World & Politics
Japanese companies want to raise the retirement age - 07/21/2017
More than half of Japanese companies are planning to raise the retirement age for their employees. In their view, this step will reduce the labor shortage in the country and will allow use working experience of veterans, according to a Reuters poll. Most Japanese companies require full-time workers either to retire at 60, or to work another five years with lower wages and worse working...
The White House sets new goals for NAFTA negotiations - 07/20/2017
Lower trade deficit in the US balance will be the White House's priority in negotiations to change the terms of the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico (NAFTA). America hopes to reach the goal by improving the access of American goods to the markets of Canada and Mexico. Washington also intends to limit the possibility for partners to manipulate currency rates. However,...
ZEW: Germany's growth prospects remain positive - 07/19/2017
ZEW Institute said on Tuesday that Germany's economic growth forecast remains positive, despite the drop in investor sentiment for the second consecutive month in July. This can be explained by strengthening of the euro, economists say. Europe's largest economy is set for a reliable expansion in 2017 after a 0.6% growth in the first three months, driven by strong private investment, high...
Turkey and Greece are clashing over Mediterranean gas fields - 07/18/2017
Development activity of offshore gas fields in the Eastern Mediterranean region is growing. Along with the increase in the volume of geological exploration and taking into account possible construction of a gas pipeline between Israel and Turkey, geopolitical risks are also growing. Commercial prospects attract all parties, but a full-fledged military conflict can begin if Greece, Cyprus and...
Lloyd's of London: A global cyber attack can cost twice as much as Hurricane Sandy - 07/18/2017
Insurance market experts of Lloyd`s of London believe that a global cyber attack can provoke economic losses roughly equal to $ 53 billion. However, this figure may be significantly higher under certain conditions and double the amount of economic damage, for example, from Hurricane Sandy. The world's oldest insurance market, Lloyd`s of London, published a report in which the company's...
Ten countries drowning in debt - 07/17/2017
The international rating agency Fitch Ratings warned that the growing debt burden represents a serious threat to global financial stability. More than 20% of the countries assessed by the agency in 2017 will achieve the maximum debt-to-GDP ratio. It is expected that more than 75% of developed sovereign markets, estimated by Fitch, will have a weaker primary balance in 2017 compared to 2016. This...
Venezuelan opposition arranges informal referendum on Constitutional Assembly - 07/17/2017
The opposition forces of Venezuela held an informal national referendum yesterday. Although the results are still unknown, it is clear that the referendum will help to identify attitude of citizens to the authorities' attempts to establish a so-called Constitutional Assembly. The Assembly will be entrusted with making fundamental changes to the constitution. The plebiscite, organized by the...
Will Macron become Trump's first ally in Europe? - 07/14/2017
President of the United States Donald Trump has arrived in Paris on his first visit. Against the backdrop of growing “Russian” problems, Donald Trump is earning points abroad, namely in France, the country of which he has previously spoken derogatory. After Donald Trump nearly broke ties with another informal leader of the EU, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuelle Macron...
ESM: Euro area needs a joint budget in case of crisis - 07/13/2017
The euro area should have a limited joint budgetary capacity to support individual member states in the event of a sudden crisis, head of the block's rescue fund said on Thursday before a meeting of leaders of France and Germany. Answering the question of whether German Chancellor Angela Merkel should support French President Emmanuel Macron in his bid to introduce a position of a single...
Big data brings billions to Northern Europe - 07/13/2017
Energy-intensive data centers are necessary for all web platforms, be it small-scale services or Google and Facebook. Once the main criterion for placing data centers was proximity to the client, but as demand increased and telecommunication technologies developed, costs began to play a decisive role in the data center’s selection. Cheap, stable electricity produced by hydropower, as well as ice...