Unexpected Development

Unexpected Development
Author: Marlene Perez
Publisher: Henry Holt and Company
Total Pages: 190
Release: 2004-09-02
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 9781596430068

"I'm not sure you really want to get into what I did this summer, Mrs. Westland. Sex. Sex is how I spent my summer vacation." Megan knows twenty different words for "breasts," and can recite them alphabetically-but she can't remember the last time a guy looked her in the eye first, not the chest Size matters, as Megan found out in the 5 th grade, when she developed the largest breasts in the class. Now she's 17 and wearing her twin brothers' baggy sweatshirts can't hide the fact-two facts, really. When her summer job at Pancake Palace puts her in close touch with Jake , who smells like "temptation and Ivory soap," Megan wonders if he can like her for herself, not just her body. Can lusty, busty Megan learn to trust Jake -and herself? Megan tells about her summer of sex in somewhat poignant and very funny journal entries to her favorite teacher.

The Unexpected (2018-) #1

The Unexpected (2018-) #1
Author: Steve Orlando
Publisher: DC Comics
Total Pages: 34
Release: 2018-06-06
Genre: Comics & Graphic Novels
ISBN:

In the aftermath of DARK NIGHTS: METAL, the DC Universe has been forever changed as new heroes are called out of the shadows. Amid this all is Janet Fals...Firebrand! Once a paramedic dedicated to saving lives, she must now start a fight once every 24 hours to feed the Conflict Engine thatÕs replaced her heart. But JanetÕs heart isnÕt just a curse-itÕs a beacon, drawing out both the mysterious Neon the Unknown and the seductive, malevolent Bad Samaritan. One of them wants to cut out her heart, the other wants to save it-but neither of them knows the true danger hidden within that will kick off a superhero manhunt ranging from Thanagar to the deepest heart of the Dark Multiverse!

Bangladesh

Bangladesh
Author: International Monetary Fund. Asia and Pacific Dept
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 127
Release: 2023-12-14
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN:

Bangladesh is navigating multi-faceted economic challenges. Russia’s war in Ukraine disrupted the strong economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and threatened macroeconomic stability. Continued global financial tightening, coupled with existing vulnerabilities, has challenged near-term macroeconomic management. On the back of import compression, the current account deficit narrowed considerably. Nevertheless, amid an unprecedented reversal of the financial account, the overall balance of payments has deteriorated, leading to a continuous decline in foreign exchange reserves. Recent developments have underscored the need to expedite long-standing structural reforms to put the economy on an inclusive and green growth path.

Kingdom of Lesotho

Kingdom of Lesotho
Author: International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 86
Release: 2023-07-20
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN:

The government-driven growth model remains a challenge for sustainable and inclusive growth in Lesotho, displacing resources from the private sector. Growth and inflation are subject to the impact of the war in Ukraine, sluggish regional performance, climate shocks, and longstanding structural issues including governance and corruption vulnerabilities, limited financial access, and fragile public financial management. The recently-elected government is prioritizing fiscal consolidation on the back of windfall transfers from the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) that have helped alleviate pressures on both financing and reserves.

Zambia

Zambia
Author: International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 142
Release: 2023-07-13
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN:

Zambia has made commendable progress over the last two years in implementing its reform agenda to stabilize the economy, lay the foundation for inclusive growth, and create jobs against the backdrop of significant external shocks. The authorities reached an agreement with official creditors on June 22 on a debt restructuring consistent with program parameters. The restoration of fiscal and debt sustainability, together with reforms to boost private and human capital investment, and strengthen governance and anti-corruption, support a positive medium-term economic outlook. Nonetheless, with poverty and inequality amongst the highest in the world and climate vulnerabilities high, significant challenges remain. Sustained efforts are essential to maintain fiscal credibility while also creating sufficient space for social, development, and climate spending.

Republic of Madagascar

Republic of Madagascar
Author: International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 149
Release: 2020-03-02
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1513534173

This paper presents 2019 Article IV Consultation with the Republic of Madagascar and its Sixth Review Under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Arrangement. Madagascar’s performance under its economic program supported by the ECF arrangement has been broadly satisfactory with solid growth, moderate single digit inflation, and a robust external position. As a fragile, low-income country, Madagascar continues to face risks associated with weak implementation capacity, potential fiscal slippages, social fragility in a context of widespread poverty, and vulnerability to exogenous shocks including to terms of trade and natural disasters. Going forward, a commitment to strong policies and an ambitious agenda to complete outstanding structural reforms remains crucial to mitigate internal and external risks, strengthen macroeconomic stability, and achieve higher, sustainable, and inclusive growth. The authorities’ economic reform agenda summarized in the Plan Emergence Madagascar aims to raise economic growth through increased public and private investment, strengthening human capital, and improving governance. Creating additional fiscal space by further improving revenue mobilization through a medium-term tax revenue strategy, containing lower priority spending, and enhancing investment implementation capacity is essential for scaling-up priority investment and social spending in education, health, and housing.

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe
Author: International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 125
Release: 2020-03-26
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1513537725

This 2019 Article IV Consultation focuses on Zimbabwe’s near- and medium-term challenges and policy priorities and was prepared before COVID-19 became a global pandemic that has resulted in unprecedented strains in global trade, commodity, and financial markets. It, therefore, does not reflect the implications of these developments and related policy priorities. The outbreak has greatly amplified uncertainty and downside risks around the outlook. The IMF staff is closely monitoring the situation and will continue to work on assessing its impact and the related policy response in Zimbabwe and globally. With another poor harvest expected, growth in 2020 is projected at near zero, following a sharp contraction in 2019, with food shortages continuing. With no progress on clearing longstanding external arrears, the authorities face a difficult balance of pursuing tight monetary, to reduce very high inflation, and fiscal policies to address the macroeconomic imbalances and build confidence in the currency, while averting a crisis. Pressures are mounting to increase spending on wages and for social protection to mitigate the impact of the weather shocks and high inflation. While the 2020 budget includes a significant increase in social spending, it is likely insufficient to meet the pressing needs.

Cameroon

Cameroon
Author: International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 155
Release: 2024-02-20
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN:

Cameroon’s economic recovery has continued against a backdrop of domestic security pressures, increased regional spillover risks, and continuing global economic uncertainties. Inflation remains high although decelerating, and while Cameroon is the largest CEMAC economy with ample economic potential, it is a fragile and conflictaffected state (FCS). Drivers of fragility include a high debt burden, institutional and governance weaknesses, internal divisions, social exclusion, insurgency, conflicts along borders, and a rising frequency of climate-related natural disasters. Political risks are increasing, with tensions around Presidential succession, and potential spillovers from the region. The IMF staff has prepared a country engagement strategy (CES), in collaboration with stakeholders and international partners, to assess the drivers of fragility and factors of resilience and inform the IMF’s ongoing and future engagement with Cameroon.

Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso
Author: International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 128
Release: 2019-01-22
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1484394232

Burkina Faso faces large social and physical infrastructure gaps, a deteriorating security situation, and unease among the rapidly-expanding population about economic prospects. Growth has been robust, averaging more than 6 percent over the past two years. Activity has been supported by expansionary fiscal policy, including from a boost to capital spending in 2017. Revenue has not increased as expected and the wage bill has been rising.