(Reuters) -The Chinese spy balloon that passed over the U.S. early this year used American technology that helped it collect audio-visual information, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing preliminary findings from a closely held investigation. Analysis from several US defense and intelligence agencies, found that the balloon carried commercially available U.S. gear, along…
By Khanh Vu and Phuong Nguyen HANOI (Reuters) – Vietnam on Thursday reported faster economic growth in the second quarter, driven by the services sector, despite a slump in exports. Gross domestic product (GDP) in the second quarter grew 4.14% from a year earlier, faster than the 3.28% expansion seen in the first quarter, the…
By Joe Cash BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s factory activity likely contracted for a third straight month in June, albeit at a marginally slower pace, a Reuters poll showed on Thursday, underscoring the need for further policy stimulus to counter weak demand at home and abroad. The official purchasing managers’ index (PMI) is expected to have…
By Wayne Cole SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australian retail spending rebounded in May as consumers were tempted by online sales events and promotional discounting, a sign of resilience in consumption that might add to the case for another rise in interest rates. Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on Thursday showed nominal retail sales…
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Job vacancies in Australia fell in the three months to May, the fourth straight quarter of decline, but were still far above pre-pandemic levels as demand for labour remains strong. Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) out on Thursday showed vacancies in the May quarter fell 2.0%, from the previous…
By Kylie Madry MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexico may repurchase about $4.2 billion in outstanding bonds issued to finance a partly built Mexico City airport that was later canceled, a senior official said on Wednesday. “It’s a possibility,” Deputy Transportation Minister Rogelio Jimenez Pons told reporters, noting that the finance ministry would lead any talks…
By Kylie Madry MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexico may repurchase about $4.2 billion in outstanding bonds issued to finance a partly built Mexico City airport that was later canceled, a senior official said on Wednesday. “It’s a possibility,” Deputy Transportation Minister Rogelio Jimenez Pons told reporters, noting that the finance ministry would lead any talks…
By Yuka Obayashi TOKYO (Reuters) – Oil prices eased on Thursday, paring some of the previous day’s gains, as investors took profits on concerns that further interest rate hikes by central banks could dampen economic growth and global fuel demand. Brent crude futures fell 27 cents, or 0.4%, to $73.76 a barrel by 0052 GMT….
SYDNEY (Reuters) – New Zealand’s business confidence improved in June, hitting the highest read since November 2021, while expected own activity moved to positive territory for the first time in 14 months, an ANZ Bank survey showed on Thursday. The survey’s headline measure showed a net 18% of respondents expected the economy to deteriorate over…
BRISBANE (Reuters) – Regulators urgently need to fast track approvals for new mines and the renewable energy projects to power them to ensure the supply of minerals essential to averting climate change, gold miner Newcrest’s interim head said on Thursday. “We are urgently off course and we need to course correct immediately,” Sherry Duhe, interim…
