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☆ China's central bank to use 'precise, forceful' policy to bolster recovery
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Paramilitary police officers stand guard in front of the headquarters of the People's Bank of China, the central bank (PBOC), in Beijing, China September 30, 2022. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Sept 27 (Reuters) - China's central bank said on Wednesday it would step up policy adjustments and implement monetary policy in a "precise and forceful" manner to support an economy whose recovery was improving with "increasing momentum". The central bank will guide banks to lower borrowing costs for companies and households and support banks to replenish capital, it said. China will step up government investment and policy incentives to spur private investment and promote a recovery in prices from a low level, the central bank said. The central bank also pledged to promote the healthy and stable development of the property market, implementing policies to lower down payment ratios and mortgages rates for some home buyers.

Persons: Tingshu Wang, Kevin Yao, Himani Sarkar, Christian Schmollinger, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: People's Bank of China, REUTERS, Rights, Beijing, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, Rights BEIJING, megacities

☆ Thailand's Opposition Move Forward Party Names New Leader
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( Sept. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's opposition Move Forward named a new leader on Saturday after Pita Limjaroenrat, who led the party to a stunning election victory in May, was thwarted in his efforts to become premier. The progressive party will lead the opposition after conservative lawmakers and an unelected senate blocked its attempts to form a government. Pita stepped down as party leader earlier this month amid a host of legal and legislative challenges that many see as part of a pattern by the pro-military and royalist establishment to diminish a new generation of leaders. Pita would continue on as advisor to the party and manage activities outside parliament, Chaitawat said. "This could easily wipe out members of the opposition, who give commentary calling for reforms," he added.

Persons: Pita Limjaroenrat, Chaithawat, Pita, Chaitawat, Pannika, penalises, Phasuk, Chayut Setboonsarng, Panu, Kanupriya Kapoor, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Human Rights Watch, Reuters Locations: BANGKOK, Thailand

via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsNEW DELHI, Sept 23 (Reuters) - Social media platform X's head of policy for India and South Asia, Samiran Gupta, has resigned, two sources said, a top departure that comes ahead of India elections and as the company fights a court battle with New Delhi over content removal. Gupta was the most senior India employee for X, formerly known as Twitter, and responsible for "key content-related policy issues" and "defending Twitter's position with new policy developments and support in-country sales organization," according to his LinkedIn profile. Gupta, who was designated as X's Head of Global Government Affairs for India and South Asia, declined to comment to Reuters. There are roughly 15 X employees in functions like compliance and engineering in India, said one of the sources, but Gupta was the only executive engaging with the government and political parties. India in September told a court X is a "habitual non-compliant platform" and for years has not followed many orders to remove content, undermining the government's role.

Persons: Samiran Gupta, Gupta, Elon Musk, Musk, Narendra Modi, Aditya Kalra, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: REUTERS Acquire, Twitter, Global Government Affairs for, Reuters, LinkedIn, Elon, Twitter Inc, Thomson Locations: DELHI, India, South Asia, New Delhi, Global Government Affairs for India, Delhi

☆ Malaysia PM says China gave reassurance after map stirred South China Sea dispute
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim attends the 26th ASEAN-China Summit at the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, on September 6, 2023. Malaysia and several other Southeast Asian countries have rejected the map. Anwar said Malaysia remained concerned over escalating tensions as China sought to assert its sovereignty claims over Taiwan, adding that both parties needed to avoid "unnecessary provocations" that can affect the region. Anwar also addressed doubts raised over his commitment to democratic reforms, after his government dropped corruption cases against key allies, filed sedition charges against opposition leaders, and increased scrutiny of Malaysia's LGBTQ community. "I wouldn't defend that actually, they were as you say, excesses, but... there is a consensus in the country, they do not accept (LGBTQ rights)," Anwar said.

Persons: Anwar Ibrahim, Yasuyoshi, Anwar, Li Qiang, Li, Christiane Amanpour, Malaysia's, Swatch's, Rozanna Latiff, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Malaysia's, China, ASEAN Summit, Malaysia, CNN, Swatch, Thomson Locations: ASEAN, Jakarta, Indonesia, KUALA LUMPUR, China, South China, Beijing, Malaysia, Taiwan

☆ China, resource-rich East Timor upgrade bilateral ties
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

He said he would continue to foster a relationship with the United States, but added that East Timor would not be implicated in any rivalry between Beijing and Washington. East Timor welcomes strong ties with all countries, including its southern neighbour Australia, Ramos-Horta said last year. Upgrading their ties, China and East Timor agreed to cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative championed by Xi, that could open the way for investment in infrastructure. China sent its military-run hospital ship to the Pacific in July to visit countries including East Timor and the Solomon islands. In a joint declaration, released on state run China Central Television (CCTV) on Saturday, China said it would provide help for East Timor's economic and societal development.

Persons: Xanana Gusmao, Mast, Xi Jinping, Jose Ramos, Ramos, Horta, Xi, Albee Zhang, Ryan Woo, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Timor's, 43rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, Rights, East Timor's, Asian Games, East, Washington . East Timor, Initiative, Pacific, China Central Television, Greater, Thomson Locations: Jakarta, Indonesia, Rights BEIJING, China, East Timor, Beijing, Hangzhou, Horta, United States, Timor, Washington . East, Australia, Southeast Asia, New Zealand, Solomon, Greater Sunrise

☆ Malaysia PM Says China Gave Reassurance After Map Stirred South China Sea Dispute
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( Sept. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said China had given an assurance that it would continue to negotiate with Southeast Asian countries over disputed territorial claims in the South China Sea, and avoid actions that risked escalation. Malaysia and several other Southeast Asian countries have rejected the map. Anwar said Malaysia remained concerned over escalating tensions as China sought to assert its sovereignty claims over Taiwan, adding that both parties needed to avoid "unnecessary provocations" that can affect the region. He reiterated that Malaysia would not accept LGBTQ rights but said that the community should not be harassed, and he spoke out against his government's move to ban Swatch watches celebrating the Pride movement. "I wouldn't defend that actually, they were as you say, excesses, but... there is a consensus in the country, they do not accept (LGBTQ rights)," Anwar said.

Persons: Anwar Ibrahim, Anwar, Li Qiang, Li, Christiane Amanpour, Malaysia's, Swatch's, Rozanna Latiff, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Reuters, Malaysia, CNN, Swatch Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, China, South China, Beijing, Malaysia, Taiwan

☆ Thailand's opposition Move Forward Party names new leader
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BANGKOK, Sept 23 (Reuters) - Thailand's opposition Move Forward named a new leader on Saturday after Pita Limjaroenrat, who led the party to a stunning election victory in May, was thwarted in his efforts to become premier. The progressive party will lead the opposition after conservative lawmakers and an unelected senate blocked its attempts to form a government. Pita stepped down as party leader earlier this month amid a host of legal and legislative challenges that many see as part of a pattern by the pro-military and royalist establishment to diminish a new generation of leaders. Pita would continue on as advisor to the party and manage activities outside parliament, Chaitawat said. "This could easily wipe out members of the opposition, who give commentary calling for reforms," he added.

☆ Chance encounter transforms girl from Mumbai slum into teenage model, internet influencer
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( Hemanshi Kamani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MUMBAI, Sept 18 (Reuters) - Three years ago an inquisitive American tourist wandered into a waterfront slum in Mumbai and met a tiny, smiley girl. In March, a luxury Indian cosmetics brand Forest Essentials chose Maleesha as the face of its Yuvati campaign celebrating young Indian women. [1/5]Maleesha Kharwa, 15, a model and Instagram Influencer, takes a selfie next to a bus terminal in Mumbai, India, September 11, 2023. Since then, Maleesha has become a social media influencer, using the hashtag 'the princess from the slum' in some of her posts. Reporting by Hemanshi Kamani, writing by Tanvi Mehta; Editing by Simon Cameron-MooreOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Kharwa, Maleesha, Influencer, Hemanshi, Robert Hoffman, Hoffman, Hemanshi Kamani, Tanvi Mehta, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Cosmopolitan India, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: MUMBAI, Mumbai, India, American

☆ Former Thai PM Thaksin eligible for parole in February - official
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( Panarat Thepgumpanat | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is expected to be arrested upon his return as he ends almost two decades of self-imposed exile, waves at Don Mueang airport in Bangkok, Thailand August 22, 2023. While abroad, Thaksin was found guilty in absentia in three cases involving abuse of power, conflict of interest and malfeasance. There was speculation that Thaksin reached some deal with his old foes, after the pro-military parties gave the Pheu Thai candidate Srettha their backing to form a new government. On his first night in Thailand, Thaksin was transferred to a police hospital with chest pains and high blood pressure where is currently being treated. "After serving six months of his sentence, Thaksin will be eligible for parole for prisoners older than 70 or those who are ill," Corrections Department Deputy Director General Sitthi Sutivong, told Reuters.

Persons: Thaksin Shinawatra, Athit, Thaksin, Thailand's, Srettha Thavisin, Srettha, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Sitthi Sutivong, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Chayut Setboonsarng, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Thai, REUTERS, Rights, Corrections, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Don Mueang, Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK, Thai

☆ S.Korean broadband firm, Netflix says ending all disputes over costs
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( Joyce Lee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The Netflix logo is shown on one of their Hollywood buildings in Los Angeles, California, U.S., July 12, 2023. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSEOUL, Sept 18 (Reuters) - South Korean internet service provider SK Broadband and Netflix Inc (NFLX.O) said on Monday they were ending all lawsuits with each other, having earlier been in dispute over whether Netflix should pay for costs from increased network traffic and maintenance work. SK Broadband and parent SK Telecom (017670.KS) announced in a joint statement with Netflix that they had agreed on a partnership to release joint products and seek ways to use artificial intelligence (AI) products being developed by SK. "Moving forward, SK Broadband and Netflix will end all disputes with the signing of today’s partnership, and collaborate as partners for the future," the statement said. Spokespeople for Netflix and SK Broadband said both had withdrawn their lawsuits.

Persons: Mike Blake, Joyce Lee, Jacqueline Wong, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Netflix, REUTERS, Rights, SK Broadband, Netflix Inc, SK Telecom, SK, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles , California, U.S, Rights SEOUL, Korean

☆ Ukraine troops capture village south of Bakhmut, military says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Servicemen of Ukraine's 3rd Separate Assault Brigade prepare to conduct a reconnaissance mission, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near Bakhmut, Ukraine September 7, 2023. "In the course of assault operations, they seized Andriivka in Donetsk region," the General Staff said. The village of Andriivka lies south of Bakhmut, the site of the bloodiest battle since the invasion by Russia in February last year. The General Staff also reported "partial success" near Klishchiivka village, south of Bakhmut. On the southern front, the General Staff said its troops were inflicting substantial losses on the enemy near the village of Verbove in the Zaporizhzhia region.

Persons: Stringer, Andriivka, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Hanna Maliar, Andriy Kovaliov, Anna Pruchnicka, Clarence Fernandez, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Assault Brigade, REUTERS, Staff, Defence, General, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Ukraine's, Ukraine, Bakhmut, Donetsk, Andriivka, Russia, Klishchiivka, Donetsk region, Ukrainian, Avdiivka, Maryinka, Verbove, Zaporizhzhia

PESHAWAR/KABUL, Sept 15 (Reuters) - The main Afghanistan-Pakistan land border crossing reopened on Friday after being closed for nine days following firing between guards on both sides, a senior Pakistani official told Reuters. Thousands of travellers and hundreds of trucks laden with goods were left stranded last week by the closure the Torkham border crossing, at the western end of the fabled Khyber Pass. Spokespersons for Pakistan's foreign ministry and the Afghan authorities in Nangarhar province confirmed the reopening of the crossing. "The border closure was causing huge losses to traders and common people of the two neighbouring countries," Ziaul Haq Sarhadi, director of the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry said. The Taliban foreign ministry criticised the closure of the crossing and said Pakistan security forces had fired on its border guards as they fixed an old security outpost.

Persons: It's, Abdul Nasir Khan, Torkham, Ziaul Haq Sarhadi, Amir Khan Muttaqi, Mushtaq Ali, Mohammad Yunus Yawar, Gibran Peshimam, Tom Hogue, Gerry Doyle, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Reuters, Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Thomson Locations: PESHAWAR, KABUL, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Pakistan's Khyber, Nangarhar province, Pakistani, Peshawar, Jalalabad, Nangarhar, Kabul, Torkham

☆ Dollar hovers below 3-month high to euro as ECB decision looms
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Kevin Buckland | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The yen pulled away from near a 10-month trough to the dollar as a decline in long-term Treasury yields removed some support for the U.S. currency. The U.S. dollar index - measuring the currency against a basket of six developed-market peers, including the euro and yen - edged 0.1% lower to 104.63 in the Asian morning. The euro added 0.1% to $1.07415, continuing its grind higher from last week's low of $1.0686. The dollar slipped 0.2% to 147.125 yen , falling back from near last week's peak of 147.875. At the same time, a hike by the ECB "could potentially catalyse a shift in momentum, relegating the dollar to a secondary position as the euro gains traction," he added.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, James Kniveton, Kevin Buckland, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Treasury, Labor Department, Traders, ECB, Reuters, Thomson Locations: U.S, Melbourne

☆ Australia toughens ban on training 'certain foreign militaries' after pilot case
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Kirsty Needham | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

FILE PHOTO: Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles speaks to the media at the 19th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore June 12, 2022. A series of cases where former military pilots living in Australia had worked for a South African flight school training Chinese pilots, which the United States alleges are Chinese military pilots, has prompted the crackdown. Penalties of up to 20 years prison will apply for providing military training or tactics to a foreign military or government body, including hybrid civilian and military organisations, or state-owned companies, without authorisation from the defence minister. The Test Flying Academy of South Africa was placed on a U.S. trade blacklist on national security grounds in June for "providing training to Chinese military pilots using Western and NATO sources". A court was told Hartley, a former British military pilot, was suspected of organising the training of Chinese military pilots delivered by the flight school.

Persons: Richard Marles, Caroline Chia, authorises, recenty, Daniel Duggan, Keith Hartley, Hartley, Kirsty Needham, Lincoln, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Australian Defence, REUTERS, Rights, United Nations, Defence, U.S . Marines Corp, Flying Academy of South, TFASA, Australian Federal Police, Thomson Locations: Singapore, Australia, African, United States, Britain, New Zealand, Canada, China, Australian, Flying Academy of South Africa, U.S, AVIC, British

Tens of millions of dollars have poured back into Pakistan's interbank and openmarkets, dealers say, since raids on black market operators began on Sept. 6. Ninety percent were going to black market dealers, cutting our supply of foreign exchange," Bostan explained. While a crackdown on the black market was needed to stabilise the rupee, it "is a temporary fix," said Fahad Rauf, Head of Research at Ismail Iqbal Securities. High inflation and chronic external deficits lie at the heart of the currency's problem, and closing off people's access to black market dollars risks storing up pent-up demand. "There is an unprecedented demand for the dollar," Hanifullah Mohmand, a trader in the Peshawar market, said.

Persons: Akhtar Soomro, Asim Munir, Malik Bostan, Bostan, General Munir, Haji Luqman Khan, Sheikh Allauddin, ECAP, Fahad Rauf, Ismail Iqbal, Ariba Shahid, Mushtaq Ali, Gibran Peshimam, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: REUTERS, Pakistan, Exchange Companies Association of Pakistan, Reuters, Federal Investigation Agency, FIA, Inter, Services Intelligence, ISI, Locals, International Monetary Fund, IMF, Research, Ismail, Ismail Iqbal Securities, Thomson Locations: Karachi, Pakistan, KARACHI, PESHAWAR, Peshawar, Islamabad, Lahore, Quetta, Afghanistan

☆ Japan Finance Minister: Expect BOJ to pursue inflation target with appropriate policies
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Tetsushi Kajimoto | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki speaks during the presidency press conference at the G7 meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors, at Toki Messe in Niigata, Japan, Saturday, May 13, 2023. "Specific monetary policy conduct is up to the BOJ to decide," Suzuki said. "I expect the BOJ to continue to liaise with the government closely and conduct monetary policy appropriately, while taking the economy, prices and financial conditions into account, to achieve its price stability target in a stable and sustainable way." Japanese long-term rates spiked on Monday to their highest in nine years and eight months on expectation that the BOJ could shift away from its negative rate policy, following Ueda's remarks in an interview with the Yomiuri Shimbun. The yen also rose sharply against the dollar on Monday after Ueda said on Saturday the central bank could end its negative interest rate policy when achievement of its 2% inflation target is in sight, signaling possible interest rate hikes.

Persons: Shunichi Suzuki, Shuji, Suzuki, Kazuo Ueda, Ueda, Tetsushi Kajimoto, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Toki, Rights, Japanese Finance, Bank of Japan, Yomiuri Shimbun, Thomson Locations: Niigata, Japan

A general view of a crude oil importing port in Qingdao, Shandong province, November 9, 2008. Many of the newer, complex refineries in Asia prefer medium sour crude as it offers a higher yield of middle distillates such as diesel and jet fuel. ALTERED FLOWSThe higher prices for medium crude grades is impacting the ways in which crude is flowing around the world. China's imports from Brazil are expected to reach 29.07 million barrels in September, which would be the highest in three years, according to Kpler. While Saudi Arabia may have been successful in boosting oil prices, it is also disrupting the markets and altering physical crude flows.

Persons: Brent, China doesn't, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: United Arab Emirates, Moscow, Kpler, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Qingdao, Shandong province, LAUNCESTON, Australia, Asia, Saudi Arabia, OPEC, Russia, East, Kuwait, Brent, Dubai, Ukraine, India, Iraq, China, Iran, Islamic Republic, United States, Brazil

☆ Asian stocks steady, Japan, China central banks interrupt dollar's ascent
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Tom Westbrook | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Japanese government bonds remained under pressure on Tuesday, with 10-year JGB yields up 1 basis point to a fresh high of 0.71%. Japan's Nikkei (.N225) rose 0.61%, with markets looking to U.S. inflation data and this week's European Central Bank meeting to set interest rate expectations and the mood. Overnight, the weaker dollar and upgrade on Tesla from analysts at Morgan Stanley helped U.S. stock markets gain. "There is a sense that ECB is already done for the cycle," said Maybank analysts in a note to clients. "Recent PMI prints suggest that growth outlook could be deteriorating and puts the euro at risk of further downside.

Persons: Kazuo Ueda, Chris Weston, Matt Simpson, Christopher Wong, Morgan Stanley, bitcoin, Lincoln, Simon Cameron, MOore Organizations: Federal Reserve, Bank of Japan, Reuters, Investors, HK, Mainland Properties, Japan's Nikkei, Central Bank, Arm Holdings, New Zealand, ECB, PMI, Fed, Brent, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, China, Japan, Melbourne, Hang, Asia, Pacific, British, New York

☆ Shares rise, dollar drops vs yen after BOJ hint of shift in policy
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Amanda Cooper | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The yen surged after BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda said the central bank could end its policy of negative interest rates when the achievement of its 2% inflation target is in sight. Global shares, as reflected by the MSCI All-World index (.MIWD00000PUS), rose 0.1%, supported by a bounce in stocks in Europe, where the STOXX 600 (.STOXX) gained 0.3%. Last week, the STOXX posted its longest stretch of losses in 5-1/2 years. Economists polled by Reuters expect consumer prices to have risen by 3.6% from last year, up from July's 3.2% reading. The ECB meets on Thursday to set interest rates and markets have all but priced out any chance of a hike.

Persons: Kazuo Ueda, Fiona Cincotta, Marcella Chow, Scott Murdoch, Simon Cameron, Moore, Mark Heinrich, Chizu Organizations: Bank of Japan, Global, European Central Bank, Reuters, JPMorgan Asset Management, Brent, ECB, Thomson Locations: China, Europe, U.S, Asia, Sydney

☆ Asia stock markets weaken amid ongoing retreat from Chinese property sector
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | 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: +5 min

A man walks past an electronic board showing Japan's Nikkei average and stock prices outside a brokerage, in Tokyo, Japan, March 17, 2023. Australian shares (.AXJO) reversed earlier losses to be up 0.12% and Japan's Nikkei stock index (.N225) slid 0.19%. The Hang Seng Property Index (.HSNP), a gauge of Hong Kong's top developers, shed almost 4% while the mainland property index (.HSMPI) was off 3.24%. "We need the property market to stabilize first in order for any meaningful kind of economic rebound to happen in China," said David Chao, Invesco's Asia Pacific market strategist. Those should put a floor under the property market some time soon."

Persons: Androniki, David Chao, Daniel Zhang, Brent, Scott Murdoch, Edwina Gibbs, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Nikkei, REUTERS, Rights, Alibaba, HK, Index, Chevron, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Asia, China, Pacific, Hong Kong, Asia Pacific, Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, United States, Wells, Australia, Sydney

☆ Asia stocks slide on U.S. rate worries, dollar ascendant
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Kevin Buckland | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The U.S. dollar hung close to the highest since mid-March against major peers, and touched a fresh 10-month top to the yen. U.S. stock futures pointed to a 0.1% decline, following a 0.7% slide for the S&P 500 (.SPX) overnight. "It all goes back to the discussion of where that magical neutral rate happens to be," he said. The dollar earlier touched the highest since Nov. 4 versus the yen at 147.875 . Brent crude futures edged up 12 cents to $90.72 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) futures gained 11 cents to $87.65.

Persons: Kim Kyung, Brent, HSI, hasn't, Kyle Rodda, Kevin Buckland, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Tokyo Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Japan's Nikkei, Federal Reserve, Capital.com, U.S ., People's Bank of China, Brent, West Texas, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, United States, Asia, Europe, Melbourne, China, Saudi Arabia, Russia

☆ Japan's Johnny Kitagawa sex abuse scandal forces shake-up at J-pop agency
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Francis Tang | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TOKYO, Sept 7 (Reuters) - The niece of Johnny Kitagawa, the late J-pop magnate at the centre of a sexual abuse scandal that has shocked Japan, said on Thursday that she had stepped down as the head of the talent agency her uncle had founded. As more Japanese media took up the story, lawmakers voiced outrage, while the United Nations' human rights experts also criticised the talent agency for its handling of the allegations. At a press conference televised live by most broadcasters, Kitagawa's niece Julie K. Fujishima said she had stepped down as president on Tuesday. Noriyuki Higashiyama, a former member of the popular 1980s boy-band Shonentai, was the new head of the agency, Fujishima said. But the scandal blew up this year as more victims came forward after the BBC's report, leading to demands for stricter laws to prevent child abuse and a formal apology from the agency.

Persons: Johnny Kitagawa, Kitagawa, Kitagawa's, Julie K, Fujishima, Noriyuki, Higashiyama, Francis Tang, Kantaro Komiya, Kiyoshi Takenaka, Chang, Ran Kim, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: BBC, United Nations, Johnny, Associates, Johnny's Juniors, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, Japan, East Asia

☆ Australia passes law to encourage competition for main market operator ASX
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A pedestrian is reflected in a window where an investor sits looking at a board displaying stock prices at the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) in Sydney, Australia February 9, 2018. REUTERS/David Gray/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies ASX Ltd FollowSYDNEY, Sept 6 (Reuters) - Australia passed a law on Wednesday to support competition in post-trade settlement and clearing for financial markets, challenging the near-monopoly status held by ASX Ltd (ASX.AX). After ASX cancelled a costly overhaul of its trading platform, the federal government said it was opening up the market to let other players in. Though Australian financial regulators have called for greater competition in clearing and settlement functions for years, a failed overhaul of ASX's all-in-one legacy software system renewed pressure from market participants to challenge its near-monopoly. In other major financial markets, clearing and settlement, or confirming the transfer of stock ownership and updating share registries, are managed by separate entities to the market operator.

Persons: David Gray, Jim Chalmers, Byron Kaye, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Australian Securities Exchange, REUTERS, ASX Ltd, Senate, Reserve Bank of Australia, Australian Securities and Investments, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia

Go First has been locked in legal disputes with many of its foreign lessors since being granted bankruptcy protection in India in May. Bankruptcy froze its assets and has prohibited the recovery of more than 50 grounded Airbus (AIR.PA) planes. Go First, whose lessors also include Standard Chartered's Pembroke Aircraft Leasing, SMBC Aviation and BOC Aviation, did not respond to a request for comment. The world's second-largest aircraft lessor, SMBC, warned in May that India's decision to block leasing firms from reclaiming Go planes would jolt the market and spark a confidence crisis. Reporting by Aditi Shah and Arpan Chaturvedi in New Delhi; Editing by Simon Cameron-MooreOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Adnan Abidi, ACG, lessors, Aditi Shah, Arpan Chaturvedi, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: REUTERS, Go, Airbus, Court, Reuters, ACG Aircraft Leasing, Bankruptcy, Pembroke Aircraft Leasing, SMBC Aviation, BOC Aviation, Thomson Locations: New Delhi, India, DELHI, Ireland, Delhi

☆ Singapore seizes money launderer's assets in Swiss banks in S$1.8 billion case
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Chen Lin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Straits Times Illustrations/Cel Gulapa via REUTERS/File Acquire Licensing Rights Read moreSINGAPORE, Sept 5 (Reuters) - Police in Singapore investigating a major money laundering operation have seized S$125 million ($91.79 million) from the bank accounts of one of ten foreign suspects accused in the case. The total value of assets seized by investigating authorities now stands at S$1.8 billion, according to prosecutors. The scale of the money laundering operation has shocked the wealthy Asian financial hub, and raised concerns over whether there are loopholes in its financial system. A state court denied bail for two of the accused foreigners, Wang Baosen and Su Baolin, on Wednesday. ($1 = 1.3618 Singapore dollars)Reporting by Chen Lin in Singapore; Additional Reporting by Yantoultra Ngui; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore and Jan HarveyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Su Baolin, Su Haijin, Chen Qingyuan, Su Wenqiang, Lin Baoying, Zhang Ruijin, Wang Dehai, Su Jianfeng, Vang Shuiming, Wang Baosen, Bank Julius Baer, Julius Baer, Chen Lin, Yantoultra Ngui, Simon Cameron, Moore, Jan Harvey Organizations: The Straits, REUTERS, Police, Turkish, Credit Suisse Singapore, Bank, Credit Suisse, Thomson Locations: Singapore, SINGAPORE, Vang

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