THE GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS & ITS IMPACT ON MICROFINANCE

" During the currency crisis in East Asia & Banking crisis in Latin America in 1990s, Institutions serving poor customers generally performed better financially than mainstream Banks"

http://www.cgap.org/gm/document-1.1.1305/FN_52%20ENG.pdf

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Tom Segev at 80: Why One of Israel’s Leading Historians Now Calls Zionism a Mistake. Haaretz. Analysis and Summary. Haaretz

Tom Segev. Looking Back, Israeli Historian Tom Segev Thinks Zionism Was a Mistake April 4, 2025 — By Ofer Aderet (Analysis and Summary) Haaretz Israeli historian Tom Segev , long known for his critical lens on the history of Israel and Zionism , has made perhaps his boldest statement yet. At the age of 80, Segev reflects on his personal journey and the historical myths that shaped both his family narrative and the nation’s identity. His revelations , detailed in an in-depth Haaretz article, offer not just a personal reckoning but a broader challenge to Zionism’s moral and historical foundation . Key Themes and Analysis 1. Personal Revelation and Historical Reckoning Segev opens his reflection by confronting a deeply personal myth : the circumstances of his father’s death during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. For decades, he believed the official narrative that his father, Heinz Schwerin, was killed heroically...

Turning Lifelines into Leverage: Israel’s Plan to Control Aid in Gaza Sparks Global Outcry

For over two months, Israel has restricted aid access into Gaza —a territory already reeling from massive displacement, bombings, and near-famine conditions. Now, a new plan by Israeli authorities to control aid delivery has sparked outrage from the United Nations and international NGOs. 1. What Is Israel Proposing? Israel wants to create military-controlled “hubs” within Gaza where international aid can be distributed. Under this plan, private contractors would manage the flow of food, medicine, and water—under supervision of Israeli forces. 2. Why Are Aid Groups Refusing? Humanitarian organizations argue that this proposal violates principles of neutrality. They believe it turns life-saving aid into a political tool, essentially using humanitarian support to pressure Hamas and control civilians. “It contravenes fundamental humanitarian principles,” said the United Nations in a joint statement with aid groups. 3. Mass Displacement and Humanitarian Zones As part of its comi...

From “Hamas Looked at Me Wrong” to “An Israeli Raped Me”: The Curious Case of Mia Schem’s Shifting Headlines

Ah, Mia Schem . The face of hostage survival , the darling of Israeli media, and, apparently, the victim of just about everyone — depending on which week it is. Let’s rewind . Back in late 2023, Mia was abducted by Hamas during the infamous October 7 Nova music festival attack . Tragic? Absolutely. No one in their right mind would wish such trauma on another human being . She was held for 54 days , wounded, and later released as part of a hostage exchange . S he became a symbol — paraded across global media as proof of Hamas’s inhumanity. In one bizarre interview with Western outlets, she suggested that while in captivity, Hamas fighters “raped her with their eyes.” That’s right. No physical assault reported , no formal accusation — just a poetic kind of violation . A stretch? Many thought so. But hey, nuance was out, and propaganda was in . Fast forward to March 2025. In a surprising twist of narrative, Mia filed a police complaint — not against Hamas , not against some lurking ter...

Zionism and Post-Holocaust Christian Theology: A Jewish Perspective. Mark Braverman

Introduction of Mark Braverman: Mark Braverman is a Jewish-American psychologist, theologian , and prominent voice in the interfaith justice movement for Palestine . Raised in a strong Zionist tradition , Braverman underwent a personal and moral transformation after witnessing the realities of the Israeli occupation . He is the Executive Director of Kairos USA , an organization that mobilizes American Christians to support Palestinian rights. Braverman focuses on the intersection of theology, justice, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. His work critiques both Jewish and Christian theological frameworks that support Zionism and calls for a prophetic response rooted in human rights and reconciliation. His major works include Fatal Embrace: Christians, Jews, and the Search for Peace in the Holy Land and numerous essays on interfaith theology and justice. Mark Braverman. Opening Note: In the wake of the Holocaust , Christian theology took a new direction — see...

The Hunger Crisis in Gaza: A Deadly Cycle of Starvation, Suffering, and Refeeding Syndrome

As the siege on Gaza continues to devastate millions, the world watches as a catastrophe unfolds — one of the most heart-wrenching humanitarian crises in recent history . The simple act of eating has become a life-or-death decision for thousands of Gazans, as they struggle to survive on dwindling supplies of food and water. The situation is dire. According to recent reports from The New York Times , nearly 91% of Gaza's population is now facing “food insecurity,” with many enduring “emergency” or “catastrophic” levels of hunger. Bakeries have shut down , and charity kitchens are overcrowded as people wait for a meager meal. The UN has raised alarms that Gaza may already be on the brink of famine , with children showing the visible signs of malnutrition — emaciated bodies, hollow eyes, and weakened immune systems. But the horror doesn’t end with hunger. As Gaza’s population survives on less and less, the collapse of the healthcare system has created a terrifying new danger:...

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