West Texas Intermediate (WTI) inched higher to near $76.50 per barrel in Friday’s Asian trading, with the price of crude oil finding support from supply risks arising from heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, despite ongoing global demand concerns. Markets are closely watching Iran’s reaction to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. According … Read more
With Donald Trump’s political stock suddenly reaching new highs—after he survived an assassination attempt and starred in a slickly produced convention, while President Biden stays at home with Covid, all in one week—business leaders must revisit their scenarios for a Trump presidency. They should keep three factors front and center: Trump’s stance on taxes and … Read more
There are insinuations concerning the incidence of double taxation being experienced in some quarters by persons or groups within our economy. Those being affected by this menace are seriously lamenting as a result of the repetitive nature of taxes and levies that they have been forced to be exposed to or suffer more than once … Read more
A landmark exhibition called “Casts of an Island 2024” opened in Limassol, Cyprus, showcasing 120 artworks by 43 artists. The exhibition is curated by collector Nicos Chr. Pattichis and is housed in the former Carob Warehouse, now transformed into a cultural space by the PSI Foundation. The exhibition coincides with the 50th anniversary of the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus and features a variety of artworks, including political pieces inspired by the event.
President Nikos Christodoulides is in contact with the UN peacekeeping force regarding 13 migrants reported to be living in the buffer zone near the university grounds. The migrants are from Afghanistan, Iran, Sudan, and Cameroon and had come from the north after being denied entrance to the state-controlled areas. The UN peacekeeping force is working with UNCHR to provide humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable migrants.
Donald Trump, the first former U.S. president convicted of a crime, will remain free while awaiting sentencing for falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment. The judge must approve the verdict, and sentencing could lead to fines or probation instead of prison time. Trump could appeal the conviction, arguing legal errors and that state law doesn’t apply to federal elections. He could still run for president and be sworn in from jail if he were to unseat Biden.
Donald Trump allegedly offered Big Oil executives 0 billion in tax breaks if they donated billion to his campaign. Congressional Democrats are investigating this potential quid pro quo deal. Joe Biden plans to eliminate these tax breaks for the oil and gas industry if elected. The fossil fuel industry is lobbying to maintain these tax breaks, which are set to expire next year. Some attendees at Trump’s fundraising dinner at Mar-a-Lago included executives of smaller oil companies focused on fracking and gas exporting. The event was also attended by individuals with controversial backgrounds in the oil and gas industry.
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te extended goodwill towards and offered cooperation with China following Chinese war games near the island. China carried out military drills in response to Lai’s inauguration speech, which Beijing viewed as a push for Taiwan’s independence. Lai rejects Beijing’s claims of sovereignty and has offered talks, but has been rejected. Lai called on China to share responsibility for regional stability and expressed a desire for mutual understanding and reconciliation through cooperation. Taiwan condemned China’s war games and discovered a cardboard box with political slogans written in simplified Chinese characters suspected to be dropped by a drone. China’s military has been releasing propaganda videos directed at Taiwan since the drills began.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrived in Seoul for a trilateral summit with their South Korean counterpart, their first three-way talks in over four years.
A flower festival was opened by Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou in Yermasoyia, emphasizing the importance of nature and promoting environmental culture for its protection.