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☆ Australia's Greens to investigate supermarket 'price gouging'
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] People walk past a Woolworths supermarket following the easing of restrictions implemented to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Sydney, Australia, June 16, 2020. REUTERS/Loren Elliott Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Australia's Greens party said on Sunday it would lead a parliamentary inquiry into "price gouging" by major supermarkets as the country grapples with high costs of living. "It will also assess the rise in essential item prices, the validity of discounts offered, and the inflation of profits during economic hardship," added McKim, accusing supermarkets of "price gouging" during "Australia's cost of living crisis". "Construction costs, energy prices, the cost of logistics and packaging have all risen", the spokesperson said. A Woolworths spokesperson said the company was "working to deliver relief" on grocery bills.

Persons: Loren Elliott, Nick McKim, McKim, Competition Andrew Leigh, Leigh, Sam McKeith, Lincoln Organizations: Woolworths, REUTERS, Rights, Australia's Greens, Greens, Coles, Competition, Labor, Reserve Bank of Australia, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia

☆ Brookfield's $10.6 billion bid for Origin Energy expected to fail on Monday
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-03 | by ( Scott Murdoch | Thomson Reuters | Scott Murdoch Has Been A Journalist For More Than Two Decades Working For Thomson Reuters | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Dec 4 (Reuters) - The outcome of a Brookfield consortium's $10.6 billion bid for Australia's Origin Energy (ORG.AX) will be officially known on Monday, with investors expected to vote down its year-long attempt to buy the country's largest power retailer. Origin’s largest shareholder, A$300 billion ($198.36 billion) pension fund AustralianSuper, has said it would reject the A$9.39 per share offer. "If the Brookfield consortium comes back with a hostile off-market offer, there could be upside to the share price." "We will do this work before considering whether to continue pursuing a proposal to acquire Origin Energy or the Origin Energy Markets business," he said. The company's board last week rejected a revised back-up bid from the Brookfield consortium that the energy firm said was too complex and highly conditional.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, AustralianSuper, Adrian Atkins, Luke Edwards, Scott Murdoch, Jamie Freed Organizations: Brookfield, REUTERS, Rights, Origin Energy, Origin Energy Markets, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Brookfield, Brookfield Australia

☆ Protester self-immolates outside Israeli consulate in Atlanta
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Smoke rises after an Israeli airstrike in Gaza, after a temporary truce between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas expired, as seen from southern Israel, December 2, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko Acquire Licensing RightsDec 1 (Reuters) - A protester with a Palestinian flag self-immolated on Friday outside the Israeli consulate in Atlanta, authorities said. The protester arrived around 12:17 p.m. at the office building, which houses the consulate as well as several businesses, and used gasoline, police said. Israel has vowed to annihilate Hamas after the militant group attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and taking 240 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. More than 15,000 Gazans have been killed during Israel's assault, Palestinian officials say, which has destroyed much of the enclave.

Persons: Alexander Ermochenko, Darin Schierbaum, Anat Sultan, Israel, Joseph Ax, Kanishka Singh, Jonathan Allen, Matt Spetalnick, Daniel Wallis, Bill Berkrot Organizations: REUTERS, Palestinian, Police, ABC News, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel, Palestinian, Atlanta, U.S

☆ Georgia Republicans advance new US House map that maintains their edge
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Joseph Ax | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A general view of the Atlanta skyline includes the Georgia Capitol dome and a "Vote" sign atop the 100 Peachtree building, days ahead of nationally significant U.S. Senate and state governor elections in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. November 6, 2022. In his Oct. 26 opinion, U.S. District Judge Steve Jones said that Georgia could not remedy the problem "by eliminating minority opportunity districts elsewhere." The new map would likely allow Republicans to maintain their current 9-5 advantage among the state's 14 U.S. House districts. In a statement, the Republican speaker of the state House, Jon Burns, said the new map "fully complies with the judge's order." McBath's campaign manager, Jake Orvis, said in a statement, "Georgia Republicans have yet again attempted to subvert voters by changing the rules."

Persons: Jonathan Ernst, Lucy McBath, Steve Jones, Brian Kemp, Jon Burns, Jake Orvis, Joseph Ax, Will Dunham Organizations: Georgia Capitol, Senate, REUTERS, Georgia Republicans, . House, voters, Republican, Democratic U.S, District, Legislators, McBath, Thomson Locations: Atlanta, Georgia, Peachtree, Atlanta , Georgia, U.S, Black, United States, Georgia's, New York

Activist investor Nelson Peltz and his firm are seeking more than two seats on Disney's board, according to a person familiar with the matter, setting the stage for a proxy fight. "Mr. Peltz, in partnership with Isaac Perlmutter, a former Disney executive, intends to take its case to shareholders. Mr. Perlmutter owns 78% of the shares that Mr. Peltz claims beneficial ownership of, or more than 25 million of the 33 million shares," Disney said in a statement. Disney shares are up about 6% this year, far underperforming the S&P 500. Peltz had earlier pushed for a seat on Disney's board after Trian took an approximately $800 million stake in Disney.

Persons: Nelson Peltz, Peltz, Disney, Trian, Morgan Stanley, James Gorman, Jeremy Darroch, Francis deSouza, Sir Jeremy Darroch, Ike Perlmutter, Bob Iger, Perlmutter, Isaac Perlmutter, Robert A, Iger, – CNBC's Alex Sherman Organizations: Trian Fund Management, Future Investment Initiative, Summit, Disney, Sky, Peltz, Disney's, CNBC Locations: Miami , Florida

☆ Australian sheep, cattle prices slump as El Nino scorches pastures
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Peter Hobson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

After three years of plentiful rain and rising livestock numbers, dry weather has withered pastures across Australia. The extreme change in conditions has helped trigger the fastest plunge in cattle and sheep prices in decades, threatening livelihoods in Australia's A$75 billion ($50 billion) red meat and livestock industry. While farmers suffer, falling livestock prices have brought some relief to Australian households hurting from high inflation. Falling U.S. beef production means demand for Australian beef should rise, helping support livestock prices, said Angus Gidley-Baird, an analyst at Rabobank in Sydney. Agricultural consultants Episode 3 estimate that Australian beef processors are reaping their best profits in at least two decades thanks to low local cattle prices and high sale prices in export markets.

Persons: Angus Hobson, Peter Hobson, Angus, Hobson, Stuart Austin, Wilmot, Angus Gidley, Baird, Teys, Mat Larkings, gaunt, haven't, they'll, Sonali Paul Organizations: Livestock, New, REUTERS, Beef, Livestock Australia, Woolworths, Data Monitor, Rabobank, Meat packers, Teys Australia, Farmers, Thomson Locations: Delegate, New South Wales, Australia, Angus Hobson's, Australia's, United States, El Nino, Japan, China, Sydney, Walcha

☆ Jack Dorsey is getting rid of annual reviews and PIPs at Block. I asked our workplace correspondent if it's a trend.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Katie Notopoulos | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Jack Dorsey says Block will no longer do performance reviews or performance-improvement plans. She told me she thought PIPs — performance improvement plans — were underused because companies don't necessarily want to do the legwork that often goes with them. Jack Dorsey's Block just announced that they're going to stop doing PIPs and just fire people who aren't up to snuff. So, having some ability to correct your things you're doing wrong — that's important. Block is also getting rid of annual performance reviews.

Persons: Jack Dorsey, Block, Tim Paradis, Dorsey, —, BI's, who's, you've, Gen Z, Korn, they're, Jack Dorsey's Block, it's Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Valley

☆ Virgin Australia adds Boeing MAX-8 aircraft as demand stays buoyant
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Nov 24 (Reuters) - Airline operator Virgin Australia (IPO-VIR.AX) on Friday said it has added six Boeing MAX-8 aircraft to further expand its fleet and meet travel demand, taking its total order for the planes to fourteen. Australia's second-biggest carrier returned to a profit for the first time in 11 years in fiscal 2023, buoyed by a strong recovery in travel demand following the COVID-19 pandemic. "Travel demand remains high and we continue to grow and renew our fleet, enabling us to deliver great value and choice in the market," Virgin Australia Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer Alistair Hartley said. The MAX-8 aircrafts will enter the domestic and short-haul international routes including Fiji, Bali and Samoa, the carrier said. Reporting by Adwitiya Srivastava in Bengaluru; Editing by Mrigank DhaniwalaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Australia's, Alistair Hartley, Adwitiya Srivastava, Mrigank Organizations: Virgin Australia, Boeing, Thomson Locations: Fiji, Bali, Samoa, Bengaluru

REUTERS/David Gray Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Nov 24 (Reuters) - The long-term value of hotly contested $10.6 billion takeover target Origin Energy (ORG.AX) has been muddied by a government plan to accelerate the rollout of renewable energy, announced just hours before a key shareholder vote. However, the potential for new investment via the government's scheme undercuts Brookfield's argument that Origin and Australia needed its deep pockets to decarbonise quickly, Vickerson said. Pension giant AustralianSuper has argued Origin's stake in fast-growing British renewable energy company Octopus Energy, gas assets and millions of customers position the company well for the energy transition. The government's new scheme only strengthens the fund's conviction about Origin, according to a person familiar with AustralianSuper's thinking. However, Simon Mawhinney, chief investment officer at fund manager Allan Gray, which owns a roughly 3% stake in Origin, said the government's plan appears likely to push down returns.

Persons: David Gray, AustralianSuper, Max Vickerson, Vickerson, Brookfield, Tom Leske, Simon Mawhinney, Allan Gray, Lewis Jackson, Sonali Paul Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Energy, Morgans, Origin, AGL Energy, Churchill Capital, Octopus Energy, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Chatswood, Australia, Brookfield

Under the new terms offered by Brookfield, the A$9.43 per share bid remains but some investors can stay invested in the energy markets business that would be owned by Brookfield. Brookfield's consortium partner EIG Partners would take on Origin's integrated gas business which includes the 27.5% stake in Australia Pacific LNG (APLNG). If that bid fails to achieve 75% shareholder support, an alternative proposal has been lodged that would see Origin sell the energy markets business to Brookfield for A$12.3 billion. When asked during a press conference if he had reservations about the revised deal, Chairman Scott Perkins said: "absolutely". DONE TALKINGFollowing the announcement of the revised offer, EIG CEO Blair Thomas told Reuters that he was done talking to AustralianSuper.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Australia's, EIG, Scott Perkins, Blair Thomas, Allan Gray, Simon Mawhinney, Mawhinney, Chris Bowen, Scott Murdoch, Lewis Jackson, Praveen Menon, Lincoln, Sonali Paul, Jamie Freed Organizations: Brookfield, REUTERS, SYDNEY, Brookfield ., EIG Partners, Australia Pacific LNG, Reuters, Brookfield consortium's, Energy, Thomson Locations: Brookfield, Sydney, Australia

☆ EIG CEO says consortium no longer willing to negotiate with Origin's top investor
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Blair Thomas, CEO of EIG, poses in an undated handout photo obtained January 5, 2021. Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Nov 23 (Reuters) - EIG Partners CEO Blair Thomas said on Thursday the consortium behind the $10.6 billion bid for Origin Energy (ORG.AX) was "done" negotiating with top shareholder AustralianSuper in an attempt to gain its backing for the offer. Thomas said he believed AustralianSuper, which holds 16.5% of Origin, was acting against the best interests of the company's remaining shareholders. EIG is part of the consortium led by Canada's Brookfield. Reporting by Scott Murdoch in Sydney; Editing by Jamie FreedOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Blair Thomas, Danthi, Thomas, Canada's, Scott Murdoch, Jamie Freed Organizations: Rights, EIG, Origin Energy, Thomson Locations: Canada's Brookfield, Sydney

Origin said based on the early votes received the original offer would not have won support. Under the new terms, the A$9.43 per share bid remains but some investors can stay invested in the energy markets business that would be owned by Brookfield. If that bid fails to achieve 75% shareholder support, an alternative proposal has been lodged that would see Origin sell the energy markets business to Brookfield for A$12.3 billion ($8 billion). Origin shareholders would receive a total of A$9.08 per share, with an additional A$0.22 if EIG got up to 90.1% control of Origin. Institutional investors who have already voted on the A$9.43 offer can choose to change or keep their vote, or opt to invest in the energy markets business.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, EIG, Chris Bowen, Scott Murdoch, Lewis Jackson, Miral Fahmy, Lincoln, Sonali Paul Organizations: Brookfield, REUTERS, Companies Brookfield, Origin Energy, Brookfield ., EIG Partners, Australia Pacific LNG, Brookfield consortium's, Energy, Thomson Locations: SYDNEY, Brookfield, Sydney, Australian, Australia

☆ Every country needs an Inflation Reduction Act
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Antony Currie | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +9 min

REUTERS/David Gray/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMELBOURNE, Nov 23 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Lawmakers in South Korea blasted the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act as a betrayal. Yet concerns about market distortion from the policy intended to stimulate investment in the energy transition and signed into law by President Joe Biden in August 2022 are easing. The Biden administration’s willingness to negotiate on its package of $370 billion of tax breaks and other measures has helped. Reuters GraphicsTrouble is, governments also need to show that they will be fiscally responsible stewards of the energy transition in the short term – especially with inflation still a threat and budgets under pressure. In a speech on Nov. 2 about enabling Australia’s energy transition, Treasurer Jim Chalmers said that “incentives like the type we’ve seen in the Inflation Reduction Act in the United States can be part of an answer but they’re not the whole answer”.

Persons: David Brockwell, David Gray, Australia’s Fortescue, FMG.AX, Joe Biden, Biden, –, Goldman Sachs reckons, ’, Uncle Sam, Fumio, Jim Chalmers, they’re, Chalmers, Una Galani, Thomas Shum Organizations: REUTERS, Rights MELBOURNE, Reuters, Australia, Washington, European, of America, Labor Energy Partnership, U.S, Canberra, Climate Energy Finance, Climate Capital Forum, Deloitte, National Australia Bank, quicken, Thomson Locations: Lake George, Canberra, South Korea, United States, Seoul, European Union, U.S, Japan, Washington, EU, Australia

Trading in Origin Energy shares was paused on Thursday. Brookfield Corp (BN.TO), which has teamed up with EIG Partner's MidOcean Energy, and Origin Energy did not respond to requests for comment. Origin shares closed on Wednesday at A$8.42, up 1.69%, but well below the offer price of A$9.43 per share. If everyone thought it was going ahead the share price would be higher," he told Reuters. Origin shares remain 2.1% lower than last week's close and have traded well below the offer price since the new bid.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, EIG, Jamie Hannah, I'm, Scott Murdoch, Lewis Jackson, Miral Fahmy Organizations: Brookfield, REUTERS, Rights, Origin Energy, Brookfield Corp, Energy, Investors, Newmont Corp, Newcrest Mining, VanEck, Reuters, Origin, Thomson Locations: Brookfield, Lincoln

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Nov 23 (Reuters) - A Brookfield-led consortium's A$16.3 billion ($10.61 billion) bid for Origin Energy (ORG.AX) is expected to fail after the largest shareholder in Australia's biggest energy retailer said it would vote against the offer at an investor meeting on Thursday. The energy company's shares closed on Wednesday at A$8.42, up 1.69%, but well below the offer price of A$9.43 per share. If everyone thought it was going ahead the share price would be higher," he told Reuters. Brookfield and Origin Energy declined to comment on Thursday's vote. Origin shares remain 2.1% lower than last week's close and have traded well below the offer price since the new bid arrived, suggesting investors were pessimistic of its success.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, EIG, Jamie Hannah, I'm, Macquarie, Ian Myles, Scott Murdoch, Lewis Jackson, Miral Organizations: Brookfield, REUTERS, Rights, Origin Energy, Newmont Corp, Newcrest Mining, Brookfield Corp, Energy, VanEck, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Brookfield, Sydney

[1/5] Passengers make their way through the terminal as they travel ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday at Washington Dulles International Airport in Dulles, Virginia, U.S., November 22, 2023. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque Acquire Licensing RightsNov 22 (Reuters) - Millions of Americans headed to the homes of friends and family on Wednesday, the day before the Thanksgiving holiday, on the busiest travel day since the pandemic, undeterred by a sprawling East Coast storm system that disrupted some flights and slowed traffic. Industry group Airlines for America forecast U.S. airlines would carry some 29.9 million passengers between Nov. 17 and Nov. 27. That figure would be an all-time high, 9% higher than last year and up 1.7 million passengers from the levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic. Out West, a snowstorm in the northern and central Rocky Mountains and adjacent High Plans will likely affect Thanksgiving travel from Wednesday night through Friday, the weather service said.

Persons: Kevin Lamarque, Hopper, Abraham Lincoln, Daniel Trotta, Joseph Ax, Miral Fahmy, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Washington Dulles International, REUTERS, Industry, Airlines, America, U.S . Transportation Security Administration, American Automobile Association, AAA, National Weather Service, Thomson Locations: Dulles , Virginia, U.S, East, COVID, Carolinas, Atlantic, New England, New Hampshire, Rocky

On Tuesday, 2.6 million passengers were screened at airport security checkpoints, the highest ever for a Tuesday before Thanksgiving, according to the U.S. Transportation Security Administration. [1/10]People go to their flight gates ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. November 22, 2023. The two major airports in Houston, Texas were expecting to shatter their record of air travelers from Nov. 16-28. Some 2.4 million people were expected to fly through Houston, up 11% from that period in 2022, the airports' management said. Out West, a snowstorm in the northern and central Rocky Mountains and adjacent High Plans will likely affect Thanksgiving travel from Wednesday night through Friday, the weather service said.

Persons: Mike Arnot, Vincent Alban Acquire, COVID, Hopper, Daniel Trotta, Allison Lampert, Joseph Ax, Gabriella Borter, Miral Fahmy, Jonathan Oatis, David Gregorio Our Organizations: National Weather Service, Airlines for America, U.S . Transportation Security Administration, Ontario . Buffalo Niagara International, O’Hare, REUTERS, American Automobile Association, AAA, Thomson Locations: U.S, United States, Canada, Niagara Falls, New York, Ontario, Chicago , Illinois, Houston , Texas, Houston, New England, New Hampshire, Rocky

☆ Mali signs agreement with Russia to build gold refinery
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Tiemoko Diallo | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BAMAKO, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Mali's military government said it has signed an agreement with Russia to build a gold refinery in the capital Bamako, one of a slew of deals between the two countries as Russia seeks to extend its regional influence. The deal is the latest sign of Russia's deepening interests in Mali, one of Africa's largest gold producers, just as Western influence there wanes. Russia's state nuclear energy company Rosatom signed an deal with Mali in October to explore for minerals and produce nuclear energy. Sanou said he had also signed a deal with a Russian firm to build a 200- to 300-megawatt solar power plant by mid-2025. Industrial gold production in Mali totalled 66.2 tonnes last year, mostly from mines owned by Barrick Gold (ABX.TO), B2Gold (BTO.TO), Resolute Mining (RSG.AX), Allied Gold (AAUC.TO) and Endeavour Mining .

Persons: Alousséni Sanou, Sanou, Rosatom, Wagner, Tiemoko Diallo, Hereward Holland, Edward McAllister, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: Wagner Group, Islamic, Barrick Gold, Resolute Mining, Allied, Endeavour Mining, Thomson Locations: BAMAKO, Russia, Bamako, Mali, Russian, France, Africa, al Qaeda, Islamic State

The A$300 billion ($195.24 billion) pension fund was against the original offer, which it also said substantially undervalued the company's ability to profit from Australia's shift to renewable energy. Under the new terms offered by Brookfield, the A$9.43 per share bid remains but some investors can stay invested in the energy markets business that would be owned by Brookfield. Brookfield's consortium partner EIG Partners would take on Origin's integrated gas business which includes the 27.5% stake in Australia Pacific LNG (APLNG). If that bid fails to achieve 75% shareholder support, an alternative proposal has been lodged that would see Origin sell the energy markets business to Brookfield for A$12.3 billion. DONE TALKINGFollowing the announcement of the revised offer, EIG CEO Blair Thomas told Reuters that he was done talking to AustralianSuper.

Hours later, federal and state authorities said investigators had found no evidence of an act of terrorism, though circumstances surrounding the crash on the Rainbow Bridge remained murky, leaving it to be determined whether it was accidental or intentional. [1/15]A vehicle burns at the Rainbow Bridge U.S. border crossing with Canada, in Niagara Falls, New York, U.S. November 22, 2023 in a still image from video. The Rainbow Bridge and all three other border crossings along the Niagara River between western New York and the Canadian province of Ontario - the Peace Bridge, the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge and the Whirlpool Bridge - were shut for several hours as a precaution. The three bridges that were not involved were reopened early Wednesday evening, but the Rainbow crossing remained closed during the investigation and as officials assessed the crossing's safety. He said the vehicle, which he described as a luxury sedan, was "fish-tailing" out of control before it crashed.

Persons: Kathy Hochul, Paul Stanley, Hochul, Mike Guenther, Guenther, ”, Ted Hesson, Jonathan Landay, Ismail Shakil, Katharine Jackson, Daphne Psaledakis, Susan Heavey, Daniel Trotta, Andrew Hay, Ward Jasper, Makini Brice, Gabriella Borter, Joseph Ax, Richard Cowan, Daniel Whitcomb, Steve Gorman, David Gregorio, Leslie Adler Organizations: FBI, Twitter, U.S . Customs, Border Protection, Authorities, CNN, Bentley, Wednesday, U.S . Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, Buffalo Niagara International, Rainbow Bridge, REUTERS, Whirlpool, Niagara - Frontier Transit Authority, Buffalo, Thomson Locations: New York, Ontario, Niagara Falls, U.S, Toronto, Canada, Niagara Falls , New York, Niagara, Canadian, Lewiston, Queenston, New York City, Kitchener , Ontario, Washington

☆ Australia goes on cyber offensive with sweeping resilience plan
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Byron Kaye | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Broken Ethernet cable is seen in front of binary code and words "cyber security" in this illustration taken March 8, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Australia will give cyber health checks for small businesses, increase cyber law enforcement funding and introduce mandatory reporting of ransomware attacks under a security overhaul announced on Wednesday after a spate of attacks. "We cannot continue as we have," Cyber Security and Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil told reporters in Sydney. Unveiling the seven-year strategy, O'Neil said that while large businesses received some of the biggest cyber attacks, they typically recovered, but attacks on small and medium-size businesses could be terminal. "Minister O'Neil's Strategy establishes cyber security as a unifying nationwide endeavour," he added.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Clare O'Neil, O'Neil, Aidan Tudehope, O'Neil's, telco, Byron Kaye, Stephen Coates Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Labor, Security, Home Affairs, Australian Cyber Security, U.S, Australian Securities and Investments Commission, Macquarie Technology, telco Optus, Singapore Telecommunications, Medibank, Thomson Locations: Australia, Sydney, Britain

☆ Fortescue shareholders vote against remuneration report
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

The logo of Fortescue Metals Group adorns their headquarters in Perth, Australia, November 11, 2015. REUTERS/David Gray/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMELBOURNE, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Australia's Fortescue (FMG.AX) said shareholders did not approve its annual remuneration report at a vote at its annual shareholder meeting on Tuesday. "Based on the votes received to date on this resolution, Fortescue will receive a first strike for the FY 23 remuneration report," said Penny Bingham-Hall who is chair of the company's remuneration committee. "We acknowledge this feedback, particularly in relation to the special one off payments made in the last financial year." Reporting by Melanie Burton; Editing by Christopher CushingOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: David Gray, Australia's Fortescue, FMG.AX, Fortescue, Penny Bingham, Melanie Burton, Christopher Cushing Organizations: Fortescue Metals, REUTERS, Rights MELBOURNE, Hall, Thomson Locations: Perth, Australia

☆ Bain Capital raises $7.1 bln in largest pan-Asia PE fund this year
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Kane Wu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The logo of Bain Capital is displayed on the screen during a news conference in Tokyo, Japan October 5, 2017. Bain Capital said the firm itself committed $750 million to Bain Capital Asia Fund V, alongside existing and new investors. At $7.1 billion, the fund is Bain Capital's biggest to date for Asia and also the region's largest private equity fund raised this year, according to Preqin data. Bain Capital, which started fundraising in the second half of 2022, had an initial target of $5 billion. Bain Capital invests across multiple asset classes, including credit, public equity, venture capital and real estate, managing approximately $180 billion in total assets globally.

Persons: Kim Kyung, you've, David Gross, Gross, Toshiba Corp's, Bain, Kane Wu, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: Bain Capital, REUTERS, Bain Capital Asia Fund V, Bain Capital's, Bain, ., Toshiba, Chindata, Estia, Intelligence, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, HONG KONG, Asia, U.S, Bain Capital's Asia, . Asia, China, India

SYDNEY, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Australasian pharmaceutical distributor EBOS Group (EBO.NZ) has shelved a A$3.75 billion ($2.4 billion) deal to buy Australian vet chain Greencross, sending its shares down 7% during early trade on Wednesday. EBOS was due to pay A$3.75 billion to acquire Greencross, and was set to raise about A$2 billion as early as Wednesday, said one of the sources who could not be named discussing confidential information. The capital raising and associated buyout was put on hold because of weaker than expected demand from EBOS investors, the second source said. TPG and Greencross did not immediately respond to a request for comment. U.S. private equity TPG bought Greencross in 2019 and delisted it from the ASX in a deal worth A$669 million.

Persons: EBOS, Greencross, Scott Murdoch, Marguerita Choy, Stephen Coates Organizations: SYDNEY, EBOS, TPG Capital, TPG, Greencross, City Farmers, Liontown Resources, Thomson Locations: Australia, New Zealand, Albemarle, Sydney, Bengaluru

☆ Australia's AI firm Appen mulls selling part or whole of business
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Nov 21 (Reuters) - Australia's AI firm Appen (APX.AX) said Tuesday it is mulling the sale of a part or whole of its business. Appen, which was one of the world's largest AI training providers, has implemented a raft of cost-saving initiatives and has seen its executive team being entirely replaced over the last two years. The company on Tuesday announced an equity raise of A$30-million ($19.52 million), aimed at boosting its working capital. It also announced an additional $14 million of cost reduction, boosting its cost-saving initiatives this year to $60 million. ($1 = 1.5366 Australian dollars)Reporting by Nausheen Thusoo in Bengaluru; Editing by Mrigank DhaniwalaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Nausheen, Mrigank Organizations: Thomson Locations: Bengaluru

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