International

Zelensky visits US in first trip abroad after Russian invasion

December 22, 2022February 25, 2023 News

After landing in the United States on Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met US President Joe Biden at the White House. Zelensky, wearing green colored cargo pants and sweatshirt rather than a suit, was driven to the White House where Biden, joined by his wife Jill, met him. Biden then escorted him past doors where guards held the US and Ukrainian flags. This is Zelensky’s first trip outside his homeland since it was invaded 300 days ago by Russia. Zelensky’s meeting with Biden at the White House comes ahead of…

India takes over G20 Presidency from Indonesia

November 21, 2022February 25, 2023 News

NEW DELHI: Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Wednesday officially handed over the G20 presidency to India at the end of a summit of the bloc’s leaders in Bali. India will officially assume the G20 presidency from 1 December 2022. Taking over the presidency, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Prime said it was a matter of pride for every Indian citizen. “We will organize G20 meetings in different cities and states of our country. Our guests will get full experience of India’s amazing diversity, inclusive traditions, and cultural richness. We wish that…

White house releases G20 Bali Leaders’ Declaration

November 16, 2022February 25, 2023 News

Bali, Indonesia, 15-16 November 2022 1. Fourteen years ago, the Leaders of the G20 met for the first time, facing the most severe financial crisis in our generation. We recognized, as large global economies, that collectively we carry responsibilities and that our cooperation was necessary to global economic recovery, to tackle global challenges, and lay a foundation for strong, sustainable, balanced, and inclusive growth. We designated the G20 the premier forum for global economic cooperation, and today we reaffirm our commitment to cooperate as we, once again, address serious global…

Netanyahu wins fifth term as Israel’s PM as rival concedes defeat

November 1, 2022February 26, 2023 News

Outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid has congratulated Benjamin Netanyahu on his victory in Tuesday’s general election. Mr Lapid said he had called his rival to wish him luck and tell him he would ensure an orderly transition of power. Mr Netanyahu’s Likud party and its far-right and religious allies won 64 of the 120 seats in parliament, according to final results released on Thursday. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s main rival conceded defeat Wednesday, promising to wage a robust battle from the opposition after the ruling Likud party and its…

Italy’s far-right wins election and vows to govern for all: Giorgia Meloni set to become the first female PM of Italy.

September 26, 2022February 26, 2023 News

Far-right leader Giorgia Meloni has claimed victory in Italy’s election, and is on course to become the country’s first female prime minister. Ms Meloni is widely expected to form Italy’s most right-wing government since World War Two. That will alarm much of Europe as Italy is the EU’s third-biggest economy. However, speaking after the vote, Ms Meloni said her Brothers of Italy party would “govern for everyone” and would not betray people’s trust. “Italians have sent a clear message in favour of a right-wing government led by Brothers of Italy,”…

Populist leader Jimmie Akesson’s right-wing party wins Sweden election

September 15, 2022February 26, 2023 News

Sweden’s center-left Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson on Wednesday conceded defeat in a weekend election while the leader of a nationalist anti-immigration party declared victory for his right-wing bloc. Jimmie Akesson, leader of the populist Sweden Democrats, said his party would be “a constructive and driving force in this work of rebuilding safety in Sweden. He said it was time to put Sweden first. With almost all votes counted, the right-wing bloc of four parties that includes the Sweden Democrats the country’s second-largest party appeared to have won a thin majority in parliament. Though a few…

Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, dies at 96

September 8, 2022February 25, 2023 News

London — Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch and one of the most enduring royal personalities the world has known, has died at the age of 96. Buckingham Palace confirmed that the queen died Thursday at Balmoral Castle, her official residence in Scotland. “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow,” the palace said in a statement, referring to the new monarch, Elizabeth’s eldest son, now known as King Charles III, and…

Nancy Pelosi lands in Taiwan, defies China

August 2, 2022February 23, 2023 News

Taipei, August 2 US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi arrived in Taiwan on Tuesday night despite threats from Beijing of serious consequences, becoming the highest-ranking American official to visit the self-ruled island claimed by China in 25 years. Voices support The visit honours America’s commitment to supporting Taiwan’s vibrant democracy. Nancy Pelosi, US House Speaker Pelosi’s visit has triggered increased tension between China and the US. China claims Taiwan as part of its territory, to be annexed by force, if necessary, and views visits by foreign government officials as…

EU cuts euro zone growth forecasts, revises up inflation outlook

July 22, 2022July 22, 2022 News

The European Commission cut its forecasts for economic growth in the euro zone for this year and next and revised up its estimates for inflation on Thursday largely due to the impact of the war in Ukraine. In its quarterly forecasts, Brussels confirmed its more downbeat outlook, which it had already discussed with euro zone finance ministers on Monday The EU executive now predicts growth of 2.6% this year for the 19-country currency bloc, slightly less than the 2.7% it had forecast in May. But next year, when the impact…

The hike is (almost) here! Now for what comes next: Five questions for the European Central Bank

July 22, 2022July 22, 2022 News

The European Central Bank is set to deliver its first interest-rate hike since 2011 this week, yet markets are already fast-forwarding to focus on the path for higher rates beyond Thursday as economic prospects darken. That outlook is getting murkier by the day because inflation is still accelerating and growth slowing sharply. “The trade off the ECB is facing is more severe than any of the other major central banks,” said Silvia Ardagna, head of European economics research at Barclays. Here are five key questions for markets. 1. So, we’ll…