China is closing in on US technology lead despite constraints, AI researchers say
BEIJING, Jan 10 (Reuters) – China can narrow its technological gap with the U.S. driven by growing risk-taking and innovation, though the lack of advanced chipmaking tools is hobbling the
Italy backs historic EU-Mercosur trade deal after 25 years of negotiations
BRUSSELS (AP) — Italy on Friday gave crucial support to plans by the European Union to seal a huge free trade deal with five South American nations neighboring Venezuela that has been negotiated for over 25
Ohio utility corruption defendants to SCOTUS: Bribes are free speech
The only two individuals who have stood trial for their role in the largest utility corruption scandal in Ohio’s history have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review their cases
Uganda’s debt crisis deepens ahead of elections
Uganda’s national debt stands at $32.3 billion (€27.5 billion), with the government recently approving a loan of 9 trillion Ugandan shillings ($2.5 billion, €2.1 billion), fueling concern over the country’s spiraling finances. For
China calls on Netherlands to correct ‘mistake’ over chipmaker Nexperia
China has demanded the Netherlands end its bid to control the Chinese-owned chipmaker Nexperia, accusing the European country of causing a “crisis” in global supply chains. China’s Ministry of Commerce
How Epstein Opened Doors to Netanyahu and Ehud Barak Amid Israel’s Offshore Gas Fight
On December 17, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a $35 billion deal to sell natural gas to Egypt in what officials describe as the largest energy export agreement in
India’s Gig Workers Strike for Dignity and Protection
On 25 December, the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) mobilized a nationwide flash strike, with nearly 40,000 delivery workers from platforms like Swiggy, Zomato, and Amazon participating across
Europe’s simplification mess frustrates businesses
BRUSSELS — When cocoa farmer Leticia Yankey came to Brussels last October, she had a simple message for the EU: Think about the mess your simplification agenda is creating for companies and communities. It
From safe-haven investment to geostrategic weapon: Who owns the most gold and where are the bars kept?
Gold has been a symbol of wealth for thousands of years. While humans have used all sorts of instruments as money (salt, coins, banknotes, or now, algorithms), no asset even
Lebanese Cabinet approves a draft law to return funds wiped out with the 2019 collapse of banks
BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s Cabinet on Friday approved a draft law to determine the extent of losses suffered by Lebanese banks during the country’s financial meltdown in 2019 and provide a mechanism to return
EU protests UK-Norway deal allowing mackerel overfishing
The European Union protested on Tuesday at a fishing agreement between Britain, Norway, the Faroes and Iceland, saying it could irreversibly damage the dwindling mackerel population in the North Atlantic.
Governments welcomed data centers. Now they’re grappling with the fallout
Countries around the world are investing millions of dollars in building data centers to meet the growing demand for generative artificial intelligence, while also storing data within their own borders.
How Trump’s Big Ag bailout is alienating his MAHA base
At a White House roundtable last Monday, president Donald Trump, alongside Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and a handful of other leaders in the government, announced a $12 billion farm aid
How Europe’s new carbon tax on imported goods will change global trade – and our shopping habits
For people living in the EU, the price of their next car, home renovation and even local produce may soon reflect a climate policy that many have never even heard
IEA: Declining coal demand in China set to outweigh Trump’s pro-coal policies
Global coal demand is due to grow by 0.5% year-on-year to reach record levels in 2025, according to the latest figures in the IEA’s annual market report. Yet this will be
Labor rights in Europe: Who’s working over Christmas?
While the festive season’s most famous workers are the elves of the North Pole and their sleigh-riding courier, there are many more that keep things running over the final weeks
Rotten at the core: the silent exploitation of migrant fruit & veg pickers
Millions of migrant workers face exploitation in Europe’s fields, harvesting the fruit and vegetables that many of us purchase. This was the stark finding of a disturbing investigation published last
Farmers will get more money from Trump. They still have more problems
RANDOLPH, Minn. (AP) — When Donald Trump promised new tariffs while running for president, Gene Stehly worried that trade disputes would jeopardize his international sales of corn, soybeans and wheat. A little
EU reaches deal to screen incoming foreign investments
BRUSSELS — The EU has struck a political agreement to overhaul the bloc’s foreign direct investment screening rules, the Council of the EU announced on Thursday, in a move to prevent
Nowhere to move: How climate change became the property market’s biggest nightmare
Climate change-fuelled risks have now become a “crucial factor in home-buying decisions” for more than 80 per cent of potential buyers. That’s what Zillow, the US’s largest real estate listings
Trump admin claims win as UK bows to pressure on NHS drug spending
LONDON — The U.K. has agreed to raise how much its National Health Service spends on new drugs, in a concession made under pressure from the Trump administration in return
Europe must guard against US dominance in rare earths, agency head says
LONDON, Dec 5 (Reuters) – Europe has finally taken major steps to build up its rare earths sector to counter Chinese dominance, but the region also needs to guard against being overwhelmed
In Milei’s Argentina, austerity economics manifests as a mental health crisis
In her nine years at the Laura Bonaparte national mental health hospital in Buenos Aires City, Julieta Chevallier has seen suffering widen and deepen. “When people finally come to see
The hidden Kenyan workers training China’s AI models
Chinese AI companies are quietly tapping into Kenya’s young workforce, hiring students and recent graduates to label thousands of videos a day. The work is done through opaque networks of
Budget tax rises to be overshadowed by Bank of England bond sales and losses
The £78bn cumulative tax rises announced by the chancellor in today’s budget risk being wiped out by the £112bn worth of losses the Bank of England due to its active
Crypto market crash hits Trump family, wiping out $1 billion of their fortune
In just over a month, the crypto market has lost $1.2 trillion in value. The steady declines since mid-October have erased much of the gains received by both small and
Caroline Lucas Calls for Landmark UK-Europe Energy and Climate Alliance
Former Green Party Leader, and Byline Times columnist Caroline Lucas has called for a new pact with the EU that could deliver abundant cheap, clean energy and reduce pollution dramatically, all
It’s been 12 years since Rana Plaza. Why is Amazon still refusing to protect Bangladeshi garment workers?
Akter draws a direct line from Amazon’s pursuit of profit and speed to the lethal pressures on suppliers, echoing the ignored warnings that preceded Rana Plaza. Announcing solidarity with the
Why German companies can’t quit China
For Matthias Rüth, there’s no question of pivoting his business away from China — despite growing government warnings about the risks of being too invested in the country. As the
Overhauled EU Climate Law Faces New Threat from Consultancy Giants
The European Parliament voted on Thursday (13 November) to significantly dilute key elements of Europe’s climate agenda. Lawmakers took aim at the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), which requires large
Japan OKs $135 billion stimulus package to help revive its sluggish economy
TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s Cabinet approved a 21.3 trillion yen ($135.4 billion) stimulus package Friday to help spur the economy through expansionary government spending and to relieve the impact of
The hidden cost of Brazil’s climate crisis for UK supermarkets
Most people in the UK have little idea that the food in their fridge is closely connected to extreme weather now sweeping Brazil. The UK imports more food from Brazil
Ireland’s Basic Income for Artists Has Been a Runaway Success. Why Is the Government so Nervous About Expanding It?
In early 2022, Elinor O’Donovan was living in Cork, working part-time as a receptionist, and dedicating the rest of the week to her work as a visual artist. “I was
‘Don’t Buy Starbucks!’ Says Union as It Launches Nationwide Strike Against Coffee Giant’s Unfair Labor Conditions
As hundreds of Starbucks workers go on strike across the US to protest the company’s unfair labor practices, its union is telling customers to boycott the company in hopes of pressuring it to return
UK judge finds BHP Group liable in Brazil’s worst environmental disaster
A judge in the United Kingdom has ruled that global mining giant BHP Group is liable in Brazil’s worst environmental disaster, in a lawsuit the claimants’ lawyers previously valued
Analysis: Seven charts showing how the $100bn climate-finance goal was met
A group of nations, including much of Europe, the US and Japan, is obliged under the Paris Agreement to provide international “climate finance” to developing countries. This financial support can come in
In wildfire-torn California, rural residents bear the burden of worsening power outages.
When the power cut out around 5 p.m. on a hot July weekend in 2023, Jerry Baker had one thought: “Here we go again.” First, Baker had to inform his
Indigenous Guatemalans denounce exploitation on Mexican farms: ‘Bananas are worth more than us’
One afternoon, in mid-May, Nancy was eating with five of her coworkers. All of them are Indigenous Q’eqchi’ Maya women from the municipality of Cobán — located in Alta Verapaz,
Why coal still clings on in renewable energy powerhouse Brazil
CANDIOTA, Brazil, Nov 8 (Reuters) – One of Brazil’s last coal plants roared back to life in July after a powerful business group invested millions to keep its turbines turning
Microsoft, Google say their data centers create thousands of jobs. Their permit filings say otherwise
Microsoft and Google say their data centers in Chile would create thousands of jobs. Permit filings show the largest data centers have the potential to create only hundreds of full-time
The West’s new gold rush is the data center boom
A new kind of gold rush is sweeping the West, and this time the prize isn’t minerals but megawatts. From Phoenix to Colorado’s Front Range, data centers are arriving with
German President Steinmeier Africa tour eyes business growth
To start his weeklong tour of Africa, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will attend the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, Egypt , on Saturday . After marveling at the important archaeological museum, which houses
UK government split over cost of COP30 forest pledge
LONDON — The British government is divided over whether to stump up the cash for a flagship environmental pledge meant to protect tropical forests, jeopardizing a potential announcement by Prime
Climate change is becoming an insurance crisis
Imagine waking up to find your living room underwater for the second time in five years. You try to claim insurance, only to be told your property is now uninsurable.
Four African countries taken off global money-laundering ‘grey list’
A global money-laundering watchdog has taken South Africa, Nigeria, Mozambique and Burkina Faso off its “grey list” of countries subjected to increased monitoring. The Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF),
EU accuses Meta and TikTok of breaching transparency rules
BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union on Friday said Meta and TitTok had breached their transparency obligations after an investigation that could result in billions of dollars in fines. The
Trump pardons Binance cryptocurrency founder Changpeng Zhao
US President Donald Trump has pardoned Changpeng Zhao, founder of the giant Binance cryptocurrency exchange, who was convicted of violating the United States’ money-laundering laws. In a statement on Thursday,
Inside Labour’s pro-business push to ‘defang’ competitions watchdog
As a former executive at one of the ‘Big Four’ management consultancy firms, Marcus Bokkerink is not an obvious champion for the rights of people over mega corporations intent on
OpenAI’s New Energy Chief Is a Trump Administration Natural Gas Evangelist
As artificial intelligence company OpenAI plans its rapid construction of behemoth power-guzzling data centers to fuel the AI boom, it has hired a new energy chief – an official from
EVs are depreciating much faster than gas-powered cars
Ride-hailing, rental, and corporate electric fleets the world over are quickly losing value. EVs depreciate significantly faster than gas-powered cars, especially older vehicles purchased by early adopters. New battery data
Can the EU afford to rebuild Ukraine?
As Russian troops and tanks poured across his country’s borders on the night of February 23, 2022, Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered a now-famous video address to the Russian people. “War is
Analysis: Only half of Chinese provinces finalise key ‘Document 136’ renewable rules
Local governments are required to have published final plans to reform the way wind and solar power is priced in their jurisdiction before the end of this year. This follows
The EPA is ending greenhouse gas data collection. Who will step up to fill the gap?
The Environmental Protection Agency announced earlier this month that it would stop making polluting companies report their greenhouse gas emissions to it, eliminating a crucial tool the U.S. uses to track
Gen Z pushes back against fast furniture
Every item of furniture in Daniel Santos’ Berlin apartment comes with a story. There’s the desk that took him deep into the city’s former Soviet suburbs, the bed frame he
Google faces UK restrictions over search dominance
LONDON — Google has “substantial and entrenched market power” in online search meaning it will likely face restrictions in the U.K. to curb its dominance, the country’s competition watchdog confirmed Friday. The
TotalEnergies, Siemens urge EU to abolish climate law, letter shows
LONDON, Oct 9 (Reuters) – TotalEnergies (TTEF.PA), opens new tab and Siemens (SIEGn.DE), opens new tab have called on European governments to abolish one of the EU’s flagship corporate sustainability laws in order to
E-bikes could cut carbon, congestion, and costs — if cities take them seriously
Last year, San Francisco voters did something exceedingly rare in car-crazy America: They closed two miles of a coastal highway to vehicles, creating a sprawling park for pedestrians, joggers, and cyclists.
Seeds of Discontent: Kenya’s Seed Law Undermines Farmers’ Resilience
A landmark legal case in Kenya is challenging the Seed and Plant Varieties Act, which criminalises the age-old practices of saving, sharing, and selling uncertified seeds. These laws prioritise commercial
Populist billionaire Andrej Babis’s party set to win Czech election
Billionaire Andrej Babis’s populist ANO party has taken a commanding lead in the Czech Republic’s parliamentary election, but is on track to fall short of a majority. With ballots from
Net-Zero Banking Alliance folds after mass exodus by members
LONDON, Oct 3 (Reuters) – The Net-Zero Banking Alliance is to cease operations after a vote to wind up the group which had already lost many of its members amid
How Brazil’s Oil Giant Is Using Gen-Z Science and Climate Influencers to Green Up Its Image
In a recent Instagram reel, a Brazilian influencer known as “Mylly Biologando” grins at the camera after inspecting a test tube filled with something bubbling and green. It’s a microalgae that
Stock market exodus to Wall Street hits 20-year high
The consistently higher returns of the U.S. stock market compared with its European and Asian counterparts year after year have led investors across much of the world to focus their
Reform UK’s Crypto Donations Put Under Spotlight as Experts Warn It’s ‘Impossible to Trace’ Foreign Cash
The Government is being urged to urgently ‘close the loopholes’ which could allow hostile states and malicious actors to donate to political parties via untraceable cryptocurrencies. Reform UK became the first
Trump’s trade battle with China puts US soybean farmers in peril
MAGNOLIA, Ky. (AP) — The leafy soybean plants reach Caleb Ragland’s thighs and are ripe for harvest, but the Kentucky farmer is deeply worried. He doesn’t know where he and
Syria’s quest to build its own Silicon Valley
At the end of November, Hamza Hourani’s phone rang. It was a cloudy morning in Damascus, and some Syrians were quietly stocking their cupboards as rebel fighters marched south toward
Is the green hydrogen dream over?
In 2022, the Australian mining and energy company Fortescue signed a deal with E.On, a German energy network and infrastructure operator, to supply up to five million tons of low-emission green
Bank of England to ease pressure on Reeves by slowing bond sales
The Bank of England left its key interest rate unchanged on Thursday but offered Chancellor Rachel Reeves a modicum of relief by slowing the pace of its bond sales. The
Taiwan battles low birth rate with new family subsidies
Taiwan has announced that it is fighting back against low population growth with a new subsidy programme to encourage families to have more children. Taiwan’s cabinet on Thursday approved standardised
Meet the UN-backed ‘green’ investors’ group that invested in fossil fuels
Launched in 2020, the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative committed its members to “supporting the goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 or sooner, in line with global efforts to limit warming
With Hyundai raid, Trump’s immigration crackdown runs into his push for foreign investment
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s push to revitalize American manufacturing by luring foreign investment into the U.S. has run smack into one of his other priorities: cracking down on illegal immigration.
Argentine markets plunge after Milei’s party loses in Buenos Aires vote
Argentina’s markets have tumbled, with the peso currency at a historic low, after a heavy defeat for President Javier Milei’s party at the hands of the Peronist opposition at local elections stoked
Indigenous group in Brazil takes TikTok to court over planned data center
TikTok is investing in a $10 billion data center in Brazil’s northeast. Indigenous people who claim the allocated land say they were not consulted on the project. Brazil aims to
Puerto Ricans are devising the food system of tomorrow
The rats scurried into the shed. Flinching at the sound of a horde of tiny claws scratching at the ground, Migdalia Mass Llorens kept vigil over her sleeping family huddled
Chips Act 2.0 could open the state aid tap further
A Chips Act 2.0 could introduce new funding schemes for chip manufacturers, the Commission said in a call for evidence published on Friday. The Commission is set to revise its Chips Act
In Philippines, Indigenous peoples and advocates launch Defend Mindoro campaign against state abuses
On July 26, the Defend Mindoro campaign was launched in Quezon City to amplify the voices of Mindoreños resisting intensifying militarization, red-tagging, aerial bombings, and the seizure of ancestral lands
Factcheck: North Sea gas is not ‘four times cleaner’ than LNG imports
It came after Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch announced a pledge to drill “all” the remaining oil and gas in the North Sea, reigniting debates about new fossil-fuel production in the UK. The
How Florida is rebuilding for a stormy, costly future
“The road was a raging river. It was like the ocean,” recalled Maria Blancett. “There were white caps going down the street. There were fish in the road.” Maria and
France and Germany vow to deepen ties on green rules, power links in energy ‘reset’
France and Germany on Friday agreed to better integrate their energy markets and find common ground on EU green laws as part of a sweeping bilateral reset following years of
The Great Reverse Migration
As soon as they take off from the Panamanian coast, there is a sigh of relief. Surrounded by 30 other Venezuelan migrants, packed inside an overloaded midsize speedboat, Edinson holds
How tariff wars are reshaping migration and raising the risk of human rights abuses in supply chains
The tariff wars between the US and its trade partners have rarely been out of the news since the US president, Donald Trump, revealed his plans for sweeping “liberation day” levies
Colorado now requires health warning labels on gas stoves
Mounting evidence shows that gas stoves — used in nearly 40% of U.S. homes — pose serious health risks. Now, Coloradans have a new tool to learn about the dangers of cooking with little
Matcha madness leaves Japan’s tea ceremony pros skeptical
TOKYO (AP) — Clad in an elegant kimono of pale green, tea ceremony instructor Keiko Kaneko uses a tiny wooden spoon to place a speck of matcha into a porcelain bowl. She
Why Climate Activists Are Slashing JP Morgan’s Electricity Cables
It’s 5am. I’m standing at a bus stop near Liverpool Street Station in central London. I’m not here, unfortunately, to get an early morning flight from Stansted. Quite the opposite.
Big Tech’s “AI for good” spending increases in Africa. So does skepticism
Google, Meta, and Microsoft continue to invest in AI models to handle issues from wildfires to maternity deaths in Africa. Experts say such projects could complicate Africa’s digital infrastructure and
Conservative MP Helps Coal Mining Firm Sue UK Government in Secretive ‘Corporate Court’
Keir Starmer’s Government is being sued in a ‘corporate court’ by a Singapore based investor in the now-abandoned Cumbria coal mine. The Singaporean firm, Woodhouse Investment Pte Ltd, whose parent
The small revolution of Portugal’s winegrowers
Angelo Rocha meets with his team at eight in the morning to organize the day’s tasks at Quinta da Comenda, a beautiful property in São Pedro do Sul, a municipality
South Korean crypto mogul Do Kwon pleads guilty to fraud
South Korean cryptocurrency mogul Do Kwon has pleaded guilty to fraud in the United States in a case tied to the $40bn collapse of the TerraUSD and Luna tokens. Kwon,
Trump administration unveils stricter subsidy rules for wind, solar projects
Aug 15 (Reuters) – The U.S. Treasury Department on Friday unveiled stricter rules for how solar and wind projects can qualify for federal tax subsidies that President Donald Trump’s new
Revealed: How the Meat Industry Uses Environmental Groups to Make Beef Seem Climate-Friendly
The meat industry may have enlisted environmental groups to persuade people to “feel better” about eating beef, despite the sector’s ballooning emissions of climate-heating pollution, according to a public relations strategy
Italy, France, Germany plan competitiveness push on Brussels
Italy, France and Germany’s leaders are readying a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen with calls for concrete action to boost EU-wide investment and help the automotive
Homelessness minister resigns over ‘throwing tenants out’ and hiking rent
Rushanara Ali has stepped down as Homelessness minister, following an i Paper investigation that revealed she evicted tenants before raising the rent on a property she owns. After facing numerous
Food banks have long prevented emissions. Now they’re getting into the carbon credit business.
Eight to 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions come from food wasted somewhere along its journey from farm to table. When that organic waste ends up in a landfill, it emits methane,
Britain is about to start fighting over fracking again
LONDON — Fracking is back. Three years after a botched attempt to unleash the controversial industry helped bring down Liz Truss, it has a new fan: Nigel Farage. Farage’s surging
US-EU trade deal could lock bloc into fossil fuel dependency
Environmental groups have criticized a new trade deal that could see Europe spending more than $750 billion (€700 billion) on mostly fossil fuel imports from the United States over the next
Germany agonises over €200 billion budget hole
BERLIN – The German cabinet passed its 2026 budget draft on Wednesday, leaving it open, however, how the government will fill gaping holes in financial planning over the coming years.
Inside the collapse of Builder.ai: Was it even an AI company?
Karthik started working as a “productologist” for Builder.ai in 2022. In another company, the role — assisting customers in building software — might have been called a product manager. But “productologist”
Milei tames inflation, but Argentines still struggle to afford basics
Cesar Martinez, 45, works full-time at a butcher shop in Buenos Aires, but in the last year, he has had to pick up other jobs to make it to the
How Trump’s trade war with Brazil serves Big Tech’s interests
A powerful lobby group funded by major US tech firms, including Google, Meta, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon and Uber, may have influenced Donald Trump’s decision to investigate Brazil’s “unfair” trade practices.
DWP cuts were pushed through parliament in less time than Universal Credit claimants get paid
So there we have it folks, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Universal Credit Bill passed through the House of Lords unceremoniously on 22 July. Whilst there was little to do to stop
Mapped: 16 times extreme weather drove higher food prices since 2022
The study, published in Environmental Research Letters, analyses 16 examples of food price rises across the world that followed periods of extreme heat, drought or rainfall over 2022-24. A “striking” example,
How Labour ‘Rigged’ an Election to Block a Leftwinger From Leading a Council
The Labour party faces allegations that it rigged an election in order to block a leftwing candidate from leading a council, leaving a local party branch in uproar. The increasingly
Modi plans UK visit next week to sign India trade deal
In May, Brazil’s Finance Minister Fernando Haddad flew to the U.S. to meet with executives from Amazon, Google, Nvidia, and Meta. His agenda: to pitch his country as the newest, most attractive
Colombian emerald fever hits TikTok: A journey to Muzo, the source of the world’s most valuable gems
In Muzo, luck and chance are like two more neighbors in town — old, familiar faces. People buy and sell raffles, lottery tickets, or betting slips in the hope of
‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Already Ballooning Over $600 Million, Leaked Document Shows
The federal detention facility in Florida, officially named “Alligator Alcatraz,” is only the beginning when it comes to FEMA money being used to fund ICE operations, according to a source
‘Come meet us in Dubai’: the new offshoring of grand corruption
During an interview one of us (Ricardo Soares de Oliveira) carried out in 2017, an African high net-worth individual said he was told by an executive whose business had long
Germany’s business elite and the illusion of meritocracy
What determines who holds power in the boardrooms of Germany’s biggest companies? Is it performance? Or do factors such as social background play a bigger role? The sociologist Michael Hartmann, an emeritus professor
Brazil wants to be a sustainable data center hub. Environmentalists are skeptical
In May, Brazil’s Finance Minister Fernando Haddad flew to the U.S. to meet with executives from Amazon, Google, Nvidia, and Meta. His agenda: to pitch his country as the newest, most attractive
Trump Agriculture Chief Mocked for Suggesting Medicaid Recipients Could Replace Deported Farm Workers
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins on Tuesday drew instant jeers when she defended the mass deportation of immigrant farm laborers and suggested that they could be replaced by Americans who
As Thailand does U-turn on legal cannabis, businesses scramble to survive
Bangkok, Thailand – Even at the Nana intersection, a pulsating mecca of this megacity’s seamy nightlife scene, the Wonderland cannabis shop is hard to miss. Its sprawling, ruby-pink signboard screams across
Cryptocurrency Loophole Could Allow Foreign Billionaires to Secretly Bankroll UK Political Parties
Campaigners have called for a legal loophole to be closed which potentially allows foreign donations to flow into UK parties via cryptocurrencies. In a new warning from the non-profit watchdog Spotlight on Corruption, researchers
Chart: Trump’s ‘big beautiful bill’ blows US emissions goal by 7bn tonnes
Since winning office last November, he has issued a series of executive orders and is poised to sign his “big beautiful bill” that effectively terminates Biden-era climate policies. Carbon Brief’s
In a blow to Milei, a US judge orders Argentina to turn over its majority stake in state oil company
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — The fate of Argentina’s state-run oil company was thrown into doubt Monday as a U.S. judge ordered the cash-strapped country to give up its 51%
China and US confirm agreement on trade framework
China‘s Commerce Ministry on Friday announced that Beijing and Washington had confirmed the details of a trade deal framework that the two countries had agreed upon earlier this month following talks
Why your holiday flight is still not being powered by sustainable aviation fuel
As you wait in the departure lounge for your flight this summer, you may notice your aeroplane being pumped full of fuel ahead of takeoff. And then you may start
Brazil rules that social media platforms are responsible for users’ posts
On Thursday, Brazil’s Supreme Court ruled that digital platforms are responsible for users’ content — a major shift in a country where millions rely on apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, and
Labour Is Renationalising the Railways. Cleaners Are Being Left Behind
Outsourced cleaning workers with poor conditions and bad pay face being left behind as the government renationalises the railways, RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey has warned. Dempsey told Novara Media
The billion-dollar US green hydrogen boom ended before it ever began
This week, Senate Republicans joined their House colleagues in proposing to curtail a slew of clean energy incentives. Losing those could upend many a clean energy business, but the cuts would drive a dagger
Sanctioned Russian media still partnered with Facebook
Sanctioned pro-Russian media are still part of Facebook’s advertising revenue program, new research out Friday showed. Russian state broadcasters, including Rossiya Segodnya — the organization that oversees both RT (formerly
Spain rejects NATO’s 5% defence spending hike as ‘counterproductive’
Spain has reportedly asked to opt out of NATO’s proposed defence spending target of 5 percent of GDP, risking disruption to a key agreement expected at next week’s alliance summit.
Safety Warnings Follow Australia’s Woodside Energy to U.S. as $17 Billion LNG Project Moves Ahead
As Woodside Energy investors convened for their annual meeting in Perth, Australia, on May 8, they were met by protests and heckling. Activists, angered over the fossil fuel company’s climate impacts
Spain’s economy minister says ‘overtourism’ challenges need to be addressed
MADRID (AP) — Spain could receive as many as 100 million tourists this year, according to some projections, which the country’s economy minister said poses challenges for residents that the
Inside Bolsonarists’ campaign to impose US sanctions on Brazilian judges
The son of Brazil’s ex-president Jair Bolsonaro and the grandson of a former Brazilian dictator are lobbying the US government to sanction Brazilian Supreme Court justices who have accused Bolsonaro
UK spending review 2025: Key climate and energy announcements
A spending review establishes each ministry’s spending limits and priorities for the rest of the parliamentary term. The Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) received one of the largest jumps
New green farm lobby digs into Brussels, setting up turf war with organics
Popular in the US, where the organic food market has struggled to gain traction, regenerative farming is now gaining momentum in Europe too. A farmer-led lobby called the European Alliance
An Abundance of Billionaires Stalls Hudson Yards West
Hudson Yards West almost feels as if it was designed as a test case for the thesis of Abundance, the recent book by Ezra Klein of the New York Times and
New laws in the Indian states of Rajasthan, Karnataka and Telangana advance app workers’ rights.
On a smog-choked late November morning in Delhi, a crowd of workers, union leaders and political allies gathered under a haze of winter pollution to send a message to one
Britain prepares to go all-in on nuclear power — after years of dither
LONDON — Philip Hunt, the unassuming Labour peer put in charge of rejuvenating U.K. nuclear energy, has a favorite joke about how slowly the industry moves. Hunt — who was
New apps help immigrants navigate Trump’s deportation crackdown
A spike in immigration raids has spread fear across migrant communities in the U.S. A slew of new apps aimed at providing migrants support have emerged in recent years. Afraid
Banking giant threatened to leave UK over mooted tax increase
One of the world’s largest banks threatened to leave the UK if the government increased tax on banks at last year’s autumn budget, openDemocracy can reveal. The head of US
How marine life provides climate benefits worth billions of dollars
Marine life plays a significant part in this process, as organisms transfer carbon from the ocean surface to the deep sea upon death or as they migrate. Our new research,
Nigel Farage’s ‘£7 Billion DEI Savings’ Don’t Actually Exist
Nigel Farage’s party faces embarrassment today as new figures appear to discredit Reform UK’s claims about ‘wasteful’ public sector spending on diversity schemes. Farage’s party has repeatedly claimed that it could
Trump remittance tax to hit Africans hard
For Enoch Aikins, a political economist who focuses on Africa, the topic of sending money home to relatives is personal. “I can use myself as an example, as somebody that comes
Despite backlash, more states are considering laws to make Big Oil pay for climate change
As climate disasters strain state budgets, a growing number of lawmakers want fossil fuel companies to pay for damages caused by their greenhouse gas emissions. Last May, Vermont became the first
AI scam factories force trafficked workers to defraud global victims
Young Indonesians applying for tech jobs via Facebook and Telegram are trafficked to scam farms. Scammers use deepfakes, voice clones, and other technologies to dupe victims around the world. Americans
Microsoft Bans the Word “Palestine” in Internal Emails
Microsoft has quietly implemented a policy blocking employee emails containing the words “Palestine,” “Gaza,” or “genocide” on its internal Exchange servers, according to No Azure for Apartheid, a group of
Russia is facing fresh sanctions, but Putin is used to dealing with a struggling economy
The UK and the EU have agreed to hit Russia with a raft of new economic sanctions after hopes of a ceasefire with Ukraine came to nothing. One French minister commented that
Why Apple can’t just quit China
Apple, the world’s second-most valuable company, is caught between the U.S., its home country, and China, its primary manufacturing base. Over the past few years, Apple has set up more
Chinese startups once downplayed their origin. Now some celebrate it.
Increased scrutiny of Chinese tech companies pushed startups to hide their roots overseas. DeepSeek’s success has emboldened some Chinese founders to tout advantages of China talent and operations. Startups
LEAKED: Acting FEMA Director’s Plan for “FEMA 2.0”
Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 2:00pm EST, the new acting director of FEMA, David Richardson, held a “town hall” with staff. Drop Site obtained 30 minutes of leaked audio
In surprise move Wegovy-maker Novo Nordisk ousts CEO amid sagging sales
Wegovy-maker Novo Nordisk has pushed out CEO Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen over concerns the company is losing its first-mover advantage in the highly competitive obesity drug market. Novo Nordisk announced
How Hamas Sees the Current Moment: An Exclusive Interview With Osama Hamdan
In an exclusive interview with Drop Site News, a senior Hamas official said that the movement will not capitulate to any demands from Israel or the U.S. to lay down its
Kenya’s solution to teacher shortage: Embrace AI
Kenya faces a severe teacher shortage due to large class sizes and burnout. To manage their workloads, some teachers are using ChatGPT and other AI chatbots. AI edtech startups have
Corporations Could Sue the Government Under India Deal, Campaigners Warn
As the UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is signed, campaigners have warned a soon-to-be-announced parallel treaty could contain provisions which would allow corporations investing in both countries the power to
India-Pakistan conflict over water reflects a region increasingly vulnerable to climate change
In an unprecedented move, India recently suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, citing cross-border terrorism. This was one of a series of escalations between the two countries which now find themselves on
Labor group sues Starbucks, saying it ignores slave-like conditions for workers in Brazil
A labor rights group sued Starbucks on Thursday, alleging that it sourced coffee from a major cooperative in Brazil whose member farms were cited for keeping workers in slave-like conditions. International Rights Advocates filed
Why hydrogen cars are being outsold by Ferraris
Hydrogen has long been hyped as the “Swiss army knife” of the energy transition, but today – despite billions in investment – it largely remains limited to niche industrial applications. In a
Why India fell behind China in tech innovation
China’s DeepSeek moment has triggered unease for the Indian government and tech industry. Earlier this month, India’s commerce minister, Piyush Goyal, rebuked the country’s entrepreneurs for their lack of innovation.
An Attempt to Silence the Public’s Voice’: Trump Moves to Accelerate Oil Project Approvals
The Trump administration announced late Wednesday that it is moving to implement new permitting procedures designed to speed up reviews and approvals of oil and gas development, a plan that
Pakistan: Protesters attack KFC restaurants over Gaza war
Pakistani authorities have arrested scores of people in response to a string of mob attacks on KFC restaurants. The crowds are targeting the US chicken chain because they view
By Weaponizing Arrest Records and Suspending Due Process, the Trump Administration Has Targeted Over 1,000 Foreign Students
*Names changed to protect their identity. On April 4, Lina*, a foreign citizen and recent graduate working legally in the U.S., got a call from her former university. Her
Foxconn’s iPhone factory is fueling a real estate boom in a small Indian farming town
Property prices around Foxconn’s upcoming factory have risen by 35% since the company’s entry. Developers predict an influx of tens of thousands of workers, driven by the iPhone factory and
From textiles to steel, Brussels reveals items to face stricter sustainability rules
The Commission has selected the first group of products that will soon have to meet higher sustainability standards, with manufacturers required to increase product durability and increase the use of
Leaked Data Reveals Massive Israeli Campaign to Remove Pro-Palestine Posts on Facebook and Instagram
A sweeping crackdown on posts on Instagram and Facebook that are critical of Israel—or even vaguely supportive of Palestinians—was directly orchestrated by the government of Israel, according to internal Meta
10,000 angry white men and me: my night with Reform UK
At Reform UK’s rally in Birmingham, the line to the men’s toilets is the longest I have ever seen. Snaking around the circular foyer of the city centre’s Utilita arena
Trump’s tariffs are testing Nvidia’s chip supremacy. Can Jensen Huang weather the storm?
Stephen Witt’s new book, The Thinking Machine: Jensen Huang, Nvidia, and the World’s Most Coveted Microchip, is out this week, just as U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs have prompted fears of a
China seeks united trade front with EU, opposing US ‘bullying’ tariffs
“There is no winner in a tariff war,” Chinese President Xi Jinping told Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, just as Beijing announced additional tariffs on products imported from the United
As dusk falls in Washington on Fridays, the firings begin
Mary Glantz was in her room at a Hampton Inn in Columbia, South Carolina, last Friday night during a trip visiting friends when her phone began pinging furiously with messages
Russia revolutionizes warfare with fiber-optic-controlled drones
Ukraine leads the way in unmanned vehicle innovation, but the invaders are advancing with weapons that have been key to their recapture of territory in Kursk. In the border area
Trump’s auto tariffs could help China’s carmakers, experts say
Trump’s 25 percent tariff could ‘level the playing field’ for Chinese brands insulated from the US market, analyst say. The White House has argued the tariff is necessary to protect
Simplification and gigafactories: what’s in the EU’s new AI master plan?
Democratised computing, Cloud, AI Act, industry adoption, brain gain and regulatory simplification: read on for all the key aspects of the EU’s yet-to-be-published AI Continent Plan seen by Euractiv.
The many ways Israeli settlers steal Palestinian homes
On Monday, Ghassan Abdel Basset and his family left their home in the occupied West Bank to visit a relative. They were going to break their fast together during the
The $20B question hanging over America’s struggling farmers
Extreme weather wiped out billions in crops last year — but most federal aid may end up going to the wrong farms. As Earth heats up, the growing frequency and
What can the EU do against Trump’s trade war?
The European Union is measuring up its response to the anticipated new tariffs being imposed by the US administration. But what tools does it have? US President Donald Trump claims tariffs is his “favorite word.”
U.S. tariffs threaten Mexico’s booming EV sector
Despite the government’s efforts to protect local businesses, geopolitical tensions could derail Mexico’s ambitions to become a major EV manufacturing hub. Mexico’s EV manufacturing sector has grown 30-fold in the
Bank of Canada cuts interest rates, warned country faces ‘new crisis’
BoC also said it would ‘proceed carefully with any further changes’ to rates given inflationary pressures from tariffs. The Bank of Canada has trimmed its key policy rate by 25
Chinese anger at sale of Panama Canal ports to US investor highlights tensions between the two superpowers
When Hong Kong-listed conglomerate CK Hutchison announced it was selling its two port concessions on the Panama Canal to a US consortium led by New York-based giant BlackRock, the Chinese
Trump’s Greenland problem
As the president-elect’s call to buy—or take—a sovereign country moves from punchline to possibility, a look at the real stakes of the Arctic’s mounting cold war. When Donald Trump Jr.
Glacier melt threatens water supplies for two billion people, UN warns
Climate change and “unsustainable human activities” are driving “unprecedented changes” to mountains and glaciers, threatening access to fresh water for more than two billion people, a UN report warns. The
Inside a California oil town’s divisive plan to survive the energy transition
Kern County is betting on carbon capture to replace oil jobs and tax revenue. But will the county’s new economy repeat the sins of the old one? es Clark III
EU parliament rocked by corruption investigation linked to China’s Huawei
Belgian authorities announce arrests of several people in connection with alleged bribery within the parliament. Police have arrested several people as part of a corruption probe targeting the European Parliament
German parties strike deal to pass historic debt-funded investment package
Aid for Ukraine will now be exempt from German budget rules under a deal cut in Berlin to pass a massive debt-backed infrastructure and military spending package. BERLIN – Germany’s
How a Chinese battery factory sparked a political meltdown in a small Michigan town
The ambitious executives at Gotion wanted to join America’s EV gold rush. Then came geopolitics. The ensuing fight fractured the town — and raised new questions about whether America can
Germany’s likely next government seeks higher defense spending as doubts rise about US commitment
BERLIN (AP) — The prospective partners in Germany’s next government said Tuesday they will seek to loosen the nation’s rules on running up debt to allow for higher defense spending, an issue
Taken for a Ride: Inside Uber’s New Race to the Bottom
Natalie had just dropped off a customer at the Ritz Hotel in central London when her phone started aggressively bleeping at her with offers of new fares. “I couldn’t concentrate.
Trump’s energy secretary pushed legal attack on green investing
Say you’re an American worker with a retirement plan. Out of concern for the planet — or how wildfires, heat waves, and hurricanes might affect your portfolio — you want
Australia: Canberra’s journey to 100% renewables
Holding up a lump of coal in the federal parliament in 2017, Australia’s then soon-to-be prime minister Scott Morrison said the fossil fuel was integral to a “certain energy future.” Yet the
The veteran Tory and City lobbyist advising Starmer’s business team
In the not so distant past, Iain Anderson was a stalwart Tory with the CV to match. In a 2012 ranking of the UK’s most powerful financial lobbyists by the Bureau of
Europe makes slow progress on critical minerals as US and China lead the way
A few days before returning to the White House as the new president of the United States, Donald Trump said, “We need Greenland for national security reasons.” His interest is no
China’s youth face growing job crisis
101 East meets the job seekers caught up in China’s youth unemployment crisis. China is experiencing a prolonged economic slowdown, which has led to a youth unemployment crisis. In 2023,
China cuts carbon intensity in 2024 but still lags on key targets
SINGAPORE, Feb 28 (Reuters) – China’s economy became less carbon intensive last year as a result of a record surge in renewable energy capacity, official data showed on Friday, but
Turkey’s translators are training the AI tools that will replace them
You’d be forgiven if you passed by St. James Towers in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, or Southbridge Towers in Lower Manhattan without noting their exceptional qualities or sensing the tumult within. The
EU-India set to shape future relations in crucial New Delhi meeting
As the second EU-India Trade and Technology Council (TTC) draws near, there is optimism in Brussels and New Delhi that a clear path can be found for a relationship often
How LA wildfires are making an already tough rental market even worse
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The one-bedroom cottage with a woodsy vibe reminded Heather McAlpine of the home she lost to the brutal Los Angeles-area wildfires. But only two hours after
Who is Importing Donald Trump’s Anti-Climate Agenda to Germany?
Donald Trump may have only recently re-entered the Oval Office, but his radical anti-climate ideas are on the march across the globe. A CORRECTIV investigation can reveal that politicians, think
A Tale of Two Co-ops
You’d be forgiven if you passed by St. James Towers in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, or Southbridge Towers in Lower Manhattan without noting their exceptional qualities or sensing the tumult within. The
Metabolic Fractures in Piyungan: The Waste Emergency in Yogyakarta
Two to three motorbikes arrived in turns as I visited the Piyungan Integrated Waste Processing Site (TPST) in Bantul Regency, Yogyakarta Special Region (DIY), late last August. One by one,
Keir Starmer Urged to Back Law Blocking Foreign Billionaires Like Elon Musk From Bankrolling UK Political Parties
Keir Starmer’s Government is being urged to back a new bill aimed at limiting the size of political donations and closing loopholes that allow foreign billionaires like Elon Musk to bankroll
Starbucks sued by US state of Missouri for using DEI policies
The US state of Missouri has sued Starbucks, accusing the coffee chain of using a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion as a pretext to systematically discriminate based on race,
Papuan women’s mangrove forest in Indonesia is increasingly threatened by development and pollution
JAYAPURA, Indonesia (AP) — On the southeastern coast of the city of Jayapura, Petronela Merauje walked from house to house in her floating village inviting women to join her the
A shady business operated out of a British mansion is buying up scientific journals to earn millions by publishing mediocre studies
A shady business network apparently run by Pakistani and Indonesian citizens from a mansion on the outskirts of Birmingham, United Kingdom, has launched an attack on the Spanish scientific journal
2 obscure clean energy metals are caught in the crosshairs of the US-China trade war
In the summer of 2023, Vasileios Tsianos, the vice president of corporate development at Neo Performance Materials, started getting calls from government officials on both sides of the Atlantic. Within the
Can renewable energy solve Iran’s power crisis?
Iran, a country with the world’s second-largest proven natural gas reserves, is facing a growing energy crisis. Despite its immense resources, the country is grappling with frequent power outages and a
Calls for Big Oil to Cover LA Fire Damage as Chevron, Exxon Report Tens of Billions in 2024 Profits
As Chevron and ExxonMobil on Friday reported tens of billions in 2024 profits, campaigners intensified their demand for Big Oil to pay for the catastrophic levels of destruction caused by recent fires
Brazil’s push for comprehensive AI regulation
Brazil has emerged as a champion of tech regulation among emerging economies. It enacted an Internet Bill of Rights in 2014, which established protections on net neutrality, freedom of expression,
Red Sea crisis: supply chain issues set to continue despite Gaza ceasefire
The world’s major shipping companies say they won’t be sending vessels back to the Red Sea any time soon despite a pledge by Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen not to attack them
Germany’s Scholz on tariffs: important not to divide the world
BERLIN, Feb 2 (Reuters) – German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Sunday said it was important not to divide the world with new trade barriers, as everyone benefits from globalisation, after
Vietnam police announce dismantling of $1.2bn money laundering ring
Vietnam police say they have arrested five people and smashed a money laundering ring that brought $1.2bn of criminal cash into the country from abroad. Between 2022 and 2024, members
Trump’s Greenland Problem
When Donald Trump Jr. landed in Greenland last week — flying in aboard “Trump Force One,” with two of his father’s top advisors, plus right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, in tow — he claimed that he’d come
Expanding UK airports won’t deliver economic growth
Responding to the news that chancellor Rachel Reeves is considering approving airport expansions including Heathrow, the New Economics Foundation (NEF) has found that expanding the UK’s airports won’t deliver serious economic
Solar geoengineering is no longer conspiracy theory – and the rich and powerful want in
In 2024, the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) reported alarming new records in global greenhouse gas levels, alongside unprecedented rises in air and sea surface temperatures. These escalating climate crisis indicators have triggered
CEOs paid over 100 times more than workers
Chief executives of Europe’s top companies are paying themselves 110 times more than the average worker, an analysis by the European Trade Union Institute shows. Between an average basic salary
As EV sales surge, the UK car industry could be about to reach a turning point
Last year, electric car registrations in the UK topped those of Germany. The number of UK sales (382,000 vehicles) came from growth of 21.4% on 2023, making the UK the largest
Ozempic, Wegovy and other drugs are among 15 selected for Medicare’s price negotiations
WASHINGTON (AP) — Popular weight loss and diabetes drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy have been added to Medicare’s list of medications that will be negotiated directly between the government and drug manufacturers,
Despite tensions, U.S.-China AI research collaborations are alive and well
The field of artificial intelligence has long been dominated by the U.S. and Europe. Recently, however, AI research has become more collaborative across countries outside of the West, according to
Nvidia goes all in on AI agents and humanoid robots at CES
As the AI world races toward next-generation breakthroughs, Nvidia (NVDA-3.12%) fortified its position with a flood of new chips, software and services designed to keep the industry plugged into its
Why Is the Science Museum Laundering a Coal Giant’s Reputation?
“Misleading and untrue claims have been made by some protesters about the Science Museum and the sponsor of Energy Revolution: The Adani Green Energy Gallery,” the museum wrote in an
Foxconn stops sending Chinese workers to India iPhone factories
Foxconn is halting new work rotations for its Chinese employees at its Apple iPhone factories in India, and sending Taiwanese workers instead, according to five people familiar with Foxconn’s operations
How one Mexican city struggles against big industry for water
San Cristóbal de las Casas, Mexico – The famous red and white logo can be seen on almost every street. It is painted on the front of mom-and-pop stores. It is
The richest men in the galaxy want to bring capitalism to space
The Blue Marble — this is the name of the first complete photograph of Earth, captured by the Apollo 17 spacecraft in 1972. For the first time, humanity could see
Honda, Nissan, and Mitsubishi may merge to compete with Tesla and China’s EV makers
Nissan Motor and Honda Motor have officially begun talks to merge by 2026 as Japan’s automakers seek an edge over tough Chinese rivals and Tesla. On Monday, the carmakers said
In Florida, officials and communities clash over where to build the nation’s largest trash incinerator
When leaders of Florida’s most populous county met in September to pick a site for what could become the nation’s largest trash incinerator, so many people went to the government
All the Big Government Reforms the Media Hasn’t Been Telling You About
Because I’m such great fun, I often share announcements from various Government bodies on Bluesky and Threads, provided they sound vaguely intriguing. One thing is always certain: the comments will
Trump will throw US clean power into question
The recent re-election of Donald Trump as the next president of the United States has dented clean energy prospects in the country. A climate sceptic, Trump has promised to turbo-charge
Women-led fish farming in Colombia becomes alternative to drug crops
The Amazon rainforest in southern Colombia stretches lush and green across the horizon, but beneath its dense canopy lies a shifting reality. The southern province of Putumayo – a remote
UK could offer celebs protection from AI clones
LONDON — Celebrities and other public figures could be offered fresh legal protections to stop artificial intelligence tools mimicking their likenesses, under plans being considered by the British government. Ministers
How a Chinese firm ran a billion-euro carbon credit scam
When Stefan Schreiber decided to invest in a carbon emission reduction project with a Chinese company, he was convinced he was dealing with a trustworthy business partner. “They made a
Billionaire Jeff Bezos Wants to ‘Help’ Trump Gut Regulations
Billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos on Wednesday expressed his optimism about U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s next term and suggested he would “help” the Republican gut regulations. “If we’re talking about
Brazil charges Volkswagen unit with treating farm workers like slaves decades ago
If you trace the path of one electrical transmission line up the coast of Maine, through and around the state’s rocky outcroppings and over a long causeway, you’ll finally reach
“Nothing like before” — China is out-competing the West on EVs
In May 2024, the White House announced a series of new tariffs on Chinese products, including a 100% tax on imports of Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), set to take effect later this
Key members of OPEC+ alliance are putting off production increases amid slack crude prices
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Eight members of the OPEC+ alliance of oil exporting countries decided Thursday to put off increasing oil production as they face weaker than expected demand and
This isolated town in Maine could be a model for the clean energy future
If you trace the path of one electrical transmission line up the coast of Maine, through and around the state’s rocky outcroppings and over a long causeway, you’ll finally reach
Bloomberg ‘Misled’ Investors on Green Credentials of Bonds Worth More Than $50 Billion
Bloomberg, one of the world’s biggest providers of financial data, has been accused of misleading investors about the environmental credentials of bonds worth more than $50 billion. An investigation by Byline Times with the
AI is making Philippine call center work more efficient, for better and worse
“Thank you for calling. … You’re speaking with Renzo. This call may be recorded for — uhm — this call may be re—” Renzo Bahala, a customer service agent for
Why putting used clothes in a recycling bin does not allow you to have a clear conscience
A pair of pants spends much less time in our wardrobe than in the African landfill where it may end up after we leave it in a container, comforted by
COP29: Six key reasons why international climate finance is a ‘wild west’
At the COP29 climate summit, nations must decide on a new global goal to replace the existing target of $100bn each year. Delivering this money is widely viewed as important
Inflated land prices blocking government from building enough homes to hit targets and meet need
A price premium for landowners is artificially inflating land prices and blocking the government from building the social homes needed to ease the housing crisis and meet its own housebuilding
DEFRA gets in hot water over bottom trawling – as 200,000 people step in
On World Fisheries Day, Thursday 21 November, a coalition of ocean advocacy NGOs gathered outside the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in London to deliver a petition
Member states failing to deliver minimum wage directive
Most European governments have failed to meet the deadline to put the minimum wage directive into national law – and some are actively working against the aims of the directive.
‘We lost everything’: the Indonesians falling out of the middle class
Medan, Indonesia – Halimah Nasution used to feel as if she had it all. For years, she and her husband Agus Saputra made a good living renting out supplies for weddings,
EU migration strategy: treat migrants like the mafia
In November 2023, Italy’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, gathered the country’s top prosecutors at the headquarters of the powerful anti-mafia and anti-terrorism directorate, the DNAA. The far-right leader flattered them,
Extreme weather is making life harder for Vietnam’s delivery riders
Just this month, northern Vietnam has been hit by super typhoon Yagi, the strongest in decades. Earlier this year, Ho Chi Minh City residents experienced the longest heat wave in three decades.
Multilateral banks are key to financing the fight against global warming. Here is how they work
As climate change leads to a seemingly endless stream of weather disasters around the world, countries are struggling to adapt to the new reality. Preparing to better withstand hurricanes, floods, heat waves,
Here are the 5 issues to watch at COP29
It’s possible there has never been a worse time for the United Nations to hold negotiations on climate change. Post-pandemic inflation has upended countries around the world, straining public budgets
English tuition fees rise – but it’s nowhere near enough income to solve universities’ financial crisis
UK education secretary Bridget Phillipson has announced that university tuition fees in England are set to rise next academic year, with the maximum fee increasing by £285 to £9,535. This will be the
EIOPA confirms fossil fuels as high-risk investments
Commenting on the vote, Caroline Metz, EU Policy Manager at ShareAction, said: “Insurers’ investments in climate-damaging fossil fuels have officially been recognised as carrying high risks, marking a significant step
Optimistic EU climate chief: We will talk to Trump
Europe still wants to talk to Donald Trump about global warming, which the incoming U.S. president has called a “hoax.” “We have a long tradition of working successfully with both
How the VW crisis is a failure of Germany’s car policy
The German term “Zeitenwende,” which literally translates to “a change of times,” is being used rather frequently in German politics at the moment. Coined by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to address the new foreign and
‘The Window Is Closing’: Fears Grow That World Leaders Will Fail to Protect Nature at COP16
As a major international biodiversity summit approaches its Friday conclusion, environmental advocates fear that world leaders will not make the conservation and financial commitments needed to halt the destruction of
Amazon launched a program for Indian handicrafts. Local artisans say it’s not working
When Shakil Khatri first heard about Amazon Karigar in 2018, he thought it might be what he had been looking for. Khatri, a sixth-generation artisan, is one of the few remaining batik
Bombshell poll shows more people support Universal Basic Income than oppose it
New polling has found that a plurality of the British public support the introduction of a Universal Basic Income (UBI). A UBI is a scheme through which every person in
Can ‘carbon border adjustment mechanisms’ help tackle climate change?
By taxing carbon-intensive imports, the EU says it will help its domestic companies take ambitious climate action while still remaining competitive with firms in nations where environmental laws are less strict. There
Mayors and councils need £32bn capital funding injection for decade of renewal
The government’s ambition to deliver a decade of national renewal will only be possible if it provides £32bn capital funding a year for mayors and local councils, new analysis from
Jailed former Malaysian leader apologizes for fund embezzlement scandal, reiterates his innocence
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Imprisoned former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak issued a rare apology Thursday over the looting of a state investment fund worth billions of dollars “under my watch”
Morgan Stanley lowers climate target, warns on sluggish transition
LONDON, Oct 25 (Reuters) – Morgan Stanley has lowered its expectations for cutting emissions from its corporate lending portfolio as the world is moving too slowly to a greener economy,
Air taxi growth demands efficient vertiports and traffic control systems
The air-taxi market is predicted to grow exponentially by the end of the decade, but experts have warned that its future depends on a well-planned network of vertiports that would
Boeing prepares layoff notices for thousands of workers as turmoil deepens
Oct 14 (Reuters) – Thousands of Boeing staff will get layoff notices within weeks, a union and industry sources said, as a senior U.S. official flew to Seattle to try
Firm behind £4m Labour Party donation invested in weapons for Israel
The Labour Party’s largest-ever donation came from a hedge fund that stood to profit from Israel’s war in Gaza, openDemocracy can reveal. Quadrature Capital held $121m worth of shares in
European Central Bank cuts key interest rate to 3.25%
The European Central Bank (ECB) has cut borrowing costs for the third time this year, lowering its benchmark interest rate from 3.5% to 3.25%. The decision to cut rates by a quarter
OpenAI will fall the hardest when the AI bubble bursts, analyst says
OpenAI is now worth more than people were expecting. Wednesday, the artificial intelligence startup announced it had completed a $6.6 billion funding round, valuing it at $157 billion. The ChatGPT-maker’s raise is the
Most of Europe is fine without Russian gas
The contract for Russian gas is toxic. The gas is replaceable. Let’s move on. That’s the logic many European officials have adopted as a multibillion dollar deal keeping Russian gas
Hurricane Helene brought devastation — and an opportunity — to Appalachia’s power grids
By the time that Hurricane Helene made its way hundreds of miles inland on September 27, it had been downgraded to a tropical storm. But Helene remained unusually expansive and
The Pro-Trump Money Pushing Libertarian ‘Young Voices’ on British TV
During a recent GB News interview, commentator Jack Rowlett lambasted Keir Starmer’s Government for its apparent “lack of vision”. He told Tom Harwood that the new Government was “all about tax rises…smoking bans, and taking
The shadow of Hormuz: Why oil prices are finally reacting to Middle East crisis
Oil is no longer insulated from the volatile situation in the Middle East. After weeks of stagnation, with crude prices at their lowest point in almost three years, Iran’s involvement in
A fracking project in North Yorkshire tried to dodge emissions requirements laid down by a court
Fossil fuel company Europa Oil & Gas is seeking permission for a fracking project in North Yorkshire. And thanks to a gaping loophole in the current moratorium on the environmentally destructive process, it just might
COP16 global biodiversity talks to focus on financing
The UN’s annual biodiversity talks (COP16) will be held in Cali, Colombia between 21 October and 1 November – an opportunity to take stock of the progress in raising funds for
Apple manufacturers moved from China to Vietnam. Now they’re desperate for workers
For Apple suppliers in Vietnam, the end of summer is recruitment season. In the months ahead of the busy holiday shopping rush, companies like Luxshare and Foxconn try to fill
Argentina’s poverty rate spikes in first 6 months of President Milei’s shock therapy
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentina’s poverty rate jumped from almost 42% to 53% during the first six months of Javier Milei’ s presidency, the statistics agency reported Thursday, a steep rise
Economists have urged Rachel Reeves to loosen the purse strings – here’s why it’s not that easy
A group of economists has publicly urged chancellor Rachel Reeves to reverse her stance on public investment, and relax the Treasury rules that constrain it. They argue in a letter to the
Helene’s Catastrophic Potential Stokes Fear Amid Florida Insurance Crisis
Hurricane Helene continued barreling toward Florida on Thursday, highlighting the impacts of the fossil fuel-driven climate emergency, including difficulties securing insurance coverage in regions most affected by extreme weather. “The
Pressure mounts on publisher of Economist over ties to tobacco
Pressure is mounting on the publisher of the Economist over its commercial ties with the world’s three biggest tobacco companies, after numerous senior NHS and international health experts pulled out
As Sri Lanka votes, a $2.9bn IMF loan looms large
Ahead of Sri Lanka’s presidential election, no issue is more central than the economy. With the South Asian country still struggling from its worst financial crisis in decades, Saturday’s ballot
Bank of England’s quantitative tightening could cost Treasury over £96bn over next four years
You may have seen them wielded by prank-loving grandmas in department stores, peeking out from robotic vacuum cleaners, or adorning statues on college campuses. But googly eyes, those cartoon-like eyeballs often found in arts
Labour given £4m from tax haven-based hedge fund with shares in oil and arms
The Labour Party’s largest-ever donation came from a Cayman Islands-registered hedge fund with shares worth hundreds of millions of pounds in fossil fuels, private health firms, arms manufacturers and asset
Czechia struggles to mitigate risks from Russian firms
Research from international ratings agency Moody’s shows that the Czech Republic — which boasts just 2.4% of the EU population — is home to over one quarter of the 46,000 or so Russian-linked firms operating in
How to sell an ‘ugly’ vegetable? Give it googly eyes.
You may have seen them wielded by prank-loving grandmas in department stores, peeking out from robotic vacuum cleaners, or adorning statues on college campuses. But googly eyes, those cartoon-like eyeballs often found in arts