Bloomberg A Singapore-based shipping trust that operates container ships is asking creditors for leniency on about $253 million of debt, in the latest sign of debt woes in the industry and in the city-state. Rickmers Maritime won’t be able to repay $179.7 million of senior debt due in March 2017 and the interest and principal on S$100 million ($73.3 …

  Bloomberg Australia’s unemployment rate fell to the lowest in almost three years in August as fewer people sought work, while the economy unexpectedly shed jobs. Employment dropped 3,900 from July; economists forecast 15,000 gain Jobless rate declined to 5.6% from 5.7%; economists forecast 5.7% Full-time jobs rose by 11,500; part-time employment fell by 15,400 Participation rate, a measure of …

  Wellington / AFP New Zealand economy’s maintained strong growth in the April-June quarter as record-low interest rates fuelled a construction boom, official data released Thursday showed. Statistics New Zealand (SNZ) reported gross domestic product (GDP) expanded 0.9 percent in the second quarter, just below market expectations of 1.1 percent. The data means annual growth for the year to June …