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News updates - Al Jazeera

Updates: Israel hits Gaza displacement camp leaving tents ‘in flames’At least seven were killed in attack on al-Mawasi near Khan Younis, which Israel previously said was a ‘safe zone’.Al JazeeraLyndal Rowlands,Zaheena Rasheed,Umut Uras,Maziar Motamedi,Nils Adler,Alexander Kozul-Wright

ICC Warrant: Will Netanyahu Face Justice? - TRT

ICC Warrant: Will Netanyahu Face Justice? | Bigger Than FiveBenjamin Netanyahu is facing an international arrest warrant for war crimes in Gaza. It marks the first time the International Criminal Court is going after a Western-backed leader. The ICC says it found “reasonable grounds to believe that” the Israeli PM is

Trump will throw US clean power into question - Al Jazeera

Trump will throw US clean power into questionDonald Trump’s election sent clean energy stocks tumbling, and some firms have paused investments.Al JazeeraAlexander Kozul-Wright

The Olmert – Al-Kidwa Plan: A Realistic Peace? - TRT

The Olmert – Al-Kidwa Plan: A Realistic Peace? | Bigger than FiveEhud Olmert and Nasser Al-Kidwa are proposing a joint initiative for Israelis and Palestinians to end the bloodshed in Gaza and pave the way towards a Palestinian State based on the 1967 borders. They say their plan will also allow for

News updates - Al Jazeera

Updates: Israel bombs Hezbollah targets as dozens of Gaza civilians killedAir strikes leave central Beirut aflame as Israel’s army attacks Hezbollah figures and civilians in Lebanon’s capital.Al JazeeraLyndal Rowlands,Zaheena Rasheed,Mersiha Gadzo,Alma Milisic,Usaid Siddiqui,Alexander Kozul-Wright

Israel-Palestine: Peace without Accountability? - TRT

Trump’s Return: A Win For Israel? - TRT

Trump’s Return: A Win For Israel? | Bigger than FiveWhat does Donald Trump’s emphatic victory in the US presidential election mean for the Middle East? Will Israel’s assault on Gaza and Lebanon be allowed to continue virtually unchecked? Or will the new president be able to rein in

News updates - Al Jazeera

Updates: Israel bombs Hezbollah targets as dozens of Gaza civilians killedAir strikes leave central Beirut aflame as Israel’s army attacks Hezbollah figures and civilians in Lebanon’s capital.Al JazeeraLyndal Rowlands,Zaheena Rasheed,Mersiha Gadzo,Alma Milisic,Usaid Siddiqui,Alexander Kozul-Wright

How Westminster Works . . . and Why It Doesn't - Ian Dunt, W&N (2024) & Politics on the Edge - Rory Stewart, Vintage (2024)

Lifting a lid on British politics, Ian Dunt’s book is in equal measure critical and unnerving. Apart from the House of Lords and special select committees, Dunt sees fatal flaws in every aspect of contemporary British government. The system, he argues, is not fit for purpose.  Three examples -

‘America’s War’? - TRT World

‘America’s War’? | Bigger than FiveAs Israel’s war on Gaza extends into Lebanon, the US boosts its military support for the Netanyahu government. In October, the US deployed 100 troops to Israel to help operate America’s advanced anti-missile system. We speak to Major General Patrick Ryder, the Pentagon

War On Gaza: One Year On - TRT World

War On Gaza: One Year On | Bigger Than FiveOctober 7 marks a year since the events that sparked Israel’s relentless assault on Gaza that has left a trail of death and destruction that risks sparking a wider conflagration in the Middle East. In this special episode, we look at

Karim Khan: ICC Under Pressure - TRT World

Karim Khan: ICC Under Pressure | Bigger Than FiveKarim Khan, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, sits down with Bigger than Five at the UNGA in New York to discuss the challenges facing the ICC in the pursuit of justice for the victims of war crimes in Gaza and around

Humza Yousaf: Justice For Gaza - TRT World

Humza Yousaf: Justice For Gaza | Bigger Than FiveAlmost a year after Israel’s onslaught on Gaza began, Western governments stand accused of facilitating war crimes. As the UK continues to supply arms to Israel, will it be held accountable for violating international laws? We speak to Humza Yousaf, Scotland’s

As Sri Lanka votes, a $2.9bn IMF loan looms large - Al Jazeera

As Sri Lanka votes, a $2.9bn IMF loan looms largeRanil Wickremesinghe, Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Sajith Premadasa are contesting an election focused on the economy.Al JazeeraAlexander Kozul-Wright

Estonia on the Frontline - TRT World

Estonia on the Frontline – Bigger Than FiveAs both the European Union and NATO call for enhanced military support in Ukraine, Estonia stands on the frontline of a regional conflict with Russia. Is this small Baltic nation’s history under Soviet occupation shaping its strategic stance to the east? We speak

Gaza war extends toll on Israel’s economy - Al Jazeera

Gaza war extends toll on Israel’s economyCombat operations are straining Israel’s economy, leading to shrinking of the GDP and downgrading of sovereign rating.Al JazeeraAlexander Kozul-Wright

Two Hundred Years of Muddling Through: The surprising story of Britain's economy – Duncan Weldon, Abacus (2021) & Shattered Nation – Danny Dorling, Verso (2023)

Duncan Weldon outlines the contours of British economy history since the early 1800s. Since I can barely remember what I had for breakfast, I’ll focus on the years following WWII. From the 1940s-1970s, Weldon suggests there was a “great deal of economic continuity”. The most notable policy consistency was

As Maduro faces Gonzalez in Venezuela, sanctions remain a key hurdle - Al Jazeera

As Maduro faces Gonzalez in Venezuela, sanctions remain a key hurdleUS sanctions and years of mismanagement have crippled Venezuela’s oil-based economy and poses challenges for new leader.Al JazeeraAlexander Kozul-Wright

America: the Farewell Tour - Chris Hedges, Simon & Schuster (2018) & The Changing World Order - Ray Dalio, Simon & Schuster (2021)

These books examine a similar theme. The end of empire. Though ruling civilisations – the Dutch, French, British, etc. – collapse in unique ways, they exhibit similar patterns of breakdown which characterize the USA today.  Hedges begins his book by describing the outsized role of America’s military. The US, he contends,

Is Scotland Rich?

Cycling through the Highlands, as I recently did, one could easily be mistaken for thinking that Scotland is a wealthy country. Caledonia is blessed with fertile land, abundant fresh water and nearly 10% of Europe’s offshore wind capacity, to say nothing of oil and gas.  Like other advanced economies,

Load shedding & water woes: Can South Africa fix its ailing infrastructure - Al Jazeera

Alexander Kozul-Wright | Al Jazeera News | Today’s latest from Al JazeeraAlexander Kozul-WrightAl JazeeraLoad shedding & water woes: Can South Africa fix its ailing infrastructure?

Sharks are eating the whales - Mint Magazine

Sharks are eating the whales – The Mint MagazineThe Mint Magazine Published by Promoting Economic PluralismAlexander Kozul-Wright

The UK’s new minimum wage ‘badly needed’ but many calling for more - Al Jazeera

The UK’s new minimum wage ‘badly needed’ but many calling for moreUK’s new legal minimum wage gets a 9.8 percent rise, the highest boost since 2001. But with inflation, it’s not enough.Al JazeeraAlexander Kozul-Wright

First 100 days: Milei falters on shock therapy for Argentina's economy - Al Jazeera

First 100 days: Milei falters on shock therapy for Argentina’s economyMilei is struggling to overcome hostile lawmakers to enact his radical austerity agenda even as social tensions rise.Al JazeeraAlexander Kozul-Wright

As Putin eyes sure reelection, Russia’s economy defies sanctions, critics - Al Jazeera

As Putin eyes sure reelection, Russia’s economy defies sanctions, criticsRussian president’s all but guaranteed fifth term in power comes as economy has outperformed expectations.Al JazeeraAlexander Kozul-Wright

Ravenous – Henry Dimbleby, Profile Books (2023)

Occasionally, economists come up with good ideas. A ‘policy trilemma’ states that, at any given time, governments can only achieve two of three competing goals. Owing to mutual exclusivity, one of the sovereign’s aims must be dropped.  The UK is currently facing a policy trilemma – to make food cheaply

Year of the Dragon: China faces critical moment in push to revive economy - Al Jazeera

Year of the Dragon: China faces critical moment in push to revive economyAnalysts say Beijing needs to roll out measures to stimulate greater domestic consumption amid slowing growth.Al JazeeraAlexander Kozul-Wright

The Invention of Nature, Andrea Wulf, John Murray Publishers (2015)

As its name suggests, The Invention of Nature is a puzzling book. Nature isn’t invented, it just is. Not quite, according to Andrea Wulf. She contends that the idea of nature was conceived by the pre-eminent Prussian polymath Alexander Von Humboldt (1769-1859). Though obsessed with scientific measurement, Humboldt bolted

In Pakistan, old hopefuls jostle to turn around struggling economy - Al Jazeera

In Pakistan, old hopefuls jostle to turn around struggling economyNew gov’t will have to deal with soaring inflation, increasing poverty, low forex reserves and weakening infrastructure.Al JazeeraAlexander Kozul-Wright

Oil prices steady despite Middle East tensions, but risks are rising - Al Jazeera

Oil prices steady despite Middle East tensions, but risks are risingDespite diverting supplies from the Suez Canal, tensions in the Red Sea have so far had a muted impact on energy prices.Al JazeeraAlexander Kozul-Wright

The global economy in 2024: Key clues to watch out for - Al Jazeera

The global economy in 2024: Key clues to watch out forUS interest rates, oil prices and the Chinese economy will determine the global economy next year.Al JazeeraAlexander Kozul-Wright

The Politics of Time - Mint Magazine

Time of your life – The Mint MagazineThe Mint Magazine From Promoting Economic PluralismAlexander Kozul-Wright

Lula faces numerous challenges as Brazil assumes G20 presidency - Al Jazeera

Lula faces numerous challenges as Brazil assumes G20 presidencyLula also takes over at a time of bitter internal divisions in the group, legacy of outgoing president Narendra Modi.Al JazeeraAlexander Kozul-Wright

Argentina's economy foundering on eve of general election - Al Jazeera

Argentina’s economy foundering on eve of general electionWinner between Sérgio Massa and Javier Milei will have to deal with debt mountain, soaring inflation, worsening poverty.Al JazeeraAlexander Kozul-Wright

In the US, higher interest rates are forcing people to cut back - Al Jazeera

In the US, higher interest rates are forcing people to cut backAmericans are feeling pinch of high interest rates, forcing them to hold off purchases of homes, cars, even groceries.Al JazeeraAlexander Kozul-Wright

Automation and the Future of Work - Aaron Benavav, Verso Books (2020) & The AI Economy - Roger Bootle, John Murray Press (2019)

These books review a singular feature of modern economies – workers are competing with ever more advanced machines. Both authors also question the idea that technological unemployment can be addressed by a Universal Basic Income (UBI). The advent of Chat GPT sparked a media frenzy around two inter-related questions – does artificial

Is the US interest rate tightening cycle finally over? Al Jazeera

Is the US interest rate tightening cycle finally over?Even as US Fed raised its interest rates again on Wednesday, analysts are split if there will be another hike this year.Al JazeeraAlexander Kozul-Wright

Global shipping regulator underwhelms with new emissions targets - Al Jazeera

Global shipping regulator underwhelms with new emissions targetsNew targets are to roll back emissions of freight ships that burn through millions of tonnes of dirty bunker fuel.Al JazeeraAlexander Kozul-Wright

Nauru prepares to mine deep sea in big climate controversy - Al Jazeera

Nauru prepares to mine deep seas in big climate controversyNauru sees rare earth metals as key to the green transition. But mining them could threaten vital marine ecosystems.Al JazeeraAlexander Kozul-Wright

Wilding – Isabella Tree, Picador (2018) & Regenesis – George Monbiot, Penguin Random House (2022)

At their core, these two books reach a similarly stark conclusion. Our diets, and the farming practices which enable them, need a dramatic make-over. Both authors set out their own transformative visions for ecologically sustainable food production. Wilding, by Isabella Tree, describes a pioneering project to rewild a 3500-acre manor

War in Ukraine – Medea Benjamin & Nicolas Davies, OR Books (2022)

Benjamin and Davies’ concise book offers an analysis of the war’s historical backdrop. In turn, it questions the prevailing Western narrative that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is little more than a conflict between liberal democracy and Vladimir Putin. The authors start by outlining the “frozen and unresolved” nature

Universal Journalist – David Randall, Pluto Press (2021)

A ‘how-to’ guide for journalism, this book covers topics from handling quotes to online research. The book’s author, David Randall (former assistant editor of The Observer), chronicles the 'universals' of good journalistic practice and outlines the pitfalls of inaccurate reporting and rushed judgement. It’s an engaging

G20 finance heads face reform calls from Global South - Al Jazeera

G20 finance heads face reform calls from Global SouthFinance ministers and central bank governors are meeting at the IMF to discuss challenges facing global economy.Al JazeeraAlexander Kozul-Wright

A salmon tax: could Norway’s plan share the benefits of the seas? The Guardian

A salmon tax: could Norway’s plan show the way to share the benefits of the seas?Oslo wants to raise taxes on its aquaculture industry, which could provide a model for how to better manage the marine environmentThe GuardianAlexander Kozul-Wright

Cuba's new parliament will face a familiar economic hangover - Al Jazeera

Cuba’s new parliament will face a familiar economic hangoverSlammed by sanctions, the pandemic, and high inflation, Havana is making piecemeal reforms which may not be enough.Al JazeeraAl Jazeera

Black Sea grain initiative: Russia reluctantly agrees to a two-month extension - IPS

Black Sea Grain Initiative: Russia Reluctantly Agrees to ExtensionThe Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI) has been extended for two months, although there is fear that Russia may not agree to another extension.Inter Press ServiceArmed Conflicts

UN falls short of aid pledge to Yemen despite peace efforts - IPS

UN Falls Short of Aid Pledge to Yemen Despite Peace EffortsAt a high-level UN event, global donors pledged US$1.2 billion in aid operations to Yemen in 2023. Millions of Yemenis require humanitarian assistance.Inter Press ServiceAid

Tight fiscal leash awaits winner of Nigeria presidential election - Al Jazeera

Tight fiscal leash awaits winner of Nigeria presidential electionAhead of the election, Africa’s largest economy is in a precarious position due to rising debt and low revenue.Al JazeeraAl Jazeera

Year of war in Ukraine left developing nations picking up pieces - Al Jazeera

Year of war in Ukraine left developing nations picking up piecesSome of the harshest economic effects of the war are being felt much farther afield than Russia’s theatre of battle.Al JazeeraAl Jazeera

Ghana's long road to a debt solution - African Business

Ghana’s long road to a debt solution - African BusinessThe road out of Ghana’s economic crisis will be rocky, with an IMF-backed restructuring plan likely to be complemented by harsh austerity measures.African BusinessAlexander Kozul-Wright

Brazil's third-time president Lula has new economic problems - Al Jazeera

Brazil’s third-time president Lula has new economic problemsUnlike Lula’s first two terms in office, the current economic outlook is gloomy with high inflation and interest rates.Al JazeeraAl Jazeera

This time is indifferent - IPS

UNCTAD: This Time is Indifferent - IDN-InDepthNews | Analysis That MattersIDN-InDepthNews is flagship agency of the global International Press Syndicate Group speaking out for people, planet and peace.Analysis That MattersUN Bureau

Development banks should reform their lending practices - IPS

Development Banks Should Reform Their Lending PracticesIn the last week of September, emerging market (EM) bond fund outflows hit $4.2 billion, according to JP Morgan, bringing this year’s total to a record $70 billion. The exodus, set off by a rising U.S. dollar, is heaping pressure on

If Lula wins in Brazil, he will face harsh economic headwinds - Open Democracy

If progressive Lula wins in Brazil, this is what he facesLula would enter office with a progressive agenda. Will he be able to repeat the successes of his last presidency?openDemocracyAlexander Kozul-Wright

Book Review: The blue commons - Mint Magazine

Guy Standing: The Blue Commons: Rescuing the Economy of the Sea - The Mint MagazineIn response to severe ocean stress, UN secretary-general, António Guterres, recently called on international organisations to nurture the “global commons for our greater good”. But renowned economist and Emeritus Professor at the University of London, Guy

Radical Moves - Mint Magazine

Radical moves - The Mint MagazineCould a sway to the left in South America be the start of a new Latin step? Alexander Kozul-Wright looks at the partners.The Mint MagazineArdavan

Taking back the ocean inc - Project Syndicate

Taking Back the Ocean, Inc. | by Alexander Kozul-Wright - Project SyndicateAlexander Kozul-Wright accuses the United Nations of perpetuating policies that are destroying Earth’s largest biosphere.Project SyndicateAlexander Kozul-Wright

Columbia's new president may need U.S blessing to realise his domestic agenda - IPS

Colombia’s New President May Need U.S. Blessing to Realize his Domestic AgendaThe writer is a Geneva-based researcher for the Third World NetworkInter Press ServiceArmed Conflicts

Cornered Tunisian president faces ticking clock - ANND

Cornered Tunisian president faces ticking clockA little over a decade since protests in the town of Sidi Bouzid sparked the Arab Spring movement, events of the past month have undermined Tunisia’s claim

ESG piece - Resurgence Magazine

It’s a bird� it’s a plane� it’s ESG

Omicron and developing countries. Where threats are the greatest - IPS

Omicron & Developing Countries – Where Threats are the GreatestOn 25 November, news emerged from South Africa of a new COVID-19 variant. It has since been identified as Omicron, a Greek alphabet derivation the World Health Organization (WHO) reserves for virus variants “of concern”. For now, scientists are still racing to

Oil and water testing G20's faith in private creditors - TWN

Oil and water: Testing the G20’s faith in private creditors

Hesitancy to share vaccine intellectual property will increase inequality - Oxford Analytica

Hesitancy to share vaccine IP will increase inequalityOver 100 nations back a waiver of IP rights for COVID-19 treatments, but a wealthy minority strongly oppose itOxford Analytica Daily Brief

Argentina and the IMF. It takes Two to Tango - TWN

Argentina and the IMF: Takes two to tango

The G7 is edging closer to a new round of SDRs - Oxford Analytica

https://buckchuckwood.files.wordpress.com/2021/02/oxford-analytica-the-g7-is-edging-closer-to-a-new-round-of-sdrs.pdf

A full public debt restructuring overhaul is unlikely - Oxford Analytica

https://buckchuckwood.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/oxford-analytica-a-full-public-debt-restructuring-overhaul-is-unlikely.pdf

Are water futures the future of water - TWN

Are water futures the future of water?

Special Drawing Rights piece - TWN

https://www.twn.my/title2/briefing_papers/twn/FiscalSOSfinal.pdf

European lockdowns cast cloud over Swiss economy

Data released earlier this week showed that Swiss industrial growth slowed in October. Switzerland’s manufacturing PMI (Purchasing Manager’s Index), a reliable indicator of economic activity, fell from 53.1 in September to 52.3 last month. Anything above 50 indicates growth, on a monthly basis. A similar dip

China’s resilient economy shakes off Hong Kong crisis

China’s latest survey data, released earlier this week, showed a pick-up in economic activity in June, boosting Asian equity markets the same day that Beijing passed sweeping new security laws on Hong Kong. While China’s political manoeuvre was roundly decried by Western governments, its recent economic recovery has

Lebanese pound hits record low amid economic crisis

Lebanon’s Parliament speaker, Nabih Berri, urged the government to call a “financial state of emergency” yesterday, as the Lebanese pound fell to a record low this week. An extreme dollar shortage has eroded the value of the currency, driving up the price of imports and wiping out household savings.

G20 oil alliance won’t turn the tide [delayed]

Last week, energy ministers from the G20 engaged in a rare display of international cooperation by agreeing to reduce oil supply in an ambitious attempt to raise prices. The deal comes amid a sharp contraction in global economic activity triggered by the coronavirus, which has halved oil prices since the

Emerging markets fear ‘Roaring Twenties’

As Argentina’s debt restructuring talks enter their eleventh hour, there is a growing expectation that today’s deadline will be extended. The government and its creditors are inching towards a deal to reprofile roughly US$65 billion in sovereign debt that the country cannot afford to repay. President Fernandez’

Sudan's central bank makes u-turn on gold exports [delayed]

In a bid to shore up the government’s limited fiscal resources, the Central Bank of Sudan recently awarded private gold merchants’ greater autonomy to sell to overseas markets. Until last month, Sudan’s Central Bank was the only formal channel for miners to export the precious metal. On January

China concedes ground to US over rare earth metals [delayed]

As part of continued efforts to resolve its long-running trade conflict with the United States, China recently raised its production quota of rare earth metals to a record 132,000 tonnes. Additionally, customs data published in January showed that China’s exports of rare earth magnets to the US increased

DRC mining reform may come back to bite Big Tech [delayed]

Late last month, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) outlined a plan to assume monopoly control of the country’s artisanal cobalt sector. A newly created state-owned company, Enterprise Generale du Cobalt (EGC), will be given standalone rights to purchase the metal from the informal mining industry. Combined with sulphur,

Opec+ expected to deepen cuts in response to coronavirus [delayed]

Oil prices have nosedived since the outbreak of the coronavirus, with Brent crude down 25 per cent since the start of January. The outbreak of Covid-19 has almost certainly pitched China’s economy into contractionary territory, disrupting everything from manufacturing supply chains to property construction. The grim economic outlook was

There will be blood [delayed]

The sharp contraction in global economic activity prompted by Covid-19 has sent oil prices into a tailspin. Brent crude, already on the backfoot since the outbreak of the coronavirus, suffered an additional leg-down this month when two of the world’s biggest producing nations – Russia and Saudi Arabia – set the

External debt crisis should not be overlooked in Sudan’s struggle for power

As thousands camp outside Sudan’s makeshift military headquarters in Khartoum, there is genuine hope of a civilian transfer of power in Africa’s third largest country. After years of suppressive military rule and a decline in oil revenues following South Sudan’s secession in 2011, Omar al-Bashir was ousted

Canary in the cobalt mine

Washington makes overtures to Beijing in Republic of Congo Though details of the Republic of Congo’s (ROCs) restructuring deal with China remain undisclosed, they’ve crucially been approved by the International Monetary Fund. A deal was struck on April 29thand “represents a decisive step to restore debt sustainability”, according

Bond holders skittish of Kirchner return

With elections just over six months away, the release of Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner’s autobiography, Sincerely, has sent Argentinian bond yields soaring. But why has the suggestion of a Fernandez presidency spooked the bondholder community? Ms Fernandez, who oversaw the country from 2007 to 2015, has not yet declared

Challenge of our age (or one of them at least)

“Sustainable debt for sustainable development”, cooed Christine Lagarde at Tuesday’s Paris Forum meeting, which brought together dozens of ministers of finance and central bank governors. Winston Churchill’s famous quip about Russia, “it is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma” could just as readily be applied

Michael Lewis: leading author or toothbrush salesman?

Michael Lewis is out with a new podcast series entitled Against the Rules. In it, he looks at examples of contemporary American life in which refereeing and arbitration, designed to make games fairer and more balanced, are coming under growing strain. More and more, it seems Americans want the rules

It’s the Economy Cupid

China has recently drawn fiscal bows from its policy quiver Over the past few weeks, articles have spawned and multiplied about efforts to stimulate the Chinese economy through fiscal policy, see China Targets Stimulus. But few of these articles have examined how officials are attempting to breathe life into businesses

The Price is Right – China and the Balkans

The political economy zeitgeist appears to be giving off static noise. On the one hand we’re told China is seeking to expand its influence through Belt and Road, on the other it is turning its attention inwards to focus on domestic consumption. Perhaps China’s political elite, ever the