Friday, December 13
Understanding Federal Reserve rate cycles: Lessons for investors
Business

Understanding Federal Reserve rate cycles: Lessons for investors

The Federal Reserve’s (Fed) approach to rate adjustments has consistently challenged market expectations, offering important lessons for investors navigating monetary policy cycles. Historically, the disconnect between market predictions and the Fed’s actual actions has been a recurring theme, often leading to surprises that reshape investment strategies. Analysts caution that the central bank may still be “behind the curve,” implying that its future policy adjustments could be more aggressive or profound than anticipated. Over the decades, investors have often struggled to accurately predict the trajectory of interest rates. Since 1990, there have been six significant rate-cutting cycles, with markets underestimating the magnitude of cuts in four of them: 1990, 2000, 2007, and 2019. Only ...
Judge’s ruling opens door for legal betting on congressional elections
Politics

Judge’s ruling opens door for legal betting on congressional elections

For the first time in U.S. history, residents are now legally allowed to bet on the outcome of congressional elections. This unprecedented opportunity emerged on Thursday after a judge ruled in favor of permitting such wagers, a decision that has placed Kalshi, a New York-based startup, at the center of this groundbreaking development. Shortly after the ruling, Kalshi began accepting bets on which political party would gain control of the Senate and House in November’s elections. The company, which offers “prediction contracts” — simple yes-or-no bets on political outcomes — is operating under a temporary allowance, as the legality of such betting remains under scrutiny by regulators. Despite multiple requests for comment, neither Kalshi nor its attorney provided further insight into the s...
Andalusian president seeks stronger ties with China through high-profile trade mission
Business

Andalusian president seeks stronger ties with China through high-profile trade mission

Juanma Moreno, President of the Junta de Andalucía, has embarked on an institutional visit to China, aiming to bolster Andalusia’s presence in key industrial and tourism markets across Asia. Running until September 5, the mission is designed to position the autonomous region as an attractive hub for major Chinese corporations and affluent travelers. This diplomatic endeavor unfolds amid ongoing trade tensions between China and the European Union. Despite these challenges, Andalusia has emerged as a strategic entry point for Chinese businesses, particularly in the renewable energy and automotive sectors. In recent years, the region has successfully attracted 15 Chinese business ventures, bringing an estimated €700 million in investments. Strengthening industrial connections One prominent ex...
US takes action against Russian interference in presidential elections
Politics

US takes action against Russian interference in presidential elections

On Wednesday, the U.S. government unveiled a series of measures aimed at countering Russian efforts to meddle in the upcoming presidential election. These actions include criminal charges against two employees of a Russian state-run media organization, RT, and the confiscation of several internet domains linked to Russian disinformation campaigns. This latest push represents the U.S. government’s ongoing efforts to safeguard the integrity of its elections from foreign interference, particularly from Russia, which U.S. officials have repeatedly identified as a primary threat. These developments come amid ongoing concerns about the potential for foreign influence in U.S. elections, with the government taking proactive steps to address the issue. Despite these new actions, U.S. officials cont...
Berkshire Hathaway reaches new milestone with impressive growth and stability
Business

Berkshire Hathaway reaches new milestone with impressive growth and stability

Berkshire Hathaway, the investment firm led by Warren Buffett, has achieved a remarkable milestone, becoming the first U.S. technology company to surpass a $1 trillion market capitalization. This achievement has drawn attention not only for its scale but also for the way it outperformed major technology players like Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and Nvidia—until it was overtaken by the Saudi Arabian oil giant, Aramco, in the global markets. Buffett’s conglomerate is on track to achieve a 30% growth for the year, with much of this success driven by strong performances in its core insurance operations and a broader positive outlook on the economy. As the chief investment officer at Check Capital Management, Steve Check, remarked, “Berkshire has done it the slowest but safest way possible.” His f...
Kamala Harris outpaces Donald Trump in fundraising efforts for the upcoming election
Politics

Kamala Harris outpaces Donald Trump in fundraising efforts for the upcoming election

In a significant move ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign reported an impressive fundraising haul in August, surpassing former President Donald Trump’s fundraising by a considerable margin. Harris, who officially launched her candidacy earlier this year, raised $361 million in just one month, a sum more than double what Trump’s campaign raised during the same period. This record-breaking amount came from nearly three million individual donors, highlighting the widespread support and enthusiasm surrounding her candidacy. In contrast, Trump’s campaign reported raising $130 million in August. Despite the strong figure, it fell far behind Harris’s fundraising total. By the end of the month, Harris’s campaign had accumulated a total of $404 milli...
José Luis Escrivá proposed as Governor of the Bank of Spain amid political tensions
Business

José Luis Escrivá proposed as Governor of the Bank of Spain amid political tensions

José Luis Escrivá, the current Minister of Digital Transformation and Public Functions, has been nominated as the next Governor of the Bank of Spain. His candidacy will be officially presented to the Economic Commission of Congress by his colleague, Carlos Body, as reported by Cadena SER. However, the nomination has sparked significant political debate, with the Popular Party (PP) opposing the move and preparing to propose their own candidate for the role of Deputy Governor. The process to formalize Escrivá’s appointment begins with the need for approval from the Spanish Parliament’s Lower House, with a session scheduled for 3:00 p.m. If the proposal is approved, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez will issue a royal decree. After its publication in the Official Gazette of the State (BOE), Escriv...
Judge delays Donald Trump’s sentencing until after November election
Politics

Judge delays Donald Trump’s sentencing until after November election

In a significant legal development, a New York judge has decided to postpone the sentencing of former President Donald Trump until after the upcoming U.S. presidential election, originally scheduled for September 18. Trump, who is running for re-election as the Republican candidate, had requested this delay, citing the timing of the case in relation to his campaign. Judge Juan Merchan, presiding over the case, confirmed on Friday that the sentencing will now take place on November 26, unless the case is dismissed earlier. Trump’s legal team had argued that there wouldn’t be sufficient time for them to challenge a potential ruling in the case before the sentencing, particularly given the pending decision on a motion regarding presidential immunity. The motion, tied to a landmark Supreme Cou...
Beijing holds off on additional tariffs on European spirits despite ongoing trade tensions
Business

Beijing holds off on additional tariffs on European spirits despite ongoing trade tensions

Amid rising trade disputes, China has opted not to implement extra tariffs on spirits imported from the European Union for now, offering some relief to European producers. This decision comes after a turbulent period marked by growing tensions between Beijing and Brussels, following the European Commission’s decision to impose tariffs of up to 36.3% on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs). The investigation into European spirits and the possible practice of dumping—where products are sold at unfairly low prices to outcompete local producers—has added another layer of complexity to the trade relations between China and the EU. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce had initiated an inquiry into European alcoholic beverages, particularly focusing on whether producers were engaging in dumping practices....
Texas school shooting response sparks public outrage and questions of accountability
Politics

Texas school shooting response sparks public outrage and questions of accountability

The tragic school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, which claimed the lives of 19 children and two teachers, has shifted focus onto the actions—or lack thereof—of the local police chief and other law enforcement personnel. Delays in confronting the shooter, who remained inside the school for over an hour, have fueled anger, raising the possibility of lawsuits, penalties, and even criminal charges against the officers involved. This attack marks the deadliest school shooting in the United States in nearly a decade. However, confusion and contradictory accounts from police in the days following the tragedy have only deepened public frustration. By the end of the week, authorities confirmed that students and teachers had desperately called 911, pleading for help. Meanwhile, Pete Arredondo, the schoo...