Rally in Tel Aviv calls for return of deceased hostage Ran Gvili
Hundreds of people gathered for a second consecutive week at Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, on Friday (12 December), to support the family of Master Sg...
Kenya and the IMF have agreed to halt the ninth review of the $3.6B loan program and discuss a new lending arrangement. With rising debt costs and a 65.7% debt-to-GDP ratio, Kenya seeks fresh financial support to stabilize its economy and manage fiscal challenges.
Kenya and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have agreed to halt the ninth review of the current $3.6 billion loan program, with plans to discuss a new lending arrangement. The decision comes as Kenya faces rising debt-servicing costs due to extensive borrowing over the past decade.
Haimanot Teferra, the IMF mission chief, confirmed that both parties reached an understanding to abandon the ninth review of the current Extended Fund Facility and Extended Credit Facility programs. The Kenyan government has officially requested a new program to help manage the country’s financial challenges.
Kenya’s economy is under pressure as it struggles to balance growing expenditure with escalating debt repayments. Anti-tax hike protests and disputes over new borrowing from the United Arab Emirates have complicated the implementation of the existing program, which is set to expire next month.
With a debt-to-GDP ratio of 65.7% in June, well above the sustainable threshold of 55%, Kenya is exploring new avenues to secure financing, including enhancing revenue collection. The IMF’s continued support is vital for Kenya as it navigates its fiscal challenges and strives to stabilize its economy.
Japan has lifted a tsunami advisory issued after an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 hit the country's northeastern region on Friday (12 December), the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said. The JMA had earlier put the earthquake's preliminary magnitude at 6.7.
Iran is preparing to host a multilateral regional meeting next week in a bid to mediate between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The United States issued new sanctions targeting Venezuela on Thursday, imposing curbs on three nephews of President Nicolas Maduro's wife, as well as six crude oil tankers and shipping companies linked to them, as Washington ramps up pressure on Caracas.
The resignation of Bulgaria's government on Thursday (11 December) puts an end to an increasingly unpopular coalition but is likely to usher in a period of prolonged political instability on the eve of the Black Sea nation's entry into the euro zone.
An extratropical cyclone has caused widespread disruption across Brazil’s São Paulo state, with powerful winds toppling trees and power lines, blocking streets and leaving large parts of the region without electricity.
Britain’s King Charles III said on Friday, 12 December, that his cancer treatment is expected to be reduced in the coming year, using a televised address to urge people across the country to take part in cancer screening programmes, officials confirmed.
Talks aimed at ending the war between Ukraine and Russia are set to continue in Berlin this weekend, with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff due to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and senior European leaders, a U.S. official said.
Türkiye’s Trade Minister Omer Bolat said Friday that discussions in Washington with U.S. officials have strengthened efforts to expand bilateral trade, moving closer to a $100 billion target.
Lebanon is prepared to demarcate its border with Syria, President Joseph Aoun said on Friday, while noting that the dispute over the Shebaa Farms could be addressed at a later stage.
Greek farmers blocked the Port of Thessaloniki on Friday (12 December) as part of nationwide protests demanding delayed European Union subsidies and compensation for rising production costs and livestock losses.
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