Ben Ari, who serves as the opposition coordinator in the Knesset, described the merger as “an amazing thing” and said it has given hope to many citizens in the country.

If we want a different future, Israelis must be willing to confront the possibility that, from the Palestinian perspective, the political horizon has effectively disappeared.

The festival, held with the support of the Jerusalem Foundation, will bring together prize-winning writers from around the world with leading Israeli authors, poets, journalists, and artists.

For a significant segment of the Right, there remains something more important than tribal loyalty – the common good of the country.

Across all discussions at the Business Africa Forum, a common thread emerged: self-determination. Whether through fintech innovation, practical AI adoption, or network-driven investment strategies, African entrepreneurs are actively reshaping the rules of engagement.

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Despite tensions surrounding the war in the Middle East, Brazil’s Central Bank cut interest rates for the second time in a row. The Monetary Policy Committee (Copom) unanimously reduced the Selic rate, the economy’s benchmark interest rate, by 0.25 percentage points to 14.5 percent per year.

From June 2025 to March of this year, the rate stood at 15 percent per year, the highest level in nearly 20 years. At its last meeting, Copom cut interest rates again amid falling inflation. However, the war in the Middle East, which has led to higher fuel and food prices, complicates the committee’s work.

Notícias relacionadas:

• High interest rates continue to weigh on Brazilian household debt.
• Brazil’s Central Bank cuts benchmark interest rate to 14.75% per year.
• Brazilian industry blames interest rates for 2025 slowdown.

In a statement, the committee gave no indication of the future path of interest rates. It noted that it is monitoring the war in the Middle East and the effects of a possible prolongation on inflation.

Inflation

The Selic rate is the Central Bank’s primary tool for keeping inflation under control, as measured by the Broad National Consumer Price Index (IPCA).

The inflation target set by the National Monetary Council for the Central Bank to pursue is 3 percent, with a tolerance band of 1.5 percentage points above or below.

In the latest Monetary Policy Report, released at the end of March, the Central Bank raised its forecast for the IPCA in 2026 from 3.5 percent to 3.6 percent.

The benchmark interest rate is used in government bond trading within the Special Settlement and Custody System (Selic) and serves as a reference for other interest rates in the economy. By raising it, the Central Bank curbs excess demand that puts upward pressure on prices, as higher interest rates make credit more expensive and encourage saving.

The Jerusalem Post's must-listen news roundup with Shifra Jacobs—the top stories, clear and concise. 

However, as the US seeks to put on a positive face regarding the incoming prime minister, the US is also announcing new rewards for information on several key Iraqi militia leaders.

Reporter's Notebook: The hills of Samaria: The northern West Bank between politics and daily life

Years after a lead acid battery recycling plant shut down in Kenya’s coastal city of Mombasa, residents of Owino Uhuru say they are still suffering from lead poisoning, a growing public health risk as Africa’s clean energy boom drives a surge in battery use.

The Paris Saint Germain player injured his right thigh during a Champions League semi-final first leg match against Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

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The ruling junta in Burkina Faso has tightened security in the capital Ouagadougou in the wake of coordinated attacks in its neighbour and ally Mali, security sources told AFP on Wednesday

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Kenyan runner Sabastian Sawe received a hero’s welcome on Wednesday when he returned to Nairobi after his record-breaking win at the London Marathon.

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Two soldiers were moderately wounded, and 10 others sustained light injuries after a Hezbollah explosive drone struck an armored vehicle near the northern community of Shomera.

Under the Taylor Force Act (2018), Washington is unable to offer economic aid to Ramallah until it ends pay-for-slay payments and its statements of public support for terrorism.

From Tehran to Gaza and Lebanon, The Deep Dive explores how unstable ceasefires could spark the next Middle East crisis.

Kenyan runner Sabastian Sawe received a hero’s welcome on Wednesday when he returned to Nairobi after his record-breaking win at the London Marathon.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with Denis Sassou Nguesso, President of the Republic of Republic of Congo, at the Kremlin in Moscow on Wednesday.

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Last year, President Donald Trump signed a bill that required the Pentagon to come up with a plan by 2027 for ending reliance on China, Russia, and other adversaries for the technology.