International Monetary Fund

A federal judge ordered $5 million in damages to be paid to E. Jean Carroll from her sexual abuse lawsuit against President Trump. Former Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel called for the U.S. to end unconditional support for Israel, and the International Monetary Fund reduced its global growth forecast due to rising energy prices from the war in Iran.

The IMF revised its 2026 global growth forecast downward to 3% due to energy shocks from the Iran war, though AI investment is offsetting some impacts. The U.S. economy is expected to grow 2.3%, while China and India face slower expansion. Energy prices are projected to rise 32% this year, with inflation stalling at 4.7%.

The IMF forecasts 3% global economic growth in 2026, down from 3.5% in 2025, due to energy shocks from the Iran war but partially offset by AI and technology investments. The U.S. is expected to grow 2.3%, while the eurozone and China face slower expansion, and India remains the fastest-growing major economy at 6.4%.

The IMF warns that renewed Middle East conflict risks global economic growth and inflation, citing potential commodity price volatility, supply chain disruptions, and financial instability. The U.S. ceasefire with Iran is under threat after military strikes, with President Donald Trump declaring the peace process 'over'.

A Ghanaian company led by President John Dramani Mahama's brother, Ibrahim Mahama, has refused to return a $100 million gold mine following an international court ruling, amid allegations of forged signatures and failure to meet ownership terms. The dispute over the Black Volta gold mine in northwest Ghana highlights concerns about legal compliance and political influence, potentially damaging investor confidence in the country's mining sector.

The Pakistani government missed its July 1, 2026, deadline for notifying a biannual gas tariff under an IMF $7bn Extended Fund Facility (EFF) due to legal disputes over the acting chairman of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) and unresolved unaccounted-for-gas (UFG) reduction targets. The delay breaches a structural benchmark required for IMF program compliance, despite Ogra completing revenue requirement calculations.

A report claims the International Monetary Fund (IMF) prioritizes debt repayment and fiscal austerity over public service investment in Kenya, contradicting its stated focus on inclusive growth and social spending.

Genneia, an Argentine company, has filed for the first Argentine IPO in the US since 2019. Argentina's economy showed strong second-half growth in 2022 as it recovered from a recession and anticipates an IMF deal.

The IMF has lowered Israel's 2026 economic growth forecast to 3.5% from 4.8% due to regional tensions, citing conflicts with Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas. The IMF expects temporary inflation increases despite the shekel's appreciation, noting Israel's economic resilience amid geopolitical uncertainty.

Foreign exchange experts predict the Mexican peso will trade at 17.78 to the US dollar in 12 months, a slight depreciation from its current rate. The Bank of Mexico has maintained steady interest rates, which analysts say supports the peso, though uncertainty over the USMCA trade agreement weakens economic outlooks.

IMF's Tobias Adrian warns that the leverage associated with AI is more concerning than its valuation. The statement highlights growing concerns about the financial risks of AI technologies.

Ethiopia's bondholders have criticized the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for poorly managing the country's debt restructuring efforts. The critique highlights concerns over the handling of Ethiopia's financial obligations.

Pakistan's investment-to-GDP ratio and foreign direct investment (FDI) have significantly declined since 2018 under the IMF's stabilization program, while government economic plans like Uraan Pakistan and the Economic Transformation Agenda conflict with contractionary policies. This policy disconnect has stifled growth, increased poverty, and reduced investor confidence.

Isabel Schnabel, an executive board member of the European Central Bank, noted upside inflation risks despite a peace deal, while the International Monetary Fund downgraded its growth projection due to a Middle East war-induced oil shock and potential energy infrastructure damage.

The IMF reported that energy and commodity prices have decreased since the US-Iran agreement to halt hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, though Gulf trade disruptions persist. The IMF will reassess its global growth scenarios in its 8 July World Economic Outlook update, having previously warned of an 'adverse scenario' in May when the Strait remained closed and oil prices exceeded $100 a barrel.

Japan's finance minister Satsuki Katayama addressed media during the IMF and World Bank Spring meetings in Washington, DC. The IMF downgraded its annual growth projection due to a major oil shock from the Middle East war, warning of potential economic downturn if the conflict persists and energy infrastructure is severely damaged.

The IMF's Africa director warned that the economic fallout of the Iran war is creating a 'difficult moment' for Africa, with Gulf energy production disruptions expected to take months to resolve. Zeine Zeidane stated that even though a ceasefire exists, the region faces prolonged economic challenges.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will be fully handed over to new owners by the end of the month after completing regulatory approvals. Privatisation plans include Islamabad Airport in FY2026-27 and outsourcing processes for Karachi and Lahore airports, alongside tax exemptions for PIA secured via IMF approval, which critics argue creates unfair advantages over other airlines.

Germany's economic stagnation and reduced political influence within the EU reflect the bloc's declining global power, with the EU's share of global output halved since 1980. Germany's inability to lead EU policy on issues like Chinese tariffs and fiscal rules is attributed to a lack of political initiative under Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated the Chinese yuan is undervalued by 30%, exceeding the IMF's 16% estimate, and accused China of flooding markets with subsidized products and non-convertible currency. He called for 'Plaza Accord'-style negotiations to address these economic practices.

The government assured the PTI that it would discuss with the IMF the extension of tax exemptions for the merged Fata and Pata districts, which expire on June 30. A meeting between government officials and PTI representatives highlighted concerns over the tax exemptions and emphasized dialogue as a democratic foundation.

Vitol secured an emergency fuel supply deal in Zambia, which the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has questioned. The article references infrastructure at a gas storage facility, including pipework and valve wheels.

Philip Lane, governor of the Central Bank of Ireland, argues it is difficult to oppose the ECB's decision to raise rates. The International Monetary Fund downgraded its growth projection for 2026 due to a Middle East war causing an oil shock and potential energy infrastructure damage.

The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved a bill prohibiting U.S. representatives at international financial institutions from supporting loans or debt relief to Sudan's government, except for emergency humanitarian projects. The bill also bans non-humanitarian foreign aid to Sudan.

Fitch Ratings warns that aggressive spending cuts, particularly in capital expenditure, could harm Pakistan's medium-term growth under its 2026-27 budget. While praising fiscal discipline under the IMF program, Fitch highlights challenges in achieving tax revenue targets and risks from elevated interest costs.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) warns that the widespread adoption of stablecoins in Nigeria amplifies risks, and efforts to restrict their use are likely to be only partially effective.

Bolivia may implement a floating exchange rate as soon as this week, with the government planning to secure an IMF financing deal only after the currency reform is enacted. The country faces challenges related to its multiple exchange rates.

The IMF chief warned that energy recovery will take time following a US-Iran ceasefire, and the Fund downgraded global growth projections due to the impact of the war.

Pakistan's Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb noted potential economic benefits for 2027 from the US-Iran conflict resolution but emphasized it is too early to revise budget projections. He highlighted damaged energy infrastructure delaying supply chain normalization and outlined plans to shift creditor profiles via commercial borrowing while maintaining an IMF-supported fiscal framework.

The article outlines how Kristalina Georgieva, associated with the IMF, hires top talent. It focuses on her methods and strategies for recruiting skilled professionals.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar invited the opposition to sign a Charter of Economy and defended the federal budget 2026-27 as relief-oriented, while PTI leader Asad Qaiser criticized the budget as IMF-driven and highlighted negative impacts on agriculture and provinces.

The IMF has advised Brazil to save its oil revenue windfall and avoid rigid spending, cautioning that the funds could either stabilize public debt or be wasted. The warning highlights the need for prudent financial management of the revenue.

The 2026-27 budget aligns with IMF fiscal targets, freezes provincial transfers for three years, and introduces new taxes on social media earnings and traders while offering relief to salaried individuals, exporters, and real estate sectors. It includes a 7% salary and pension increase, a higher minimum wage, and tax cuts for certain income brackets and industries.

The International Monetary Fund has approved $690 million for Ukraine as part of an $8.1 billion loan program, despite lawmakers previously delaying reform bills. The agreement was reached at the staff-level for the first review of the Extended Fund Facility program, even though Ukraine missed a VAT benchmark.

Pakistan's finance minister presented a new budget with an 18% increase in defense spending, reduced funding for development programs, and modest tax reliefs for salaried workers. The budget aims for 4% economic growth and 8.2% inflation amid regional tensions and an ongoing IMF-supported $7 billion program requiring fiscal reforms.

The Pakistani federal government is shifting the burden of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) collection shortfalls to provinces, relying on levies and untaxed sectors like retail and petroleum to meet fiscal targets. Analysts attribute this to political economy challenges rather than administrative inefficiency, citing political resistance to expanding the tax base.

Pakistan's government plans tax cuts for mid-to-high income earners (Rs230,000-Rs341,000/month) and introduces new tax measures aiming for Rs15.3 trillion revenue in FY2026-27 under IMF commitments. The maximum tax rate for high earners may drop from 35pc to 30pc, while lower-income brackets (Rs100,000-Rs183,000/month) face no changes.

The International Monetary Fund approved a $250 million credit facility for Rwanda to address economic challenges linked to a prolonged Middle East conflict. The 38-month program aims to help Rwanda adapt to tighter global financing conditions while maintaining growth, as the country faces 13% inflation despite 9.4% economic growth in the previous year.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a $250 million financing package for Rwanda under a 38-month program to strengthen economic stability and address global pressures.

Ghana secured private sector deals worth £215 million during President John Dramani Mahama's UK visit, aiming to attract investment after recovering from an economic crisis. The country exited a $3 billion IMF bailout program and targets an investment-grade credit rating within three years, while addressing concerns about mispriced African debt and restructuring tools.