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World Bank postpones Uganda loan over anti-gay law
The World Bank on Thursday postponed a $90 million loan to Uganda's health system over a law that toughened punishment for gays, an unusual move for an institution that typically avoids wading into politics.
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- Health Care
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Harvested rainwater in South Africa harbors pathogens, finds new study
According to research from the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa, pathogens are inhabiting harvested rainwater across the region, potentially posing a public health hazard, especially for children and immunocompromised individuals. Likewise, South Africa has been financing domestic rainwater harvesting tanks in informal low-income settlements and rural areas in five of the nation's nine provinces.
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- Agriculture, Education, Health Care
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‘SuperMum’ campaign results in startling improvements in people’s hand-washing behavior
An analysis of a unique "SuperMum" (SuperAmma) handwashing campaign shows for the first time that using emotional motivators, such as feelings of disgust and nurture, rather than health messages, can result in significant, long-lasting improvements in people's handwashing behaviour, and could in turn help to reduce the risk of infectious diseases.
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- Education, Health Care
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Developing-World Disease Vaccines Being Prepared for Human Tests
The fight against poverty-related diseases is gaining ground as scientists prepare trials of vaccines for hookworm, leishmaniasis and other parasitic diseases common in the developing world, thanks to the support of public research funding.
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- Health Care
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Banks lose out as M-Pesa goes global with MoneyGram deal
Safaricom’s push to take its mobile money transfer business global has received another boost with the signing of a deal that will see users of MoneyGram send cash directly to M-Pesa customers from any part of the world.
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- Uncategorized
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Mt.Gox Files For Bankruptcy Protection, Says 850,000 Bitcoin Lost
Mt.Gox has filed for bankruptcy protection and has outstanding debt of about $63.6 million, a lawyer for the Bitcoin exchange said today during a press conference at the Tokyo District Court, reports the WSJ.
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- Uncategorized
- Tags
- digital payments
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Kiva Partners with Vittana to Bolster its Student Loans Program
Kiva is one of the microfinance pioneers, helping entrepreneurs and small businesses secure loans from backers who give as little as $25. The platform, which has been around since 2005, has collected over $500 million in loans from its million-strong community.
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- Uncategorized
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BlackBerry plans mobile money services
Canadian smartphone maker Blackberry sees India as a key market for launching its mobile money services. The company plans to launch money transfer services on the Blackberry Messenger platform in partnership with local banks.
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- Uncategorized