The Latest Breaking News from World Bank

NEWSMAKER-Unheralded Costa Rican economist's unlikely path to presidency

Rodrigo Chaves was an unheralded economist in his native Costa Rica until a series of personal setbacks propelled him into a brief, ill-fated spell in government, then into the race for the presidency, which he won on Sunday.

Reuters · Apr 4, 2022

Costa Rican maverick Chaves makes pitch to opposition after presidency win

Economist Rodrigo Chaves extended a hand to the opposition upon winning the Costa Rican presidency on Sunday after a bruising election campaign in which the former World Bank official vowed to break with traditional politics.

Reuters · Apr 4, 2022

Ex-finance minister wins runoff to be Costa Rica's president

A former finance minister who surprised many Costa Ricans by making it into the presidential runoff vote has easily won that ballot and is to become the Central American country’s new leader next month

The Independent UK · Apr 4, 2022

Sri Lanka teeters on economic edge, from pandemic-fueled financial crisis and Ukraine war spillovers

An unprecedented economic crisis is unfolding in Sri Lanka. And while the country’s problems have been brewing for years, spillovers from the crisis in Ukraine have sent the island nation over the edge.

The Conversation · Mar 31, 2022

Combative economist and former president face off in Costa Rica election

Costa Ricans vote on Sunday for a new president in what looks primed to be a close contest between a former leader promising continuity and a pugnacious economist who could pull the country down an anti-establishment path.

Reuters · Mar 31, 2022

Afghanistan aid pledges could fall far short of target, officials fear

Taliban’s increasingly repressive rule could lead to donor backlash at UN pledging conference on Thursday

The Guardian - UK · Mar 30, 2022

World Bank approves $400 million for Tunisia to help vulnerable households

The World Bank said on Tuesday it approved $400 million for Tunisia to help about 900,000 vulnerable Tunisian households cope with the health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 crisis.

Reuters · Mar 29, 2022

World Bank freezes Afghan projects after Taliban bans girls from high school

The World Bank has put four projects in Afghanistan worth $600 million on hold amid concerns over a decision by the country's ruling Islamist leaders to ban girls from returning to public high schools, the bank said.

Reuters · Mar 29, 2022

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, World Bank expert discuss agriculture

LUCKNOW: World Bank’s lead agriculture expert Andrew Goodland called on Chief minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow on Tuesday. It was a courtesy call, reports said.

The Times of India · Mar 29, 2022

Food supplies take Ukraine war hit

The war in Ukraine is causing immense, heart-wrenching human suffering. At the World Trade Organization (WTO), an institution based on the rule of law and established to help forge peace, we find the violence abhorrent to our fundamental principles. We echo UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's call for the bloodshed to…

Bangkok Post · Mar 29, 2022