Global South World

### Main points Mental health has become the health issue people are most concerned about worldwide, overtaking cancer as worries about the Covid-19 pandemic continue to fade, according to Ipsos’ Health Service Report 2024 . Across the 31 countries surveyed, 45% of adults named mental health as one of the biggest health problems facing their country. Cancer followed at 38%, while 31% selected stress. Obesity was cited by 26% and drug abuse by 21%. The findings mark a significant change from the pandemic years. In 2021, 70% identified coronavirus as a major health problem. By 2023, that had dropped to 15%, and in the 2024 survey only 11% mentioned Covid-19, placing it 10th among the 13 health issues measured. Mental health has now ranked as the leading health concern for three consecutive years in the Ipsos survey. The share identifying it as a major problem rose from 31% in 2021 to 44% in 2023 and 45% in 2024. Concern is particularly high among younger women. 55% of Gen Z women identified mental health as a major health problem, compared with 37% of Gen Z men. Across all age groups, 51% of women selected mental health, 11 percentage points higher than men. Older people see the picture differently. Cancer was the leading concern among Baby Boomers, with 46% identifying it as a major health problem. They were the only generation in the survey for whom mental health did not rank first. Ipsos surveyed 23,667 adults across 31 countries between July 26 and August 9, 2024. The global country average gives each surveyed country equal weight rather than weighting results according to population size.

Opposition supporters took to the streets of Tegucigalpa on Tuesday to protest against President Nasry Asfura's government and denounce what they described as US interference in Honduras's internal affairs. The demonstration included sectors linked to the National Popular Resistance Front (FNRP) and took place during the country's independence anniversary celebrations. Protesters marched towards the city centre carrying flags and banners and chanting slogans against the government and US President Donald Trump . ### Protesters Raise Economic Concerns Demonstrator Scarlet Romero said the independence anniversary provided an opportunity to highlight social and economic concerns. "We cannot be celebrating an independence when the Honduran people are being vilified, when the basic food basket is unaffordable, when wages are on the floor, when mass lay-offs are the order of the day," she said. The role of the United States in Honduran politics was another focus of the demonstration. Victor Rodriguez accused the Trump administration of interfering in the country's internal affairs. "The interference by Donald Trump and by the criminal right-wing group that is trying to take over the whole of Latin America ," the demonstrator said. ### Protesters Question 2025 Election Tomas Andino also questioned the 2025 presidential election result and alleged that foreign intervention influenced the process. "People are becoming aware that the elections were stolen from them; that there was a foreign power that intervened, that meddled through bot farms that have already begun to be exposed as the great electoral fraud that took place," he argued. The allegations relate to the 2025 election campaign. Honduras's official electoral calendar scheduled the general election for November 30, 2025. According to the information provided for this report, Trump publicly backed Asfura before the vote and warned that a victory by Libre's left-wing candidate, Rixi Moncada, could have consequences for relations with Washington. The National Electoral Council later declared Asfura, of the National Party, the winner with 40.26 percent of the vote, compared with 39.54 percent for Salvador Nasralla. Moncada finished third. The electoral process faced delays in the count, technical problems and allegations of fraud and US interference. Asfura took office on January 27, 2026.

A young Malawian innovator is developing an AI-powered system that allows people with motor disabilities to control computers using only their eyes. Chimwemwe Liwonde demonstrated the technology at the UNiPod innovation facility in Blantyre on Tuesday, moving a computer cursor and navigating pages through eye movements. For Liwonde, the aim is to give users greater independence when accessing the digital world . “Currently, for a motor-disabled user to use the computer, they rely on caregivers who may perform the task on their behalf. For example, a motor-disabled user may dictate, ‘I want to open this app,’ or ‘I want to type this.’ So actually, I developed this innovation to give them back their independence and access to the digital world,” Liwonde explained. ### Eye Control Without Specialised Hardware The system works offline and uses a standard computer camera. This removes the need for specialised eye-tracking hardware and could make the technology more accessible. Lyson Mapanga, Communications Officer at the Federation of Disability Organisations in Malawi (FEDOMA), demonstrated the system and explained how his disability affects the time needed to complete some computer tasks. “If I am to type a four-page document using one hand, it will take me three to four hours for a four-page document to be finalised.” After testing the technology, Mapanga said it could help him make better use of his abilities. “I do believe that with this software, when I am using it, navigating this software, it will be very helpful. I will be able to maximise my potential in delivering what is recommended for me to do,” Mapanga explained. ### Taking the Technology Beyond Development Liwonde's project has already received the Best Social Impact Award at Malawi's National ICT Innovation Awards. UNiPod Manager Francis Masi said efforts are underway to involve more stakeholders and move the technology beyond its development stage. “The idea is that we should see this innovation being used out there,” he said. Access to assistive technology remains limited in Malawi. Research cited by those involved in the project found that 56.5 percent of people with disabilities needed assistive technology, while only 6.1 percent had received it.

### Key points The World Bank has had 1 4 presidents since it began operations in 1946 , and every one of them has been a US national, reflecting a longstanding pattern in the leadership of one of the world's most influential development institutions. The tradition began with Eugene Meyer, who became the Bank's first president in June 1946. It continues with Ajay Banga, whom the World Bank's executive directors selected as its 14th president in 2023. The Bank identified Banga as a US national during the selection process. Banga was born in India and later became a US citizen. He began his five-year term on June 2, 2023, succeeding David Malpass, another US national who led the institution from 2019 to 2023. The pattern means that although the World Bank has 189 member countries, its permanent presidency has never been held by a national of another country. ### One brief exception There has been one temporary break from the pattern. Kristalina Georgieva, a Bulgarian economist, became interim World Bank Group president on February 1, 2019, after Jim Yong Kim stepped down before completing his term. She served until David Malpass took office on April 9. Georgieva therefore led the institution temporarily but was not selected as a permanent World Bank president. She later became managing director of the International Monetary Fund in October 2019. The Bank's own historical records list 13 former presidents from Eugene Meyer through David Malpass, with Banga serving as the 14th. ### Why has every president been American? The pattern stems from an informal convention, rather than a rule requiring the president to be American. Since the World Bank and IMF were created at Bretton Woods, the United States has traditionally put forward the candidate to lead the World Bank, while a European has traditionally headed the IMF. The World Bank's executive directors formally select the president. In Banga's case, he was the only nominee submitted during the 2023 selection process before being chosen for a five-year term.

### Food poverty affects 77% of children under five Around 77% of children under five in Madagascar experience food poverty , meaning their diets lack sufficient variety and nutrients. Many consume food from only two food groups a day, often dominated by rice or other staples. The consequences are serious. Between May 2026 and April 2027, about 502,000 children under five in the Grand South and Grand South-East are expected to suffer acute malnutrition, including roughly 78,000 severe cases. The figures highlight a wider problem in Madagascar: many families struggle to consistently provide young children with the range of nutritious foods needed for healthy growth. ### AfDB forecasts 4.5% growth in 2027, but financing remains a major challenge Madagascar’s economy is forecast to rebound to 4.5% growth in 2027, according to the African Development Bank, after growth slowed from 4.3% in 2024 to 3.2% in 2025 and was projected at 3% in 2026. However, the AfDB estimates Madagascar needs about $7.27 billion annually until 2030 to finance its development ambitions. AfDB Country Manager Adam Amoumoun said: “To achieve its development ambitions, Madagascar will need to mobilise resources at scale, both domestic and external.” The challenge is compounded by a tax-to-GDP ratio of about 10.5% in 2025 and an informal economy representing roughly 47% of GDP. The AfDB recommends stronger tax administration, greater economic formalisation and financing tools including green, blue and diaspora bonds. ### Northern Madagascar begins displacement and disaster-risk mapping The International Organisation for Migration and Madagascar’s National Office for Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC) began collecting displacement and vulnerability data in the northern SAVA and DIANA regions on September 10. The first phase covers Sambava, Vohémar, Ambilobe and Ambanja and uses IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM). Teams are gathering information from local authorities, health workers, teachers and community representatives about population movements, exposure to cyclones and floods, vulnerabilities and emergency needs. The objective is to identify high-risk communities before disasters occur, giving authorities and humanitarian organisations better information for evacuations, emergency assistance and recovery planning. ### Rehabilitated 47-km road connects five rural communes in Fandriana A 47-kilometre road between Ambinanitelo and Milamaina in Fandriana district has been rehabilitated to improve transport and agricultural market access. The route connects Ambinanitelo, Fiadanana, Sahamadioa, Ambohipo and Milamaina and was financed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development through the DEFIS rural development programme. Better road access is expected to help farmers transport crops to markets and obtain seeds, fertiliser and other agricultural inputs more easily. It should also improve residents’ access to healthcare, education and other services. The project was officially received during the weekend preceding September 14 and forms part of wider efforts to reduce the isolation of Madagascar’s rural communities. ### Three youth centres equipped to serve 1,500 young people Around 1,500 secondary-school students in southern and southeastern Madagascar will benefit from newly equipped Youth Corners in Manakara , Mananjary and Milenaka-Toliara II. With support from Norway and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the centres received computers, internet connections, musical instruments, sports equipment and recreational facilities. The centres also provide confidential information and support on sexual and reproductive health, relationships and prevention of gender-based violence, alongside Comprehensive Sexuality Education. The initiative is designed to give young people safe spaces combining digital access, education, recreation and confidential counselling, particularly in areas where access to youth-focused health and social services remains limited.