[ Top articles of the day ]
- BALANCE: Kevin McCarthy’s Bid for House Speaker Faces Challenges as Republican Opposition Grows
CNN / FOX / NEWSMAX / THE HILL – US House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy is facing difficulty in his bid to become speaker due to his small majority and low popularity. He has made concessions to opponents, including allowing a small number of House members to trigger a vote to remove him as speaker. Meanwhile, a group of 15 current and incoming Republican House members have pledged to only support McCarthy for the position. - IMF head warns 2023 will be tough year for global economy as major engines of growth experience slowing activity
The head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva, has warned that 2023 will be a tough year for the global economy as the major engines of growth – the US, Europe and China – all experience slowing activity. The IMF has already cut its outlook for global economic growth in 2023 due to continuing drag from the war in Ukraine, inflation pressures and high interest rates engineered by central banks. - Croatia joins EU’s Schengen zone and adopts euro currency
Croatia has joined both the EU’s border-free Schengen zone and the euro currency as of January 1st, fulfilling its ambition to closely integrate with Europe. The country becomes the 27th country to join the Schengen area and the 20th to adopt the euro. Finance Minister Marko Primorac stated that the adoption of the euro will strengthen the economy, improve the investment climate, and make Croatia more resistant to external shocks. - Clashes between anti-government protesters and security forces in Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland leave at least 20 dead
There have been clashes between anti-government protesters and security forces in Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland. At least 20 people have been killed and dozens injured. The protesters are demanding that Somaliland cede control of Laascaanood, a town in Somaliland’s east, to Puntland, one of Somalia’s semi-autonomous regions. The protesters also accuse security forces of failing to end insecurity in Laascaanood.