7 h. ago Developing countries ‘need more debt relief’ to fund education and health

Research warns poorer governments prioritising debt payments over essential development spendingDeveloping countries need a fresh round of debt relief, to prevent money urgently needed for health and education being diverted to creditors, according to a major new report commissioned by the late Pope Francis.The Jubilee report, produced by a panel of experts chaired by Nobel prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz, argues for debt restructuring, along the lines of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries initiative (HIPC). Continue reading...

Economics

1 week ago Home Office plans to spend £2.2bn of foreign aid on asylum support this year

International rules allow countries to count first-year costs of supporting refugees as overseas development assistance.

Economics

2 w. ago Online brothels, sex robots, simulated rape: AI is ushering in a new age of violence against women | Laura Bates

When social media first exploded, we missed our chance to protect women and girls. Now history is repeating itselfSociety is sleepwalking into a nightmare. The rate of global investment in AI is rocketing, as companies and countries invest in what has been described as a new arms race. The Californian company Nvidia, which dominates the market in the chips needed for AI, has become the most valuable in the world. The trend has been dubbed an “AI frenzy”, with the components described by analysts as the “new gold or oil”.Everyone is getting in on the act, and politicians are desperate to stake their countries’ claim as global leaders in AI development. Safeguards, equitable access and sustainability are falling by the wayside: when countries gathered for the Paris AI summit in February 2025 and produced an international agreement pledging an “open”, “inclusive” and “ethical” approach to AI, the US and the UK refused to sign it.Laura Bates is the founder of the Everyday Sexism Project...

Events

2 w. ago Poland presidential election 2025: rightwing candidate Karol Nawrocki wins as Rafał Trzaskowski concedes election – live

Nawrocki’s victory over Warsaw mayor Trzaskowski is a blow to Donald Tusk’s pro-EU Polish governmentNawrocki wins presidential election runoff in blow to TuskAnalysis: Nawrocki win threatens Poland’s standing in EuropePresident of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen has said she expects “very good cooperation” to continue between the EU and Poland under the presidency of newly elected Karol Nawrocki.In a post on X, formerly Twitter, she said:I’m confident that the EU will continue its very good cooperation with Poland. We are all stronger together in our community of peace, democracy, and values. So let us work to ensure the security and prosperity of our common home.I congratulate Karol Nawrocki on his election as Polish President. I believe that under his leadership, Poland will continue to develop its democratic and pro-western orientation and that our countries will continue mutually beneficial cooperation. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Poland presidential election 2025: rightwing candidate Karol Nawrocki wins, official results show – live

Nawrocki’s victory over Warsaw mayor Rafał Trzaskowski is a blow to Donald Tusk’s pro-EU Polish governmentPoland: rightwing candidate Karol Nawrocki ahead in presidential election runoffPresident of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen has said she expects “very good cooperation” to continue between the EU and Poland under the presidency of newly elected Karol Nawrocki.In a post on X, formerly Twitter, she said:I’m confident that the EU will continue its very good cooperation with Poland. We are all stronger together in our community of peace, democracy, and values. So let us work to ensure the security and prosperity of our common home.I congratulate Karol Nawrocki on his election as Polish President. I believe that under his leadership, Poland will continue to develop its democratic and pro-western orientation and that our countries will continue mutually beneficial cooperation. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago China sets up mediation forum in Hong Kong on par with International Court of Justice

Beijing’s rising influence in the global south on show as dozens of developing countries back new organisation

Society

3 w. ago Donald Trump must reverse his aid cuts and lift the death sentence on HIV patients

Editorial: As a new Independent documentary shows, by shutting off US foreign aid and abruptly stopping the supply of HIV drugs to developing countries, the US president has punished some of the poorest people on the planet

Politics

3 w. ago Thousands of Brits due £90 refund after changes to debt rule

The Insolvency Service has said that around 5,000 people appear to have started the process to apply for a Debt Relief Order but did not go on to complete their application

Economics

last month Thousands of Brits being sent letters with details of £90 payment

The Insolvency Service has since found that thousands of Brits had started the process of a Debt Relief Order (DRO) but didn't complete it - this means they are due a £90 refund

Economics