Author: Alex Burnett

The U.S. Treasury Department has announced a $20 billion loan to Ukraine, to be repaid using interest from frozen Russian assets. “These funds – paid for by the windfall proceeds earned from Russia’s own immobilized assets – will provide Ukraine a critical infusion of support as it defends its country against an unprovoked war of aggression,” Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement. The U.S. loan is part of a $50 billion aid package agreed upon by G7 nations at their June summit. In October, the European Council approved a loan of up to 35 billion euros ($36.7 billion) for Ukraine, also backed…

Tajikistan officially banned the hijab, imposing hefty fines in its latest move to curb Islamic influence. The Central Asian nation of Tajikistan officially prohibited the wearing of hijabs and other “alien garments” this week, as the country’s parliament passed a new bill regulating Islamic clothing and Eid celebrations. The bill, approved by the upper house of parliament, Majlisi Milli, on June 19, comes after years of an unofficial clampdown on the hijab in the Muslim-majority country. Under the new law, individuals wearing hijabs or other banned religious clothing could face hefty fines of up to 7,920 somonis (approximately $700). Companies…

TOKYO — The U.S. and Japanese governments will agree on new subsidy rules for strategic goods such as semiconductors, storage batteries and permanent magnets as the partners keep an eye on China, Nikkei has learned. Countries sometimes implement subsidies when their trading partners ship products at unjustifiably low prices. Japan and the U.S. now intend to establish common criteria for when subsidies are appropriate. These might include decarbonization goals and ensuring a stable supply of components. International rules will be created through policy coordination among like-minded countries, including those in Europe, to strengthen economic security, including supply chains for strategic…

Spain has ejected two staff workers at the United States embassy, following allegations that they attempted to bribe Spanish intelligence officers in exchange for secrets. Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles said on Thursday that Spain had filed a complaint to the US, but that the incident would not harm diplomatic relations between the two countries. “Spain and the United States are friends, allies and partners,” she told reporters. “When there are issues that may affect us, they are discussed and dealt with, but in no way does that influence the relations we have.” The newspaper El Pais reported that two…

FORT DODGE, Iowa – Donald Trump, the frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination, said on Saturday that he would kill off a Pacific trade pact being advanced by U.S. President Joe Biden if he were to win the 2024 election and return to the White House. Speaking to supporters in Iowa, Trump said he was against the regional trade deal being negotiated by the Biden administration with 13 other countries, arguing that it would hollow out U.S. manufacturing and trigger job losses. Talks on the trade sections of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), which is aimed at offering the region an…

Cubico Sustainable Investments has commissioned its 135-MWdc Delta’s Edge solar farm in the US state of Mississippi, reaching over 750 MW of operational renewables capacity in the United States. After starting commercial operation at the end of November, the solar farm in Carrol County has become of the largest in Mississippi, the UK-based renewables investment firm said on Wednesday. Delta’s Edge, connected to the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), will generate enough electricity to power over 14,000 homes and businesses across the state. It will operate under a 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Mississippi-based utility Cooperative Energy, Cubico said.…

The Florida Treasury will invest an additional $25 million into Israel bonds, Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis announced in a press release Wednesday. Patronis’s announcement comes a day after he issued a proclamation supporting Israel amidst attacks from Hamas, an armed Palestinian organization. The purchase brings Florida’s total current investment in Israel bonds to $80 million, the largest total ever held at one time by the state, according to the press release. “Florida and Israel have deep economic and personal ties, and our state unequivocally stands with Israel following the heinous Iran-backed terrorist attacks this week,” Patronis wrote in the press release.…

In preparation for the September city council meeting, Mayor Scott Conger and council members convened to review agenda items. The meeting covered a range of topics, from police raises to enhancing the anti-litter code, and even a proposed ordinance to prohibit the use of chicken manure in farming. The first major topic addressed was a request by Jackson Police Chief Thom Corley for a proposed budget amendment of $300,000. According to Chief Corley, this allocation would be utilized to increase the pay for Jackson police officers. He noted that the Jackson Police Department currently has around 30 vacant positions. The…

Resident Jennifer Jackson questioned the DuBois City Council, at its work session last Thursday, about revenue coming into the city from DuBois sporting events. “Matt Checchio (of Magnus Marketing) runs DuBois sports?” “Yes,” said interim city Manager Chris Nasuti. “So, all of the money that all these fields are getting, is DuBois sports using the city’s tax (ID)?” asked Jackson. Nasuti said DuBois sports has its own tax ID. Jackson asked if the city receives a breakdown of what DuBois sports is making on the ballfields with each game and with On Deck DuBois, managed by Magnus Sports, a division…

No hot tub needed in South Florida this week. Water temperatures in the bays between the mainland and the Florida Keys were so warm that meteorologists say they were among the hottest ocean temperatures ever recorded on Earth. Water temperature at a buoy in Manatee Bay south of Miami reached an incredible 101.1 degrees Monday evening. That’s higher than an unofficial 99.7 degrees once reported in Kuwait, but meteorologists say the Florida gauge’s location in shallower, darker water near land means the two measurements can’t be fairly compared. Heat has been building in South Florida for weeks as the region…