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Zimbabwe's ruling party, Zanu-PF, has passed a resolution to make the gold-backed ZiG currency the country's sole legal tender, phasing out the use of US dollars. The ZiG, introduced in April, has faced challenges including a recent devaluation and calls for its abandonment. Despite these efforts, the International Monetary Fund has cautioned that the ZiG alone cannot address Zimbabwe's economic issues, such as high inflation and lack of public confidence in fiscal authorities. [Extracted from the article]

Base salaries for regular workers in Japan have increased at a record pace, which could benefit Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba as he prepares for a general election. Full-time workers saw a 2.9% increase in base pay in August compared to the previous year. However, real wages declined and household spending fell. Ishiba has promised to pressure businesses to continue raising wages, and the government and Bank of Japan are closely monitoring wage trends as they seek to achieve a positive cycle of rising salaries and demand-led inflation. [Extracted from the article]

According to a report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the ambitious nuclear-energy targets set by world powers are unlikely to be achieved. The IAEA predicts that by 2050, installed nuclear power will increase by just 40% under its low-end scenario and 2.5 times in the most optimistic case, falling short of the pledge to triple generation by mid-century. The report suggests that direct state investment in reactors and power grids will likely be necessary to achieve the targets. While public support for nuclear power is increasing, construction delays and high costs have hindered the commercialization of new plants in Western economies. China and Russia are currently the top builders of nuclear plants. [Extracted from the article]

According to a survey conducted by the Bank of England, British households are expecting interest rates to decrease for the first time in 16 years. The survey also found that public confidence in the Bank of England's ability to control inflation has improved. The survey was conducted shortly after the Bank of England cut rates for the first time since the pandemic began. The responses to the survey indicate a recovery in consumer confidence and suggest that rate cuts could stimulate economic growth. [Extracted from the article]

According to a survey conducted by the Bank of England, British households are expecting interest rates to decrease for the first time in 16 years. The survey also found that public confidence in the Bank of England's ability to control inflation has improved. The survey was conducted shortly after the Bank of England cut rates for the first time since the pandemic began. The responses to the survey indicate a recovery in consumer confidence and suggest that rate cuts could benefit the economy by lowering mortgage costs and increasing consumer spending. [Extracted from the article]

The US Federal Reserve's internal watchdog has criticized Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta President Raphael Bostic for violating the Fed's investment restrictions. However, the watchdog found no evidence that Bostic made trades based on confidential information. Bostic's money manager made trades on his behalf during blackout periods, and Bostic failed to disclose some trades. The investigation found that 154 trades were executed on Bostic's behalf in violation of the blackout rule. The matter has been referred to the Fed's Board of Governors for further action. [Extracted from the article]

According to an interview with Senator Vanderlan Cardoso, the appointment of Gabriel Galipolo as the next governor of Brazil's central bank is expected and there are no surprises anticipated. Galipolo has emerged as the favorite due to his role as an interlocutor for President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his conversations with Lula about fiscal policy. The Senate is also scheduled to analyze a proposed amendment that would grant financial and budgetary autonomy to the central bank. In addition, Lower House Speaker Arthur Lira is attempting to unite candidates to succeed him in order to gain support from President Lula. [Extracted from the article]

The NFL is currently investigating allegations against Javier Loya, a minority owner of the Houston Texans, regarding his behavior at poker parties he hosted in May 2022. Loya, who is also a prominent Houston oil broker, was charged with first-degree rape and sexual abuse but the charges were dismissed and he pled guilty to a misdemeanor count of physical harassment. The NFL's personal-conduct policy requires all individuals associated with the league to refrain from conduct detrimental to the integrity of the NFL, and ownership and management are held to a higher standard. The Houston Texans are cooperating with the investigation and Loya has recused himself from team and league activities until the matter is resolved. [Extracted from the article]

Kenyan President William Ruto has appointed John Mbadi, chairman of the opposition Orange Democratic Movement, as the new finance minister. This move is part of Ruto's efforts to address anti-government protests and create a government of national unity. Mbadi's role will involve implementing Ruto's bottom-up economic model, which aims to prioritize industries that can generate employment and drive economic growth. He replaces Njuguna Ndung'u, the former central bank governor. [Extracted from the article]

Heritage Bank Plc in Nigeria has had its license revoked by the Central Bank of Nigeria due to breaches of banking legislation and poor financial performance. This comes after the introduction of stringent capital requirement measures by the central bank. The move is aimed at strengthening the banking industry in the face of economic challenges such as devaluation, inflation, and weak growth. The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corp. will act as the liquidator for Heritage Bank. Other banks are also planning capital raises to meet the new requirements. [Extracted from the article]

According to a Gallup poll, US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell is facing low public confidence due to persistent inflation and high prices. Only 39% of US adults have confidence in Powell's ability to make the right decisions for the economy, a slight increase from the previous year. Powell and the central bank were slow to respond to rising inflation, and recent data suggests that progress in controlling inflation may have stalled. Powell's low approval rating is influenced by politics, with Republicans expressing less confidence in him compared to Democrats. Powell has stated that politics does not influence the Fed's decision-making. [Extracted from the article]

A public inquiry in Canada has concluded that while China made attempts to interfere in the last two Canadian elections, it did not impact the overall outcome or undermine the integrity of the elections. The inquiry, ordered by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, found that the Liberal Party would have been in government regardless of foreign interference. The report highlighted instances of alleged Chinese meddling in specific local races, but stated that the ultimate effects of foreign interference remain uncertain. The inquiry will now enter a second phase to determine how to inform the public about the danger of foreign interference without eroding public confidence in the election system. [Extracted from the article]

Argentine President Javier Milei plans to cut 70,000 government jobs, freeze public works, and terminate social welfare plans as part of his strategy to achieve fiscal balance. Milei's approach has been described as "chainsaw-style" and aims to address the country's high inflation and corruption. While these job cuts represent a small fraction of the public sector workforce, they may face opposition from labor unions and could impact Milei's approval ratings. Despite this, Milei remains optimistic about the economy's future and plans to continue reform efforts after the 2025 congressional elections. [Extracted from the article]

UK inflation expectations have fallen to their lowest level since the Bank of England (BOE) began raising interest rates to combat rising prices. According to the BOE's quarterly Inflation Attitudes Survey, households surveyed in February expected prices to rise by 3% over the next 12 months, down from 3.3% in November. However, longer-term predictions for the 12 months from February 2025 remained unchanged at 2.8%. The BOE's success in anchoring inflation expectations is crucial for managing persistent price pressures, as it influences wage demands and price setting. The central bank is now considering cutting interest rates after a significant drop in inflation, but remains cautious due to strong wage growth and high services inflation. The improved outlook on inflation has also boosted public confidence in the BOE, although it remains below pre-inflation levels. The BOE's struggle to contain price pressures has led to a decline in public trust and criticism from politicians, with some calling for the bank to lose its operational independence. [Extracted from the article]

Keywords: %USD; ALLTOP; BON; BUSINESS; ECOTOP; EXE; FRX; GEN; GLOBALMACR; GOV; LAW; MARKETS; NORTHAM; TOP; US; WORLD; WWTOP; WWTOPAM; WWTOPEU EN %USD ALLTOP BON BUSINESS ECOTOP EXE FRX GEN GLOBALMACR GOV LAW MARKETS NORTHAM TOP US WORLD WWTOP WWTOPAM WWTOPEU (Bloomberg) -- Federal Reserve Vice Chair Richard Clarida said Monday he will resign two weeks before his term expires, following new revelations about his stock trading on the eve of a major central bank announcement in early 2020. A probe of Fed trading is under way by the central bank's inspector general, which declined to comment on whether Clarida is part of the investigation. [Extracted from the article]

The UK's House of Lords has criticized Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for his negative messaging around electric vehicles (EVs), stating that he should focus more on the benefits rather than the challenges of cutting emissions. The House of Lords report called on the government to do more to promote EV adoption, highlighting the lack of affordable EV models and insufficient charging infrastructure. The report recommended restoring EV incentives for private buyers, reviewing planning regulations, and ensuring reasonably priced and reliable charging. The UK carmakers' lobby group also recently requested a reduction in the value-added tax for EV purchases. [Extracted from the article]

The Federal Reserve's internal watchdog has cleared former policymakers Robert Kaplan and Eric Rosengren of any legal wrongdoing in a probe into their trading activity in 2020. Kaplan, the former president of the Dallas Fed, conducted multiple large transactions, while Rosengren, the former head of the Boston Fed, made numerous trades in mortgage-backed securities. Although the trades did not violate any laws or regulations, the inspector general noted that Kaplan's lack of public disclosure undermined public confidence in the impartiality and integrity of the policymakers. The trades and resulting investigations have led to increased scrutiny of the Fed and calls for greater congressional oversight. [Extracted from the article]

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has established a task force to address financial misconduct within his ruling party, as his government's support has plummeted due to a major scandal. The reform group, led by experienced lawmakers from the Liberal Democratic Party, will explore potential changes to party law and internal faction operations. Kishida's disapproval ratings are currently the worst for a Japanese prime minister since 1947, and there is speculation about his future as leader. While the scandal involves members of a faction previously led by the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, it is unlikely to result in the abolition of the factional system. [Extracted from the article]

Celebrities who participated in an "almost naked" party in Moscow are facing punishment as a way for President Vladimir Putin to intimidate Russia's elite and gain favor with voters during his re-election campaign. The event, which involved scantily dressed pop stars, actors, and the daughter of Putin's former political mentor, sparked public outrage and was seen as a display of decadence during wartime. The Kremlin saw this as an opportunity to make an example of the high-profile personalities, many of whom privately oppose the war in Ukraine. The controversy represents a departure from Moscow's reputation as a hedonistic party city and is part of the Kremlin's effort to rally public support by presenting Putin as a defender of traditional Russian values. [Extracted from the article]

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida plans to establish a new group within his ruling Liberal Democratic Party to address allegations of a failure to declare political funds. The allegations have led to a decline in public support for Kishida's government, and there are concerns that the LDP may seek to replace him before his term ends in September. Former LDP policy chief Koichi Hagiuda is the latest senior figure to be questioned by prosecutors regarding the scandal. Tokyo prosecutors have also raided the headquarters of two LDP factions. [Extracted from the article]

Nigeria is experiencing a cash shortage as people hoard cash due to memories of a failed demonetization campaign from last year. Many ATMs are unable to dispense cash, and bank branches have reduced daily cash-payment limits. Point-of-sale operators have increased charges for dispensing cash, citing difficulties in accessing banknotes. The Nigeria Labour Congress has expressed concern about the shortages, stating that they undermine public confidence in banks and may discourage participation in banking. The Central Bank of Nigeria is investigating some lenders for collaborating with unauthorized cash vendors to hoard the naira. The demonetization program, aimed at reducing liquidity and promoting electronic payments, had negative effects on the economy, leading to long queues outside ATMs and bank branches, reduced output, and job cuts. The program also resulted in an increase in the use of Nigeria's digital currency, the eNaira. [Extracted from the article]

Nigeria is experiencing a cash crunch as people hoard cash due to memories of a failed demonetization campaign from last year. ATMs are unable to dispense cash, bank branches have reduced cash payment limits, and point-of-sale operators have increased charges for dispensing cash. The Nigeria Labour Congress has expressed concern about the shortages, stating that it undermines public confidence in banks and may discourage participation in banking. The central bank's demonetization program, which aimed to reduce liquidity and promote electronic payments, had negative effects on the economy, leading to long queues and reduced private-sector activity. The use of Nigeria's digital currency, the eNaira, has increased as a result. [Extracted from the article]

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy of Ukraine reassured the Ukrainian people that the military will hold off the Russian advance, despite facing a shortage of ammunition and questions over foreign aid. Zelenskiy acknowledged that a return of Donald Trump to the US presidency could harm the war effort if the US turns inward. He expressed optimism that the political standoff blocking $61 billion in aid from the US would be resolved. Zelenskiy also discussed the possibility of mobilizing up to 500,000 troops and the challenges and costs associated with it. The Ukrainian leader's recent tour of the Americas and Europe resulted in a European Union agreement to start accession negotiations, but Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban blocked the EU's aid package. Zelenskiy also mentioned Russian President Vladimir Putin's determination to achieve military aims, including holding ballots in occupied Ukrainian regions. The article concludes by noting a decline in public confidence in Ukraine's direction and war effort. [Extracted from the article]

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy expressed confidence that Ukraine's military is not at risk of losing the war with Russia and believes that the US will fulfill its $61 billion aid commitment. However, the conflict has reached a standstill as political infighting in Washington and Brussels has delayed financial aid. Zelenskiy recently toured the Americas and Europe, securing a European Union agreement for accession negotiations but facing obstacles from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. As the war continues into its second winter, Ukraine is facing missile and drone attacks from Russia and struggling to recruit troops. The situation has led to a decline in public support for the country's war effort. [Extracted from the article]

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) has decided to maintain its negative interest rate and has not provided any indication of when it might change this policy. The yen weakened after the announcement. The BOJ's decision reflects its cautious approach to confirming sustainable inflation and wage gains. While a rate hike is still a possibility, April is seen as the most likely option. The BOJ's guidance on inflation expectations and monetary easing remains unchanged, although there have been slight adjustments to its assessments of consumer spending and business investment. The recent dovish turn by the Federal Reserve could put pressure on the BOJ to normalize its policy sooner. However, if the Fed manages to engineer a soft landing for the US economy, it could benefit the BOJ. The BOJ's decision to maintain its policy may also be influenced by the political instability in Japan, as Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's administration is facing a funding scandal and low public support. The BOJ may prefer to coordinate its policy change with a more stable government. The Japanese economy has been affected by weak consumer spending, and wage gains have not kept up with inflation. The BOJ is hoping for wage increases next year to stimulate a virtuous wage-price cycle. The governor of the BOJ will hold a press conference later to provide further details on the decision. [Extracted from the article]

President Vladimir Putin has stated that Russia remains determined to achieve its military goals in Ukraine, despite divisions over US and European aid that could weaken Ukraine's ability to repel the invasion. Putin claims that the attack was carried out to secure the "denazification, demilitarization of Ukraine and its neutral status." Despite significant Russian troop losses, Putin continues to enjoy widespread public support for the war. He also mentioned ongoing dialogue with the US over a possible prisoner swap and expressed willingness to restore relations with the US. The Kremlin is confident that Russia can consolidate its control over occupied regions of Ukraine and wait for international support for Kyiv to splinter. [Extracted from the article]

Thames Water, the largest water and sewage company in the UK, has appointed Chris Weston as its new CEO in an effort to restore public confidence and improve its financial situation. The company is currently dealing with a significant debt burden and is seeking additional equity investment to support its turnaround plan. Thames Water has faced criticism for releasing sewage into waterways and there were concerns about a potential financial collapse earlier this year. Weston, who previously served as CEO of Aggreko Plc, will focus on delivering the company's outlined turnaround and improving performance. [Extracted from the article]

President Vladimir Putin has stated that Russia remains determined to achieve its military goals in Ukraine, despite divisions over US and European aid that could weaken Kyiv's ability to defend against the invasion. Putin made these remarks during a televised news conference, where he reiterated his claims that the attack was carried out to secure the "denazification, demilitarization of Ukraine and its neutral status." Despite significant Russian troop losses, Putin continues to enjoy widespread public support for the war. The Kremlin is confident that Russia can consolidate its control over occupied regions of eastern and southern Ukraine while waiting for international support for Kyiv to splinter. [Extracted from the article]

Tokyo prosecutors are set to question lawmakers regarding a slush fund scandal that is threatening Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's administration. The prosecutors plan to launch a full-scale investigation after the current session ends. Kishida is expected to announce the firing of four cabinet members, including Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno and trade minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, who are accused of concealing income from fundraising events. Public support for Kishida has plummeted, and there are suggestions that he may step down before a party leadership election in September. [Extracted from the article]

Keywords: 0247409Z; 1128@HK; 1928@HK; 600196@CH; BNTX; PFE; SVA; ALLTOP; ASIA; BASIC; BUSINESS; CHINA; COS; DRG; EUROPE; GER; GLOBALMACR; GOV; HEA; HK; INDUSTRIES; NORTHAM; PAC; US; WORLD; WWTOP EN 0247409Z 1128@HK 1928@HK 600196@CH BNTX PFE SVA ALLTOP ASIA BASIC BUSINESS CHINA COS DRG EUROPE GER GLOBALMACR GOV HEA HK INDUSTRIES NORTHAM PAC US WORLD WWTOP Hong Kong and Macau temporarily suspended Covid vaccines manufactured by BioNTech SE because of a packaging defect, dealing a blow to the cities' efforts to revive their pandemic-battered economies. The affected batch of vaccines, 210102, was delivered to Hong Kong and Macau directly from Germany on Feb. 27, according to people familiar with the matter who declined to be identified as they're not authorized to speak publicly. [Extracted from the article]

Keywords: 0247409Z; 1128@HK; 1928@HK; 600196@CH; BNTX; PFE; SVA; ALLTOP; ASIA; BASIC; BUSINESS; CHINA; COS; DRG; EUROPE; GER; GLOBALMACR; GOV; HEA; HK; INDUSTRIES; NORTHAM; PAC; US; WORLD; WWTOP EN 0247409Z 1128@HK 1928@HK 600196@CH BNTX PFE SVA ALLTOP ASIA BASIC BUSINESS CHINA COS DRG EUROPE GER GLOBALMACR GOV HEA HK INDUSTRIES NORTHAM PAC US WORLD WWTOP Hong Kong and Macau temporarily suspended Covid vaccines manufactured by BioNTech SE because of a packaging defect, dealing a blow to the cities' efforts to revive their pandemic-battered economies. The affected batch of vaccines, 210102, was delivered to Hong Kong and Macau directly from Germany on Feb. 27, according to people familiar with the matter who declined to be identified as they're not authorized to speak publicly. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Hong Kong and Macau temporarily suspended Covid vaccines manufactured by BioNTech SE because of a packaging defect, dealing a blow to the cities' efforts to revive their pandemic-battered economies. Keywords: 0247409Z; 1128@HK; 1928@HK; 600196@CH; BNTX; PFE; SVA; ALLTOP; ASIA; BASIC; BUSINESS; CHINA; COS; DRG; EUROPE; GER; GLOBALMACR; GOV; HEA; HK; INDUSTRIES; NORTHAM; PAC; US; WORLD; WWTOP EN 0247409Z 1128@HK 1928@HK 600196@CH BNTX PFE SVA ALLTOP ASIA BASIC BUSINESS CHINA COS DRG EUROPE GER GLOBALMACR GOV HEA HK INDUSTRIES NORTHAM PAC US WORLD WWTOP Hong Kong and Macau temporarily suspended Covid vaccines manufactured by BioNTech SE because of a packaging defect, dealing a blow to the cities' efforts to revive their pandemic-battered economies. [Extracted from the article]

Cathie Wood's firm, ARK Investment Management, has reduced its holdings in the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust, despite Wood's public support for Bitcoin. The Ark Next Generation Internet ETF has sold over 700,000 shares of the Bitcoin Trust since October 23, including 36,168 shares on Wednesday. This comes as Bitcoin reaches its highest level since May 2022, despite regulatory actions against crypto founders. Wood had previously touted the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust as her top pick at a conference in Australia. The daily trading updates from ARK only reflect active decisions by the management team and do not include investor flows. [Extracted from the article]

Argentina is predicted to experience a severe recession and triple-digit inflation rates in 2024, regardless of the economic policy changes promised by libertarian President-elect Javier Milei, according to the Institute of International Finance. The head of Latin America research at the institute, Martin Castellano, expects the Argentine economy to contract by 1.3% in 2024, following a 2.4% drop this year. Inflation is projected to remain above 100% with an inevitable currency depreciation. Milei's victory reflected public support for pursuing economic stability, but the institute warns of the risk of complacency in 2024. [Extracted from the article]

The Swedish government has announced plans to support a significant expansion of nuclear power in order to meet the country's growing electricity demand. The government will explore different models for sharing financial risks with utilities that choose to invest in nuclear power. This move comes as power consumption is expected to double in the next decade, and public support for new nuclear plants is high. Sweden is also likely to join other nations in signing a declaration at the COP28 climate summit to triple global nuclear power capacity by 2050. The government hopes that small modular reactors can accelerate the expansion process, with the aim of having plants in place by 2035. [Extracted from the article]

South Africa's president is planning to give more authority to the electricity minister in order to address the country's energy crisis. The proposal is supported by the African National Congress, who wants to see faster action before the upcoming general election. The current electricity minister, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, has limited powers and needs permission from other ministers to make decisions. The power cuts, known as load-shedding, have affected public support for the ANC, and the government is also considering reforms for state-owned logistics firm Transnet before providing a bailout. [Extracted from the article]

Nigeria's Supreme Court will start hearing an appeal by opposition candidates on Monday after an election petition tribunal dismissed their complaints in September. Nigerian lawmakers proposed changes to the country's electoral law to improve transparency after questions were raised about this year's elections. The lawmakers plan to make the electronic transmission of results mandatory starting from the 2027 national elections, according to a statement released at the end of a retreat for senate leadership in Akwa Ibom state. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Russia is working globally to undermine public confidence in the integrity of democratic elections, expanding tactics it used in the 2020 American contest for the presidency, according to US intelligence agencies. In one 2020 election held in Europe, the official said, Russia's top spy agency used proxies to intimidate poll workers, launch election-day protests and sabotage overseas voting. [Extracted from the article]

The survey results show how inflation, which accelerated again in August and may have quickened further last month, has dented public approval of Marcos's government. (Bloomberg) -- Public disapproval towards how Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s administration is handling inflation has grown and become "more notable", a survey by pollster Pulse Asia showed. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Gambia has sacked two executives at its Medicines Control Agency following the death of more than 60 children from kidney failure caused by tainted syrup imported from India. The panel, which recommended the prosecution of the MCA executives for abdicating their duties, will present its report to the Gambia Police Force for further action. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Nigeria's elections this year were marred by problems that undermined public trust in democracy, European Union observers said. The Independent National Electoral Commission, or INEC, "did not ensure a well-run, transparent and inclusive democratic process", according to a final report by an EU observer mission released by email on Tuesday. [Extracted from the article]

The Independent National Electoral Commission, or INEC, "did not ensure a well-run, transparent and inclusive democratic process", according to a final report by an EU observer mission sent by email on Tuesday. (Bloomberg) -- Nigeria's elections this year were marred by problems that undermined public trust in democracy, European Union observers said. [Extracted from the article]

The BOE established its quarterly survey shortly after gaining the power to set interest rates in 1997 under Governor Eddie George. (Bloomberg) -- Public confidence in the Bank of England is at an all-time low as officials struggle to get a grip on inflation, a survey found. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas received a 90-day extension for his 2022 financial disclosure report after coming under criticism for failing to report lavish trips and gifts paid for by billionaire GOP megadonor Harlan Crow. The upcoming release could offer fresh insight into Thomas's finances for the first time since revelations this spring that Thomas and his wife traveled on Crow's yacht and private jet. [Extracted from the article]

But the court has been under intense scrutiny in recent months, in large part because of Thomas's decades-long relationship with Dallas real estate mogul Harlan Crow. (Bloomberg) -- Public confidence in the US Supreme Court slid amid a flurry of ethics controversies, including revelations that Justice Clarence Thomas got luxury vacations and other benefits from a Republican megadonor, according to a new Marquette Law School Poll. [Extracted from the article]

In April 2020, just a month after the onset of Covid-19 lockdowns, confidence in Powell was at 58% - the highest approval of any Fed chairman since Alan Greenspan in 2004. (Bloomberg) -- Public confidence in Jerome Powell's leadership of the Federal Reserve has dropped precipitously, according to a new survey, and is now at or below his predecessors' as the central bank wages its war against inflation. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- The European Union's economy chief stressed that governments need to provide targeted public support to keep the bloc competitive in the face of inflation and public debt. EU Economy Chief Says More Public Intervention "Inevitable" The EU faces challenges to maintain sustainable growth while slowly reducing the continent's public debt, lowering inflation and increasing households' purchasing power. [Extracted from the article]

The BSP, which has raised borrowing costs by 425 basis points since last year, said Friday that it would consider the inflation reading along with the latest pulse check of the economy next week to decide on its monetary policy settings. (Bloomberg) -- Philippines' overall inflation cooled for a third straight month in April from a year ago and was below all analysts estimates, supporting the case for a pause in monetary policy tightening. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's approval rating surged by 8.5 percentage points to 46.6% from last month in a Kyodo News poll. Different polls by local media have shown a steady increase in public support since Kishida was targeted by an explosive device during an election campaign earlier this month. [Extracted from the article]

Durbin suggested the decision by the conference, which serves as the federal judiciary's policymaking body, strengthens his case for asking Roberts to respond directly by testifying at a Judiciary Committee hearing scheduled for May 2. (Bloomberg) -- A request by Senate Democrats that Chief Justice John Roberts investigate possible ethics violations by Justice Clarence Thomas has instead been referred to a judicial panel, prompting a renewed request for Roberts to testify on the matter. [Extracted from the article]