http://uk.oneworld.net/article/archive/1942 en_GB_uk OneWorld UK - UK/English/Topics/Economy/Debt U.S. Congress to Address Poor Country Debts http://us.oneworld.net/article/view/159737/1/1942 NEW YORK, Apr 14 (OneWorld) - The U.S. House of Representatives is likely to endorse a legislative proposal this week calling for the cancellation of debts owed by some of the world's poorest countries. Designs from the dumpster http://tv.oneworld.net/article/view/159703/1/1942 'Corporate Vultures Preyed on Zambian Debt' http://uk.oneworld.net/link/gotolink/addhit/83100 Zambia has been forced to reallocate resources intended for poverty alleviation to pay a "vulture fund," a company that scammed the impoverished nation to make millions off its cancellation of a 1999 debt, writes an organization promoting African development. Agriculture for poverty reduction http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/159213/1/1942 Despite being the locomotive of the global economy, the Asia-Pacific region still faces enormous challenges like food, energy and water security. UNESCAP’s Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2008 reveals that by making agriculture both economically and socially viable, the region can achieve sustainable and inclusive growth. ‘Indian budget will not raise farm incomes’ http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/159121/1/1942 The government’s loan waivers for farmers are more of a populist stunt in the election year and less of seeking solutions to the current agrarian crisis, says journalist P.Sainath. The waivers fail to address moneylender debts and limit beneficiaries by a pre-determined two-hectare mark. Tale of two villages http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/159052/1/1942 Two villages in Maharashtra in western India tell of two different tales of survival. While one village is lush green with abundant water and yielding fields, the other in Vidarbha’s cotton belt has rising debts, shrinking incomes and desperate homes. Mumbai bank helps sex workers save money http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/158680/1/1942 Mumbai’s Sangini Women's Co-operative Bank is a beacon of hope for the sex workers of Kamathipura. By providing a monetary buffer to its red-light district clients, this small Indian bank seeks to change the lives of these women for the better by making them less vulnerable to debts. Indebted small farmers in India get a reprieve http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/158364/1/1942 India has announced its budget for the next financial year. In a move to provide a major relief to the small farmers, the government has decided to cancel their entire debt. It may be noted that for past many years now the farmers have been committing suicides due to indebtedness and other related reasons. U.S. Military Plan for Africa Panned http://us.oneworld.net/article/view/158189/1/1942 NEW YORK, Feb 24 (OneWorld) - While in Africa this week, George W. Bush drew fire for his plans to expand the United States' military presence on the resource-rich but economically strapped continent. ‘Growing inequality is a threat to democracy’ http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/157544/1/1942 India has slipped to 128th position in the world human development index. An average expenditure of farmer household is less than half a dollar a month. About 82% of them suffer from indebtedness. Yet the government is withdrawing from sectors that matter most to the poor, says Magsaysay awardee P. Sainath. Loan waivers in offing for Indian farmers http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/157372/1/1942 A massive debt relief package for farmers is being finalised by India’s agriculture ministry. The scheme will provide debt relief to small and marginal farmers who own land up to two hectares and large farmers. The total outgoings over four years are expected to be around INR 700 billion. Attacking the World Bank’s monopoly on knowledge http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/155438/1/1942 In September 2007, over 600 people assembled in Indian capital New Delhi to put the World Bank on trial through an independent people’s tribunal. Neil Tangri in his incisive article describes the tribunal as an attempt to renew a silenced debate over neoliberlaism and a direct challenge to the Bank’s monopoly on knowledge. Farmer suicides on rise in western India http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/154911/1/1942 Crop failures, rising debts and state apathy are making farmers take their own lives in the ‘prosperous’ Indian state of Gujarat. Debt-ridden families are now calling upon the government to compensate their losses. Rising health costs forcing farmers into debt http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/154609/1/1942 Agrarian tragedy is taking a new form in rural Vidarbha, in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Spiraling medical costs and the lack of a basic health care system are making farmers mortgage their lands. New IMF Chief Urged to Reform Body to Help Poor http://us.oneworld.net/article/view/154021/1/1942 NEW YORK, Oct 9 (OneWorld) - Calls for substantial changes in loan conditions for poor countries are on the rise as the new International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief prepares to take office next month.