August, 2021

• 17 August

  European leaders point fingers at US after rapid fall of Kabul

  

  Bloomberg European leaders struggled to mask their frustration with President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw the last US soldiers from Afghanistan and sought to distance themselves from the dramatic scenes unfolding across the war-torn country. German Chancellor Angela Merkel told reporters that the Nato mission in Afghanistan was “fundamentally dependent” on the US while French President Emmanuel Macron stressed that ...

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• 17 August

  China conducts live-fire military exercises in South of Taiwan

  

  Bloomberg China announced naval and aerial live-fire military exercises in areas south of Taiwan on Tuesday, without saying how close to the democratically ruled island the drills were. Combat ships, anti-submarine aircrafts and fighter jets were among the forces that joined the exercises “to test integrated operational capability” in territory southwest and southeast of Taiwan, Shi Yi, spokesperson of the ...

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• 17 August

  Taiwan dismisses questions about US resolve after Afghan exit

  

  Bloomberg Taiwan’s premier defended the island’s ability to withstand a Chinese attack after the US’s exit from Afghanistan raised questions about American commitment to security issues in Asia. Premier Su Tseng-chang rejected comparisons between US pledges to help the democratically elected government in Taipei defend itself and Washington’s support for the regime in Kabul. Taiwan could avoid being “swallowed up” ...

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• 17 August

  Malaysia’s new prime minister may be selected through WhatsApp

  

  Bloomberg Malaysia’s lawmakers must submit their choice of a new prime minister to the palace by 4 pm local time on Wednesday, as the nation’s king begins the search for a successor to Muhyiddin Yassin, who resigned on Monday. Lawmakers were reminded to keep the contents of their declaration letters a secret until the king decides which MP commands the ...

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• 17 August

  HK leader says groups should stay out of politics

  

  Bloomberg Hong Kong’s leader said the city will cut ties with any group that gets involved in politics, as authorities in the Asian financial hub ramp up pressure on civil society organisations critical of the government. Chief Executive Carrie Lam said at a regular press briefing on Tuesday that she supported the existence of a “pluralistic society” but that several ...

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• 17 August

  Regional bank deals in US seen ebbing with fewer partners left

  

  Bloomberg The recent flood of US regional bank deals may be drying up. After announcing $76 billion in mergers and acquisitions so far this year — the most since 2008 — US lenders are now running out of potential partners, according to executives and investment bankers. Fewer buyers exist following takeovers by Citizens Financial Group Inc, PNC Financial Services Group ...

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• 17 August

  Goldman Sachs hires macro fund manager Vassalou at $200b unit

  

  Bloomberg Goldman Sachs Group Inc’s asset-management division hired Maria Vassalou, who most recently ran her own firm and spent years at Perella Weinberg Partners, to help manage funds at a $200 billion unit. Vassalou is the deputy chief investment officer at Goldman’s multi-asset solutions group, according to people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified discussing personnel ...

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• 17 August

  Australia’s central bank ready to act if lockdowns threaten economy

  

  Bloomberg The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) said it will continue to review its bond-buying program based on economic conditions and the health situation as the nation faces lockdowns to combat the delta variant of coronavirus. “The board would be prepared to act in response to further bad news on the health front should that lead to a more significant ...

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• 17 August

  Ethiopia’s National Bank temporarily halts lending

  Bloomberg The National Bank of Ethiopia asked all commercial banks to temporarily suspend providing loans backed by collateral, such as land and buildings. The NBE’s directive follows findings that the money is being used on the black market, State Minister for Finance, Eyob Tekalign, said on Shefer FM radio. The security authorities and the central bank are taking action as ...

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• 17 August

  Nigeria’s Bank of Industry plans $883m eurobond sale

  

  Bloomberg Nigeria’s state-owned Bank of Industry plans to raise as much as 750 million euros ($883 million) from international debt markets this year for lending to companies hampered by the Covid-19 pandemic in Africa’s largest economy. Financial advisers have been appointed for the issue, Chief Executive Officer Olukayode Pitan, said in a virtual interview without providing details. The lender will ...

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