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
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Wind and solar capacity in south-east Asia climbs 20% in just one year, report finds
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What the Red Sea crisis could mean for the electric vehicle industry and the planet
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Five richest men doubled fortunes after 2020, Oxfam says as Davos opens
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Mexico set to surpass China as the largest exporter to the US in 2023
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UK solar power target for 2035 obliterated by inflated costs, government chaos, and gridlock
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U.S. tech layoffs sent Indian workers home to an even worse job market
Deepak had been working at Amazon India for six years when he was offered an opportunity for an internal transfer to the company’s headquarters in Seattle. In June 2022, he
Oil-friendly Louisiana now has the power to approve carbon capture projects
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Tesla reported 485,000 deliveries for the fourth quarter, bringing 2023 total to 1.8 million
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Private equity ownership is bad for a hospital’s health
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Trudeau’s climate plan faces setback in Saskatchewan over carbon tax
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UK and Switzerland strike ‘first of its kind’ financial services deal
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Billionaire Benko’s Property Woes Risk Leaving Scars in Hamburg
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Oil companies attending climate talks have minimal green energy transition plans, AP analysis finds
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Argentina’s Milei announces 50% currency devaluation and large cuts to public spending
Argentina’s new president, Javier Milei, on Tuesday announced an official devaluation of the peso of 50%, virtually turning on the chainsaw that he famously used at campaign events. The government
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German budget chaos: No vote on 2024 spending this year
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Diplomatic cables reveal UK fears over $15B Vietnam coal deal
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Three in four young people are not being protected by employment rights
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US oil and gas extraction is at a new high and will likely stay near record levels through 2050
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Vietnam reels from historic €11.4 billion corruption scandal
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Brazil’s politicians, unions, and workers can’t agree on how to protect gig labor
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European lawmakers give green light to ‘model’ NZ trade deal
Lawmakers in the European Parliament on Wednesday signed off on the bloc’s free-trade agreement with New Zealand, heralded as Brussels’ gold standard for making its trade deals greener. “This is the most
Nigerian workers’ wages diminish as inflation rises and gov’t revenue dips
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Economic models buckle under strain of climate reality
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German farmers: Ukraine membership would spell end of EU farming system
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Energy Department tries to boost US battery industry with another $3.5 billion in funding
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South Africans are breaking the law to get Elon Musk’s Starlink internet
Small business owner Sozwani Joko felt he wasn’t getting the one vital resource he needed to run his community internet cafe: a strong internet connection. His services – video conferencing,
Hedge fund recruits investigative journalists to help with investment
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Global fossil fuel production plans far exceed climate targets, UN says
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Greece: Cost of living crisis hits ordinary households hard
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A Hidden System of Exploitation Underpins US Hospitals’ Employment of Foreign Nurses
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‘Time to Exit ISDS’: Hundreds of Groups Call On US to Ditch Corporate-Friendly Trade Regime
More than 200 civil society groups on Thursday called on the Biden administration to protect climate, health, and other public interest policies across the Americas by dismantling a trade regime
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Crumbling buildings and broken dreams: China’s unfinished homes
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Rishi Sunak carries out Liz Truss plan to axe cap on bankers’ bonuses
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NGOs launch 2024 EU elections manifesto calling for bold action on sustainable finance
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Warren Buffett’s company joins oil-buying frenzy this week by resuming its Occidental Petroleum buys
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Indonesia: Corruption scandals escalate as election nears
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Exxon in talks to join UN-led methane reporting pact -sources
Oct 19 (Reuters) – Exxon Mobil (XOM.N) is considering joining a U.N.-led initiative that would require disclosing more details of its global methane output, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters, a
Argentina’s gig workers are rallying against regulation — and supporting the libertarian candidate
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A joint campaign by Amazon and the government to offer struggling families money-saving advice has been slammed by an employee of the tech giant who said its own staff are
Why is Goldman Sachs suing Malaysia over 1MDB scandal?
The United States investment bank Goldman Sachs has sued Malaysia in a London arbitration court amid rising tension over a settlement deal reached in connection with the bank’s role
Claudia Goldin wins Nobel Prize in Economics 2023
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences on Monday awarded the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel, more commonly known as the Nobel Prize in Economics,
US: As climate risks mount, the insurance safety net is collapsing
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Analysis: How the UK has spent its foreign aid on climate change since 2011
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Australia to rejoin Global Climate Fund it abandoned in 2018
Australia has announced it will rejoin the United Nations climate fund set up to help poorer countries deal with the challenges of a heating planet ahead of a key donor
Japan’s sleep-deprived employees embrace the workplace nap
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Laid-off workers hesitate to rejoin Pakistan’s yo-yoing phone assembly industry
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Investors searching for alpha—to beat the market—won’t find it in socially responsible investing. A new study examining a decade of data finds portfolios of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that follow environmental, social, and
Rishi Sunak to sign UK-India trade deal without binding worker or environment pledges
LONDON — Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s trade deal with India will not include legally enforceable commitments on labor rights or environmental standards, five people briefed on the text have told
Rising poverty grips Argentina as runaway inflation takes its toll
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — With tired faces, residents of a homeless shelter in Argentina’s capital pass through the main entrance and line up to receive a hot drink and
Brazil’s Supreme Court upholds Indigenous rights to reclaim land
The justices of Brazil’s Supreme Court voted 9-2 last week against a legal framework that would have made it impossible for Indigenous tribal leaders to reclaim traditional land and that
How India is seeking to gain ground on China
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Singapore’s clean image under scrutiny amid money laundering scandal
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Google Recruiting Propels Zurich Home Prices Past London, Paris
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U.S. aids Pakistan IMF bailout with secret Ukraine arms deal
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Panama Canal drought: Rolling ecological crisis is raising prices everywhere
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China denounces Europe investigation of EVs
China on Thursday warned that looking into Chinese state subsidies for electric vehicles would have a “negative impact” on economic and trade ties between the bloc and Beijing. The Chinese commerce ministry deemed the
Muhammad Yunus, the father of microfinance, is facing a prison sentence
Among foreign economists and civil society activists, the Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus is an icon for extending microloans to those too poor to access conventional banks. But at home, in Bangladesh, he has
The U.S. is racing to source chips from Vietnam — but engineers are scant
The U.S. and Vietnam have leveled up their diplomatic relationship, including with an agreement that would put CHIPS Act funding towards growing the semiconductor industry in Vietnam. But for the
Norway will deliver gas to Europe for as long as needed, climate minister says
OSLO, Sept 15 (Reuters) – Norway will continue to deliver natural gas to Europe for as long as needed while also working to decarbonise the continent’s energy systems, its climate
New report exposes high number of anonymous UK property owners
Over two-thirds of properties in the UK held by overseas shell companies still do not publish information about the identity of their owners. That’s according to new research from the London School
India seeks a greater voice for the developing world at G20 but the Ukraine war may overshadow talks
NEW DELHI (AP) — It’s never been easy for the leaders of the world’s largest economies to find common ground, but Russia’s war on Ukraine has made it even harder
The International Monetary Fund: ‘Dollarization is not a substitute for a sustainable fiscal policy’
Latin America is suffering the economic effects of the post-pandemic period, but Chilean Rodrigo Valdés, 56, the economist responsible for the Western Hemisphere Department of the International Monetary Fund (IMF),
Ecuador faces economic dilemma after vote to ban oil drilling in the Amazon
Ecuador’s historic vote to leave the Amazon rainforest’s oil reserves underground contrasts sharply with the results of the presidential elections held on the same day, and leaves the troubled country
Philippines’ Marcos orders price cap for rice amid ‘alarming’ price surge
The Philippines has imposed a price cap on rice as the Southeast Asian country grapples with some of the highest inflation in the region. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr signed an
As the UN designs a new carbon market, experts call for a different approach
Back in 2015, when 174 countries and the European Union came together to finalize the Paris Agreement, each agreed to do its part to slash greenhouse gas emissions. Signatories put forward
UK weighing exit from controversial energy treaty
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How Lebanon was plundered by its own central bank
Before the start of the economic crisis in Lebanon in 2019, the governor of the country’s central bank, Riad Salameh, had a strong reputation as one of the world’s best. But by the
Nigeria’s currency devaluation is a disaster for startups
In July, when Nigerian agritech startup Winich Farms shared its quarterly financial report with stakeholders, it reported all the figures twice. One version used the old official currency rate of
Japan eyes over $14 bln in green transformation spending – govt
TOKYO, Aug 23 (Reuters) – Japan aims to spend over 2 trillion yen ($14 billion) on green transformation to promote local production of storage batteries, semiconductors and equipment to produce
Climate change is making debt more expensive – new study
Earth is overheating due to the greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels. This is “the biggest market failure the world has seen” according to economist Nicholas Stern. The rational behaviour
Queues for bread and no formula milk: Motherhood in blockaded Nagorno-Karabakh
Mary Grigoryan’s day starts when the electricity is switched on, so she can heat up sugarless tea for her children’s breakfast. Energy use in the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, which
Renewables are exacerbating modern slavery — how businesses can act
When Mahendra Pandey was a teenager, he traveled from his home country of Nepal to Saudi Arabia for work. He said his passport was confiscated upon arrival, and he was
H&M probes alleged Myanmar factory abuses as pressure intensifies
H&M, the world’s second-largest fashion retailer, is investigating 20 alleged instances of labour abuse at Myanmar garment factories that supply it, Reuters news agency has reported, just weeks after Zara-owner Inditex, the
LNG supplies: Why Europe is spooked by Australian strike
Prospective strike action by workers at Australia’s second-largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant is being closely watched by European policymakers, concerned that a second winter of soaring energy prices could cause inflation to rebound. European
US escalates trade dispute with Mexico over limits on genetically modified corn
The U.S. government said Thursday it is formally requesting a dispute settlement panel in its ongoing row with Mexico over its limits on genetically modified corn. Mexico’s Economy Department said it
Toronto Takes on Silicon Valley to Become AI Startup Hub
Few figures have loomed larger in recent public dialogue over artificial intelligence than Geoffrey Hinton, the groundbreaking AI researcher who famously left Google Brain in May, saying he wanted to be free
Offices: how bad will the coming property crunch be?
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What the Amazon Summit means for deforestation and climate change
At a meeting in Belém, Brazil, on 8-9 August, heads of state and foreign ministers gathered to discuss how to take a cooperative approach to a range of issues, including
Another week, another push to “Make in India”
The Indian government has made yet another attempt to give its flagship Make in India initiative a push. On August 3, India said companies importing laptops, tablets, and PCs into
India’s wild price swings for tomatoes make and lose fortunes
“Tomato King” Ramesh Pangal, a farmer in the north Indian state of Haryana, had a good yield despite a heatwave that began earlier than usual this summer. By May, the
The US government’s debt has been downgraded. Here’s what to know
WASHINGTON (AP) — Late Tuesday, Fitch Ratings became the second of the three major credit-rating firms to remove its coveted triple-A assessment of the United States government’s credit worthiness, a move that
Failing UK anti-pollution scheme needs ‘complete rethink’, experts say
Scientists and campaigners have slammed the government’s decision to hand unexpectedly large subsidies to the biggest polluters – making it far cheaper to pollute in the UK than in the
Russia strikes Ukraine’s Danube port, driving up global grain prices
KYIV, Aug 2 (Reuters) – Russia attacked Ukraine’s main inland port across the Danube River from Romania on Wednesday, sending global food prices higher as it ramped up its use
Deep-sea mining risks costing everyone – including mining companies – the Earth
Deep-sea mining is the subject of ongoing discussions at the International Seabed Authority (ISA). Such mining would pose substantial risks to marine life and ecosystems, as well as humans, which are
Clean fuel storage attracts big business amid energy shift
With Europe’s deepening commitment to decarbonizing the energy it uses — and to weaning itself off Russian imports — comes a desperate need to replace its fossil fuel habit with green alternatives. As 70%
Yellen visits Vietnam to build US ties and push supply chain diversity to offset tensions with China
The U.S. considers building strong economic and security ties with Vietnam a priority, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Thursday as she met with Vietnamese officials in a visit aimed at fortifying
Greenhushing, explained: Why companies have stopped talking about their climate pledges
Not long ago, the world’s biggest companies were making splashy promises to tackle climate change. Even those in the business of selling fossil fuels — like BP and Shell —
Novatek set to oust Gazprom as Russia’s top gas supplier to Europe
MOSCOW, July 21 (Reuters) – Increased supplies of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia’s Novatek (NVTK.MM) mean the company is close to overtaking Kremlin-controlled Gazprom (GAZP.MM) as the country’s leading fuel supplier to Europe,
As Cuba’s private sector roars back, choices and inequality rise
Güines, Mayabeque – “Capitalism must be uprooted, parasitism must be uprooted, the exploitation of man must be uprooted,” cried Fidel Castro in 1968 to rapturous applause, explaining his decision to ban
Europe’s latest energy security tactic: hoarding Chinese solar panels
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last February, and Moscow’s subsequent throttling of natural gas supplies to Europe, threw global energy markets into disarray. Europe panicked as it confronted the ugly reality of its fragile
New visa programs spark brain drain fears across Africa
When Edmund Ekott, a Nigerian front-end developer, decided to relocate to Germany in 2022, he had to deal with an exasperating immigration process. He went through a prolonged back-and-forth with
Rice crops are being threatened by El Nino after grain supplies were disrupted by the war in Ukraine
NEW DELHI (AP) — Warmer, drier weather because of an earlier than usual El Nino is expected to hamper rice production across Asia, hitting global food security in a world
International negotiators just missed a deadline to regulate deep-sea mining. Now what?
This month, a small group of diplomats is meeting to hash out a plan that could affect the future of nearly half of Earth’s surface — including regions containing metals that are vital for
Rishi Sunak hikes public sector pay — but the devil’s in the details
LONDON — Rishi Sunak’s finally splashing the cash. But will his latest round of pay rises be enough to calm restive public sector workers? On Thursday the U.K. prime minister
Revealed: Major US banks are funding anti-LGBTIQ groups
The Bank of America and Goldman Sachs have both been lauded for their LGBTIQ-friendly workplaces. But tax filings uncovered by openDemocracy show nonprofit foundations linked to the banks have also
World’s richest people added $852 billion to their fortunes in the first half of 2023
The world’s 500 richest people added $852 billion (about €780 billion) to their personal fortunes in the first half of the year, according to Bloomberg data. On average, each member
Mexico’s growing e-commerce infrastructure is built on top of its smallest shops
Online sales in Mexico grew by 80% in 2020, and they’ve since kept growing by over 20% every year. Amid this trend, neighborhood corner shops, laundromats, and office supply stores
How holidaying in developing countries affects local inequality
A few years ago, one of us (Alex) went for a vacation to the Dominican Republic. The motivation was similar to millions of other tourists every year: escape the daily
UK-US: What’s happened to their free trade deal?
US President Joe Biden’s upcoming European trip, where he will be popping in to see UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, will no doubt reinforce the optics of the “special relationship,” but
The key points of Sri Lanka’s plan to restructure domestic debt
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has unveiled a far-reaching domestic debt restructuring plan aimed at restoring stability in the crisis-hit country. The move on Thursday comes as the
Public Pension Funds Have Lost Billions on Their Fossil Fuel Investments: New Analysis
For U.S. public pension funds, divesting from oil, coal, and gas would result in overall higher financial value. That is the key takeaway from a new study examining the past decade’s portfolio
Chinese businesses want more trade as EU becomes more sceptical
As the EU starts using a more political lens to analyse its trade relations with China, Chinese companies are still trying to convince Europeans of the benefits of a close
‘Climate washing’ lawsuits jump as more activists challenge corporate claims, report shows
LONDON, June 29 (Reuters) – “Climate washing” litigation has risen sharply in the last two years as environmental groups and governments grow frustrated with corporate claims about their contribution to
Greenwashing concerns: Is Brazil paper company sustainable?
Members of the Curvelandia community in Brazil’s north-eastern Maranhao state used branches and palm fronds at the beginning of this year to create a barricade across the red dirt road that runs
Cost of living is driving one in four workers globally to look for new jobs
The rising cost of living is causing employed people to look for either higher pay with a new job or take on additional jobs, according to the recently released Global Workforce Hopes and
Pivotal case against UK fossil fuel project gets its day in the Supreme Court
A legal challenge against an onshore oil project in Horse Hill, Surrey will be heard in the Supreme Court on 21 and 22 June. The years-long case challenges Surrey County Council’s failure
Are low-traffic neighbourhoods greenwashing? Here’s what the evidence says
Since the pandemic, a series of low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) have been installed across the UK. LTNs are designed to curtail car use in residential streets and promote active modes of travel such
US: Renewable group shifts position, shakes up hydrogen debate
One of the nation’s largest renewable trade groups unveiled revised recommendations Thursday on how “green” hydrogen emissions should be counted under the Inflation Reduction Act, highlighting the challenge facing the
How Emefiele, Nigeria’s powerful central bank chief lost his seat
Lagos, Nigeria – Last Friday Nigeria’s new President Bola Tinubu suspended the country’s Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele. On Saturday, Nigeria’s secret police confirmed the erstwhile top banker has been arrested
Africa’s Richest City Is Crumbling Under Chaos and Corruption
Solomon Owa’s fingers work quickly as he speaks over the hum of his sewing machine. That’s because the hum of his sewing machine might stop at any moment. “In a
Net zero targets among world’s largest companies double, but credibility gaps undermine progress
Bonn, 12th June 2023: The globally-agreed mission to curtail climate change will be impossible unless national & sub-national governments and the largest companies urgently strengthen their targets, reports the Net Zero
India’s central bank sets a vision for a net-zero economy
India’s goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2070 raises important questions for policymakers regarding potential risks to the financial system and necessary policy reforms. These concerns are particularly relevant
China’s factory deflation steepens as demand wanes
BEIJING, June 9 (Reuters) – China’s factory gate prices fell at the fastest pace in seven years in May and quicker than forecasts, as faltering demand weighed on a slowing
Pakistan’s 4-day internet shutdown was the final straw for its tech workers
On May 16, frustrated with an unexpected internet shutdown in Pakistan, Karachi-based app developer Wajahat Karim posted a poll on LinkedIn. The 32-year-old asked his connections if they wanted to move
Revealed: Labour taking free staff from scandal-hit consulting firms
Labour went cap-in-hand to two scandal-hit consultancy firms that its own shadow chancellor said should be broken up, openDemocracy can reveal. The party has quietly accepted more than £230,000 worth
Europe sees inflation drop to 6.1%, but real relief for consumers will take months
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Europe’s inflation took a positive turn with a significant drop to 6.1%, but prices are still posing a pinch to shoppers who are yet to see