By Jeff Najjar
The International Monetary Fund has warned it will cease its $40 billion bailout
program to Ukraine unless the country takes substantial efforts to improve
governance and tackle corruption. The
IMF’s warning follows the recent resignation of Ukraine’s economic minister, Aivaras
Abomavicius, after he alleged that a senior aide to the country’s president was
blocking his anti-corruption reforms.
The Ukrainian economy is contracting at an annual rate of more than 7%,
and the IMF program remains critical to the country’s efforts to prevent a
more widespread economic collapse. Ukraine’s
president has recently reassured Christine Lagarde—the head of the
IMF—that he was committed to following a reform path to keep the nation’s
bailout on track.
By Jeff Najjar
A United Nations panel claims the Saudi-led bombing in Yemen
has resulted in “widespread and systematic” attacks on civilian targets in
violation of international humanitarian law.
The panel’s 51-page report, which was submitted to the Security Council
but not officially published, was leaked last week.
The report documents “119 coalition sorties relating to
violations of international humanitarian law,” and found that the “coalition
had conducted airstrikes targeting civilians and civilian objects, in violation
of international humanitarian law, including camps for internally displaced
persons and refugees; civilian gatherings, including weddings; civilian
vehicles, including buses; civilian residential areas; medical facilities;
schools; mosques; markets, factories and food storage warehouses; and other
essential civilian infrastructure.”
In response to
the criticism surrounding the bombings in Yemen, the Saudi-led military
coalition announced the formation of a “high-level independent committee” to investigate the bombardments which
rights groups have called war crimes.
By Jeff Najjar
The FIFA scandal
is not unique in international sports corruption. For example, the leadership of the FIVB—which
oversees international volleyball—has faced years of corruption allegations.
Additionally, the International Wrestling Federation (IWF) and the organizations that govern
international handball and cycling have faced similar
allegations of corruption. Although international efforts to combat corruption
have made substantial progress, international sports bodies reside within a global governance void that falls outside the scope of current
international anti-corruption regimes.
By Jeff Najjar
The International Monetary Fund has warned it will cease its $40 billion bailout
program to Ukraine unless the country takes substantial efforts to improve
governance and tackle corruption. The
IMF’s warning follows the recent resignation of Ukraine’s economic minister, Aivaras
Abomavicius, after he alleged that a senior aide to the country’s president was
blocking his anti-corruption reforms.
The Ukrainian economy is contracting at an annual rate of more than 7%
and the IMF program remains critical to the country’s efforts to prevent a
more widespread economic collapse. Ukraine’s
president has recently reassured Christine Lagarde—the head of the
IMF—that he was committed to following a reform path to keep the nation’s
bailout on track.
By Jeff Najjar
A United Nations panel claims the Saudi-led bombing in Yemen
has resulted in “widespread and systematic” attacks on civilian targets in
violation of international humanitarian law.
The panel’s 51-page report, which was submitted to the Security Council
but not officially published, was leaked last week.
The report documents “119 coalition sorties relating to
violations of international humanitarian law,” and found that the “coalition
had conducted airstrikes targeting civilians and civilian objects, in violation
of international humanitarian law, including camps for internally displaced
persons and refugees; civilian gatherings, including weddings; civilian
vehicles, including buses; civilian residential areas; medical facilities;
schools; mosques; markets, factories and food storage warehouses; and other
essential civilian infrastructure.” In response to
the criticism surrounding the bombings in Yemen, the Saudi-led military
coalition announced the formation of a “high-level independent committee” to investigate the bombardments which
rights groups have called war crimes.”
By Jeff Najjar
“Futbol,”
“football,” or “soccer,” is known throughout the world as the “beautiful game.”
Indeed, one of the trademark phrases
about the world’s most popular sport is the Portuguese phrase joga bonito—meaning,
“play beautifully.” However, the
Federation Internationale de Football Association (“FIFA”)—football’s world
governing body—presents a stark contrast to notions of joga bonito amidst a
widespread corruption scandal that dates back several decades.
FIFA is one of
the most significant international organizations and makes billions of dollars
in revenue from organizing the World Cup—the world’s most popular sporting
event. The World Cup is big business.
For example, it is estimated that Brazil spent
$4 billion dollars to host the 2014 World Cup.
FIFA received more than $2 billion from the tournament in sponsorship
money and the sale of broadcasting rights and merchandise.
By
Jeff Najjar
Peter Sutherland—the UN’s special representative for
migration—has called
for a global response to the growing migration crisis in Europe. The rights of migrant populations has become
one of the most significant humanitarian issues around the world, as millions
seek asylum from conflict nations.
Sutherland’s statements follow earlier comments
from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who urged the global community to
develop comprehensive solutions to allow for safe and legal migration. The International Organization for Migration reported
that more than 2,000 migrants have died this year in an attempt to enter Europe
through the Mediterranean Sea.
By Jeff Najjar
Christine Lagarde—the head of the International Monetary
Fund—has called for the world’s largest economies to urgently move ahead with
economic overhauls as global growth slows and emerging markets are rocked by
market turmoil. The International
Monetary Fund reported plans to downgrade its global
growth outlook for the
year to its slowest rate since the financial crisis. Lagarde has called for a joint policy effort
to address global economic challenges, including accommodative monetary policy
in advanced economies; growth-friendly fiscal policies; and structural reforms
aimed at boosting potential output and productivity. Lagarde also warned the United States Federal
Reserve from raising interest rates prematurely in order to avoid global
economic uncertainty.
By Jeff Najjar
A World Trade Organization (WTO) panel has ruled that India’s federal solar
program violates global trade rules by imposing local-purchase requirements for
solar cells and modules. Additionally, the panel ruled against India’s incentive policies for
domestic solar companies to manufacture solar cells and modules in the country.
The Indian government plans to appeal and the WTO dispute settlement body will
review the report of the panel at its next meeting. After the appeal, the WTO
is expected to deliver a final report in November. India will then have two
months to make its case to the appellate body of the organization. This is the second case that India has lost to the U.S. at the
WTO this year. Removing the local content requirement would increase
competition and open up opportunity for foreign companies to increase their
presence in the Indian solar market.
