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☆ Russia says deeper U.S. hybrid war using Ukraine will end in Vietnam-style humiliation
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Russia said on Sunday that U.S. lawmakers' approval of $60.84 billion more in support for Ukraine showed that Washington was wading deeper into a hybrid war with Russia that would end in a humiliation on a par with Vietnam or Afghanistan. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that it was clear that the United States wanted Ukraine "to fight to the last Ukrainian" including with attacks on Russian sovereign territory and civilians. "Washington's deeper and deeper immersion in the hybrid war against Russia will turn into such a loud and humiliating fiasco for United States as Vietnam and Afghanistan," Zakharova said. She said that ordinary Ukrainians were being "forcibly driven to slaughter as 'cannon fodder'" but that the United States was now no longer betting on a Ukrainian victory against Russia. The leaders of the West and Ukraine have cast the war in Ukraine as an imperial-style land-grab which shows that post-Soviet Russia is one of the top two biggest nation-state threats to global stability, alongside China.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Vladimir Putin's, Maria Zakharova, Zakharova, Putin Organizations: Sputnik, country's Labour, Social Protection, Ukraine, Cuban Missile, U.S . House, Russian Foreign Ministry, Russia, West Locations: Russian, Moscow, Russia, Washington, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Ukraine, U.S, Israel, Taiwan, United States, Ukrainian, Soviet Russia, China

☆ Nigeria battles to halt spiraling currency crisis and rising food insecurity
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

IBADAN, Nigeria - Feb. 19, 2024: Demonstrators hold placards during a protest against the hike in price and hard living conditions in Ibadan on February 19, 2024. Inflation hit an annual 29.9% in January, driven by soaring food prices that have triggered a cost-of-living crisis in Africa's largest economy. The naira currency, meanwhile, plunged to an all-time low of around 1,600 against the U.S. dollar in late February. "With about 8 percent of Nigerians deemed food insecure, addressing rising food insecurity is the immediate policy priority." IBADAN, Nigeria - Feb. 19, 2024: Demonstrators are seen at a protest against the hike in price and hard living conditions in Ibadan on February 19, 2024.

Persons: Samuel Alabi, Bola Tinubu's, David Omojomolo, Olayemi Cardoso Organizations: Afp, Getty Images, International Monetary Fund, U.S, Bloomberg, Getty, Washington, D.C, IMF, Central Bank of, Capital Economics Locations: IBADAN, Nigeria, Ibadan, Getty Images Nigeria, Africa's, LAGOS, Lagos, Africa

☆ Ghana’s parliament passes anti-homosexuality bill
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( David Mckenzie | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Johannesburg CNN —Ghana’s parliament on Wednesday unanimously passed a controversial anti-homosexuality bill that has drawn international condemnation. The bill, which was introduced in the parliament in 2021, not only criminalizes LGBTQ relationships, but also those who support LGBTQ rights. The bill in Ghana still needs to be signed off by the country’s president before it becomes law. “Approaches rooted in inclusion of all people have been crucial to Ghana’s progress in the HIV response,” Byanyima said in a statement. “Evidence shows that punitive laws like this bill are a barrier to ending AIDS, and ultimately undermine everyone’s health.”

Persons: “, ”, Sam George, Volker Türk, Winnie Byanyima, ” Byanyima, Byanyima Organizations: Johannesburg CNN —, Twitter, CNN, United Nations Locations: Johannesburg, Africa, Ghana

☆ Salaries in Russia rose by over 7% last year, further showing how the war is boosting the country's economy
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Real wages in Russia increased by 7.6% in the first 11 months of 2023, beating inflation. Russia's economy remains resilient due to wartime spending and government subsidies. AdvertisementRussia's wartime labor crunch is boosting salaries so much that wage gains are beating inflation. Real wages have risen 33.2% over six years, he added. As the war Ukraine heads into its third year, Russia's economy appears resilient.

Persons: —, Anton Kotyakov, Vladimir Putin's, Putin, Elvira Nabiullina, Nabiullina Organizations: Service, Russia's, Labor, Social Protection, TASS, Bloomberg Locations: Russia, Ukraine

☆ Sarkozy’s Prison Sentence Halved to 6 Months
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Roger Cohen | More About Roger Cohen | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A Paris appeals court upheld on Wednesday the 2021 conviction of former President Nicolas Sarkozy for illegal financing an election campaign but cut his sentence from one year to six months with a further six months suspended. Mr. Sarkozy’s lawyer, Vincent Desry, immediately said that Mr. Sarkozy would appeal to France’s highest court. Nicolas Sarkozy is fully innocent,” he said. “He has taken note of this decision and decided to appeal to the Court of Cassation.”The appeal could take years to be resolved, ensuring that Mr. Sarkozy remains free for the foreseeable future. The former president, known for his irrepressible energy and blunt style, hurried out of court and did not take questions.

Persons: Nicolas Sarkozy, Sarkozy’s, Vincent Desry, Mr, Sarkozy, “ Mr, ”, “ Organizations: Cassation Locations: Paris, France

☆ Indonesia election: Young voters will decide the country’s future, here’s what they care about
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Rachel Wilson | Rosa Deacostanoya | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

With a majority of the electorate under 40 years of age, the candidates are all vying for young voters to claim victory. On the ground, young voters are struggling to find jobs that suit their aspirations.” Yoes Kenawas, doctoral candidate at Northwestern UniversityIn addition to these economic concerns, more young voters also now worry about climate change. The social media battlegroundNearly 80% of people in Indonesia are connected to the internet and people aged 16 to 64 spend an average of more than three hours a day on social media, according to the We Are Social 2023 Digital Report, which provides global social media insights. Wednesday’s results will potentially offer a verdict on how effective social media campaigns have been in addressing young voters’ worries. There is a concern that young voters could get trapped in “a political campaign that is relying on gimmicks,” Kenawas said.

Persons: Indonesia’s, Joko Widodo, Ganjar Pranowo, Anies Baswedan, Prabowo Subianto, — Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Raka, Widodo’s, Subianto, Abigail Limuria, Bijak, ” Abigail Limuria, ”, Yoes Kenawas, ” Yoes Kenawas, Instagram, Kenawas, Muhaimin Iskandar, Mahfud, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Subianto’s, Widodo, He’s, he’s, ’, ” Kenawas Organizations: CNN, Indonesia, Indonesian Defense, CNN Indonesia, Center for Strategic, International Studies, International Labour Organization, Indonesia’s Central Statistics Agency, Northwestern University, “, CSIS, Widodo Locations: Central Java, Jakarta, Swiss, Indonesia, policymaking, CNN Indonesia

CNN —At least 34 people have been confirmed dead following landslides in Colombia’s northwestern department of Chocó, the governor’s office said in a statement Saturday. So far, 17 bodies have been transferred to Medellin for forensic examination, and another 17 are expected to be transported as well, the statement read. A member of the rescue team stands at the area of a landslide in the road between Quibdo and Medellin, Choco department, Colombia on January 13, 2024. Fredy Builes/AFP/Getty ImagesPeople observe the area where of a landslide in the road between Quibdo and Medellin, Choco department, Colombia on January 13, 2024. Colombia has been plagued by deadly mudslides before.

Persons: Nubia, Nubia Carolina Córdoba Curi, “, Francia Marquez, Fredy Builes, Marquez Organizations: CNN, Reuters, Getty, Unit for, Risk Management, Colombian Civil Defense, National Army, Ministry of Health, Social Protection Locations: Chocó, Medellin, ”, Nubia Carolina, Quibdó, Quibdo, Choco, Colombia, AFP, Mocoa

☆ Kenyan parliamentary committee call for reforms to electoral body
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( Humphrey Malalo | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The bipartisan committee formed to study opposition grievances wants the electoral commission reconstituted and an audit of the last presidential election. As a result, the committee was formed in August with the backing of a parliamentary resolution and was mandated to study the grievances and propose necessary policy reforms to the government. In its report, the committee recommended the "restructuring and reconstitution" of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the country's electoral body. "The committee recommended the appointment of a panel of experts who would evaluate the 2022 electoral process and a mechanism for evaluating future elections." The government, the committee said in the report, should also review its tax policy, rationalise public expenditure and expand the reach of social protection.

Persons: Baz Ratner, William Ruto, Raila Odinga, Hussein Mohamed, Ruto, Humphrey Malalo, Elias Biryabarema, Giles Elgood Organizations: Kenyatta International Convention, REUTERS, Rights, Kenyan, Reuters, Sunday, Independent, Commission, Kenya State House, Thomson Locations: Nairobi, Kenya, Rights NAIROBI

☆ Kenyan Parliamentary Committee Call for Reforms to Electoral Body
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

Persons: Humphrey Malalo, William Ruto, Raila Odinga, Hussein Mohamed, Ruto, Elias Biryabarema, Giles Elgood Organizations: Kenyan, Reuters, Sunday, Independent, Commission, Kenya State House Locations: Humphrey Malalo NAIROBI, Kenya

☆ 10 countries where talented workers are moving
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Switzerland ranked at the top of INSEAD's 2023 Global Talent Competitiveness Index. The index analyzed countries' abilities to enable, attract, grow, and retain talent. AdvertisementMany talented workers are packing their bags and flocking to Switzerland and Singapore. Switzerland is once again the world's most talent-competitive country, INSEAD's 2023 Global Talent Competitiveness Index found. Switzerland is the global leader in enabling and retaining talent, the report found, and it ranked second in vocational and technical skills.

Persons: — Organizations: Competitiveness, Singapore, Denmark, Service, U.S . News, US, China Locations: Switzerland, China, India, Singapore, U.S, United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, Spain, Italy

☆ The world's best and brightest are flocking to these countries
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Commercial and residential properties stand on the city skyline in Zurich, Switzerland, on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2015. Switzerland is once again the world's most talent-competitive country, according to the 2023 Global Talent Competitiveness Index by business school INSEAD. The annual report measures how 134 countries draw in, grow and retain their talent. The top-ten countries have remained steady over the past decade, with Switzerland and Singapore consistently topping the charts as "clear leaders." "Over the past decade, we've seen an unwavering link between a country's wealth and its talent competitiveness, with richer economies continuing to outshine poorer economies," the report stated.

Persons: we've Organizations: U.S Locations: Zurich, Switzerland, Singapore

☆ Russia says it has a 'glaring issue:' More than half of its wounded soldiers are amputees
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Natalie Musumeci | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

More than half of Russian troops injured in the Ukraine war have had amputations, a Russian official said. Hundreds of thousands of Russian troops have been injured or killed since the start of the war. AdvertisementAdvertisementMore than half of the Russian troops wounded in the Kremlin's grinding war against Ukraine are now amputees, according to a Russian government official who called the situation a "glaring" problem. Upper limb amputations account for 20% of the amputations that Russian soldiers wounded on the battlefields in Ukraine have had, Vovchenko noted, Rossiyskaya Gazeta reported. AdvertisementAdvertisementVovchenko said that an average of three prosthetic and medical care products have been prescribed to injured Russian troops seeking treatment.

Persons: Alexey Vovchenko, Gazeta, —, Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Vovchenko, Oleksandr Vynogradov Organizations: Service, Labor, Social, Russian Federation, Rossiyskaya, Federation Council, New York Times Locations: Ukraine, Russia

Hailed by Xi as a “project of the century,” the BRI has emerged as a glaring symbol of China’s rise as a global power. Chinese investment in BRI projects has tapered off as the world’s second-biggest economy slows. The opening ceremony of Cambodia's Morodok Techo National Stadium, funded by China's Belt and Road Initiative, in Phnom Penh on December 18, 2021. Later that year, Xi pledged that China would not build any new coal-fired power projects abroad. The BRI has also spurred other countries to increase their own efforts toward supporting infrastructure projects in the developing world.

Persons: Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Xi, –, Cambodia's, Lon Jadina, William & Mary, Marshall, China, ” Organizations: Beijing CNN, Initiative, China's, Getty, BRI, Boston, Global, Policy, William &, Marshall Plan, Global Development Policy Center, World Bank, Global Development, United Arab, European Union Locations: Beijing, China, Israel, Asia, Latin America, Africa, Europe, Ukraine, United States, Phnom Penh, AFP, Papua New Guinea, Kenya, Sri Lanka, West Africa, America, Southeast Asia, Hambantota, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, Italy, East

☆ In the country of ‘machismo,’ a woman will be the next president
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( Rafael Romo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Sheinbaum, a 61-year-old former Mexico City mayor and longtime political ally of Lopez Obrador, hit all the right notes in thanking him. Lopez Obrador promises to ‘retire completely’Schettino believes the immensely popularly Lopez Obrador views Sheinbaum as his extension in power. In 2012, Lopez Obrador created Morena as a political party. “President López Obrador, a dinosaur who not only is a dinosaur, but also has the vocation of a tyrant. Earlier this year, Lopez Obrador denied he had any favorites among his party’s hopefuls or that he was pushing for one candidate or another behind the scenes.

Persons: Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Claudia Sheinbaum, Lopez Obrador, Morena, Sheinbaum, ”, –, Xochitl Gálvez, It’s, Lopez, Xochitl Galvez, wasn’t, Gálvez, López Obrador, Vicente Fox, Gálvez unapologetically, Macario, she’s, don’t, ” Schettino, “, let’s, it’s, ” Sheinbaum, ‘, Schettino, hew Organizations: CNN, Mexico City, Broad Front, PAN, PRI, PRD, Front, Mexican Congress, Social, Institutional Revolutionary Party, Party of Democratic Locations: Mexico City, Mexico, Monterrey, Mexican, Mexico’s

☆ China has poured billions into Africa’s infrastructure. Is it now tightening the tap?
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

The impact of those funds is felt across Africa, where residents in major cities like Lagos, Nairobi and Addis Ababa now transit daily via railways, highways and airports built in recent years with Chinese loans and often by Chinese construction firms. But understanding how much money is flowing out of China into global development is notoriously tricky as Beijing doesn’t share this data openly and a wide range of financial entities play roles. How all this plays out could have a significant impact on developing countries’ access to much-needed infrastructure funding. China is also navigating the second decade of the Belt and Road amid stark economic challenges at home. China in 2017 released guidance on promoting a “green” Belt and Road, which called for sustainable development and strengthening environmental protection.

Persons: laud, Xi, Roberto Matchissa, Oyintarelado Moses, ”, Moses, Ammar A, Malik, “, Austin Strange, Yasuyoshi Chiba, AidData’s Malik, HKU’s Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Initiative, Boston University Global Development, Center, Getty, CNN, Global China Initiative, Global Development Policy, William, Mary’s Global Research Institute, University of Hong, Global Development Locations: China, Hong Kong, Africa, Beijing, Lagos, Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Ukraine, Maputo, Katembe, Mozambique, AFP, Kazakhstan, Zambia, Ghana, University of Hong Kong, Kenya, United States, China’s

WASHINGTON (AP) — Online gig work is growing globally, particularly in the developing world, creating an important source of employment for women and young people in poorer countries where jobs are scarce, according to a World Bank report released Thursday. The report estimates the number of global online gig workers at as many as 435 million people and says demand for gig work increased 41% between 2016 and the first quarter of 2023. That boost is generating concern, though, among worker rights advocates about the lack of strong job protections in the gig economy, where people work job to job with little security and few employment rights. While location-based gig services such as Uber, Lyft and TaskRabbit require labor like moving and delivery, online gig assignments can be largely done at home. Roughly half of the surveyed gig workers did not have a retirement plan and as much as 73% of Venezuelan gig workers and 75% of Nigerians did not have any savings for retirement.

Persons: ”, Namita Datta, Sharon Block, Lindsey Cameron, Uber, ” Block Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, Bank, World Bank, Harvard Law School’s Center for Labor, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, ”, Pew Locations: U.S, United States, Egypt, Argentina, Nigeria, Russia, China

☆ IMF chief says Africa must do these three things to increase trade
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( Nell Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The timing is ripe as African countries grapple with sluggish growth, food insecurity and debt distress. CNN: According to IMF reports, the levels of inflation and public debt we’re seeing in Africa have not been seen in many decades. Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the IMF, speaks in Washington, DC, in April at a meeting of the World Bank and IMF. Georgieva: I expect to see a very strong focus on the African continent. We did a paper on how the continental free trade agreement can benefit Africa if these trade and non-trade barriers are eliminated and the results are phenomenal: trade within Africa can increase by 53%, trade between Africa and the rest of the world by 15%, and real income per capita could grow by 10%.

Persons: Kristalina Georgieva, Georgieva, CNN’s Eleni Giokos, Kevin Dietsch, we’re, they’re Organizations: CNN, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, Bank, IMF Locations: Africa, Marrakech, Morocco, Washington , DC

☆ Opinion: Haiti is on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-05 | by ( Opinion Catherine Russell | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Editor’s Note: Catherine Russell is the executive director of UNICEF and principal advocate on Haiti for the Inter-Agency Standing Committee, a collective body of senior humanitarian leaders. Catherine Russell Danielle Deeb/UNICEFOn my most recent visit to Haiti in June, I met another health care worker who had been kidnapped. And with much of Port-au-Prince and nearby areas beset by such brutality, Haiti’s ongoing humanitarian crisis could soon become a catastrophe. Close to half of the country’s population urgently needs humanitarian assistance, including almost 3 million children, according to on-the-ground information collected by our staff. The UN’s $720 million Humanitarian Response Plan for 2023 is barely a quarter funded.

Persons: Catherine Russell, Catherine Russell Danielle Deeb, —, Jovenel Moïse, it’s, António Guterres Organizations: UNICEF, Inter, Agency, CNN, Nations, Port, Twitter, Facebook UN, UN Security Council, UN, Haitian National Police Locations: Haiti, Haiti’s, Port, Haitian

☆ Fact Check-Ireland doesn't have a higher rate of Jobseeker's Allowance for migrants
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The posts (seen here and here) include a picture of a receipt for a 584-euro Jobseeker’s payment. Ireland's DSP says the maximum weekly rate for a single person is 220 euros (here). In its commentary to Reuters, the DSP underlined the rates are equal for all and there are no special rates in place for migrants or other individuals. Ireland pays no more than 220 euros in a Jobseeker’s Allowance per week to a single person but will pay more to families or people with any dependents. The country does not have special Jobseeker’s Allowance rates for migrants.

Persons: ”, “ That’s, Read Organizations: Irish Department of Social Protection, Twitter, Reuters, Ireland Locations: Ireland

☆ Italy's Meloni draws fire over food aid aimed at families with children
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Federica Urso | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"The government is there and is ready to do its part to help Italians in the best possible way", Meloni said in a message that presented the 500,000-euro scheme as relief against high inflation. However, the card is reserved for households with at least three members, preferably with children, in a move seen as favouring traditional families. Noting that the allowance amounts to about one euro per day for a year, she described it as a "zero impact" policy. "Being in need is no longer enough, now you need to be in need and also be a certain type of person considered deserving of help," he said. ($1 = 0.8946 euros)Reporting by Federica Urso Additional reporting by Alvise Armellini and Gavin Jones Editing by Mark PotterOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Giorgia, Meloni, Elly Schlein, Confcommercio, Marco Impagliazzo, Filippo Barbera, Federica Urso, Alvise Armellini, Gavin Jones, Mark Potter Organizations: Democratic Party, Catholic, Turin University, Thomson Locations: Italian, Rome

☆ Analysis: Caught between riots and debt crises, African countries cut fuel subsidies
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Senegal, like Nigeria and Angola, is removing costly fossil fuel subsidies – a move once considered politically unthinkable but which has become a necessity due to crushing debt, a spike in borrowing costs and high fuel prices. SHEER FISCAL NECESSITYNearly every country on earth has some fossil fuel subsidies, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Now, high costs have effectively locked many out of international bond markets. According to the World Bank, almost half of the countries in sub-Saharan Africa are in or at high risk of debt distress. The World Bank estimates that subsidy removal, and scrapping foreign exchange controls, would save Nigeria some 21 trillion naira ($27.49 billion) from 2023 to 2025.

Persons: Abdoulaye Diallo, Diallo, Stanley Achonu, Goolam Ballim, Angola's, David Amaglobeli, Amaglobeli, Gregoire Garsous, Achonu, Karin Strohecker, Ngouda Dione, Hugh Lawson Organizations: ONE, LONDON, CFA, Global, International Energy Agency, Reuters Graphics, Organisation for Economic Co, Development, Standard Bank, World Bank, OECD, Bank, Christian, Thomson Locations: Africa, Nigeria, Senegal's, Dakar, Senegal, Angola, Ukraine, Russia, Johannesburg, China, Saharan Africa, Zambia, London, Brazzaville

☆ China's economy is undergoing a structural transition, so don't expect a massive stimulus package, analyst says
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( Filip De Mott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

China's economy is transitioning away from previous growth drivers, UBS analyst Tao Wang wrote. Instead of a spending binge, Wang said that China should implement modest stimulus as well as policies aimed at structural issues. In the long term, stepping away from large government support may be beneficial to the country's economy, she added. That's as it could clear inefficient market participants, allow development in the private sector, and enable more social spending. "Such a realignment of the roles of the state and the market would be welcome," Wang wrote.

Persons: Tao Wang, —, Wang Organizations: UBS, Financial Times, Service, UBS Investment Research Locations: Beijing, China

☆ Estonia becomes first ex-Soviet state to legalize same-sex marriage
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( Catherine Nicholls | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Estonia’s parliament passed on Tuesday a law legalizing same-sex marriage, becoming the first ex-Soviet country to do so. Two adults will be able to marry “regardless of their gender,” after the parliament approved amendments to the country’s Family Law Act, according to a press statement. The amendments to the Family Law Act also mean that same-sex couples can now adopt children. Geoff Moore/ShutterstockSame-sex relationships have been legally recognized in Estonia since 2016, when the Registered Partnership Act took effect. “I am delighted that the decision has now been taken for a more forward-looking Estonia that cares for all.”

Persons: CNN —, Kaja Kallas, ”, Geoff Moore, “, Signe Riisalo, ” Riisalo Organizations: CNN, ”, Estonian Human Rights, Estonia’s, Social Locations: Soviet, Estonia, Tallinn

☆ Finland is consistently ranked the happiest country on earth. For Finns, it's an eye-roller.
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-10 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Finland's high levels of social trust could be one reason the country has been ranked as the world's happiest for six years in a row. Finns don't view themselves as exceptionally happy people. A busy street in Helsinki, Finland. In 2021, the Nordic country spent 24% of its GDP on social protection — the highest of any other OECD country that year. 'We have problems as well'As fun as such ratings can be to share and debate, they of course obscure the challenges experienced in any country, even Finland.

Persons: Frank Martela, they've, Jennifer De Paola, De Paola's, Jimenez, you'll, We're, Meri Larivaara, it's, De Paola, ALESSANDRO RAMPAZZO, Martela, Larivaara, Eric, Susanna Nordvall, who's, De Organizations: Aalto University, De, Heli Jimenez, United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions, Gallup, Getty, Nordic, OECD, Healthcare, Mental Health Locations: Espoo, Finland's, Helsinki, Finland, AFP, Japan, Italy, Finnish

☆ How to Lower Deaths Among Women? Give Away Cash.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Apoorva Mandavilli | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

The pandemic drove 97 million additional people into extreme poverty in 2020, according to a World Bank estimate, prompting more countries to start cash transfer programs. Direct cash transfers have been shown to improve school attendance, nutrition and use of health services. The new study is the first to examine the effect of cash transfers on death rates worldwide, the researchers said. The findings suggest that cash transfers may be helpful not just to women, but to families and entire communities. Cash transfers are often accompanied by improvements to health care services or other infrastructure that helps communities, he noted.

Persons: ”, Harsha Thirumurthy, Thirumurthy, Audrey Pettifor, Pettifor, ” Berk Organizations: University of Pennsylvania, University of North, Chapel Hill Locations: Saharan Africa, Africa, Asia, Pacific, America, Caribbean, U.S, University of North Carolina, South Africa

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