World & Politics
Indonesia files lawsuit in WTO over EU duties on biodiesel imports - 08/16/2023
The Indonesian side claims that the European Union has varied import policies for the same commodity coming from different members of the organization. Indonesia has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding the EU's countervailing taxes on imports of biodiesel. According to Indonesia, the EU's import levies on biodiesel violate various clauses of the WTO Agreement on...
China cuts interest rates for the second time in the last three months - 08/16/2023
According to Bloomberg, the People's Bank of China slashed key interest rates on August 15, for the second time in the previous three months. The bank reduced the one-year funds rate by 15 basis points this time, from 2.65% to 2.5%. This reduction is the most since 2020. The rate is presently at its lowest point since it was initially established in 2014. On August 15, the bank also reduced the...
Japan's GDP grows by 6% - 08/15/2023
Preliminary estimates of the country's government show that Japan's GDP rose by 6% on an annualized basis in the second quarter (assuming GDP had expanded at the same rate for four consecutive quarters). According to DailyFx's poll of analysts, growth would only be 3.1%. Japan's first quarter GDP increased by 3.7% year over year, and its fourth quarter GDP increased by 0.2%. Second-quarter...
Niger fail to pay $19M on bonds - 08/14/2023
The payments were due on August 11. Niger failed to pay $19 million In order to repay the subsequent issuing of its government bonds, UMOA-Titres, a credit structure of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), said. The payments were expected on August 11. After being sanctioned by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Union of the African Monetary...
Hawaii's wildfires become the deadliest in the US in 100 years - 08/14/2023
89 people died in flames on the Hawaiian island of Maui, which made the current wildfires the worst in the US in more than a century. According to Reuters, the number of people killed in the Maui wildfires in Hawaii has increased to 89, which made the current events the worst in the country in more than a century. Local officials issued a warning that the number of victims might increase. The...
US sets to raise $200B for developing countries through international lenders - 08/11/2023
The US's help to Ukraine, according to US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, "will be a catalyst for further financial assistance from other countries and international financial institutions." The United States hopes to raise $200 billion through international financial institutions (IFIs) to aid developing nations like Ukraine, told US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. According to her, the...
US congressman: Biden family received over $20M in illegal payments - 08/10/2023
The House Committee on Oversight and Reform revealed funds received from Russia, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine. Republican from Kentucky and chairman of the House of Representatives' Committee on Oversight and Reform James Comer asserts that during Joe Biden's time as Vice President, his family received illegal payments totaling more than $20 million, including from businessmen from Russia, Kazakhstan,...
New Zealand to invest $1.2B in clean energy transition - 08/08/2023
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins announced a deal with American financial firm BlackRock. The government of New Zealand has set aside $1.2 billion to pay towards the conversion of the nation's energy grid to renewable energy sources, said Chris Hipkins, the nation's Prime Minister. Hipkins noted that the country would collaborate with one of the major investors in climate infrastructure and clean...
Moody's forecasts default of Niger - 08/04/2023
The international rating organization Moody's has lowered Niger's rating by two notches, from B3 to Caa2. It is expected to get worse, writes the local newspaper Business Day. According to Moody's, the sanctions imposed by the West African Economic and Monetary Union and the Economic Community of West African States will prevent the nation from making its debt payments, which is by definition a...
Trump says he faces over 560 years in prison - 08/03/2023
Former US President Donald Trump said he might receive six life sentences or 561 years in prison as per the charges against him. "Crooked Joe is in command of the dishonest U.S. Justice Department, which has unlawfully filed accusations against me once more. According to some reports, the left's relentless witch hunt could result in my serving a total of 561 years in prison. Six lifetime...