Category: International

Italy’s far-right wins election and vows to govern for all: Giorgia Meloni set to become the first female PM of Italy.

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Italy’s far-right wins election and vows to govern for all: Giorgia Meloni set to become the first female PM of Italy.

Far-right leader Giorgia Meloni has claimed victory in Italy’s election, and is on course to become the country’s first female prime minister. Ms Meloni is widely expected to form Italy’s most right-wing government since World War Two. That will alarm much of Europe as Italy is the EU’s third-biggest economy. However, speaking after the vote, Ms Meloni said her Brothers of Italy party would “govern for everyone” and would not betray people’s trust. “Italians have sent a clear message in favour of a right-wing government led by Brothers of Italy,”…

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Populist leader Jimmie Akesson’s right-wing party wins Sweden election

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Populist leader Jimmie Akesson’s right-wing party wins Sweden election

Sweden’s center-left Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson on Wednesday conceded defeat in a weekend election while the leader of a nationalist anti-immigration party declared victory for his right-wing bloc. Jimmie Akesson, leader of the populist Sweden Democrats, said his party would be “a constructive and driving force in this work of rebuilding safety in Sweden. He said it was time to put Sweden first. With almost all votes counted, the right-wing bloc of four parties that includes the Sweden Democrats the country’s second-largest party appeared to have won a thin majority in parliament. Though a few…

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Liberal Newcomer Defeats 3-Time Prime Minister In Slovenia Polls

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Liberal Newcomer Defeats 3-Time Prime Minister In Slovenia Polls

Populist prime minister Janez Jansa, a supporter of Donald Trump who was accused of taking Slovenia on a similar right-wing path to Hungary, was ousted after a surprise election result in April. A new liberal party, the Freedom Movement, shocked observers by winning a 34.5% vote share, compared with 23.6% for Janša’s Slovenian Democratic Party. Party founder and leader Robert Golob became Slovenia’s new prime minister. Throughout the election campaign, Golob framed the vote — which saw the highest voter turnout since 2000 — as “a referendum on democracy”, accusing…

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ZELENSKY VISITS US IN FIRST TRIP ABROAD AFTER RUSSIAN INVASION

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ZELENSKY VISITS US IN FIRST TRIP ABROAD AFTER RUSSIAN INVASION

After landing in the United States on Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met US President Joe Biden at the White House. Zelensky, wearing green colored cargo pants and sweatshirt rather than a suit, was driven to the White House where Biden, joined by his wife Jill, met him. Biden then escorted him past doors where guards held the US and Ukrainian flags. This is Zelensky’s first trip outside his homeland since it was invaded 300 days ago by Russia. Zelensky’s meeting with Biden at the White House comes ahead of…

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USA RELEASES G20 BALI LEADERS’ DECLARATION

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USA RELEASES G20 BALI LEADERS’ DECLARATION

Bali, Indonesia, 15-16 November 2022 1. Fourteen years ago, the Leaders of the G20 met for the first time, facing the most severe financial crisis in our generation. We recognized, as large global economies, that collectively we carry responsibilities and that our cooperation was necessary to global economic recovery, to tackle global challenges, and lay a foundation for strong, sustainable, balanced, and inclusive growth. We designated the G20 the premier forum for global economic cooperation, and today we reaffirm our commitment to cooperate as we, once again, address serious global…

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Netanyahu wins fifth term as Israel’s PM as rival concedes defeat

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Netanyahu wins fifth term as Israel’s PM as rival concedes defeat

Outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid has congratulated Benjamin Netanyahu on his victory in Tuesday’s general election. Mr Lapid said he had called his rival to wish him luck and tell him he would ensure an orderly transition of power. Mr Netanyahu’s Likud party and its far-right and religious allies won 64 of the 120 seats in parliament, according to final results released on Thursday. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s main rival conceded defeat Wednesday, promising to wage a robust battle from the opposition after the ruling Likud party and its…

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NANCY PELOSI LANDS IN TAIWAN, DEFIES CHINA

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NANCY PELOSI LANDS IN TAIWAN, DEFIES CHINA

Taipei, August 2 US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi arrived in Taiwan on Tuesday night despite threats from Beijing of serious consequences, becoming the highest-ranking American official to visit the self-ruled island claimed by China in 25 years. Voices support The visit honours America’s commitment to supporting Taiwan’s vibrant democracy. Nancy Pelosi, US House Speaker Pelosi’s visit has triggered increased tension between China and the US. China claims Taiwan as part of its territory, to be annexed by force, if necessary, and views visits by foreign government officials as…

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EU cuts euro zone growth forecasts, revises up inflation outlook

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EU cuts euro zone growth forecasts, revises up inflation outlook

The European Commission cut its forecasts for economic growth in the euro zone for this year and next and revised up its estimates for inflation on Thursday largely due to the impact of the war in Ukraine. In its quarterly forecasts, Brussels confirmed its more downbeat outlook, which it had already discussed with euro zone finance ministers on Monday The EU executive now predicts growth of 2.6% this year for the 19-country currency bloc, slightly less than the 2.7% it had forecast in May. But next year, when the impact…

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The hike is (almost) here! Now for what comes next: Five questions for the European Central Bank

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The hike is (almost) here! Now for what comes next: Five questions for the European Central Bank

The European Central Bank is set to deliver its first interest-rate hike since 2011 this week, yet markets are already fast-forwarding to focus on the path for higher rates beyond Thursday as economic prospects darken. That outlook is getting murkier by the day because inflation is still accelerating and growth slowing sharply. “The trade off the ECB is facing is more severe than any of the other major central banks,” said Silvia Ardagna, head of European economics research at Barclays. Here are five key questions for markets. 1. So, we’ll…

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US dollar nudges down from multi-year highs as euro gasps for gas

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US dollar nudges down from multi-year highs as euro gasps for gas

The dollar began the week nudging down from multi-year highs, with a hotter-than-forecast inflation reading in New Zealand lending modest support to the kiwi, though fears about Europe’s gas supply put a cap on dollar selling. The greenback has soared this year thanks to a combination of rising U.S. interest rates and wobbling economies in Europe and China. It pushed above parity on the euro for the first time in almost 20 years last week, before easing back. The euro last bought $1.0094 and the yen, which has tumbled about…

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