Special Reports

The world’s 26 poorest nations are now deeper in debt than at any time since 2006 and face heightened vulnerability to natural disasters and other crises, according to the World Bank. In a report released on Sunday, the Washington, DC-based institution highlighted that the poorest economies are in worse shape...

Renewable energy, spearheaded by solar power, is on track to supply nearly half of the world’s electricity demand by the end of this decade, according to a new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA). The report highlights the rapid expansion of renewable power, driven by supportive policies and favorable...

A recent study by Global Finance, which analyzed the Gross Domestic Product purchasing power parity (GDP-PPP) worldwide, revealed that Luxembourg claimed the title of the world's most affluent country in 2024. With a staggering GDP per capita of $143,743, Luxembourg's wealth is nearly double that of the UK, where the...

Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest city and economic center, is facing a growing crisis in basic service delivery, highlighting a stark contrast between its wealth and the deteriorating conditions endured by its residents. Despite being home to numerous multinational headquarters, major financial institutions, and Africa’s largest stock exchange, the Johannesburg Stock...

Representatives from Latin American and Caribbean countries reiterated their dedication to fostering more productive, inclusive, and sustainable development during the inauguration of the 40th Session of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), taking place in Lima, Peru, Friday, October 11. During the opening of this key...

A new flagship report from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) calls for better-designed and more targeted policies to benefit both biodiversity and agriculture, urging countries worldwide to adopt and implement these measures. The report, which examines the complex relationship between agriculture and conservation, offers a comprehensive approach...

Marketers and media planners need to recognize that while Baby Boomers still favor Facebook, their digital media habits are increasingly dominated by connected TV (CTV) platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. These platforms operate differently from social media, requiring a distinct approach to media trading and measurement, according to...

A recent study conducted by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) has uncovered significant imbalances in Sri Lanka’s Public Service Pension distribution, revealing that nearly 50% of the benefits are concentrated among the wealthiest 20% of the population. The IPS study aimed to assess the fairness of tax policies and...

Last week, senior officials from 14 Commonwealth African countries participated in training aimed at enhancing their ability to report on human rights obligations, including safeguarding basic economic, social, and cultural rights. This initiative is expected to improve compliance with follow-up recommendations from United Nations (UN) Human Rights Treaty Bodies, facilitating...

WHO/Europe has announced that the renowned WHO Barcelona course on health financing for universal health coverage (UHC) will be held in Almaty, Kazakhstan. This edition features a specially tailored program for Central Asian countries designed to address the region’s specific health financing challenges. Organized by the WHO Barcelona Office for...