Asian markets rise as traders evaluate strong US data

ASIAN markets pushed higher today, extending gains in New York and Europe, as a forecast-busting US retail sales report showed American consumers remain confident despite elevated inflation and the prospect of more interest rate hikes. Traders have been tracking US data for months, with the general consensus being that, while good for the economy, a […]

Luxemburg court orders Petronas units seized again over Sulu heirs claim

A LUXEMBOURG has this week issued fresh seizure orders for two units of Malaysian state oil firm Petronas as the Filipino descendants of a former sultanate bid to enforce a RM66 billion award they won against Malaysia, Reuters reported today. The heirs of the last sultan of Sulu were last year awarded the sum by […]

New Zealand seeks international help as cyclone cripples North Island

NEW Zealand deployed gunships and helicopters to deliver water, food and fuel to cities cut off by Cyclone Gabrielle today, as overwhelmed authorities embraced overseas offers of help. Five people have died, 100 are missing and 10,500 more have been displaced in a disaster that has crippled the country’s populous North Island.