07:19
Five arrested in UK over suspected terror plot
Five men have been arrested in the UK, including four Iranian nationals, over an alleged terrorist plot.
Britain commits £1.98BN to World Bank Fund for the poorest nations
Reuters
The UK government has pledged to invest £1.98 billion ($2.5 billion) over the next three years into the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) fund, aimed at supporting the world’s lowest-income countries. This contribution will help fund projects that promote economic growth, combat poverty, and address the ongoing challenges of climate change, according to a government statement.
The IDA fund, which provides grants and low-interest loans to the most impoverished nations, is replenished every three years, with a pledging conference scheduled for December 5-6 in Seoul. World Bank President Ajay Banga is seeking a record-breaking amount for this replenishment, aiming to exceed the $93 billion raised in December 2021, in response to growing demands from poor countries facing mounting debts, climate-related disasters, conflict, and other crises.
This pledge comes shortly after U.S. President Joe Biden announced a $4 billion contribution to the IDA fund last week.
While the UK previously committed 0.7% of its gross national income to overseas development aid, the Conservative government reduced this figure to 0.5% in 2021 due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since taking office in July, Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour government has vowed to restore the aid budget to 0.7%, though no timeline has been set for this increase.
09:47
Prince Harry ‘devastated’ after losing UK security appeal
Britain’s Prince Harry says he is deeply disappointed after a UK court upheld the decision to deny him full police protection.
13:00
Iran
French, British, and German political directors to meet with Iran in Rome on Friday
Political directors from France, Britain, and Germany are scheduled to meet with Iranian officials in Rome on Friday, according to two diplomatic sources who confirmed the meeting to Reuters.
15:24
Aid Commitment
EU and Britain boost aid for Sudan at London conference
The EU and UK pledged hundreds of millions in new aid for Sudan on Tuesday, as international leaders gathered in London to address the worsening humanitarian crisis and mark two years since the outbreak of the devastating conflict.
07:13
UK seizes control of steel plant from Chinese owners
The UK government has taken control of British Steel’s Scunthorpe plant in a bid to save the country’s last major steelmaking site.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment