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…

President-elect Donald Trump prepares to ring the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), marking the ceremonial start of the trading day. This symbolic event comes at a crucial time as markets weigh the implications of his 2024 election victory, according to people familiar with the matter. The event is expected to be a significant moment for Trump, a native New Yorker who spent much of his life in Manhattan before moving to Florida. His return to the city for this occasion underlines his connection to the financial world and his enduring association with Wall Street. Historically, the…

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…

Just a week after Donald Trump secured victory in the US presidential election, Elon Musk hinted at his increasingly important role in shaping the political landscape. The billionaire businessman made headlines by suggesting that his political involvement would serve as “a significant obstacle in the primaries,” signaling his willingness to challenge Republican lawmakers who deviate from Trump's agenda. Musk's intentions became clearer shortly thereafter, when he took to X (formerly known as Twitter), the social media platform he owns, to respond to a suggestion that he might financially support challengers to Republican members of the Congress who opposed Trump's policies.…

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…

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Kevin Hassett to lead the National Economic Council (NEC), placing the veteran economist at the forefront of the administration's decision-making on trade, taxes and deregulation. The announcement, made by Trump on his social media platform Truth Social, marks a significant step in finalizing his economic team ahead of Inauguration Day on Jan. 20. Hassett, who previously served as chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) during Trump's first term, is no stranger to the administration's economic agenda. During his tenure at CEA, Hassett played a critical role in supporting the 2017 Republican…