SSE Issues New ESG Reporting Guidelines, Building on Record Year for Sustainability Disclosures
The Shanghai Stock Exchange released two documents on January 17th to guide listed companies in improving their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting, providing sample disclosures and focusing on key climate change issues. This voluntary initiative builds upon a 2024 record of 1,193 ...
SSE Issues New ESG Reporting Guidelines, Building on Record Year for Sustainability Disclosures
The Shanghai Stock Exchange released two documents on January 17th to guide listed companies in improving their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting, providing sample disclosures and focusing on key climate change issues. This voluntary initiative builds upon a 2024 record of 1,193 ...
Progress
40% Bias Score
Australia's Housing Market Shifts from Seller's to Buyer's Market
Increased residential listings in Australia, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne (up 50 percent in some areas), coupled with a December 2024 drop in national property values, signal a shift from a seller's to a buyer's market, driven by high interest rates, cost-of-living pressures, and sellers ant...
Australia's Housing Market Shifts from Seller's to Buyer's Market
Increased residential listings in Australia, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne (up 50 percent in some areas), coupled with a December 2024 drop in national property values, signal a shift from a seller's to a buyer's market, driven by high interest rates, cost-of-living pressures, and sellers ant...
Progress
40% Bias Score
Xinjiang Tunnel Construction Progressing Despite Challenges
The 15.7-kilometer West Tianshan Super-Long Tunnel in Xinjiang, China, connecting Yili and Aksu prefectures, faces challenges like flooding and extreme temperatures but is progressing as planned for completion by late October 2027, significantly reducing travel time and boosting regional development...
Xinjiang Tunnel Construction Progressing Despite Challenges
The 15.7-kilometer West Tianshan Super-Long Tunnel in Xinjiang, China, connecting Yili and Aksu prefectures, faces challenges like flooding and extreme temperatures but is progressing as planned for completion by late October 2027, significantly reducing travel time and boosting regional development...
Progress
52% Bias Score
Home Equity Loans in 2025: A Balanced Risk-Reward Assessment
In 2025's rising inflation environment, homeowners with an average $320,000 home equity consider home equity loans (8.40% interest) or HELOCs, but must weigh this against high personal loan (13%) and credit card (23%) rates, and carefully assess their repayment ability to avoid foreclosure.
Home Equity Loans in 2025: A Balanced Risk-Reward Assessment
In 2025's rising inflation environment, homeowners with an average $320,000 home equity consider home equity loans (8.40% interest) or HELOCs, but must weigh this against high personal loan (13%) and credit card (23%) rates, and carefully assess their repayment ability to avoid foreclosure.
Progress
40% Bias Score
Mijndert Ververs (1933-2024): Architect of Wolters Kluwer's Success
Mijndert Ververs, former CEO of Wolters Samsom who died at 91 on Sunday, prevented a hostile takeover of Kluwer by Elsevier in 1987, leading to the creation of Wolters Kluwer, a company that now generates over €1 billion in net profit annually.
Mijndert Ververs (1933-2024): Architect of Wolters Kluwer's Success
Mijndert Ververs, former CEO of Wolters Samsom who died at 91 on Sunday, prevented a hostile takeover of Kluwer by Elsevier in 1987, leading to the creation of Wolters Kluwer, a company that now generates over €1 billion in net profit annually.
Progress
56% Bias Score
Spanish Youth Lead in Reading Increase, but Time Constraints Remain
The 2024 Spanish Ministry of Culture's reading habits barometer shows that 75.3% of 14–24 year olds read books in their free time, a 5% increase from last year, while 65% of Spaniards over 14 read, with a 6% increase since 2017; however, lack of time is the main reason 34.5% don't read, leading to a...
Spanish Youth Lead in Reading Increase, but Time Constraints Remain
The 2024 Spanish Ministry of Culture's reading habits barometer shows that 75.3% of 14–24 year olds read books in their free time, a 5% increase from last year, while 65% of Spaniards over 14 read, with a 6% increase since 2017; however, lack of time is the main reason 34.5% don't read, leading to a...
Progress
52% Bias Score
Frankfurt's Property Tax Reform: Winners and Losers
Frankfurt's new property tax system, based on a state-mandated calculation, increases taxes for 78,000 residents (46%) and lowers them for 91,000, maintaining the city's overall annual revenue of roughly €220 million; however, many residents are facing increased tax burdens due to the new area-facto...
Frankfurt's Property Tax Reform: Winners and Losers
Frankfurt's new property tax system, based on a state-mandated calculation, increases taxes for 78,000 residents (46%) and lowers them for 91,000, maintaining the city's overall annual revenue of roughly €220 million; however, many residents are facing increased tax burdens due to the new area-facto...
Progress
36% Bias Score
French Government Rejects Taxing Retirees to Fund Social Security
French Economy Minister Eric Lombard rejected a proposal by the Labor Minister to tax 40% of retirees to fund social security in the 2025 budget, citing the government's commitment to avoiding new household taxes; the proposal sparked controversy among political parties and government supporters.
French Government Rejects Taxing Retirees to Fund Social Security
French Economy Minister Eric Lombard rejected a proposal by the Labor Minister to tax 40% of retirees to fund social security in the 2025 budget, citing the government's commitment to avoiding new household taxes; the proposal sparked controversy among political parties and government supporters.
Progress
36% Bias Score
Proactive Career Planning for 2025: Internal and External Strategies
Career coach Phoebe Gavin outlines strategies for achieving internal (promotions, raises, new projects) and external (new jobs, career changes) career goals in 2025, emphasizing relationship building, skill development, and proactive networking.
Proactive Career Planning for 2025: Internal and External Strategies
Career coach Phoebe Gavin outlines strategies for achieving internal (promotions, raises, new projects) and external (new jobs, career changes) career goals in 2025, emphasizing relationship building, skill development, and proactive networking.
Progress
40% Bias Score
New Jersey Seeks to Simplify Sales Tax Compliance by Eliminating Transaction Thresholds
New Jersey is proposing to eliminate the 200-transaction threshold for sales tax economic nexus, instead requiring businesses to collect sales tax if their gross revenue exceeds \$100,000 annually in the state; this simplifies compliance and enhances revenue collection.
New Jersey Seeks to Simplify Sales Tax Compliance by Eliminating Transaction Thresholds
New Jersey is proposing to eliminate the 200-transaction threshold for sales tax economic nexus, instead requiring businesses to collect sales tax if their gross revenue exceeds \$100,000 annually in the state; this simplifies compliance and enhances revenue collection.
Progress
48% Bias Score
Bologna Announces €200 Million Flood Mitigation Plan
In response to recent floods in Bologna, Italy, the city, metropolitan area, and regional government will collaborate on immediate repairs to critical infrastructure by March (€200 million estimated cost), along with long-term flood mitigation projects. The plan includes community involvement and a ...
Bologna Announces €200 Million Flood Mitigation Plan
In response to recent floods in Bologna, Italy, the city, metropolitan area, and regional government will collaborate on immediate repairs to critical infrastructure by March (€200 million estimated cost), along with long-term flood mitigation projects. The plan includes community involvement and a ...
Progress
36% Bias Score
Ruble Strengthens Amidst Diverging Expert Opinions on Contributing Factors
The Russian ruble is strengthening due to a confluence of factors, including upcoming tax payments, high interest rates, and potential US-Russia agreements to resolve the Ukrainian conflict; however, experts disagree on the relative importance of internal vs. external factors, with forecasts ranging...
Ruble Strengthens Amidst Diverging Expert Opinions on Contributing Factors
The Russian ruble is strengthening due to a confluence of factors, including upcoming tax payments, high interest rates, and potential US-Russia agreements to resolve the Ukrainian conflict; however, experts disagree on the relative importance of internal vs. external factors, with forecasts ranging...
Progress
36% Bias Score