The debt burden of South African farmers reached to over Rand 125 billion ($7.5 billion). The total debt of farmers was up 14 percent in 2015 to Rand117 billion. Economists alert that the prevailing slump in commodities markets, tighter monetary, fiscal policy, drought conditions and drop in value of Rand will trigger higher than expected inflation rate.
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Retailing Giants Shut Hundreds of Stores Down In US & Elsewhere, Job Cutting Feared
Walmart and Macy’s have announced shutting hundreds of stores on Friday and thus lingers the list with other retailing giants like Sears and Target. Surprising growth of ecommerce has reduced growth of the departmental stores and shopping malls. With the announcement of the World’s largest retailer, traditional stores have been started to witness the blink of extinction.
Economic Emergency In Venezuela Aims To Keep Maduro’s Anti Poverty Programs Alive
Just Prior to the State of Address to the Congress, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has imposed economic emergency for 60 days. The concerned decree is aimed to allocate funds to keep alive the socialist government’s signature anti poverty programs. If opposition led Congress denies the imposed decree, Maduro will have to appeal to the Supreme Court of justice for its continued effectiveness.
BHP Billinton Writes Down US Shale Assets Worth $7.2 billion, No Surprise For The Investors
Oil and gas market have been tattering due to existing sharp downtrend in price. Many oil companies have been writing down the value of shale assets over the past 20 months since prices started crashing. BHP Billinton Ltd. has also become dependent on bank debts to maintain soaring expenses and plans to cut dividends for the first time in 25 years. Finally, following the industry trend, BHP has announced for writing down US energy assets worth $7.2 billion.
After Test Flights In Spratly, China Intends Regular Flights From Woody Islands, Invites For Private Investments
China has been claiming most of the potentially oil- gas enriched islands located in the South China Sea region. Moreover, naval routes of this region are extremely important for passage of huge trade consignments. These factors have allured China to take control over the zone. But Chinese efforts in this regard are creating tensions among its neighboring countries, also claimant for the disputed islands.
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Technology startups in Africa may get $10 million funding in early 2016 as Silvertree Capital sees the rosy picture. Silvertree Internet Holdings is keen on scaling technology and commerce companies and has already invested $5 million in business building operations and acquisitions. South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya are favored the most among African countries.
The Kenyan government is hoping to control inflation rate with the support from lower oil prices. Lower oil prices are supporting the Kenya's economy as the growth rate is expected to be six percent in 2016 from 4.5 percent in 2015. Inflation rate breached the government's target band of 2.5 percent to 7.5 percent as it reached to eight percent.
As a celebration for surprising Golden Globe win for "Mozart in the Jungle," Amazon prepares a special offer. Beside streaming the series for free this weekend, the company is also discounting subscription for Amazon Prime.
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Cartel kingpin El Chapo was recaptured on Friday, after his second escape from Mexico's top-security prison through a tunnel. The operation involves Mexican marine, aids from U.S authorities, as well as numbers of informants that adds up to more than 2,500 security and intellectual agents.
Morgan Stanley, has been reported to tatter with its fixed income division. Following the industry precedence of changing or reshuffling the executives, it has named Sam Kellie- Smith as the head of fixed income and commodities. The Wall Street Bank’s recent moves haven’t surprised the analysts at all.
Goldman Sachs Group Inc. has finally agreed to pay $5.1 billion on Wednesday to resolve a seven years’ pending dispute over faulty mortgage securities. The penalty amount remains lower compared to those counted by other Wall Street competitors. Fourth quarter profit of the firm may be hit by the penalty counting. But investors welcome the settlement and its share price rises by 1.5% on Thursday.
Hyundai Corp is expected to recall Elantra model vehicles from February 2016 onwards. It's noticed that the malfunctioning of electronic stability control system will suddenly result in reduction of engine power. The South Korean automobile major may recall over 150,000 Elantra vehicles to fix the stability control system in the vehicles.
Google’s product management VP, Clay Bavor, is appointed as the head of its newly created virtual reality (VR) computing division, showing that the tech company is now taking aggressive moves in the VR industry.
California Lottery Association announced Wednesday that the winning ticket for the $1.5 billion Powerball lottery is in Chino Hills in San Bernardino County.
