Australian stocks opened higher, extending gains in the previous session. Futures show, Japan stocks to open higher. Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong and China markets are closed for Lunar New Year holidays.

Economists polled by Reuters expect Australia's inflation to rise 2.5% in the 12 months to the December quarter, from 2.8% in the previous year.

Beneath the fertile farmlands of Victoria in southeast Australia lie deposits of mineral sands that miners and politicians are keen to tap for rare-earth elements, ingredients in everything from EV batteries to wind turbines to advanced weapons.

Israel urged Australia to do more to halt an "epidemic of antisemitism" in the country as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his government was doing all it could to combat attacks that he says include domestic terrorism.

Sri Lanka was staring down the barrel at 44-3 after Australia achieved its largest ever total in Asia — 654-6 declared — on day two of the first test on Thursday. Fatigued after spending five and a half sessions under the scorching sun,

Dozens of refugees who arrived in Australia by boat a decade ago and expected to resettle in the United States have been affected by the Trump Administration's freeze on refugee programs, an Australian official told Reuters.

Could US rules limiting high-end chip sales to China have fuelled the development of superior AI? Investors say the Chinese start-up should be closely watched.

654/6 declared by Australia is the highest total for them in Tests in Asia, surpassing 617 against Pakistan in Faisalabad in 1980, their only other 600+ total in these shores. It is also the second highest by a visiting team in Sri Lanaka behind India's 707 at Colombo SSC in 2010.

Australia's Usman Khawaja struck a maiden double hundred and Josh Inglis got a century on his test debut against Sri Lanka to power the tourists to a mammoth 654 for six before they declared their first innings on day two of the opening test on Thursday.

Denmark-based sales agency LevelK has acquired Asia and Australia-New Zealand rights to Second World War thriller Nr. 24, after the film’s successful run at the Norwegian box office.

The total of 654 scored against Sri Lanka in the first innings in Galle is Australia’s 13th highest in Test history and their highest ever in the subcontinent. Their previous best in Asia came back in 1980 in Faisalabad against Pakistan, where they posted 617.

GALLE, Sri Lanka, Jan 30, (AP): Sri Lanka was staring down the barrel at 44-3 after Australia achieved its largest-ever total in Asia - 654-6 declared - on day two of the first test on Thursday. Fatigued after spending five and a half sessions fielding under the scorching sun, Sri Lanka’s batting resistance was minimal.