African governments owe three times more debt to Western banks, asset managers and oil traders than to China, and are charged double the interest, according to research released today by Debt Justice. Western leaders through the G7 have attributed the failure to make progress on debt restructuring to China,[1] but the data shows that this is mistaken. Just 12% of African governments’ external debt is owed to Chinese lenders compared to 35% owed to Western private lenders, according to the calculations based on World Bank data.[2] Furthermore, interest rates on private loans are almost double those on Chinese loans, while the most indebted countries are less likely to have their debt dominated by China. The figures have been released ahead of the G20 Finance Ministers meeting

Over 60 countries are at risk of not meeting the maternal, newborn and stillborn targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) if urgent action is not taken, the Director General of the World Health Organization, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has warned. While acknowledging progress made in efforts to reduce maternal and newborn mortality in the last 20 years, Dr Ghebreyesus said reductions in maternal and newborn deaths have now plateaued, noting that newborn mortalities still accounted for almost half of under-five mortality. “Every year, 4.5 million mothers, newborns and stillborns die from preventable causes,” he told delegates at the ongoing Maternal and Newborn Health Conference in Cape Town, South Africa on Tuesday, May 9. “Where a child is born or how much money

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https://www.youtube.com/embed/IwPJQQ85Z0A Dive into a riveting one-on-one interview as Kwesi Pratt Jnr, a renowned journalist, and founder of Pan African TV, unveils the captivating truths about Africa on The Point, a groundbreaking show on CGTN. This is a thought-provoking journey that explored the essence of the continent, delved into its vibrant complexities, and challenges prevailing narratives. Enjoy this enlightening conversation, specially crafted for you our audience, as we unmask the real Africa and embark on an eye-opening exploration together.