Special Reports

Finance ministers and central bank governors from the G-20 major advanced and emerging economies have endorsed a statement advocating for the expedited implementation of digital services taxes, targeting large information technology companies. This decision, made during the first day of a two-day meeting in Rio de Janeiro, underscores the G-20’s...

A recent survey conducted by the International Workplace Group (IWG) reveals that nine out of ten CEOs have embraced hybrid working models, leading to enhanced productivity and improved staff retention. The survey, which gathered responses from over 500 CEOs in Hong Kong, highlights several benefits associated with hybrid working, including...

Inflation is easing in several leading African economies, but Nigeria continues to face high consumer prices. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that Nigeria’s headline inflation rose to 34.19% in June, up from 33.95% in May 2024. Conversely, South Africa, recognized by the International Monetary Fund as the continent's...

Global coal demand is projected to remain largely stable in 2024 and 2025, as increasing electricity needs in major economies counterbalance a gradual recovery in hydropower and the rapid growth of solar and wind energy, according to the International Energy Agency's (IEA) latest coal market report. In 2023, global coal...

The Financial Stability Board (FSB) has issued a report detailing the risks that foreign currency stablecoins pose to emerging economies. In nations plagued by unstable currencies and high inflation, stablecoins offer an alternative to safeguard funds. Data suggests that in some emerging markets, such as Argentina, users rely on dollar-pegged...

Over the past decade, the world’s richest 1% have amassed an additional $42 trillion, according to a recent report by Oxfam. The non-governmental organization highlighted that taxes on the wealthy have fallen to "historic lows," exacerbating global inequality and leaving the majority to contend with limited resources. Oxfam's report revealed...

A recent Eurobarometer survey revealed that over 95% of citizens in Greece, Portugal, Malta, and Slovenia believe corruption is rampant in their countries. The poll, released on Wednesday, indicated that more than two-thirds of European Union citizens think corruption is widespread in their respective nations. According to the survey, 68%...

The summer Olympics, scheduled from July 26 to August 11, will feature 10,500 athletes competing in 329 events. The Paralympics will follow from August 28 to September 8, with 4,400 athletes participating in 549 events. The Olympics will see representation from 206 countries, while 184 countries will compete in the...

Determining one's position on the wealth spectrum can be challenging since most Americans are reluctant to discuss financial matters, even though they recognize that such conversations are crucial for financial solutions. Recent research by financial advisory firm Empower indicated that 62% of Americans avoid talking about money, and 35% were...

As of 2023, the global population has experienced a significant surge, reaching 8.02 billion from 7.95 billion in 2022. While much attention has historically been directed towards the world's most populous countries, it is now crucial to shift the focus towards understanding and recognizing the least populated nations across the...