Latest Poverty News

Nigeria's president defends end to fuel subsidy as hardship bites harder

Jun. 08, 2023 05:26 AM EDT

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday defended the West African nation's decision last week to stop subsidizing fuel, a move that has pushed up prices for transportation and commodities. Tinubu appealed for patience as millions of citizens face...

Vermont Republican governor vetoes bill to expand child care subsidies

Jun. 06, 2023 16:55 PM EDT

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Vermont Republican Gov. Phil Scott on Tuesday vetoed a bill that would have expanded child care subsidies for some families, saying he objects to the payroll tax to partially pay for it. Scott wrote in his veto message to lawmakers that increasing the...

US-based aid group says around $900,000 stolen by employees in Congo

Jun. 06, 2023 15:12 PM EDT

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — An American-based aid group said that approximately $900,000 was stolen from its Congo programs by members of the organization who conspired with outsiders. GiveDirectly said that it learned that people on its Congo team worked with people outside the...

Trinidad's Francis elected next leader of UN General Assembly

Jun. 01, 2023 15:44 PM EDT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Trinidad and Tobago’s Ambassador Dennis Francis was elected Thursday as the next president of the U.N. General Assembly, the 193-member world body that has been at the forefront of the United Nations' condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and is a key venue for...

Bola Tinubu sworn in as Nigeria's president amid hopes, skepticism

May. 29, 2023 12:42 PM EDT

Associated Press (AP) — Bola Tinubu became Nigeria's president on Monday during a period of unprecedented challenges for Africa’s most populous country, leaving some citizens hopeful for a better life and others skeptical that his government would perform better than the one he succeeded. ...

East Timor's opposition party wins most seats in parliamentary election

May. 23, 2023 11:00 AM EDT

DILI, East Timor (AP) — East Timor’s opposition party won Sunday’s parliamentary election, meaning independence fighter Xanana Gusmao is likely to return as prime minister in Asia’s youngest democracy. The final vote count released by the National Elections Commission on...

DOJ: Alabama ignored sewer issues, harmed Black residents

May. 04, 2023 21:38 PM EDT

HAYNEVILLE, Ala. (AP) — The U.S. Department of Justice on Thursday said an environmental justice probe found Alabama engaged in a pattern of inaction and neglect regarding the risks of raw sewage for residents in an impoverished Alabama county and announced a settlement agreement with the state. ...

Global Citizen NOW summit yields commitments, big and small

Apr. 28, 2023 23:23 PM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — Hugh Evans highlighted a staggering new statistic to explain why this year’s Global Citizen NOW conference was packed with calls to action and urgent requests for involvement. The CEO of Global Citizen, who has been fighting against extreme poverty since he was...

Coalition challenges Paraguay's long-ruling Colorado Party

Apr. 28, 2023 14:45 PM EDT

ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay (AP) — Voters will decide Sunday whether to stay with the party that has governed Paraguay for seven decades or back a broad opposition coalition that has mounted a strong challenge amid discontent over health, schools and corruption. The elections for president...

Mexico migrant camp tents torched across border from Texas

Apr. 22, 2023 12:39 PM EDT

MATAMOROS, Mexico (AP) — About two dozen makeshift tents were set ablaze and destroyed at a migrant camp across the border from Texas this week, witnesses said Friday, a sign of the extreme risk that comes with being stuck in Mexico as the Biden administration increasingly relies on that country...