Wiping out polio “not guaranteed”, support needed, Bill Gates says
London, UK Reuters Success in the fight to wipe out polio is not guaranteed, according to tech billionaire turned philanthropist Bill Gates, whose foundation has poured billions into the effort. Gates warned against complacency in tackling the deadly viral disease as he welcomed a $US500 million pledge from Saudi Arabia on Sunday to fight polio […]
COVID-19 vaccine may be ready by year-end, says WHO’s Tedros
Geneva, SwitzerlandReuters A vaccine against COVID-19 may be ready by year-end, the head of the World Health Organization said on Tuesday. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called for solidarity and political commitment by all leaders to ensure equal distribution of vaccines when they become available. “We will need vaccines and there is hope that by […]
Pandemic makes tackling global woes more critical than ever – Bill Gates
New York City, USThomson Reuters Foundation The coronavirus pandemic has wiped out progress on lofty goals such as ending world poverty and hunger in the next decade, but the economic damage of COVID-19 shows how badly such global development is needed, philanthropist Bill Gates said. Across the world, the virus has deepened social and economic […]
US super-rich found failing in pledge to donate most of wealth
London, UKThomson Reuters Foundation Super-rich individuals who pledged to give away most of their money to good causes are instead sitting on rising wealth, with many also “warehousing” donations in dedicated family foundations or funds, a new study has found. More than three quarters of a group of US billionaires who signed up to the […]
Most people want billionaires to pitch in to aid poverty and inequality
New York City, USThomson Reuters Foundation Eight out of 10 people think billionaires should help end poverty, inequality and a host of global ills, a poll showed on Wednesday, as funding shortages and the new coronavirus stymied hopes of meeting the United Nations’ development goals for 2030. The ambitious plans, known as the Sustainable Development […]
Failure to adapt to climate impacts will hike inequality, commission warns
Barcelona, SpainThomson Reuters Foundation From taxpayer-backed flood defences in Miami to shelters keeping Bangladeshis safe from storms, investing to protect against the growing effects of climate change pays, a global commission said this week, warning failure to do so will hike inequality. As the planet heats up, governments and businesses must radically rethink how they […]