Foreign Aid, International Development Archives

Millions Syrian Refugees At Risk of Losing Access to Humanitarian Aid

5Jun

By Spencer HayesNo Comments

Foreign Aid, International Development, Middle East, Organizations, IMF, WTO, G7, UN Security Council, Types of News: Brief

Millions Syrian Refugees At Risk of Losing Access to Humanitarian Aid

By Spencer Brooke Hayes June 5, 2021--More than 3 million Syrian refugees may lose access to food, medical supplies and humanitarian aide next month when a UN Security Council resolution expires. “It’s going to be a disaster if the Security Council resolution is not extended. We know that people are really going to suffer,” Mark Cutts, U.N. deputy regional humanitarian coordinator, told Reuters in a recent news report. "In northwest Syria you have some of the most vulnerable people anywhere in the world." UN Security Council mandate 2533 gives humanitarian agencies the right to cross the Syrian-Turkish border to deliver aid. The resolution comes up for review in July. According to reporting by Reuters Tuvan Gumrukcu, Russia and China reduced humanitarian access to border crossing...

As Impeachment Trial Begins, Government Agency Says Withholding of Foreign Aid Was Illegal

16Jan

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Foreign Aid, International Development, Types of News: Brief

As Impeachment Trial Begins, Government Agency Says Withholding of Foreign Aid Was Illegal

Jan. 16, 2020-As the impeachment trial of U.S. President Donald Trump got underway with the swearing in of Chief Justice John Roberts and most of the 100 U.S. senators, a government agency issued a report today saying it was illegal for the Executive Branch to withold to Ukraine in 2019. "Faithful execution of the law does not permit the President to substitute his own policy priorities for those that Congress has enacted into law," the legal decision by the Government Accountability Office said. The specific law in question is the Impoundment Control Act. The timing of the GAO decision is relevant because it gets to the heart of the impeachment trial now underway in the U.S. Senate. According to the GAO, Congress had appropriated $250 million in U.S. funds for Ukraine. The i...

South Korea Opts Out of Special Trade Status for Developing Countries

28Oct

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Foreign Aid, International Development, Global Trade, Organizations, IMF, WTO, G7, UN Security Council, Types of News: Brief

South Korea Opts Out of Special Trade Status for Developing Countries

October 28, 2019-South Korea plans to give up a special status in the World Trade Organization. The status gives developing countries longer time periods to implement trade agreements and the ability to increase trade opportunities. South Korea Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki made the announcement late last week, saying it reflects his country's growing economy and external pressures. South Korea's economy is worth $1.5 trillion and is the 11th largest economy in the world. In July, U.S. President Donald Trump called on strong economies such as China to shed the special status. His July memorandum makes specific recommendations regarding the treatment of countries that he says should no longer be treated as developing economies. Singapore, Brazil, the UAE and Taiwan have also pledged...

China Outlines Goals for Arctic Trade Route & Development

29Jan

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Energy Policy, Oil & Gas, Foreign Aid, International Development, Global Trade, Types of News: Brief

China Outlines Goals for Arctic Trade Route & Development

As global warming melts thick ice in the Arctic, countries are increasingly staking out economic claims in the region. China is no exception. This month, China outlined its vision for creating a new trade route through the region and for developing its resources. In a new 12-page White Paper, China called itself as an "important stakeholder" in the region. As Near-Arctic State and a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China "shoulders the important mission of jointly promoting peace and security in the Arctic," the paper said. It is a significant policy statement on navigating the delicate environmental and diplomatic interests in the Arctic waters. As the ice melts in the region, the potential for international disputes over shipping and natural resources rises. Governi...

Look Beyond GDP, World Economic Forum Says

25Jan

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Foreign Aid, International Development, Global Economics, Organizations, IMF, WTO, G7, UN Security Council, Types of News: Brief

Look Beyond GDP, World Economic Forum Says

Economic growth as measured by gross domestic product is necessary for a country's well-being, but it is not enough. To ensure adequate or rising living standards for people, you need sustainable and inclusive growth, according to members of the World Economic Forum. "Any growth, for it to be meaningful, has to be inclusive," said Saadia Zahidi, a member of the WEF Executive Committee. "Unsurprisingly, we find that while growth is recovering, there are still major challenges when it comes to equity and inclusion across both rich and poor economies." The World Economic Forum executive committee released a report this week on inclusive growth as world leaders started to gather at its annual conference in Davos, Switzerland. Global Growth Strong The World Bank predicts the world economy wil...

China, France Strengthen Trade, Economic Ties

12Jan

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Big Tech, Digital Economy, Diplomacy, Foreign Aid, International Development, Global Trade, Globalization, Disintegration, Types of News: Brief

China, France Strengthen Trade, Economic Ties

French President Emmanuel Macron wrapped up a three-day state visit to China this week, strengthening the European Union's economic ties to Asia. Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping vowed to open their economies to trade and investment and strengthen the global economic governance system. It was Macron's first state visit to China since becoming president, and he pledged to return each year to foster face-to-face diplomacy. As a symbol of friendship, Macron gifted Chinese President Xi Jinping with a prized horse named Vésuve de Brekka, who had served the French Republican Guard. It was in the fashion of China's "panda diplomacy" of gifting its pandas to countries around the world, including France. Trade and Investment China is France's seventh largest export market. China acc...

Greece Puts Debt Bills Up For Democratic Vote

27Jun

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Democracy, Domestic Politics: Europe, EU, Eurozone, Finance, Currency, Debt, National Budgets & Interest Rates, Foreign Aid, International Development, Global Economics, Types of News: Brief

Greece Puts Debt Bills Up For Democratic Vote

Greece is to hold a national referendum to decide whether the country will accept a deal offered by creditors over the country's debt obligations and tax, spending and pension policies. Caught between his government's promises to pay its debts and his own campaign promises to oppose fiscal reforms demanded by creditor institutions, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras announced today that he will let the people decide the fate of the country. "Our responsibility is for the future of our country. This responsibility obliges us to respond to the ultimatum through the sovereign will of the Greek people," Tsipras said. While it seems like a lot is riding on the national referendum, scheduled to take place Sunday, July 5, the vote might come too late. Greece owes a debt payment of €1.5...