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TOKYO (AP) — International stock markets were mostly higher today as crude oil prices advanced, though Japan's benchmark fell as investors weighed uncertainties over trade and exchange rates. Futures point to opening gains on Wall Street. Benchmark U.S. crude oil rose above $49 a barrel. The dollar gained against the yen and the euro.
BEIJING (AP) — An American business group appealed to China today to ease import restrictions on agricultural goods including genetically modified seeds and other biotechnology, highlighting complaints Beijing blocks market access despite its vocal support for free trade. The American Chamber of Commerce in China wants a quicker review of foreign biotechnology products, an end to restrictions on beef and pork imports and other changes.
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CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — A new law is giving the Australian government a bit of a tax windfall as companies like Facebook, Google and other multinationals are now paying tax in the country based on their Australian profits instead of shifting income to lower-tax nations. Australia will take in an extra 2 billion Australian dollars ($1.5 billion) in tax from multinational giants in the current fiscal year.
CAIRO (AP) — An international airport and two Mideast airlines say they haven't received any instructions regarding the U.S. government ban on passengers in eight countries from bringing laptops and other electronics onboard direct flights to the United States. Cairo International Airport says it hasn't begun enforcing the rule. Neither has Royal Jordanian Airlines. And Dubai-based Emirates says it is not aware of any restrictions yet.
BERLIN (AP) — A European Union official says that without a course change in the way it governs, Turkey's chances of acceptance into the bloc will dwindle. Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn, who oversees the bloc's expansion efforts, points to increasing concern among European nations about what they view as an accelerating slide toward authoritarian practices under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (REH'-jehp TY'-ihp UR'-doh-wahn).
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