Child poverty levels in the UK worst among world’s richest nations, UNICEF report finds
London, UKReuters Child income poverty rates in the United Kingdom were the highest among the world’s richest countries, a report by UN children’s agency UNICEF said, ranking bottom of the table for changes in those rates in the past decade. The UNICEF report, published on Wednesday, looked at relatively well-off countries to assess the rate of child income poverty […]
Mathematics, reading skills in unprecedented decline in teenagers – OECD survey
Paris, FranceReuters Teenagers’ mathematics and reading skills are in an unprecedented decline across dozens of countries and COVID school closures are only partly to be blamed, the OECD said on Tuesday in its latest survey of global learning standards. The Paris-based Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development said it had seen some of the steepest […]
Rich countries may have met $US100 billion climate goal last year – OECD
Brussels, BelgiumReuters Developed nations may have achieved their overdue promise of $US100 billion to help poorer countries cope with climate change in 2022, the OECD said on Thursday, an estimate that may muster some political goodwill on the eve of the COP28 climate summit. In 2009, developed countries promised that from 2020 they would transfer […]
Analysis – Europe struggles to convert Ukraine migration into labour boon
Berlin, Germany/Warsaw, Poland Reuters European countries have not fully seized on the opportunity to plug workforce gaps presented by the arrival of millions of Ukrainian refugees, even though many of those fleeing the war are highly educated or have desperately needed skills. The flood of people over the border following Russia’s February, 2022, invasion should […]
UN chief urges wealthy nations to phase out coal use by 2030
Barcelona, SpainThomson Reuters Foundation UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday called on wealthy nations to end coal use by 2030 so the world can meet its goals to curb global warming, urging G7 nations to make that commitment before or at a leaders’ summit in June. In a video message to a virtual gathering of […]
Wealthy countries edge towards global climate finance goal
Brussels, BelgiumReuters Wealthy countries have ramped up financing to help developing countries cut carbon emissions and cope with the impact of climate change, although it is unclear if they will meet their goal of $US100 billion this year. In its annual update on climate finance for developing countries, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development […]
Global finance must “align” in climate change fight, says UK minister
United NationsThomson Reuters Foundation The world of finance must line up behind the fight against global warming, a top British climate change official said, calling for a concerted effort to turn “billions into trillions” of dollars driving the transition to a green economy. From state aid agencies and international development banks to insurers and pension […]
As EU threatens trade retaliation, Brazil sends army to fight Amazon fires
Brasilia, Brazil/Brussels. BelgiumReuters European leaders on Friday threatened to tear up a trade deal with South America, reflecting the growing international dismay and anger with Brazil as a record number of fires in the Amazon rainforest intensified the unfolding environmental crisis. Amid a global chorus of concern and condemnation, Brazil’s right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro pledged […]
Brexit and bananas: UK charities fear fall from global stage
LondonThomson Reuters Foundation Britain’s exit from the European Union could boost populist voices keen to slash foreign aid, redirect it to benefit UK businesses and hit charity budgets, industry experts said. From Live Aid to campaigning with actress Angelina Jolie to end sexual violence in war, Britain is a leading humanitarian player – the first […]
Global aid spending drops as refugee flows decrease – OECD
LondonThomson Reuters Foundation As global refugee flows fell last year, so did aid from rich countries, official data showed on Wednesday, tumbling for the second consecutive year, and hindering efforts to end poverty. Major donors spent $US149.3 billion on aid in 2018, a decrease of 2.7 per cent compared to the year before, according to preliminary […]