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
In Africa, China seeks an outlet for its clean technologies
China is seeking to expand its international markets in the face of growing trade restrictions imposed by the West. Meanwhile, Africa wants investments that will boost its development and increase the
Thailand’s slumping economy is new leader Paetongtarn’s focus in her first parliamentary speech
More than 130 wind, solar and tidal energy projects secured funding in the latest round of the “contracts for difference” (CfD) scheme, amounting to 9.6 gigawatts (GW) of capacity. This
Barnardo’s reveals the extent of child poverty while demanding two-child benefit cap is lifted
More than one in four parents of children aged 18 or under in Scotland have struggled to provide sufficient food for their children in the past 12 months due to
An Indian fixer lured workers to Italy. They say he used threats, violence
Ladnun, India and Padua, Italy – When Sandeep migrated from India’s Rajasthan state to Italy in 2009, he was fulfilling a long-held dream of relocating overseas for a better life. But
As Pennsylvania chooses the next president, its unions are choosing clean energy
The U.S. presidential campaigns both have their eyes on the critical swing state of Pennsylvania — and Pennsylvania, as ever, has its eyes on energy. The state is the nation’s
Analysis: UK’s record-breaking renewable auction ‘will cut consumer bills’
More than 130 wind, solar and tidal energy projects secured funding in the latest round of the “contracts for difference” (CfD) scheme, amounting to 9.6 gigawatts (GW) of capacity. This
Germany drafting regulations for Chinese online discounters, Capital reports
BERLIN, Sept 5 (Reuters) – Germany is drafting new regulations to ensure Chinese discount retailers such as Temu and Shein comply with standards for product safety, environmental protection, consumer rights,
France to invest €170 million in preventive healthcare innovations
The interministerial strategy, led by AIS and bringing together the Ministries of Health, Economy, and Education, was presented on Wednesday (28 August). It forms part of the healthcare component of France 2030,
When EV startups shut down, will their cars still work?
When one of China’s once-popular electric vehicle startups went bust, car owners encountered an unexpected problem: Their vehicles went “offline.” Richard Qian didn’t know what to expect when he heard
Britain’s bankers want Donald Trump back
LONDON — laAs the U.S. heads for a highly contentious and close election in November, at the top of London’s pragmatic financial district there’s a distinct lack of fear, and
Big Oil Is the Winner From Dutch Carbon Capture Subsidies
One Saturday in April, Dutch engineers manoeuvred a giant drill into position in the reclaimed, industrial extension of the Port of Rotterdam, and began boring a hole under the seawall.
Migrant workers sent $650bn overseas last year – what it means – Copy
Last Monday, Punjabi farmworker Satnam Singh suffered critical injuries in an accident on an Italian farm — and then his boss left him to die. The shocking case showed how
Government Approves Expansion of London City Airport, as Climate Campaigners Say Only ‘Private Jet Users’ Will Benefit
The Labour Government has granted permission to a business-focused airport to massively expand the number of passengers it can carry every year. London City Airport will be allowed to increase its annual
A major bank is bracing for billions in fines over reported Chinese drug trafficking
Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD), Canada’s second-largest bank, saw its profits plunge in the third quarter as it prepares to be hit with hefty fines over a U.S. federal probe into the bank’s anti-money
Malawi receives an insurance payout of $11.2 million for El Nino-linked drought disaster
BLANTYRE, Malawi (AP) — The Malawian government has received an insurance payout of $11.2 million for a crippling El Nino-linked drought that led the southern African nation to declare a state of
Migrant workers sent $650bn overseas last year – what it means
Mina Hamid*, who hails from Kabul, Afghanistan, and moved to the Netherlands at the age of 11, says she will never forget the first time she sent money to help
How a currency devaluation in Kazakhstan made the country’s poor worse off
It is the job of the government to keep a country’s economy in check. But sometimes policies don’t work out as planned. Governments often take economic decisions that follow specific political
Humans know very little about the deep sea. That may not stop us from mining it.
In Kingston, Jamaica, by secret ballot, an election was held earlier this month. The lands whose governance was at stake are vaster than any nation, and it’s possible the consequences
Scammers prey on young Chinese desperate for jobs in bleak economy
BEIJING, Aug 16 (Reuters) – A Chinese mother went on television to seek justice for her 19-year-old intellectually disabled son after scammers tricked the desperate jobseeker into having breast augmentation
Britain’s £1 billion chip investment at risk as Reeves tightens the belt
LONDON — Last May, Britain’s government promised to back British firms with £1 billion to “secure world leading positions in the new semiconductor technologies of the future.” One year and
The Quiet Success of the Israel Divestment Movement
The United States has historically provided hundreds of billions of dollars in foreign aid to Israel. The flow of taxpayer funds to Israel’s military has only increased since Israeli forces launched an attack
SunPower, a solar icon once valued in the billions, files for bankruptcy
SunPower, a Silicon Valley solar pioneer, filed for bankruptcy in Delaware yesterday, marking the collapse of a onetime icon of American solar. The company will sell some of its assets to the recently formed residential installer Complete Solaria,
Indonesian fishermen are using a government AI tool to find their daily catch
For more than 16 years, Indonesian fisherman Dedi Arianto relied largely on his instinct as he ventured out into the Java Sea every day on his boat. But he could
The mystery of Argentina’s gold: Milei admits that it was transferred abroad, without specifying the quantities or destination
Argentina’s reserves, held by its Central Bank, include almost two million troy ounces of gold, valued at about $4.5 billion. But lately, there’s a question that’s on everybody’s lips: where is
Heat deaths of people without air conditioning, often in mobile homes, underscore energy inequity
PHOENIX (AP) — Mexican farm worker Avelino Vazquez Navarro didn’t have air conditioning in the motor home where he died last month in Washington state as temperatures surged into the
Bank of England cuts interest rates for first time in more than four years
In an EU first, French company Gourmey has requested a pre-market authorisation for lab-grown foie gras in the 27-member bloc amid a heated debate among European governments over food innovation.
Nigeria’s economic crisis is fueling a stunt philanthropy boom
One warm morning in May, Akinyemi Omotayo, 26, strolled into a market in a low-income neighborhood of Lagos, approached two women selling red peppers, and bought their entire stock. Even
Lack of funding could hamper Great British Energy’s ability to deliver clean energy future
A lack of funding could hamper the ability of Great British Energy to truly transform the UK’s energy sector, the New Economics Foundation (NEF) has warned. As the government plans
IMF at 80: Enough colonial exploitation of debt
Mass protests rocking Kenya in the past month have once again laid bare the predatory lending practices of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Placards read “IMF keep your hands off Kenya,”
‘Tragic Outcome’ for Gig Workers as California Supreme Court Hands Win to Uber, DoorDash
Labor advocates on Thursday decried a ruling by the California Supreme Court upholding a lower court’s affirmation of a state ballot measure allowing app-based ride and delivery companies to classify
EU gets first-ever request to authorise sale of lab-grown meat
In an EU first, French company Gourmey has requested a pre-market authorisation for lab-grown foie gras in the 27-member bloc amid a heated debate among European governments over food innovation.
One way a plastics treaty could help the Global South: Fund waste management
If all goes according to plan, by the end of the year, some 170 countries will finalize the world’s first legally binding treaty to curtail plastic pollution. Its success will depend
Shell Canada Drops 2050 Climate Goal from Website
Shell Canada has deleted a “net-zero” goal by 2050 from its website. The description of Shell’s Quest carbon capture and storage (CCS) project was edited in recent weeks, and no
EU faces green dilemma in Indonesian nickel
By 2050, the annual nickel supply will have to increase by 208%, and annual copper supply by 156% relative to 2020 production levels, if global net-zero emissions goals are to be
South African president says new coalition government is united in tackling unemployment and poverty
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa opened a new parliamentary term Thursday, nearly two months after an historic election result reshaped the country’s politics and led to the formation
How Microsoft and the UAE got caught in the crossfire of the U.S.-China tech war
Amid the ongoing U.S.-China tech rivalry, high-stakes stories are happening beyond either country’s borders. I’m particularly interested in how a decoupling of U.S. and Chinese technology partnerships and supply chains
A four-day week can work – if staff and employers can deal with the challenges
It sounds like a dream for many people currently working five days a week: how about just doing four days and having a long weekend? When the weekends feel too
Calling out companies in 2024 – what’s happened so far this AGM season
The bulk of AGMs normally happen between March and August, although the biggest supermarket and retailer AGMs are due later in the year, which we’ll be at. We’ve already attended 57
Samsung workers are on strike — indefinitely
Samsung Electronics’ largest union in South Korea announced it would start an indefinite strike on Wednesday after a previous three-day walkout failed to secure the workplace gains its members are fighting
Not politics, not interest rates: India’s surging economy at risk from water
NEW DELHI, July 4 (Reuters) – In the Vivekananda Camp slum, adjacent to the U.S. embassy in New Delhi, communal taps supply brackish water for about two hours a day.
Lithium fever brings prosperity and headaches to one of the poorest corners of Brazil
For years, the Jequitinhonha River Valley, in southeastern Brazil, carried the stigma of being a very poor area, marked by the hunger and illiteracy. But it turns out that treasure
EU imposes tariffs of up to 38% on Chinese electric vehicles
The European Union has imposed extra duties of up to 37.6 percent on imports of electric vehicles (EVs) made in China, the bloc announced, despite Beijing’s warnings the move would
Biden’s LNG export pause is already on the ropes
When the Biden administration paused the approval of new liquefied natural gas exports in January, environmentalists and left-leaning politicians hailed the decision as a watershed moment for the climate movement. After months of
ECB could take action against firms in bond portfolio in climate fight
FRANKFURT, June 25 (Reuters) – The European Central Bank said on Tuesday it plans to set emission reduction targets for its vast corporate bond portfolio and could even sell some
Denmark sets first carbon tax on agriculture
The Danish government will introduce Europe’s first carbon tax on agriculture, after a five-month negotiation with farming and conservation groups ended in a historic agreement on Monday night. From 2030 farmers will
Top Banker Who Advised Gambling Commission to Award National Lottery to Czech Company Was Helping Winner Just Weeks Before
The top banker who acted as lead advisor to officials deciding the destination of Britain’s biggest ever public procurement contract was helping the winner of the multi-billion-pound takeover just two
Will climate change make insurance too expensive?
“Basically, if there is more damage, someone has to pay for it,” said Ernst Rauch, a climate expert with Munich Re, a major reinsurance company in Germany . Either insurance companies, the
‘It’s now not about teaching, it’s about keeping kids fed’: the reality of the UK’s hardship epidemic exposed
New research shows how Britain’s primary schools and GP surgeries are staggering under the weight of hardship as they divert resources to respond to the needs of those struggling to
Low Wages, Long Standing Hours, No Rest Areas: A First-Person Account From an Amazon Warehouse
My journey with Amazon began in August 2022, packing items for shipping in the outbound department. When I started, I trusted that my hard work would lead to contract renewals
Singapore doubles down on lab-grown meat as Silicon Valley backs off
Huber’s Butchery, in Singapore’s upscale Dempsey Hill neighborhood, has long drawn shoppers looking for more than just cold cuts. Starting last month, the deli’s freezer section has stocked shredded chicken
Consumer-focused lending under Labour could dent UK bank profits
LONDON, June 21 (Reuters) – Once seen as hostile to banks, Britain’s Labour has courted lenders in recent years as it attempts to gain power, yet some of the left-leaning
‘The future is dark’: Brazilian businesses shattered by floods
Porto Alegre, Brazil – Carla Rambo moves through a room of clutter, clearing the shelves inside her office supplies store in the historic centre of Porto Alegre, the capital of the
Meet the Labour Candidates Lobbying for Oil, Gas and Arms Companies
“I want the highest possible quality candidates to put before the electorate,” Labour leader Keir Starmer told the press as the election campaign started. With leftwingers like Faiza Shaheen and Lloyd Russell-Moyle excluded,
The world is farming more seafood than it catches. Is that a good thing?
A new report from the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization, or FAO, has found that more fish were farmed worldwide in 2022 than harvested from the wild, an apparent
Europe’s power sector pushes back against Brussels’ overregulation
The European Commission has been hard at work over the past five years, crafting rules to facilitate the decarbonisation of the EU’s economy – everything was to become more efficient
Inside the lobbying campaign to force Labour’s next U-turn
Dark Arts predicts Labour is about to perform another policy U-turn in the coming weeks by dropping a commitment to force private equity bosses to pay the same rate that
Zombies: Ranks of world’s most debt-hobbled companies are soaring, and not all will survive
NEW YORK (AP) — They are called zombies, companies so laden with debt that they are just stumbling by on the brink of survival, barely able to pay even the
People on universal credit losing £1 in every £13 of basic payment due to automatic DWP debt deductions
The scale of automatic debt repayments administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) means that, across all families receiving universal credit (UC), the basic payment is on average
India election: Can Modi carry out tough economic reforms?
The results of India’s six-week-long national election, the world’s largest, started trickling in on Tuesday, showing that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was on track to secure a
Hyundai benefited from ‘oppressive’ child labor in Alabama facilities, lawsuit says
Hyundai Motor Co. is facing renewed accusations that it benefited from illegal child labor in Alabama, where it operates a manufacturing plant. The U.S. Department of Labor on Thursday sued the South
Germany backs down in gas levy fight
Germany has caved to its neighbors’ concerns — and the threat of EU legal action — over a plan to charge hefty fees for gas exports. Sven Giegold, Germany’s state secretary
Industry Braces for PFAS Lawsuits That Could ‘Dwarf’ Those of Asbestos, Tobacco
A newly reported warning to the plastics industry and a complaint filed by an environmental nonprofit this week highlighted how companies and the U.S. government have endangered the public with
Oil Funded Think Tank Gathers Climate Deniers Ahead of Crucial EU Elections
A fossil fuel funded think tank with close ties to the Hungarian government hosted a meeting of climate science critics in Brussels last Thursday (23 May), to challenge the EU
British utilities stocks fall sharply as election looms
May 23 (Reuters) – UK utilities led fallers in early London trading on Thursday after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a surprise election in July the previous day, raising concerns
How Russia’s War on Ukraine Opened the Door to New Partnerships That may End its Only Remaining Leverage
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine prompted countries around the world to expand and diversify their trade and energy relations to end their reliance on the Russian Federation and in the 27 months since,
Tariffs, unions and GM corn: the US, Mexico and Canada try to iron out USMCA trade disputes
Mexico, the United States and Canada are preparing the ground for the first six-year review of their free trade agreement, the USMCA, which was signed in 2018 and went into
Small island states win legal case, forcing rich nations to slash climate-wrecking carbon emissions
Small island states are leading the charge against the climate crisis. Leaders of nine low-lying island nations have won a historic case at the UN’s maritime court. The group sought to hold
Tribes could lease their water to dry states. Why is it so hard?
The Colorado River Indian Tribes now have the ability to lease their water rights off-reservation, a move that could ease pressures on communities facing the effects of climate change through
Labour Won’t Stick to Conservative Spending Plans, Ed Miliband Confirms
The most senior Labour figure yet has confirmed that the party will not follow Conservative spending plans if elected later this year. Speaking to Byline Times, Shadow Climate Change and
Biden slaps new tariffs on Chinese imports, ratcheting trade war
President Joe Biden has slapped major new tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, advanced batteries, solar cells, steel, aluminium and medical equipment, taking potshots at Donald Trump along the way as
Chart: Global clean energy manufacturing, by the numbers
The overwhelming majority of the world’s clean energy technologies — from solar panels to heat pumps — are manufactured in China. The Biden administration, as well as several European countries, are
Amazon Is Holding Special Union-Busting Seminars for Workers
Amazon union busters are threatening workers with the loss of their jobs if they unionise. At the vast warehouse in Coventry, known as BHX4, workers have been battling for close
Major emitters ‘may retain or expand’ fossil fuels despite net-zero plans
Some sectors, such as livestock farming and heavy industry, are viewed as particularly hard to decarbonise. This is due, in part, to a perceived lack of cheap technological solutions. Any “residual
Indians who pre-ordered Teslas in 2016 are giving up and chasing refunds
NEW YORK (AP) — Some of the world’s wildest action in financial markets is roiling around the Japanese yen. The value of Japan’s currency has tumbled so much that for
Intellectual property: How to stop Western theft
A few years ago, the German professor of intellectual property law Tim Dornis was on sabbatical in California when the General-Secretary of the German Association for Intellectual Property Law (GRUR)
A global plastic treaty will only work if it caps production, modelling shows
An international agreement to end plastic pollution is due to be sealed this year in Busan, South Korea. At the penultimate round of negotiations, held in Ottawa, Canada, Rwanda and
Tesla labour dispute triggers Nordic sympathy strikes
May 3 (Reuters) – A dispute between Tesla (TSLA.O), opens new tab and Sweden’s IF Metall has drawn in unions across the Nordics, all urging the electric vehicle (EV) maker to sign
Japan’s currency falls to its weakest since 1990 against the dollar as the yen keeps yelping
NEW YORK (AP) — Some of the world’s wildest action in financial markets is roiling around the Japanese yen. The value of Japan’s currency has tumbled so much that for
Why data centers want to have their own nuclear reactors
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, the company that created ChatGPT, issued a warning in January at the World Economic Forum in Davos: the artificial intelligence (AI) industry is about to cause an
Climate change and extreme weather impacts hit Asia hard
Asia remained the world’s most disaster-hit region from weather, climate and water-related hazards in 2023. Floods and storms caused the highest number of reported casualties and economic losses, whilst the
Azerbaijan president: COP29 won’t stop us investing in ‘god-given’ gas
Ilham Aliyev, president of Azerbaijan — the host of the U.N.’s next climate talks — used a major address Friday to send Europe a pointed message: you need our gas.
An Indigenous tribe is facing genocide – all in the name of capitalist settler-colonialism
Experts on Indigenous Peoples have warned that India’s controversial Great Nicobar Development Project must be scrapped. Crucially, their open letter demands that the Indian government alter course before they cause the extinction of the Shompen.
How visas for social care workers may be exacerbating exploitation in the sector
The health and social care visa route was introduced in August 2020 as a response to labour shortages after Brexit and the COVID pandemic. Now, the independent chief inspector of
The NHS is Now So Under-Pressure People Want to Pay for Treatment, Poll Reveals
Just weeks after a damning survey revealed that less than a quarter of people are still satisfied with the NHS, a new poll has found that just more than a
Google fires 28 staff after protests against cloud contract with Israel
Google has fired 28 employees following a sit-down protest over the tech giant’s contract to provide cloud computing and artificial intelligence services to the Israeli government The terminations come after
Plastics industry heats world 4 times as much as air travel, report finds
Pollution from the plastics industry is a major force behind the heating of the planet, according to a new report from the federal government. The industry releases about four times
Urban Agriculture in the Heart of Caracas: A Conversation with Glenda Vivas
The Bolívar 1 Organoponic Garden is a two-acre plot in the center of Caracas. Wedged between concrete high-rises, this flagship garden produces a variety of food crops using Cuban-inspired methods
Fast fashion: France seeks to slow down wasteful industry
France’s fast-fashion bill was recently voted through unanimously in the lower house of Parliament, creating a rare consensus in the National Assembly, where the government lacks an absolute majority and often faces stiff opposition. But
Insurance’s triple whammy threatens the survival of people and planet
(Thursday 11th April) A major investigation into the world’s 65 largest insurance companies from the responsible investment charity ShareAction, released today, shows that both people and planet face the triple whammy
Swiss women win landmark climate case at Europe top human rights court
STRASBOURG, France, April 9 (Reuters) – Europe’s top human rights court ruled on Tuesday that the Swiss government had violated the human rights of its citizens by failing to do
When the State Comes for Your Estate
When Tammy Crowder’s phone rang late one evening in February 2018, her eldest sister, Joy, sounded panicked. Their mother, Cleveland Hager, had slipped and fallen on her side, injuring her
Cocoa price surge in global market lures Colombian farmers away from coca cultivation
“Coca leaf prices are down and cocoa prices are up.” It’s as simple as that, says cocoa farmer Óscar Gómez, who close to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, an isolated
Vast Majority of Global CO2 Emissions Tied to Just 57 Entities
Since the Paris Agreement was signed in 2015, a small number of fossil fuel entities — just 57 corporate and state producers — have been responsible for 80 percent of
Yellen calls for level playing field for US workers and firms during China visit
GUANGZHOU, China (AP) — U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen called on China on Friday to address manufacturing overcapacity that she said risks causing global economic dislocation, and to create a
In Southeast Asia, Ramadan is an online shopping bonanza
Shopee, Lazada, TikTok, and Tokopedia have more than half of Southeast Asia’s e-commerce market. Shoppertainment, or content-driven commerce, is set to grow quickly with popularity of livestreams. Regulations could damp
EU discord over Ukraine free trade spells trouble for Kyiv’s accession hopes
A squabble among EU countries over whether to grant Ukraine’s vast farming sector another year of emergency, no-strings-attached access to their markets could well be a taste of what’s to
As Europe shifts to clean energy, does it still need so much US LNG?
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 fundamentally changed the energy landscape in Europe, as Germany, France and their neighbors scrambled to ditch Russian fossil fuels. The effort showed how quickly a modern
China’s ‘de-risking’ from West worsens EU industrial decline, experts say
China’s efforts to “de-risk” its economy from the West through massive investments in manufacturing and strategic technologies are exacerbating Europe’s industrial decline, experts and business leaders say. Beijing’s push to achieve
Extreme heat drives up food prices. Just how bad will it get?
Sometimes climate change appears where you least expect it — like the grocery store. Food prices have climbed 25 percent over the past four years, and Americans have been shocked by the
UK strikes energy deal with firm linked to Putin’s gas exports
LONDON — U.K. hospitals, town halls and government departments will be heated via a massive energy deal with a subsidiary of a firm still importing Russian gas to Europe —
Q&A: The impact of farmer protests on the EU’s upcoming parliamentary elections
The agriculture sector holds a lot of power within the European Union, receiving around one-third of the bloc’s total budget. But, amid rising production costs and lower incomes, farmers have
US sues Apple over ‘smartphone monopoly’
The US Department of Justice filed suit against Apple on Thursday, accusing it of monopolizing the smartphone market. “Consumers should not have to pay higher prices because companies violate the antitrust laws,” US
Ministers let P&O owner back into bed months after sacking scandal
The government quietly rekindled its relationship with P&O owner DP World just eight months after ministers decried its “brutal” and illegal sacking of almost 800 workers in Britain, newly released
Toyota agrees to biggest wage hike in 25 years, paves way for BOJ shift
TOKYO, March 13 (Reuters) – Toyota Motor (7203.T), opens new tab agreed to give factory workers their biggest pay increase in 25 years on Wednesday, heightening expectations that bumper pay raises will
China wraps up national congress with eye on sagging economy
China’s leaders are wrapping up a weeklong key conclave at which they admitted more was needed to revive a sluggish economy battered by an ailing housing market, poor domestic demand and record-high
New report on climate risks should be “final wake-up call” for the climate crisis in Europe
A damning new EU climate risk report has warned that Europe could suffer “catastrophic” consequences from the climate crisis if it fails to take urgent and decisive action to adapt to risks. On Monday
Amazon hit with fresh strikes in ‘huge blow’ after second bid for union recognition
Amazon workers will take further strike action this month in an ongoing dispute with the delivery giant for better pay, conditions and union rights. It follows on from the GMB
The EU’s climate piggy bank is under pressure
A generation ago, the EU made a big bet: It could climate-proof Europe by making companies pay for carbon pollution. There was just one problem. That bet hinged on carbon
Europe’s Digital Markets Act is forcing tech giants to make changes. Here’s what that will look like
LONDON (AP) — Europeans scrolling their phones and computers this week will get new choices for default browsers and search engines, where to download iPhone apps and how their personal
Utilities Are Buying Pricier ‘Responsible Gas.’ But for What Climate Benefit?
Virginia Natural Gas’s aim, as it wrote in its request to the state regulator, was to “further support the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.” As part of its “Sustainable Gas Program,” the
Poor nutrition and fewer savings: The price Latin America and the Caribbean are paying as the world’s most volatile region
When Almudena Fernández saw the final result of the numbers she had been calculating, her jaw dropped. The chief economist for Latin America and the Caribbean at the United Nations
Ecowas: west African trade bloc shaken as three member states withdraw and form their own alliance
Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger announced their immediate withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) on January 27. Ecowas, which was formed in 1975, is a regional political and
Companies in Ukraine see problems pile up, but most tough it out
KYIV/LONDON, Feb 29 (Reuters) – German supermarket chain Metro (B4B.DE), opens new tab and its 3,400 employees in Ukraine have worked hard to get their business back to where it was
EU ambassadors block the CSDDD, casting a shadow over human rights and the environment
(Wednesday 28th February) During today’s COREPER meeting, EU Ambassadors did not give their approval to the passage of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). Commenting on the outcome, Isabella Ritter,
Many Nigerians struggle to afford food amid record inflation
The streets of Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city, are packed with angry demonstrators calling to “end hardship now!” amid the West African country’s worst economic crisis in more than two decades. The protests kicked off
Petrochemical companies have known for 40 years that plastics recycling wouldn’t work
For 40 years, plastic and petrochemical companies have tried to convince the public that plastics can be recycled. But they’ve known for just as long that plastics recycling would never
How Gojek keeps its gig riders close — and away from unions
In Jakarta, gig riders for the super-app Gojek are part of peer-support groups, known as communities. These closely knit groups — created based on region, gender, and shared interests —
One Small Town Plans for Climate Change
One of the most iconic landmarks in downtown Grants Pass, Oregon, is a 100-year-old sign that arcs over the main street with the phrase “It’s the Climate” scrawled across it.
US banking giant Capital One to buy Discover Financial for $35.3bn
Banking giant Capital One has announced plans to acquire Discover Financial Services for $35.3bn in a deal combining two of the United States’s biggest lenders and credit card issuers. Capital
Tobago’s tourism, fishing hit as oil slick spreads across Caribbean
SCARBOROUGH, Tobago, Feb 16 (Reuters) – Nine days after a slick was first spotted by Trinidad and Tobago’s Coast Guard, an oil leak from a capsized barge remains unplugged, according
Ford’s CEO says the UAW strike made him consider offshoring truck jobs
Ford had a rough quarter. A half-a-billion-dollar loss and big questions about whether it made a bad bet about the transition to electric vehicles. The company is looking to save some money, and what’s
Europe’s record fall in fossil fuels – plus other top energy stories
Fossil fuel power generation in Europe declined by a record 19% in 2023, according to data from think-tank Ember, as the continent shifts towards renewables. Gas-fired electricity production fell by 15%
How the U.S. Government Began Its Decade-Long Campaign Against the Anti-Pipeline Movement
On the morning of March 5, 2012, Debra White Plume received an urgent phone call. A convoy of large trucks transporting pipeline servicing equipment was attempting to cross the Pine
Japan bets on tech, immigration as labor crisis worsens
The first sectors to feel the pinch of worker shortages were nursing and elderly care. The problem soon spread to construction and delivery businesses, followed by taxi firms, forestry companies
Exxon Mobil to explore for oil and gas in offshore area under dispute by Guyana and Venezuela
Exxon Mobil said it plans to explore for oil and gas in a disputed area off South America’s coast where the Venezuelan military had previously expelled two U.S. oil companies. The move
Putting 10,000 EVs on African roads, the hard way
In less than two years, Cotonou-headquartered EV company Spiro has put more than 10,000 e-bikes on roads across four African countries. But experts believe the company is incurring huge costs
A Dutch airport has gone rogue and called for air traffic polluters to pay for their CO² emissions
Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport has published new research which shows the need for a strong reduction of air traffic in order to halt the ongoing climate crisis. In a move likely to shock other
German budget blocked again, leaving subsidy feud with farmers unresolved
Germany’s largest opposition party, the conservative CDU, blocked a decisive vote on parts of the annual budget scheduled for Friday (2 February), leaving unresolved the feud over agricultural subsidies that
Labour’s financial services plan – ShareAction response
Commenting on the Labour Party’s plan for financial services, Fergus Moffatt, Head of UK Policy at ShareAction, said: “The Labour Party’s plan for financial services includes some promising proposals to
A Superfund for climate change? States consider a new way to make Big Oil pay
Last July, the normally warm and humid but still pleasant New England summer was disrupted by a series of unusually heavy rain storms. Flash floods broke creek banks and washed
India budget 2024: What does it say about the economy, elections?
With national elections around the corner, the Indian government on Thursday announced an interim budget mostly along expected lines, with a few surprises rolled in both for investors and rural
Air Pollution From Canadian Tar Sands Up to 6,300% Worse Than Industry Reports
Aircraft measurements of pollutants over the Athabasca tar sands in Alberta, Canada show levels exceeding industry reports by 1,900% to more than 6,300%, scientists revealed Thursday, underscoring the need for
China moves to spur its slowing economy and boost markets by cutting required bank reserves
BANGKOK (AP) — China’s central bank said Wednesday it will cut amount of reserves it holds for banks as part of a slew of measures to support the slowing economy.
Why are ‘golden visa’ schemes being scrapped?
Golden visas and golden passports have attracted attention in recent years, as some countries attempt to encourage wealthy foreigners to park their money in return for residency or citizenship. The tiny Caribbean
EU auditors say real CO2 emissions from most cars have not fallen
BRUSSELS, Jan 24 (Reuters) – Real CO2 emissions from most passengers cars on EU roads are the same as 12 years ago despite reduction targets set in 2010 for newly
Romanian farmers, truckers resume protests after government talks fail
Romanian farmers and truckers resumed protests Monday after negotiations with the government failed Sunday, mirroring similar demonstrations in Germany. The protests, which began on January 10, have disrupted traffic in several cities,