Extreme poverty rising for first time since 1998 – World Bank report

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Extreme poverty is set to rise this year for the first time in more than two decades, with coronavirus expected to push up to 115 million people into that category, the World Bank has said.

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The World Bank has downgraded its previous prediction for global growth in 2021 to 4 percent. The organisation warned of a subdued recovery that could lag even further if countries do not stem the rise in coronavirus infections and effectively deploy vaccines. The European Union is also starting to look ahead to how to spend its recovery fund – with the largest recipient, Italy, on the brink of political crisis.

The global economy is heading for its strongest – but most uneven – recovery on record. The World Bank has warned that more international cooperation is needed to ensure more equitable distribution of Covid-19 vaccines to help developing economies rebuild. Franziska Ohnsorge, Manager of the Prospects Group at the World Bank, says that vaccinations and economic recovery will go hand in hand. Also in the show: French gyms prepare to reopen after being closed for more than seven months.

The global economy is heading for its strongest - but most uneven - recovery on record. The World Bank has warned that more international cooperation is needed to ensure more equitable distribution of Covid-19 vaccines to help developing economies rebuild. Franziska Ohnsorge, Manager of the Prospects Group at the World Bank, says that vaccinations and economic recovery will go hand in hand. Also in the show: French gyms prepare to reopen after a more than seven month closure.

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As Afghan civilian life continues to suffer following the Taliban's takeover, the World Bank is the latest international organisation to suspend dispersements of development funds to the country. This, as western governments increase pressure on the insurgents by squeezing their cash flows, while negotiating a safe exit for people wanting to leave. Also, the "naked baby boy", on the iconic cover of Nirvana's 1991 album "Nevermind", sues the band and record labels for child sexual exploitation.

African economies are due to emerge from recession this year, but their recoveries remain fragile, according to the World Bank's Africa's Pulse report. Axel van Trotsenburg, Managing Director of Operations at the World Bank, tells FRANCE 24 that rising inflation has led to more food insecurity across Africa. He wants the Covid-19 vaccine rollout to be accelerated in order to get 40 percent of the continent fully vaccinated by the end of the year.

African economies are due to emerge from recession this year, but their recoveries remain fragile, according to the World Bank's Africa's Pulse report. Axel van Trotsenburg, Managing Director of Operations at the World Bank, tells FRANCE 24 that rising inflation has led to more food insecurity across Africa. He wants the Covid-19 vaccine rollout to be accelerated in order to get 40 percent of the continent fully vaccinated by the end of the year.

The World Bank is backing Nigeria’s quest to get rid of fuel subsidy. The Country Director of the World Bank Shubham Chaudhuri, who led his team on a courtesy visit to The Guardian Group on Tuesday, November 30, explained why fuel subsidy is not sustainable. Chaudhuri, nevertheless, advised the Nigerian government to build consensus before its scheduled removal of the controversial subsidy policy.

As COVID-19 continues to harm economies globally, it's the developing and emerging economies that are suffering most says the lender's Franziska Lieselotte Ohnsorg.