April 30, 2024
American parents are more than four times as likely as their peers in Estonia to lose a baby during or shortly after birth. It is one of the most devastating human experiences – and a key indicator of a country’s development. After all, if even the most vulnerable babies survive, the healthcare system must be doing something right. By that metric, the US looks more like Chile or Slovakia than the global superpower it is.
And it’s not just babies who are more at risk in the US. A study from the Commonwealth Foundation found that American mothers are twice as likely to die during or shortly after childbirth than their Canadian peers, and more than 10 times as likely as women in New Zealand.
Part of the problem comes down to a shortage of care for expectant mothers. The US has about 15 gynecologists per 1,000 live births, compared to 54 in the UK and 78 in Sweden. That means less attentive care during and after pregnancy, which can lead to early warnings going overlooked.
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FILE PHOTO: European Commissioner for Trade Maros Sefcovic and India's Trade Minister Piyush Goyal pose after signing an agreement, as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Council President Antonio Costa stand behind them, at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, January 27, 2026.
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After nearly 20 years of negotiations, the European Union and India struck a trade deal that will slash or remove tariffs from nearly 97% of all EU exports to India, and grant preferential entry to the European market for 99% of Indian products.
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Seventy-eight years after helping found the World Health Organization (WHO), the United States has formally withdrawn from the agency, following through on a pledge President Donald Trump made on his first day back in office.
Mastercard Economic Institute's Outlook 2026 explores the forces redefining global business. Tariffs, technology, and transformation define an adaptive economy for the year ahead. Expect moderate growth amid easing inflation, evolving fiscal policies, and rapid AI adoption, driving productivity. Digital transformation for SMEs and shifts in trade and consumer behavior will shape strategies worldwide. Stay ahead with insights to help navigate complexity and seize emerging opportunities. Learn more here.
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On GZERO World, Finnish President Alexander Stubb says that Ukraine and its NATO allies are aligned on a path to a ceasefire but warns that Vladimir Putin will drag out the war, not because he thinks he’ll win… but because he knows he’ll lose.
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