Tag: inflation
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Fatal Clashes in Nairobi as Protesters Storm Parliament Amid Anti-Tax Demonstrations
In Nairobi, Kenya, protests calling for President Uhuru Kenyatta’s resignation and expressing dissatisfaction with a recent police crackdown turned deadly, with local media reporting fatalities. The demonstrations, part of the “Occupy Parliament” movement, were sparked by opposition to a June 13th budget bill proposing new taxes to raise $2.7 billion. Despite some taxes being retracted…
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Kenya Withdraws Key Tax Hikes Following Public Protests
In Kenya, the government has decided to retract most of the newly proposed tax hikes following public protests that erupted near the Parliament. Demonstrators voiced strong opposition against the draft budget, which included tax increases on essential goods and services, arguing that these measures would further strain their financial capacities. The protests, which saw police…
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EU to Impose Tariffs of Up to 38% on Chinese Electric Vehicles Amid Subsidy Concerns
In a significant move that could escalate tensions between the European Union and China, the EU has informed China of its decision to impose import duties of up to 38% on Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs) starting July 4th. This decision comes after the European Commission accused China of flooding the EU market with cheaply subsidized…
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Bitcoin Hits New Record High Amid Market Changes and Wall Street’s Crypto Embrace
Bitcoin has hit new record highs, significantly outperforming its 2021 rally, with a current value that dwarfs the 2019 investment return by 1700%. This surge is underpinned by a combination of settled inflation, increased consumer spending, technological advancements, particularly in AI, and a more stable economic environment, contrasting sharply with the conditions of the 2021…
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Iranian Voters Highlight Inflation as Principal Concern Ahead of Presidential Elections
In the recent coverage of the Iranian presidential elections by FRANCE 24 English, the atmosphere in Mashhad, Iran, was reported to be one of enthusiasm among supporters of the late president Ibrahim Raisi’s policies, with tens of thousands of people filling the streets. Raisi’s tenure, though short, was marked by divisiveness, with significant influence from…
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Exploring the Risks of Deflation in China Amid Economic Slowdown
China is facing the threat of deflation, which many economists consider to be a more perilous situation than high inflation. The concern stems from a pattern of falling consumer prices, prompting fears of a deflationary spiral similar to Japan’s ‘Lost Decade’ in the 1990s. The Chinese government plans to issue special treasury bonds to stimulate…
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Examining the Feasibility of a Soft Landing Amid Economic Challenges and Fed Policy Adjustments
The Wall Street Journal examines the concept of a soft landing in economics, highlighting how the Federal Reserve aims to achieve a delicate balance of lowering inflation without triggering a recession or a significant rise in unemployment. The video explains the rarity and difficulty of soft landings, primarily due to the unpredictable nature of the…
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Rising Dollar Strengthens Amid Global Economic Shifts, Posing Challenges for US Stock Market
The recent strengthening of the U.S. dollar, while indicative of a relatively robust U.S. economy compared to global counterparts, could potentially spell trouble for U.S. companies and the stock market. A stronger dollar, driven by rising U.S. government bond yields and economic indicators that outshine those of other countries, makes U.S. goods more expensive abroad,…
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Investors Skeptical of Fed’s Inflation Plan Despite Projected Interest Rate Hikes
Investors are showing skepticism towards the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) plans to raise U.S. interest rates by approximately one percent and maintain them until at least the end of 2023. This sentiment is reflected in the trading patterns observed in the Fed Funds Futures Market on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, indicating a belief that the actual…
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Exploring the Impact of Derivatives on the U.K. Bond Market Turmoil
Recent financial turbulence in the U.K. bond market has been attributed to the use of derivatives and leverage by investors, according to a video analysis by the Wall Street Journal. After the British government announced tax cuts aimed at economic growth, a sell-off in government bonds ensued, which was exacerbated by derivative contracts such as…