Special Reports

Germany’s economy shrank by 0.1% in the second quarter of 2024, as reported by the Federal Statistical Office on Tuesday, marking a downturn from the modest 0.2% growth in the first quarter. This contraction raises concerns about a potential recession if economic conditions do not improve in the coming months....

In half of the world's countries, freshwater ecosystems, including rivers, lakes, and aquifers, are in decline. River flows have significantly diminished, surface water bodies are shrinking or disappearing, pollution levels are rising, and water management efforts are falling short. These alarming trends are detailed in three reports released today by...

The European Commission has put forward a proposal to provide more than $1.12 billion (€1 billion) in financial assistance from the EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) to aid Italy, Slovenia, Austria, Greece, and France in recovering from the devastating floods that struck these nations in 2023. The proposed aid package includes...

Nearly 40% of non-EU nationals who obtained work permits in Bulgaria have moved on to other European Union nations, according to data from the Ministry of Interior. This ongoing issue has prompted Bulgarian authorities to explore new regulations for employing third-country workers. The problem came into the spotlight after seasonal...

Across the U.S. and the U.K., concerns are mounting about inadequate savings for retirement. In the U.S., a recent AARP survey revealed that nearly 20% of adults aged 50 and older have no retirement savings at all. Policymakers have long favored strategies like automatic enrollment and auto-escalation in retirement plans...

A recent survey reveals that younger adults are increasingly viewing homeownership as a key financial goal, often placing it above other major life events. Houseful, a real estate technology platform owned by the Royal Bank of Canada, conducted the survey and found that 78% of single and unmarried first-time homebuyers...

A rise in sausage demand may be the latest indicator that consumers are tightening their belts as they face persistent high prices. According to the Dallas Federal Reserve’s Texas Manufacturing Outlook Survey, released on Monday, one producer reported "modest growth" in the dinner sausage category. This trend highlights how shoppers are...

Reducing debt payments for the world’s poorest countries to more manageable levels could dramatically improve access to education and clean water, potentially allowing 5 million more children to attend school and providing clean drinking water to 17 million people, according to a recent study. Research conducted by academics at the...

Vietnam's economy is projected to accelerate in 2024, buoyed by a resurgence in manufactured exports, a revival in tourism, and strengthening domestic consumption and business investment, according to a new report from the World Bank. The World Bank's "Talking Stock" report forecasts that Vietnam's economy will grow by 6.1% in...

In his Independence Day address, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled an ambitious vision for "Viksit Bharat," or a "Developed India," to be realized by 2047, the centenary of the nation's independence. This goal would see India achieve a per capita income of $20,000, comparable to that of some moderately...