News headlines for “Consumption and Consumerism”, page 41
Smartphones: Children’s Blessing or Curse?
- Inter Press Service
STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Jul 25 (IPS) - Habits can change extremely fast, particularly within so-called “developed” nations, where children, even more than grownups are affected by life changing events. Gone are the times when kids could move around freely and invent games and adventures together with their friends.
Far away from the scrutinizing control of parents and authorities they learned to interact with other kids, taking risks and solving problems. It could be tough and often quite merciless times, but educative, beneficent, and fun as well.
Mental Health in West Africa: Overcoming Stigma and Enhancing Care
- Inter Press Service
NAIROBI, Jul 24 (IPS) - Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 116 million people in the African region were living with mental health conditions. A large proportion of mental disorders is caused by depression and anxiety, and these conditions take a significant toll on health and wellbeing of people aged 15 to 59 years who are most affected.
More Poverty for the Poor
- Inter Press Service
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Jul 24 (IPS) - Many low-income countries (LICs) continue to slip further behind the rest of the world. Meanwhile, people in extreme poverty have been increasing again after decades of decline.
African Diaspora To Drive Continent’s Development Ambitions
- Inter Press Service
BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe, Jul 24 (IPS) - As the African diaspora continues its growth, agencies are seeking ways to tap into this vast demographic to help with the continent's development.
Fight against global hunger set back 15 years, warns UN report
- UN News
Southern African Drought: Extreme Hardship, Hopefully Only in the Short Term
- Inter Press Service
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, Jul 23 (IPS) - Heading into the traditional dry period of winter in southern Africa, there was significant consternation due to the drastically below average rainfall the region has been experiencing since January 2024.
Kenya’s Protests: More than a Question of Tax
- Inter Press Service
LONDON, Jul 23 (IPS) - Kenya’s President William Ruto has withdrawn the tax-increasing Finance Bill that sparked mass protests. He has sacked his cabinet and the head of the police has resigned. But the anger many feel hasn’t gone away, and protests continue.
The protests have brought Kenya’s Gen Z onto the political stage, with young people – over 65 per cent of the population – at the forefront. Since the protests began, they’ve made full use of social media to share views, explain the impact of proposed changes, organise protests and raise funds to help those injured or arrested.
UN leaders urge ‘maximum political will’ to rescue SDGs
- UN News
Top UN officials on Monday called for urgent reforms to the international financial system to boost efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
BRAZIL: ‘The Law Should Protect Women and Girls, Not Criminalise Them’
- Inter Press Service
Jul 18 (IPS) - CIVICUS discusses abortion rights in Brazil with Guacira Oliveira, director of the Feminist Centre for Studies and Advice (CFEMEA). CFEMEA is an anti-racist feminist organisation that defends women’s rights, collective care and self-care and monitors developments in Brazil’s National Congress.
UN forum on sustainable development concludes with renewed commitment, call for urgent action
- UN News
The High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development concluded on Wednesday, with nations reiterating the need for renewed impetus and accelerated actions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the 2030 deadline.