South Africa
Fitch upgrades Trump’s effective tariff rate to 19.4%
President Donald Trump’s evolving trade policy is set to sharply increase the United States’ effective tariff rate (ETR), with Fitch Ratings warning of substantial rises as new duties take effect on August 1.
Geopolitics is weighing on FDI, capital chasing certainty over scale – study
The world is living through turbulent times, but investors are still chasing returns which has affected the flows of international foreign direct investment.
IMF: The debate over falling fertility
A decline in global population later this century may threaten human progress, or it may lead to better lives.
COMMENT: Bogotá summit marks Global South’s legal break with the West over Gaza
At the Bogotá summit, the Global South takes charge – no longer waiting for Western permission to enforce international law. From South Africa’s ICJ case to Colombia cutting ties with Israel, countries are defying US pressure over Gaza.
UNFPA survey reveals why millions can’t have the families they dream of
A growing global crisis in reproductive agency – not overpopulation or declining birth rates – is one of the most urgent demographic challenges of our time, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) said.
Melting icecaps will cause more and bigger volcanic eruptions, study shows
As the weight of melting ice is lifted off volcanos, eruptions will become more common and more violent, according to a new study of volcanos in Chile’s Patagonia region.
Tipping Point: when populations peak – Statista
As July 11 marks World Population Day, celebrating the approximate date that the world's population reached 5bn in 1987, we're taking a closer at one of the population trends that will affect many countries sooner or later in the 21st Century.
Global warming may create a "permanent El Nino", changing the world's weather patterns
Scientists are warning that global warming is disrupting the natural rhythm of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), potentially creating the conditions for a “permanent El Niño”-like climate state, with significant weather consequences.
Global sea temperatures reach 21°C to set new all-time record high in June
According to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, the global average sea surface temperature reached 20.96°C in June, the highest for the month since records began.
Lavrov hits back at Nato’s Rutte, denies Russian plans to invade Europe or attack Nato
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov hit back at Nato General Secretary Mark Rutte's claims that Chinese President Xi Jinping could ask Russia to attack Nato to clear a path for China’s occupation of Taiwan, or that it plans to invade Estonia.
Global South unity on display at BRICS summit, leaders avoid criticising Russia
The BRICS leaders gathered in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 6 for the annual meeting, where they condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza, the US airstrikes on Iran and Ukraine’s drone strikes on trains, but not Russia's war in Ukraine.
Experts warn of “cascading” climate tipping points that will kill the climate without immediate global action
World leaders must act with “immediate, unprecedented” urgency to prevent cascading climate tipping points that could have catastrophic consequences for billions of people, according to the Global Tipping Points Conferenrence delegates.
BRICS leaders gather in Rio to challenge Western dominance
Leaders from the BRICS group have convened in Rio de Janeiro for their 17th annual summit, casting the expanded bloc as a counterweight to Western institutions whilst grappling with internal divisions over key geopolitical flashpoints.
Southern Ocean current reverses for first time, signalling risk of climate system collapse
A major ocean current in the Southern Hemisphere has reversed direction for the first time in recorded history, in what climatologists are calling a “catastrophic” tipping point in the global climate system.
Global drought crisis pushes tens of millions towards starvation, warns UN-backed report
A deepening global drought crisis is pushing more than 90mn people to the brink of starvation, with mounting impacts on food, water and energy systems, according to a report released on July 1 by the UN.
COMMENT: Critical minerals pose new test for global energy security
As the world’s energy system transforms at unprecedented speed, so too must our understanding of energy security. While governments continue to focus on securing supplies of traditional fuels, new critical mineral vulnerabilities are emerging.
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Putin to skip Rio BRICS summit over ICC warrant as Xi signals no-show
Brazil's hosting of next month's BRICS summit is being overshadowed by the likely absence of two of the bloc's most powerful leaders, threatening to dent the gathering's geopolitical significance.
COMMENT: The long road to a BRICS-led world order hits familiar obstacles
Brazil's upcoming BRICS summit exposes the bloc's growing pains as 21 members wrestle with deep divisions. The group's ambitious challenge to US financial dominance hits reality as internal disagreements threaten its push for global clout.
Farmers powerless to prevent five of the six staple crop yields from plummeting – New Scientist
Efforts by farmers to adapt to rising temperatures will not be enough to prevent severe losses in global staple crop production due to climate change, according to a new study published in New Scientist on June 18.
Where the world is losing tree cover fastest – Statista
North America is close on the heels of Latin America when it comes to tree cover loss, according to data published by the World Resources Institute, Statista reports.