Russia-Ukraine renew grain deal, but doubts persist
17/5/2023: The Black Sea Grain Initiative, a deal between Ukraine and Russia that allows for the continued export of grain and other food products has been extended for 60 days. Since the deal was introduced in July 2022, it has helped stabilize global food prices.
Source: DW
Maternal mortality: why has progress stalled?
10/5/2023: A new report by UN agencies shows that, from 2016 to 2020, the global rate of maternal mortality barely changed. If that pace of progress continues, the rate in 2030 will be 222 per 100,000 live births – over three times the target of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Source: Inter Press Service
Amnesty International calls for universal social protection
10/5/2023: Amnesty International is calling for social security to be made available to everyone worldwide after a series of crises is leaving hundreds of millions trapped in a cycle of poverty and deprivation. About 55% of the world’s population have no recourse to even the most basic social protection.
Source: Amnesty International
Amazon Rainforest loss could reach new height in just 5 years
11/5/2023: A recent study has found that in the five-year period between 2021 and 2025, the Amazon could lose half the total forest cover it lost in the previous 20 years. Experts say the Amazon Rainforest is currently experiencing this pessimistic scenario.
Source: Mongabay
Germany’s foreign policy: values or national interests?
7/5/2023: Germany has made democracy and human rights the centerpiece of its foreign policy. However, denouncing nations that don't check the values box, such as China, leads to criticism from domestic business interests.
Source: DW
How (and why) Nigeria should remove its fuel subsidy
5/5/2023: Nigeria spends a quarter of its budget on a regressive fuel subsidy. Removing it and distributing the savings can help the poorest. A defining moment for Nigerians could come after the swearing-in of Nigeria’s new president on 29 May.
Source: African Arguments
Global report finds quarter of a billion people hungry
3/5/2023: The 2023 Global Report on Food Crises finds that 258 million people in 58 countries faced high levels of acute food insecurity in 2022, a jump of about 33% from the previous year. The world is wildly off track for achieving its goal of zero hunger by the end of this decade.
Source: Devex
Global endeavour to restore child immunization progress
24/4/2023: The pandemic saw essential immunization levels decrease in over 100 countries, leading to outbreaks of measles, diphtheria, polio and yellow fever. Global and national health partners have joined forces to boost vaccination among children.
Source: World Health Organization
New mRNA vaccine hub launched in Cape Town
21/4/2023: The World Health Organization's new mRNA vaccine technology facility in Cape Town plans to offer equitable access to COVID-19, malaria and HIV/AIDs vaccines in low- and middle-income countries. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted major disparities in access to health care in different parts of the world.
Source: DW
Global arms sales decline despite surge in wars
12/4/2023: Arms sales have been booming for years, thanks to the many flashpoints all over the world. But this trend came to a halt in 2022 — albeit only temporarily. This is according to the latest report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
Source: DW