Foreign Aid, International Development Archives

UN Chief Calls For Sustained Humanitarian Aid, Not One Convoy

20Oct

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Diplomacy and International Law, Foreign Aid, International Development, Human rights, Types of News: Brief

UN Chief Calls For Sustained Humanitarian Aid, Not One Convoy

October 20, 2023—UN Secretary-General António Guterres is in Egypt, and he wants humanitarian aid to start flowing to people in Gaza. As of today, the Rafah border crossing is still closed. "We are witnessing a paradox," Guterres said, emphasizing the dire need for food, fuel, medicine, and water. "We are not looking for one convoy to come. We are looking for convoys to be authorized in meaningful numbers of trucks to go every day to provide enough support for the Gaza people." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOFV-sVhtH0 El Paid, October 20, 2023 The urgent call for opening up the border crossing comes two days after President Biden said he's negotiated a deal to allow 20 trucks into Gaza. The Biden administration, however, also vetoed a broader arrangement to allow more sustai...

Terror Financing: Where Does Hamas Get Its Money

16Oct

By No Comments

Corruption, Bribes, Illicit Finance & Money Laundering, Finance, Banks, Cryptocurrency, Metals, Foreign Aid, International Development, Types of News: Brief

Terror Financing: Where Does Hamas Get Its Money

October 16, 2023—Since 2007, Israel has imposed an air, land, and sea blockade of the Gaza Strip. But that hasn't stopped the Hamas from getting access to hundreds of millions of dollars. The terrorist organization and governing body of Gaza has access to a global financing network connected with countries, businesses, and charities, according to reporting by Reuters. Now, in the aftermath of the Hamas attack on Israel, those lines of finance will come under greater scrutiny by governments, international organizations, and banks. Crypto, Credit, and Trade Reuters reported that Hamas receives support from Iran and Qatar as well as charities. Furthermore, it exchanges money with cryptocurrencies, credit cards, and trade deals to avoid international restrictions. Earlier this y...

A Critical Look At US Funds For Risky Science Abroad

10Apr

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Foreign Aid, International Development, Globalization, Disintegration, Nationalism, Populism, Types of News: Analysis

A Critical Look At US Funds For Risky Science Abroad

Former CDC Director Calls for Reinstatement Of Obama-Era Ban On Gain-Of-Function Experiments April 10, 2023—As a House Oversight Subcommittee investigates the origins of the deadly COVID-19 virus that killed millions of people around the world, new details about the role of global collaboration in science come to light. Today, the Washington Post published a groundbreaking and extensive report on how U.S. government agencies fund high-stakes research on unknown pathogens around the world. Specifically, since 2012, U.S. agencies spent billions of dollars on research of pathogens in at least 78 countries. And though the research includes dangerous virus hunting, safety standards and regulations have not kept pace with the experiments. Furthermore, according to the Post report by David ...

Citing Russia’s Aggression in Europe, Japan’s Kishida Steps Up Diplomacy

21Mar

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Diplomacy and International Law, Foreign Aid, International Development, Types of News: Analysis

Citing Russia’s Aggression in Europe, Japan’s Kishida Steps Up Diplomacy

Japan's Prime Minister Kishida visited a mass grave in Bucha, Ukraine and expressed his anger about the atrocities Russia's military committed. Kishida Promises To Boost Public and Private Funds For 'Free And Open' Indo-Pacific March 21, 2023—Russia's aggressive war against its neighbor Ukraine is having an impact in SE Asia where leaders worry that China may try to make similar territorial claims against international law. Moreover, ensuring that the sea lanes stay open to trade is increasingly imperative. Japan is increasing its role as a center of diplomatic circles, especially this year as it hosts the G7 meetings. Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida traveled to India on Monday and Ukraine today in an effort to strengthen diplomatic ties and alliances. "Russia's aggres...

11Apr

By Jesús CedeñoNo Comments

Finance, Banks, Cryptocurrency, Metals, Foreign Aid, International Development, Types of News: Analysis, Types of News: Brief

Crypto In The Russia-Ukraine War

Cryptocurrencies Are Playing Roles In The Battle; And The Battle Is Impacting The Prices This is a follow-up piece to Finance writer Jesús Cedeño's analysis of where cryptocurrencies are today. All viewpoints are his own do not necessarily reflect the views and positions of the Global Economic Report. Neither the writer nor Mohr Media’s GER website are responsible for readers’ investment decisions. April 11, 2022—It’s no coincidence that Bitcoin prices have shown an upward trend since February 25th. Today, we cannot talk about cryptocurrencies without looking at the Russia-Ukraine war. It's a factor that is influencing not only crypto’s value, but also the way governments all over the world are using and reacting to the conflict. Larry Fink, chairman of BlackRock, says the R...

US, Japan And South Korea Issue Statement For ‘Free And Open Indo-Pacific’

14Feb

By Jacob DavenportNo Comments

Diplomacy and International Law, Foreign Aid, International Development, Legal Battles, International Law, Justice, Sanctions, Types of News: Brief

US, Japan And South Korea Issue Statement For ‘Free And Open Indo-Pacific’

Leaders Condemn Missile Launches By DPRK February 14, 2022--Meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii on Saturday, the top diplomats for the United States, Japan, and South Korea released a joint statement promising to collaborate on an Indo-Pacific strategy. The statement comes after North Korea (DPRK) launched nine ballistic missiles in the month of January, challenging the Biden Administration. U.S. Strategy for the Indo-Pacific In response to that and other diplomatic challenges, namely by China, President Joe Biden released a new strategy this month for the Indo-Pacific region. The strategy suggests the United States is stepping up its diplomacy, foreign assistance and participation in regional organizations to counter China's growing influence in the East and South China Seas. U.S....

The Impact Of Conflict Still Reverberates Throughout The Middle East

29Dec

By Ramsha ZubairiNo Comments

Foreign Aid, International Development, Types of News: Brief, Types of News: Videos

The Impact Of Conflict Still Reverberates Throughout The Middle East

Editor's Note: This year we saw international diplomats try to work out political solutions for many of the Arab Spring countries. Meanwhile, humanitarians worked directly with the people impacted by conflict and natural disasters. Fabrizio Carboni is one of them. He is regional director for the Near and Middle East for the International Committee of the Red Cross. The news is difficult to take in. But solutions cannot come unless we understand the issues impacting people. December 29, 2021--Fabrizio Carboni, regional director for the Near and Middle East for the International Committee of the Red Cross, discussed the major challenges faced by the Middle Eastern countries of Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and Iraq in 2021. "What we see ...

High Food Prices Fueling Humanitarian Crises Worldwide

21Nov

By Ramsha ZubairiNo Comments

Finance, Currency, Debt, National Budgets & Interest Rates, Foreign Aid, International Development, Types of News: Brief

High Food Prices Fueling Humanitarian Crises Worldwide

WFP Director David Beasley makes plea for funds.Photo: WFP As Inflation Impacts The World, Aid Organizations Are Struggling To Meet The Needs Of The Hungry November 21, 2021—Aid agencies like the UN World Food Programme are making a desperate plea for funds this year to feed the hungry amid rising fuel and food prices and drought-related shortages. Almost 283 million people face acute food shortages or are at high risk in 80 countries in 2021, according to the UN World Food Programme. The agency warned that 45 million people across 43 countries are at risk of famine. The number of people at risk increased from 42 million earlier this year and 27 million in 2019. “Tens of millions of people are staring into an abyss. We’ve got conflict, climate change and COVID-19 driving up th...

Palestinian State-Building Faces ‘Considerable Obstacles,’ Norway FM Says

18Nov

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Diplomacy and International Law, Foreign Aid, International Development, Middle East, Types of News: Brief

Palestinian State-Building Faces ‘Considerable Obstacles,’ Norway FM Says

Meeting in Oslo, Norway of the AHLC on Nov. 17, 2021. Credit: MFA/Mathias Rongved Separately, U.S. Ambassador to UN Tours Middle East, Emphasizes U.S.-Israel Ties & Remarks on Refugees November 18, 2021--Following a ministerial meeting of donors and interested parties supporting Palestinian governance, Norway's Ministry of Foreign Affairs cited "significant challenges" facing the Palestinian Authority, including budgetary problems, widespread unemployment, occupation, and an "enormous need" for investment. "Comprehensive, far-reaching measures are needed to reverse the negative economic trend in Palestine and strengthen the Palestinian institutions that the donors have been helping to develop for nearly three decades," said Norway's Minister of Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitf...

As Israeli Leader Rejects Palestinian State, Norway Steps Up Diplomacy

17Nov

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Diplomacy and International Law, Domestic Politics, Foreign Aid, International Development, Human rights, Legal Battles, International Law, Justice, Middle East, Types of News: Analysis

As Israeli Leader Rejects Palestinian State, Norway Steps Up Diplomacy

November 17, 2021--Amid a rejection of the two-state solution by Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Norway's Foreign Ministry is hosting talks today with the goal of building up rule of law in the Palestinian territories. Today's meeting in Oslo, Norway represents the first in-person ministerial meeting by the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) in two years. Norway's newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldt led the discussion. It's significant on multiple fronts. First, Norway is often instrumental in achieving breakthroughs in diplomacy. Earlier this year, the country's representatives achieved a solution for aid workers to continue to use a border crossing between Turkey and Syria. Later they helped bring Venezuelan leaders together with its opposition in Me...