The solar market is in flux, due in part to global trade tensions. A Los Angeles Times article on July 7 stated that Trump’s tariff can disrupt the solar power industry, noting that “once you launch a trade war, it’s very hard to control the consequences.”

As the prices of solar panels fluctuate amid uncertainty, who are the real victims of the trade war when it comes to energy?

The trade conflict erupted since the Trump administration started publicly considering tariffs on imports last summer, mostly from China and other Asian countries.

On June 15, Trump declared tariffs on 34 billion US dollars’ worth of Chinese imports, and China immediately retaliated by raising tariffs on US shipments of farm produce, dairy products and automobiles. Three days later, the White House declared that the United States would impose additional 10 percent tariffs on another 200 billion US dollars’ worth of Chinese imports if China retaliated against the US tariffs.

Actually, the United States announced in January that it would impose temporary tariffs on imports of solar cells and solar panels from China. This has turned energy into a key area of the trade war.

Many energy entrepreneurs are realizing that the beautiful dreams espoused by their president are also being destroyed by him, though the energy cooperation deals with a combined value of 163.7 billion US dollars signed during Trump’s visit to China still remain in effect.

One of the deals is a memorandum of understanding signed by China Energy Investment Corp to invest 83.7 billion US dollars in shale gas, power and chemical projects in West Virginia. There’s also another agreement worth 11 billion US dollars between Petro-China and Chenille energy.

Thanks to shale gas, the US has transformed from an energy importer to an exporter. Meanwhile, China’s goal of green development has seen it focusing more on using cleaner energy, such as natural gas.

Since China can be a large market for US energy exports, collaboration is a win-win deal, even if neither side wants to admit it.

However, due to the escalation in the China-US trade war, a scheduled trip by the delegation from China Energy Investment Corp to West Virginia was canceled this June.

This means that energy enterprises are the real victims in this ongoing conflict. They are losing access to the largest market in the world as well as a cheap supply of renewable energy products.

Since energy security is a challenge that should be tackled by all countries in order to meet the UN’s sustainable development goals, one should consider the consequences that this trade war poses to the world.

A United Nations report finds millions of people in Ghana are not benefiting from the country’s booming economy, but remain mired in poverty. The U.N. Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights has submitted the results of his 10-day fact-finding mission to Ghana in April to the U.N. Human Rights Council.

U.N. Investigator Philip Alston says Ghana is the fastest growing economy in Africa and one of the three fastest growing economies in the whole world. He says this success is making the rich richer, while a high proportion of the population continues to live in poverty.

He says the poor are losing out amidst the country’s growing wealth because Ghana spends 50 percent less than its peer countries in Africa on social protection.

According to him says most of the country’s resources are being plowed into private investment projects designed to make the wealthy better off. He says this policy comes at the expense of providing better employment opportunities and welfare benefits for the poor.

“So, the risk is that Ghana continues to be the great economic success story in the continent, but that very little of the wealth will trickle down to a fairly extensive number of Ghanaians, who continue to live in poverty,” said Alston.

Statistics show one in five Ghanaians live in poverty and one in eight live in extreme poverty. Alston says he finds it particularly troubling that 28 percent of children live in poverty.

He said Ghana has a very big problem of corruption and the failure of the government to collect taxes strips the country of important revenue.

“That means that they do not have revenue for additional spending.So, they need to crack down seriously on corruption and on tax evasion and some of the resulting money, even a small part of it needs to be actually spent on these social protection programs,” said Alston.

In response, Ghana notes inequality often affects rapidly expanding economies such as its own. But, it says the government is committed to reducing poverty and to achieving the U.N. Sustainable Development Goal of eradicating poverty by 2030.

Bitcoin fell to a two-month low on Tuesday, sliding in three of the last four sessions on nagging regulatory and security concerns after the weekend hacking of South Korean cryptocurrency exchange Coinrail.

The original virtual currency is nearing its lowest level of the year of just under $6,000 BTC=BTSP on the Bitstamp platform. It fell to a low of below $6,500 and last traded down 4.7 percent at $6,551.48.

So far in 2018, bitcoin is down nearly 53 per cent, after soaring more than 1,300 per cent last year.

On Sunday, Coinrail, a relatively small cryptocurrency exchange in South Korea, said its system was hit by “cyber intrusion,” causing a loss of about 30 percent of the coins traded on the exchange. It did not quantify its value, but local news outlet Yonhap news estimated in an unsourced report that about 40 billion won ($37.28 million) worth of virtual coins were stolen.

The latest hacking wiped out more than $40 billion in the market value of the cryptocurrency market on Sunday. Bitcoin itself declined by nearly $1,000.

Bitcoin was able to recover after Sunday’s bloodbath on Monday, but it has since continued its downtrend.

“Bitcoin is in a liquidity vacuum at the moment. Volumes on the crypto exchanges are now below $5 billion per day, their lowest levels since November 2017, before things got out of hand,” Israel-based Mati Greenspan, senior market analyst, at eToro, said.

“As the trading activity is very low, even a small amount of pressure can move the price quite drastically. Kind of like if you hit a baseball in outer space,” he added.

Other digital currencies also declined in sympathy with bitcoin. Ethereum, the second-largest by market value, was down 5 percent over the past 24 hours to $496.07, while the third-largest, Ripple, lost 4.3 per cent to $0.55, according to cryptocurrency price tracker coinmarketcap.com.

South Korea is one of the world’s major cryptocurrency trading centers, and is home to one of the most heavily trafficked virtual coin exchanges, Bithumb.

Investors and regulators were jolted earlier this year after Japan’s cryptocurrency exchange Coincheck was hacked in a high-profile theft of over half a billion dollars worth of digital currency.

Since the beginning of the year, bitcoin has been trading in a “descending triangle,” with important support at $6,500 analysts at online FX broker FxPro said.

A move below $6,500 is a strong technical signal for a sell-off, FxPro said.

People rarely achieve real success by accident. You should prepare for financial victories with the help of advice given by some of the most successful people in the world.

Be passionate (Warren Buffett) 

For most people, finding exactly what they like and monetizing this occupation is one of the biggest challenges in life. These tips, according to Warren Buffett, are exactly what allowed him to succeed in investing and finding good deals. "To be successful in almost everything is to take it with passion. If you see someone with a high intellect and a passion for what he does, and he forces the people around him to carry out his orders, even if these people can not see beyond the top of the nearest hill, he will definitely be successful, "he said. .

Record everything (Sir Richard Branson) 

The magnate Richard Branson has repeatedly reported that he compiles a wide variety of lists. "I've always lived making lists," he said. "That includes all the lists of people I need to call; lists of ideas; lists of companies that need to be opened; lists of messages I need to send; lists of my plans. " He advises you to write down every idea that comes to your mind, no matter how big or small it is, and then try to implement it. Lists are a great way to set financial priorities.

The secret is not only in luck or talent (Sean Combs) 

It's easy to write off your success at the fact that you were at the right time in the right place, but in the end, no real achievement can come without hard work. This is a lesson that tycoon Sean Combs learned very early, and it was from this that he drew the financial advice that now follows. Already at the age of 12 he learned that if he would give his best for clients, he would be rewarded.

Do not be cheeky (Bill Gates) 

"Success is a bad teacher," said Microsoft's founder Bill Gates. "He seduces intelligent people and makes them think that they can not lose." Do not stop acting. Do not stop learning. Former success does not guarantee future success. Even the most intelligent, most talented people with connections can lose.

Be disciplined (Mark Cuban) 

This applies to all areas of life. Mark Cuban pays attention to a good test: can you cut your credit card? "If you use a credit card, you do not want to be rich," he said. - The first step to becoming rich, will require discipline from you. If you really want to get rich, you need to learn to be disciplined. Will you get it? "

Develop a plan that will work for you (Bozoma St. John) 

Many successful people believe that lists are very helpful, but you should respect what works for you. The main brand manager of Uber Bozoma St. John, for example, said that the lists would not allow her to be where she is now. "This is a personal approach, and it does not work for everyone, and I noticed that when I make a list of pros and cons, I try to dissuade myself from a good idea," she said.

Know that it will not be easy (Jeff Bezos) 

The executive director of Amazon once remembered the moment when one of his friends hired a coach for a stand in his arms. "At the first lesson, this coach gave excellent advice. Most people think that if they work hard, they will be able to master the stand on their hands in about two weeks. The truth is that you will need six months of daily practice, "he said.

Look for online resources (Seuss Orman)

Seuss Orman gave her financial advice, among which she pointed out the following: look at your monthly budget, highlighting all expenses that are not vital, then cut these costs by 10 percent until you have five thousand free. She also said that you always need to check the availability of discounts before you make a purchase.

You do not need money to make money (Damon John) 

Damond John said that he understood the following: almost every time he achieved this or that success, money never had anything to do with this. And if you are familiar with entrepreneurial activities, you definitely know that entrepreneurs never succeed in success. He constantly alternates with failures.

Keep track of your loans (Sophia Amoruzo) 

"Trivia is exactly what can ruin your credit history, and they will definitely do it," said Sofya Amoruzo, the authoritative online empire of Nasty Gal and GirlBoss Media. - Due to the fact that I constantly moved, I never had a stable address, so I did not get an account while moving from state to state. By the time my account for $ 28 caught up with me, my credit rating was already spoiled. "

Really look at the facts (Jeff Busgan) 

Know the facts about yourself and pay attention to them. "A very serious mistake that many people make is that they either ignore the data or deny what they say," said businessman Jeff Busgang. "You always need to try to focus on information and learn the truth."

Treat normally to failure (Sarah Blakely) 

The founder of Spanx, Sarah Blakeley, said that accepting defeats and maintaining self-confidence was exactly what helped her become the youngest millionaire who had earned her fortune in the whole of America. "What you do not know can be your biggest asset if you allow it and if you have the confidence to say:" I will do it anyway! "

When you are young, optimize for training, not for earning (Tim Ferriss) 

Think in the long term. "When you are between 20 and 30, optimize to learn, not earn," said author and entrepreneur Tim Ferriss. - Work under the leadership of professionals and get new skills. This is especially true for negotiating, as well as for solid skills, such as writing code. "

Control your risk (Neil Blumenthal) 

With great risk comes a big reward, but that does not mean you have to go all-in to make money, especially if you want to retire early. "From the very beginning, our approach to entrepreneurship was slightly different from the norm," said Neil Blumenthal, founder of Warby Parker. "Instead of making huge jumps, we focused on a bold look, but also on the way to the goal with small quick steps."

Be persistent (Julie Rice) 

Optimize your chances of success in all aspects of your life. Here is an example from the founder of SoulCycle, Julie Rice: "If someone asks you for a cup of coffee, but you forgot to ask if this person wants coffee with sugar or milk, you will need to bring one black coffee, one with milk, one with sugar and one with milk and sugar. You just bring four cups of coffee. This is what you need to do, because you do not want to appear with the wrong thing. "

Have a plan at hand (Alexa Von Tobel) 

Do not leave finance at the mercy of luck. Learn to control money, get a plan, no matter how small capital is, and also regardless of what your goals are. "Not having a financial plan is also a plan, but only very bad," said Alexa Von Tobel, director and founder of LearnVest, who founded her own business for that reason.

According to 'The Wall Street Journal', some users have been closed the account without warning or explanation.

Amazon's flexible return rule may not be as flexible.


The company prohibits the use of the platform by users who commit infractions, such as making too many returns, according to the Wall Street Journal . Some users are not notified of their violation.

Amazon has a free and easy return policy for some items, a tactic that has pushed physical stores to do the same to compete with the digital commerce giant. But it seems that the return policy of Amazon has a price.

Dozens of people have written on Twitter and Facebook to complain that Amazon has closed the account without warning or explanation, according to the Journal .

Paul Fidalgo said he was "exiled" from Amazon because of "excessive returns." Other people have said that they have been banned from the site for similar reasons.

A user tweeted a screenshot of the email Amazon sent asking him why he returned his orders.

Buyers have complained about having been banned from Amazon for years. One client told The Guardian newspaper in 2016 that he was expelled from Amazon after returning 37 of the 343 purchases he had made. And last month, some members of Amazon Prime said on social networks that their Amazon accounts had closed without any explanation; Some threatened to initiate a lawsuit against the company.

Amazon's return policy does not tell customers that making too many returns would result in the closure of their accounts, but their terms of use say that the company reserves the right to close accounts at its discretion.

"We want everyone to be able to use Amazon, but there are rare occasions when someone abuses our service for a long period of time," said an Amazon representative. "We never make these decisions lightly, and with more than 300 million customers around the world, we take action when appropriate to protect the experience of all our users." If a client believes we have made a mistake, we encourage them to Contact directly so we can review your account and take the appropriate course. "

The general director of the mail resisted the repeated requests of the president insisting that such action would require the approval of a regulatory commission, according to the Washington Post.

Donald Trump wanted to force the director of the US Postal Service, Megan Brennan, to double how much the postal service charged Amazon , and also other companies, to deliver their packages,  according to The Washington Post .

Brennan has allegedly resisted taking this action, insisting that the arrangements are fixed in agreements and these need to be reviewed by a regulatory commission. In addition, she allegedly told Trump that the relationship of the postal service with Amazon has been beneficial for the mail and showed him slides with other companies, in addition to Amazon, who collaborate for deliveries.

Trump has frequently criticized Amazon , calling the use of the postal service company a "fraud" and attacking the company's lobbying. Last week Trump ordered an evaluation of the mail's finances, after weeks of accusing Amazon of not paying its fair share of the shipping costs.

Amazon has said that in 2017 it paid US $ 21,700 million in shipping costs, which include the classification, transport and delivery of packages. Analysts estimate that 40 percent of Amazon packages are delivered by the postal service, according to the Washington Post . However, it is not known exactly how much Amazon pays to the postal service every year.

According to Forbes Magazine, President of China, Xi Jinping is now the world’s most powerful person.  The magazine says President Xi ascended to the top spot for the first time ever after China’s congress amended its constitution in March.

The Chinese leader unseated Russian president Vladimir Putin who held the number one position for the last four years.

Two men from Africa also made the list. Egpytian leader Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Africa’s wealthiest person, Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote placed 45th and 66th respectively on Forbes’ survey.

Egypt President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi
el Sisi, heads the most populous Arab state in the world and presides over Africa’s second largest economy. In April he was elected to a second term after winning 97 percent of the vote. Although many inside and out of Egypt say the campaign was a sham. Many of el-Sisi’s main political challengers were either arrested or  were pressured to withdraw from the contest.

Aliko Dangote’s net worth of $13.2 billion and position as head of Africa’s top cement producer helped cement his place on the list. In addition to owning nearly 90 percent of Dagonte Cement, he also owns large amounts of shares in sugar, salt and flour manufacturing companies.

Mr. Dangote also racing to finish a 650,000-barrel-a-day oil refinery near Lagos, set to be one of the world’s biggest, and says he intends to spend as much as $50 billion in the next decade on renewable energy and petrochemical refineries, including investments in the U.S. and Europe.

Forbes used four key factors in determining its list.  First, the magazine asked whether candidates held power over large amounts of people. Not surprisingly, Forbes also took the amount of financial resources controlled by the candidate. Next, the magazine measured checked to see whether an individual has significant power and influence in multiple areas. Finally Forbes measures how the powerful actively use their power.

U.S. president Donald Trump fell one spot from second to third on Forbes’ annual ranking.

German Chancellor, Angela Merkel is in 4th place. She is the world’s most powerful woman.

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos is 5th.

Amazon revenues reach US $ 51,000 million

Amazon has its hands on everything - digital commerce, smart speakers, streaming services and software  in the cloud - which means it has many sources to generate revenue. And he has done it again.

The technology giant on Thursday announced that during its first fiscal quarter of 2018 it obtained revenues of US $ 51,000 million, representing an increase of 43 percent compared to US $ 35,700 million of the same quarter a year earlier. This figure surpassed the US $ 49,900 million expected by Wall Street analysts. Amazon also achieved profits of US $ 1,600 million.

Jeff Bezos, the founder and CEO of Amazon, thanked the Amazon Web Services (AWS) team that works in the cloud service for contributing a large part to the Seattle company's revenues.

"AWS had the unusual advantage of having started seven years before the competition, and the team always does its best," Bezos said in a statement. "That's why we're seeing this accelerated growth of AWS for two consecutive quarters."

For its part, the Amazon Prime subscription service - which now totals  100 million members  - also contributes substantially to the company. However, due to the cost of free deliveries that grew 38 percent year-on-year, Amazon also announced on Thursday that Amazon will increase Prime's price to US $ 119 in the US. from May 11 for new members and June 16 for renewals.

If the rise in the price does not deter you from signing up for Prime, Amazon reminded us in its statement that it is preparing the production - with the help of Steven Spielberg - of its new original series Cortes that features Javier Bardem in the lead role. He also mentioned that Amazon.com.mx, the portal of the digital store in the Aztec country, now has 20 million products that can be purchased by Prime for free delivery to 13,000 zip codes. Amazon recently announced that consumers in Mexico, and in other countries around the world, can now order from the US portal. and pay the shipping for delivery in their countries.

The technology giant earned nearly $ 12 billion in revenue in its first fiscal quarter - nearly 50 percent more than the same quarter last year.

Maybe the bruises Facebook received this quarter will heal soon.

Despite the Cambridge Analytica scandal , the social networking giant made an income of US $ 11,970 million during its first fiscal quarter of 2018, surpassing the expectations of Wall Street analysts who expected US $ 11,400 million. These revenues represent almost 50 percent more than the same quarter a year ago.

"Despite facing significant challenges, our community and our business started strong in 2018," Zuckerberg said in the statement where  Facebook announced its quarterly results . "We are taking a broader view of our responsibility [towards the community] and investing to ensure that our services are used for good, but we must also continue to develop new tools to help people connect, strengthen our communities, and bring more to the world".

READ ALSO:  Facebook plans to fight against advertising without consent

Advertisers have not left Facebook maybe because users have not either. The social network shared that it had 1,450 million daily users and 2,200 million per month, which in both cases represents an increase of 13 percent compared to the same period a year ago.

Facebook executives did not share with analysts if there was a change in the amount of time users spend on the network after the Cambridge Analytica scandal.

Facebook made a profit of US $ 4,988 million during the three months ended March 31, which is 37 percent more than the US $ 3,064 million of the first quarter of 2017.