Australia

• Heatwave hits Australia as officials warn of 'catastrophic' fire risk - The fire danger level for northern Victoria will be set at the highest level.
• Asia-Pacific markets trade mixed as investors parse Australia inflation data - Asia-Pacific markets were mixed on Wednesday as investors await inflation data coming out of Australia.
• Asia-Pacific markets open mixed after record global stock rally despite Venezuela tensions - Investors continued to assess ongoing geopolitical tensions following the U.S.′ attack on Venezuela.
• Asia-Pacific markets set to open higher after U.S. captures Venezuela’s Maduro, oil slips - Asia-Pacific markets were set to open the first official trading week of 2026 on a firmer footing after the U.S. said it captured Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro, with oil prices easing.
• China imposes curbs on beef imports to protect domestic industry - BEIJING/SAO PAULO, Dec 31 (Reuters) - China will impose an added 55% tariff on beef imports that exceed quota levels from key suppliers including Brazil, Australia and the U. in a move to protect its domestic cattle industry.
• Australia's Northern Territory considers passing assisted dying laws for second time in 31 years - The first place in the world to legalize voluntary euthanasia 31 years ago could this year become the last part of Australia to secure the same legal reform as the Northern Territory government on Friday announced plans to legislate for doc
• Asia-Pacific markets set to open flat in year-end trade - Asia-Pacific markets were poised for modest gains on the holiday-shortened and final trading day of the year.
• Australian police find no evidence of 'broader terrorist cell' in Bondi Beach antisemitic shooting - An investigation that extended to the Philippines of two men accused of shooting dead 15 people at a Sydney Jewish festival has found no evidence that they were part of a “broader terrorist cell,” police said on Tuesday. Sydney residents S
• Asia markets trade mixed in thin Christmas Eve trading - Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed on Wednesday amid thinner trading as several indexes are set to close early in lieu of the Christmas Eve holiday.
• Bondi Beach Shooting Suspects Also Used Pipe Bombs in Attack, Police Say - But the explosives did not detonate, according to investigators, who also found a video of the two men training with firearms.