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☆ Mitsubishi Heavy expects record defence orders as Japan pours money into military
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TOKYO, May 10 (Reuters) - Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (7011.T) on Wednesday said it expects to book record defence equipment orders this business year as Japan embarks on its biggest military expansion since World War Two. His company said it expects defence orders to jump by around a half to as much as 850 billion yen ($6.29 billion) in the first year of Japan's five-year $318 billion military build up which began in April. The maker of missiles, tanks, submarines and other defence equipment is Japan's biggest defence contractor, with military work accounting for around a tenth of overall revenue. Many other military contractors in Japan, however, have been hesitant to invest in defence businesses as they often represent a much smaller share of sales. Mitsubishi Heavy, which makes products ranging from air conditioners to nuclear reactors expects overall operating profit for the business year to increase by a half to 300 billion yen.

☆ Canada unveils new passport design with more security features, nod to King Charles
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Jenna Zucker | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The new passport will display a Coat of Arms, making Canada among the first in the Commonwealth to introduce a travel document series that references King Charles III, the IRCC said. It will show the Queen's Coat of Arms as the passport’s creation came before the King approved the new version. The new features include personal information engraved with lasers instead of printed in ink on its polycarbonate data page, a design that has strong anti-fraud components. The Canadian passport is ranked fourth globally for its mobility score by the Passport Index, alongside seven other countries including the United States, Australia, and Japan. It is ranked 26th globally for its visa characteristics, which authorizes passport holders visa-free entry into 115 countries, with 51 countries permitting a visa on arrival.

☆ Australian govt rejects concerns budget may worsen inflation
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Renju Jose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

But inflation sits at near 30-year highs of 7.0%, forcing the government to announce relief measures aimed at lowering power bills and easing pressure on consumer prices. "We wanted to take pressure off families whilst we didn't put pressure on inflation," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told ABC Radio. The budget includes a A$14.6 billion ($10 billion) cost-of-living plan, set to deliver up to A$3 billion in direct energy bill relief for low-income families and small businesses. Treasurer Jim Chalmers brushed aside concerns the support measures could stoke inflation, saying all the relief would not impact the economy at the same time. ($1 = 1.4743 Australian dollars)Reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by Stephen CoatesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

House of Representatives Armed Services subcommittees had been scheduled to begin debate this week on the closely watched NDAA, which determines how the military spends its nearly-trillion-dollar annual budget. But it was put off at least temporarily as lawmakers and the White House hold talks on raising the government's $31.4 trillion debt. House Republicans passed a bill last month, with no support from Democrats, that would raise the debt ceiling only in exchange for sweeping spending cuts, including sharp reductions in "discretionary" spending on social programs. Democrats criticized the bill and said it would not be considered in the Senate, where their party controls a majority of seats. At the same time, Republicans have been pushing for an increase in defense spending, which exceeded $850 billion in the NDAA that passed last year, drawing criticism from Democrats.

[1/3] Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., May 4, 2023. Investors fear a government default as early as June 1 if Congress fails to resolve the deadlock. Our calculation shows she's not incorrect," said Steven Ricchiuto, U.S. chief economist at Mizuho Securities USA LLC in New York. "Treasury yields I would argue came down too much too soon." The dollar edged higher against major currencies, with the dollar index up 0.168%.

REUTERS/Brendan McDermidTOKYO, May 9 (Reuters) - A gauge of global equities fell on Tuesday after weak Chinese trade data sparked concerns about China's domestic demand recovery, while the impasse over the U.S. debt ceiling sparked a sharp sell-off in short-dated Treasury bills. Investors fear a government default if Congress fails to resolve the debt ceiling deadlock as early as June 1. Longer-dated Treasury yields were little changed as investors waited for key U.S. consumer price inflation data on Wednesday. The dollar edged higher against major currencies, with the dollar index up 0.256%. Gold prices edged higher as some investors sought cover from economic uncertainty, including the debt ceiling deadlock.

☆ Asian stocks edge lower amid gloomy China data as US CPI looms
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( Kevin Buckland | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

TOKYO, May 9 (Reuters) - Asian stocks eased back from more than two-week highs on Tuesday as traders squared positions heading into a key U.S. inflation report, while gloomy Chinese trade data also kept risk sentiment in check. Mainland Chinese blue chips (.CSI300) turned lower after early gains, with the benchmark CSI 300 dropping 0.8%. "So when you have some trend data which is not as good as people expect, it raises doubts," he said. "The surprise lies on the downside" for the inflation data, particularly the risk of a drop below 5%, said Tony Sycamore, a market analyst at IG markets. Brent crude was down 30 cents at $76.71 and U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 26 cents to $72.90.

☆ Asian stocks edge lower, dollar firm as US inflation data looms
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( Kevin Buckland | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS), though, slipped 0.3%, erasing part of Monday's 0.9% rally. Hong Kong's Hang Seng (.HSI) dropped 0.4%, while Australia's benchmark (.AXJO) lost 0.2% and South Korea's Kospi declined 0.4%. Investors were mostly unmoved by Chinese data showing exports surged last month while imports eased. "The surprise lies on the downside" for the inflation data, particularly the risk of a drop below 5%, said Tony Sycamore, a market analyst at IG markets. The dollar index , which measures the currency against six major peers, was little changed after earlier rising overnight from near the bottom of its trading range since the middle of last month.

☆ Struff soaking in 'incredible journey' to Madrid final
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

May 6 (Reuters) - Jan-Lennard Struff is relishing his bid for a first ATP title following his "incredible journey" at the Madrid Open which has seen the German become the first lucky loser to reach the final of a Masters 1000 event. Struff claimed a 4-6 6-3 6-4 semi-final victory over Russia's Aslan Karatsev on Friday, days after losing to the same opponent in the final round of qualifying. Asked if he had expected to be in the final in Madrid, Struff told reporters: "No, of course not. I couldn't have imagined this ..."It's an incredible journey and story, here in Madrid, and very, very happy. He's a great athlete ... Really, really happy to be in the finals, and really looking forward to this match."

☆ Thousands rally in Australia against potential submarine base
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SYDNEY, May 6 (Reuters) - Thousands of people rallied on Saturday against a future nuclear-powered submarine base at Port Kembla in eastern Australia as part of the A$368 billion ($244.1 billion) AUKUS defence pact with the United States and Britain. The second-largest coal export port in New South Wales state is the Defence Department’s preferred site for a new east-coast submarine base, according to state broadcaster ABC. Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles said last month no decision had been made on a site for a new east coast submarine base. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has defended the submarine project after two former leaders criticised the deal over its cost, complexity and potential sovereignty issues. The deal unveiled in March will see Australia purchase U.S. Virginia-class submarines before joint British and Australian production of a new submarine class to be built in Australia by the early 2040s.

A welder by trade, Schwartz was arrested in early February in his hometown of Uniontown, Pennsylvania. Schwartz and two co-defendants, Jeffrey Scott Brown and Markus Maly, became the first three individuals convicted at trial of assaulting police officers with pepper spray on Jan. 6. Schwartz's wife, Shelly Stallings, received a two-year prison term last month. His 170-month prison term surpasses the previous longest sentence yet handed down in a case related to the Jan. 6 attack - 10 years received by former New York City cop Thomas Webster for assaulting a Washington police officer that day. The Jan. 6 attack marked the most violent assault on the halls of Congress since the British invasion of Washington during the War of 1812.

☆ Ford to open orders on F-150 Trucks amid production snags
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] A model of the all-new Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickup is parked in front of the Ford Motor Company World Headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan, U.S., April 26, 2022. REUTERS/Rebecca CookMay 5 (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co (F.N) said on Friday that it will open orders for its popular F-150 Lightning truck next week as part of their plan to scale to annual production of 150,000 units. Ford is facing another production snag on the F-150 pickup trucks due to missing door handles, a source told Reuters on Wednesday. The company faced a production snag in February after a battery fire. Ford this week posted robust first-quarter revenue and reiterated its plans to boost Lightning production to a rate of 150,000 vehicles a year by the end of this year.

☆ Australia chief calls for more govt funding for Brisbane success
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( Nick Mulvenney | Thomson Reuters | Leads Coverage Of Sport Across The Asia-Pacific. Still Reports On The Full Panoply Of Sport. Many Olympics World Cups World Championships Grand Slams Grands Prix | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Chesterman told the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) annual general meeting national sporting bodies were already financially stretched and that the groundwork for Brisbane success needed to be laid now. "It is clearly understood that a successful home Games requires a successful home team. But the clock is ticking and the strain within the system is showing," the AOC chairman said. "We come off a hugely successful Tokyo Games, but that is nearly two years ago, and the system that helped to produce those performances is understandably struggling. "Results also don't come at the flick of a switch, so if Australia is to have a successful team in Brisbane 2032, the system, the people, that took us to that success in Tokyo need nurturing now."

☆ Opinion: For women, it’s past time to give up the ghost of equality
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( Opinion Marcie Bianco | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

CNN —The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), which states that equal rights under the law cannot be denied on account of sex, has been in a perpetual state of limbo for 100 years. And worldwide, those dreaming of gender equality will have to wait another 300 years, according to the latest United Nations estimates. Arguably, billionaires will land on Mars before we achieve gender equality. With odds like those, it’s well worth asking: What does “achieve gender equality” even mean? It’s past time to give up the ghost of equality and pursue a goal that has hope of transforming women’s lives for the better: freedom.

☆ Iran hangs Swedish-Iranian convicted over attack that killed 25 people
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DUBAI, May 6 (Reuters) - Iran on Saturday executed a Swedish-Iranian dissident convicted of leading an Arab separatist group accused of attacks including one on a military parade in 2018 that killed 25 people, the Iranian judiciary said. Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom reacted with "dismay" to Chaab's execution, saying Sweden had pleaded with Iran not to carry it out. Iran said in 2020 that its security forces detained Chaab in neighbouring Turkey and took him to Tehran, without giving details of his capture. Iran has had tense relations with its ethnic minorities, which include Arabs, Kurds, Azeris and Baluch, and has accused them of aligning with neighbouring countries. Arabs and other minorities have long complained of facing discrimination in Iran, an accusation Tehran denies.

☆ Henry hopes NZ can avoid whitewash v World No. 1 Pakistan
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

KARACHI, Pakistan, May 6 (Reuters) - Bowler Matt Henry is hopeful New Zealand can avoid a series whitewash in Pakistan by producing an improved display in Sunday's fifth and final one-day international against the world number one side. The team under Tom Latham managed to draw the preceding T20 series 2-2 but Pakistan have taken an unassailable 4-0 lead in the one-day series. "It's a shame we really haven't had the success that we wanted to ... " Henry told reporters after the loss. Henry had no hesitations admitting Pakistan had outplayed his team in home conditions. "Obviously it's frustrating to be four-nil but sometimes you've got to give kudos to the way that Pakistan have been playing their cricket.

☆ FIFA confident of agreement on Women's World Cup TV rights
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SYDNEY, May 6 (Reuters) - FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura is confident the global governing body's threat of a Women's World Cup TV blackout in Europe this year will bring broadcasters to the table with improved offers for the rights. Some 1.12 billion viewers tuned into the 2019 World Cup in France across all platforms, according to a FIFA audit of the tournament. Infantino said broadcasters had offered only $1 million-$10 million for the rights for this year's tournament in Australia and New Zealand, compared to $100 million-$200 million for the men's World Cup. Former FIFA Council member Moya Dodd said this week that the governing body had itself devalued the rights of the Women's World Cup by historically bundling them with those of the men's tournament. The ninth Women's World Cup kicks off in Sydney and Auckland on July 20.

☆ Iran hangs Swedish-Iranian linked to attack that killed 25 people
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

DUBAI, May 6 (Reuters) - Iran executed a Swedish-Iranian dissident on Saturday convicted of leading an Arab separatist group accused of attacks including one on a military parade in 2018 that killed 25 people, state television reported. Habib Farajollah Chaab had been sentenced to death for being "corrupt on earth", a capital offence under Iran’s strict Islamic laws. Iran said in 2020 that its security forces detained Chaab in neighbouring Turkey and took him to Tehran, without giving details of his capture. Arabs and other minorities have long complained of facing discrimination in Iran, an accusation Tehran denies. Reporting by Dubai newsroom; Editing by Stephen CoatesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Rugby league-'Marvel' coach Bennett hailed ahead of 900th match
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Some 36 years on and seven National Rugby League (NRL) titles later, the 73-year-old supercoach will plot the Sharks' downfall again on Saturday when he coaches the Dolphins in his 900th championship match. Emotions may run high during the game, but the famously taciturn Bennett will likely have his usual poker-face on while looking to engineer victory. Tributes from players, fellow coaches and NRL head office have rained down on the luminary this week. No NRL coach has come close to Bennett's tally of games, with second-placed Tim Sheens, the 72-year-old Wests Tigers manager, yet to crack 700. He wandered into it when asked to mentor a junior side at Queensland's police academy after the team's coach fell ill.

☆ Burkina Faso interim leader hails Russia as a strategic ally
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

OUAGADOUGOU, May 4 (Reuters) - Burkina Faso's interim President Ibrahim Traore on Thursday said Russia had become a key strategic ally but denied that Russian mercenaries were supporting Burkinabe forces in their fight against Islamist armed groups. "The departure of the French army does not mean that France is not an ally," Traore replied. Russia, for example, is a strategic ally." Traore was asked to comment on reports Wagner forces are also on the ground in Burkina Faso. The violence has since spread into Burkina Faso and Niger and threatens to destabilise coastal countries further afield.

☆ F1 should strike deal while iron is hot, says rights holders
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Steve Keating | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Liberty Media CEO and President Greg Maffei said stakeholders should come together, "strike while the iron is hot" and extend the current agreement that runs through 2025. The deal with Liberty Media, the governing FIA and teams sets out the terms and commercial arrangements under which the teams race. I think Liberty has done a great job with the sport. "The digital age has advanced since we did the last agreement and I think it needs to be discussed. "But I think for the most part it is a solid agreement, it's working so we don't need to fix what is not broken."

☆ Colombia cancels flights returning migrants from US, cites mistreatment
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Colombia expected to receive some 1,200 migrants in flights programmed to arrive from the U.S. during the first week of May, the migration agency said in a statement. The plan was suspended after flights programmed for May 1 and May 2 were canceled, Colombia's migration agency said. "Before the arrival of the scheduled flights ... both were canceled by the North American immigration agencies," Fernando Garcia, head of Colombia's migration agency, said in the statement. Colombia's migration agency did not immediately confirm whether flights carrying other migrants would go ahead. Garcia blasted cruel and degrading treatment that some migrants were subjected to before boarding and during the flights, including use of cuffs for hands and feet.

☆ Hamilton no fan of Florida Governor DeSantis
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Steve Keating | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Formula One F1 - Miami Grand Prix - Miami International Autodrome, Miami, Florida, U.S. - May 4, 2023 Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton ahead of the Grand Prix REUTERS/Mike SegarMIAMI, May 4 (Reuters) - It's probably safe to say Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will not be cheering for Lewis Hamilton this weekend at the Miami Grand Prix and the Mercedes seven-times world champion made it clear he is no supporter of the Republican leader. A long-time champion of LGBTQ+ rights, Hamilton will have a Rainbow Flag on his helmet for Sunday's race and said he stands with the gay, lesbian and transgender community that has come under attack by DeSantis. DeSantis, who has declared Florida is "where woke comes to die", recently passed a law banning classroom discussion of sexuality and gender identity with younger children, dubbed by critics as the "don't say gay" bill. Hamilton has used his global platform and celebrity to campaign for everything from diversity and racial equality to LGBTQ+ rights. "This isn't the people of Miami making these decisions, it's the people in government and that's the issue.

☆ Flutter Q1 revenues jump 29% as U.S. races ahead, UK bounces back
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Padraic Halpin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Led by its Fanduel brand, Flutter maintained its leading 50% share of the U.S. sports betting market after revenue jumped 92% year-on-year on a constant currency basis. UKI revenue had fallen sharply in the same period last year, partly due to the impact of measures to curb gambling addiction. Chief Executive Peter Jackson put about half the growth down to product improvements and said competitors belatedly adopting safer gambling measures may also have helped Flutter outperform the market, which he estimated was flat year-on-year. Revenue also rose 69% on a constant currency basis in its international division, where Flutter said the recently acquired Italian gaming operator Sisal performed exceptionally well. The Dublin-based firm forecast in November that Fanduel's revenue would jump to around $15 billion over the long term - twice Flutter's entire revenue last year.

☆ North Carolina Republicans reach agreement on 12-week abortion ban
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Sharon Bernstein | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The proposal is the latest effort by lawmakers in Republican-dominated state legislatures to limit abortions after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to end a pregnancy last year. "The bill that has been developed is a commonsense, reasonable approach to restricting second and third trimester abortions," state senate leader Phil Berger said at a news conference. The legislation would limit elective abortions to 12 weeks' gestation, with exceptions for rape, incest, life-limiting fetal anomalies and the life of the mother. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, a Democrat, said on Tuesday he "strongly opposed" the measure. The move by North Carolina Republicans comes days after a far more restrictive anti-abortion bill was successfully blocked in neighboring South Carolina by a group of five women lawmakers, three of them Republicans.

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