A roundup of news in finance, economics and business from around the world:
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
WASHINGTON – While world finance leaders say the global economy has improved slightly this year, they predict the outlook for the future is uneven with growth and job creation still too weak.
WASHINGTON – Japan’s Finance Minister Taro Aso says a self-sustaining economic recovery is at least a “few years” away and it may take longer than two years to reverse the country’s deflation.
MADRID – A former HSBC employee fighting extradition to Switzerland for allegedly stealing banking data that exposed thousands of suspected tax dodgers reportedly says US officials advised that he flee to Spain because his life was at risk.
TEHRAN – Iran is owed $US4 billion ($A3.90 billion) for oil sales to customers who have been unable to pay because of sanctions imposed on the Islamic republic over its nuclear program, a top Iranian oil official says.
JERUSALEM – Israel’s Cabinet has approved a deal to allow more EU flights, hours after the country’s airlines went on strike out of concerns that the agreement would cost them jobs and possibly even ruin their companies.
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Billionaire Robert Earl Holding, whose business empire included ownership of Sinclair Oil and two world-class ski resorts in the West, has died at the age of 86.
LONDON – After eight years at the top of an annual survey of the wealthiest people in Britain, steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal has conceded his place to Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov.
WELLINGTON – New Zealand’s Reserve Bank will keep interest rates unchanged this week, though it may use the six-weekly review to highlight the conflicts of a high currency keeping prices in check and a housing market that’s threatening to stoke inflation.
WELLINGTON – The New Zealand dollar fell against most of its trading peers amid concern the US and Chinese economies may be stumbling, weighing on growth assets such as equities, the kiwi and Australian dollars.
LOCAL NEWS
SYDNEY – The Australian dollar is lower as its US counterpart rallies amid concern about the weak global economic growth.
SYDNEY – The Australian market looks set to open higher following gains on international markets as investors eyed the G20 summit and upcoming IMF and World Bank spring meetings focused on global economic strains.
MELBOURNE – Victoria has moved a step closer to opening a second international airport with the signing of a new flight deal.