Hard Numbers: ECB rate hike, China-India thaw, Indigenous oil drilling pause, Nigerian donkey penises
75: The European Central Bank on Thursday raised interest rates by an unprecedented 75 basis points, which means some Europeans will shell out more for their mortgages. Following the US Federal Reserve’s path, the ECB also warned of further hikes until inflation cools.
16: After 16 rounds of commander-level talks, China and India have finally begun withdrawing their troops from a key friction point along their disputed Himalayan border. Two years ago, Chinese and Indian soldiers had their first bloody clash there since the 1960s.
16: Ecuador's government reached a deal with Indigenous groups to stop drilling at 16 oil blocks located on their territory and to suspend approvals for new projects. In return, President Guillermo Lasso hopes Indigenous leaders will call off broader protests over soaring inflation that have slowed oil production to a trickle.
7,000: After noticing a pungent stench from the packages, Nigerian customs officials seized 7,000 donkey penises bound for Hong Kong. Traditional Chinese medicine believes the genitals of certain male animals — especially tigers — can boost sexual virility.