International News 20 February 2026
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Australia Adds 17,800 Jobs in January, Unemployment Holds at 4.1%
Australia’s labor market remained resilient at the start of 2026, with employment rising by 17,800 in January from the previous month, according to data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The increase was broadly in line with market expectations of around 20,000 new jobs, following a strong upwardly revised gain of 68,500 in December. Job growth was driven primarily by a surge in full-time employment, which expanded by 50,500 positions, underscoring underlying strength in hiring conditions. The unemployment rate held steady at 4.1%, outperforming forecasts for a rise to 4.2% and marking one of the lowest readings in recent months. Meanwhile, the labor force participation rate remained unchanged at 66.7%, and total hours worked rose 0.6%, signaling continued solid economic activity. The data reinforces the view that Australia’s labor market remains robust despite global uncertainties and will likely play a key role in shaping future monetary policy decisions.
Fed Minutes Show Split on Next Rate Moves, AI Impact Weighed
The minutes from the Federal Reserve’s January 27–28 meeting show policymakers were nearly unanimous in keeping the federal funds rate unchanged at 3.50%–3.75%, but deeply divided on what comes next. While most officials agreed to hold rates steady, reflecting caution amid persistent inflation and solid economic conditions, they differed sharply on future policy. Some members signaled openness to cutting rates later in 2026 if inflation continues to ease, while others raised the possibility of future rate hikes if price pressures remain above the Fed’s 2% target. Two governors—Christopher Waller and Stephen Miran—actually dissented in favor of cutting rates at the meeting, highlighting internal debate over the balance between inflation and labor market softness. The minutes also reveal that officials are closely examining the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) on the U.S. economy. Some participants suggested that potential productivity gains from technological advancements could help restrain inflation over time, whereas others cautioned that rapid AI-driven investment and rising asset valuations might carry financial stability risks. The staff’s outlook pointed to continued solid growth and inflation that remains stubbornly above target, adding to the challenge of reaching consensus. The split in views underscores the task facing incoming Fed leadership under nominee Kevin Warsh, who, along with political pressure for rate cuts, must navigate a committee that currently sees both upside and downside risks to inflation and economic activity.
https://internasional.kontan.co.id/news/suku-bunga-the-fed-ada-peluang-kenaikan-ini-sinyalnya
Oil Prices Ease After 4% Surge as Markets Weigh U.S.–Iran Diplomacy
Oil prices edged lower in early Asian trading on Thursday (February 19, 2026), following a more than 4% surge in the previous session driven by concerns over potential supply disruptions amid rising U.S.–Iran tensions. Brent crude futures slipped 0.2% to US$70.23 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) fell 0.1% to US$65.11 per barrel. Both benchmarks had closed at their highest levels since January 30 on Wednesday. While geopolitical tensions remain elevated, market participants increasingly view the likelihood of a full-scale armed conflict as low, adopting a cautious wait-and-see approach despite ongoing military movements and diplomatic negotiations. The White House reported limited progress in nuclear talks with Iran in Geneva, with further discussions expected in the coming weeks. At the same time, Iran issued a notice to airmen (NOTAM) regarding a planned rocket launch in its southern region, while the U.S. reportedly deployed additional naval assets near Iran. On the supply side, data from the American Petroleum Institute (API) showed U.S. crude, gasoline, and distillate inventories declined last week, contrasting with expectations for a 2.1 million-barrel crude build. Investors now await official inventory data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), with oil prices expected to remain sensitive to Middle East geopolitical developments and global supply-demand fundamentals.