Top foreign executives in China have shown a slight increase in confidence in the mainland during the first half of the year, despite concerns over the economy and escalating geopolitical tensions prompting a reconsideration of their presence. A survey conducted by think tank The Conference Board revealed that country heads of predominantly U.S. and European firms expressed a modest uptick in sentiment regarding current and future business conditions compared to the previous six months. Historical data suggests that foreign executives in China have often faced challenges related to navigating complex regulatory landscapes, political uncertainties, and market competition. Despite these obstacles,…
Author: BRICS+ News Services
Jiji, Africa’s premier classified platform, has officially launched its Premium Services in Ethiopia, a country with a burgeoning eCommerce sector. This move signifies a significant step in Jiji’s expansion strategy as it gears up to support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Ethiopia, tapping into the country’s vast eCommerce potential. The Premium Services offered by Jiji are tailored promotional tools and features designed to help businesses advertise their products in specific categories such as Property, Cars, and Others. These services include various Boost Packages like Basic, VIP, Diamond, and Enterprise, each uniquely crafted to align with individual business objectives. Among…
IMF Warns of Economic Impact of Israel-Hamas War in Middle East The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has issued a dire warning regarding the escalating regional instability caused by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. In a recent regional economic assessment report, the IMF projected a sluggish growth rate of 2.6% for the Middle East, north Africa, and Pakistan in 2024, down from its previous forecast of 3.3%. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva emphasized the lingering uncertainty stemming from Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza, as well as the looming threat of a broader regional confrontation involving Iran and its…
In the early 20th century, artist Christiana Herringham embarked on a journey from London to India to visit the Ajanta Caves, which she had previously explored four years earlier. This talented artist aimed to replicate the ancient paintings on the cave walls, recognizing the urgent need for preservation as they were deteriorating rapidly. Joining her in this endeavor were fellow artists such as Nandalal Bose, Asit Haldar, Samarendranath Gupta, Syed Ahmad, and Mohammed Fazl-ud-Din Qazi. One of the notable contributions to this project was made by Hyderabad artist Syed Ahmad, who meticulously copied the Boddhisatva Padmapani in Cave 1 with…
Russia’s military operations in the city of Kharkiv, Ukraine, appear to have encountered significant obstacles, resulting in a slowdown in their offensive. The situation on the ground has reportedly become more challenging for Russian forces as they face fierce resistance from Ukrainian defenders. Kharkiv, a key city in northeastern Ukraine, has been a focal point of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine in recent days. The slowing down of Russia’s offensive in Kharkiv suggests that Ukrainian forces are putting up a strong defense and making it difficult for the Russian military to achieve their objectives quickly and decisively. The city…
In a groundbreaking move, the Maharashtra government has established a committee to formulate a skill education policy aimed at integrating various initiatives for skill development across the state. This committee, comprised of 10 members including scholars, skill education and entrepreneurship experts, as well as industry and government representatives, is tasked with crafting a comprehensive draft skill-policy under the skill development and entrepreneurship department’s purview. An official from the department highlighted the urgent need for capacity building and fostering entrepreneurship among the youth. As Maharashtra witnesses a plethora of skill development projects, initiatives, and programs in different regions, coordination is crucial…
The recent imposition of new US sanctions against Russia has prompted the country’s main financial marketplace, the Moscow Exchange, to cease trading in dollars and euros. The aim of these sanctions is to hinder Russia’s ability to finance its invasion of Ukraine. Consequently, banks are now required to engage in direct bank-to-bank agreements to trade these currencies, leading to increased volatility and higher transaction costs. Despite initial concerns about a weakening ruble, the impact of these sanctions has not sparked panic among the populace in Moscow. While some banks initially raised their exchange rates significantly, causing fears of a currency…
The recent G7 summit saw leaders agree on a plan to send $50 billion to Ukraine by forward-collateralizing interest income on Russian assets immobilized in Western countries since February 2022. This initiative, championed by the Biden administration, signifies a significant win for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Concurrently, a bilateral security deal with the United States was announced, further bolstering Ukraine’s position on the world stage. The collaborative efforts behind these agreements and their potential impact on the ongoing conflict are analyzed by experts below. John Herbst, the senior director of the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center, points out the strategic importance…
Kiev is actively seeking to reduce its reliance on Russian pipeline gas by diversifying its energy sources, despite the current lack of regasification facilities for LNG imports. In a significant move towards achieving this goal, Ukraine’s largest private energy company, DTEK Group, recently announced a comprehensive agreement with a US firm to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Ukraine and Eastern Europe. This deal represents a pivotal step towards enhancing Ukraine’s energy security and decreasing Russian influence in the region. D.Trading, a subsidiary of DTEK Group, will procure LNG shipments from a Louisiana-based facility operated by Venture Global, a US…
Russia has pledged to facilitate the smooth integration of new members into the working structures of the BRICS association, with necessary decisions expected to be made by the upcoming summit in Kazan. The announcement was made by Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting with the leadership of the Russian Foreign Ministry. President Putin called on the Russian government and the Foreign Ministry to continue substantive work and dialogue with partners, stating, “I request that significant progress be made on decisions that define our cooperation in areas such as politics and security, economy and finance, science and culture, sports, and…