10 | WORLD PULSE NEWS
“Our goal is to empower women,” says Nicolas Abu Samah, who launched the station. “We want to question taboos and provoke controversy.” The station boasts a staff of about 60, with correspondents in Syria, Saudi Arabia, the Palestinian territories, Jordan, and North Africa. Studios are in Beirut and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. About 70% of staff members—and all of the top managers—are women. (Will Rasmussen/Christian Science Monitor)
U.S.: Tax Break 101 On the heels of new data from the U.S. Census Bureau showing a rise in poverty among children in the U.S., the Economic Policy Institute in Washington, D.C., released a new study showing that a huge payoff to taxpayers would come from investment in early education for the nation’s poor children.
According to the study, annual invest-
consensus that early public intervention
ments in comprehensive, high-quality early childhood development (ECD) programs for all poor 3- and 4-year-olds in the country would more than pay for themselves between now and 2050. A publicly financed, comprehensive ECD program would cost approximately $19 billion dollars annually but is likely to triple its value in budget savings over time, according to the study.
represents one of the most productive uses for public funds.
The report, “Exceptional Returns: Economic, Fiscal, and Social Benefits of Investment in Early Childhood Development” by economist Robert G. Lynch, PhD, finds that such a nationwide program would ultimately reduce government costs for remedial and special education, for criminal justice, for welfare benefits and would increase income earned and taxes paid back to society. The report reflects growing
(Economic Policy Institute)
Saving millions of newborn lives within reach According to new landmark research on newborn survival in the British medical journal The Lancet, 3 million of the 4 million young lives lost annually could be saved with existing low-tech, low-cost measures. Examples of these measures include tetanus immunizations for pregnant women, clean delivery, exclusive breastfeeding, and antibiotics for infections. It only costs an estimated $1 per capita per year to provide these health measures at 90% coverage of women and babies in poor countries. (Save the Children)