You are invited to join us for Global Crisis Watch 259 on Friday, 19th January at 10.00 GMT.
The highlighted topics will include:
US Launches Fresh Strikes on Houthis as Red Sea Trade Disruption Spreads
The US has intensified strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen in response to threats against Red Sea trade routes. Th strikes aim to neutralise missile attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis, which have increasingly targeted commercial vessels and caused major disruptions in global shipping lanes. The shift in maritime traffic to avoid the Red Sea route has led to significant delays, affecting multiple industries reliant on international supply chains. The situation escalates as more ship categories, including dry bulk carriers, avoid the crucial waterway, leading to widespread delays and operational challenges for various sectors.
Former President Donald Trump Convincingly Wins the Iowa Caucuses
Donald Trump won the first 2024 Republican contest in Iowa by a significant margin amidst ongoing legal challenges. The win shows Trump still has significant support within party, despite facing 91 criminal charges and controversies. Furthermore, the former president was able to build on his previous base of rural and working-class voters, bettering his performance in counties where his more moderate rivals were expected to be more competitive.
Oxfam Foresees First Trillionaire as Wealth Gap Continues to Grow
The Oxfam International has forecast the emergence of the world's first trillionaire within the next decade. The report ‘Inequality Inc.’, revealed during the World Economic Forum in Davos, highlighted a stark wealth escalation among the top five richest individuals, including Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, whose collective fortune reached $869 billion by November 2023. This surge starkly contrasts with the financial decline of nearly 5 billion people during the same period, highlighting the deepening global wealth disparity exacerbated by the pandemic and climate change.
China’s Population Declines for Second Straight Year
China experienced its second consecutive annual population decrease in 2023, as births plummeted and deaths surged post-COVID-19 relaxations. With the total population now at 1.4 billion, China has relinquished its title as the world's most populous nation to India – alongside a wider demographic shift which poses significant long-term economic and societal challenges as fertility rates dwindle.
Plus, all the stories that are catching our attention wherever we live in the world. Feel free to join us and add your voice to the conversation.
