Focus

2025Focus

Aid Cuts in Ukraine, The Largest Recipient of USAID Funding

As President Donald Trump begins his second term in office, significant cuts in foreign assistance aid had been announced earlier this year, affecting the 177 eligible countries in 2023 that received United States aid. Ukraine faces the highest reduction at the country level among these nations. Ukrainians are already beginning to feel the impact of these aid cuts, and many are growing more concerned over the uncertainty of the future. 

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2025Focus

Catholic Relief Services Grapples with Losing Half Its Funding

Catholic Relief Services (CRS), a non-profit organization that was founded over 80 years ago in the aftermath of World War II to help starving and suffering survivors, is among the many organizations to take a major hit from USAID cuts. CRS is USAID’s largest faith-based international partner and their top NGO recipient, receiving $4.6 billion dollars in funding between 2012 and 2022, reports Forbes.

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FocusEurope

What to Expect from UK Aid Cuts

United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced in February that the country will cut its aid budget to 0.3 percent of gross national income by 2027, Devex reports. International development minister Anneliese Dodds resigned following the decision. The Labour Government had planned to return to spending 0.7 percent of Gross National Income (GNI) on foreign aid, and even during the announcement, Starmer said he remained committed to reaching that goal, the Commons Library says. 

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2025FOCUS on the “Anti-Vax” movementInternational News

China, Japan, and South Korea Meet for Historic Trilateral Talks

On March 22, Japan, China, and South Korea met in Tokyo for what Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya is calling a “turning point in history.” According to Reuters, top diplomats from all three countries met to find common ground on security and East Asia and on economic issues. At this meeting, the foreign ministers of each country discussed trilateral cooperation on disasters, aging, the green economy, and declining birth rates writes The Associated Press.

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2025Focus

North Queensland Faces Devastating Floods

Devastating and record-breaking floods have affected the North Queensland region in Australia, with torrential rainfall beginning on January 28 and lasting throughout the week. Reports disclose that some areas were hit with up to one meter [about 3.3 feet] of rainfall, says The Guardian, causing the floods to become severe and claiming the lives of two people in Ingham. The torrential rainfall drove hundreds away from their homes in fear of flood devastation. 

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