Briefly

ISRAEL

Analysts: Turmoil may hit economic growth

Israel's economy may face rating downgrades, falling foreign investment and a weaker tech sector if turmoil arising from the government's contentious judicial reforms continues, investors and analysts warn. The government rammed through the first of a series of laws last week aimed at curtailing the powers of Israel's Supreme Court in favor of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's executive branch. The move sparked widespread protests. The shekel currency has fallen more than 2 percent versus the dollar in the days since.

AUSTRALIA

4 missing after army chopper crashes

Four aircrew members were missing after an Australian army helicopter ditched into waters off the Queensland state coast during joint military exercises with the United States, officials said on Saturday. The MRH-90 Taipan helicopter went down near Lindeman Island, a Great Barrier Reef tourist resort, at about 11 pm on Friday, exercise director Australian Army Brigadier Damian Hill said. A search involving US, Canadian and Australian personnel was underway to find the crew who are all Australian men, officials said.

Agencies - Xinhua