Solar brings economic boost to East African households
Households using small scale-solar power in East Africa are reporting a rise in economic activity, with an improvement in income and job opportunities, according to a new report.
Poverty alleviation
Stockton, CA becomes first U.S. city to test universal basic income
Stockton, Calif., hopes to become an exhibition ground for fighting poverty with a simple yet unorthodox experiment: giving $500 a month in donated cash to perhaps 100 local families, no strings attached.
Seattle passes new tax on city’s biggest companies to combat housing crisis
The tax will raise $45 million a year over the five-year life of the tax to build more affordable housing and support services for the homeless.
Google’s new Africa app aims to beat slow internet speeds, high data costs
Google is releasing an app in Africa that will help internet users overcome obstacles such as the lack of high-speed connectivity and the cost of data on the continent.
#MeToo justice infiltrates the aid sector as sexual exploitation allegations proliferate
Many said that despite repeated warnings going back 15 years to a then controversial report by Save the Children on the prevalence of sexual abuse in west Africa that include aid worker abuse the issue has long been ignored by managers.
Signatures submitted to put $15 minimum wage, paid leave on Massachusetts ballot
The coalition of labor, religious, and community organizations collected 274,652 signatures for the two petitions 139,055 for a $15 minimum wage and 135,597 for paid leave far more than the 64,750 required for each one.
Frontline workers push Guinea worm disease to the brink of eradication
There have been just 26 cases of Guinea worm in 2017 so far, down from 3.5 million cases in 21 countries in Africa and Asia in 1986.
Mexico raises minimum wage by 10 percent to $4.71 per day
Mexico will raise its minimum wage on Dec. 1 from 80.04 pesos per day to 88.36 pesos, President Enrique Pena Nieto said on Tuesday.
Evolve Foundation launches a $100 million fund to find startups working to relieve human suffering
Co-founder of Matrix Partners China Bo Shao will lead the fund and will be looking for entrepreneurs focusing on tech that can help people become more present and aware.
Montgomery County Council in Maryland unanimously approves $15 minimum-wage
Montgomery, which is the largest and one of the most affluent jurisdictions in Maryland, is the first in the state to require a $15 minimum wage, and the second jurisdiction in the Washington region, after the District of Columbia.