EMERGENCE OF TRADE BLOCS That said, there are discrete trade blocs developing, but on a geopolitical rather than a geographical basis. Last May, an IMF study found that there were three major politically-aligned trade blocs emerging. First, there was a US-leaning one that includes the US, Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Second, a China-leaning bloc including Russia, Belarus, Syria, and Eritrea. Finally, there was a third bloc filled out by countries like India, the ASEAN states and others in the “global south” that are non-aligned or neutral in their relations to the US and/or China. According to MGI, there…
Author: Team_Benjamin Franklin Institute
Israeli military expected to remain at strategic locations despite ceasefire condition of retreat by February 18.Lebanon is warily eyeing the actions of the Israeli military as the deadline for the withdrawal of its troops from the south of the country approaches. The government in Beirut expressed concern on Monday that Israel will not move all of its forces out of Lebanon by the agreed deadline of February 18. The concern, expressed amid a raft of small-scale attacks by Israeli forces, illustrates the fragility of the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanese group Hezbollah. “We are afraid that a complete withdrawal will…
There are six NASCAR Cup Series champions racing in Sunday’s Daytona 500 who have never hoisted the Harley J. Earl Trophy, awarded to the winner of the “Great American Race.” With that in mind, here’s how each of them stack up before the green flag waves Sunday (2:30 p.m. ET, Fox, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).Brad Keselowski (15 starts, best finish: third, 2014)Entering his fourth season with RFK Racing — the team he co-owns — Keselowski still seeks a Daytona 500 win. The 2012 Cup Series champion’s only points-paying win at Daytona came in the 2016 Coke Zero 400 summer race.…
JPMorgan has begun laying off what is expected to be fewer than 1,000 employees, according to a report by Barron’s.The outlet notes that this round of layoffs affected “several” Houston offices and some now-former employees were notified on February 5. However, this isn’t the end.JPMorgan is set to announce job cuts in mid-March, May, June, August, and September, though Barron’s states it is not clear how many roles will be impacted by the planned layoffs throughout the year.Related: JPMorgan Shuts Down Internal Message Board Comments After Employees React to Return-to-Office Mandate”We regularly review our business needs and adjust our staffing…
Microscopic view of paracetamol crystalsHenri Koskinen/Shutterstock Children whose mothers used paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen, during pregnancy are more likely to develop ADHD than those whose mothers didn’t, suggests a small study. While far from conclusive, the finding lends weight to the contested idea that the widely used pain reliever may affect fetal brain development. Previous studies on paracetamol and neurodevelopmental conditions have provided conflicting findings. For instance, a 2019 study involving more than 4700 children and their mothers linked use of the painkiller in pregnancy with a 20 per cent greater risk of children developing ADHD. However, an analysis…
President Trump said on Wednesday that he had a “lengthy and highly productive phone call” with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, characterizing it as the beginning of a negotiation to end the war in Ukraine.It was the first confirmed conversation between the two men during Mr. Trump’s second term, coming as Mr. Trump has made clear to advisers that finding a U.S.-backed end to war that Russia began is a priority for his administration.“We discussed Ukraine, the Middle East, Energy, Artificial Intelligence, the power of the Dollar, and various other subjects,” Mr. Trump wrote in a social media post.“We…
A little over a year ago, a group of researchers at Sheffield Hallam University in England published a report documenting a Chinese clothing company’s potential ties to forced labor. Members of the British Parliament cited the report ahead of a November debate that criticized China for “slavery and forced labor from another era.”But Smart Shirts, which is a subsidiary of the manufacturer and makes clothing for major labels, filed a defamation lawsuit. And in December, a British judge delivered a ruling: The case would move forward, which could result in the university’s paying damages.The preliminary finding in the case against…
Unlock the Editor’s Digest for freeRoula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.“Trump trade” bets on a stronger dollar and higher bond yields have backfired so far this year, as investors take a more bearish view on the economic fallout from the new US administration’s global trade war.The US currency has slipped and Treasuries have rallied since early January, confounding widespread investor expectations that President Donald Trump’s plans for trade tariffs and tax cuts would keep inflation and interest rates high.“Despite what it feels like, if you really zoom out to the beginning of…
Credit: Screenshot via Face the Nation Less than a month after President Trump signed an executive order declaring drug cartels as terrorist organizations, American spy planes are patrolling the border to find information on their leaders. The US military has intensified its surveillance of Mexican drug cartels, conducting at least 18 spy plane missions over the southwestern border and the international waters off the Baja peninsula in just the last two weeks. This surge contrasts sharply with the previous pace of roughly one mission per month. And it follows directives from Trump aimed at securing the border and curbing drug…
Angelina Jolie didn’t get nominated for any awards at the 2025 Oscars, which will be held on March 2, and is now allegedly working to reshape her Hollywood image as a result.According to previous reports, Jolie was disappointed after failing to receive a nomination for her portrayal of late opera singer Maria Callas in the latter’s biopic.Following the snub, the actress is now networking to make new friends in Hollywood and is getting help from one of her close pals.Article continues below advertisementAngelina Jolie’s Switch To A Friendlier VersionMEGAIn times past, Jolie wasn’t always keen on socializing at public outings…