International

• Friday, February 3rd 2023 - 10:20 UTC

  Aggressive ECB takes basic rate to 2,5%, anticipates another increase in March

  

  The European Central Bank increased its basic interest rate 50 basis point to 2,5% and anticipated it intended to hike by another 50 basis points in March. The move follows four hikes in 2022 which brought euro zone rates out of negative territory for the first time since 2014.

• Friday, February 3rd 2023 - 10:15 UTC

  Bank of England raises main rate to 4%, but anticipates a shallower recession

  

  The Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee on Thursday voted 7-2 in favor of hiking interest rates by 50 basis points with the main rate now at 4%. However the MCP indicated in its statement that smaller hikes and an eventual end to the hiking cycle may be in the cards in coming meetings. The two dissenting members voted to leave rates unchanged at this meeting.

• Friday, February 3rd 2023 - 10:00 UTC

  Revive and restore Wetlands

  

  On 30 August 2021, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 2 February as World Wetlands Day to raise awareness of the urgency of reversing the accelerating loss of wetlands and to promote their conservation and restoration. The day marks the date of the adoption of the “Convention on Wetlands of International Importance” held in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea.

• Thursday, February 2nd 2023 - 11:03 UTC

  Republicanism: Australia will honor indigenous cultures in its A$ 5 bill instead of Charles III

  

  Australia's new Five Dollar bill will replace an image of British monarch Charles III with one honoring Australian Indigenous cultures. It is the last banknote in Australia that still bears the head of recently deceased Queen Elizabeth II.

• Thursday, February 2nd 2023 - 10:21 UTC

  Fed admits inflation cooling, but more evidence needed that “the disinflationary process has started”

  

  The Federal Reserve following a two day meeting announced it decided on Wednesday to raise its key interest rate a quarter point arguing that although inflation is easing it is still too high, and did not discard further rate hikes could be needed since more evidence is needed to be confident inflation is in a sustained downward path. The increase was the eighth since March.

• Thursday, February 2nd 2023 - 10:15 UTC

  Southern Brazil pork and poultry farmers concerned with Chinese demand for “overpriced” corn

  

  Expectations of large Brazilian corn exports to China in 2023 are worrying Brazil’s meat companies, according to a statement from Santa Catarina’s meat processors lobby Sindicarne this week. The group said competition from Chinese buyers is already reducing local supplies and making corn used to feed poultry and pork an “overpriced” commodity.

• Wednesday, February 1st 2023 - 15:34 UTC

  Uruguayan soldier says he fights in Ukraine to “get value” out of his military experience

  

  Teddy, a 26-year-old Uruguayan soldier who has been fighting with the Ukrainian Army since the Russian invasion began on February 24, 2022, spoke to Uruguay’s Telenoche and told that he joined the war to “take advantage” of everything he learned in his military training.

• Wednesday, February 1st 2023 - 10:59 UTC

  South Africa in naval drills with BRICS associates, Russia and China; Argentina waiting to join the block

  

  South Africa confirmed plans to conduct joint naval drills with BRICS associates navies, Russia and China off its coast this month, from 17/27 February, next to the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

• Wednesday, February 1st 2023 - 10:11 UTC

  More rain ahead as cruise ship visits to New Zealand disrupted

  

  SeaTrade is reporting that ID New Zealand’s ground operator Debbie Summers said cruise lines are changing itineraries to ports not affected by the unprecedented weather.

• Wednesday, February 1st 2023 - 10:10 UTC

  HMS Protector's football fixture included playing in the Antarctic Circle

  

  Sailors from the Royal Navy's Ice Patrol Ship continued their tour of impressive football pitches (starting with Grytviken in South Georgia), when they kicked off inside the Antarctic Circle.