(2024-10-30). BRICS Grows, Adding 13 New 'Partner Countries' at Historic Summit in Kazan, Russia. scheerpost.com 
(2024-10-30). Working People Place Cost Of Living As Top Concern In US Elections. popularresistance.org Just eight days remain until the people of the US head to the polls to decide their next president. The economy and inflation continues to be the top issue for voters by far, with eight in ten registered voters saying the economy will be very important to their vote according to the Pew Research Center. According to Gallup, the economy is the most important out of 22 issues voters were polled on, including "terrorism and national security", immigration, education, healthcare, and crime. | If one were to read exclusively the mainstream media, one would get the impression that all is well with the economy, that inf…
(2024-10-30). BRICS Expands, Adds 13 New 'Partner Countries' at Historic Summit in Russia. orinocotribune.com The Global South-led organization BRICS is growing. More and more countries support the group's mission: to build a multipolar world, with BRICS held a summit in Kazan, Russia in October 2024, where 13 new "partner nations" were accepted. | At this historic meeting, China's President Xi Jinping referred to BRICS as "a vanguard for advancing global governance reform" and "reform of…
(2024-10-30). China lodges representations to U.S. over investment restrictions. ecns.cn China firmly opposes the U.S.' finalizing investment restrictions on China and has lodged solemn representations, while reserving the right to take further actions.
(2024-10-30). China against latest U.S.' restrictive investment measures. ecns.cn China firmly opposes the discriminatory investment restriction measures imposed by the United States particularly focusing on the high-tech sector, and will take countermeasures if necessary, the Ministry of Commerce said on Wednesday.
(2024-10-30). EU hikes tariffs on Chinese EVs, prompting rebuke from Beijing. aljazeera.com China's Commerce Ministry promises to take 'all necessary measures' to protect the interests of Chinese firms.
(2024-10-30). US tech stocks send Nasdaq to hit record high, as Alphabet beats forecasts. aljazeera.com Tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index rises 0.8 percent as investors bet on strong earnings from Meta, Amazon and Microsoft.
(2024-10-30). Botswana election: Who is in the running and what's at stake? aljazeera.com Some 1 million Batswana will vote amid worries about the economy as diamond dollars fall.
(2024-10-30). The BRICS Macroeconomic Policy Mix. infobrics.org The stimulus unleashed by China provided a major boost to China's market indexes, raising hopes that the country's target of 5% growth this year could still be within reach. Amid this elation there are cautionary voices that point to the insufficiency of stimulus measures as well as the need for fiscal policy to deliver more targeted support to the economy…
(2024-10-30). 5 key takeaways from Labour's first budget in 14 years. leftfootforward.org Chancellor Rachel Reeves laid out her plans to rebuild Britain once more, as she set out Labour's policies to repair public services, help those struggling to make ends meet and repair the economy.
(2024-10-30). Can US achieve solar self-reliance, and will presidential election make a difference? scmp.com As US and China battle to secure their energy futures, some predict technology breakthroughs will help level the playing field.
(2024-10-30). High street stores battle back against online world. ecns.cn Brick and mortar stores are making a comeback in Europe, signaling a lessening of consumer desire for the convenience of online shopping. And with it, they are giving an economic shot in the arm to hard-pressed high streets.
(2024-10-30). Why nations succeed or fail: a Nobel cause. uwidata.com By Michael Roberts * Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson and James A Robinson have been awarded the Nobel (really the Riksbank prize) in economics "for studies of how institutions are formed and affect prosperity." Daron Acemoglu is a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Simon Johnson is a professor at the same university. And James …
(2024-10-30). Qingdao's SCO Demonstration Zone Secures $493 Million in Investment Projects. tvbrics.com 
The SCO Demonstration Zone is becoming a key trade platform promoting the development of international economic cooperation…
(2024-10-30). CADTM International Council | Day 2 | A global overview of political, social and economic situations. cadtm.org
(2024-10-30). Botswana elections: Ruling party seeks to extend 58 years in power. aljazeera.com Botswana Democratic Party remains a favourite despite slow economic growth caused by declining demand for diamonds.
(2024-10-30). The Impact of BRICS Expansion in the Middle East. infobrics.org The BRICS group is one of the most prominent emerging economic and political blocs on the global stage, especially following the announcement of expanding its membership to include countries from the Middle East and North Africa, such as Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia and Iran, although Saudi Arabia has not yet officially joined…
(2024-10-30). BRICS: Navigating a Complex Economic and Political Landscape. infobrics.org Initially formed as "BRIC" — Brazil, Russia, India, China — and subsequently becoming "BRICS", with the addition of South Africa, this group of countries constitutes a unique coalition of emerging economies that collectively represent a significant counterbalance to the established economic powers of the West. Despite their collective identity, BRICS members are markedly different in many respects…
(2024-10-30). Government anchors economic growth strategy on four key areas. sanews.gov.za Government anchors economic growth strategy on four key areas | Over the medium term, government will anchor its economic growth strategy on four key areas in order to support inclusive growth. | This as Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced in the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) speech that economic growth projections have been revised down from 1.3% to 1.1%. | Godongwana delivered the MTBPS speech in Parliament on Wednesday. | "[Our] fiscal strategy sets to out to achieve the fiscal sustainability needed to support inclusive economic growth. | "It carefully weighs competing demands, making the…
(2024-10-30). Government to launch next phase of Operation Vulindlela. sanews.gov.za Government to launch next phase of Operation Vulindlela | Government is expected to launch the next phase of Operation Vulindlela, which is aimed at accelerating the implementation of structural reforms. | This is according to the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) released by National Treasury on Wednesday. | Treasury explained that the country's economic growth prospects are closely tied to Operation Vulindlela and structural reforms to "improve competitiveness and productivity and boost investment". | "In its first phase, this initiative implemented 35 reform actions in five network industries, includ…
(2024-10-30). Reforms to attract infrastructure investment. sanews.gov.za Reforms to attract infrastructure investment | Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana has announced reforms that will create conditions to attract greater infrastructure investment by private sector participation. | "Collectively, the infrastructure reforms will strengthen planning, appraisal, contracting, financing, and monitoring and evaluation. The outcome will be faster delivery of infrastructure that supports economic growth, the expansion of access to basic services and boosting job creation," Godongwana said on Wednesday. | Tabling the 2024 Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) in Parliament, the Minis…
(2024-10-30). Why nations succeed or fail: a Nobel cause. unitedworldint.com Posted by by United World International 10 Min Read October 30, 2024 By Michael Roberts * Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson and James A Robinson have been awarded the Nobel (really the Riksbank prize) in economics "for studies of how institutions are formed and affect prosperity." Daron Acemoglu is a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of …
(2024-10-30). West Nile leaders urge community to embrace Wendi mobile wallet to boost the region's economic potential. independent.co.ug 
Over 7500 SACCOs targeted for the financial inclusion drive Nebbi, Uganda | THE INDPENDENT | The West Nile community has been called upon to embrace digital transformation as a gateway to economic empowerment, citing Wendi mobile wallet as a key driver towards scaling up financial inclusion in the region. This appeal was made during the …
(2024-10-30). Uganda Baati launches another phase of skilling program in Tororo. independent.co.ug 
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda Baati under the Safal Uganda Baati Foundation has launched the second phase of its Economic Empowerment Skilling Program targeting out-of-school youth in Tororo District. The initiative aims to address pressing social issues, including high youth unemployment and teenage pregnancies, by equipping young people with practical, employable skills. Following the …
(2024-10-30). Argentinian Analyst Atilio Borón: Role of BRICS Is Now More Important Than Ever (Interview). orinocotribune.com The leaders of the Global South and East are raising their voices for a common purpose: a multilateral, equitable and fairer world, in which the most vulnerable nations and the developing countries can unite and join forces to achieve a change. At the recently concluded 16th BRICS Summit that took place in the Russian city of Kazan, for three days leaders of emerging economies and special guests discussed the most pressing issues that the world is facing today, including sustainable development, eradication of poverty, adaptation to climate change, unilateral sanctions as a political weapon, and the war in the Mi…
(2024-10-30). Israel's anti-UNRWA laws spark fresh fears among Palestinians in West Bank and Gaza. haaretz.com In the West Bank, concerns grow that the legislation could undermine the UN agency's ability to pay salaries, worsening already high poverty and unemployment rates. In Gaza, where the agency is the sole distributor of humanitarian aid, the law's impact could be even more severe…
(2024-10-30). October 2024 Jobs Preview: What to Expect. cepr.net The July job report — with its weak job growth and rise in the unemployment rate to 4.3 percent — had many analysts worried about the prospect of an imminent recession. The August job report provided a somewhat better picture, with 142,000 jobs and the unemployment rate ticking down to 4.2 percent. The September report …
(2024-10-30). SA must manage debt better, says Godongwana. sanews.gov.za SA must manage debt better, says Godongwana | Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has told Parliament that in order for government to achieve its goals of, amongst others, inclusive growth and reducing unemployment, the country must better manage its debt. | He was delivering the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS), in which he revealed that government debt is anticipated to exceed R6.05 trillion, or 75.5 % of gross domestic product (GDP), in 2025/26. | "Debt has risen too fast and is too high. We know that our debt is unsustainable, because debt-service costs have become the largest component of our spendi…
(2024-10-30). Labour just railroaded a secretive US-UK nuclear treaty renewal deal. thecanary.co The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) said it condemns the government's outrageous railroading through parliament of the renewal of the US-UK Mutual Defence Agreement (MDA), the secretive treaty that underpins the nuclear 'special relationship' between London and Washington. The MDA: under a cloak of secrecy In force since 1958, the MDA allows for the transfer […] | By
(2024-10-30). Labour gives a pay boost to millions of working people with a 6.7% rise in minimum wage. leftfootforward.org As a result of the increase in the minimum wage, more than 3 million low-paid workers are in line for a pay rise.
(2024-10-30). How Green, Independent, Lib Dem, SNP and Plaid Cymru MPs responded to the budget. leftfootforward.org MPs from across the political spectrum have been responding to the first Labour budget in 14 years announced by the Chancellor Rachel Reeves today. | Here's a quick rundown of what parties on the left have said about Labour's budget. | The Green Party: | While the Greens have praised some elements of the budget, they've been critical of it overall, with the party's co-leader Carla Denyer saying that Reeves delivered 'half measures'. She
(2024-10-30). Andy Burnham just SHAMED the Labour government over the bus fare cap rise. thecanary.co Mayor Andy Burnham has slammed the brakes on Keir Starmer raising the bus fare cap in Greater Manchester. Of course, there's no small amount of irony that it was a Labour Party mayor showing up a Labour Party government for the short-sighted austerity-obsessed zealots they are. Bus fare cap: Burnham slams the brakes on the […] | By
(2024-10-30). Union Drive at Missouri Cannabis Company Could Impact National Labor Law. scheerpost.com 
(2024-10-30). Macron visits Morocco as NATO-Russia war spreads across Africa. wsws.org Macron's "strategic framework" is a proposal to use Morocco as a source of cheap qualified labor and logistics to boost French corporations' profits and increase French imperialism's influence in the contested areas of the Sahel and West Africa more broadly.
(2024-10-30). ISS research provides breakthrough in cancer treatment. ummid.com International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory in collaboration with biotechnology startup MicroQuin has conducted a space based 3D cell culture research which paves the way for treatment of all types of cancers.
(2024-10-30). BRICS Post-Kazan: A Laboratory of the Future. libya360.wordpress.com Pepe Escobar The much-awaited BRICS heads of state meeting in Russia's Kazan did not disappoint. The multilateral institution has finally brought bite and substance to many of the global financial and political conundrums that have long-challenged a genuine reshaping of the global order. The Russian presidency of BRICS 2024 could not have chosen a more…
(2024-10-30). BOC Sciences Opens Registration for the Webinar on Peptide-Drug Conjugates (PDCs). indybay.org In collaboration with Dr. Kelly Bugatti, BOC Sciences is set to host an informative webinar that will delve into the latest advancements in utilizing Peptide-Drug Conjugates (PDCs) for the targeted treatment of Pulmonary Fibrosis.
(2024-10-30). Iran moves to triple military budget amid Israel tensions. newarab.com 
Government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani outlined the move that would see "a significant increase of more than 200 percent in the country's military budget" at a news conference in Tehran, without elaborating. | Tehran ha…
(2024-10-30). Scholarship quota for undergrads doubled. ecns.cn China has recently optimized scholarships and bursary granting systems to senior high school and college students with an aim of providing financial aid to youth pursuing higher education.
(2024-10-30). The case for an eco-friendly alternative to GDP. scmp.com We need new metrics that recognise the full value of biodiversity and the ecosystem, and new financial tools that reward conservation.
(2024-10-30). Government non-interest expenditure expected to increase. sanews.gov.za Government non-interest expenditure expected to increase | Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana says government non-interest expenditure is expected to increase in 2024/25. | He was delivering the Medium-Term Budget Policy (MTBPS) statement speech in Parliament on Wednesday. | The increase is mainly attributed to: | Rollovers from the previous financial year, to the value of R2.1 billion. | R2.7 billion expenditure that was announced at the time of the main budget, mainly for the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant. | Unforeseeable and unavoidable expenditure of R2.1 billion, mainly for disaster relief. | A sp…
(2024-10-30). Government to establish unit to deal with money laundering. sanews.gov.za Government to establish unit to deal with money laundering | As part of efforts to exit the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, government will establish a shared forensic capability within the Financial Intelligence Centre to strengthen efforts to exit the grey list. | "From the 2025 Medium‚ÄêTerm Expenditure Framework (MTEF) period onwards, funding will be reprioritised within the function to departments and entities to establish a shared forensic capability within the Financial Intelligence Centre," National Treasury's document on the 2024 Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS)…
(2024-10-30). From Penthouse to Courtroom: The Redemption of Nishad Singh. devdiscourse.com In a striking courtroom decision, former FTX executive Nishad Singh was spared prison time on Wednesday, following his cooperation in one of the U.S.'s most significant financial fraud cases. Singh, once a close associate of disgraced FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, assisted prosecutors by confessing his involvement.
(2024-10-30). Lifting Sanctions on Iran, Threatening Sanctions on Israel, Enabled Israel-Hamas War: Former Ambassador Friedman to TML. themedialine.org 
(2024-10-30). Former US Envoy Friedman: American Foreign Policy Shifts Fuel Middle East Conflict. themedialine.org 
(2024-10-30). Meta's Mixed Signals: High Revenue Meets Rising AI Costs. devdiscourse.com Meta Platforms, the proprietor of Facebook, surpassed third-quarter revenue and profit expectations, yet sent mixed signals due to anticipated increases in infrastructure spending for artificial intelligence.
(2024-10-30). Public Employees Pass Strong Resolution To Divest From Apartheid Israel. popularresistance.org St. Paul, MN — MAPE, the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, is an independent union representing approximately 15,000 employees of the State of Minnesota. At their October 26 delegate assembly, MAPE approved a resolution titled "Supporting a Ceasefire and Divestment in Israel-Palestine." It included strong steps towards divesting both MAPE and Minnesota's State Board of Investments (SBI) from apartheid Israel. The MAPE Ceasefire Caucus organizing team had conversations with nearly every delegate over the last six weeks in preparation for the vote, which ended up with 82 for, 49 against, with 1…
(2024-10-30). China to build over 3,700 cities for zero-waste future. tvbrics.com 
The project has received over US$140 billion in investment…
(2024-10-30). Egypt and UAE discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation in the field of water resources development. tvbrics.com 
The two sides discussed opportunities for Emirati investments in Egypt and exchange of experience in water resources management…
(2024-10-30). Saudi minister says reforms 'on track' despite 'challenges'. newarab.com 
"We're not shying away from the challenges ⚪ challenges in relation to human resource and ability to execute," Mohammed al-Jadaan told a panel at the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh, sometimes dubbed "Davos in the desert". | Because of these challenges the government was "recalibrating our plans", trying not to overh…
(2024-10-30). This disaster relief nonprofit is pioneering a clean energy alternative to noisy, polluting generators. grist.org 
Seventeen days after Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina, tearing down power lines, destroying water mains, and disabling cell phone towers, the signs of relief were hard to miss. | Trucks formed a caravan along Interstate 40, filled with camouflaged soldiers, large square tanks of water, and essentials from pet food to diapers. In towns, roadside signs — official versions emblazoned with nonprofit relief logos and wooden makeshift ones scrawled with paint — advertised free food and water. | And then there were the generators. | The noisy machines powered the trailers where Asheville…
(2024-10-30). Compassionate industrialist Ratan Tata dies at 86. independent.co.ug 
He cared about employees and citizens as well as profit OBITUARY | THANKOM ARUN | Professor of Global Development and Accountability, University of Essex Ratan Tata, who has died at the age of 86, was a giant of global industry, whose interests included cars, steel, hotels, travel and tea. But he was also hailed as a visionary …
(2024-10-30). Trump and Musk are a match leading us to Hell. nationofchange.org The two dangerous demagogues are openly colluding with one another to seize political power so they can milk taxpayers and dismantle government regulations that protect the public.
(2024-10-30). My Family Lived the Horrors of Native American Boarding Schools: Why Biden's Apology Doesn't Go Far Enough. counterpunch.org 
On Oct. 25, 2024, Joe Biden, the first U.S. president to formally apologize for the policy of sending Native American children to Indian boarding schools, called it one of the most "horrific chapters" in U.S. history and "a mark of shame." But he did not call it a genocide. Yet, over the past 10 years, many historians and Indigenous scholars have said that what happened at the Indian boarding schools "meets the definition of genocide."
(2024-10-30). Spain cancels purchase of police ammunition from Israeli firm. newarab.com 
Spain's Interior Ministry said on Tuesday it was cancelling a contract to buy ammunition from an Israeli firm, widening a Spanish pledge Cadena Ser radio earlier reported that the Guardia Civil police force had agreed to buy more than 15 million 9-mm rounds for six million euros ($6.48 million) from Guardian LTD Israel. | Spain said it would stop arms sales to Israel in October 2023 when Israel's war on the devastated territory began. | "The Spanish gover…
(2024-10-30). Xi calls for continuously developing socialist culture with Chinese characteristics for new era. ecns.cn On the afternoon of Oct 28, the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held its 17th group study session. The topic was on developing a strong culture in China.
(2024-10-30). Cattle Dog Gusto: How Bluey Conquered the United States. counterpunch.org 
For decades, the cultural phenomenon known as Americanisation has taken place with diffusing ease. Momentum was gained with the retreat of communism from Europe's eastern states with the end of the Cold War and the eventual termination of the Soviet Union in 1991. Global brands of Americana from fizzy drinks to Dallas became pervasive cultural presences. Not even children's programming