Trump Criticizes China and Promises to Stop DPRK’s Missile Development Program

US President-Elect Donald Trump claimed that he will not allow North Korea to create nuclear missiles, capable of reaching US territories, and criticized China for not helping Washington to settle these issues with DPRK, BBC reports.

On Monday, Trump posted in his Twitter: «North Korea just claimed that it is completing the development of nuclear weapon, capable of reaching US territories. This will not happen!»

In 30 minutes, he posted another message, in which he reproached China for refusal to help North Korea: «China received huge amounts of money and wealth from the USA in absolutely unilateral trade, but it will never help North Korea, Great!»

During his New Year’s speech, Supreme Leader of DPRK Kim Jong-un said that Pyongyang intends to strengthen its military potential, until US authorities stop aggressive policy against their country.

Previously, the experts of the Institute for Strategy of National Security of South Korea claimed that by 2020 DPRK can create missiles, capable of reaching US territories.

In March, UN Security Council toughened sanctions against Pyongyang in response to nuclear tests and missile launch, conducted by Pyongyang.

Scandalous Statements on China

During last months, Donald Trump made multiple statements, which were met by official Beijing with confusion and frustration.

«We cannot allow China to violate our country anymore», Trump said in May, during his pre-election campaign.

In early December, - after the conversation of Donald Trump with Taiwan’s Leader Tsai Ing-wen – PRC’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent the official protest to US President.

China considers Taiwan not as a sovereign state, but as its own province, because it speaks out against official contacts between other countries and China’s Republic.

In mid-December – after China’s capture of US underwater research drone – Trump wrote in Twitter «China stole it».

Bitcoin Rate Sets New Record

The Bitcoin’s rate has reached its highest notch from November 2013, as Correspondent.net reports.

The price of cryptocurrency reached USD 933.73.

On Monday, January 2, the bitcoin’s rate against USD dollar at the exchange exceeded USD 1,000 for the first time for three years, according to the bitcoin’s exchange itBit in New York.

At its peak, the bitcoin’s rate reached USD 1,033.14, however then it slightly lost ground and was at USD 1,017.45, when this article was written.

Last time, the bitcoin’s rate exceeded USD 1,000 in 2013, when it hit a fresh all-time high with USD 1,242 on November 29.

As Correspondent.net reported, the bitcoin becomes sounder than British Pound Sterling. The cryptocurrency is less volatile than UK monetary unit is.

Law on State Budget for 2017 Comes into Force

On Sunday, on January 1, 2017, the Law of Ukraine on State Budget for 2017 came into force, Economic Truth reports.

The document stipulates the budget revenues for 2017, amounting to UAH 731.031 bln, including the general budget revenues – UAH 673.737 bln and special fund revenues – UAH 57.293 bln.

The budget expenditures for the next year amount to UAH 800 bln, including general fund expenditures – UAH 739 bln, and special fund expenditures – UAH 60.318 bln.

The maximum limit of budget deficit is set at UAH 77.547 bln, including the maximum limit of general fund deficit – UAH 62.338 bln and the maximum amount of special fund deficit – UAH 15.208 bln.

In 2017, the minimum living wage for one person per month is proposed to be set at UAH 1.544 – from January 1, 2017, UAH 1.624 ths, - from May 1, UAH 1.7 ths – from December 1.

Revenues of Local Budgets to Increase by 25% in 2017 – Groisman

Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groisman forecasts the growth of revenues of local budgets by 25% in 2017, Economic Truth reports, Interfax-Ukraine reports.

“We have almost +50% raise in local budgets every year…Next year, we included also the growth + 25%”, Groisman said on Espresso on Sunday.

According to the Prime Minister, the responsibility of local authorities is increasing simultaneously with increase in revenues, and the results of decentralization at the local level depend on their efficiency.

Groisman considers that the community should also keep track of using local budget funds to avoid corruption.

From Tomorrow NBU Decreases Maximum Limit of Cash Payments for Individuals

The National Bank of Ukraine announces the decrease of maximum limit of cash payments for individuals from UAH 150 ths to 50 ths from January 4, 2017…, UNN reports, quoting the press-office of the National Bank.

The relevant norms are included in the resolution №407 of the Board of the National Bank of Ukraine dd. 25/11/2016 “On Introduction of Amendments to the Resolution of the Board of the National Bank of Ukraine dated June 06, 2013, № 210 “On Setting Maximum Limit of Cash Payments””.

Thus, the resolution stipulates the maximum amount of cash payments between individual and enterprise (entrepreneur) within one day, amounting to UAH 50 ths, as well as individuals between themselves under sale and purchase agreements, which are subject to notarial certification, amounting to UAH 50 ths.

In the meantime, the individuals have the right to make cash payments for the amount, exceeding UAH 50 ths, by transferring funds from the current account to the current account, crediting and/or transferring funds to current accounts (including to the notary’s deposit to the separate current account in national currency).

In the meantime, cashless transactions can be conducted without any limitations and the banks have to ensure cashless transfers upon the request of clients in full. In addition, the maximum amount of cash payments of enterprises (entrepreneurs) within one day remains unchanged and makes up UAH 10 ths.

The institution noted that setting the maximum amount of cash payments at UAH 50 ths will not cause any inconveniences to citizens and will not affect daily purchases of the people, because they will affect only major purchases (real estate, jewelry, vehicles, art, fur, expensive watches, journeys etc).

Meanwhile, the National Bank of Ukraine noted that the Complex Program of Development of the Financial Sector of Ukraine until 2020 stipulates the gradual decrease of the level of cash funds in the economy to 12% (M0-to-GDP ratio) in 2020 (in 2014, this indicator was 18.1%, as per the results of 2015, it decreased to 14.6%).

It should be reminded that on August 4, 2016, the National Bank planned to limit cash payments to UAH 50 ths per day.