Tag: Business & Markets

MPs Warned Rising Mortgage Rates Will Cause ‘Financial Stress’

While mortgage holders are still managing to cope, more financial stress is expected in the coming months, a committee of MPs heard as mortgage costs hit a 15-year-high. MPs on the Treasury Committee were also told that there may be a shortage of landlords amid rising costs and housing shortages. Figures published on Tuesday by…


National Grid Says to Accelerate Uptake of Heat Pumps

The UK’s electricity system operator has said that there needs to be greater adoption of heat pumps to reach net zero. According to its Future Energy Scenarios report released on Tuesday (pdf), National Grid ESO, the UK’s system operator said that current installation rates won’t meet the government’s heat pump target as well as a…


Businesses at Risk as Record High Default Rates Raise Alarm Bells

More and more Australian businesses are facing insolvency risk as trade payment defaults reached a record high in June due to the impacts of inflation and interest rate hikes. According to a new report by CreditorWatch, a credit reporting agency, business-to-business trade payment defaults rose to 1,586 cases in June, up 52 percent from a…


WeChat Warned It Could Be Banned After Refusing to Appear at Australian Govt Inquiry

WeChat is facing a potential ban in Australia after the company refused to appear before a federal government inquiry into foreign interference. The chair of the Select Committee on Foreign Interference through Social Media, Sen. James Paterson, said at a press conference on July 11 that the refusal showed how little regard WeChat and its parent company…


WeChat Warned It Could Be Banned After Refusing to Appear at Government Inquiry

WeChat is facing a potential ban in Australia after the company refused to appear before a federal government inquiry into foreign interference. The chair of the Select Committee on Foreign Interference through Social Media, Sen. James Paterson, said in a press conference on July 11 that the refusal showed how little regard WeChat and its parent company…


Sydney Mayor Open to Special Road Toll for Petrol, Diesel Drivers

Sydney Mayor Clover Moore is not against introducing a toll for petrol and diesel drivers to enter Australia’s busiest CBD amid debate from political leaders over whether to adopt a London-style low-emissions zone. Moore said there were several initiatives underway that the local council, which encompasses the Sydney CBD area, was implementing to lower emissions,…


US Investigates 346,000 Ford Escape SUVs Over Door Issues

WASHINGTON—U.S. auto safety investigators on Tuesday said they are opening an investigation into 346,000 Ford Escape sport utility vehicles because a weld in the door assembly may fail, potentially resulting in a door inadvertently opening while driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received 118 questionnaires alleging a failure of the spot welds in…


Stock Market Today: Wall Street Gets a Late Push Ahead of Inflation Data; Activision Blizzard Jumps

NEW YORK—Stocks climbed Tuesday as Wall Street prepared for an upcoming update on inflation that will hopefully show a smaller increase in pain for everyone. The S&P 500 rose 29.73, or 0.7 percent, to 4,439.26. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 317.02 points, or 0.9 percent, to 34,261.42, and the Nasdaq composite added 75.22, or…


Queensland Government Slashes Fishing Quotas, Fish Prices Set to Rise

On July 1, Fisheries Queensland cut the amount of Spanish Mackerel allowed to be caught. For professional anglers, the amount dipped by approximately two-thirds from 578 tonnes to 165 tonnes. Recreational fishers’ possession limits have also changed from three to one fish per person or from six to two fish per boat with two or…


Closing Prices for Crude Oil, Gold, and Other Commodities (July 11)

Benchmark U.S. crude oil for August delivery rose $1.84 to $74.83 a barrel Tuesday. Brent crude for September delivery rose $1.71 to $79.40 a barrel. Wholesale gasoline for August delivery rose 5 cents $2.62 a gallon. August heating oil rose 3 cents to $2.58 a gallon. August natural gas rose 6 cents to $2.73 per…