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☆ Serving 'lunch' before midnight — and other ways airlines can help reduce jet lag
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-22 | by ( Monica Pitrelli | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

They also kept a daily health log before, during and for two weeks after test flights, it said. It means you start reducing the jetlag straight away," he said in a statement after the first test flight was conducted. For now, Postnova said, travelers shouldn't wait until they land to combat jet lag — rather, they should start the process as soon as their flight departs. An onboard 'wellbeing zone'The jet lag research is being conducted while Qantas awaits 12 Airbus 350 aircraft it ordered in May 2022. Passengers exercise during a Qantas test flight from New York to Sydney on Oct, 19, 2019.

Persons: University of Sydney's Charles Perkins, David Gray, Svetlana Postnova, Postnova, Alan Joyce, James D, Peter Cistulli, Joyce Organizations: Qantas, University of Sydney's, University of Sydney's Charles Perkins Centre, Volunteers, Flight, Getty, CNBC, Morgan, University of Sydney, New, Flyers, Airbus Locations: Sydney, New York City, London, New York

☆ UN adopts world's first treaty to protect high seas biodiversity
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/David Gray/File PhotoNEW YORK, June 19 (Reuters) - The U.N. has adopted the world's first treaty to protect the high seas and preserve marine biodiversity in international waters, marking a milestone after nearly 20 years of effort, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced Monday. The adoption followed an agreement reached in March by more than 100 countries on the of text of the High Seas Treaty, also known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction treaty, after more than 15 years of discussions and five rounds of U.N.-led negotiations. In approving the text, member states have "pumped new life and hope to give the ocean a fighting chance," Guterres said in a statement. The pact is a key plank in efforts to put 30% of the world's land and sea under environmental protection by 2030, a goal set in December. Among other provisions, the legally binding agreement would govern sharing benefits derived from marine genetic resources beyond national jurisdictions, creating protected areas on the high seas and establishing a framework for assessing environmental damage.

Persons: Lady Elliot, David Gray, Antonio Guterres, Guterres, Douglas Gillison, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: Eco, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia, New York

☆ Australia's visa overhaul leaves Chinese millionaires in limbo
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( Stella Qiu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/2] Chinese and Malaysian tourists take photographs of the Sydney Opera House from a viewing area located on Sydney Harbour, Australia, October 4, 2016. Similar investment visa schemes have been scrapped in Canada, Britain and Singapore as governments conclude they do not create jobs and could be a means to park speculative money. It said a new migration strategy would be released later this year, which would include "radically reshaping" the BIIP programme. "I just don't think the investor programme is on their radar at the moment - they might overhaul it down the track. BIIP holders say they are curtailing business investment given the uncertainty, postponing life decisions and in some cases selling properties in Australia.

Persons: David Gray SYDNEY, Paul Wang, Wang, Tony Le Nevez, Tan, Stella Qiu, Praveen Menon, William Mallard Organizations: Sydney Opera House, REUTERS, Innovation, Investment, Labor, Department of Home Affairs, Henley & Partners Australia, Thomson Locations: Malaysian, Sydney Harbour, Australia, Beijing, Canada, Britain, Singapore, Sydney, Melbourne, United States

☆ Macquarie picks up majority stake in Coastal Waste & Recycling
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( Chibuike Oguh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

FILE PHOTO: The logo of Australia's biggest investment bank Macquarie Group Ltd adorns a desk in the reception area of its Sydney office headquarters in Australia, Oct. 28, 2016. REUTERS/David Gray/File PhotoNEW YORK (Reuters) - The asset management arm of Australian bank Macquarie Group Limited has bought a majority stake in waste management firm Coastal Waste & Recycling, the bank said on Tuesday. The transaction values Coastal Waste & Recycling at about $900 million, according to people familiar with the matter. Coastal Waste & Recycling serves more than 450,000 customers mostly in Florida and Georgia, making it one of the largest waste management firms in southeastern U.S. It has invested more than $5 billion in waste management businesses in the Americas since 2007.

Persons: David Gray, Brendon Pantano, Pantano, Macquarie Organizations: Macquarie Group Ltd, REUTERS, Macquarie Group, Recycling, Boca, Capital, Equity Partners, Macquarie Asset Management Locations: Sydney, Australia, Florida, Georgia, U.S, Boca Raton , Florida, Americas, Europe, Asia

☆ RBA to hold rates at 3.85% in June, but may raise again soon: Reuters poll
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Devayani Sathyan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/David GrayThe Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) raised rates last month after pausing in April, confounding financial markets and a majority of economists who were expecting the central bank to hold. The remaining eight in the poll taken between May 29 and June 1 poll expected a 25 basis point hike. Interest rate futures were pricing in a roughly one-in-three chance of a rate hike then. More than half of respondents, or 18 of 28, expected rates to reach 4.10% or higher by end-September, including four who saw rates at 4.35%. The remaining 10 expected rates to stay at 3.85%.

Persons: David Gray, Philip Lowe, “ we’ve, ”, Taylor Nugent, ” Nugent, Gareth Aird Organizations: Reserve Bank of Australia, REUTERS, David Gray The Reserve Bank of Australia, ANZ, CBA, NAB, Westpac, Economics Locations: BENGALURU, Sydney, Australia

☆ Australia first-quarter business investment hits 7-year high, outlook solid
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] Pedestrians walk in front of a crane and scaffolding on a construction site in central Sydney, Australia, May 31, 2018. REUTERS/David GraySYDNEY, June 1 (Reuters) - Australian business investment rose to a seven-year high in the first quarter, helped by a jump in spending on mining, manufacturing and transport, while firms affirmed plans for solid spending in the year ahead. First-quarter investment by Australia's huge mining sector climbed 1.7%, accelerating from a rise of 0.7% in the previous quarter. The capital spending figures will feed into data on gross domestic product (GDP) due next week. Construction work done came in better-than-expected, although residential building remained soft, likely making a flat contribution to Q1 GDP growth.

Persons: David Gray SYDNEY, Sean Langcake, Stella Qiu, Jacqueline Wong, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: REUTERS, Australian Bureau, Statistics, Oxford Economics Australia, Reserve Bank of Australia, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia

☆ Australia to deliver first budget surplus in 15 years
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( Stella Qiu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia is set to deliver its first budget surplus in 15 years on Tuesday, as its coffers bulge with tax windfalls from higher commodities prices and wages, giving it room to dole out cost-of-living relief amid an inflation squeeze on households. FILE PHOTO: Tourists walk around the forecourt of Australia's Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, October 16, 2017. REUTERS/David GrayHowever, fiscal challenges loom large with resource prices well off their peaks and the domestic economy slowing thanks to high interest rates. That is a huge turnaround from a projected deficit of A$36.9 billion in October, although underlying structural pressures are seen keeping the budget in the red in years ahead. “This will be a responsible Budget, which focuses on people doing it tough,” said Chalmers in an interview with ABC Radio on Monday.

☆ Australia boasts rare budget surplus, before spending pressures intensify
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( Wayne Cole | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

FILE PHOTO: Tourists walk around the forecourt of Australia's Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, October 16, 2017. “Providing responsible, targeted relief is the number one priority in our Budget,” Chalmers told lawmakers, while also lauding the improvement in the budget bottom line. High prices for Australia’s commodity exports have also delivered a windfall to mining profits, and thus tax receipts, though prices are now well off their peaks. The government also raised its long-term commodity price assumptions in the budget, which is expected to contribute billions of dollars in extra revenues. Walker believed the revised commodity price projections were still conservative.

☆ Here are Thursday's biggest analyst calls: Apple, Tesla, Target, Goldman Sachs, Meta, FedEx & more
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +12 min

Bank of America reiterates Goldman Sachs as buy Bank of America said the investment bank is "best-in-class." Bank of America reiterates Taiwan Semiconductor as buy Bank of America said the semiconductor company has "strong AI potential." Evercore ISI reiterates Meta as a top pick Evercore named Meta a top pick, noting it still likes the company's business model. " Evercore ISI reiterates Meta as a top pickEvercore named Meta a top pick, noting it still likes the company's business model. Oppenheimer reiterates Meta as outperformOppenheimer said it's standing by its outperform rating on Meta.

☆ Sydney swelters through autumn heatwave, bushfire threat looms
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-05 | by ( Renju Jose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/David Gray/File PhotoSYDNEY, March 6 (Reuters) - Parts of Australia's east including Sydney recorded their hottest day in more than two years on Monday with temperatures hitting more than 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit), raising the risk of bushfires. Firefighters are working to contain nearly 40 bushfires across New South Wales, the home state of one-third of Australians, with crews on the ground supported by aircraft. Penrith, a suburb in western Sydney, recorded 40.1 degrees Celsius on Monday afternoon - the hottest day since Jan. 26, 2021 - while some inland towns reached nearly 41 degrees. Australia's east coast has been dominated by the La Nina weather phenomenon - typically associated with increased rainfall - over the last two years, which brought record rains and widespread flooding. In 2022, Sydney recorded its highest annual rainfall since records began in 1858.

☆ Cyclone Gabrielle heads toward Australia's Norfolk Island, New Zealand
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Renju Jose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/David GraySYDNEY, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Residents in Australia's Norfolk Island and in New Zealand braced for heavy rain and gales over the weekend from Cyclone Gabrielle, with authorities also warning of hazardous surf conditions and strong winds along Australia's east coast. "It is looking like making a direct hit at Norfolk Island," Australia Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Jonathan Howe told ABC television. "We might see the centre of the tropical cyclone pass directly over Norfolk Island." Norfolk Island, an Australian territory 1,500 km (930 miles) east of Sydney, covers just over 34 square km (13 square miles) in the Pacific Ocean, between New Caledonia and New Zealand. Australia's mainland will not be significantly impacted though some eastern coastal areas may experience large waves and strong winds.

☆ Tech trillion club's wobble in four charts
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The tech industry has already laid off thousands of employees in an effort to cut costs as it braces for an impending slowdown. Reuters GraphicsDIGITAL ADVERTISING SLUMPThe parent company of digital advertising giant Google also missed earnings expectations as businesses dialed back spending on fears of a possible recession. "If a dominant ad player like Google can get hit like this, it is now officially a tough ad market," said Rosenblatt Securities analyst Barton Crockett. Reuters GraphicsPOST-EARNINGS STOCK REACTIONShares of the three companies - all of which have market valuations of more than a trillion dollars - were trading between -4.9% and 1.5%. Here is how the stocks have reacted after every quarterly earnings report in 2022:Reuters GraphicsReporting by Akash Sriram, Tiyashi Datta and Eva Mathews in Bengaluru; Editing by Saumyadeb ChakrabartyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Exclusive: China Energy places order to import Australian coal
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( Muyu Xu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

India's share of Australian coal increased to 15.7% in 2022 from 12.3%, while Europe's share increased to 8% from 4.6%, the Kpler data showed. "Australian thermal coal is of better quality and is expensive. Global prices of both coking and thermal coal shot up after Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year. Analysts and traders expect the return of Australian coal to challenge the market share of suppliers such as Russia and add to pressure on prices in the longer term. "Entry of Australian coal into Chinese markets could ease coking coal prices, which are currently on the higher side," an Indian coal trader said.

☆ Airlines forced to ration jet fuel in New Zealand, but limited impact seen
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Lewis Jackson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SYDNEY (Reuters) -Key regional airlines said on Wednesday they expected to continue scheduled flights with New Zealand, which is beginning to ration jet fuel after a recent shipment failed government tests. FILE PHOTO: Air New Zealand Bombardier Q300 planes sit near the terminal at Auckland Airport in New Zealand, June 25, 2017. The next scheduled shipment, due to arrive on Dec. 12, will be ready for use by Dec. 18. O’Brien said regional airlines would mitigate the impact of reduced supplies by loading extra fuel at destinations such as Australia, though longer-haul airlines would need to consider refuelling stops or trading off cargo for more fuel. “So while it’s possible, it’s not simple and it’s not cheap,” added O’Brien, the executive director of the Board of Airline Representatives of New Zealand.

☆ Australia's NAB flags slowing lending growth from rising rates, shares fall
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( Sameer Manekar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A National Australia Bank (NAB) logo is pictured on an automated teller machine (ATM) in central Sydney September 12, 2014. The country's second-largest lender also warned that economic uncertainty created by rising interest rates owing to soaring inflation could challenge some customers, however, said it expects strong employment conditions and substantial home and business savings helping it weather the impact. NAB forecasts a steep decline in business and housing lending volumes in fiscal 2023 in Australia, with business credit growth seen decelerating to 3.6% from 14.7% in fiscal 2022. NAB, the country's biggest business lender, recorded strong growth in its business and home lending during the year ended September, with windfall benefit from rising interest rates boosting its cash earnings to A$7.10 billion ($4.62 billion). That compares with A$6.56 billion reported a year earlier and analysts' estimate of A$7.08 billion, according to Refinitiv Eikon.

☆ Meet Donald Trump's children with Ivana Trump, Marla Maples, and Melania Trump
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( Business Insider | Lloyd Lee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

Donald Trump has five children between two of his former wives and his current wife Melania Trump. Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, and Ivanka Trump are children with his first wife, Ivana Trump, who died on July 14. Getty Images/Joe CorriganNow a father of five, Donald Trump Jr. was 12 when Ivana Trump and Donald Trump Sr. divorced. In 2001, a year after he graduated from college, Donald Trump Jr. went to work for his dad for the second time. He told New York magazine that Donald Trump Jr. is like his mentor and Ivanka Trump is like his second mother.

☆ Volkswagen tells brands to pause paid advertising on Twitter
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

[1/2] A Volkswagen logo is seen on one of the German automaker's cars in a street in Sydney, Australia, October 8, 2015. REUTERS/David GrayHAMBURG, Nov 4 (Reuters) - Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) on Friday said it has recommended to its brands to pause paid advertising on Twitter until further notice in the wake of Elon Musk's takeover of the social media platform. "We are closely monitoring the situation and will decide about next steps depending on its evolvement," Europe's top carmaker said in a statement. The comments by Volkswagen group, which covers the VW, Seat, Cupra, Audi, Lamborghini, Bentley, Ducati and Porsche (P911_p.DE) brands, echoes similar remarks from other firms, including GM (GM.N) and General Mills Inc (GIS.N). Reporting by Jan Schwartz; Writing by Christoph SteitzOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

REUTERS/David GraySummarySummary Companies Net zero push stokes hopes for offshore wind projectsVictoria state aims for 9 GW offshore wind by 2040Sector needs new regulations, to lure technology suppliersIndustry also set to face environmental, landowner concernsMELBOURNE, Sept 27 (Reuters) - Under a new government, Australia is shaping up to be the next big market for offshore wind developers, attracting interest from the likes of Shell, Denmark's Orsted and Norway's Equinor. To many in the industry, Australia could well become the next boom market for offshore wind. Community concerns about the impact of wind turbines on bird life, such as orange-bellied parrots, and sealife, such as fish and whales, are also expected. "There's only a limited number of vessels in the world that can be used for erecting turbines offshore. Victoria state's Gippsland coast first in lineThe state, which has spearheaded the country's offshore wind push, plans to procure 2 gigawatts (GW) of offshore capacity with supply due by 2032, enough to power 1.5 million homes.

Representatives of coal miners in Indonesia and Australia, the world's two largest exporters of thermal coal, were ebullient at the Coaltrans event, but also cautious that the current windfall is unlikely to last beyond 2023 or 2024. In theory both of these solutions do offer some hope for coal miners, but then the main problem comes in. For higher energy Australian thermal coal the cost of the offsets is even less, given its current high price, coming in at just over 2%. Also, as coal miners, and other polluters, compete for offsets, the price will invariably rise, thereby adding to the cost. For exporting coal miners, there is probably a narrow path to remaining in business for the long term.

☆ AMP handed $9.7 mln penalty for charging pensioners 'fees for no service'
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterThe logo of AMP Ltd, Australia's biggest retail wealth manager, adorns their head office located in central Sydney, Australia, May 5, 2017. Picture taken May 5, 2017.REUTERS/David Gray/File PhotoSept 20 (Reuters) - Wealth manager AMP Ltd (AMP.AX) was handed a penalty of A$14.5 million ($9.74 million) on Tuesday by Australia's Federal court for charging customers with 'fees for no service' on their corporate pension accounts. Between July 2015 and September 2018, AMP entities deducted A$356,188 in fees even though they were aware that the members had ceased their employment and could no longer receive advice services, the court found. The penalty received on Tuesday has already been provisioned in the 2022 half-yearly financial statement, AMP said. ($1 = 1.4890 Australian dollars)Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Harish Sridharan in Bengaluru; Editing by Dhanya Ann Thoppil and Subhranshu SahuOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Australia's central bank says hikes could slow at some point
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Pedestrians walk past the main entrance to the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) head office in central Sydney, Australia, October 3, 2016. REUTERS/David Gray/File PhotoSYDNEY, Sept 20 (Reuters) - Australia's central bank is set on raising interest rates again as it battles to contain red-hot inflation, but sees a case for slowing the pace of hikes as rates approached more normal levels. Minutes of the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) September Board meeting out on Tuesday reiterated that policy was not on a pre-set path and would be balanced to try and keep the economy on an even keel. RBA Governor Philip Lowe has flagged the chance of a slowdown in hikes at some point, but also underlined the importance in a very tight labour market of keeping inflation expectations anchored. He also looks for quarter-point hikes in November, December and February taking rates to a peak of 3.6%.

☆ AMP handed $9.7 million penalty for charging pensioners 'fees for no service'
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterThe logo of AMP Ltd, Australia's biggest retail wealth manager, adorns their head office located in central Sydney, Australia, May 5, 2017. Picture taken May 5, 2017.REUTERS/David Gray/File PhotoSept 20 (Reuters) - Wealth manager AMP Ltd (AMP.AX) was handed a penalty of A$14.5 million ($9.74 million) on Tuesday by Australia's Federal court for charging customers with 'fees for no service' on their corporate pension accounts. Between July 2015 and September 2018, AMP entities deducted A$356,188 in fees even though they were aware that the members had ceased their employment and could no longer receive advice services, the court found. "Although AMP has remediated A$691,032 to affected customers, the court found AMP failed to investigate whether or not there was a systemic issue, despite many complaints over a lengthy period of time," ASIC said. The penalty received on Tuesday has already been provisioned in the 2022 half-yearly financial statement, AMP said.

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