Poverty Reduction
How is VISA's Saksham Program empowering women entrepreneurs in India?
VISA's Saksham Program empowers women entrepreneurs through three key pillars: social and financial inclusion, livelihood promotion through entrepreneurship training, and social empowerment via self-help groups. The program has successfully reached over 10,500 women across India, exceeding their initial goal of 8,500 women-led businesses. Starting small in 2019 with just 20 women, it now helps women overcome barriers like early marriages, lack of vocational training, and limited financial resources. These entrepreneurs gain practical skills, market access, and confidence, transforming them into leaders and role models in their communities. The program's impact earned it a Jury Choice award at the ICC Social Impact Awards 2023-24 for promoting gender equality and women's empowerment.
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NDTV
02:25 - 07:33
How could IRS layoffs impact tax returns during tax season?
The IRS layoffs occurring during tax season could potentially delay processing times for the 160 million tax returns expected from individuals and businesses. Tax experts warn that fewer people working on returns, system disruptions, or staff distraction from complying with external requests (like those from Dogecoin) could extend processing times. These delays would particularly impact lower-income Americans who rely on timely tax refunds. With reduced personnel handling the massive volume of returns during this busy period, the efficiency of processing could be compromised, affecting millions of taxpayers waiting for their refunds.
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ABC News
00:52 - 01:42
How has the destruction of the Sennaar sugar factory affected local farmers in Sudan?
The destruction of the Sennaar sugar factory has devastated the local farming community, directly impacting their livelihoods and welfare. According to Uncle Khidr, a farmer living near the factory, the community's lifestyle was intrinsically linked to the sugar production facility, which produced sugar that was "much sweeter," "much better," and "more concentrated" than imports. When the factory was destroyed during recent conflicts, the farmers' economic stability collapsed alongside it. This impact extends beyond economics to cultural significance, as sugar plays a central role in Sudanese daily life, with many Sudanese like Uncle Khidr consuming their coffee with cups "nearly half full of sugar."
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Al Jazeera English
02:16 - 02:46
How has the destruction of the sugar factory affected the local farming community in Sudan?
The destruction of the sugar factory has devastated the local farming community, completely dismantling their livelihoods and way of life. As Uncle Khidr and other farmers near the Sennaar factory explain, their welfare and lifestyle were directly linked to the sugar production facility. When the factory was destroyed amid the ongoing conflict, farmers lost not only their economic stability but also their connection to traditional practices. The community takes pride in their locally produced sugar, which they describe as 'much sweeter' and 'more concentrated' than imports. This crisis represents more than just economic hardship—it's the loss of a cultural cornerstone in a society where sweeteners remain a dietary staple.
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Al Jazeera English
02:16 - 02:46
What is Sudan's current sugar production and consumption situation?
Sudan's annual sugar consumption amounts to approximately 1 million tons, but the country is heavily reliant on imports to meet this demand despite having agricultural potential. Most sugar is now imported from various countries including Brazil and Cuba, as Sudan has never achieved self-sufficiency in sugar production. Even when local sugar factories were operational, Sudan still needed to import sugar to satisfy domestic needs. The situation has worsened due to ongoing conflict and economic turmoil, leaving many sugar factories defunct and farmers without livelihoods tied to domestic production, further deepening the country's dependence on foreign sugar sources.
Watch clip answer (00:18m)Al Jazeera English
01:41 - 02:00
What alternatives do children in Haiti lack that contributes to gang recruitment?
Children in Haiti currently lack viable alternatives to gang involvement due to the absence of economic opportunities. As Jacqueline Charles explains, Haiti has lost tens of thousands of jobs as a direct result of the ongoing violence, including factory positions that might otherwise provide legitimate employment. The situation has created a devastating cycle where the community has nothing to fight for, and children especially have no alternatives to offer hope for their future. This economic vacuum, combined with the broader socio-political instability, has made young people particularly vulnerable to gang recruitment, as they search for any means of survival in a country where legitimate opportunities simply 'don't exist right now.'
Watch clip answer (00:12m)
CBS News
04:41 - 04:53