Inter Press Service | News and Views from the Global South

Inter Press Service | News and Views from the Global South

Calls for Reform, Research and Reorganisation in Leprosy Healthcare Stella Paul Rachna Kumari of Munger in Eastern India’s Bihar state is not yet 30. But she's already been married at 18, abandoned by her husband after she was diagnosed with leprosy and become an award-winning advocate of the disease. She has traversed a long road. And this week she undertook another step in ... MORE > >

'Conference Emphasises Need for Partnerships to Create a World Without Leprosy' Stella Paul Forty years ago, Yohei Sasakawa saw his father moved to tears after meeting and witnessing the suffering of people affected by leprosy – also known as Hansen’s disease. Not only did the patients have a physical illness, but they also suffered from social exclusion and discrimination. It made the ... MORE > >

Let’s Get Climate Action into Traction with Gender Equality Ulrika Modéer and Anita Bhatia Climate change is already altering the face of our planet. Research shows that we need to put all our efforts over the coming decade to limit warming to 1.5°C and mitigate the catastrophic risks posed by increased droughts, floods, and extreme weather events. But our actions will not be ... MORE > >

Dumping Fossil Fuels to Drive Green Development Busani Bafana Disinvestments in fossil fuels amounting to 11 trillion dollars – eight times the global GDP – have been recorded in the last six months of this year, according to a new report. ‘ Trillion and counting: new goals for a fossil-free world', was released by 350.org in Cape Town, South Africa ... MORE > >

Vaping Fad Boosts Dangerous Nicotine Addiction Wan Manan Muda and Jomo Kwame Sundaram Smoking-related diseases are the major causes of premature death worldwide. Every year, six million smoking-related deaths are reported worldwide. If current smoking trends persist, 8 million deaths can be expected by 2030, of which four-fifths will occur in lower- and middle-income countries. ... MORE > >

Eritrea Tops Watchlist of World’s Most-Censored Countries James Reinl Eritrea has the world’s highest levels of censorship and the most active government in jailing reporters and stifling newspapers, radio and television, a study by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) watchdog says. The authoritarian Horn of Africa nation, which shuttered all independent ... MORE > >

Why Prosecuting Human Traffickers in Nigeria is Nothing More than a Mirage Tobore Ovuorie Hope Oyiza, a Nigerian human trafficking survivor has said the Nigerian authority in charge of preventing the trafficking of persons, as well as punishing offenders, is lagging behind in her duties because many of the officials collect bribes from arrested human traffickers. Then, release ... MORE > >

Zimbabwe’s ex-President Robert Mugabe Leaves a Mixed Legacy Busani Bafana Former Zimbabwe strongman Robert Mugabe, who died this week, aged 95, leaves a mixed and divisive legacy. Mugabe – the oldest African leader when he was removed from power in November 2017 – died of an undisclosed illness in a hospital in Singapore on Sept. 6. Once a revered hero who ... MORE > >

Desertification Costs World Economy up to 15 trillion dollars - U.N. James Reinl Forest fires, droughts and other forms of land degradation cost the global economy as much as 15 trillion dollars every year and are deepening the climate change crisis, a top United Nations environment official said Friday. Ibrahim Thiaw, executive secretary of the U.N. Convention to Combat ... MORE > >

Exclusive: Winnie Byanyima Speaks about Inequality in Africa and Next Steps at UNAIDS Crystal Orderson While the 28th World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa is being held in Cape Town, South Africa this week, the international aid and development charity Oxfam released its latest report: A tale of two continents: fighting inequality in Africa. The report says that while the richest Africans get ... MORE > >