International
Brazil hikes interest rate as inflation surges
AFP
Brazil’s central bank on Wednesday hiked its benchmark interest rate by a whopping 150 basis points for the second straight time, seeking to fight surging inflation even as Latin America’s biggest economy is stuck in recession.
The increase, the seventh straight, was in line with analysts’ expectations. It brought the Selic rate to 9.25 percent, the highest since mid-2017.
The decision was made unanimously by the nine members of the bank’s monetary policy committee, which said in a statement it expected “another adjustment of the same magnitude” when it ends its next meeting, on February 2.
“It is appropriate for the monetary tightening cycle to advance significantly into the territory of a contraction,” it said.
“The committee will persevere in its strategy until not only the process of disinflation but the anchoring of (inflation) expectations in line with its targets are consolidated.”
Policymakers are navigating treacherous waters as they try to right Brazil’s listing pandemic recovery.
The South American giant’s economy is in recession, having contracted by 0.4 percent in the second quarter of 2021 and 0.1 percent in the third.
Despite the slump, the central bank has hawkishly slammed on the monetary policy brakes because of surging inflation, fueled by both global price pressures and Brazil’s own domestic problems.
The annual inflation rate came in at 10.67 percent in October, nearly triple the bank’s target of 3.75 percent.
– Spending amendment –
Rapidly rising prices have been driven by a series of factors: internationally, those include global supply chain shortages, increasing oil prices and pandemic uncertainty.
At home, Brazil faces electricity rate hikes caused by droughts that sapped crucial hydroelectric dams, a weak currency and uncertainty around President Jair Bolsonaro’s bid to amend the constitution to free up money in the government’s tight budget for massive social spending.
Critics accuse the far-right president of embracing economic populism with the new spending measures.
But he won a victory Wednesday when Congress adopted a first portion of the spending amendment, enabling the government to postpone court-ordered debt payments.
That will free up 62 billion reais ($11 billion) to spend in 2022, with most expected to go to welfare payments.
The economy has turned into a major headache for Bolsonaro heading into elections next October that polls currently place him on track to lose to leftist ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Double-digit inflation has left many Brazilian families struggling to make ends meet, weighing down Bolsonaro’s already sagging popularity — and driving his bid for new social spending, political analysts say.
Brazil’s unemployment rate has meanwhile been stubbornly high, at 12.6 percent for the third quarter.
International
China calls for dialogue amid rising Iran-Israel conflict
The Chinese government emphasized on Monday the importance of “creating the conditions to return to the proper path of dialogue” between Iran and Israel, which have exchanged attacks in recent days resulting in more than 20 Israeli and over 220 Iranian deaths.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun expressed deep concern at a press conference over the Israeli attacks on Iran and the “sudden escalation” of the military conflict.
Guo called on all parties to “take immediate measures to ease tensions and prevent the region from descending into further turmoil,” stating that “force cannot bring lasting peace.”
“If the conflict between Israel and Iran continues to intensify or even expand, the countries of the Middle East will be the first to suffer the consequences,” he added, while noting that China “will continue to maintain communication with the relevant parties, promoting peace and dialogue.”
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke last Saturday with his Iranian and Israeli counterparts to condemn the Israeli airstrike on Iranian territory, which he described as a “violation of international law” with the potential to trigger “disastrous” consequences.
In both calls, Wang reiterated China’s rejection of the use of force, defended diplomacy as the only solution to the Iranian nuclear dispute, and offered China’s mediation to prevent further destabilization in the Middle East.
International
Suspect arrested in killing of Minnesota legislator and husband, governor Says
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced on Sunday the arrest of Vance Luther Boelter, 57, the main suspect in the killing of Democratic legislator Melissa Hortman and her husband in a Brooklyn Park suburb on Friday night.
Boelter, who also reportedly shot State Senator John Hoffman and his wife early Saturday morning, was apprehended in Sibley County following an intensive manhunt involving hundreds of law enforcement officers.
In a public statement, Governor Walz condemned Boelter’s “unthinkable actions,” which resulted in the death of a woman who “shaped the core of who we are as a state.”
“We cannot become numb to this. We are a deeply divided nation,” Walz said in a statement posted on his X account.
“We move forward not with hatred or violence, but with humility, grace, and civility,” he added.
Expressing solidarity with the victims’ families, Walz said the entire state of Minnesota is in mourning. He also thanked law enforcement for their bravery and professionalism: “They have saved lives,” he emphasized.
“As we heal, we will not let fear win,” Walz concluded. “We must honor Melissa by moving forward with understanding, service, and above all, humanity.”
Throughout Sunday, police and sheriff units searched a rural area in Minnesota for Vance Luther Boelter, a security company director and preacher who, according to Governor Walz, acted out of politically motivated violence.
International
40,000 tourists stranded in Israel amid airspace shutdown over Iran conflict
Approximately 40,000 tourists are stranded in Israel following the closure of the country’s airspace amid escalating hostilities with Iran, the Israeli Ministry of Tourism reported on Monday.
The ministry has set up a virtual office to provide information via email (virtual@goisrael.gov.il) and phone (+972-53-583-5808), as well as a Facebook page called Israel Virtual Tourist Office.
Israeli Tourism Minister Haim Katz is in contact with hotels and accommodations across the country to offer support to tourists in need, the ministry added.
Many stranded travelers are considering crossing overland into Jordan or Egypt to seek flights from those countries. The Israel Airports Authority reminded the public that land border crossings remain open.
Three German tourists stranded in Jerusalem told EFE today that they have not received any assistance from their country’s embassy in Israel, and their primary option currently is to cross into Jordan to catch a flight from there.
Since early Friday morning, Israel launched operations against Iran, targeting military personnel and infrastructure, including energy and nuclear facilities, as well as numerous residential areas in Tehran.
In response, Iran has fired hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel, some of which have struck various locations across the country, leaving at least 24 dead so far, according to Israeli authorities.
Iranian health officials report at least 224 deaths, mostly civilians, including at least 17 senior military officials—nine from the Revolutionary Guard—and more than a dozen nuclear scientists.
The Israeli military has warned that many more “targets” remain, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guard declared on Monday that it will continue missile attacks against Israel until its “destruction.”
China calls for dialogue amid rising Iran-Israel conflict
Suspect arrested in killing of Minnesota legislator and husband, governor Says
40,000 tourists stranded in Israel amid airspace shutdown over Iran conflict
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
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