UK Funding Cuts Threaten Global Vaccination Efforts with Gavi

GBUnited Kingdom|

The United Kingdom is reportedly planning to reduce its funding for Gavi, the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation, which has successfully vaccinated over 1.1 billion children in developing countries over a span of 25 years. This potential cut is alarming aid charities, particularly as it follows recent funding suspensions by the United States under Donald Trump's administration. According to officials and aid organizations, the UK's cuts are largely driven by a decrease in the overall aid budget from 0.7% to 0.5% of GDP and a reallocation of funds to assist asylum seekers.

Aid groups argue that Gavi has played a crucial role in preventing nearly 18 million deaths and is aligned with UK priorities of addressing gender disparities and bolstering self-sufficiency in developing nations. Kitty Arie, CEO of Results UK, emphasized that reducing support for Gavi would "cost lives." Additionally, Katie Husselby from Action for Global Health contextualized the funding decision amid broader global health challenges.

Monica Harding, spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats, criticized the potential cut and urged the government to maintain its leadership in child immunization worldwide.

Weekly Newsletter

Loading...

More from United Kingdom

Scientists Uncover Remarkable 520-Million-Year-Old Fossil with Intact Brain and Guts

A team of researchers has discovered an astonishing fossilized larva dating back 520 million years, featuring intact soft tissues including its brain and digestive system. This ancient creature is one of the earliest members of the arthropod lineage, which encompasses modern insects, crabs, and lobsters, providing critical insights into evolutionary history. According to the study's co-author Katherine Dobson, the specimen exhibits “almost perfect preservation,” allowing researchers to utilize 3D imaging to reveal intricate structures such as a brain, digestive glands, and traces of nerves. Lead researcher Martin Smith expressed excitement over the find, highlighting its significance for understanding arthropod evolution, particularly the development of complex features in early life forms. The larva's preserved brain section, known as the protocerebrum, demonstrates evolutionary continuity, linking ancient forms to their diverse descendants thriving in various ecosystems today. This discovery offers a rare glimpse into the Cambrian Explosion, a period marked by rapid diversification of life. Researchers believe that such exceptional finds could reshape our understanding of early animal complexity.
GBUnited Kingdom

Andrew Tate Faces New Allegations of Rape and Coercive Control

Controversial influencer Andrew Tate has been accused by four women of rape, coercive control, and assault. One alleged victim recounted a disturbing encounter in 2013, claiming he told her he was "debating whether to rape you or not," before proceeding with an assault, as reported by The Guardian. The victim, who was in a relationship with Tate at the time, stated the incident occurred after a training session for one of his kickboxing fights. Tate has categorically denied all allegations, calling them "a pack of lies" and "gross fabrications." His legal team argues that claims for personal injury are barred due to a three-year limitation period. Three of the women had previously reported their allegations to the Hertfordshire police in 2019, but no charges were filed by the Crown Prosecution Service. A preliminary hearing regarding the claims is scheduled for April 15. In addition to these allegations, Tate faces investigations related to human trafficking and money laundering in Romania, with both he and his brother currently reported to be in Dubai.
GBUnited Kingdom

Rare Quadruple Supernova Predicted to Outshine the Moon in 23 Billion Years

Researchers at the University of Warwick have identified a pair of white dwarf stars destined to produce a spectacular quadruple supernova that will shine ten times brighter than the moon. This significant event is projected to occur in approximately 23 billion years, far beyond humanity's timeline, according to a study published in *Nature Astronomy* on April 4. The binary system, designated WDJ181058.67+311940.94, is located just 150 light-years from Earth and has a combined mass of about 1.56 times that of the sun. The white dwarfs currently orbit each other every 14 hours, but this period will diminish drastically, culminating in explosive annihilation as they advance to within 1/60th of the Earth-Sun distance. Lead author James Munday remarked on the excitement of discovering such a high-mass system, while co-author Ingrid Pelisoli emphasized the importance of finding progenitors for type 1a supernovas near Earth. The upcoming explosions will enable astronomers to measure cosmic distances and understand the universe's expansion better. Despite the eventual explosion's magnitude, Earth would likely be unscathed if the event occurred today, as our planet is expected to be long gone due to the sun’s eventual demise.
GBUnited Kingdom