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☆ China's policy to boost demand by $700 billion will have a 'bigger and bigger' impact, official says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Vcg | Visual China Group | Getty ImagesBEIJING — China's latest policy to boost demand will soon have a greater effect on growth, a top official at the economic planning agency told reporters Thursday. "We believe this work will achieve bigger and bigger results," he said in Mandarin, translated by CNBC. He noted that equipment upgrades account for 9% to 10% of total GDP. 'Strong' central government fiscal supportIn terms of fiscal funding for those upgrades, Zhao said the central government would provide "strong support." Part of the equipment upgrade and consumer trade-in policy also focuses on improving standards for the kinds of products that can be used.

Persons: That's, Zhao Chenxin, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Zhao, Bruce Pang, Fu Jinling, Fu, Francoise Huang, We're, JLL's Pang, Shan Zhongde Organizations: Visual China, Getty, BEIJING, National Development, Reform Commission, CNBC, Analysts, People's Bank of, Allianz Trade, Ministry of Industry, Information Technology, Ministry of Housing, Ministry of Commerce, State Administration, Market, China's Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Global Locations: Qingzhou, Weifang City, Shandong Province, China, oversupply, Beijing, JLL, People's Bank of China

☆ KKR says China's real estate correction may only be halfway done
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

"A fundamentally overbuilt real estate industry needs to be addressed — and quickly," he said in the report, which counts Changchun Hua, KKR's chief economist for Greater China, among the co-authors. Real estate and related sectors once accounted for about one fifth or more of China's economy, depending on the breadth of analysts' calculations. Based on comparisons to housing corrections in the U.S., Japan and Spain, China's "housing market correction may be just halfway complete" in terms of its depth, the KKR report said. watch nowWhile KKR's report didn't provide much detail on expectations for specific real estate policy, the authors said more action by Beijing to improve China's real estate sector "could materially shift investor perception." Chinese officials have said the real estate sector remains in a period of adjustment, while Beijing shifts its emphasis toward manufacturing and what it considers "high-quality development."

Persons: Henry H, McVey, " McVey, Hong, Nomura Organizations: West Coast New, Nurphoto, Getty, BEIJING, KKR, Authorities, Housing Locations: West, Qingdao, East China's Shandong, China, Changchun Hua, Greater China, U.S, Japan, Spain, Beijing, China's

☆ Egg prices are rising again. An outbreak of bird flu could make things worse
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Washington CNN —Egg prices have now been steadily rising for months, and your omelette could become even more expensive as poultry farms around the country deal with an outbreak of bird flu. While egg prices are down from a record $4.82 in January 2023 — after a widespread bird flu outbreak ravaged farms in the prior year — they’re now at the highest level since April 2023. Cal-Maine did not immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment on what the bird flu outbreak means for its egg prices. Bird flu has been detected at other farms across the country. Michigan’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development announced Tuesday that it found evidence of bird flu at a commercial poultry facility in Ionia County.

Persons: — they’re, Sid Miller, they’ve, “ Organizations: Washington CNN, Maine Foods, Cal, Michigan’s Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Companies, “ Cal Locations: Cal, Texas, Maine, Sunny, Ionia County, Texas , Kansas, Minnesota

☆ China's housing minister says real estate developers must go bankrupt if necessary
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING — China's struggling real estate developers won't be getting a major bailout, Chinese authorities have indicated, warning that those who "harm the interests of the masses" will be punished. "For real estate companies that are seriously insolvent and have lost the ability to operate, those that must go bankrupt should go bankrupt, or be restructured, in accordance with the law and market principles," Ni Hong, Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, said at a press conference Saturday. "Those who commit acts that harm the interests of the masses will be resolutely investigated and punished in accordance with the law," he said. That's according to a CNBC translation of his Mandarin-language remarks published in an official transcript of the press conference, held alongside China's annual parliamentary meetings. Ni's comments come as major real estate developers from Evergrande to Country Garden have defaulted on their debt, while plunging new home sales have put future business into question.

Persons: China's Organizations: BEIJING, Hong, Housing, CNBC Locations: Evergrande

☆ CNBC Daily Open: Conflicting signals on U.S. jobs market
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Sumathi Bala | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

This report is from today's CNBC Daily Open, our international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. China warns property developersChina's housing minister signaled real estate developers must go bankrupt if required and won't get a major bailout. Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development Ni Hong also warned that those who "harm the interests of the masses" will be punished. India's 'watershed' FTAIndia signed a 'watershed' $100 billion free trade deal that will remove most tariffs with four non-EU nations.

Persons: Hong, Piyush Goyal, Tony Fernandes, Tasha Keeney Organizations: CNBC, Nikkei, CSI, Nasdaq, Dow, Housing, India, EU, Commerce, Industry, AirAsia Locations: Asia, Japan, China, Malaysian

☆ Beijing says property developers in deep trouble must go bankrupt
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

China's housing minister, Ni Hong, said real-estate developers in serious trouble should be bankrupted and restructured. Analysts suggest Beijing's priority is to ensure delivery of property projects, not to save developers. AdvertisementChina's housing minister said Beijing will not be bailing out the country's distressed property developers. China's real-estate debt crisis has already taken down property giant Evergrande, which is currently undergoing liquidation. "We view the tone on the property sector set at the 'Two Sessions' as negative," they added, referring to China's parliamentary sessions.

Persons: Ni Hong, —, Xi, Li Qiang's, Ni, Jizhou Dong, Riley Jin Organizations: Service, Authorities, Nomura Locations: China, Beijing, Hong Kong

☆ Chinese leaders to hold annual 'Two Sessions' meeting as debate about bazooka-like stimulus swirls
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-04 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Edgar Su | ReutersBEIJING — China is set this week to kick off its annual parliamentary meetings, which investors are watching closely for signals on economic stimulus. China's economic policy is typically set at an annual meeting in December by leaders within the ruling Communist Party of China. GDP and other economic targetsThe Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, an advisory body, is set to kick off its annual meeting on Monday. "On balance, the additional fiscal impulse this year, assuming a bazooka-like fiscal package is not forthcoming, is unlikely to be particularly large." China's foreign minister and premier typically hold press conferences during the parliamentary meetings, which generally end in mid-March.

Persons: Edgar Su, Wang Jun, Wang, Zong Liang, Louise Loo, Loo, Goldman Sachs, Bank of China's Zong Organizations: of, Initiative, Reuters, Huatai Asset Management, CNBC, Communist Party of China, U.S, Political Consultative Conference, National People's, Oxford Economics, Industry, Information Technology, Science, Technology, Housing, Bank of, Communist Party's, Communist Party of Locations: Beijing, China, Reuters BEIJING, U.S . Federal, RMB3.8tn, Bank of China's

☆ Congress closing in on partial budget deal ahead of shutdown deadline
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Negotiators are working on an agreement for six funding bills, four of which expire Friday. But a partial shutdown is still not out of the question. A partial shutdown would impact several government agencies, including agriculture, Veterans Affairs, transportation and housing. What a partial shutdown looks likeIf the four funding bills do expire Friday, their corresponding agencies would shut down Saturday at 12:01 a.m. A partial shutdown would leave those agencies' roughly 100,000 federal employees without pay for any new work during the shutdown, whether they are furloughed or not.

Persons: Chuck Schumer, Mike Johnson, Joe Biden, Johnson, Athina Lawson, Bobby Kogan, Biden, Kogan Organizations: U.S, Capitol, Washington , DC, Lawmakers, Congressional, White, Congress, Veterans Affairs, Social Security, D.C, Department of Housing, Urban, Agriculture, Rural Development Locations: Washington ,

☆ Thaksin Shinawatra: Ousted Thai PM's Life in Politics
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-17 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's controversial billionaire former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was released on parole on Sunday after serving six months in detention. 1998Thaksin founds the Thai Rak Thai (Thais Love Thais) party. In September, the military launches a coup against Thaksin while he is overseas, citing the need to end the protests. 2011New elections are won in a landslide by another new pro-Thaksin party, Pheu Thai. Thaksin applies for a royal pardon and his eight-year jail term is commuted to a year by the king.

Persons: Thaksin Shinawatra, Thaksin, Love Thais, Thais, Yingluck Shinawatra, Thaksin's, Srettha Thavisin, Nick Macfie, Martin Petty Organizations: Thai Rak Thai, Thaksin, People's Alliance for Democracy, Shin Corporation, Temasek, English Premier League, Manchester City, Power Party, United Front for Democracy, Democrat Party Locations: BANGKOK, Thai, Singapore, Thai Rak Thai, Britain, Bangkok, Thailand

☆ Egypt Setting up Area at Gaza Border Which Could Be Used to Shelter Palestinians-Sources
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

One of the sources said Egypt was optimistic talks to clinch a ceasefire can avoid any such scenario, but is establishing the area at the border as a temporary and precautionary measure. War in Israel and Gaza View All 209 ImagesThree security sources said Egypt had begun preparing a desert area with some basic facilities which could be used to shelter Palestinians, emphasising this was a contingency step. Israel has said its army is drawing up a plan to evacuate civilians from Rafah to other parts of the Gaza Strip. A U.S. State Department spokesperson said: "The president has been clear that we do not support the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. The Gaza war has piled pressure on relations between Egypt and Israel, which signed a peace deal in 1979.

Persons: Jordan, Martin Griffiths, Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Netanyahu, Avi Dichter, Dichter, Al Mawasi, General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Sameh Shoukry, Tom Perry, Edmund Blair, Neil Fullick Organizations: Reuters, United, Egypt's, Service, Sinai Foundation, Human Rights, Israeli, U.S . State Department, ABC News, Israel's Army, Arab League Locations: Egypt, Gaza, Rafah, Cairo, Sinai, United States, Israel, ISRAEL, U.S, The U.S, Jordan

Photos You Should See View All 45 ImagesThe sluggish property market also has dented local government revenue from vital land use sales, adding to public debt. The central bank and State Administration of Financial Supervision issued a list of 17 measures to support the rental housing market, due to take effect on Monday. Most have to do with financial services for leasing, promoting investment in rental housing and improving the financial management of rental properties. The aim is to “support various entities to build, renovate and operate long-term rental housing, and to revitalize existing housing stock, effectively increasing the supply of affordable and commercial rental housing,” it said. Beefing up the rental market would help free up more housing for young people and others who lack the means to purchase apartments.

Persons: China Evergrande, Wang Dongwei, ” Organizations: —, Communist Party, Finance Ministry, Administration, Financial, Housing Locations: BANGKOK, — China, Beijing, Hong Kong, China, China's Guangdong

Vipin Kumar | Hindustan Times | Getty ImagesIndia is set to release its interim budget for 2024 on Thursday, ahead of the country's highly anticipated general elections. The interim budget is seen as a stop-gap financial plan during an election year, aimed at meeting immediate financial needs before a new government is formed. Typically, the interim budget won't include big and sweeping policy announcements. Fiscal deficit targetIndia's fiscal deficit stands at 6.4% of gross domestic product for the 2023-2024 financial year. TaxesDon't expect significant shifts in taxation as this is only an interim budget, analysts say.

Persons: Vipin Kumar, Nirmala Sitharaman, Nomura, Goldman Sachs, Goldman, Nilesh Shah, Shah, it's, Bathini, Modi, India's Organizations: Hindustan Times, Getty, India, Bharatiya Janata Party, Goldman, Mahindra Asset Management, CNBC, Capital, WealthMills Securities, India's Finance, BJP Locations: New Delhi, India, China, Japan, Germany

☆ China rolls out fresh property relief measures to stem the fallout from Evergrande's meltdown
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Yuheng Zhan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Officials in China are boosting property sector relief measures to blunt the impact of Evergrande's collapse. The new measures are part of a wider series of economy-boosting initiatives, especially in the real estate sector, which constitutes one-quarter of the country's economy. The crisis in the property sector stems from huge debt and overbuilding in the last decade, which has resulted in a liquidity crisis for many property developers, including Evergrande. The company's troubles sent country's property sector into a tailspin starting in 2022 when it defaulted on some of its offshore bonds. China is moving mountains to hold the real estate sector's crisis from pouring into other sectors.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Beijing, China's Ministry of Housing, China Mingsheng Banking Corp, China Securities Journal, Guangzhou, Reuters, Bloomberg Locations: China, Hong Kong, Nanning, Guangxi, Chongqing, Suzhou, Shanghai, restructurings

The documents showed that the government also labeled as part of its climate change efforts items as disparate as Navy security operations and distributing fortified milk among the rural poor. Of this, Pemex spent 5.6 billion pesos on climate change and 1.3 billion pesos on the energy transition in the same period, the public accounts show. "Mexico started really strong," said Maria Jose de Villafranca, the lead researcher for Mexico at Climate Action Tracker. The government did not make officials available to discuss its climate change plans. Mexico has not released information about its strategy, which has been criticized by climate change experts as non-compliant with the Paris Agreement.

Persons: Gustavo Graf, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Lopez Obrador, Lopez Obrador's, Pemex, Victor Gomez, Gomez, Maria Jose de Villafranca, There's, Jason DeVito, Stefanie Eschenbacher, Simon Jessop, Dave Graham, Claudia Parsons Organizations: REUTERS, MEXICO CITY, Reuters, United, CFE, United Nations, Navy, Federated Hermes, Thomson Locations: El Bosque, Mexico, MEXICO, DUBAI, United States, Paris, United Nations, Dubai, CFE, Mexico City

☆ US House Republican spending plan hits new snag as shutdown looms
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( David Morgan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Lawmakers said they expect the Louisiana Republican to unveil a continuing resolution or "CR" to avert a partial government shutdown as late as Saturday. Johnson can afford to lose no more than four Republican votes from his slim 221-212 House majority on legislation opposed by Democrats. But he is under pressure from Republican hardliners to lumber any CR with spending cuts and policy riders Democrats uniformly reject. "If there's any kind of CR, there has to be spending reductions," Representative Chip Roy, a prominent conservative, told reporters. House Republicans are trying to pass a full slate of 12 appropriations bills for fiscal 2024, which began on Oct. 1.

Persons: Julia Nikhinson, Mike Johnson, Joe Biden, Biden, Chuck Schumer, Johnson, Chip Roy, Tom Cole, Cole, We've, Steve Womack, Republican centrists, Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy, It's, Ralph Norman, David Morgan, Nandita Bose, Susan Heavey, Scott Malone, David Gregorio, Mark Porter Organizations: U.S, Capitol, Congress, REUTERS, Rights, . House, White, Treasury, Lawmakers, Louisiana Republican, Democratic, Republican, House Republicans, Internal Revenue Service, District of, Food and Drug Administration, Amtrak, Biden, Republicans, Caucus, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Louisiana, Washington, District of Columbia

☆ Where are the 12 US gov't funding bills to avert shutdown?
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

But first, the House and Senate would have to agree upon the overall dollar amount of spending for the 12 bills combined. The Senate passed its version as part of a three-bill package on Nov. 1 with strong bipartisan support. DEFENSEOne of the largest of the 12 bills funds the Department of Defense - the Army, Navy, Air Force and the CIA. The Senate's version passed out of committee on July 27. The Senate's version passed out of committee on July 27.

Persons: Jon Cherry, shutdowns, Joe Biden, Biden, Kevin McCarthy, Moira Warburton, Aurora Ellis Organizations: U.S . Capitol, REUTERS, Rights, Democratic, Republican, Senate, of Veterans Affairs, Army, Navy, Air Force, U.S . Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Housing, Urban, House Republicans, Amtrak, Department of Defense, CIA, Department of Energy, Nuclear Regulatory, of, of Indian Affairs, Land Management, Environmental Protection Agency, The, Department of Homeland Security, FBI, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of State, Agency for International Development, Peace Corps, Congress, Capitol Police, of Congress, Office, Treasury, of Columbia, Federal Trade Commission, COMMERCE, of Commerce, U.S . Census, U.S . Patent, Department of Justice, Republicans, HUMAN, of Education, Department of Health, Human Services, Department of Labor, Social Security Administration, National Labor Relations Board, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, United States, New York, U.S, Washington

☆ Can Joe Biden and a fistful of cash win rural America for Democrats?
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Andrea Shalal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +9 min

Trump widened his lead among rural voters to 65% in 2020 from 59% in 2016. That includes $20 billion for rural health systems, $20 billion for clean-energy agriculture projects, $11 billion for rural electrification and $13 billion towards rural clean energy projects, the White House calculates. "You get out into the rural areas, and the folks are older and don't have the educational level. USDA data shows 21% of working-age adults in rural areas have at least a bachelor's degree compared to 37% in urban areas. "Biden and [Democratic] Maine Governor Janet Mills: they're too much bleeding hearts.

Persons: Joe Biden's, Andrea Shalal, Rhiannon Hampson, she's, Hampson, We've, Donald Trump, Trump, Barack Obama, Mark Brewer, Suzanne Mettler, Trevor Brown, Brown, Ron Kaufman, Kaufman, Mitt Romney, George H, Bush, Biden, Tom Perez, I'm, John Piotti, James Gimpel, Gimpel, Orange, Dick Bouchard, Janet Mills, Jared Golden, overplaying, TRUMP, Paul Tewes, Matt Hildreth, Nathan Layne, Heather Timmons, Suzanne Goldenberg Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, U.S . Department, Republicans, Democratic, Biden, Republican, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Trump, University of Maine, Cornell, Republican National Committee, Democratic National Committee, Political, Trust, Pew, Center for Information, Research, Civic, Tufts University . White, Family Foundation, Data, University of Maryland, Pew Research, DEMOCRATS Maine, Maine, Reuters, Democrats, Democratic Party, Thomson Locations: Waterville , Maine, U.S, Waterville, Presque Isle, America, North Carolina, Georgia, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Maine, Orono, Nebraska, Massachusetts, Utah, Maine's, Vietnam, Poland, Iowa, Ohio , Montana

REUTERS/Aly Song/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsHONG KONG, Sept 1 (Reuters) - China is set to take further action including relaxing home-purchase restrictions as it scrambles to tackle a deepening crisis in its massive debt-riddled property sector, four people familiar with the matter said. They plan to act as existing policies failed to sustain a sector rebound earlier this year, the people added. The property sector accounts for roughly a quarter of the world's second-largest economy. However, it is in the throes of an unprecedented debt crisis that market participants fear could spread throughout the financial sector at home and beyond. They also reduced the downpayment ratio to no lower than 20% for first-home buyers and no lower than 30% for second-home purchases.

Persons: Aly, Morgan Stanley, Julie Zhu, Jane Xu, Sumeet Chatterjee, Christopher Cushing Organizations: REUTERS, Regulators, Council, Information Office, Reuters, Housing, People's Bank of China, National Administration of Financial, Thomson Locations: Shanghai, China, HONG KONG, Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou

☆ China approves guidelines to boost affordable housing amid property debt crisis
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Chinese property sector is in a deepening crisis with a rising risk of default among some developers as they struggle to sell apartments and raise funds. Separately, China's central bank announced guidance on relaxing residential housing loan rules, in a move aimed at boosting loan applications and house purchases. The central bank also said it would stick to the principle that houses are for living in and not vehicles for speculation. On Friday, the housing ministry, the central bank and the national financial regulator also jointly issued a notice easing mortgage policies to help revive the sector. China's housing market has over the past two years been grappling with a severe debt crisis - initially triggered by government moves to rein in ballooning debt.

Persons: Thomas Peter, Premier Li Qiang, Ellen Zhang, Ryan Woo, John Stonestreet, Susan Fenton, Hugh Lawson Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Premier, Xinhua, People's Bank of, Ministry of Housing, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, Rights BEIJING, People's Bank of China

BANGKOK, Aug 22 (Reuters) - When Thailand's deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra went into self-imposed exile in 2008 facing a raft of corruption charges following his ouster in a military coup, he issued a hand-written note. Thaksin has been Thailand's most prominent politician for decades, retaining outsized influence despite the years away. "It closes a crucial chapter in Thailand's politics," Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political scientist at Chulalongkorn University, said of Thaksin's return. A shrewd operator who rarely minces his words, an increasingly wealthy Thaksin entered politics in the mid-1990s, initially serving as foreign minister and then deputy prime minister. But the brash Thaksin, who called himself Thailand's first "CEO prime minister", faced royalist accusations that he was undermining the revered monarchy, which he denied.

Persons: Thailand's, Thaksin Shinawatra, Thaksin, Thaksin's, Yingluck Shinawatra, Critics, watchdogs, Chalinee, Chiang Mai, Love Thais, Devjyot Ghoshal, Chayut Setboonsarng, Panu, Robert Birsel Organizations: Thaksin, Chulalongkorn University, Thai, REUTERS, Rights, Shin Corporation, Thai Rak Thai, Singapore's Temasek, Premier League, Manchester City, Thomson Locations: BANGKOK, Bangkok, Thailand, Chiang, United States, Thai, Britain

☆ Drought-stricken Mexico is flying planes into clouds to make it rain
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Laura Paddison | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

In July, the country kicked off the latest phase of a cloud seeding project that aims to artificially stimulate rainfall. However, some scientists remain very cautious about the effectiveness of cloud seeding and warn that it is not a solution to drought. Jose Luis Gonzalez/ReutersMexico contends that its current cloud seeding project, which it has been running since December 2020, has had a positive impact. “But is the rain from cloud seeding or is it not from cloud seeding? Cloud seeding “should be considered only as one element” in a much broader strategy, wrote García and Martínez.

Persons: Roelef, Bruintjes, Jose Luis Gonzalez, ”, Fernando García García, Guillermo Montero Martínez Organizations: CNN, Ministry of Agriculture, National Center for Atmospheric Research, Startup, Reuters, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico’s Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development Locations: Mexico, United States, China, Coyame, Chihuahua, Reuters Mexico, Wyoming, Idaho

☆ China's housing ministry is getting 'bolder' about real estate support
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

BEIJING — China's housing ministry has announced plans to make it easier for people to buy property. The news, out late Thursday, indicates how different levels of government are starting to act just days after Beijing signaled a shift away from its crackdown on real estate speculation. The planned measures include easing purchase restrictions for people wanting to buy a second house, and reducing down payment ratios for first-time homebuyers, according to an article on the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development's website. In an effort to reduce speculation in its massive property market, China has made it much harder for people to buy a second house. Mortgage rates for the second purchase can be a full percentage point higher than for the first, while the second-home down payment ratio can skyrocket to 70% or 80% in large cities, according to Natixis.

Organizations: BEIJING, Ministry of Housing Locations: Beijing, China

☆ US House votes to approve first 2024 spending bill
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( David Morgan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON, July 27 (Reuters) - The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives passed a fiscal 2024 appropriations bill for military construction and veterans affairs on Thursday, the first of 12 spending measures that Congress must enact by Oct. 1 or risk a government shutdown. The House voted 219-211 to approve the $155.7 billion military construction and veterans affairs bill, forwarding it on to the Democratic-led Senate where it is unlikely to succeed. House Republican leaders chose to delay consideration of a second spending bill on agriculture, rural development and the Food and Drug Administration until September, amid party infighting over spending between hardline conservatives and moderates. House passage of appropriations legislation represents only a first step toward funding the government from Oct. 1. As lawmakers headed into a lengthy August recess, the two chambers appeared to be at least $120 billion apart on spending.

Persons: Joe Biden, David Morgan, Jonathan Oatis, Marguerita Choy Organizations: Republican, House, Democratic, Food and Drug Administration, Thomson

Hardline conservatives, including members of the House Freedom Caucus, warned Republican leaders this week that they would not support appropriations bills without assurances on spending. But with hardliners pushing for lower spending, the House and Senate are at least $120 billion apart, with Senate appropriators aiming at the $1.59 trillion in fiscal 2024 discretionary spending agreed by McCarthy and Biden in June. Biden on Monday vowed to veto the House Republican spending bills if they make it to his desk, saying they backed away from the deal. The military and veterans bill would provide $155.7 billion in discretionary spending for military construction and veterans affairs. Democrats rejected the military construction bill, saying it would slash important programs and impose "a kitchen sink of culture wars" on the military and veterans.

Persons: Evelyn Hockstein, Andy Ogles, Nothing's, I'm, Ogles, Don Bacon, Kevin McCarthy, Joe Biden, McCarthy, Biden, Steve Scalise, Teresa Leger Fernandez, David Morgan, Katharine Jackson, Susan Heavey, Bill Berkrot, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: U.S . Capitol, Capitol, U.S, REUTERS, WASHINGTON, Republican, House, Democratic, Caucus, Reuters, Food and Drug Administration, Lawmakers, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S

☆ US House Republicans face possible infighting as they turn to spending
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( David Morgan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Hardline conservatives from the House Freedom Caucus have proposed amendments that would address other hot-button topics including immigration, critical race theory and diversity. The White House has said that Biden would veto both of this week's House appropriations bills if they reached his desk. "If we don't agree with the outcome, we'll vote against the rule and do whatever we have to do," Representative Ralph Norman, a prominent Freedom Caucus member, said in an interview. While House Republicans argue over spending cuts, the Democratic-led Senate is moving quickly and in a strong bipartisan manner toward legislation with at least $120 billion more spending. Last year, spending bills were all crammed in to a sweeping omnibus measure totalling $1.7 trillion.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy, Joe Biden, Biden, Ralph Norman, Andy Biggs, Biggs, David Morgan, Scott Malone, Matthew Lewis Organizations: U.S . House, Lawmakers, Food and Drug Administration, House, Caucus, Democratic, Democrats, California Republican, Republicans, Senate, Republican, Freedom Caucus, Thomson Locations: Washington

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