Central Bank Confident Despite Rising NPLs Russia’s Central Bank, led by Governor Elvira Nabiullina, has categorically dismissed concerns about a looming banking crisis, even as bad and restructured loans increase. The share of non-performing loans (NPLs) has surged, partly due to a tight monetary policy pushing interest rates above 30%, making corporate refinancing more challenging. Still, the regulator says the system remains resilient, underpinned by a hefty capital buffer of approximately ₽8 trillion (~USD 101 billion). Nabiullina reassured that “having full information” on banks, the central bank sees “no risk of a looming crisis.” Crucially, lenders have not drastically escalated loan-loss provisions, profits remain…
Author: Emily Harper
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Trump’s Budget Bill Nears Final House Vote Amid Internal Tensions As the U.S. House of Representatives works through an intense overnight session, Donald Trump’s sweeping budget and tax bill inches closer to a final vote. While the legislation already cleared a procedural hurdle after hours of back-and-forth debate, the last step remains uncertain due to growing pushback from within Trump’s own party. This bill, which could serve as the cornerstone of Trump’s second presidential term, outlines major changes to tax structures and public spending. It aims to extend tax cuts originally enacted years ago, while increasing investments in defense and…
A Historic Shift in Military Policy Denmark has officially taken a significant step toward gender equality in national defense by implementing a new policy that includes women in its mandatory military conscription system. This change marks a historic shift for the country, where previously only men were required to register for conscription, while women could join the military voluntarily. Now, all individuals turning 18—regardless of gender—must register for military service and may be selected through a lottery if not enough volunteers come forward. The move aligns with a broader trend seen in neighboring Nordic countries such as Sweden and Norway,…
Tesla reported a sharp decline in electric vehicle deliveries for the second quarter of 2025, selling 384,122 units, down from 443,956 during the same period last year, a 13.5% drop. This slump, the steepest year-over-year decline by volume in the company’s history, reflects a growing consumer backlash tied to Elon Musk’s outspoken political views and recent alignment with former President Donald Trump and far-right figures in Europe. Despite stepping down from his unofficial role in the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in May, Musk’s political baggage continues to weigh heavily. Analysts point to the “Tesla Takedown” protest movement,…
A Tapestry of Flavors Across a Vast Landscape Canada is often associated with maple syrup and poutine, but its cuisine extends far beyond these icons. Spanning 3.8 million square miles, the country’s vast geography and multicultural fabric have shaped a food scene that blends Indigenous traditions with global influences. In urban centers like Toronto and Vancouver, Chinese Canadian fare stands toe-to-toe with its counterparts in Asia. At the same time, European settler cuisines—from French, Jewish, Ukrainian, Portuguese, South Asian, and Black Canadian communities—have all left a lasting imprint. Indigenous chefs are reclaiming traditional ingredients, while immigrants honor their roots through…
From Dominance to Drought: A Vanishing Legacy Once a dominant force at Wimbledon, American men’s tennis now finds itself in a prolonged dry spell. The last time a US player lifted the trophy on Centre Court was in 2000, when Pete Sampras claimed his seventh title. Since then, no American man has come close to replicating that success. The early 2000s saw the rise of an era dominated by Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray. Their collective stranglehold on the tournament made it nearly impossible for others to break through. Andy Roddick came closest in 2009, narrowly…
Thailand’s Constitutional Court announced on July 1, 2025, the immediate suspension of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, effective as the court investigates allegations of ethical misconduct over a leaked phone call with Cambodia’s former leader, Hun Sen. The conversation, made public by Hun Sen, revealed Paetongtarn labeling Thailand’s military as “the opponent” and referring to Hun Sen as “uncle”—an informal gesture deemed overly deferential by critics. The leaked call occurred amid rising tension from a May 28 border clash in which one Cambodian soldier died. In the call, Paetongtarn urged Hun Sen not to heed Thai military officials, which alarmed nationalist factions and…
President warns of new tariffs as tensions escalate between key trading partners. President Donald Trump announced Friday that the United States is officially ending trade negotiations with Canada, citing Ottawa’s decision to implement a digital services tax (DST) as the catalyst. In a post on Truth Social, Trump called the tax “a direct and blatant attack on our Country” and said all discussions are now terminated effective immediately. “We will let Canada know the tariff that they will be paying to do business with the United States within the next seven day period,” Trump stated. The move comes just days…
Rising Pressure Beneath the Pacific Deep beneath the Pacific Ocean, nearly 300 miles off the coast of Oregon, a powerful natural force is slowly building. Axial Seamount, one of the most closely monitored undersea volcanoes in the world, is showing renewed signs of volcanic activity. Although located more than 4,500 feet below sea level, its movements are being tracked in real-time by teams of volcanologists. Scientists have observed a steady inflation of magma inside the volcano, causing it to bulge upward. This process, similar to a balloon slowly filling with air, suggests the system is storing pressure. The more the…
Nasdaq Widens Its Lead in IPO Market Share The first half of 2025 confirmed Nasdaq’s dominance in the U.S. IPO market, outperforming the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) by a wide margin in both number and value of new listings. According to recent data, Nasdaq attracted approximately $21.3 billion in IPO proceeds, more than double the $8.7 billion raised by the NYSE. A major contributor to Nasdaq’s strong performance was the successful debut of high-profile tech firms such as CoreWeave, a fast-growing AI infrastructure company, and Chime, a leading fintech player. Both selected Nasdaq for their listings, citing its alignment…
