These are some of the views and reports relevant to our readers that caught our attention this week. Compare your country - Aid statistics by donor, recipient and sector
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More Than One in Five Worldwide Living in Extreme Poverty
Gallup
"Gallup's self-reported household income data across 131 countries indicate that more than one in five residents (22%) live on $1.25 per day or less -- the World Bank's definition of "extreme poverty." About one in three (34%) live on no more than $2 per day. The World Bank Group recently set a new goal of reducing the worldwide rate of extreme poverty to no more than 3% by 2030, but Gallup's data suggest meeting that goal will require substantial growth and job creation in many countries. In 86 countries, more than 3% of the population lives on $1.25 per day or less."READ MORE
Infosys to help Myanmar develop its e-governance strategy
Business Standard
"With the economy of Myanmar (erstwhile Burma) opening up after decades of isolation, the reformist government is going all out to make the country’s presence in the global information Technology (IT) map. The Southeast Asian country is learnt to have roped in Infosys to devise its strategy on using Information Technology for improving the efficiency in governance, with a thrust on grooming the local ecosystem.According to sources close to this development, Infosys, India’s second largest IT services company has bagged a consulting project from government of Myanmar to frame its IT strategy. This also gives the Bangalore-headquartered company an entry into the country once considered as untouchable by global investors marred by prolong civil war under the military junta."
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Zambia: Register Your SIM Card, or Lose Your Service
Global Voices
"In autumn of 2012, the Zambian government issued a new policy requiring citizens to register their mobile phone SIM cards, using their real identities. Now they are threatening to deactivate services on mobile phones with unregistered SIMs. Mobile service providers in Zambia mainly offer pay-as-you-go services, meaning that mobile phone customers can acquire SIM cards anonymously and pay for air time as needed. Many Zambians also rely on their mobile phones to access the Internet. This is critical, given that dial-up and broadband services are not only expensive but poorly distributed throughout the country."READ MORE
Using Mirrors To Show Police What They Have Become
Popular Resistance
"At noon on Dec. 30, protesters in central Kyiv held mirrors in front of police for 30 minutes to commemorate the night of Nov. 30 when riot police used excessive force to breakup a peaceful rally on Independence Square consisting mostly of university students. In a gesture to remind the police of their violent actions that memorable night, EuroMaidan demonstrators lined up with mirrors to show law enforcement personnel their reflections. The civic demonstration took place near walkways and streets that lead to the government building district where police have been stationed. The buildings include the president’s headquarters, Cabinet of Ministers and central bank, among others." READ MORE
How Media Outlets Sometimes Agree To Agree
NPR
"When former South African President Nelson Mandela died last month, he was celebrated around the world, lauded in this country by politicians who range as far apart on the ideological spectrum as President Obama and Texas GOP Sen. Ted Cruz.
It was easy to forget how controversial a figure Mandela once had been. People who referred to him in death as a communist or terrorist, or refused to pay him proper homage, were derided as marginal figures. By the time of his death, Mandela's greatness had become one of those rare topics about which media outlets felt no need to reflect any sort of dissenting opinion."READ MORE
Empowering girls to speak out against breast ironing
The Guardian
"The practice is among many harmful traditions girls face, but giving them a platform to tell their stories is key to ending it. Elizabeth Mbu kept her secret for 16 years. Aged 11, her mother kneaded her naked, developing breasts with a hot stone twice a week to stop them growing. "Each time I cried as it was really painful," she says. "I didn't understand what was going on, but it was very difficult to speak about." Her mother continued the practice for a year, causing permanent damage."READ MORE
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