World & Politics
Congress predicts increase in US public debt to a record level - 01/29/2020
In the past decade, the US budget deficit will exceed $ 1 trillion, and public debt will rise to the highest level since the Second World War, Congress analysts predict. The US Congressional Budget Office (CBO) predicts an increase in US government debt from the current 81 percent of the country's GDP to 98 percent by 2030. This will be the highest figure in United States history since World War...
Chinese coronavirus outbreak: "Extremely serious" situation - 01/27/2020
Chinese coronavirus, which appeared in Wuhan, is becoming more dangerous. According to the authorities of the PRC, the disease is now easier to transmit from person to person. The new virus has killed more than 50 people, infected more than 2 thousand. The Chinese authorities have already called the situation “extremely serious”; doctors are waiting for more than a thousand new patients and...
Luigi Di Maio leaves his seat - but not his powers - 01/24/2020
Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio is no longer the political leader of the Five Star movement, but retains at the ministerial post. He explained his decision by saying "that the time for change has come." At the same time, the politician added that "the real enemies of the movement are inside it." Mr. Di Maio’s decision casts doubt on the future of both the Five Stars and the Italian...
Donald Trump announces “outstanding changes” in the WTO - 01/23/2020
US President Donald Trump was the main newsmaker on the second day of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland. He announced negotiations on WTO reform, which had come to a standstill primarily because of the position of the US itself. At the same time, he threatened to sharply increase duties on the import of European cars into the country if the US and the EU fail to reach a...
US lifts the veil of sanctions over Venezuela - 01/22/2020
The United States has allowed several international organizations to carry out transactions with the Central Bank of Venezuela and government officials subject to sanctions. This follows from the general license published on the website of the American Ministry of Finance. The list of organizations that were allowed to carry out transactions includes the World Bank and its divisions,...
Central Bank of Japan keeps monetary policy unchanged, economic forecasts rise - 01/21/2020
Following a two-day meeting, the Bank of Japan left the monetary policy unchanged and improved forecasts for economic growth. As expected, the interest rate on deposits of commercial banks with the Central Bank was maintained at minus 0.1%. The target yield of 10-year government bonds in Japan remained at about 0%. The Central Bank also reiterated its promise to maintain rates at current low...
Australian business expects damage from climate change - 01/21/2020
81% of Australian business leaders believe that climate change will harm their company, a survey by Deloitte showed. This is the highest figure among 19 countries covered by the study, Reuters reports. The proportion of business leaders fearing the effects of climate change in Australia is significantly higher than the global average (48%). “Companies must demonstrate to investors that they are...
WP: US threatened Europe with duties within JCPOA case - 01/16/2020
U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration threatened to impose a 25 percent tariff on imports of European cars unless Britain, France and Germany formally accused Iran of violating the 2015 nuclear deal, The Washington Post reports citing unnamed European officials. On Tuesday, these three European countries launched a dispute settlement mechanism in accordance with the agreement. This is...
Republic of Ireland to support rapprochement with Northern Ireland - 01/15/2020
On Tuesday, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar announced the date of early parliamentary elections: they will be held on February 8. The elections will largely become a vote of confidence in government policy. Among other things, the event aims to bring the two parts of Ireland closer together. An important step in this direction was taken last week: on January 11, the Parliament of Northern...
Australian fires burn down 0.5% of economic growth - 01/13/2020
Direct losses of the Australian economy after forest fires, which have been unceasing since last fall, will amount to $ 3.5 billion, or from 0.2-0.5% of the country's economic growth, Westpac Bank, one of the largest in Australia, said. Australia expects a drop in GDP in 2020 due to fires and lower iron ore prices. Westpac expects the Reserve Bank of Australia to cut rates twice this year, but...