Argentina has purchased US$808 million in Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) from the U.S. Treasury to meet an interest payment to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The transaction, reported around February 1-2, 2026, is part of Argentina's ongoing efforts to manage its financial obligations with the multilateral lender.
On February 1, 2023, over 500,000 workers across the UK, including teachers, civil servants, university staff, and railway drivers, participated in widespread strikes. The coordinated industrial action demanded better wages and working conditions in response to soaring inflation and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, causing significant disruption nationwide.
Japanese households are facing significant financial strain due to persistent price increases, with over 99% reporting a burden. In response, major political parties, including the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the Centrist Reform Alliance, are proposing consumption tax cuts on various goods, particularly food, as a key campaign promise for the upcoming February 8 general election.
California's Department of Motor Vehicles canceled over 20,000 commercial driver's licenses, primarily affecting the state's Sikh trucking community. The cancellations, stemming from a federal audit flagging license expiration date discrepancies, have led to significant financial losses and a class-action lawsuit alleging clerical errors and due process violations.
Germany's unadjusted unemployment figure rose to 3.085 million in January, marking the highest January level since 2014. This increase underscores a persistent lack of momentum in the labor market, despite the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate holding steady at 6.3%.
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has successfully recovered and returned R1.7 billion to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) in South Africa. These funds, unallocated between 2016 and 2021 due to weak controls and institutions retaining money beyond permissible periods, will now be redirected to support deserving students.
Customer complaints regarding water bills in England and Wales surged by over 50% in 2025, reaching more than 16,000. The Consumer Council for Water attributes the rise primarily to affordability issues and significant bill increases, prompting calls for better support for struggling households.
Germany's net borrowing for 2025 was substantially lower than budgeted, totaling €102.7 billion against a planned €142.3 billion. This fiscal outperformance, attributed to reduced spending and higher revenues, marks the first budget under new fiscal reforms. Core budget borrowing was €66.9 billion, €14.9 billion less than anticipated.
Cuba's economy is in its worst crisis in decades, marked by high inflation, severe shortages, and widespread blackouts. With GDP projected to remain stagnant in 2026, the government faces increasing pressure to implement significant reforms to avert a permanent state of emergency.
Congress has opted against using the appropriations process to reverse significant Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) cost shifts to states, mandated by the 2025 federal reconciliation law. Critics warn this decision will strain state budgets, increase hunger, and force difficult choices regarding essential services.
A major nationwide warning strike across Germany on March 27, 2023, orchestrated by Verdi and EVG unions, brought public transport, airports, and railways to a standstill. The 24-hour action, demanding significant wage increases amid high inflation, caused widespread travel disruptions for millions.
Ireland's Committee on Budgetary Oversight published its Post-Budget 2026 Report on January 21, 2026, expressing significant concerns over the pro-cyclical nature of current budgetary policy and the country's narrow and volatile tax base. The report warns of economic overheating risks and reliance on windfall corporation tax receipts.
US pending home sales experienced a significant decline of 9.3% in December, marking the steepest month-over-month drop since April 2020. The National Association of Realtors reported the index fell to 71.8, with all four regions seeing decreases. This reversal follows four months of gains, attributed to low inventory and dampened buyer enthusiasm.
Canada's food prices have surged by 6.2 percent over the past year, positioning the nation at the top of the G7 for food inflation. Experts are now referring to Canada as the 'food inflation capital,' impacting household budgets significantly.
Denmark's Akademiker Pension fund announced its decision to sell approximately $100 million in US Treasury bonds by the end of January 2026. The fund cited concerns over the robustness of US public finances, fiscal discipline, and long-term credit sustainability as primary reasons for the divestment. While acknowledging broader geopolitical tensions, the fund stated the move is not directly political.
The UK government has scrapped numerical targets for international students, shifting its focus to encouraging universities to establish overseas hubs and boost 'education exports' to £40 billion annually by 2030. This new strategy aims to diversify university income and strengthen global partnerships amidst tighter immigration controls.
France is close to finalizing its 2026 budget after the government offered concessions to political parties, including an extension of a corporate surtax on large companies to fund social spending. The move, aimed at securing parliamentary support, has drawn criticism from a prominent bank chief concerned about its impact on investment.
The U.S. federal budget deficit reached a record $145 billion in December 2025, a 67% increase from the previous year. This surge was driven by historic government spending, including significant calendar shifts and increased military outlays, contributing to the growing national debt.
Cuba is experiencing its worst economic crisis in decades, with electricity generation meeting only half of its needs, leading to daily power outages of up to 20 hours. Aging infrastructure, fuel shortages, and U.S. sanctions are cited as primary causes, severely impacting daily life and the economy.
Canada has recorded its first year-over-year decrease in overall foreign worker and international student numbers in recent history, driven by new, stricter immigration regulations. Between 2024 and 2025, the country saw a net decrease of 14,954 temporary residents. This decline is a direct result of policy changes, including caps on study permits, increased financial requirements for students, and tighter rules for temporary foreign workers and spousal open work permits.
