The UK International Development Secretary, Andrew Mitchell, has a tough job in expanding UK aid when other government spending is being cut. His bilateral aid review chooses some risky partners.
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In search of the bottom billion
New research published by the Washington-based Center for Global Development questions whether a core function of the World Bank in supporting poor countries is “heading toward retirement” by 2025.
Chinese ducks in a row for climate negotiations
Publication of its 12th Five Year Plan has put flesh on the bones of China’s energy pledges made in international climate change negotiations. By contrast, Congressional budget wrangling renders U.S. emissions targets less convincing by the day.
Mukherjee budget menaces Indian forests
India is the first major economy to present an annual budget since the disruption of oil production in Libya. Plans for the economy in 2011/12 revealed earlier today surprised observers by making no provision for volatile oil prices.
G20 ministers reject calls for climate justice
Proposals for a global financial transaction tax to help the development of poor countries affected by climate change have been ignored by the world’s leading finance ministers.
Hillary Clinton backs move to end hidden hunger
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has endorsed efforts by world food experts to improve coordination between agriculture, nutrition and health programmes. “This issue cuts to the core of a global crisis that demands action,” she said.
UN Year of Forests stumbles in first week
Last Wednesday’s UN launch of the International Year of Forests has been tempered by disagreement over global plans for their protection. The flames of criticism have been fanned by reports of irregularities in pilot projects to reduce deforestation in Guyana and Indonesia.
Sachs defends Pachauri against Murdoch propaganda
Professor Jeffrey Sachs, the outspoken Director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University, has accused the News Corporation media empire of conducting a year-long campaign of vilification against the head of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Sarkozy clashes with UN food chief
An apparent rift with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization signals a shaky start to French ambitions for the G20 countries to tackle world food insecurity.
Clooney sickness puts global warming on South Sudan agenda
Last Friday’s revelation that Hollywood superstar, George Clooney, contracted malaria during a visit to observe the South Sudan referendum may deliver an unintended wake-up call to the architects of the new state.