Business

Lawmakers express outrage over surprise Fitch decision on August 2, 2023 at 7:58 pm Business News | The Hill

Published

1 year ago

August 2, 2023

The move by market agency Fitch Ratings to downgrade the United States’s debt rating has startled lawmakers and policymakers alike, who said Wednesday that they were perplexed by the move amid strong recent economic indicators.

In addition, news Wednesday that U.S. political instability reflected in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol was a factor in the downgrading has further confused the Beltway, which was already reeling from a third indictment of former President Trump.

Fitch downgraded its issuer default rating for the U.S. on Tuesday evening, surprising investors, roiling equity markets and sending bond yields higher Wednesday morning.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen was also vocal about the move by Fitch Ratings, slamming it on Wednesday as “flawed” and “entirely unwarranted.”

“Fitch’s decision is puzzling in light of the economic strength we see in the United States,” Yellen said in prepared remarks. “[The U.S.] remains the world’s largest, most dynamic, and most innovative economy — with the strongest financial system in the world.”

The agency cited the “erosion of governance” and “fiscal deterioration over the next three years” as reasons for the downgrade, also mentioning the debt ceiling default that nearly crashed the U.S. and global economy in June.

“You have the debt ceiling, you have Jan. 6. Clearly, if you look at polarization with both parties … the Democrats have gone further left and Republicans further right, so the middle is kind of falling apart basically,” Richard Francis, a senior director at Fitch, told Reuters.

White House perplexed

The downgrade is being met with criticism from both parties, who don’t seem to be shying away from pointed partisan rhetoric despite the assessment of increasing polarization.

“We strongly disagree with this decision. The ratings model used by Fitch declined under President Trump and then improved under President Biden,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a Tuesday statement.

“It’s clear that extremism by Republican officials — from cheerleading default, to undermining governance and democracy, to seeking to extend deficit-busting tax giveaways for the wealthy and corporations — is a continued threat to our economy,” she said.

“The United States faces serious long-run fiscal challenges. But the decision of a credit rating agency today, as the economy looks stronger than expected, to downgrade the United States is bizarre and inept,” posted former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

Conservative Republicans outraged

Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-Mo.) said in a Wednesday statement he had concerns about “Fitch’s history of subjective ratings” but also went after Democrats’ spending that he called “reckless.”

“Reckless fiscal policy that caused the inflation we’re still suffering is also harming confidence in our currency and treasuries. House Republicans understood this truth which is the reason Speaker [Kevin McCarthy] made countless attempts to start a dialogue with the White House months before the debt limit was reached,” Luetkemeyer said.

Other GOP members said that Biden’s recent legislative decisions were key in pushing Fitch into deciding the government could not work together.

“When Fitch specifically cited the problem of ‘last-minute’ resolutions, they may as well have noted Biden’s refusal to negotiate with Republicans for months, while insisting on even more wasteful spending,” House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-Mo.) said on Fox News on Tuesday.

“President Biden’s brinksmanship — not to mention the $10 trillion in new spending he and Washington Democrats passed over the past two years — pushed America’s credit rating off the ledge,” Smith said.

“Now families and small businesses already dealing with soaring interest rates and lost wages from Biden’s inflation crisis will also have to face the consequences of a reduced confidence in America’s sovereign debt.”

Yellen says she didn’t understand the move

Yellen reiterated that the new Fitch rating “does not change what all of us already know: that Treasury securities remain the world’s preeminent safe and liquid asset, and that the American economy is fundamentally strong.”

The White House may be working on a proposal following the creation by Biden of a working group in July to look at ways to minimize debt ceiling brinkmanship.

Interest groups in Washington have welcomed the working group’s efforts.

“President Biden should be commended for making reform of our broken debt limit process a priority,” Shai Akabas, executive director of economic policy with the Bipartisan Policy Center, a Washington think tank, said in a statement last month.

“We urge him to work with congressional leaders from both parties on reform that will avoid the kind of brinkmanship we experienced earlier this year,” he wrote.

Business, News, 2024 presidential election, debt ceiling, Fitch The move by market agency Fitch Ratings to downgrade the United States’s debt rating has startled lawmakers and policymakers alike, who said Wednesday that they were perplexed by the move amid strong recent economic indicators. In addition, news Wednesday that U.S. political instability reflected in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol was a…

Business

When TikTok and CapCut Vanished from America

Published

6 days ago

January 19, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

In a shocking turn of events, TikTok and CapCut, two of America’s most popular social media and video editing apps, vanished from U.S. app stores and became inaccessible to users on Saturday evening, January 18, 2025. This unprecedented digital blackout affected approximately 170 million American users, leaving them stunned and searching for alternatives.

The Sudden Shutdown

As the clock struck 10:50 PM Eastern Time on Saturday, both TikTok and CapCut disappeared from Apple and Google app stores. Users attempting to access the apps were greeted with a stark message: “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available now. A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now”.

The ban wasn’t limited to just TikTok and CapCut. Other ByteDance-owned apps, including Lemon8, Hypic, and Gauth, also became unavailable to U.S. users. This sweeping action effectively cut off access to a suite of popular digital tools that millions had come to rely on for entertainment, content creation, and even business purposes.

The Legal Battle

The shutdown came after a tumultuous legal battle that culminated in a Supreme Court decision upholding a federal law requiring ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok and CapCut, to either sell its U.S. operations or face a ban. The legislation, passed in April 2024, cited national security concerns related to data privacy and potential foreign influence.

Impact on Users and Creators

The sudden disappearance of TikTok and CapCut has left content creators and everyday users in a state of digital limbo. Many relied on these platforms not just for entertainment, but as essential tools for their livelihoods and creative expression. The ban has disrupted a thriving ecosystem of digital content creation, leaving millions to scramble for alternative platforms and editing tools.

Political Implications and Future Uncertainties

As the dust settles, all eyes are on the incoming administration. President-elect Donald Trump, set to take office on January 20, has hinted at a potential 90-day extension for ByteDance to sell TikTok. This development has injected a new layer of uncertainty into an already complex situation.

What’s Next?

While the apps remain inaccessible, ByteDance and TikTok officials continue to work towards a resolution. TikTok’s message to users ends on a hopeful note, stating, “We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned”.

As America grapples with this digital void, questions about data privacy, national security, and the future of social media regulation loom large. The TikTok and CapCut ban marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over the influence of foreign-owned technology companies in the United States, with far-reaching implications for users, creators, and the tech industry as a whole.

Bolanle Media covers a wide range of topics, including film, technology, and culture. Our team creates easy-to-understand articles and news pieces that keep readers informed about the latest trends and events. If you’re looking for press coverage or want to share your story with a wider audience, we’d love to hear from you! Contact us today to discuss how we can help bring your news to life.

Business

TikTok Ban Drives 216% Rise in U.S. Users Learning Chinese on Duolingo

Published

1 week ago

January 16, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

Duolingo has reported a remarkable 216% increase in U.S. users learning Mandarin Chinese, coinciding with the impending ban on TikTok, set to take effect on January 19, 2025. This surge is attributed to many TikTok users migrating to a new Chinese social media platform called RedNote (also known as Xiaohongshu), which defaults to Mandarin as its primary language. As TikTok users seek alternatives amidst concerns over data privacy and app availability, they are turning to RedNote, prompting a cultural exchange that has driven interest in learning Chinese.

The spike in Mandarin learners began around mid-January, aligning with the growing popularity of RedNote among former TikTok users. Duolingo’s marketing team has actively engaged with this trend on social media, humorously acknowledging the phenomenon with posts like “Learning Mandarin out of spite? You’re not alone”.

Additionally, Duolingo has seen a 36% increase in downloads in the U.S., reflecting heightened consumer demand for language learning resources as users adapt to the new social media landscape.

The transition from TikTok to RedNote has not been without challenges, as some users have encountered technical issues during registration and account suspensions.

Nevertheless, this shift underscores a significant demand for social networking experiences that resonate with American users while navigating the complexities of Chinese platforms.

Business

TikTok’s Final Countdown: The Sunday Shutdown

Published

1 week ago

January 16, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

As the clock ticks down to January 19, 2025, TikTok users in the United States are bracing for a significant disruption. The app, which boasts approximately 170 million users in the country, faces a potential ban that could render it non-functional by this Sunday. Here’s what you need to know about the impending ban and its implications.

Key Details of the Ban

The anticipated ban comes amid ongoing national security concerns regarding TikTok’s Chinese ownership. Government officials have raised alarms about the possibility of sensitive user data being accessed by Chinese authorities. As a result, the app is expected to be removed from digital app stores, effectively cutting off new downloads and updates.

What Will Happen?

Removal from App Stores: On January 19, TikTok will likely be taken down from platforms like the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Existing Users Affected: Current users may find that their app becomes non-functional, losing access to new content creation and updates.
Data Preservation Challenges: Users may face difficulties in preserving their data and content as the deadline approaches.

Recommendations for Users

In light of the impending ban, TikTok users should take proactive steps to safeguard their content and data:

Download Personal Data: Users can access their TikTok settings to download their data before it’s too late.
Export Saved Videos: Save any cherished videos or content that you wish to keep.
Backup Content: Consider backing up your videos on alternative platforms.
Explore Alternatives: As TikTok faces its potential shutdown, consider migrating to other platforms such as:

Instagram Reels
YouTube Shorts
Lemon8
Triller

Potential Scenarios

While the ban is set for this Sunday, there are several scenarios that could unfold in the coming days:

Last-Minute Legal Intervention: There remains a possibility of a legal challenge that could delay or halt the ban.
Temporary Injunction: Courts may issue a temporary injunction allowing TikTok to operate while legal proceedings continue.
Complete Shutdown: If no intervention occurs, users will face a complete shutdown of the platform in the U.S. market.

Emotional Impact on Users

The potential ban is not just a technical disruption; it carries significant emotional weight for many users. Content creators who have built their brands on TikTok may experience economic repercussions as they lose a primary platform for engagement. Additionally, the shift could lead to broader changes in the social media landscape as users seek new avenues for expression and connection.

Conclusion

As we approach this critical deadline, TikTok users should remain vigilant and prepared for possible changes. Whether through legal maneuvers or a complete shutdown, the future of TikTok in the United States hangs in the balance. Stay tuned for real-time updates as we navigate this evolving situation together.