THE World Bank’s newly-appointed president Ajay Banga has met US vice president Kamala Harris during which they talked about developing and implementing an action plan to raise the level of ambition in mobilising private investment.
It was the first official US engagement with the World Bank since Banga took office on Friday (2).
During the meeting on Monday (5), Harris underscored the Biden-Harris administration’s strong support for the World Bank’s efforts to make investments and spur policy reforms that reduce poverty and advance achievement of the sustainable development goals, the White House said.
“She praised the steps taken to evolve the World Bank — including expanding its mission to include building resilience to global challenges like climate change, pandemics, fragility and conflict.
“She underscored that addressing these global challenges is interlinked with and indivisible from the Bank’s work to eliminate extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity. The Vice President welcomed President Banga’s commitment and high ambition in driving forward this evolution initiative,” it said.
Harris conveyed the US intention to work with World Bank shareholders and Banga in the lead up to the September G20 leaders’ summit.
“The vice president discussed with president Banga her work around the world, from Southeast Asia to Africa to the Caribbean. In particular, as the vice president has made clear in this and other meetings, countries should have access to the finance and tools they need to accelerate the clean energy transition and build resilience to shocks,” it said.
This meeting comes just before the vice president's upcoming trip to The Bahamas on Thursday (8) to participate in the US-Caribbean Leaders Meeting, alongside president Banga, where she will further discuss the US commitment and actions to support sustainable and inclusive economic development in the Caribbean.
To this end, she raised the importance of all creditors offering Climate Resilient Debt Clauses to allow a temporary suspension of debt service after a natural disaster, the White House said.
(PTI)
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)