Corruption Kills

Nigerians should not be pushing against global COVID-19 vaccine inequity amid widespread looting of the national treasury. Credit: UNICEF/Nahom Tesfaye ABUJA, May 24 2022 (IPS) – Nigeria’s accountant-general, the administrative head of the country’s treasury, has been  by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for allegedly stealing 80 billion naira ($134 million). This is a staggering … Read more

Reform Needed As Big Business, Not Vulnerable Communities Benefit from Post-Pandemic Support

Informal sector only received 4 percent of post pandemic funds even though the sector accounts for more than 2 billion workers, many of whom are women. Credit: IITA BRATISLAVA, Oct 12 2022 (IPS) – Governments and international financial institutions must adopt new ways of providing post-pandemic support, say campaigners after a report found that in … Read more

1980s’ Redux? New context, Old Threats

SYDNEY and KUALA LUMPUR, Sep 6 2022 (IPS) – As rich countries raise interest rates in double-edged efforts to address inflation, developing countries are struggling to cope with slowdowns, inflation, higher interest rates and other costs, plus growing debt distress. Rich countries’ interest rate hikes have triggered capital outflows, currency depreciations and higher debt servicing … Read more

Forget ChatGPT: The Greatest Tech Breakthrough Would Be Getting Cell Phones to Rural Women

Dr. Nicoline de Haan is Director of the A cell phone gives rural women access to financial services, training, networks, and, importantly, information and knowledge. Credit: Prashanth Vishwanathan (CCAFS) NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 6 2023 (IPS) – While 100 million people worldwide are using the AI chatbot ChatGPT to get ahead on homework and try at … Read more

US Ban on Smoking Undermined by Tobacco Industry

Grow Food, not Tobacco. Credit: PAHO   On May 31, the World Health Organization (WHO) and public health institutions celebrated “World No Tobacco Day” (WNTD). This year’s theme was: “We need food, not tobacco”. WNTD was created by WHO Member States in 1987 to raise awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco use and exposure … Read more

Lawmakers’ Vital Roles in Ensuring Dignity for Aging Populations

Dr Rintaro Mori, Regional Adviser, Population Ageing and Sustainable Development at UNFPA, told the conference it was crucial to invest to improve social security, health, and well-being. Credit: APDA BANGKOK & JOHANNESBURG, Jul 19 2023 (IPS) – Countries with falling population growth face twin dilemmas: Ensuring their aging population live healthy and fulfilling lives and … Read more

Abortion, a Right Denied to Girls Raped in Brazil

Brazilian women demonstrated in São Paulo on Sept. 28, International Safe Abortion Day, which began to be celebrated in Latin America. The activists are promoting the campaign “Neither imprisoned, nor dead” against the repression of women’s right to abortion, which affects even young girls who are entitled to this right by law. CREDIT: Rovena Rosa … Read more