News from October 2021


Personal income and outlays, September 2021

Personal income decreased $216.2 billion (1.0 percent) in September according to estimates released today by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (tables 3 and 5). Disposable personal income (DPI) decreased $236.9 billion (1.3 percent) and personal consumption expenditures (PCE) increased $93.4 billion (0.6 percent).


IMF management approves a Staff-Monitored Program for the union of the Comoros

On September 29, 2021, the Management of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a Staff-Monitored Program (SMP) for Comoros for the period July - December 2021.


World Bank Online: Global Wealth Has Grown, But at the Expense of Future Prosperity: World Bank

In the case of an embargo break, the reporter and their organization will be denied access to the Online Media Briefing Center for six months.


WHO backing program to provide COVID-19 pills, vaccines for poor countries

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said treating COVID-19 in underdeveloped countries is “not a supply problem”


Gross Domestic Product, third quarter 2021 (advance estimate)

Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 2.0 percent in the third quarter of 2021 (table 1), according to the "advance" estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the second quarter, real GDP increased 6.7 percent.


Joint action needed to secure the recovery

G20 should lead in sharing vaccine doses, helping developing countries financially, and committing to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by mid-century.


IMF team and the authorities from the Democratic Republic of Congo reach staff-level agreement on the first review under the Extended Credit Facility

An International Monetary (IMF) team, led by Ms. Mercedes Vera Martin, conducted virtual discussions (October 4-13) and meetings with the authorities in Kinshasa during October 20-27, on the first review under the three-year arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF).


Roman noblewoman’s tomb reveals secrets of ancient concrete resilience

Over time, concrete cracks and crumbles. Well, most concrete cracks and crumbles. Structures built in ancient Rome are still standing, exhibiting remarkable durability despite conditions that would devastate modern concrete.


Daimler Media Site: New press releases available

The Center of Competence 3D-Printing at Daimler Buses is expanding its portfolio and is now also offering additive manufacturing services to customers of other industries.


Google pays Russian fines over alleged 'censorship' violations

Tech giant forced to pay more than $455,000 in fines after it failed to follow censorship rules


IMF pulls back economic growth outlook for Asia

As storm clouds gather amid supply chain worries and the potential for a new wave of COVID-19 infections, the International Monetary Fund is reining in its economic growth forecast for Asia.


Surging energy prices may not ease until next year

Soaring natural gas prices are rippling through global energy markets—and other economic sectors from factories to utilities.


IMF executive board approves a US$76 million disbursement under the Rapid Credit Facility to Burundi to address the COVID-19 pandemic

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a disbursement of SDR 53.9 million (35 percent of quota, about US$76.2 million) under the Rapid Credit Facility (RCF).


Electrical control over designer quantum materials

In the past few years, suitably engineered stacks of two-dimensional materials have emerged as a powerful platform for studying quantum correlations between electronic states. ETH physicists now demonstrate how key properties of such systems can be conveniently tuned by changing an applied electrical field.


NREL, Mines insight could lead to better silicon solar panels

Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Colorado School of Mines are applying a new technique to identify defects in silicon solar cells that cause a drop in efficiency.


ADM partners with China-based Vland 'to explore the promising market of human probiotics' in the region

Food processing and nutrition company ADM has partnered with Qingdao Vland Biotech Group Co., Ltd. (Vland) to expand its human probiotics offering in China and better serve the demand of the nutrient supplements in the region.


'You have to look elsewhere': Tech companies embrace remote work

In the wake of the early days of the pandemic, many tech companies have deemed it best to permanently adopt a fully remote model, while some look for ways to return to normality after months of working from home.


Barrell Craft Spirits looks for 'future growth' in Australia with new release

Stellum Spirits will make its presence known in Australia with inaugural bourbon and rye expressions followed with single barrel releases later this year, a press release said.


Global suppliers face problems after pandemic disrupts supply chain 'at every corner'

Global suppliers continue to face problems while demands steadily increase due to the rattling of supply chains during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.


Circle commits to USDC on Hedera network

Circle, a global financial technology firm, announced Oct. 18 its commitment to provide support for USD Coin (USDC) on the Hedera Network, well-known as one of the most used, sustainable, enterprise-grade public networks for the decentralized market.