GLOBAL ECONOMY Global slowdown fears darken as cost of living bites

The global economy looks increasingly likely to be heading into a serious slowdown, just as central banks aggressively reverse ultra-loose monetary policy adopted during the pandemic to support growth, data showed on Friday.
Key Trends in Learning and Development in the Energy Sector

Every part of the world’s economy has been affected by climate change; Covid19 and the new ways of working this has produced; the events in the Ukraine and related political sanctions. Yet no industry has been as heavily affected by all these as the energy sector – and it’s using digital learning to move forward.
Online assessment and benchmarking tool for geoscientists establishes a worldwide audience

A UK-developed online self-assessment tool which benchmarks individuals’ skills and identifies skills gaps within the international operational geoscience community, is establishing a worldwide presence within nine months of its launch.
Chipmakers revive stocks as euro struggles after freefall
Chipmakers revived stock markets on Thursday, helping to sooth investor worries over a potentially rapid recession because of looming rate hikes, while the euro struggled near a 20-year parity with the safe-haven dollar.
Exclusive: PetroChina may sell Australian, Canadian assets to stem losses

PetroChina may sell out from natural gas projects in Australia and oil sands in Canada to stem losses and divert funds to more lucrative sites in the Middle East, Africa and central Asia, two people with knowledge of the matter said.
Uber agrees to Australia minimum pay body after similar moves in Britain, Canada

Uber Technologies Inc (UBER.N) and Australia’s main transport union agreed on Tuesday to back a federal body that enforces minimum pay for the company’s drivers, joining a global thawing of relations between the ride-hailing giant and industrial bodies.
Analysis: Up-ended global LNG markets deepen Australia’s power woes

Top liquefied natural gas exporter Australia is in the depths of a power crunch just as traditional buyers are scrambling to meet shortfalls of Russian gas and winter takes hold Down Under.
Buy now, pay later firm Zip to raise fees amid surging inflation

Australian buy now, pay later company Zip Co Ltd (ZIP.AX) said on Wednesday it would raise fees for customers and merchants, as it tries to weather an onslaught from soaring inflation and rising interest rates on its business.
SocGen boosts first-quarter income but costs of Ukraine war rise

French lender Societe Generale (SOGN.PA) beat first-quarter earnings expectations on Thursday but booked higher provisions for loans turning bad as the economic impact of the war in Ukraine hits its customers.
Australia’s Macquarie to buy British motorway operator Roadchef

Australia’s Macquarie Group (MQG.AX) on Friday agreed to buy one of Britain’s top motorway service area (MSA) operator Roadchef from Antin Infrastructure Partners (ANTIN.PA), the latest in a series of deals by the financial conglomerate.