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In today’s world, sports have taken on a role traditionally held by religion, offering a deep sense of community, purpose, and identity to people. Its impact has been magnified by globalisation, digital technology, social media, and the rise of streaming platforms. These elements create a sense of immediacy and connection that transcends geographical boundaries. Consequently, sports have attained an unparalleled level of relevance and influence, capturing the hearts and minds of peo ...

Closer to a ‘Third World War’ When in the last week of July, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Trump at his estate in Florida, the Republican candidate insisted to his visitor, who is attempting to eliminate all hopes of an independent Palestinian states through violence and destruction: “You are close to a third world war now, more than at any time since the Second World War. You’ve never been so close, because we have incompetent people running our country” (The ...

Most of the Population Does Not Benefit Until mid-2021, cruise ships moved with all their glitz and glamour into Venice’s Guidecca Canal, overshadowing the historic buildings, the foundations of which were destabilized with every wave, and threatening fisher boats and cappuccino lovers sitting beside the canal. Thousands of cruise passengers spilled onto the cobblestone roads, enjoying Gondola rides, glimpsing the Bridge of Sighs, exploring the fish markets near the Rialto bridge a ...

China’s economy grew by 4.7% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2024, after 5.3% in the first quarter of the year (Figure 1). As in 2023, the official target has been set at 5% for 2024 (Figure 2). Naturally, great attention has been paid to the decisions of the Third Plenum of the 20th Communist Party of China Party Congress on July 15-18, a four-day meeting in which the country’s leadership sets out the direction of economic policy. The last such event was held in 2018. Do ...

This paper was originally published in Project Syndicate   Fourteen high-income countries have shown how immigration can help offset declining fertility rates and maintain population levels. But with anti-immigrant sentiment on the rise, politicians in these countries face a difficult choice: welcoming foreigners or facing the economic challenges brought about by an aging population. WASHINGTON, DC – Populations around the world are aging, as mortality and fertility rates fall. Wh ...

Millions are severely malnourished in a world where there is enough for all. Hunger and malnutrition stalk more than 3.1 billion people. Yet, widespread hunger in all its forms is a problem which has been largely solved at the macro level in today’s high-income, industrialized countries. Their “escape from hunger and premature death” is a fairly recent phenomenon. It began around 300 years ago, continued for most of the 20th century and is still ongoing today. The problems faced by ...

The Atlantic region is grappling with a host of challenges that require urgent attention. Economic and financial struggles, social unrest, and political changes are transforming the geopolitical landscape of the region. Issues including unemployment, poverty, violence, extremism, climate change, and migration are becoming more pressing, making it essential to find lasting solutions. In this context, it is crucial to create inclusive discussions between different generations and regi ...

This paper was originally published in idos-research.de   The early 1960s can be regarded as the “Big Bang” for international cooperation and development policy. The US was pushing an international system to support developing countries, and in 1961, it established the US Agency for International Development (USAID). The same year saw the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) set up its Development Assistance Committee (DAC). Germany’s post-WWII engagement ...

Venezuela holds crucial presidential elections on July 28. The results might substantially alter the political system in that country, since, for the first time since 1998, the opposition candidate has a clear chance of winning the vote. Why has the opposition been unable to win elections in that country for almost three decades now? And why is it on the verge of winning elections this time? What is the international dimension of this electoral process? How might it impact Morocco? ...