World & Politics
Ukrainian authorities estimate damage to the country's ecology at $76B - 03/06/2023
Ruslan Strelets, Ukraine's Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, claimed that the country's ecosystem had suffered losses of 3 trillion hryvnias (roughly $76 billion) as a result of hostilities on its soil. He claims that some of Ukraine's natural resources are irretrievably gone. "We have already calculated the losses: UAH 3 trillion of environmental damage - pollution of...
World Food Program head urges to extend Grain Deal "at any cost" - 03/06/2023
The World Food Program's executive director, David Beasley, has urged for extension of the grain agreement "at any expense." The agreement had previously been extended for 120 days, starting on November 19, and was scheduled to conclude on March 18. Talks about renewal have ceased. "The Black Sea Grain Initiative needs to be revived at all costs. This crop is a source of food for millions of...
U.S. sets to minimize production and storage of nuclear materials - 03/03/2023
According to Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, Homeland Security Advisor to President, the United States intends to reduce production and storage of nuclear materials, including plutonium. At that, she asserted that China is expanding its production of nuclear materials. Sherwood-Randall brought up the subject at a meeting held by the nongovernmental group Nuclear Threat Initiative in Washington, D.C....
U.S. calls for WTO reform - 03/02/2023
US demands WTO reforms to strengthen the group. A report issued by Katherine Tai's office, the U.S. trade representative, states that the country is requesting that the World Trade Organization (WTO) undergo the necessary change in order to increase effectiveness. The document says, "The WTO must increase efficiency to respond to people's requirements; necessary reform is critical to support...
Biden promises to raise taxes for super-rich in new budget - 03/01/2023
According to U.S. President Joseph Biden, his budget plan would increase taxes on the very wealthy. "I want to be explicit that I'll be increasing taxes. All billionaires should cease paying 3 percent, "said Biden. On March 9, Biden is expected to present a budget plan to Congress. The American president emphasized that he has no plans to break his pledge not to increase taxes on people whose...
EU Commissioner Várhelyi: EU to create new energy hub in Western Balkans - 03/01/2023
According to Olivér Várhelyi, Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, the European Union plans to establish a new energy center in the Western Balkans as part of the Economic Investment Plan. During a press meeting with Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic, he said, "A lot of work still needs to be done to make the Western Balkans an energy 'entry point' for Europe for new sources and...
Reuters: U.S. government agencies to delete TikTok from mobile devices - 02/28/2023
According to Reuters, the White House on Monday gave U.S. government agencies 30 days to remove the TikTok app from government-owned devices. The measure prohibiting the installation of TikTok on electronic devices used by the federal government had previously been approved by the US Senate. Representatives of the social network criticized the political motivation and unreasonableness of the...
China ramps up construction of coal-fired power plants in 2022 - 02/27/2023
Chinese government officials granted approval for 106 GW worth of new coal-fired power station construction projects last year. This is the highest amount since 2015 and more than four times the level from 2021. Global Energy Monitor (GEM) and the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) released this information today, February 27. Their data shows that the capacity of power plants...
Bloomberg: China urges state companies to reject Big Four auditors - 02/23/2023
Chinese authorities are advising some state-owned businesses to turn to Chinese auditors rather than using Deloitte, KPMG, EY, or PwC. Bloomberg reported this, citing people acquainted with the situation. They note that, due to concerns for national security, China does not want to grant Western businesses access to private information of domestic firms. Bloomberg in particular claims that...
Bloomberg: Iran enriches uranium to 84%, 6% less than needed to build nuclear weapons - 02/20/2023
According to Bloomberg sources, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) discovered last week that Iran's uranium was enriched to 84 percent. This is 6% less than what is needed for a nuclear bomb. Tehran has already informed outside experts that its centrifuges are capable of 60% uranium enrichment. IAEA inspectors will look into whether Iran knowingly produced uranium that was highly...
