What happened on August 18, 1981?

Headlines from August 18, 1981

• 🌍 Solar Energy Revolution – President Reagan's budget cuts and policy changes are set to revolutionize the solar energy industry in the U.S.
• 🇺🇸 U.S. to Aid Savings – The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation announced a program to assist the thrift industry with low-interest mortgages.
• 🎭 Viola Farber Appointed – Viola Farber has been named the new artistic director of the Centre Nationale de Danse Contemporaine in France.
• 📈 Steel Production Rises – Steel production in the U.S. increased to 2.274 million tons, showing a slight growth from the previous week.
• 📊 Interest Rates Soar – Interest rates surged at the Treasury's auction, with three-month bills reaching 15.705 percent.
• ⚖️ Federal Judge Orders Release – A judge ordered the release of 322 Cuban refugees held for over a year unless compelling reasons are provided.
• 📅 U.S. Transfers Iran Funds – The U.S. will transfer over $2 billion of frozen Iranian funds to a bank in the Netherlands under new agreements.
• 🌐 China to Sell Bonds – China plans to issue its first bonds on the Japanese market and aims to raise money in other currencies.
• 📉 Market Drops Sharply – The stock market experienced a significant decline as investor concerns over interest rates continued.
• 🏦 OPEC Price Discussions – Libya and Saudi Arabia indicated willingness to adjust oil prices, signaling potential resolution in OPEC disputes.