Recent News

For decades, María Amparo Carvajal in Bolivia and Juana Ruiz in Colombia have dedicated their lives to defending human rights and supporting survivors of violence and oppression. Their tireless efforts were recognized this week when the US State Department awarded them the prestigious Human Rights Defender Award. Carvajal, originally from Spain, has been a central figure in Bolivia's human rights movement since 1971, the year Hugo Banzer took power in a coup. Banzer's regime, which lasted until 1978, was characterized by widespread human rights violations, motivating Carvajal to take action. In 1976 he founded the Permanent Assembly for Human Rights…

In an effort to address expected challenges to U.S.-China relations under President-elect Donald Trump, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng recently met with several top U.S. financial executives. These meetings come as Beijing prepares for the possible imposition of tariffs on Chinese goods, a key part of Trump's campaign rhetoric. He Lifeng, one of China's four vice premiers and a leading figure in the country's economic and financial policy, has actively sought to establish connections with influential players in American financial circles. In the past month, he had talks with Larry Fink, chief executive of BlackRock, on December 5, and John…

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed optimism about the growing collaboration between the United States, Japan and Australia as the three nations continue to strengthen their military capabilities. Speaking during a joint observation of the military exercises on Wednesday, Austin highlighted the importance of this enhanced cooperation in addressing growing tensions in the Indo-Pacific region. Austin's visit to Japan underlined Washington's commitment to its alliances in the region and its dedication to maintaining stability. Observing the Yama Sakura 87 exercises at Japan's Asaka camp, just outside Tokyo, Austin stressed the critical importance of readiness. “Having the right equipment, ammunition and…

China's leadership surprised markets this week by signaling a change in its monetary policy stance for the first time in 14 years. The announcement highlights the depth of the country's economic challenges, even as experts warn that a large stimulus package remains unlikely. The change involves moving from a “moderately expansionary” monetary policy to a more “cautious” approach in 2024, a phrase not used since the 2008 global financial crisis. At the time, China adopted an aggressively accommodative stance to combat the global recession . This policy adjustment marks the first recognition by the current leadership that more flexible monetary…

A wave of optimism about personal finances has spread among Americans following Donald Trump's victory in November's presidential election, according to a survey released Monday by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The data reveals a significant increase in confidence, with families feeling more positive about their financial future than in recent years. The survey, which involved around 1,300 heads of families, revealed that 37.6% of those interviewed expect their financial situation to improve within the next year. This represents an increase of nearly 8 percentage points compared to October and marks the highest level of financial optimism recorded…

Shell and Norwegian energy firm Equinor have unveiled plans to merge their offshore oil and gas businesses in the UK sector of the North Sea, marking a significant step in the energy sector. The joint venture, which will be owned equally by both companies, aims to strengthen energy security and continue fossil fuel production, navigating the UK's evolving energy landscape. The new entity, based in Aberdeen, Scotland, is set to become the largest independent oil and gas producer in the UK North Sea once the merger is completed, probably by the end of next year, pending the regulatory approval. Shell…

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister announced Tuesday that he will withdraw his name from consideration to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), just days after President-elect Donald Trump nominated him for the role. Chronister's decision makes him the second individual to turn down a top job in Trump's incoming administration, following former Rep. Matt Gaetz, who recently withdrew from his bid for attorney general. Chronister, the longtime sheriff of Hillsborough County, Florida, explained his decision in a post on X, formerly Twitter, underscoring his dedication to serving his local community. “Being nominated by President-elect @realDonaldTrump to serve as Administrator of…

South Korea has found itself in the global spotlight after a stunning series of political events this week, raising concerns about the future of Asia's fourth-largest economy. President Yoon Suk Yeol's sudden announcement of emergency martial law on Tuesday evening, followed by a swift reversal a few hours later, has injected new uncertainty into the country's economic and political landscape. Analysts warn that the fallout could worsen South Korea's already difficult economic outlook, but some believe the turmoil could pave the way for brighter prospects if deeper instability can be avoided. President Yoon initially justified the declaration of martial law…

Carlos Tavares, the esteemed CEO of Stellantis, unexpectedly resigned, citing "increasingly different opinions" between him and the automaker's board of directors. The announcement, made Sunday, marks the end of Tavares' tenure with immediate effect, leaving the world's fourth-largest automaker searching for a new leader during a difficult period. In a statement, Stellantis confirmed that the board of directors accepted Tavares' resignation and that the search for a new CEO is already underway. The trial is expected to conclude in the first half of next year. Meanwhile, an interim executive committee will be established under the leadership of President John Elkann…

Eric Yuan, founder and CEO of Zoom Communications Inc., spoke about the company's ongoing transformation at the annual Concordia Summit held in New York on September 25, 2024. The video conferencing giant, formerly known as Zoom Video Communications, reported solid financial results for its fiscal third quarter, but its shares fell 4% in extended trading on Monday amid mixed investor sentiment regarding its future guidance. Zoom posted results that beat Wall Street's expectations, showing steady growth in an evolving market for its services. According to LSEG financials, the company outperformed analysts' projections in both earnings per share and revenue. Adjusted…