (6502.T) is finally within reach. Such an outcome won’t encourage private equity firms, and big policy shifts underway may stifle the industry just as it hits a new high. Instead, after an accounting scandal in 2015, Toshiba came to epitomise Japan Inc’s pervasive value destruction. Japan typically outperforms private equity deals in other developed markets, partly because existing incentive structures for company bosses are so poor. The country’s private equity industry is only just finding its feet.

☆ Tennis Channel will air Major League Pickleball tournament matches, deepening broadcast partnership
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Jessica Golden | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Anna Bright of the Ranchers returns a shot during a group play Major League Pickleball match against Mad Drops Pickleball Club at Pickle & Chill on October 15, 2022 in Columbus, Ohio. Major League Pickleball announced Thursday the cable channel will broadcast the league's premier level tournament semifinals and finals in Mesa, Arizona, and will make all matches of the tournament available for streaming. The longtime Tennis Channel executive said pickleball has already seen a very natural overlap with existing tennis sponsors. He noted that during MLP professional matches, the ball is in action about 40% of the time, compared with professional tennis matches at 16%. Adding pickleball matches to its streaming offerings means beefing up content at a time when linear television is stagnant, at best.

☆ Bank of Japan keeps yield control policy unchanged
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

MARKET REACTION:The Japanese stock market cheered the BOJ's decision with the Nikkei share average (.N225) jumping more than 2% after the midday break. Therefore, among equities, we think Japanese financials sector will have a rerating of valuations over the next 3-6 months." That could escalate when the new governor of the bank will be announced and towards the policy meeting in March." MOH SIONG SIM, CURRENCY STRATEGIST, BANK OF SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE"The can has been kicked down the road and the attention will shift to the next meeting. CHARU CHANANA, MARKET STRATEGIST, SAXO MARKETS, SINGAPORE:"I think the speculations will still continue.

☆ Asia-Pacific markets set to trade mixed on cooled U.S. inflation outlook
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-16 | by ( Jihye Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

People look at a smartphone in front of electronic boards displaying stock information inside the Australian Securities Exchange, operated by ASX Ltd., in Sydney, Australia. Markets in the Asia-Pacific were set to trade mixed as expectations of cooled inflation in the U.S. lifted investor sentiment in the region. On Friday, the University of Michigan consumer sentiment survey showed the one-year inflation outlook fell to 4%, the third straight monthly decrease and the lowest level since April 2021. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.5% in its first hour of trade. The Nikkei futures contract in Chicago was at 25,830 while its counterpart in Osaka was at 25,780 — lower than the Nikkei 225 's last close at 26,119.52.

☆ Nadal survives early test, Kyrgios pulls out in Australian Open shock
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-16 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

With Draper's injury reducing him to a groaning wreck, Nadal finished strongly to close out the match 7-5 2-6 6-4 6-1. With Kyrgios gone and last year's women's champion Ash Barty retired, the chances of a another home winner for local fans are greatly diminished. Seventh seed Coco Gauff also raced into the second round, while last year's finalist Danielle Collins advanced with a tougher, three-set win over Anna Kalinskaya. Briton Raducanu will next face teenager Gauff, who won in Auckland and confirmed her good form with a 6-1 6-4 win over Katerina Siniakova. Italian 15th seed Jannik Sinner, a quarter-finalist last year, was the first man to reach the second round, rolling over Briton Kyle Edmund 6-4 6-0 6-2 on John Cain Arena.

☆ Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek open Australian Open as big favorites
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

January 15 - Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek are massive favorites to win their respective draws ahead of the start of the Australian Open on Sunday night. Djokovic makes his return to Melbourne after being deported ahead of last year's tournament because he was not vaccinated against COVID-19. He is seeking a 10th Australian Open title, which would also pull him into a tie with Rafael Nadal for the most major titles of all time with 22. Fritz, 25, is seeking his first major title and faces a potential semifinal match against Djokovic if he can get that far. Ons Jabeur was turned back in the finals at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open last year.

☆ Suspect in Shinzo Abe assassination to face murder charge, lawyer says
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

TOKYO — Japanese prosecutors are expected to formally charge the suspect in the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe with murder on Friday, his lawyer said. Later that month, Yamagami was sent to an Osaka detention center and given a five-month mental evaluation, which ended Tuesday. One of his lawyers, Masaaki Furukawa, told The Associated Press on Thursday that he expects prosecutors to charge Yamagami with murder and gun control law violations. Police say Yamagami told them that he killed Abe, one of Japan’s most influential and divisive politicians, because of Abe’s apparent links to a religious group that he hated. Current Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s popularity has plunged over his handling of the church controversy and for insisting on holding a rare, controversial state funeral for Abe.

☆ Swiatek the favourite as Melbourne Park set for new champion
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MELBOURNE, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Iga Swiatek is the strong favourite to land her fourth Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, but the picture is considerably less clear if the world number one fails to live up to her top seeding. DIFFERENT PROPOSITIONSwiatek was thrashed 6-4 6-1 by Danielle Collins at Melbourne Park last year in her first hardcourt Grand Slam semi-final, and the American looms this year in the last 16 if the seedings hold. Charismatic American teenager Coco Gauff would be a popular champion, not least in the Australian Open marketing department. Last year's French Open finalist is in form, having opened the season with the title at the Auckland Open. Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina's big serve gives her a chance of a second Grand Slam title, while world number four Caroline Garcia is enjoying a late-career renaissance and won the WTA Finals on hardcourt last year.

☆ Naomi Osaka Announces She is Pregnant and Will Skip 2023 Season
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Joshua Robinson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Naomi Osaka released a children’s book recently. On Wednesday she announced she’s pregnant and will miss the 2023 tennis season. 1 Naomi Osaka will sit out the 2023 tennis season after she announced on Wednesday that she is pregnant with her first child. Osaka, a four-time major tournament winner, hasn’t played a competitive match since September and last week pulled out of this month’s Australian Open without specifying why. By sharing a photo of a December ultrasound on social media on Wednesday, she made the reason clear.

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