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S&P raises Greece’s rating

Ratings agency S&P Global on Friday raised Greece’s local and foreign currency long-term issuer ratings to ‘BBB-/A-3’, with a stable outlook, citing stronger budgetary position. S&P said it expects budget surplus target to help in paring the country’s government debt, and added

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Islamic Banking in Russia

According to Interfax, Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed the law on conducting an experiment to introduce Islamic banking in Russia in the period from September 1, 2023 to September 1, 2025. The experiment will be conducted on the territory of Dagestan,

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The Great Un-resignation

By Ben Winck* American workers have given up on quitting. Amid last month’s financial results from Wall Street was a warning from some firms that staff has not exited at the rate employers expected. The U.S. economy has weathered inflation without widespread

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U.S. Strengthens Defense Industrial Base

The United States Departments of Commerce (DoC) and Defense (DoD) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to expand collaboration to strengthen the U.S. semiconductor defense industrial base. The agreement will increase information sharing between the Departments to facilitate close coordination on

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EU-Chile: Strategic deal

Speaking to reporters in a joint press conference with Chilean President Gabriel Boric, Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission said the two parties reached an agreement to develop a strategic association to develop lithium and strengthen supply chains. Chile

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New Secretary-General in IMO

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council has appointed Arsenio Antonio Dominguez Velasco of the Republic of Panama, for an initial 4-year term as the next Secretary-General. Mr. Valesco will start his tenure as of 1 January 2024, subject to the Assembly’s approval.

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Britain joins major trade alliance

Britain on Sunday 16 July 2023 formally signed the treaty to join a major trans-Pacific trade pact, becoming the first new country to take part since its inception in 2018 and opening the way for members to consider other applications including from

Not enough lithium for EVs

Lithium producers are growing anxious that delays in mine permitting, staffing shortages and inflation may hinder their ability to supply enough of the battery metal to meet the world’s aggressive electrification timelines. Once a niche metal used primarily in ceramics and pharmaceuticals,

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Green light for Gaza Marine

Late in the evening of Sunday June 18, 2023, the Israeli government announced that it is initially positive to begin the exploitation of the Gaza Marine natural gas field, located offshore, about 30 km off the Gaza Strip. As a precondition, the