Japan’s core consumer price index (CPI), fell on an annual basis for the first time in over two years in August. The CPI, which includes oil but not fresh food prices, declined 0.1% from a year ago – the first drop since April 2013. The headline consumer price index rose 0.2% from a year ago,… Continue reading Japan’s Core Consumer Price Index Falls for First Time in Two Years
Category: Economy & Politics
Economy and Politics news articles.
US Economic Growth Revised up in Q2 2015
According to revised official figures, the US economy expanded more than previously estimated in Q2 2015. The US Commerce Department said the economy expanded at an annualized pace of 3.9%, rather than 3.7%. The overall US economic growth was due to strong consumer spending, business investment and residential construction. It rate is much higher than… Continue reading US Economic Growth Revised up in Q2 2015
John Boehner to Resign as House Speaker at the End of October
John Boehner will resign from his position as speaker of the House and give up his seat at the end of October. He has been under pressure from the conservative wing of the Republican Party, and in particular over government funding for Planned Parenthood. Aides say John Boehner had planned to resign since 2014. The… Continue reading John Boehner to Resign as House Speaker at the End of October
Joe Biden Tops Presidential Choice for a Quarter of Democrats in New Poll
According to a recent Bloomberg Poll, Vice President Joe Biden tops presidential choice for one in four Americans who are registered Democrats or lean. The poll findings released on September 23 represent a notable achievement for an as-yet undeclared candidate, suggest concerns about Hillary Clinton’s candidacy and raise the prospect of a competitive three-way race… Continue reading Joe Biden Tops Presidential Choice for a Quarter of Democrats in New Poll
Greece Snap Election Results: Alexis Tsipras Celebrates Syriza Victory
Greece former PM Alexis Tsipras has hailed a “victory of the people” after his left-wing Syriza party won the country’s snap election. Alexis Tsipras said Greeks faced a difficult road and that recovery from financial crisis would only come through hard work. The conservative New Democracy party earlier conceded defeat. With 60% of votes counted,… Continue reading Greece Snap Election Results: Alexis Tsipras Celebrates Syriza Victory
Greece Snap Elections 2015: Tight Race Between Syriza and New Democracy
Greeks return to polls as voting has begun in the country’s snap general election. Opinion polls indicate a tight race between the left-wing incumbent Syriza party and the conservative New Democracy. The snap election, Greece’s fifth in six years, was called after Syriza lost its parliamentary majority in August. Syriza leader Alexis Tsipras’s popularity plummeted… Continue reading Greece Snap Elections 2015: Tight Race Between Syriza and New Democracy
Europe Markets Trade Lower After Fed’s Decision to Keep Interest Rates Unchanged
European stocks have traded lower on September 18 after the Federal Reserve’s decision not to change interest rates, as concerns about the health of the global economy were renewed. The Federal Reserve made it clear that worries about the global economy had influenced its decision to keep rates on hold. “The outlook abroad appears to… Continue reading Europe Markets Trade Lower After Fed’s Decision to Keep Interest Rates Unchanged
Donald Trump Comes Under Fire in Barack Obama Muslim Row
Donald Trump has come under fire after failing to correct a supporter who said President Barack Obama was a Muslim and “not even an American”. The Republican presidential hopeful sought to laugh off the comment, which was preceded by the supporter saying: “We have a problem in this country – it’s called Muslims.” The comments… Continue reading Donald Trump Comes Under Fire in Barack Obama Muslim Row
Federal Reserve Holds Interest Rates Unchanged
The Federal Reserve has decided to hold interest rates unchanged, keeping them at the same level since December 2008. The central bank said nine members of its Federal Open Market Committee voted to hold the key federal funds rate target at 0 to 0.25%. Committee member Jeffrey Lacker was the only dissenter, favoring a 0.25… Continue reading Federal Reserve Holds Interest Rates Unchanged
GOP Debate 2015: Donald Trump Still Dominates Second Republican Debate
Donald Trump has dominated a second Republican debate between the top GOP presidential candidates in the 2016 election. The front-runner has come under attack from all sides in a debate with an outsider candidate – former tech executive Carly Fiorina – challenging Donald Trump in a way few rivals have. Donald Trump, a billionaire businessman… Continue reading GOP Debate 2015: Donald Trump Still Dominates Second Republican Debate
Robert Mugabe Delivers Wrong Speech at Zimbabwe Parliament Opening
President Robert Mugabe has read out the wrong speech at the opening of Zimbabwe’s parliament. The 91-year-old president gave the same one during his state of the nation address on August 25, when he was heckled by opposition members of parliament. Robert Mugabe’ss spokesman told the state-run Herald paper the error was because of a… Continue reading Robert Mugabe Delivers Wrong Speech at Zimbabwe Parliament Opening
Malcolm Turnbull Sworn in as Australia’s 29th Prime Minister
Australia has sworn in new Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, after Tony Abbott was ousted by his party in a leadership challenge. Malcolm Turnbull, who was communications minister under Tony Abbott, is the fourth prime minister since 2013. After taking the oath of office, Malcolm Turnbull attended his first Question Time in parliament as prime minister.… Continue reading Malcolm Turnbull Sworn in as Australia’s 29th Prime Minister
Malcolm Turnbull Becomes Australia’s Prime Minister After Ousting Tony Abbott
Malcolm Turnbull has become Australia’s new prime minister after Tony Abbott was ousted as leader of the centre-right Liberal Party. In the dramatic late night party leadership ballot, Tony Abbott, who had been plagued by poor opinion polls, received 44 votes to Malcolm Turnbull’s 54. Malcolm Turnbull said he assumed that parliament would serve its… Continue reading Malcolm Turnbull Becomes Australia’s Prime Minister After Ousting Tony Abbott
California Governor Pushes for Progressive Immigration Laws
In a push for progressive immigration laws, California Governor Jerry Brown is removing the word “alien” from the state’s labor code. Brown contends the term has come to be used negatively as a pejorative. “Alien is now commonly considered a derogatory term for a foreign-born person and has very negative connotations,” said Senator Tony Mendoza,… Continue reading California Governor Pushes for Progressive Immigration Laws
China Investment and Factory Output Below Forecasts in August 2015
According to latest figures, growth in China’s investment and factory output in August 2015 has come in below forecasts, in a further indication that the world’s second-largest economy is losing steam. Factory output grew by 6.1% from the year before – below forecasts of 6.4%. Growth in fixed-asset investment – largely property – slowed to… Continue reading China Investment and Factory Output Below Forecasts in August 2015
Singapore Elections 2015: Ruling People’s Action Party Expected to Stay in Power
Polls have opened in Singapore for an election that is widely expected to see the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) stay in power. However, for the first time ever, opposition candidates are running in all constituencies, and could gain seats. It is also the first election since the death of long-term leader Lee Kuan Yew,… Continue reading Singapore Elections 2015: Ruling People’s Action Party Expected to Stay in Power
S&P Cuts Brazil’s Sovereign Debt Rating to Junk
Standard & Poor’s has cut Brazil’s sovereign debt rating to “junk” status. As a result, Brazil has lost its investment-grade rating. S&P said mounting political turmoil and the difficulties faced by President Dilma Rousseff’s government in tackling growing debt were behind the decision. Brazil was awarded an investment-grade rating by S&P in April 2008, when… Continue reading S&P Cuts Brazil’s Sovereign Debt Rating to Junk
Global Food Prices in Biggest Fall Since 2008
According to UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), August 2015 saw a 5.2% fall in global food prices, the biggest drop since 2008. The FAO saw monthly falls in all major commodities, from milk and vegetables to oils, sugar and cereals. Food producers are being hit by slowing demand in China and a Russian embargo… Continue reading Global Food Prices in Biggest Fall Since 2008
Asian Stock Markets Close Lower on Economic Worries
Asian stock markets were mostly lower on September 10 as economic data from Japan and China made investors cautious. After surging almost 8% on September 9, Japan’s Nikkei 225 index closed down 2.5% at 18,299.62, among Asia’s big losers. Worries about a slowdown China and the impact of a US interest rate hike also dented… Continue reading Asian Stock Markets Close Lower on Economic Worries
China Rising Food Prices Push up Inflation to One-Year High
China’s rising food prices pushed up inflation to a one-year high in the world’s second largest economy. The consumer price index (CPI) unexpectedly rose to 2% in August from a year ago, mainly on higher food prices and not due to a pickup in economic activity. On the back of that, the producer price index… Continue reading China Rising Food Prices Push up Inflation to One-Year High
Hillary Clinton Apologizes for Using Private Email
Democrat presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton has apologized for her use of a personal email account for official business whilst secretary of state between 2009 and 2013. In a Facebook post, Hillary Clinton wrote she was “sorry” and had made a “mistake”. The former secretary of state’ use of private email has generated a barrage of… Continue reading Hillary Clinton Apologizes for Using Private Email
China Imports Fall 14.3% in August 2015
According to latest trade figures, China’s August imports fell 14.3% in yuan-denominated terms from a year ago, while exports fell by 6.1%. The steep fall in the value of imports reflects lower commodity prices globally, particularly crude oil. The numbers mean China’s monthly trade surplus expanded by close to 40% from the month earlier to… Continue reading China Imports Fall 14.3% in August 2015
Saudi Arabia Cuts State Spending After Oil Price Collapse
Saudi Arabia government has decided to cut spending and delay some state projects after the recent decline in the price of oil, Finance Minister Ibrahim al-Assaf has announced. Talking to broadcaster CNBC Arabia, Ibrahim al-Assaf said Saudi Arabia was in a good position to manage low oil prices. Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporting… Continue reading Saudi Arabia Cuts State Spending After Oil Price Collapse
Guatemala Elections 2015: Jimmy Morales Leads Presidential Vote After Early Results
Guatemalan actor Jimmy Morales is leading in the country’s presidential poll, early results have showed. Jimmy Morales, who has campaigned against corruption, has about 25% of the vote so far, with a centre-right businessman, Manuel Baldizon, on 21%. If no candidate wins more than half the votes, a second round will be held. Voting took… Continue reading Guatemala Elections 2015: Jimmy Morales Leads Presidential Vote After Early Results
Sarah Palin Wants to Be Named Energy Secretary Under Donald Trump Presidency
Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has said she would like to serve as energy secretary in a Donald Trump administration in order to abolish the department. Sarah Palin told CNN that “energy is my baby”. “Oil and gas and minerals, those things that God has dumped on this part of the Earth for mankind’s use,”… Continue reading Sarah Palin Wants to Be Named Energy Secretary Under Donald Trump Presidency