Japan has long been grappling with the daunting challenge of achieving a primary budget surplus, a goal that now appears increasingly elusive. Despite the government’s initial aspirations to reach this milestone as early as fiscal 2025, new estimates have pushed the timeline back to 2026. This delay underscores the complexities of the country’s economic landscape,
Economy
In the world of international finance, currency markets constantly react to a plethora of factors, most notably government policies and geopolitical developments. A recent Reuters report by Kevin Buckland and Greta Rosen Fondahn highlights the undercurrent of ambiguity surrounding U.S. trade policies under President Donald Trump and its consequential impact on the U.S. dollar’s performance
As India prepares for its upcoming federal budget presentation, there are growing concerns regarding the country’s disinvestment and asset monetisation strategies for the financial year 2024-25. Reports indicate a dramatic reduction in the government’s original target, potentially lowering it by around 40%. Instead of the ambitious 500 billion rupees—approximately $3.47 billion—initially set, the revised target
The recent decision by the United States to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarms among African health officials. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has emphasized the potential negative repercussions this choice could have on health programs across the continent. This step taken by U.S. President Donald
The recent developments within the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) underscore the complexities and tensions that arise at the intersection of politics and regulatory policy. Under the leadership of Chair Andrew Ferguson, the agency has begun to dismantle its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategies—a controversial stance that has ignited fierce partisan debates.
The financial markets experienced a notable downturn on Friday, as major indices on Wall Street closed lower, reflecting a climate of investor caution stirred by an array of mixed economic data and earnings announcements. With a busy week of economic reports and a Federal Reserve meeting on the horizon, investors are grappling with conflicting signals,
Switzerland, known for its fiscal prudence, is now bracing for a significant shift in its budgetary dynamics. The country’s President and Finance Minister, Karin Keller-Sutter, has revealed expectations of annual budget deficits reaching around 3 billion Swiss Francs (approximately $3.31 billion) in the forthcoming years. This alarming forecast primarily stems from increased military expenditures and
The British economy is navigating through turbulent waters as the recent tax hikes create ripple effects across various sectors. Many businesses are bracing themselves for a shift in operational strategy, primarily through reduced pay awards for employees. This impending decision has drawn attention from both the business community and policymakers, as the consequences of such
In a concerning trend, China’s industrial profits have experienced a decline for the third consecutive year, as highlighted by the latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The statistics reveal that earnings in the industrial sector fell by 3.3% in 2024, following a decline of 4.7% during the January to November period of
In a dramatic turn of events, Japan’s Fuji Media has found itself at the center of a growing scandal that has escalated over allegations of sexual misconduct involving one of the country’s most famous television personalities. The departure of Chairman Shuji Kanoh and the head of the TV unit, Koichi Minato, reflects a significant response