Author: Andrew Rogers

Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates visited the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday morning. He was welcomed by Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto. Gates arrived at 8:16 a.m. local time and joined a high-level meeting with some of Indonesia’s most powerful business figures and cabinet members. The visit aimed to strengthen cooperation on key global issues like public health, nutrition, digital development, and financial access. The discussions included plans for future support from the Gates Foundation and explored how Indonesia could benefit from global partnerships. Business Giants Join Presidential Meeting President Prabowo introduced Bill Gates to many of Indonesia’s top…

China has announced new steps to help its slowing economy. On Wednesday, officials lowered interest rates and cut the amount of money banks must keep in reserve. These actions aim to boost lending and increase spending. China is trying to recover from the economic damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is also facing ongoing problems like weak domestic spending and a property crisis. In addition, a long trade dispute with the United States has made things worse. Central Bank Moves to Encourage Lending At a press conference in Beijing, the head of China’s central bank, Pan Gongsheng, said the…

Friedrich Merz has officially become the new Chancellor of Germany after winning a second vote in parliament. His election ends months of political uncertainty and brings a new leader to Europe’s largest economy. Merz, who leads the conservative CDU/CSU alliance, won the second round of voting on Tuesday with 325 votes. He needed at least 316 votes for a majority. In the first round, he had failed to reach that number, surprising many and showing tensions within his coalition. A Tough Start for the New Chancellor The initial vote showed that not everyone in the ruling parties fully supports Merz.…

Average salaries across Europe vary greatly, with significant differences in both pay and the cost of living. In 2023, countries like Luxembourg and Switzerland led the way in terms of high earnings, while others, particularly in Eastern Europe, had much lower figures. How do these salaries compare when adjusted for purchasing power standards? Let’s take a closer look at the figures and factors behind salary differences across Europe. Highest Salaries in Europe In 2023, Europe saw a wide range of salaries across its countries. The average full-time adjusted monthly salary varied from €1,125 in Bulgaria to €6,755 in Luxembourg. The…

Malaysia’s plan to extend a visa-free agreement with China from 30 to 90 days is causing concern among local business owners. Many fear the extended stay could lead to more Chinese tourists working illegally and competing unfairly with local companies. The mutual visa-free travel policy between Malaysia and China started in December 2023. It allowed tourists to stay for up to 30 days. Now, both countries are discussing extending the stay to 90 days. While this move may boost tourism, many local entrepreneurs are worried. Small businesses in Melaka hit hard Alan Neh runs a photography studio in historic Melaka.…

The USA Women’s Sevens team finished in fourth place at the HSBC Sevens World Championship in Los Angeles, narrowly missing out on the Bronze medal after a hard-fought battle against Canada. The home team, supported by an enthusiastic crowd throughout the event, ended the 2024-2025 series in sixth place overall. Despite their valiant effort, the USA Women could not secure a podium finish, but the performance demonstrated their resilience and commitment as they build for the future. USA Women’s Sevens Display Resilience and Teamwork Throughout the Tournament The USA Women’s Sevens team began the championship with a strong performance in…

Rufus Wainwright’s latest musical work, Dream Requiem, draws inspiration from a historic event and a timeless theme. The piece explores the aftermath of the 1815 Mount Tambora volcanic eruption and the fear it caused, with a modern twist. It will make its U.S. debut in Los Angeles on Sunday, featuring narration by actor and activist Jane Fonda. Wainwright, the Canadian-American musician known for his unique theatrical pop style, composed Dream Requiem during the difficult years following the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic. As the world began to heal, Wainwright turned to Lord Byron’s 19th-century poem “Darkness,” which captures the devastation…

US President Donald Trump has announced that he will begin the process of placing a 100 percent tariff on all movies made outside the United States. The decision, revealed on Sunday via Trump’s Truth Social platform, is aimed at protecting the American film industry, which he says is in decline. Trump claimed that other countries are luring U.S. filmmakers with incentives. As a result, he believes Hollywood is losing its global leadership and this poses a risk to national security. Trump Says Foreign Incentives Hurt American Filmmaking In his post, Trump said, “The Movie Industry in America is DYING a…

Voters in Australia and Canada have rejected leaders seen as close to Donald Trump, signaling a shift to the political left. In Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese secured a strong second-term victory. In Canada, the Liberals returned to power under a new leader. In both cases, conservative parties trying to follow Trump-style politics lost public support. These events show a clear trend: right-wing leaders who echo Trump’s approach are facing backlash. Now, political observers are asking what this means for New Zealand’s future. Australia Rejects Trump-Style Politics Australian voters delivered a major win for the Labor Party in the recent…

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has secured a second term in office, saying the nation has chosen unity over division in a time of global instability. The center-left Labor Party led by Albanese achieved a strong result in Saturday’s general elections, showing public support for steady governance amid economic uncertainty and global tensions. Labor Party Strengthens Hold in Parliament As of Sunday, vote counting showed the Labor Party on track to win at least 85 seats in the 150-member House of Representatives. That’s a clear majority and a notable increase from the 78 seats the party held after the 2022…