Iraq’s overreliance on oil threatens economic, political strife | Oil and Gas News

Iraq’s overreliance on oil threatens economic, political strife | Oil and Gas News

With an economy so reliant on oil, Iraq has long faced a tough balancing act between the short-term gains that can come from ramping up production and the long-term problems that can arise from overproduction. Last week, the Iraqi oil ministry announced that it was rectifying a swing too far…

China lifts steep Australian wine tariffs as relations improve | Business and Economy News

China lifts steep Australian wine tariffs as relations improve | Business and Economy News

Beijing imposed tariffs on Australian wine in 2020 during a diplomatic feud, raising duties from zero to above 200 percent. China says it will lift steep tariffs on Australian wine imposed more than three years ago in the latest sign of improving relations between the two countries. The anti-subsidy and…

China’s Xi to meet foreign business leaders amid jitters over economy | Business and Economy News

China’s Xi to meet foreign business leaders amid jitters over economy | Business and Economy News

Taipei, Taiwan – Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to meet with American business leaders in Beijing, media outlets have reported, as he tries to woo foreign investment back to China after a challenging few years for the world’s second-largest economy. The meeting on Wednesday is expected to include Apple CEO…

Visa, Mastercard reach $30bn settlement over credit card fees | Business and Economy News

Visa, Mastercard reach $30bn settlement over credit card fees | Business and Economy News

Merchants have long accused the payment network of charging inflated ‘swipe fees’ when shoppers use their cards. Visa and Mastercard have reached an estimated $30bn antitrust settlement to limit credit and debit card fees for merchants in the United States, with some savings likely to be passed on to consumers…

‘A criminal economy’: How US arms fuel deadly gang violence in Haiti | Armed Groups News

‘A criminal economy’: How US arms fuel deadly gang violence in Haiti | Armed Groups News

For years, as armed groups plunged Haiti into deeper unrest, human rights advocates and civil society groups have issued a clear demand. Stop the flow of illicit firearms to criminal gangs — especially from the United States. Now, as a surge in deadly gang attacks grips the capital of Port-au-Prince,…

The tax inspectors competing to be Senegal’s new president | Elections News

The tax inspectors competing to be Senegal’s new president | Elections News

Dakar, Senegal – Trust and power seem to converge in the hands of tax inspectors in Senegal, as the country is ready to vote in a highly anticipated presidential election on Sunday. The political figures receiving the most attention out of 17 presidential hopefuls during this electoral cycle – candidates…

Economic conditions in debt-stricken Sri Lanka improving, IMF says | Debt

Economic conditions in debt-stricken Sri Lanka improving, IMF says | Debt

IMF says inflation has dropped from 70 percent, economy expanded in the second half of 2023. The economic situation in debt-stricken Sri Lanka has started to gradually improve following its worst economic crisis two years ago, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said. Inflation has come down from a peak…

As China ages, senior citizens see a retirement of striving to get by | Business and Economy

As China ages, senior citizens see a retirement of striving to get by | Business and Economy

Taichung, Taiwan – When Hao Pengfei retired last year, it felt nothing like he had expected it would when he was a younger man. “I used to think that retirement is more about relaxation and hobbies and less about stress and concerns,” Hao told Al Jazeera from his home in…

New Zealand slips into second recession in 18 months | Business and Economy

New Zealand slips into second recession in 18 months | Business and Economy

Political parties trade blame for economic slump that follows aggressive interest rate hikes to tame inflation. New Zealand has slipped into its second recession in less than 18 months, according to government figures. New Zealand’s gross domestic product (GDP) shrank by 0.1 percent during the October-December period, following a 0.3…