Global finance leaders will convene in Washington this week amid significant uncertainty driven by conflicts in the Middle East and Europe, a weakening Chinese economy, and concerns that the upcoming U.S. presidential election could spark new trade disputes and undermine international cooperation.
The annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank are set to bring together over 10,000 participants from finance ministries, central banks, and civil society groups to address challenges such as uneven global growth, managing debt crises, and financing the transition to green energy.
The key issue looming over the discussions is the potential impact of a U.S. presidential win by Republican candidate Donald Trump, which could disrupt the global economic landscape through significant new tariffs, increased U.S. borrowing, and reduced climate cooperation.
"The U.S. election, arguably the most critical issue for the global economy, is not officially on the agenda, but it's on everyone's mind," noted Josh Lipsky, a former IMF official now with the Atlantic Council's GeoEconomics Center.
Democratic candidate and current U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to continue the Biden administration’s focus on multilateral cooperation in areas like climate, taxes, and debt relief if she wins.
The meetings, which begin on Monday and gain momentum later in the week, are likely to be U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's last, as she has indicated she will retire from public service at the end of President Joe Biden’s term in January.
Meanwhile, rising anti-China trade sentiment and industrial strategies from wealthy nations, highlighted by the Biden administration’s tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, semiconductors, and solar products, are anticipated to be major discussion points during the sessions.
Kazakhstan is advancing efforts to cut imports of finished goods by bolstering domestic production. The initiative was a focal point during a Senate plenary session attended by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov and government officials.
Stock markets in the UAE closed lower on Friday, impacted by falling oil prices. The drop comes as concerns over the effects of Hurricane Rafael of US oil production ease. Abu Dhabi's index dropped 0.2%, while Dubai’s main index fell 0.1%.
OCBC and UOB, Singapore’s second and third largest banks, project stronger loan growth in 2025 after exceeding third-quarter profit expectations. This outlook follows recent U.S. rate cuts, though geopolitical uncertainties could still impact markets, said OCBC’s CEO Helen Wong.
As the EU considers new tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, China is open to alternatives and welcomes the EU's delegation for discussions amid rising opposition among member states.
The UN Agency reported on the unemployment in Gaza, resulting in hardship to make a living.
The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence chief, as well as a Hamas leader, Ibrahim Al-Masri, for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, the court said on Thursday.
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel describes her dealings with world leaders like Russian President Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump during her 16 years in power in her new memoir, which comes as her legacy is under fire in light of today's crises.
Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula, active again after 800 years, has seen repeated volcanic eruptions since 2021. From lava fountains to massive fissures, eruptions have reshaped the landscape, attracting tourists while prompting evacuations and safety warnings.
An earthquake measuring 4.6 on the Richter scale struck the Dashtestan district of Bushehr Province in southern Iran at 8:30 a.m. local time today, according to the National Seismology Center of the Institute of Geophysics at Tehran University.
"Come up with the video in its full form," demands the COP29 CEO, Elnur Soltanov, in an exclusive interview with AnewZ. The chief executive has broken his silence on the claims he was using his position to organise potential fossil fuel deals.
The United Nations COP29 climate change conference in Baku seeks $1 trillion annually to help vulnerable nations tackle climate change, as political tensions and Argentina’s withdrawal overshadow talks.
Afghanistan calls on COP29 leaders to prioritize vulnerable communities in climate justice, grateful to Azerbaijan for inclusion.
Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley both predict the S&P 500 will hit 6,500 by 2025, driven by U.S. economic growth and corporate earnings. Risks include tariffs and bond yields, while earnings are expected to rise 11% with a $268 EPS projection.
Oil prices rose as Norway's Johan Sverdrup oilfield halted output due to a power outage, while escalating tensions in the Russia-Ukraine conflict added further pressure on global markets.
President-elect Donald Trump weighs options for Treasury Secretary, with former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh, Apollo CEO Marc Rowan, and Senator Bill Hagerty among top contenders. Key figures like Howard Lutnick and Scott Bessent are also in the mix, with meetings planned at Mar-a-Lago.
Oil prices fell on Friday on signs demand in China, the world's biggest crude importer, continues to underperform amid its uneven economic recovery.
The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence chief, as well as a Hamas leader, Ibrahim Al-Masri, for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, the court said on Thursday.
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel describes her dealings with world leaders like Russian President Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump during her 16 years in power in her new memoir, which comes as her legacy is under fire in light of today's crises.
Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula, active again after 800 years, has seen repeated volcanic eruptions since 2021. From lava fountains to massive fissures, eruptions have reshaped the landscape, attracting tourists while prompting evacuations and safety warnings.
An earthquake measuring 4.6 on the Richter scale struck the Dashtestan district of Bushehr Province in southern Iran at 8:30 a.m. local time today, according to the National Seismology Center of the Institute of Geophysics at Tehran University.
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