Author: Staff Writer

African countries should try public participation in the budget process

Post author By Staff Writer
Post date February 23, 2022

According to The Conversation, there are two big challenges African countries face when it comes to managing public finances.
First, many lack fiscal capacity on account of structural weaknesses of their economies and gaps in tax administration.

Predominant informality of wage employment and reliance on subsistence agriculture in most countries make it difficult to raise revenue beyond consumption and border taxes.

Consequently, on average, African countries collect a mere 16.6% of gross domestic product (GDP) in taxes.

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Disclaimer: Bible Media News (BMN)* is an independent faith-based media organization. Please note that all press releases and statements published by BMN do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Bible Media.

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In The News

SA records 96% COVID-19 recovery rate

Post author By Staff Writer
Post date February 22, 2022

South Africa has recorded a 96.3% COVID-19 recovery rate, the Department of Health reported on Monday.

“The cumulative number of recoveries now stand at 3 524 402 with a recovery rate of 96.3%,” the department said in a statement.

The latest confirmed cases of COVID-19 released by the department on Monday were 3 659 698, after 1 151 new cases were detected in the last 24 hours.
Read more:

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In The News

Words about mental health need to align with people’s understanding of well being

Post author By Staff Writer
Post date February 22, 2022

According to The Conversation, English is only the sixth most common language spoken within households in South-Africa, but it’s dominant outside the home, including health and medical contexts.

Communicating information relating to health in South Africa requires careful consideration of the cultural context in which this information is to be received. Clinicians must think about this to enhance their relationship with patients and the patient experience.

Click here to read the full story on the website of The Conversation.

Photo: Unsplash

Worldwide

World Relief calls on U.S. to do whatever possible to protect human life

Post author By Staff Writer
Post date February 22, 2022

According to World Relief, Matthew Soerens, their U.S. director of church mobilization, calls for continued change in the U.S. government, saying, “They need to do whatever possible to protect human life, especially those facing persecution.”

Read the article here & move with us: https://cbsn.ws/3sxtcBS

Photo: World Relief

Worldwide

Pope prays for victims of natural disasters, hails healthcare workers in remarks after Angelus

Post author By Staff Writer
Post date February 22, 2022

According to Vatican News, Pope Francis prayed on Sunday for those who have died recently in natural disasters, for consolation for their families, and for support for those who assist them.

In remarks following the Angelus prayer in St Peter’s Square, the Holy Father looked especially to Madagascar, which has been struck by a series of cyclones; and to the Petropolis area of Brazil, which has been “devastated” by floods and landslides.

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Photo: Pixabay

In The News

Work underway to cautiously withdraw National State of Disaster

Post author By Staff Writer
Post date February 22, 2022

Public Service and Administration Minister, Ayanda Dlodlo, says work is underway to “cautiously withdraw” the National State of Disaster in line with the risk adjusted strategy.

Dlodo said this when Ministers in the Governance, State Capacity and Institutional Development (GSCID) cluster briefed the media to outline progress made in areas that the President mentioned in the State of the Nation Address.

“Work is afoot to cautiously withdraw the National State of Disaster in line with our risk adjusted strategy.

“We cannot let our guard down yet,. We need to improve our vaccination uptake to attain population immunity and continue to observe none-pharmaceutical health protocols,” she said on Monday.

The Minister said as the President said during the State of the Nation Address, the country is now in the phase of reconstruction and recovery following the devasting impact of the Coronavirus pandemic.

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Photo: GCIS

Inside Church

WCC: Caribbean churches make clarion call for reconciliation

Post author By Staff Writer
Post date February 22, 2022

As World Council Churches (WCC) member churches from the Caribbean met during the WCC central committee on 10 February, the group issued a clear call for reconciliation as a set of actions, not just an abstract idea.

“Most important to us is to remind the WCC 11th Assembly that the current embargo on Cuba and Haiti must cease if we are sincere in our call for reconciliation,” said Rev. Karl Johnson, of the Jamaica Baptist Union, member of the WCC central committee and moderator of the discussion.

The group discussed their interpretation of the theme of the WCC 11th Assembly, “Christ’s love moves the world to reconciliation and unity.”

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Photo: Pixabay

Inside Church

Rootedness and witness at the heart, as Middle East churches look towards WCC assembly

Post author By Staff Writer
Post date February 21, 2022

The group convened under the leadership of H.E. Metropolitan Dr Vasilios of Constantia – Ammochostos, who reflected on the preciousness of meeting in fellowship at this point in time.

“The Middle East is in many ways a burdened area, as we all live and experience every day. But even so, it is important that our churches can exchange ideas and propose activities to promote peace in our region,” the Metropolitan said.

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Photo: Pixabay

In The News

Register for the United Nations Environment Assembly

Post author By Staff Writer
Post date February 21, 2022

The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) will be held during the period 28 February to 2 March 2022, the theme of which is “Strengthening Actions for Nature to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals”. UNEA is open to civil society organisations that are accredited and upon registration.

Faith for Earth, in collaboration with a diverse group of faith organisations and leaders will be organising 25+ online dialogue sessions during the period 21 February – 4 March 2022.

The Faith for Earth Dialogue is open to all stakeholders, demonstrating the power and potential of faith-based organisations and faith leaders in shaping the discussions at UNEA as well as engaging in policy dialogue with other stakeholders including governments, major groups, cities, businesses and other civil society organisations.

Register here https://t.co/iGdZZEc9nd @SAIGlobal @OrmondCenter @thriving_cities @PaRDSecretariat @religions4peace @WEAnews @weasc @weacreationcare @KlimateKam @EcoIslam_IFEES @bahutrustuk @UNHABITAT #faith4earth pic.twitter.com/KeGJoWiAN4
— Faith For Earth Initiative (@UNEPFaith4Earth) February 18, 2022

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Photo: Pixabay

Worldwide

Pope prays for victims of Spanish fishing boat accident

Post author By Staff Writer
Post date February 21, 2022

According to The Vatican News, Pope Francis has expressed his heartfelt condolences, as well as his solidarity, to all those affected by the tragic sinking of a Spanish fishing trawler, hundreds of kilometres off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada.

In a telegram sent on his behalf by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and addressed to Archbishop Julián Barrio Barrio of Santiago de Compostela, the Pope said he is grieved to hear of the sad news of the shipwreck of the Villa de Pitanxo fishing boat, which occurred on 15 February and in which several people lost their lives.

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Photo: Pixabay