United Kingdom

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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2025FocusClimate ChangeEurope

Storm Éowyn Sheds Light on Poor Disaster Response Readiness

The recent impact of Storm Éowyn on the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom has brought the quality of weather-resistant power infrastructure into question for both countries. The storm lasted from January 21 to January 27 and crossed much of the North Sea before dissipating, leaving hundreds of thousands to suffer power outages, while certain areas were damaged further by high winds and fallen trees.

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2024International News

United Kingdom Becomes the First Major Economy to End Coal Power

On Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, Reuters reported that the United Kingdom (UK) will close its last surviving coal power plant, Radcliffe-on-Solar, located in England’s midlands. This closure is not only a monumental step for the historically coal-dependent UK, but it also sets the precedent for other G7 economically dominant countries to invest more serious efforts into turning away from coal power and towards renewable energy such as wind, solar, and water power.

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2024January 2024

Conflict with Houthi Militants Escalates in Red Sea

This collective sentiment has garnered a heightened sense of pride and unity against what the population sees as the common enemy- Israel. Moreover, as prominent global actors, including the U.S., engage in dialogue and negotiations with the Houthi faction, the Yemeni population has begun to see the Houthis as a more legitimate governmental body, despite not being officially recognized as Yemen’s government.

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September 2022International NewsEurope

Queen Elizabeth’s 70-Year Reign Comes to an End

Over the course of her 70-year reign, she came to be known and beloved for what Politico calls her own brand of “marshmallow diplomacy,” and her enduring stoicism. Queen Elizabeth has been revered as the “grandmother of the nation,” writes NBC; Politico continues that her apolitical nature added to her relatability, especially in the United States, where she was popular amongst both Republicans and Democrats.

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2021November 2021International News

Northern Ireland Protocol threatens EU-UK trade deal

BBC News says The Northern Ireland Protocol, a clause of the Brexit deal, was designed to prevent border checks between Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Ireland, which is part of the European Union. This was done to help keep open trade along the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland and to protect the Good Friday peace agreement of 1998. For this to happen, Northern Ireland must continue to follow EU product standards rather than UK product standards, resulting in the need for customs checks on goods entering Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK.

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