Counting the Cost

BRICS’s first summit since its expansion in 2023 discussed proposals to reduce reliance on US dollar and SWIFT system.

Damage caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton is estimated to be more than $100bn.

Fears of a widening war in the Middle East have pushed up oil prices.

Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are escalating after Iran’s major missile attack on Israel.

Israel’s war on Gaza has ground its vital economic sectors to a halt.

The United States Federal Reserve has cut interest rates for the first time since 2020.

Israel’s finances are under strain and its budget deficit is widening, as agencies downgrade the nation’s credit.

The number of older people is increasing around the world. Millions of them are set to leave the workforce.

The US Fed has signalled rate cuts are coming, while other major central banks have started lowering borrowing costs.

The economic vision set out by Democratic US presidential candidate Kamala Harris is in the spotlight.