According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Covid-19 might soon be similar to seasonal flu in terms of the threat it means to human life, it was announced as the global agency hopes to further reduce its maximum alert level this year.
Israel's Embassy in Buenos Aires Friday held a ceremony marking the 31st anniversary of its old headquarters being destroyed in a bomb attack allegedly sanctioned by Hezbollah.
The International Criminal Court (ICC), based in The Hague, Netherlands, issued an arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin for the deportation of children in areas of Ukraine occupied by Russia, which he denounced as a “senseless decision.”
Anticipating the Euro area banking sector is resilient, with strong capital and liquidity positions, and that inflation is projected to remain too high for too long, the European Central Bank announced on Thursday that the ECB Governing Council decided to increase the three key ECB interest rates by 50 basis points, in line with its determination to ensure the timely return of inflation to the 2% medium-term target.
Oil prices continued their slide on Wednesday after another banking fallout unsteadied the market further. WTI plunged 4.21% on Wednesday, falling below US$ 70 for the first time since December 2021 to US$ 68.33 per barrel ET. Brent Crude fell over 3.94% to US$ 74.40, for a loss of US$ 3.05 per barrel.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres accused oil and gas companies of making excessive profits from the energy crisis sparked by the war in Ukraine, calling it immoral. Guterres, releasing a UN report on the consequences of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, urged governments to tax the companies' earnings.
The price of a packet of cigarettes rose hours after the UK Budget was delivered in Parliament, while drinkers will see tax on alcohol go up by 10.1% in August, in line with inflation. According to London media, the only alcohol not to see a rise was draught beer where duty will be frozen. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said this was to help “the great British pub”.
All three Scottish National Party leadership candidates have predicted that Scotland can be an independent country within five years if they win the contest. Ash Regan, Humza Yousaf, and Kate Forbes were speaking as they faced each other in a BBC Scotland TV debate.
The Argentine Embassy in China said that Buenos Aires is considering procuring the JF-17 aircraft, with Chinese analysts saying on Wednesday that the fighter jet jointly developed by China and Pakistan is the best choice for Argentina in terms of performance and availability.
Corporation Tax, paid on UK company profits, will rise next month, chancellor Jeremy Hunt has confirmed to Parliament. It will go up from 19% to 25% for companies with over £250,000 in profits, Mr. Hunt told the Commons.