The growth of the British economy in 2018 was 1.4%, the National Statistical Service reported: “Such low growth rates were observed only in 2012, and lower growth rates were observed only in 2009.” Investments of the companies have been falling for the fourth quarter in a row, and many began to prepare for tough Brexit. Not only European, but also American corporations sounded very worried about...

The United Arab Emirates announced defense deals with local and international companies worth about $ 1.35 billion on the opening day of the IDEX defense exhibition in Abu Dhabi, according to CNBC. Of the 33 deals announced on Sunday, 18 were made with local firms, 15 - with foreign companies, which accounted for just under $ 1.1 billion, an IDEX spokesman said during a press conference. The US...

The US authorities very sharply reacted to publication of the EU blacklist of countries that pose a threat due to a weak fight against money laundering and financing of terrorism. The US protested against blacklisting of four unincorporated American island territories - Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa and the US Virgin Islands. The list of 23 countries also includes Saudi Arabia and other...

China decided to hedge and protect their multi-billion dollar investment in Venezuela. China worries about future of joint oil projects with Venezuela and the nearly $ 20 billion that Caracas owes it. These concerns resulted in negotiations that Chinese diplomats are conducting with the Venezuelan opposition in Washington.  "China recognizes the growing risk of regime change and does not...

British Prime Minister Theresa May plans to wait until the last moment before putting her Brexit deal to a vote in parliament, after which she will force British politicians to choose between her plan and a potentially very long delay, writes Bloomberg. That’s how Brexit’s chief negotiator Oliver Robbins described future events around the exit from the EU, a British television channel reported,...

Due to transition to a green economy by 2030, global GDP will rise by 0.1%, and the employment rate - by 0.5%, show studies conducted with participation of the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Eurofound). However, the positive effect of such a transition will be felt most in China and the EU, and the United States will be the loser. The Energy Scenario...

Adoption by the US Congress of an antimonopoly bill against members of the oil cartel looks like a declaration of war. Late last week, the US House of Representatives Committee on Judicial Affairs approved a bill allowing the US Department of Justice to sue OPEC members for manipulating oil prices. The so-called NOPEC law abolishes sovereign immunity and makes oil-producing countries targets for...

Slowdown in the development of the eurozone economy, which began in the first months of 2018 after a very successful previous year, has become by the end of the year. The Italian economy, for example, has been showing negative growth for two quarters in a row; and "yellow vests" sent the French economy into recession. However, economists were most worried about Germany, the first European...

Unconditional basic income improves welfare of payees, but does not affect employment - this is the conclusion reached at the Ministry of Social Protection and Health of Finland. Recall, the country was the first to implement a large-scale experiment in this field. It was assumed that preservation of guaranteed social benefits would increase employment in low-wage positions. However, during the...