International News 22 May 2026
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Australia’s Unemployment Rate Reaches Highest Level in 4.5 Years in April 2026
Australia’s labor market showed signs of weakening in April 2026, as employment unexpectedly declined and unemployment climbed to its highest level in more than four years. The data strengthened market expectations that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) may avoid rushing into further interest rate hikes in the near term. According to data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), total employment fell by 18,600 positions in April following a revised increase of 23,300 jobs in March. This result was significantly below market expectations, which had projected an addition of 15,000 jobs. At the same time, full-time employment dropped by 10,700 positions after recording strong growth in the previous month. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate increased to 4.5%, marking its highest level since November 2021 and exceeding analysts’ expectations of an unchanged reading of 4.3%.
https://internasional.kontan.co.id/news/pengangguran-australia-sentuh-level-tertinggi-dalam-45-tahun-pada-april-2026
Indonesia’s New Export Policy Weighs on Global Nickel Prices
Nickel prices weakened in Thursday’s (21/5/2026) trading session as market participants monitored global supply conditions and Indonesia’s newly announced policy to place exports of several nickel-related products under greater state control. According to Reuters, the three-month nickel contract on the London Metal Exchange (LME) declined 1.39% to US$18,665 per ton as of 08:00 GMT. Meanwhile, the most active nickel contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) closed 1.23% lower at 142,770 yuan, or approximately US$20,986 per ton. The decline in prices followed an announcement by President Prabowo Subianto on Wednesday (20/5) regarding the government’s plan to bring exports of selected strategic commodities under state supervision. Further details of the policy were later outlined by officials from the Ministry of Trade and the Chief Executive Officer of Danantara on Thursday.
https://internasional.kontan.co.id/news/kebijakan-baru-ekspor-indonesia-tekan-harga-nikel-global
Iran Reviews Latest US Position as Trump Warns of New Strikes if Talks Collapse
Iran said it is reviewing the latest position delivered by the United States regarding efforts to end the conflict, after US President Donald Trump signaled that negotiations remain possible while also warning of renewed military action if Tehran rejects a deal. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stated that Tehran had received Washington’s updated proposal and is currently evaluating it. Pakistan, which hosted peace discussions last month, continues to play a mediating role between Iran and the US. According to Baghaei, several rounds of communication have already taken place, including a visit by Pakistan’s interior minister to Tehran on Wednesday (20/5/2026), as diplomatic efforts continue despite ongoing tensions and uncertainty over the final outcome.