Business sentiment among big Japanese non-manufacturers improved to a more than three-decade high in the first quarter, as shown by a recent central bank survey. This is a positive sign that domestic demand may support the country’s fragile economic recovery. However, the survey also revealed that big manufacturers’ sentiment soured for the first time in
Economy
Following the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore’s harbor, Governor Wes Moore has called for bipartisan cooperation to approve the federal funding required for the reconstruction of the bridge. The collapse, which resulted in the death of six road workers, has not only hindered the operations of the Port of Baltimore
Israel’s central bank chief, Amir Yaron, has called on the government to enact responsible fiscal policy in order to offset any further expansion in the military budget. The recent approval of an amended 2024 state budget that added funds for Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza has raised concerns about fiscal responsibility. Yaron highlighted the
The collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge has resulted in a complex and challenging recovery effort that involves the removal of debris from the Patapsco River and the reopening of the city’s blocked port. Salvage crews are working diligently to lift the first piece of the collapsed bridge to facilitate access to the disaster
Japanese health officials conducted a search at a Kobayashi Pharmaceutical factory in Osaka after the company reported five deaths possibly linked to dietary supplements containing red yeast rice. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare collaborated with the City of Osaka to inspect the factory where the supplements, suspected of causing health issues, were manufactured.
The recent concert hall attack near Moscow, which resulted in the deaths of dozens of people, has had significant repercussions. Notably, there has been a surge of migrant workers leaving Russia for Tajikistan in the aftermath of the tragic event. This mass exodus is fueled by fear, panic, and a desire to escape the escalating
The Luxeed S7 electric sedan, a collaborative project between Huawei and Chery Auto, has faced significant challenges in production and delivery due to a shortage of semiconductors and other production issues. Initially scheduled for release earlier, the delivery of the Luxeed S7 was delayed causing frustration among customers who had eagerly awaited the premium brand
The recovery efforts following the tragic Baltimore bridge collapse have been nothing short of heart-wrenching. Divers were able to retrieve the remains of two of the six missing workers, confirming the fears that were lingering after the cargo ship’s impact on the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The bodies of Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes and Dorlian Ronial
As revealed in the summary of opinions from the Bank of Japan’s March meeting, many policymakers expressed the need for a cautious approach in phasing out ultra-loose monetary policy. One member specifically mentioned that the economy’s health did not justify rapid interest rate hikes, highlighting the divided stance within the board on whether the economy
Despite facing high interest rates, British mortgage holders and businesses are showing remarkable resilience, according to the Bank of England. Unlike the situation after the 2008 financial crisis, problem debt levels are significantly lower, indicating a stronger financial footing for many borrowers. The BoE’s Financial Policy Committee commended UK borrowers for their ability to withstand
The Bank of Japan has recently made a significant shift in its policy approach by moving away from its dovish forward guidance and embracing a more “data-dependent” strategy. After ending eight years of negative rates and unorthodox policies, the BOJ is now keeping the door open for another near-term hike in borrowing costs. This change
The current state of the foreign exchange market sees the dollar gaining momentum, while the Japanese yen remains at a multi-decade low. The threat of Japanese authorities intervening to stabilize the yen has prevented the greenback from soaring even higher. At the time of writing, the yen is trading at 151.25 per dollar, not far
China’s economic policies are at a crossroads, according to the International Monetary Fund’s Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. In a meeting with senior Chinese officials and global company executives, Georgieva emphasized the need for China to “reinvent itself” in order to address the property market crisis, boost domestic consumption, and enhance productivity. This call for reinvention
The U.S. Congress recently passed a $1.2 trillion budget bill, which was done in an overwhelming manner with a 74-24 vote. This bill will keep the government funded through the fiscal year that began six months ago and will be sent to President Joe Biden for his signature to avert a partial shutdown. The departments